Hey guys. I was wondering about all your best individual methods, post-shave, specifically regarding exactly when to apply the alum block. Do you use the alum block right after the first warm water rinse, or do you use it after the last cold water rinse (with or without witch hazel) right before the aftershave? I was thinking, for me, either right after the first warm water rinse, or right before the last cold water rinse before the aftershave. Do you wash the alum off or let it sit on your face with the aftershave? I'm interested to hear all your post-shave routines! Thanks, guys! Mike, Hoboken. p.s---Alum is safe right? I see ALUM and I think of aluminum, which I'm trying to get away from (like in deodorants).
Immediately after my last pass, when I'm done with the razor, I lather up one last time. Then I rinse the razor and brush out, dry the brush and set it on it's shelf. I then do a WWR to rinse the lather off (like 3-5 double handfulls) and once I'm clean I do a CWR until I feel my face has cooled off (about the same, 3-5 double handfulls). Pat damp with a towel (not completely dry, but the bulk of the water off), then I apply my witch hazel du jour (I have Thayer's Alcohol Free Original and Thayer's Medicated Superhazel). Deodorant, brush teeth, clean up, AS splash du jour, have a nice day! I have tried using my Crystal rock deodorant as an "alum block" twice. I did it after the CWR, then did a second CWR to rinse the "alum" off and followed my routine. Both times were when I had several nicks and I thought the "alum" would help close them up more. I don't think it really did anything special for me, except add an extra step to my post shave routine. I still think about picking up an alum block though, just because they're so cheap....
After my last pass, i cold water rinse. Pat dry & then i wet the alum block & then rub it all over the shaved area. Right after that I start my clean up routine, brush, razor & sink area. I then rinse well with cold water. If i used Proaso i will now splash aqua velva on the shaved area. ( one of the best feelings, post shave IMHO ) If i used Fitjar i will apply some ASB. My current favourite is Ems bay rum.
After shaving and touch up is completed: Warm water rinse Applie alum block to entire face and neck Wait for face to dry ---Rinse & dry lather bowl ---Remove blade from razor, dry & put away ---Clean & dry razor ---Shake lather brush to dry ---Brush teeth Cold water rinse #1 Cold water rinse #2 Pat face dry with cold damp cloth Rinse hands in cold water, shake as much water off hads as possible (it still leaves small amount of water on hand surface Apply after shave Letface dry, apply balm if needed
Normally use alum after cold water rinse at the end of my shave... I usually leave it on for about 5 minutes while I'm cleaning up.. then I rinse it off with cold water and apply Proraso AS Splash.. and occassionally I apply a light AS Balm after the splash if needed..... normally in the winter......
I do the following: -drain the sink and rinse the whiskers down with cool water -rinse face with said cool water -grab an ice cube from the freezer and rub my face down, closing those pores up tight! -hit any nicks with a styptic pen (No Alum Block here) -Brush teeth, apply deodorant -Finally, while my face is still kind of damp (I try not to use a towel on my face at all), I apply my Neutragena After Shave Balm
My post-shave routine runs as follows: Re-lather and let it soak in while I clean up gear. WWR, towel off lather that I missed rinsing. CWR, leave face wet. Apply ASL, sometimes two coats. Go smoke a cigarette and net-surf while ASL air-dries. Apply ASB with wet-hands. <---Note to self: Gotta try this.
- Warm water - reapply lather - Clean brush, razor, put everything in its place - remove lather - Cold water - Alum or WH - ASB or ASL - EDT optional - Go to my daughter's room for a kiss - Nice start for a day! ALUM is a salt of aluminim and potasium,....is safe, a lot of hemostatic products are alum based.
After last pass my routine is 1 reapply lather working it in with brush 2 let sit for a min while i rinse bowl,brush 3 rinse face with WW,pat dry 4 CWR pat dry 5 apply ASL
Rinse off left over cream with warm water. Apply Alum Block. Start cleaning up. Rinse my face off again. Splash Witch Hazel. Finish off cleaning. Apply AfterShave Balm.
- Cold water rinse - Use alum block over the shaved area - Let it air dry - Apply After Shave splash - Brush teeth, do hair, pack lunch - Apply Cologne or Eau de Toilette
Following my shave and cold water splash, I apply: Thayer's Witch Hazel Jason 98% Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel Kiehl's Facial Fuel Moisturizer for Men
Me, I do like this: After my last pass: Rinse my face with cold water. Brush my teeth Dry my face Apply Lubriderm unscented moisturizer Apply aftershave splash, or balm Apply cologne, or eau de toilette Get dressed Finito!
WWR Apply alum to head and face (I'm a head shaver) Perform bulk of clean-up while face and head dry CWR pat off excess water with towel, leaving skin damp Apply AS Splash or milk and leave to air dry finish cleanup
Warm water (already in the sink) Cold water spf 15 moisturizer. I've tried all the balms and sprays and lotions and blocks, and nothing works as good as cold water and a moisturizer. Alum in particular dried me out something fierce, gave me horribly chapped lips.
after a shave I use my hands to wipe off whatever lather is left. Then I rinse my hands, turn off the bathroom light, and go to work. Sometimes I will toss some master's bay rum aftershave on my face and neck before I turn the light off. If I felt the need for styptic after a shave (blood? oh god), that would completely throw off my routine. I'd probably have to call in at work so I could stay home and pen an essay for posting on all the various shaving forums (yes there are more than one) describing what happened and asking what I should do about it. perish the thought!
I rinse hot and cold access the dammage and do one of two things. apply styptic and after shave balmthen Aqua Velva. or depending on the damage I apply a tourniquet to my neck and start the transfusion.
I rinse hot and cold, splash or rub on whichever after shave or balm I feel appropriate, then follow it up with much facerbation.
