The Handlebar Club Forum

I shave my cheeks and neck, when I trim my beard and wax my mustache. I'm not so fond of the variety of chemicals available from local markets to soothe my skin, nor the aroma of most of them. I'm trying to find some suggestions for what might have been used during Victorian, Edwardian, or earlier times, and possibly even some recipes for something a bit more natural than what is normally available.
I have tried Witch Hazel aftershave, which my ex-wife bought at a local Whole Foods Market. I didn't care much for it, as it was mostly alcohol and produced a particularly strong burning sensation. I've thought about various cold-creams and other lotions, but I'm not sure about their effectiveness or if they would be appropriate to soothe razor burn on my face.
When I started shaving at 16, my father introduced me to Old Spice, because that was what he used. Since then I've tried several of the newer gels and lotions from a variety of brands (Gilette, Aqua Velva, Barbasol), and just as I have returned to a nice shave soap worked into a lather with a bristle shave brush- instead of the spray can of cream- I'd like to shift away from the bottles and tubes of harsh chemical after-shave lotions.

What do you gentlemen use? Any suggestions?

Haven't seen any posts, but I've been doing my own research, and I thought I'd post a recipe or two I found in some books:

Aftershave Splash:
4 teaspoons Witch Hazel
2 oz Rosewater
2 teaspoons Cider Vinegar
2 teaspoons Tincture of Benzoin
6 drops Bay
6 drops Lemon
2 drops Lavender
10 drops Rosemary
3 drops Lime

Mix it all in a sterile bottle, starting with the essential oils and benzoin, adding the witch hazel, and finally the rosewater and vinegar.
This recipe taken from "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy" by Valerie Ann Worwood.

There are several other recipes for various purposes: shaving cuts, rashes (razor burn), etc.

I've come across a few more in other books, though surprisingly little online. Most of what I've found online has been prepared aftershave from various commercial interests- many of which use an alcohol base or harsh chemicals. Anyone have experience with making one's own aftershave, or have recommendations on some of the stuff out there?

Any lotions or balm that might strengthen or assist in the health of the mustache growth, in addition to being a nice aftershave?
What do you gentlemen use?

I've been using Stephan's Bay Rum for about 8-9 years now. My 87 yr old barber started me on it. He is a WWII Marine Corps veteran and the most wonderful person,.. a great friend!

Hi. A previous post led to some experimentation. I found a bay rum recipe online and it turned out very well. I don't have it in front of me, but it contains 1/2 c. vodka, 2T dark rum, 2 bay leaves, 1 cinnamon stick, a few berries of allspice. (Actually, now that I think of it, this is the recipe). I let it sit 2 weeks before using. Cheap, very nice, and manly. Google "homemade bay rum."

There are a number of classic aud de toilettes/ aftershaves from the turn of the century and before:

Florida Water - has a nice clove sent, or Hoytes -haven't tried it yet
Lillac Vegital- I prefer the one made by Masters, strong scent that lasts and cheap.
4711 or otherwise know as Kolnisch Wasser has been brewed since the 18th century in Germany, but available pretty much everywere. has a citrus base
Of course bay rum, lime and others from a variety of manufactures. I would look at a couple of web sites; classicshave.com, ebarbershop.com [pricey on shipping], Texasbeautysupply.com [for cheaper Masters products, Florida water-Clubman products, Hoytes], and Barclaycrocker.com [good variety of shaving creams, soaps, aftershave, colognes.] Unfortunately most of what is out there has an alcohol base used as a carrier for the essential fragrance oils. But they vary in the amount used. Anyway, thats my 2 cents worth. Have fun!

O.K., another thought, can you tell this is a passion of mine!. A couple of sites you might want to check out for reviews on different products are thestraightrazorplace.com and badgerandblade.com.

I wound up finding something at a local herb shop that's been working quite nicely, but I might just take a look into that bay rum recipe. I was planning on staying away from alcohol-based solutions, to avoid the burn, but I've since noticed that most aftershaves just use the wrong kind of alcohol. I also finish my routine by wiping on a little grapeseed oil, to keep my face moisturized, and it seems to work rather well- another recommendation from the lady at the herb shop.

Was this an old recipe or a new one?

I'd like to find old ones from the 1800s up to the 1930s or so.
Anyone have any ideas???

I know this is an old post but I was thinking the other day about something that some of you from "across the pond" might be able to answer. Was (or is) there a cologne or after shave that you in England or Europe have that's like Old Spice in the sense that's what older men use to wear and fathers's got for Christmas like they do (did) here in the US? I know when I was growing up my grandfather and dad always got an Old Spice set of after shave, cologne, and soap-on-a-rope. I guess that's why I wear Old Spice since it reminds me of my grandfather and dad.

Outside of Witch Hazel and Bay Rum, which you have already covered, Alum has been used medicinally for thousands of years, and is my own preferred after-shave treatment. An Alum Block is fairly inexpensive, and can be easily found at most online shops catering to shaving enthusiasts.

Alum is however, more or less scentless. If you want to go around smelling like Victorian or Edwardian fellow, There are plenty of colognes from that era still in production. Caswell-Massey's No.6 has been in production since 1752, and is relatively unchanged since then. Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet was introduced in 1902, and certainly has an Edwardian flair to it. It should be stated though, that men's fragrances were a bit less masculine, and more floral back then. You will also be reminded somewhat of baby-powder.