Drugstore aftershave roundup

**Daiku** · 06-01-2012, 01:58 AM

Nice review. I've tried all of these, and, really, they're all pretty nice for the price. Well, technically, I haven't worn Brut since the early 80's, when I was in high school. Because of those adolescent associations, I just can't bring myself to use it as an adult--it would feel like bringing a Trapper Keeper to work. But that's just me.

My Dad wore OS, and now it has a permanent place in my rotation. Still feels like a man's aftershave to me.

And Deacon Frank... thanks for the tip on the Cool Wave. Perhaps SWMBO might prefer that to Aqua Velva, which she says "smells like old people".

**dfigz** · 06-01-2012, 02:26 AM

Originally Posted by Monkeyboy

I've tried Skin Bracer in the past and didn't like the smell, I remember it smelling synthetic and plastic like. But I may give it another try.

Edgerunner, I'm jealous of your AV Original Sport. It's impossible to find here in the states. I've ordered it from a canadian drugstore site before but the shipping was pricey.

+1 on that ... shipping cost killed my order too.

**ayodh** · 06-01-2012, 08:42 AM

Any thoughts on the English Leather, available on drugstore?

**Deltaboy** · 06-01-2012, 09:16 AM

Yep EL is available at most Drug stores or Wall Marts.

I have been on the Barbarsol band wagon this past school year. It and Ivy Club Spice it is a Old Spice clone and I like it better.

Dollar General or Family Dollar Stores keep all the Barbarsol line in stock.

For wearing to work at a HS and at $1.50 a bottle it is a keeper.
All the others are in my arsenal of smell goods.

**Jorocom** · 06-01-2012, 12:29 PM

Excellent review! I really have a soft spot in my heart for the drugstore classics. I would include Afta Fresh, Stetson Original, and Jovan Musk .

**CharlieFoxtrot** · 06-01-2012, 07:38 PM

It's worth a mention but Brut has a balm as well. It has the classic scent but it's subdued. It works as advertised and the Shea butter leaves the skin feeling good. The only place I've ever seen it is in Rite-Aid.

**bortas** · 06-02-2012, 08:22 PM

Actually, most of these drug store classics are my favourites. Pinaud, Brut, Aqua Velva, English Leather, Old Spice just have a timeless scent to them. My wife enjoys all of them.

Jerome

**WesternModern** · 06-03-2012, 08:47 AM

Great thread!
Skin Bracer Cool Spice is my go-to AS, though it's kinda hard to find. I've stumbled over a few bottles at garage sales.
Afta Original is also a favorite.
Aqua Velva always smells great in the bottle, but just won't work on me-gives me a sick headache.

**retturn2blades** · 06-03-2012, 02:55 PM

I'm a cancer survivor and I stay away from some of these AS because they contain color dyes that are known to be bad for you. Pinaud Clubman Original has a Yellow Dye that's listed as bad for you, for instance. I'd like to jump on the drugstore AS bandwagon but when I check ingredients, I often see things listed as bad for humans.

Too bad.

**Monkeyboy** · 06-03-2012, 08:14 PM

FWIW, I did some google reading and most of what I'm seeing says the FDA considers yellow 5 safe and only requires it to be listed on ingredients lists because a very small segment of the population is allergic to it. My girlfriend works in cancer research and testing and doesn't avoid consuming food and drinks with that dye.

So some updates. I had a shave with a new razor & blade combo and had quite a few nicks. I gave the Old Spice a go and it felt like it had been lit aflame while applying.

Also, it seems like I'm becoming a lilac vegetarian afterall. I don't know what it is about clubman scents but I hate them the first couple times I try them out and then I like them more and more. I won't be using the special reserve as an aftershave though. I noticed that west coast shaving lists it in their cologne section and I agree that's how it should be used, and sparingly so.

**bortas** · 06-03-2012, 08:30 PM

Think back to when you were a kid. Did you actually like that first ever sip of beer?

Originally Posted by Monkeyboy

FWIW, I did some google reading and most of what I'm seeing says the FDA considers yellow 5 safe and only requires it to be listed on ingredients lists because a very small segment of the population is allergic to it. My girlfriend works in cancer research and testing and doesn't avoid consuming food and drinks with that dye.

So some updates. I had a shave with a new razor & blade combo and had quite a few nicks. I gave the Old Spice a go and it felt like it had been lit aflame while applying.

Also, it seems like I'm becoming a lilac vegetarian afterall. I don't know what it is about clubman scents but I hate them the first couple times I try them out and then I like them more and more. I won't be using the special reserve as an aftershave though. I noticed that west coast shaving lists it in their cologne section and I agree that's how it should be used, and sparingly so.

**jeff_C** · 06-04-2012, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by Monkeyboy

I don't know what it is about clubman scents but I hate them the first couple times I try them out and then I like them more and more. .

Thanks to this thread I went out and got some Clubman. I put some on in the car and immediately thought "Well that's a waste of 4.00". :) Its on sale at our local walgreens.

But it did immediately take me back to my childhood and barbershop trips with my dad. I now know what kind of Talc our barber used!!!

But like so many have said... a few days later and I am really enjoying it. I used it this morning and I am really enjoying it. I dont think it will ever become my "one and only" but the more I wear it the more I like it. And you cant beat the price for the tradition!

The same day I picked up some Old Spice. Now thats a nice aftershave for the money!

**retturn2blades** · 06-04-2012, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by Monkeyboy

FWIW, I did some google reading and most of what I'm seeing says the FDA considers yellow 5 safe and only requires it to be listed on ingredients lists because a very small segment of the population is allergic to it. My girlfriend works in cancer research and testing and doesn't avoid consuming food and drinks with that dye..

Thanks for the feedback.

**Luc** · 06-04-2012, 06:35 AM

Very cool thread!

**sir-nix-alot** · 06-05-2012, 04:05 PM

That AV Musk does NOT work well with my body chemistry...

Whoa it was not a good day.

**Zerandise** · 06-30-2012, 11:23 PM

Great thread! Has give a budding ASAD sufferer a good starting point. Great responces as well.

**mistercitizen** · 07-02-2012, 09:01 AM

Question.... to anyone. I ordered Old Spice from drugstore.com. It says it's the Shulton formula, 4.2 oz. for $10.50 (regular $18.50). Is this going to come in a glass bottle. I'm fairly certain this is different than the regular Old Spice that is sold in your local drugstore.

Ben

**michiganlover** · 07-04-2012, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by mistercitizen

Question.... to anyone. I ordered Old Spice from drugstore.com. It says it's the Shulton formula, 4.2 oz. for $10.50 (regular $18.50). Is this going to come in a glass bottle. I'm fairly certain this is different than the regular Old Spice that is sold in your local drugstore.

Ben

It's very unlikely that it will be anything except for the current Proctor and Gamble Old Spice product. The pictured bottle is the standard plastic bottle, and the current graphics that come on the P and G bottle as well. It's also listed as being a 4.2oz size.

I could be wrong, but I think basically you have overpaid for a product you could have gotten locally for around $8 (without paying shipping).

The actual Shulton product is from India, and as far as I have seen is only available in a 50ml (1.7oz) size, and 150ml (5oz) size. The bigger bottle is strange, as it has an atomizer, implying it should be sprayed on like a cologne.

If you want the Shulton product, order it from West Coast Shaving:

http://search.westcoastshaving.com/b...O&sn=161304780

**mistercitizen** · 07-04-2012, 08:25 PM

John, you are right. I got it yesterday and it came in a plastic bottle and is made by P&G in Canada. I don't feel too bad because shipping was free and I got it on sale for $10.50. It's also my first bottle of Old Spice so now I have some. I does make me angry that it was advertised as Shulton Old Spice and for a different price. I suppose I should send it back and complain but it would be too much trouble I'm afraid. I'm sure one of these days I'll get a bottle of the Shulton product.... probably from WCS just to reach that free shipping mark. Maybe in the meantime I'll check out getting an old Old Spice Shulton glass bottle with the clipper on it from the bay or something. I won't be buying anything for a little while anyway because I've bought quite a bit of stuff lately. Thanks for responding John.

Ben

**ricardo9505** · 07-05-2012, 02:58 PM

i have yet to try the new gillette coolwave but I like the menthol in the adidas dynamic aftershave so I second that. I like proraso but for the price adidas can't be beat. Cologne like lingering smell. Bit musky, oaky, citrusy. and is that a hint of tobacco leaf ? give it a try sometime. I've tried all the majors at the drugstores and barbershops over 20 years. Dominica bay when I'm in the Caribbean. Cheap to get and organic.