Hi, is it wrong to use your hands when applying shave cream after mixing it up with a brush. I have found it easier to squeeze out the lather from the brush and apply with my hands. Is there any specific reason to use the brush to apply the lather other than the fact that that's where the lather is??
Hi Jason. First, welcome to the Den!! There are those who say the brush does several things - spreads the lather, lifts the beard for easier shaving, and exfoliates the skin. As for lifting the beard, I've never gone in with a micro-camera to film just what goes on. :happy102 The easy answer is do what you like. I like the brush.
Welcome Jason! If it works for you, why worry what anyone else thinks? There's a lot of advice around here, much of it good, but it's okay to think for yourself. Personally, when I use almost any shave cream, I put a little on a wet brush and build the lather directly on my face. I like the feeling, it works great, and I don't have to rinse shaving cream off my hand so I can grip the razor (I could use my "other" hand to apply the lather, but I'm really clumsy with it). The one exception is Neutrogena, a very thin cream which doesn't really lather. I rub it on my face with my hand, but I don't use it very often, and don't plan to buy it again. It works well enough that I don't want to throw it away, though. I'll use up this one tube.
I've been squeezing the lather out of my brush and spreading the cream with my hands for my third/final pass. I like the brush for the first two, but as others are saying, do what works for you.
I like to use the brush at first, then I use my finger to get some lather for touch up work. But, as others have said: do what works for you. Shaving is supposed to be enjoyable, so do what you enjoy!
Interesting thread here. I get asked alot at The Groom Room about spreading lather over one's face. I attempt to talk people into using a brush, but some just don't get it. That's okay, so I at least mention that if they are going to use their fingers to spread the lather, foam, gel, or whatever, to at least apply the lather against the grain, so that the lather will 'sit up under' at the base of the whisker. This is what a brush does for the hair... it applies lather over the face, but it also 'slathers' the base of the hair follicle so that it has a tendency to stand up. Many use circular motions to apply lather, some use painting strokes. IMHO, it's best to finish applying the lather in painting strokes, against the grain. That gets the lather right up against the base of the hair. Using your fingers to apply lather is just fine. If it works well for you, awesome! If you don't apply lather against the grain, try it next time (with fingers or a brush), and see if you don't notice a softer, EASIER shave. You are all correct... it's what makes this forum great (we get to tailor our shave regimens and techniques to what works well for us).
Hey guys, thanks for the input! I guess I am just not having much luck with putting it on with the brush for some reason. Sounds pretty easy, maybe I am doing something wrong. But it seems like all the lather is trapped in the brush. If I run the brush over my face, not much lather is coming out... But if I squeeze the brush, lots of stuff comes out in my hand. I then run my hand over my face. This doesn't seem to be causing me any problems though. Good shaves so far since I got my lather making down. Maybe my brush is the culprit??? It's a nice brush, I think I paid about $80 bucks for it, a Rooney Silvertip. I forget the exact model. Oh well.
Perhaps you do not have enough lather on/in the brush? Adjusting the amount of water in the brush may help. This Mantic59 video should also prove useful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd7Aj9vwrtc&feature=channel
Hmmmmmmmmmm. Excellent. Definately some things to think about!! I had been having trouble building lather before, but tried some different things and it got better. Maybe I just need to refine my technique that much more so. I have really hard water, and that makes it more difficult to work with. But I think you are on to something, Shaver X!! Thanks. (what a great forum!!)
Thanks JoAnna!! My brush is now soft and clean. I have watched the mantic video above and am ready to conquer!
Sorry I didn't go into the matter further earlier, but I suggested a cleaning because others have complained of their brushes holding onto the lather. Pretty sure cleaning helped fix the problem in the past.
...And here it is! I tried some new techniques I learned from the Mantic video, and with a nice clean brush to start with I think I am doing much better. I need some more practice, though. Maybe I should shave right now!
Just saw this thread yeaterday so tried using my fingers. It seemed awkward and I didn't feel it worked for me. But after reflecting on it I believe there is a use for this technique as I lather my upper lip and close to my sideburns. Will try it tomorrow and see what happens. Paul
