Selecting The Best Aftershave For Men
-Before we begin our mens aftershave top ten list, let's go over a couple of things first...
When it comes to the shaving habits of men, it is often the splash of aftershave in the morning that wakes us up. For many men, aftershave is the morning jolt we need, before our morning cup of coffee.
If you are looking for the -best aftershave for men, you may wish to keep in mind that there are over a thousand men shaving products on the market today.
What may be the best after shave for that guy, may be the worst for you.
It is great that you are checking out these mens aftershave reviews, but it will take some personal testing on your own jowls, to find the best aftershave for you.
Aftershave is more than a silly fashion statement. I tend to look at it as a form of medication for my face. It is a more tantalizing and refreshing application than a splash of cold water and it makes for the best shave when you use the right stuff. Many mens after shaves contain antiseptic agents, (to help prevent infection) and botanical ingredients to provide comfort and healing aspects as well.
Today, a huge market of after shaving products for men has been created. There is a vast array of blends, fragrances, and consistencies. This predicament can prompt a guy to ask... "What is the best mens aftershave"?
Well guys, the answer to that question is totally subjective. But, I am going to try and answer it and give you some helpful tips on men shaving applications with my top ten best aftershaves for men list that follows.
When it comes to the shaving habits of men, it is often the splash of aftershave in the morning that wakes us up. For many men, aftershave is the morning jolt we need, before our morning cup of coffee.
If you are looking for the -best aftershave for men, you may wish to keep in mind that there are over a thousand men shaving products on the market today.
What may be the best after shave for that guy, may be the worst for you.
It is great that you are checking out these mens aftershave reviews, but it will take some personal testing on your own jowls, to find the best aftershave for you.
Aftershave is more than a silly fashion statement. I tend to look at it as a form of medication for my face. It is a more tantalizing and refreshing application than a splash of cold water and it makes for the best shave when you use the right stuff. Many mens after shaves contain antiseptic agents, (to help prevent infection) and botanical ingredients to provide comfort and healing aspects as well.
Today, a huge market of after shaving products for men has been created. There is a vast array of blends, fragrances, and consistencies. This predicament can prompt a guy to ask... "What is the best mens aftershave"?
Well guys, the answer to that question is totally subjective. But, I am going to try and answer it and give you some helpful tips on men shaving applications with my top ten best aftershaves for men list that follows.
What Is Aftershave?
--First off, we need to get a couple things straight... Mens aftershave and cologne are two completely different things.
A lot of guys want to go cheap on their cologne and they think that if they get the aftershave version of their favorite fragrance, it will suffice. Unfortunately, they are mistaken.
An after-shave is a nice start and a good way to compliment ones favorite cologne, but, it will not provide a lasting sent.
Your typical aftershave contains only 1%-3% of the essential perfume oils, so the scent you wish to exude will not last as long as your average cologne or Eau de Toilette. You may get a couple - three hours out of it and then it's pretty much done for.
After shave is great for soothing the skin and closing pores, but, if you want the fragrance to last, you will still need a cologne or EDT.
FYI: If you have ever asked "why do men use aftershave instead of cologne or EDT"? The reason is simple... The others have higher perfume oil levels. Cologne at 2%-5% and Eau de Toilette at 5%-8%. This would leave your face a bit too oily and you smelling a bit too strong.
-Aftershave lotionis best when it is used with it's matching cologne or Eud-de-Toilette. But, if you like to mix and match, make sure the two scents that you combine are compatible with each other.
Now, if you are one of those guys who wants to take care of your skin by religiously using aftershave, but, you do not care for the after-burn or you just had a particularly rough shave, you may wish to give aftershave balma try.
I personally do not mind the sting after a good shave. But, I do like to use aftershave balm occasionally . Mostly for its moisturizing qualities. If you have particularly dry skin, balm is a great way to add moisture to your face.
Now, keep in mind, these are your typical men's aftershave products. If you suffer from bumps, you may wish to take a look at Bump Patrol
A lot of guys want to go cheap on their cologne and they think that if they get the aftershave version of their favorite fragrance, it will suffice. Unfortunately, they are mistaken.
An after-shave is a nice start and a good way to compliment ones favorite cologne, but, it will not provide a lasting sent.
Your typical aftershave contains only 1%-3% of the essential perfume oils, so the scent you wish to exude will not last as long as your average cologne or Eau de Toilette. You may get a couple - three hours out of it and then it's pretty much done for.
After shave is great for soothing the skin and closing pores, but, if you want the fragrance to last, you will still need a cologne or EDT.
FYI: If you have ever asked "why do men use aftershave instead of cologne or EDT"? The reason is simple... The others have higher perfume oil levels. Cologne at 2%-5% and Eau de Toilette at 5%-8%. This would leave your face a bit too oily and you smelling a bit too strong.
-Aftershave lotionis best when it is used with it's matching cologne or Eud-de-Toilette. But, if you like to mix and match, make sure the two scents that you combine are compatible with each other.
Now, if you are one of those guys who wants to take care of your skin by religiously using aftershave, but, you do not care for the after-burn or you just had a particularly rough shave, you may wish to give aftershave balma try.
I personally do not mind the sting after a good shave. But, I do like to use aftershave balm occasionally . Mostly for its moisturizing qualities. If you have particularly dry skin, balm is a great way to add moisture to your face.
Now, keep in mind, these are your typical men's aftershave products. If you suffer from bumps, you may wish to take a look at Bump Patrol
No. 10 Clubman Pinaud
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First, yet last, on my top ten best aftershaves for men, is the grand-daddy of all aftershaves; Clubman Pinaud After Shave Lotion.
No. It is not the oldest of all aftershaves, but it is an old school lotion. Or should I say, old barbershop aftershave lotion?
Back in the day it was very common for men to go down to the corner barber shop to get a hair cut and a shave.
After your hair was cut and your mug got shaved, the barber would stand behind you and rub a bit of this stuff, or a after-shave lotion very much like it, onto your face and the back of your neck.
Then he would dust you with a dash of aftershave powderbefore removing the cape so that you could pay him to leave.
You do not find many of these old school barber shops for shaving men anymore. But If you do happen to come across one, do yourself a favor, stop in for a haircut and a shave. It may seem a bit odd at first, letting another man shave your face, but if you have a good barber, you will love it.
First, yet last, on my top ten best aftershaves for men, is the grand-daddy of all aftershaves; Clubman Pinaud After Shave Lotion.
No. It is not the oldest of all aftershaves, but it is an old school lotion. Or should I say, old barbershop aftershave lotion?
Back in the day it was very common for men to go down to the corner barber shop to get a hair cut and a shave.
After your hair was cut and your mug got shaved, the barber would stand behind you and rub a bit of this stuff, or a after-shave lotion very much like it, onto your face and the back of your neck.
Then he would dust you with a dash of aftershave powderbefore removing the cape so that you could pay him to leave.
You do not find many of these old school barber shops for shaving men anymore. But If you do happen to come across one, do yourself a favor, stop in for a haircut and a shave. It may seem a bit odd at first, letting another man shave your face, but if you have a good barber, you will love it.
No. 9 Geo F. Trumper Skin Food
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Do you have sensitive skin? If so, then the best aftershave for men with sensitive skin is a little know lotion called, Geo F. Trumper Skin Food.
Trumper's skin food has to be the best aftershave balm ever. It actually feeds and protects the skin. There are a couple of ways to use it too...
If you have very sensitive skin, you can apply a bit of this before the shave to help the razor glide over your skin, and then after the shave to protect your skin as it heals.
Though this stuff works great, it's not cheap. What I like most about it is that the fragrance isn't very strong and fades out quickly. That way I can wear my favorite mens colognewithout mixing scents.
I got to hand it to Trumper Skin Food, it leaves your face feeling smooth, protected and soft.
Do you have sensitive skin? If so, then the best aftershave for men with sensitive skin is a little know lotion called, Geo F. Trumper Skin Food.
Trumper's skin food has to be the best aftershave balm ever. It actually feeds and protects the skin. There are a couple of ways to use it too...
If you have very sensitive skin, you can apply a bit of this before the shave to help the razor glide over your skin, and then after the shave to protect your skin as it heals.
Though this stuff works great, it's not cheap. What I like most about it is that the fragrance isn't very strong and fades out quickly. That way I can wear my favorite mens colognewithout mixing scents.
I got to hand it to Trumper Skin Food, it leaves your face feeling smooth, protected and soft.
No. 8 Bvlgari BLV After Shave Balm
One of the shaving products men should have on standby is a cool blue soothing balm. Bvlgari BLV After Shave Balm fits that bill very nicely.
Now keep in mind, it is best to use the same flavor aftershave as the cologne you wear. I happen to love Bvlgari cologne and I try to avoid mixing it with a competing scent.
BLV has a very light and casual fragrance that is just so clean. It is a friendly blend of sandalwood, juniper berries, and cedar that exudes manliness but it is not too rugged or overbearing. The fragrance of BLV is totally professional.
Now keep in mind, it is best to use the same flavor aftershave as the cologne you wear. I happen to love Bvlgari cologne and I try to avoid mixing it with a competing scent.
BLV has a very light and casual fragrance that is just so clean. It is a friendly blend of sandalwood, juniper berries, and cedar that exudes manliness but it is not too rugged or overbearing. The fragrance of BLV is totally professional.
No. 7 Lacoste
I must admit, at first I picked this stuff up for the little green crocodile logo. I love the smell and effects of lacoste aftershave, but I selected it more based on status, than performance.
Plus, I needed an aftershave that went with my best lacoste cologne.
There is no way I am going to mess up such a fine fragrance with some off brand toilet water. And I say that in the politest way possible.
Plus, I needed an aftershave that went with my best lacoste cologne.
There is no way I am going to mess up such a fine fragrance with some off brand toilet water. And I say that in the politest way possible.
No. 6 Kiehl's Facial Fuel
-This isn't exactly an after shaving product, but it kinda is...Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment For Men is some of the best men's facial moisture treatment I have ever used. I use it mostly in the winter time when my face tends to get a little chapped from the dry, cold, weather.
It is a bit pricey, but you only need to use a dab about the size of a nickel, so it goes a long way.
To top it off, it is a non-greasy formula that has a nice, light, manly scent that can be blended with just about any cologne.
It is a bit pricey, but you only need to use a dab about the size of a nickel, so it goes a long way.
To top it off, it is a non-greasy formula that has a nice, light, manly scent that can be blended with just about any cologne.
No. 5 Zirh Soothe
Ever have a dull razor day? I am sure that you have. It was the day you just had to shave, but you forgot to pick up new blades the day before. You ended up raking your face over with a dull razor and it burned like hell after. What you need after that was some Zirh Soothe on hand.
This stuff is great on razor burn. If you want a lotion that works fast to ice down your abused skin, Zirh works like a champ.
Though this stuff works fast and does a nice job, I am not too keen on the scent. It is a little flat in my opinion. Nothing to write home about for sure. But as I am basing this review on performance, and not perfume, it get's two thumbs up.
I was hanging out at a local barber shop one day and ran into a funny older fellow who turned me onto this stuff called Pinaud - Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum Aftershave.
This stuff is great on razor burn. If you want a lotion that works fast to ice down your abused skin, Zirh works like a champ.
Though this stuff works fast and does a nice job, I am not too keen on the scent. It is a little flat in my opinion. Nothing to write home about for sure. But as I am basing this review on performance, and not perfume, it get's two thumbs up.
No. 4 Pinaud - Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum
I was hanging out at a local barber shop one day and ran into a funny older fellow who turned me onto this stuff called Pinaud - Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum Aftershave.
I am not sure how we got onto the topic of aftershaves, but he was lamenting on how all the young people go out and buy these fancy and expensive after shaves and that it was a waste of money.
He then said that he has used a cheap Bay Rum barbershop aftershave lotion for the past forty years and his face hasn't fallen off yet.
If that wasn't an endorsement, I don't know what is. So I went out and splurged a whopping $12.00 and picked up a big bottle of the stuff. You know what? The old man was right. You do not need to spend a small fortune on a fancy product to get the good stuff.
For about the same price of a good cheap clipper cut, you can have a nice facial splash that doesn't break the bank.
No. 3 Tabac Original
I am about to date myself here, but, back in the 80's I could find this stuff at just about any store that carried mens shaving supplies.
Then, for some unknown reason, it disappeared off the shelf. Granted, I didn't miss it much. Not with all the other shaving products for men to choose from. Heck, I even forgot that it existed until I ran across it a while back on Amazon.
I almost couldn't believe it. Just seeing it brought back some bad first date memories. I wore this stuff back in the day like it was going out of style. Little did I know that it was.
Tabac Originalis a classic aftershave that every guy should have in his collection. And thanks to the internet, now you can.
No. 2 Jovan Musk
I am a self admitted cologne and aftershave nut. If you walked into my room you would see a 6 foot long dresser top that holds a city of perfume and after shave bottles on top of it. I have reluctantly thrown out half full bottles of fragrances just so that I can make room for new ones. Crazy. I know.
My dad wasn't like that. He only had one or two aftershaves up in the medicine cabinet and one of them was Jovan Musk.
The other was Old English, but I think that was a gift we gave him for Christmas that he never used.
Anyhow, the scent of Jovan Musk always brings me back to my childhood and reminds me of my dad. It ranks number 2 on my top ten list mostly for nostalgic reasons, but, this is my list, so I can place it here if I want.
My dad wasn't like that. He only had one or two aftershaves up in the medicine cabinet and one of them was Jovan Musk.
The other was Old English, but I think that was a gift we gave him for Christmas that he never used.
Anyhow, the scent of Jovan Musk always brings me back to my childhood and reminds me of my dad. It ranks number 2 on my top ten list mostly for nostalgic reasons, but, this is my list, so I can place it here if I want.
No. 1 Polo Green
Alright, I have saved the best for last, Ralph Lauren Polo Polo Green Aftershave. It is sweet, mild and very pleasant.
I can not think of any aftershave cologne mix that I wear more often with such great attention grabbing results.
If you are getting this as a gift for your significant other, I hope you do not have a jealous bone. Odds are good that they are going to get some active attention when they sport this stuff. It never fails.
Some claim that this stuff is old school, out dated and unfashionable, but I beg to differ. I have never found a scent as timeless and sexy as Polo Green.
If you have never tried it, you do not know what you are missing.
I can not think of any aftershave cologne mix that I wear more often with such great attention grabbing results.
If you are getting this as a gift for your significant other, I hope you do not have a jealous bone. Odds are good that they are going to get some active attention when they sport this stuff. It never fails.
Some claim that this stuff is old school, out dated and unfashionable, but I beg to differ. I have never found a scent as timeless and sexy as Polo Green.
If you have never tried it, you do not know what you are missing.