Andrew, Dappered’s grooming correspondent, is also the editor-in-chief of Electrogent, a men’s interest, grooming, and lifestyle website which squares the modern interests of men with the classic notions of manliness.
Just because you don’t have the largest grooming budget doesn’t mean you can’t still look and feel great. Despite what you may see on a regular basis ($125 creams in jars no larger than your thumb? No thanks…), there are actually some really great discount grooming supplies that you aren’t going to find at your neighborhood drug store. If you’re one of these guys, like myself, here are some viable options for grooming on a budget.
1. Speick Shaving Cream $6.50 (2.5 oz)
A bad shave can ruin anyone’s day, and there’s no reason why it should cost an arm and a leg. Speick’s shaving cream is one of the best bargain-priced shaving creams on the market. It’s glycerin-based, which means it won’t dry your skin out and its slippery texture will reduce razor burn by improving the glide on your blade. In addition, it’s preservative-free and derived from beeswax and plants; no strange chemicals here.
A single tube will last you about 35-40 shaves, which is a pretty nice lifespan for the low cost. It won’t lather as well as some of the more premium shaving creams, but it certainly isn’t a slouch. Prices can vary depending largely on shipping cost, but you can expect to pick up a tube for anywhere between $4-6.
2. Astra Razor Blades – $9.03 – $12.99
(for 100 blades)
This is by far the best deal on this list. For those of you who have embraced the cost-saving technique of using a double edge razor, these Astra blades are a must have. If you buy them in bulk of 100, they will run you just over $10 before shipping. Considering they last around 4 shaves (depending on preference) per blade, you’re looking at around 2.5 cents a shave. Not too shabby when you compare it to the cartridge razors.
Astra blades are also fantastic because they come in tiny boxes of five, so if you’re traveling you can throw a small box in your bag (it won’t get through TSA in your carry-on, though) and hit the road. These blades are advertised as “platinum,” but let’s be real–they’re steel. Shaving with platinum would probably be terrible, anyways.
Photo Credit: A. Silva
3. J. R. Liggett’s Bar Shampoo – $4.00 – $7.00
Disclaimer: do not use body bar soap for your hair, unless you’re camping (in which case you make do with what you have). However, there’s one type of bar you can use in your hair: J. R. Liggett’s bar shampoo. It was sort of awkward to use at first, but it quickly became a favorite of mine. Priced anywhere from $4-7 depending on your choice of formula, it’ll run you about the same as a mediocre bottle of shampoo from the grocery, and it lasts as long too. This bar shampoo is super eco-friendly, and each bar is handmade. In addition, this shampoo won’t strip your hair of its natural oils, which means you won’t need a conditioner to make up for the lost silkiness. Just use it like you would use a bar of soap in your hair, and you’re golden.
Ok guys, real talk now: do not get this stuff in your eyes. You know that no-tears baby shampoo stuff? Yeah, imagine the exact opposite of that. I don’t have a habit of getting shampoo in my eyes all the time, but it happened once–and never again. I don’t know what it is, but it will seriously hurt your eyes. Nevertheless, I strongly recommend this bar shampoo with that warning. Learn from my pain.
4. Cremo Face Wash – $9.00
(6 oz.)
Washing your face is one of the best ways to prevent acne and clogged pores. However, if you happen to also use an awesome face wash, you will see better results. Cremo face wash is the king (get it? the crown logo? ahem…) of budget grooming. At $9, it’s by far the best face wash you can pick up with a Hamilton. As the name suggests, this face wash is creamy and extremely potent–you won’t need to use very much. Use it in the shower for really great results, and once you step out your face will feel immediately fresher.
My main complaint is the 6 ounce bottle is kind of small, yielding you around 30-40 uses, but depending on the frequency with which you wash your face that might be just fine for you.
5. Rocky Mountain Shaving Co. Aftershave – $8.00 (2 oz)
Rocky Mountain Shaving Co. has some really unique stuff, and all of them are for affordable prices. Their aftershaves come in small bottles, but they are mighty in both smell and power. These aftershaves have amazing ingredients like cedar and frankincense all bottled up. As a result, they are the most manly-smelling aftershaves in the history of men. They are also incredibly soothing after your shave, and they’ll prevent razor burn and irritation.
The bottles are a bit small, but with aftershave you only need a little splash so the bottle will last longer than you’d imagine. If you’re looking for a quality aftershave with a uniquely awesome smell for $8, consider the Rocky Mountain Shaving Co.
What are some other suggestions you have for those who groom on a budget? Put them in the comments below.
I like this article! Any chance on doing some follow up articles if increasing costs?
I 100% agree on using a Double Edge razor to shave vs. the 3/4/5/6 bladed (super expensive refills) shaving options that are out their. I have been using a DB razor for about 3 years.
I wouldn’t recommend purchasing a bulk lot of razor blades till you have found the “blade” that works best for your skin, I tried “shark,” “old school Wilkinson Sword” (these were vintage, found them at my deceased grandfathers house + 4 db razor handles (Schick)), a couple of others and I have settled on Dorco ST-301, they work well for me.
Agreed, I shave with a DE razore as well and second the notion of experimenting with a few different brands before buying bulk. Sharks work for me but Amazon offers economy packs with samples from different brands: http://www.amazon.com/Double-Razor-Blade-Economy-Sample/dp/B001PZEHIK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361193216&sr=8-1&keywords=multi+double+edge+razor
I use the Astra’s, they are great. Palmolive Shave Stick is cheaper (about $3) and gives equal performance to very expensive brands. I skip the aftershave and use Witch Hazel (<$2) then a good cologne.
I will always plug Feather blades after trying a few different kinds. Either way, this is a great article and I am curious about some of the products.
Just bought my feather 100 pack because I always stray back to them anyway
A quick note on grooming on a dime: Watch out for CVS 25-70% off coupons off of CVS products. I buy $50-60 worth at a time since the good deals come out maybe 3-4x a year. The active ingredient in most of these things is the same and the other ingredients don’t matter very much. Some things to stock up on: Shampoo, conditioner, face wash, q-tips, floss, toothpaste, lotion, basic pills i.e. aspirin/tylenol/advil, and vitamins. Each of these things costs like $1-3 when on sale compared to $4-7 normally.
Both because you mentioned wet-shaving and this is apropos to facial care as well, I’ve been wondering how much it matters if I shave with a product with one scent, use an aftershave with another scent, and use a face wash with a third scent. Do I need to spend time figuring out which scents “match” (or make sure everything I buy is the same scent)? Thanks!
My routine is pretty simple:
– prep for my shave w/ either Proraso pre shave creme or Jack Black
– shave w/ either Proraso shave soap or locally made shave soap
– use either toner or witch hazel to wipe my face post shave
– oil of olay face creme
I don’t worry about all of the scents.
🙂
But to be sure, ask your significant other how the Grizzly Adams look is going for you.
I checked out the Cremo Face Wash on Amazon, and look at what other products are in the “Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought…” list: http://i.imgur.com/h0dSuaX.png
Looks like Dappered can affect even Amazon algorithms!
Thanks for the article, super-useful! Could you also add similar suggestions for:
– a moisturising cream?
– an anti-age treatment for men?
– shower gel?
I own a few safety razors and still used to always get bad razor burn until I read this: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/9745-How-to-Pre-Shave-Prep. This article blessed my life and makes shaving a highlight instead of a chore.
Also, I use this Pinaud Clubman after shave (http://www.amazon.com/Clubman-Pinaud-After-Shave-Lotion/dp/B000053L6Y), my wife loves that ish.
In case you never found a brand: Bulldog For Men makes great facial moisturizers and shower gel that are quite inexpensive.
Ill second bulldog. Great facial moisturizer. Runs about 10 plus shipping on amazon.