King of Bourbon After Shave Balm
King of Bourbon After Shave Balm — companion to the King of Bourbon shaving soap. The final conditioning step for all-day skin support. Made in our New Jersey workshop.
King of Bourbon After Shave Balm is the final conditioning step for all-day skin support in the King of Bourbon shaving routine. Same fragrance compound as the King of Bourbon shaving soap; this balm carries the scent through the rest of the day.
The same scent in the WhollyKaw King of Bourbon shaving soap in after shave balm. Mango butter and shea butter combined with grape seed oil, argan oil, meadowfoam seed oil and botanical extracts to soothe the skin post shave.
Quick facts
| Detail | What it is |
|---|---|
| Type | After Shave Balm — the final conditioning step for all-day skin support |
| Companion to | King of Bourbon shaving soap |
| Format | 1.76 oz bottle |
| Where it’s made | Our New Jersey workshop. Small batches. |
| Price | $15.99 per bottle |
What an after-shave balm does
An after-shave balm is the leave-on conditioning step that closes a wet shave. Where the splash or toner is fast-evaporating chemistry, the balm is a stay-on emulsion built to:
- Occlusive layer. The butters (shea, cocoa, kokum) and oils form a thin film that locks moisture into the stratum corneum — the same job as a daily moisturizer, applied at the moment skin is most ready to accept it (post-shave, when the cuticle is open).
- Emollient skin-feel. Plant butters and lanolin (in non-vegan formulations) smooth the skin’s surface, the “baby-skin” finish that distinguishes a balm-finished shave from a splash-only one.
- Scent throughline. Same fragrance compound as the soap; longest wear time of the three post-shave options (often 4–8 hours) because the oil base holds the fragrance to skin.
- Optional layering. Use after a splash or toner for the antiseptic close + the all-day conditioning, or use balm-only if you prefer a quieter post-shave feel.
The balm is the right finishing step for shavers with dry skin, cold-weather climates, or anyone who finds splashes too drying. It’s also the step that carries the scent furthest into the day.
How to use
After rinsing the lather (and after splash/toner if you’re layering), pat skin dry. A pea-sized amount is usually enough for face + neck. Warm it briefly between palms to thin the consistency, then press into skin and let it absorb for 30–60 seconds. The balm shouldn’t feel greasy after a few minutes — if it does, you used too much.
The full King of Bourbon routine
King of Bourbon is built to layer. Each step continues the same fragrance compound through the day:
- King of Bourbon shaving soap — the lather (the start of the routine)
- King of Bourbon splash — alcohol-based, bracing, antiseptic close
- King of Bourbon toner — alcohol-free finishing for sensitive skin
- King of Bourbon balm — final conditioning step, longest scent throughline
For all-day skin support without competing scents, our grass-fed tallow zinc oxide cream is unscented — an unscented daily moisturizer that won’t fight the King of Bourbon throughline.
Who King of Bourbon After Shave Balm is not for
Honest limitations:
- Shavers who want a no-residue finish. Balms leave a thin emollient layer; if you prefer skin to feel completely dry post-shave, splash or toner alone is the lighter option.
- Fragrance-sensitive skin. King of Bourbon carries a real fragrance load. Our unscented Bare Naked line (balm included) is the alternative.
- Strict ingredient minimalists. Each post-shave product has its own preservative system; if you want the shortest possible ingredient deck, balms are the simplest.
Cost per use
A bottle lasts roughly 100 applications at typical use:
- $15.99 / ~100 uses ≈ $0.16 per use
Frequently asked questions
When should I use King of Bourbon balm?
After the soap rinse, after any splash or toner. The balm is the final conditioning step — leave-on, building the day's skin barrier on top of the immediate-finish chemistry of splash/toner.
Is the balm a moisturizer?
It functions like one — the butters and oils form an occlusive layer that locks moisture into the stratum corneum. The fragrance is the same as the soap. If you want JUST the moisturizing function without scent, our unscented Bare Naked balm is the alternative.
How much King of Bourbon balm should I use?
Pea-sized amount for face + neck. More than that leaves a greasy feel that doesn't absorb. Warm briefly between palms before applying to thin the consistency.
Can I skip the splash or toner and just use balm?
Yes — balm-only post-shave is a valid routine, especially in cold/dry conditions where you don't want the alcohol or the cooling-aloe step. The balm gives you the moisturizing + scent throughline directly.
Does King of Bourbon balm have the same fragrance throughline as the soap?
Yes — same fragrance compound. The balm is the longest-wearing of the three post-shave options because the oil base holds the fragrance to skin (often 4-8 hours).
Where is King of Bourbon balm made?
In our New Jersey workshop.