(07-28-2016, 08:37 PM)wyze0ne Wrote: I use whatever I feel like no matter what the season and don't stick to a strict rotation. Its not like I'm shaving outside, lol. Although it is nice to have a mentholated shave after a hot day working in the yard or whatever.
I am assuming one shaves in the early AM. This surely has a lot to do with environment and seasons so everyone will be different. But as long as you have hot summers, temps in the 90s with humidity, and winters with temps down into the single digits or teens, there will be some common ground. While true, we are probably all in some kind of controlled environment - its not like we are shaving in the jungle - the differences can be quite large.
This time of year, coldest outside temp is maybe 75. AC is running at night but still, its on and off and with dew points over 70, it can be very humid inside. I know there was a previous thread here somewhere when someone claimed inside humidity of zero with AC on. Not true at all. Menthol can be welcome whether in the soap, pre-shave, or post shave. Similarly, there is probably no need to use a balm in the summer. As soon as one walks outside, even to just get in and out of the car, the humidity is so high your skin is constantly moist. This is when an alcohol splash is much more welcome than a balm. In terms of scent, florals come to mind, maybe fougere? Something green and light? Lemons, Oranges, fruity, anything that reminds one of the time of year.
The winter is totally different. Even with the heat running at night, who wants to get up in the cold morning? Unless you run your winter heat at a constant 72, its probably chilly in the AM. Its dark and its chilly. Menthol is the LAST thing you might want to feel. I want my lather WARM. I don't want cold water on my face even after a shower. I want a hot towel and warm lather sitting in a scuttle. Scents that make sense to me are earthy, leathers, tobaccos, spices, dark scents. Fruits and florals would be so wrong, just out of place. One associates winter scents with ... winter and cold.
The more the heat runs, the less the humidity. Unless you got some humidifier running, your skin can dry easily. Alcohol on the skin is NOT welcome. A moist balm is welcome. Its all about the season and how one interacts with the temperatures and humidity in your environment. Using Rose or an Orange juice scent in the winter just seems so wrong.
Now there probably are some crossover scents suitable year round. Coffee comes to mind. Bacon? Bacon goes with anything.
Maybe Leathers. A Spanish or English leather sounds right for the spring and Fall and maybe year round.
Just my thoughts.