Aftershave

Top Aftershaves in the UK: Where to Buy, What to Choose, and Why It Matters

Looking for the perfect aftershave can feel like hunting for buried treasure — a small bottle with outsized power to lift your mood, soothe the skin, and leave a signature scent in your wake. If you live in the UK and want to shop smart, this guide brings together the best stores, key products, and practical tips so you don’t waste time or money. I’ll walk you through premium ranges, high-street picks, online specialists, and how to pick between lotions and balms — all written in plain English and with real-life advice you can use today.

Why Aftershave Still Matters in a Modern Grooming Routine

Aftershave isn’t just a nostalgic finishing touch from your dad’s bathroom shelf. It plays an important role in calming irritation, hydrating freshly shaved skin, and adding a final layer of fragrance that can last for hours. Think of it as the post-match drink your skin needs after the razor’s close shave — it reduces redness, tightness, and the risk of bumps while helping your chosen scent last longer.

Beauty The Shop: Acqua di Parma — A Closer Look

If you’re after timeless Italian refinement, Beauty The Shop stocks an attractive Acqua di Parma selection that focuses on the Colonia family. Those products blend citrus, herbs, and classic refinement — ideal for men who prefer a fresh, elegant scent rather than something heavy or gourmand. Below I break down the bottles you’ll see and what they feel like on the skin.

Acqua di Parma Colonia Club After Shave Balm — about 3.4 fl oz

The Colonia Club After Shave Balm in the roughly 3.4 fl oz size is creamy and hydrating, designed for men who want moisturising benefits without the alcohol sting. Expect a light citrus top note with green, slightly woody undertones — great for daytime wear and warm-weather months when you want freshness without heaviness.

Acqua di Parma Colonia Club After Shave Lotion — about 3.4 fl oz

The lotion version of Colonia Club comes in the same roughly 3.4 fl oz bottle but leans lighter. It’s ideal if your skin tolerates a bit of alcohol and you want a brisk, cooling sensation after shaving. The scent profile mirrors the balm but dries down in a cleaner, less creamy way.

Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa After Shave Balm — about 3.4 fl oz

Colonia Intensa in the balm format adds depth and a hint of warmth to the classic Colonia DNA. It’s still refined but carries a richer base, making it a good match for cooler months or evening wear. The balm texture soothes sensitive skin while delivering a more pronounced sillage than the lighter Colonia options.

Acqua di Parma Colonia After Shave Balm — about 3.4 fl oz

The original Colonia After Shave Balm is the most classic of the lot: fresh, bright citrus top notes with a soft, herbal heart. In the roughly 3.4 fl oz size, it’s a perfect daily grooming companion that hydrates and tames post-shave redness while leaving a refined scent that doesn’t overpower.

Acqua di Parma Colonia After Shave Lotion — about 3.4 fl oz

For those who prefer a splash-type finish, the Colonia After Shave Lotion in about 3.4 fl oz offers the brisk, invigorating feeling of a traditional aftershave splash but with the Colonia family’s signature refinement. It’s refreshing and leaves the skin feeling cool and tidy.

Acqua di Parma Essenza After Shave Lotion — about 3.4 fl oz

Essenza brings a modern twist to Acqua di Parma’s line-up, pairing citrus freshness with a spicier or more aromatic heart. The Essenza After Shave Lotion in roughly 3.4 fl oz is for men who like their aftershave with a little extra personality — still elegant, but with a slightly more contemporary edge.

High-Street Retailers Worth Checking Out

If you enjoy trying before you buy or want access to generous loyalty schemes, high-street chains in the UK remain go-to stops. These stores often host a wide range of brands, from affordable everyday aftershaves to designer fragrances you might want to sample in person.

Boots

Boots is a reliable one-stop shop for grooming essentials. You’ll find value-focused aftershaves and balms, plus mid-range and premium options. Boots often bundles promotions and voucher deals, making it a sensible place to stock up — especially when seasonal offers hit.

Superdrug

Superdrug is another high-street favourite with competitive pricing and frequent discounts. If you’re price-aware but don’t want to sacrifice choice, Superdrug’s shelves cover everything from drugstore classics to entry-level designer names. They’re great for quick buys and regular essentials.

The Perfume Shop

The Perfume Shop specialises in fragrance, so if your main interest is scent variety and expert help, this retailer is worth visiting. Staff can guide you through scent families and recommend aftershaves that match your preferred colognes, allowing better scent layering.

John Lewis and Department Stores

Department stores like John Lewis and Selfridges offer a curated mix of premium and niche brands. You’ll get a relaxed shopping experience and access to higher-end lines plus helpful beauty advisors. It’s a good choice when you’re ready to explore luxury bottles or want a special gift.

Online Specialists and Marketplaces

Shopping online opens up a world of options — niche indie labels, international names, and plenty of customer reviews to guide you. Many online retailers stock exclusive deals and travel sets that help you test scents without committing to a full bottle. Just remember to read product descriptions and check bottle sizes (I’ll keep numbers in imperial units so you can compare easily).

Lookfantastic and Feelunique

Lookfantastic and Feelunique are two UK-based online specialists that carry a wide range of aftershaves, balms, and grooming kits. They frequently run sitewide discounts and include deluxe samples with orders, which makes them useful for discovering new scents without splurging on a full bottle.

Escentual and The Fragrance Shop

Escentual and The Fragrance Shop focus heavily on fragrance and often stock hard-to-find lines or special editions. If you’re chasing a particular aftershave variation or limited release, these sites are worth bookmarking. Their product descriptions tend to be detailed, helping you choose between a balm and a lotion or specific scent notes.

Amazon UK and Other Marketplaces

Amazon UK is convenient for quick delivery and competitive pricing, but selection quality can vary. Check seller ratings and product authenticity carefully. Marketplaces are great for comparison shopping, but for niche or high-end brands I’d usually prefer a specialist retailer to ensure genuine products.

Choosing Between Aftershave Balms and Lotions

Do you need a balm or a lotion? It depends on your skin type and scent preference. Balms tend to be creamier and more hydrating — perfect if your skin feels tight or dry after shaving. Lotions are lighter and sometimes contain alcohol, so they give a brisk, cooling finish. If you have sensitive skin, balms are typically the safer bet; if you want an instant wake-up effect, a lotion or splash might be your match.

Scent Families: Which One Suits You?

Understanding scent families—citrus, woody, aromatic, fougère, spicy, and oriental—helps narrow choices. Citrus and aquatic scents are fresh and daytime-friendly. Woody and oriental scents feel warmer and richer, better for evenings. Think of aftershave as your outfit’s finishing touch: a citrus aftershave pairs well with casual daytime looks, while a deeper woody aftershave complements a night out or formalwear.

How to Apply Aftershave Like a Pro

Apply aftershave with care and you’ll extend the life of your scent and keep your skin happy. Pat the skin dry gently — don’t rub — then dispense a small amount of balm onto your palms and rub them together. Press the balm into your cheeks, jawline, and neck. For lotions or splashes, lightly apply and let it air-dry. A little goes a long way; think pea-sized for balms or a few quick sprays for lotions in the roughly 3.4 fl oz offerings.

Budget vs Luxury: Where to Splurge and Where to Save

Not every bottle needs to be a designer splurge. You can find effective, skin-friendly aftershave balms and lotions at affordable prices from high-street brands. Splurge on a luxury bottle when you want a signature scent or for special occasions. Premium aftershaves can offer finer ingredients, longer-lasting fragrance, and better presentation, but the everyday winner is often the well-formulated mid-range product.

Seasonal Picks and Gift Ideas

Seasonality matters. Light citrus and aquatic aftershaves feel fresh in spring and summer, while spicy, woody, and leathery scents feel right in autumn and winter. If you’re buying a gift, consider a discovery set or a mid-sized bottle (around 3.4 fl oz) so the recipient can test the scent before committing to a large bottle. Department stores and fragrance specialists often have gift sets that combine a cologne with matching aftershave balm.

Practical Tips for Comparing Prices and Finding Deals

Compare like-for-like bottle sizes when checking prices — a smaller bottle might look cheaper but be more expensive per fluid ounce. Use specialist retailers for hard-to-find lines and high-street stores for everyday essentials. Sign up for newsletters from the retailers you trust; they frequently offer first-time customer discounts and seasonal promotions that can trim the price on higher-end aftershaves.

Where to Go for Niche or Artisan Aftershaves

If you’re intrigued by niche perfumers or artisan grooming brands, look to online boutiques and independent stores. These places tend to carry small-batch aftershaves with unusual scent combinations and high-quality natural ingredients. Trying samples or smaller sizes is smart here — you’ll get to experiment without investing in a full-sized bottle.

Mixing Aftershave and Cologne: Layering Tips

Layering aftershave with a matching or complementary cologne can make your scent last longer and feel more sophisticated. Apply the balm first to hydrate and set a base, then spray cologne lightly from about 6 to 8 inches away. Start subtle — you can always add a touch more. Layering is like seasoning food: add a little, test, and adjust to taste.

Final Thoughts

Shopping for aftershave in the UK gives you a rich mix of options: from Beauty The Shop’s refined Acqua di Parma line to high-street staples like Boots and Superdrug, plus online specialists and niche boutiques. The right aftershave depends on your skin type, scent preference, and budget. Prioritise skin-friendly ingredients, compare bottle sizes in imperial units, and don’t be afraid to sample before committing to a full-size bottle. With a little patience and the tips above, you’ll find an aftershave that looks after your skin and builds a scent identity you enjoy wearing.