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best aftershave BALM,alcohol free?

post #1 of 40
12/9/07 at 5:35am
Thread Starter 
which is the best after-shave BALM,alcohol free?

PD:and splash alcohol free,any memorable mention.?

thanks
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post #2 of 40
12/9/07 at 2:24pm
I like my splashes but in the dry winter the balms are good too. A very good value balm is the Nivea Extra soothing balm without alcohol. It has a nice milky texture and a light scent which disappears quickly.

Coral skin food by Trumpers is pretty good stuff and again the scent is short lived.

If you are looking for luxury balms then those from Floris and Penhaligon's in the various scents are as good as it gets.
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post #3 of 40
12/10/07 at 12:38pm
proraso balm.. also Baxter
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post #4 of 40
12/10/07 at 1:28pm
How do you define *best*?

This is so personal, and so many options...

I like L'Occitane CADE, but it's somewhat heavy. Also use Lanvin Aprege, Trumper's Coral Skin Food, and some others I can't remember right now. I like Bulgari Pour Homme and Gucci Pour Homme ASBs (love the EDTs, so this is why I got the balms). Tried some Pennhaligons and decided I'm too young for it... Ah, I remember I have the VS Very Sexy for him dark + light blue AS Hydrators. They aren't bad at all, I expected much worse.

You really need to experiment. What works well for one doesn't have to work for you. Moreover, you may hate the scent.

Have fun
Ivo

ps: It seems that alcohol is making a come-back lately (I myself too am starting to use more AS w/ alcohol) - is there a special reason you don't want it in your AS
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post #5 of 40
12/13/07 at 2:15pm
Thread Starter 
well i go to try RHATMA aftershave
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post #6 of 40
12/13/07 at 2:43pm
I am a big fan of acqua di parma collectzione after shave balm.
Also Truefitt and Hill Ultimate comfort aftershave balm is very good.
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post #7 of 40
12/13/07 at 7:45pm
I have used many and the following two are outstanding:

Proraso liquid aftershave cream:
http://www.detailsformen.com/490370522217.html

Nancy Boy Aftershave Gel:
http://www.nancyboy.com/product.php?...cat=263&page=1


(replenishing gel)
http://www.nancyboy.com/product.php?...cat=263&page=1
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post #8 of 40
12/13/07 at 8:06pm
L'Occitane CADE - is great for the winter.
Nivea for Men Sensitive After Shave Extra Soothing Balm - great all arounder
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post #9 of 40
3/10/08 at 8:08am
Skin Soother by Fresh. It's a balm, and it's an olive oil base but surprisingly isn't oily. I'd notice that, being naturally super oily. I usually use a serum and moisturizer over it.
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post #10 of 40
3/10/08 at 8:03pm
Agree about Proraso after shave liquid cream. It has a milky look and smells like you just walked out of a very traditional barber shop. Has a little witch hazel which can warm things up slightly right after application, but then quickly cools down with a menthol-like effect. Very classy IMO.
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post #11 of 40
3/11/08 at 6:23am
I'm with brooklynlou on this one (great name, by the way). Nivea for Men Sensitive After Shave Extra Soothing Balm is excellent all around. It is also fragrance-free, so it won't clash with your SotD/E. It is light, does the job perfectly, and doesn't leave a greasy film. It is inexpensive too, so if you don't like it, you haven't parted with too much.
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post #12 of 40
3/13/08 at 7:25pm
I won't lie but the Cool Water aftershave balm is very nice, it soothes the skin and has the nice Cool Water smell.
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post #13 of 40
3/19/08 at 11:50am
I've used the cK Eternity aftershave balm and thought it was pretty good.
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post #14 of 40
3/19/08 at 12:09pm
Lucky Tiger A/S splash (from Nordstrom).

Alcohol-free, certified organic (if important to you), fresh citrus scent that fades quickly.
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post #15 of 40
3/20/08 at 12:38am
Try Twinlab brand NaPCA moisturizer with aloe. It is about the consistency of water, and comes in a spray bottle. This stuff is just short of miraculous. It is a facial moisturizer (that works wonders both before & after shaving), a body moisturizer (have trouble moisturizing your back? Just reach over and spray it on!), and a super light-weight hair moisturizer (leave it in.)

Besides an eye cream, it's the only stuff I put on my mug after washing & shaving. Amazing stuff.
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post #16 of 40
3/23/08 at 3:49pm
Another vote for Proraso. I was lucky enough to find it on clearance at my local Target for $3.00 a bottle and bought a few. Now I wish I would've bought the whole 10 or 11 that they had in stock, great stuff.

Scott
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post #17 of 40
3/25/08 at 12:54pm
In my experience nothing soothes a razor burned face like Nancy Boy Replenishing After Shave Gel. This stuff is fantastic. Light cucumber scent that won't interfere with your favorite frags, either.
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post #18 of 40
4/3/08 at 5:31pm
Gentleman's Refinery Balm, made by Perry Gastis out in Las Vegas.
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post #19 of 40
5/25/08 at 2:00pm
Sharps Kid Glove Hydrating Gel is pretty good stuff. Has a decent smell that isn't strong or lasts long but is nice while it's there. Plus it's oil-free, so no zits either.
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post #20 of 40
5/25/08 at 5:57pm
My skin is sensitive to shaving. I find that Nickel balm calms things down nicely. Nancy Boy Replenishing is good too, but it's a gel.
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post #21 of 40
6/4/08 at 11:12am
It's pricey, but D.R. Harris Pink Aftershave is excellent. I prefer alcohol-based splashes, and the Pink aftershave is not really a balm but a non-alcohol toner that would be a good option for me if I abandoned my Booster splashes.
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post #22 of 40
6/4/08 at 9:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe_Frances View Post

Gentleman's Refinery Balm, made by Perry Gastis out in Las Vegas.

I agree, this is by far the most soothing and moisturizing AS balm. Not cheap, but worth every penny.
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post #23 of 40
6/16/08 at 9:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by brooklynlou View Post

L'Occitane CADE - is great for the winter.
Nivea for Men Sensitive After Shave Extra Soothing Balm - great all arounder

I'd go with both of those and also the new Nivea Extra Comfort Balm, which is IMHO the best all around in the nivea line.
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post #24 of 40
7/4/08 at 7:12pm
EB 5 skin cream for men (located in portland Oregon) Kiehls ultra after shave balm.
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post #25 of 40
7/7/08 at 10:53pm
Taylor of Old Bond Street Luxury Herbal Aftershave Cream
Feather Kanwa Aftershave Balm
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post #26 of 40
7/9/08 at 8:32pm
Jack Black aftershave gel by far the best aftershave I've ever encountered and relatively cheap. Art of Shaving makes a good balm as well but it's pricey. I'm also loving the NXT line! And it doubles as a lava lamp.

Cheers,
Al
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post #27 of 40
7/15/08 at 5:46am
Aqua Velva Ice Balm........................simply delicious!!
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post #28 of 40
5/23/10 at 9:11pm
I second The Gentlemens Refinery After Shave Balm http://www.thegr.com. The Standard scent is phenomenal, but I use the "unscented after shave balm" due to my skin sensitivities.
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post #29 of 40
5/25/10 at 4:54am
Taking everything (price, availability, quality etc) into account, I would go with Nivea and Proraso products.

Whilst I'm happy to spend on frags which smell nice and last, I can't, in my own mind, justify shedding out big money for something that basically just moisturises your skin.
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post #30 of 40
5/25/10 at 2:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by great_badir View Post

Taking everything (price, availability, quality etc) into account, I would go with Nivea and Proraso products.

I echo this statement, I'm a lifelong user of Proraso/Nivea shaving products as well.
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post #31 of 40
10/20/10 at 11:19am
Clarins Moisture Balm.

I m using 1 week....my skin changed very much.....so soft!
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post #32 of 40
10/20/10 at 12:45pm
apparently this thread has has over 10,000 views. how is that possible?
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post #33 of 40
11/6/10 at 7:22pm
I make my own in small batches to keep it fresh :

6 oz. parts witch hazel to 2 oz. of organic aloe gel......8 drops of essential oil of peppermint and 8 drops of essential oil of frankensence...shake mixture well each time before application.
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post #34 of 40
11/7/10 at 1:44am
I'd go with Nivea
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post #35 of 40
10/22/11 at 3:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Master-Classter View Post

apparently this thread has has over 10,000 views. how is that possible?

It has nearly 22000 views now, because of "best after shave balm" keywords. A few days back I bought Arko adventure Balm for 3.5 $ and it's disappointing. It doesn't soothe and moisturize. It was irritating my skin that I woke up in the middle of night to use some moisturizer cream. I had GIVENCHY Pi Neo Aftershave Balm and it was great, but I can't aford to buy it again, though It's hard to find it here.
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post #36 of 40
10/22/11 at 5:56am
I am on a bit of a ASB and Shave Cream search at the present time and I still have not settled on a finalist. I have tried many different brands. I don't have any serious skin problems so my ASB criteria seem to have boiled down to #1, just the right scent and #2, feel and texture. Anyway so far I am liking Men-U Facial Moisturizer Lift and Proraso liquid cream after shave. Unfortunately, neither of these two really ring my bell. Proraso smells closer to a barbershop (which I am looking for) but is a little bit runny for my liking, and the Men-U, being a little thicker is good, but the fragrance is farther from the barbershop smell I am looking for. Both are cool, smooth and refreshing and do a great job mind you. They will both be in my rotation. I am awaiting an order of Musgo Real soon so we shall see.

BTW Master-Classter gets the blame for this madness, he should not have enclosed shave cream and ASB samples in a swap box that I got my hands on. That's what got me started!
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post #37 of 40
10/23/11 at 12:34pm
My favourites are:

1. Proraso AS Liquid Balm - smells barber shop like and very fresh, balm is very thin and this stuff just WORKS !

2. Clinique Post Shave Healer - I believe this stuff has a tiny bit of alcohol in it, but this stuff is mild and effective. Awesome product !

3. Edwin Jagger/Mühle AloeVera AS Balm - this stuff also contains a tiny bit of alcohol, but it's so mild and healing, that you will never notice this. Great stuff !

4. Castle Forbes Lime AS Balm - very nice AS Balm. Top quality product !
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post #38 of 40
10/28/11 at 10:27pm
Git aftershave is nice, but not as nice as it used to be. Art of shaving sandalwood right now is my fav, eau des baux by loccitane is very nice as well.
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post #39 of 40
10/29/11 at 11:06am
The L'Occitane line of after shave balms in tubes is economical with good performance.

Of these, I like the smell of Eau des Baux (+1) but all of them (Lavender, Cade, etc.) perform well.

Ditto for the Truefitt and Hill lines of after shave balms in tubes and pump bottles.

The Guerlains also have good products. The Habit Rouge after shave balm in the red tube (not the alcohol after shave) is very good.
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post #40 of 40
10/31/11 at 11:43pm
I highly recommend Trumper's Fragrance Free Moisturising Lotion - it's obviously particularly good for people with dry skin. It's like their skin foods but without a scent. I find scented after shave balms to be practically useless since there are two fragrances which I use more often than once in two months. And these two does not have after shave balms in their range of products.
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