New Aveda Mens Aftershave Sucks

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Aveda used to be one of my favorite companies. They had wholesome products made with natural plant essences and essential oils. Their Mens line was good, but there was one product that stood out among them: Aveda Men Aftershave Balm.

aveda-mens-aftershave-balm
^ The Great Golden Goo

This light yellow goo had a pale green tint and a fantastic scent. It absorbed right into your skin, and it was light enough that you could get it in your hair and not worry about grease. And it had a gentle firming effect on the skin of my face. I used five pumps of that stuff every day, religiously for years!

I have thick oily skin that turns combination in our Midwestern winters, and this balm evened it out year round. It was light enough to wear in summer and moisturizing in the winter. And while it was $16 for 3.4 oz (over twice as much as standard Mens lotions), it was worth it knowing the purity and effectiveness of this product. Not so for the new Aveda Mens After Shave.

I was very disappointed to find that not only they discontinued the aftershave balm, but they replaced it with a line of greasy shite I can only compare to a wannabe Clinique cream. And they more than doubled the price, while reducing the amount of product to 2.5 oz!!! Insulting. Absolutely insulting. Not only do they ruin my daily routine, they replaced this revered ointment with department store ladies’ cream!!!
I used the tiny sample that the salon handed me for three days in a row. I verified that it is an inferior product and returned the unopned boxed tube of greasey cream.
Dear God WHY did they change this??

It turns out that they are owned by Estee Lauder, who also own Clinique. Now, I had an experience with this stuff back in seventh grade. My acne was booming, and my mom let me use her 4-step Clinique cosmetics for treating it. It worked okay to cleanse, but it was too greasy to wear all day. Same thing with this “new” Aveda cream crap. It’s inferior to the natural green goo that Aveda’s chemists came up with. Also the intern marketer who copied the look and feel of the Target Men’s line needs to be let go.

Forget you Estée Lauder for messing with a man’s routine. And forget you Aveda for letting them replace your vital products with decades-old ladies’ make-up. Your soul is gone. You are dead to me.

26 thoughts on “New Aveda Mens Aftershave Sucks”

  1. I just found out yesterday that this product was discontinued! I’ve been using it since 2002 and I can’t believe they stopped making such an amazing product. I not only use it after shaving but after I cleanse my face through morning or evening washes.

    I’m very disappointed just like you are!

    I’m going to be finding out if any Aveda stores around here have this product still and snatching ALL of their bottles.

  3. I’m with you guys 100%! I’ve been surfing the internet trying to find a stockpile of this stuff somewhere. It’s the best aftershave I’ve ever used. What the heck is going on here? Get this stuff back in the stores – please.

  4. @svenmctallson – You got me beat! I first started in 2004.
    @TJ – You’re right on.
    @rjj – Amazon usually has resellers somewhere, but the closest I got was the ol’ mint shave cream on eBay.

    Honestly, I think I’m going to miss the subtle scent the most. Nothing comes close. If anyone finds this still available, please post here!

  5. I have used the green goo for about 5 years and absolutely loved it. I am not a picky guy but this stuff was an absolute must have item. The new stuff is crap compared to the green goo. Aveda has lost my business. I am searching for an alternative.

  6. In complete agreement with you all. An excellent and reasonably priced product in a convenient pump-I’m keeping my empty bottle to use the pump if I find something to pour in there.
    How could they do this? Oh that’s right, corporate takeover. Did they not read any of the reviews, or talk to their customers? What a slap in the face (groan)!
    So best of luck to all in our search for a replacement. Please post if anything comparable is found.

  7. I am a girl and was looking for this for my boyfriend. This is all he uses (he has super sensitive skin) and was absolutely pissed off they are not making it anymore. Thanks for the review on the new stuff as I will not be buying it either. Aveeda, I’ll be damned if I will buy anything from you, Estée Lauder or Clinique. Soooooo pissed!

  8. I don’t understand it! The company has a product that sells. It’s got a loyal and growing clientele, but it gets discontinued and replaced by an inferior quality item that’s more expensive. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, this seems like the typical American way!
    I’ve been using the Aveda Aftershave Balm since the midnineties. An ex-girlfriend introduced me to it.
    I have to agree with those that ask ‘to please post if a comparable alternative is found’.
    And like Pvanz, I’m going to keep my empty pump bottles too!

  9. Hey all, just an update. I am down to 10% left of my last bottle, then will be finally doing as I said before; calling a bunch of places around here who sell Aveda product. Just haven’t gotten around to doing it.

    I found one bottle on Ebay for sale just now, totally not spending 50+ alone on the bottle, then shipping costs. There has to be a spa or salon around here who have a box of this product laying around in the back, maybe not. Either way, if I locate a store around here who are selling a bunch, will pass on the good word.

    If anyone has located a bunch for sale still, please let us all know, me included. @benxamin – Hah, I suppose I have used it for just a bit longer than you eh? Do you know of a good substitute to this product?

    I just sent a complaint to Aveda about them discontinuing this product. We should all take a moment to do the same. Companies like to change or “improve” things, but this product did not need to be changed, from the packaging to the actual content. It was like the Porche of aftershave balms. Now their aftershave balm is worthy to sit with products sold at local variety stores.

    G

  10. I wish I knew about this before….
    I just moved back to Sweden after several years in Aussie land and I been using the product since 2006. I cant really understand how this is possible.

    Five months ago my local hairdresser had heaps
    of bottles left I was stupid an thought I could buy it in Sweden and Europe.

    What a mistake!!!

    Has anyone found any bottles or is this just a website to make a complain on ?

    …./Z@sh

  12. I too was an Aveda mens after shave balm regular user ( since 2002 )and was shocked to see they were not producing this anymore! From the sounds of these responses I believe if we all sent Aveda a request to reconsider their stance on this that they might be willing to reverse their decision. Hail to the BALM !!!

  13. Today (4/16/11) a used bottle of the green goo sold for $57.00(+$5.00 for shipping) on Ebay.
    I’m glad that I have three bottles of the stuff. I’m already looking around for a similar product but can’t find anything. It seems like some other company could buy the patent(if it’s not in the public domain) or if they have a research and development dept could make a replacement product.
    Hey People, if you find anything to replace the Aveda Aftershave Balm, please don’t forget to post it here. As you can tell, it would be much appreciated.

  14. OMG i’m sooo annoyed! They tend to do this over time though product developers need to get credit for their own creations by pushing our existing ones (even if they are amazing). I’ve just spent 1 hour scouring the earth and not a bottle seems to be left.

    Grrrrrr

  16. This year I found a fantastic alternative to Aveda’s discontinued after shave balm called ST. JAMES OF LONDON’S PACHOULI & MANDARIN POST-SHAVE BALM. I never thought I’d find a replacement for the golden goo, but there it is! Works wonders. (Up yours Aveda for discontinuing a damned fine product).

  17. Gentlemen, maybe if we all make enough noise, AVEDA will bring this great product back to market. As far as I’m concerned, I’m willing to pay anything to get my hands on more of the stuff.

  18. I just called Aveda’s customer service line at 800-284-8616 and told them I wanted the old formula after shave to come back. The lady took my name to add to the list. Maybe if enough of us call…..

  19. I’ve used this product for over 10 years, so I guess I have you all beat as far as how long I’ve used it. Absolutely loved this product and just finished my last of 4 bottles I bought sometime in 2008. Now I find it is discontinued. So sad another Aveda product I loved is gone. With its aloe vera base, I’ve gone to formulating my own knock off and will see how it goes. Good luck to the rest of you! Whole Foods is my source of AV and they understand why we want this for after shave.

  20. I’ve been using the Aveda liquid aftershave also…for about 10 years and was equally shocked they pulled it off the line. I’ll call also.

  22. I was also a long time Aveda mens after shave balm user. I ABSOLUTELY loved the stuff. The new balm is Walmart quality at Nordstrom price. THIS IS A HUGE MKSTAKE BY AVEDA. I am now a loyal user of Kennth Cole Reaction After Shave Gel in 3.4 oz squeeze goggle. It can be purchased for $8 at marshall Fields. I have also found it a fragrance outlet store for $4.95
    It is the closest thing I have seen to the old Aveda

  24. Oh No! I was just looking this up to add to my Xmas wish list like I do every year and I find you can’t get it any more! Damn shame.

  26. I also was very disappointed to find out this product was discontinued last year. After years of trying to find an after shave that wouldn’t irritate my sensitive skin, this did the trick. As my bottle got empty, I went to Aveda to buy more and to my dismay was told it was discontinued mainly due to the PBA’s (?) in the product which the company was phasing out. Regardless, the new replacement product just doesn’t have the magic of the gel. I hate greasy creams and loved this gel.