I now only have about an ounce left of the rare and precious Aveda Men After-Shave Balm. Aveda mysteriously discontinued this hugely popular item just over a year ago (WHY?!!!) and I’ve rationed its use since. This magical liquid is light, soothing, and versatile – it works well on all skin types. The scent is subtle yet memorable – a delightful blend of lavender, chamomile, and citrus. The balm is particularly effective at treating razor burns and other shaving-related skin irritations. If you’re somehow able to come across this stuff, buy it. At the very least, you can sell it for double on eBay to a nostalgic men’s skincare fanatic like myself. Now if only I can find that original bottle of New West from the 90s…
Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆
Price: $$$ ($20-$30)
Scent: Slightly floral. Difficult to decipher exactly what the smell is.
I liked: the rich texture and compact shape. Feels more like a moisturizer than an aftershave.
I didn’t like: the paraben preservatives and strong fragrance.
My experience with Ahava’s Soothing After-Shave Moisturizer for men was fairly good. The scent is subtle and not particularly masculine. It lacks any sort of brisk quality – there’s no “cooling” factor whatsoever. However, the cream does a great job at moisturizing. The product has a heavier consistency – like a thick, waxy lotion. Its compact packaging makes it ideal for travel. If you’re comfortable spending $30 for a 1.7 ounce bottle of an aftershave with a subtle floral fragrance that functions well as a moisturizer, then Ahava’s Soothing After Shave Moisturizer may be the product for you.
Kneipp Lavender Balancing Thermal Spring Bath Salt
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Price: $$ ($10-$20)
Scent: Strong lavender, eucalyptus, camphor, and limonene.
I liked: the strength of the scents, especially the lavender. Despite the bottle recommending a capful of the salts per bath, half a capful usually suffices.
I didn’t like: the blend of camphor and limonene – it reminded me of citronella.
If you’re a bath guy like me, you know the value of a long, warm, relaxing soak in the tub, preferably with some type of aroma-therapeutic element. My favorite scents in this situation are lavender, which has a sedating effect to get me ready for bed, and eucalyptus, which soothes the muscles after a workout. If you are looking for the ultimate natural aromatherapy bath experience, I suggest checking out the Lavender Balancing Thermal Spring Salts by Kneipp. It’s a German brand that’s relatively unknown in the US, but readily available through a number of places online including the Kneipp website and Spalook. These salts really do the trick – on the mind, muscles, and lungs! Good bath salts are hard to come by as many of them smell artificial – not so with this product. The blend of lavender, eucalyptus, clove, limonene, and camphor may not appeal to everyone, but it’s worth a try.
Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash 8.4 fl. oz.
Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash Ingedients List
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ Price: $$ ($10-$20) Scent: Very light menthol. I liked: the mildness of the wash, slightly “energizing” feel & scent, and value. I didn’t like: the paraben preservatives.
I had a pleasurable time washing my face with this refreshing cleanser. The wash, which has the texture of a very light gel, made my face feel clean without drying it out like many cheaply-made washes and soaps. An 8.4 ounce bottle costs $18. You only need to use a small amount of the product for each wash. Who needs coffee when you have menthol, caffeine, and citrus extracts in your face wash to wake you up in the morning? My only wish for the Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash is that it be made with less synthetic ingredients, particularly the paraben preservatives.
Kiss My Face Cool Mint Moisture Shave (Note: the packaging has changed since this review was originally posted.)
Overall Rating: ★★★★★
Price: $ (under $10)
Scent: Mild peppermint.
I liked: the mildly invigorating mint scent, mostly natural ingredients, convenient size, rich texture, and good value.
I didn’t like: nothing. Try this natural, refreshing shave cream immediately!
I’m a sucker for virtually any skin care product that has a cooling effect – this can be attributed to my days as a ten year-old splashing Aqua Velva right before heading out the door to impress my fifth grade female classmates. Sadly, the cool magic blue tonic didn’t do the trick. The girls were repelled.
As a fan of natural skin care products, I constantly find myself in the beauty section of my local Whole Foods. That is where I purchased a 4 ounce tube of Kiss My Face Cool Mint Moisture Shave hoping it would have an invigorating effect on me. I was not disappointed. The shave cream’s cool mint was refreshing, but not overpowering. The nice, rich texture allowed a smooth, comfortable shave that left me feeling awake and ready to take on the day. I highly recommend getting the 4 ounce size as you only need to use a little amount per shave. The tube’s portability is particularly useful for traveling – I even took it with me on a recent trip to Shanghai!
Caulfield's Counter | skincare reviews, videos & more 