New to non-walmart aftershaves need advise (2025)

Well if anybody has looked at any of my posts i've been absent from purchasing online for a personal reason.

I am ready to get a new razor and would like some good affordable aftershaves to try that are available online.

Not super expensive, not cheapo. Maybe just something in the middle, maybe in the $15-$20 range. I don't know what my scent profile is or what I like. I don't have experience in anything other than off the shelf stuff.

Plague Doctor

Then perhaps don't initially buy online. Try in person. So you can try out the scent. Most malls now--that are still open and functioning--seem to have a kiosk somewhere in the building that just does perfumes, colognes, eau de toilettes, and a modest selection of aftershaves. This kiosk is where I've bought my last couple of bottles of English Leather, for example. But their aftershaves tend to be from companies like Armani and other fashion-oriented companies. Mind you, this doesn't make them bad aftershaves, just ones that for whatever reason you don't often see talked about around here.

I bought a bottle of Armani Aqua di Gio aftershave and a bottle of Canoe aftershave from just such a kiosk. And they are both quite good. I just use them sparingly.

As an aside, I went into a Sally Beauty last week for a bag of cotton balls (for boot polishing) and just happened to look at their shaving section. They were running a deal of "buy two, get a third one free" of the larger sized bottles of Pinaud Clubman. So now I've got an apocalyptic-level supply of Pinaud Clubman. I don't think you can get those at Walmart, so it meets your criteria.

Plague Doctor said:

Not super expensive, not cheapo. Maybe just something in the middle, maybe in the $15-$20 range. I don't know what my scent profile is or what I like. I don't have experience in anything other than off the shelf stuff.

Plague Doctor

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Probably the most recommended of these create-your-own low cost aftershaves is El Dorado. Do yourself a favor and try it out.

Another blend that is a permanent fixture on my sink - 1 bottle pinaud citrus musk + 1 bottle aqua velva musk + one half bottle brut cologne splash. The splash-on feel is cool and brisk, and the smell, while wonderful, fades to unnoticeable in a half hour which is a desirable attribute for aftershave. The Over-Ruler seems to like it as well.

Italian Barber aftershave splashes are quite potent and project a scent cloud for most of a day. Emperor and American Barber are fine choices.

One of the most versatile and effective aftershave is Proraso Green. To save money, buy the large 400ml size, can be found under $25 equivalent to $8.25/100ml.

Along the same lines, I'd look at Epsilon Blue Mediterranean.

Epsilon Mint resembles Proraso Green.

If you like the classic barbershop type aftershave, they are pretty inexpensive. Stephan Bay Rum or 320, around $7 for 16 oz. Gabel's has some good ones in a similar price range.

Muelhens 4711 ($22) and Proraso sandalwood ($14) are nice.

For me, the scent of 4711 is gone in five minutes. Proraso sandalwood is more substantial and will linger for at least two hours on me.

Great recommendations above!

I also suggest you consider Pinaud’s line, all well within your price range!!

I live in a very small town. A city that is just next door has a "Sally's Beauty Store". I will have to visit it, I do not have a Cosmetology license. We had a salon store here before but had to have a license to shop there - so my cousins who was a Cosmetologist use to purchase for me. I don't know about Sally's, i've drove past it before but if it's a requirement I won't be able to shop there.

I have heard a lot about Pinaude Clubman from this forum, it seems to be highly recommended, it even has it's own day on the forums.

Plague Doctor

You don't need a license. Public is welcome at Sally's.

Plague Doctor said:

I live in a very small town. A city that is just next door has a "Sally's Beauty Store". I will have to visit it, I do not have a Cosmetology license. We had a salon store here before but had to have a license to shop there - so my cousins who was a Cosmetologist use to purchase for me. I don't know about Sally's, i've drove past it before but if it's a requirement I won't be able to shop there.

I have heard a lot about Pinaude Clubman from this forum, it seems to be highly recommended, it even has it's own day on the forums.

Plague Doctor

Click to expand...

Plague Doctor said:

I have heard a lot about Pinaude Clubman from this forum, it seems to be highly recommended, it even has it's own day on the forums.

Click to expand...

Pinaud Clubman is traditional, but they have some other ones that are pretty good, too, such as Classic Vanilla or Citrus Musk. These are inexpensive to use when you get the larger sizes.