Aftershave Routine for Beginners: What to Do and When

A great shave does not end when the razor leaves your face.

The last step matters. A good aftershave routine helps your skin feel clean, refreshed, and comfortable after shaving. It also gives your shave a proper finish instead of leaving your face feeling tight, sticky, over-scented, or unfinished.

If you are new to wet shaving, do not overcomplicate this. You do not need a shelf full of bottles. You need to know the order, what each product does, and when to use splash, balm, or both.

The Beginner Aftershave Order

Here is the correct order for most beginner wet shavers:

1. Rinse your face thoroughly after shaving.
2. Pat dry with a clean towel.
3. Apply splash if you want the classic brisk aftershave finish.
4. Use balm if needed when your skin feels dry, tight, warm, or overworked.

That is it.

Most men get into trouble because they use too much product, rub too aggressively, or assume every shave needs the exact same finish. Your face may want splash one day and balm the next. Pay attention to how the shave actually feels.

Step 1: Rinse

When the shave is done, rinse your face thoroughly.

You are not just splashing water around for ceremony. You are removing leftover lather, loose stubble, and any slick residue from the shave. If you leave that behind and throw aftershave over it, the finish will not feel as clean.

Use cool water, not ice water. You are trying to clean the face and calm the shave down, not prove a point.

Beginner mistake: rushing the rinse

A half-rinse leaves soap and stubble behind.

Take a few extra seconds. Rinse the cheeks, chin, upper lip, jawline, and neck. The neck matters because that is where a lot of guys feel the most post-shave discomfort.

Step 2: Pat Dry

Pat your face dry with a clean towel.

Do not rub your face like you are trying to remove paint. You just dragged a blade across your skin. There is no prize for adding more friction at the end.

Press the towel lightly against your skin and remove the excess water. Your face can be slightly damp before balm, but splash usually feels cleaner when you are not dripping wet.

Beginner mistake: using a rough towel

A rough towel can make a decent shave feel worse than it was.

Use a clean towel. Pat, do not scrub. Simple, but it matters.

Step 3: Apply Splash

Aftershave splash is the classic wet shaving finish.

It feels brisk. It dries quickly. It usually gives you more scent presence than balm. If you like that old-school barbershop finish, splash is probably what you are looking for.

Use a small amount. Pour a little into your palm, rub your hands together, then press it onto the shaved area. Do not dump half the bottle into your hands like you are trying to disinfect a countertop.

How much splash should a beginner use?

Start with less than you think.

You can always add a little more. You cannot un-soak your face once you overdo it.

What if splash stings?

A little bite from splash can happen, especially after a close shave.

But if it feels harsh every time, look at your technique. Too much pressure, a dull blade, too many passes, or a dry lather can all make the finish feel rougher than it should.

Step 4: Use Balm If Needed

Aftershave balm is the softer finish.

Use balm when your skin feels dry, tight, warm, or worked over after shaving. It gives the routine a more comfortable landing without the sharp snap of splash.

You can use balm by itself, or you can use it after splash. If you use both, apply splash first, let it dry down for a short moment, then apply a small amount of balm.

How much balm should a beginner use?

Use less than you would use with a regular face lotion.

Start with a pea-sized amount. Spread it between your hands, then apply it evenly to the shaved area. Add more only if your skin actually needs it.

What should balm feel like?

A good balm should feel comfortable, light, and controlled.

It should not leave your face looking greasy. At WSP, our balms are built for a softer post-shave finish without turning your skin into a shiny mess.

When to Use Splash Only

Use aftershave splash only when your shave already feels good and you want the clean classic finish.

This is the move for men who like a brisk end to the shave, want more scent presence, and do not need extra softness afterward.

Splash only is best when:

• Your skin feels good after the shave.
• You want a quick-drying finish.
• You like a traditional barbershop-style feel.
• You want more fragrance presence than balm gives.
• You do not want a lotion-like finish.

If splash feels great and your skin is comfortable afterward, you do not have to add balm just because someone on the internet made shaving sound like a twelve-step ritual.

When to Use Balm Only

Use aftershave balm only when comfort matters more than snap.

This is usually the better choice for dry skin, sensitive skin, frequent shaving, winter weather, or any shave where your face feels tight afterward.

Balm only is best when:

• Your skin feels dry after shaving.
• Your face feels tight or warm.
• You want less bite than splash.
• You prefer a lighter scent profile.
• You are new and want the most forgiving starting point.

Balm is not the weak option. It is the comfort option. There is a difference.

When to Use Both Splash and Balm

Use both when you want the classic finish of splash and the softer feel of balm.

The order is simple:

1. Rinse your face thoroughly.
2. Pat dry with a clean towel.
3. Apply aftershave splash.
4. Let it dry down briefly.
5. Apply a small amount of balm.

Splash first. Balm second.

Do not reverse the order. Balm can sit on the skin and change how splash applies. If you want both, let the splash do its job first, then use balm as the softer finish.

Both is best when:

• You like the clean snap of splash.
• Your neck still feels worked over after shaving.
• You shaved closer than usual.
• The weather is dry or cold.
• You want a more complete post-shave routine.

Where Cooling Aftershave Fits In

Cooling aftershave is for men who want the shave to end cold.

That cooling feel usually comes from menthol-style ingredients. Cooling splash gives you the sharper cold snap. Cooling balm gives you a smoother chill with less bite.

Beginners should not start with the strongest cooling product just to act tough. Start moderate. See what your face actually likes.

Use cooling aftershave when:

• You enjoy a cold post-shave finish.
• You shave after a hot shower.
• You live in a hot climate.
• You want your morning routine to wake you up.
• You already know splash or balm works for your skin.

Best WSP Starter Routine

If you are new, do not build a complicated routine.

Start with one good shaving soap, one matching splash, and one balm. That gives you control. You can finish with splash only, balm only, or both depending on how the shave feels.

WSP products are handcrafted from scratch in small batches in Chandler, Arizona. No outsourcing. No generic bulk product dressed up with a fancy label. Just proper wet shaving gear made by people who actually use it.

The simple WSP beginner setup

• Aftershave Splash: for the classic brisk finish.
• Aftershave Balm: for a softer, more comfortable finish.
• Cooling Aftershave: for the cold menthol hit when you want it.
• Matching scent: keeps your soap and aftershave from fighting each other.

For most beginners, Barbershop is the easiest place to start. It is clean, familiar, masculine, and hard to mess up.

If your skin is more reactive or you do not want added scent, start with Au Naturel balm and keep the routine simple.

Common Beginner Aftershave Mistakes

Most beginner mistakes are easy to fix.

Using too much product

More aftershave does not mean a better finish. It usually just means a wetter face, louder scent, or heavier feel. Start small.

Rubbing too aggressively

Press and apply. Do not punish your face after shaving. You already did the blade work.

Using splash when your skin wants balm

If your face feels dry or tight after splash, use balm next time. There is no loyalty test here. Use what works.

Using balm when you want a crisp finish

If balm feels too soft or quiet, use splash. You may simply prefer the classic wet shaving finish.

Mixing scents without thinking

Barbershop soap with Barbershop splash is easy. Sandalwood with Sandalwood is easy. Random scent stacking is where things get weird.

How to Pair Aftershave With Your Shaving Soap

The easiest rule is to match the scent.

If you shave with Barbershop soap, use Barbershop splash or balm. If you shave with Olympus, Tobacco, Sandalwood, Gaelic Tweed, or another WSP scent, stay in that same lane.

Matching gives you a cleaner routine and a more intentional finish.

Simple pairing rules

• Want the cleanest result? Match the soap and aftershave scent.
• Want less scent? Use balm or an unscented finish.
• Want more scent? Use splash instead of balm.
• Want comfort? Finish with balm.
• Want cold? Choose cooling splash or cooling balm.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

A good beginner aftershave routine is simple.

Rinse well. Pat dry. Use splash when you want the classic clean snap. Use balm when you want a softer, more comfortable finish. Use both when you want the best of both.

Do not make it more complicated than it needs to be.