Lathering

I know that lathering is an often discussed subject. I did attempt search for older posts, was unable to find any.

Bowl lathers describe: how wet do you have your brush, how you load your brush, what do you feel is your secret to great lather?

 

These days I'd tell you the secret to great bowl lathering is face lathering..but when I was on the bowl, I didn't really use a whole lot of water to start. After the brush soak I'd give a little shake and go to it.. adding water periodically along the way. It also helps to put just a little pressure on the brush as your mixing. I like the lather to be smooth with no big bubbles and just a bit bouncy...

 

This is how I whip up a great lather darn near every time, regardless of the soap.

 

Thanks for the thread, swarden43. I haven't had trouble with lathering in cold or hot water until this week with Queen Charlotte Soap's Vostok cream. It is an icey cold tallow-based cream that has a great scent. I can't seem to get a good stiff lather. The lather I get dries quickly and has to be re-lathered before shaving the last parts of the pass. I also can't get enough for more than 1 or 2 passes.

I emailed the owner and he said to treat it like a soap and lather from the cream container. I tried that and it helped, but it takes a lot of work and still isn't the perfect lather. I must be doing something wrong or need to work it longer, because other people seem to have no problem lathering with it. I really like this shaving cream.

Suggestions?

 

I have a QCS soap, their signature Queen Charlotte scent. I credit that QCS soap for pushing me to face lathering. I couldn't get it to bowl lather for nothing. As a last gasp effort, I tried face lathering and haven't used a bowl since for any soap.

 

I shake my brush out just shy of what I shake it out to before putting it up. Then I start swirling and pumping. After a few seconds, I dip my hand in the water and without cupping my fingers or anything, I just move my hand over the bowl and let the water slide off my fingers into the bowl. Back to swirling and pumping. If the lather isn't jumping out of the bowl at that point, I do the water addition thing again but allow less water in. It doesn't normally ever require anymore than that.

 

I love lather..

 

I just tried Nancy Boy Replenishing shave cream this morning. Wow, what a wonderful lather and so easily done. It is really a unique cream and so cushioning.

 

After battle.munky's post above, and yours, it's all I can do to resist the Michael Scott line. No, I won't say it!

 

I know it looks and smells tasty.. just remember.. it goes on the face..

 

SLOTH LOVES CHUNK! Don't ask me why I read that post like that but it gave me a good chuckle.

 

Must be that sort of a day..

 

1. have brush completely covered in hot water for several minutes
2. let excess water drip off brush
3. make a good lather (you don't need tons of water on your brush or in your cup)
4. apply plenty of warm water to face w/ your hands
5. apply shaving cream to face w/ brush and rub the brush around on your face like you did in your shaving bowl. You'll get a really nice thick lather this way and exfoliate your face also. You should get a lather as thick as something out of a can.

This video really helped me out:

 

He must have been in a patriotic mood that day..

 

That is exactly how i do it and it has always worked well for me.

 

Works every time...

 

Thanks for all the great advice, my lather making has improved dramatically, I think I know have perfected lather making for myself.

 

Thanks for sharing.