Alum or Witchhazel. What is your preference?

[KyMash]

Hey all! I've been wetshaving for a couple of months now and after every shave I finish with a glaze of Alum while I then procede to clean up my brush, bowl etc. I then wash the Alum off with a cold water rinse and once my face is dry I complete it with my regular AS. I have been wanting to try Witchhazel. I know that everything (items) we all use on here boils down to a YMMV, but I would like to have some feedback on everyone's preference. Is one better than the other for razor burn? Thanks in advance!

[DFSDAILY]

I like you use alum clean up everything then rinse with cold water and liberally splash on the witch hazel. Then dry and strop razor finally applying balm and then after shave for scent. I don't put after shave on my face as I don't care for the burn, just on my chest and back of my neck.

[takeshi]

Alum but only on the rare occasion. As you stated, it's highly YMMV.

[OkieStubble]

Both.

[ThePatrician]

Personally I don't care for the extra step needed for alum. If I was a user of straight witch hazel I would use that, but I don't care for the scent. One of my AS balms is witch hazel mixed with 100% aloe vera and several tablespoons of vegetable glycerin. It is extremely nice!

[drawonme]

Love the Thayers Witch Hazel with aloe. Just the right tingle and really closes the pores. I only use alum for a cut or weeper personally.

[kimura120]

I Like to splash my face with cold water then when my face is dry I like to use Witch hazel and then a cooling aftershave. I prefer an aftershave that is alcohol free.

[wolfey]

I can't recommend WH enough! I soak two large cotton balls in WH and rub them on my face and neck, then let it air dry (I clean up the sink area and tools). When dry I apply my NIVEA ASB. -wolfey

[ateace]

So far, I haven't used alum. I do like witch hazel, though.

[SteveWY]

I am intrigued by your AS balm. Please share your "recipe" and where you can get the alowe vera and glycerine. Thanks!

[Rumbaldi]

I use alum and I leave it on. I have oily skin and it helps to control this. I just splash the witch hazel on after the alum dries.

[ouch]

Both.

Superaftershave.

[turtle]

I have a "rock" of alum but have not had any reason to use it.

I either have a cut which requires a styptic to stop the flow or cold water is enough to close my pores.

Lately I just slap on a GENEROUS portion of "the veg" and I am all ready to face the day

[thIs6Nly]

Neither.

[Cagliostro]

I've been wet shaving for a couple years now and could say I'm proficient lol, you know the funny thing is...I once ordered an alum block but I never ever got it and so I STILL have never used one! Yet.
So when I go finishing up my shave it is usually a good leisurely cold rinse, I allow the water to dissipate on my face a little as I clean my brush and bowl though I do not allow it to dry. Then I liberally splash on some with hazel giving my face a light going over with it, I finish my clean up and once the wh is about half dry I will apply my balm usually one coat then, and maybe another coat later if I feel it needs it.

Can't say which is what, I don't think either is better both have antiseptic qualities so I think they serve a close purpose.

[TankCommander1554]

I use both - I start with a cold rinse, then rub on the Alum block and wait till it's dry. After that, I rinse it with the Witch Hazel and apply AS.

[OkieStubble]

Superaftershave.

Da dada da! It's a bird, it's a plane..... ;)

[fccexpert]

Witch Hazel for me, but you could use both.

[FonGu]

I've used both. I prefer alum, it makes my face feel tighter.

[El-a-Menthol]

Alum, because in The Netherlands witch hazel is much more expensive then it should be, while alum is very cheap.

[Mischka]

One word: both.

Alum, then witch hazel.

[Synthetic Badger]

I have never used either.

[kg0mz]

Unfailingly both.

[BZiel]

I use alum almost every shave, and I definitely prefer it over WH.

First, I'm a cheap bastid when it comes to consumables, and an alum block will last for years and years...WH is just a $2-5 "here and there expense" that hits every few months.

Second, I like the way alum tightens the skin more than WH.

Third, I don't have to worry about an alum block when traveling, where with WH, I'd have to re-bottle it.

Fourth, read how an AOS alum block bought me $3000 worth of beer:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/261874-How-my-AOS-alum-block-bought-me-3000-of-beer?highlight=

[eastomjac]

i use alum only.works great why change.

[jman158]

I like witch hazel. Thayers is what I mainly use. Love that stuff.

[Celbob]

Alum, leave it on until I am finished cleaning up the den then a cold water rinse, pat dry, apply Thayers Witch Haze let it air dry and apply my AS, and finally, (most of the time) I will look in the mirror and admire another DFS!

[itaforte]

My routine is as follows:
1. shave
2. cold water rinse
3. witch hazel
4. alum
5. clean brush (to allow time for the alum/witch hazel to work)
6. cold water rinse
7. aftershave

[Grazivity]

i use both!

[phillylion]

Thayer's witch hazel--real nice scent.

[Mendel]

Alum, especially if I'm testing a new blade or soap I haven't tried before.