I read a post recently (but I can't remember where) and the author mentioned putting additives in the soap while lathering. I remember glycerin (sp?) specifically being mentioned but there was another item or two. Does anybody here do this and what are the benefits? The reason I ask is I have a couple of soaps that don't seem to be as lubricating as the Proraso cream. I thought maybe I can doctor them up to get my money's worth because right now I'm avoiding using them. Thanks for any suggestions.
You might try picking up a tube of Kiss My Face Moisture Shave. A good cream by itself, but also a small drop on soap before lathering seems to fix every poor lathering soap I've encountered.
Keep in mind, additives won't necessarily make up for poor lathering technique. Lathering soap is a bit more difficult than lathering cream. If I may, what soaps are we talking about?
There are only a few things I've added extra to my soaps while whipping up a lather in my lather bowl... TSD M Bomb - three drops give me great menthol coolness without killing the scent of the soap. I know menthol has no scent, but I'm not the only one who has discovered that it does mask the scent of the soap you're using. I have no idea why... Unscented shave creams - I've used KMF and Em's. A couple of drops into the lather bowl really helps thicken up a soap that doesn't always lather up quite right. Being unscented, it obviously won't hide the scent of your soap. It's also great when I've added too much water :ashamed001. Scented oils/cologne - a drop (or spritz) or two goes a long way in an unscented soap. I've used Em's Woodstock EO and Curve cologne in my VDH lather.
Williams. No, just kidding. I'm still new here but the two soaps I've purchased are Tabac and TOBS Sandalwood. I have no problem getting a good lather as far as volume goes and I've added water to get the moisture up without thinnng the lather. When I'm done shaving with these soaps and rinse my face, my hand kind of drags and skips which makes me think the lubrication is lacking with these soaps. With the Proraso, I still feel some slickness during the rinse. Obviously, the shave is more important than the rinse and I do get a more comfortable shave with the Proraso than with either soap. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.
Hard to say the exact issue without seeing what you do, but the most common issue is not enough product or too much water. Tabac should give great lather, the TOBS I haven't tried but has a reputation of not being that great. Don't confuse the TOBS soap with other TOBS products - they make very good creams.
I've been using Glycerin for a while now with my various creams with good results. Tonight I added Tea Tree Oil to my cream and got a great shave without a single weeper or cut. This might work better than the Glycerin.
Ok I laughed so hard I almost cried. I was thinking the same thing when I read the OP. Don't molest the Williams ...
I have tried all types of additives in my lathers, most with great results. I have a large mug into which I have melted 2 pucks of VDH. I add a little extra glycerine and some water and whip up a loose lather. I then add a smidge of my shave cream choice of the day and continue whipping. I then add either a little special oil I discovered or my newest thing which is a little cocoa butter that is in a gel form. None of my additives have ever killed my lather but have actually enhanced it. It develops into a meringue like consistancy. Getting great lubrication and skin care.
It probably takes me a couple minutes more to make my lather than most guys but I'm retired and usually shave when I have plenty of time. At this stage of my life if I have to hurry at anything it's not worth it.
