Luxury A/S Balm vs Drugstore A/S Balm

[WesternModern]

For me at least, Afta is the best out there....and the cheapest, too!

 

[rand77]

I just tried Aqua Velva classic ice blue A/S for the first time this morning, and I'm quite impressed. It's got a nice classic masculine scent which isn't too overpowering. I'd like a bit more menthol in it, but for $3 I can't complain.

 

[wagstaff]

The artisanal stuff...
QCS balm, and RazoRock's Aftershave Wax, both seem to serve me much better than Nivea or Afta, at least.
From what I've read, TGR balms are the cat's meow. I haven't tried it, being already well-stocked with 2 QCS balms and one jar of the RR Wax.

My local Rite-Aid pharmacy stocks The Real Shaving Company balm, which, while not ultimately preferable to the QCS or RR, is an excellent off-the-shelf product, and inexpensive.

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

I love Baxter myself. Its the first one I bought after reading reviews and I already have another tube waiting when the first one runs out. No scent, makes my skin smooth and soft and allows some feedback on your shave with some tingling. I also like that it has no scent. I'd rather smell the remnants of my shaving soap and let that fade out to no scents at all by mid morning.

 

[wagstaff]

QCS balm works better than drugstore stuff. Scent is a bonus, but not a big (or long lasting) deal. I tried a sample of SCS Blue Line balm that was also great, really great, but left me wondering if I was ok with emu oil in a balm. I like the RR waxes, too. Of the drugstore stuff, The Real Shaving Company takes it, IMO. But that's a step down from the others.

 

[gmgaj]

I have Nivea sensitive, Razorock, and some T&H 1805 all side by side on my shelf. The Nivea works just as well as the other 2. I definitely won't order the T&H (I traded for the first bottle). It's ok and works fine, but not better than the other 2.

I need to try some Baxter, weleda and RR wax.

 

[musicman1951]

I have a bottle of Castle Forbes Lime Balm which smells wonderful and works very well - but it is expensive. Probably too expensive.

I generally get great results (equal to the CF) from Clinique M Lotion. On a rare occasion (razor burn) I'll use the Post Shave Healer first, but I find the M Lotion usually gets the job done.

 

[Deez]

I purchased some Institut Karite ASB for 25 bucks. It was a huge disappointment. It irritated my skin and left it feeling sticky all day, and I didn't care for the scent. I think Nivea sensitive ASB works much better and its only 5 bucks.