I've tried to use the mama bear soap samples I got in the mail a week or 2 ago but I've been having some problems. The soap doesn't seem to want to load on my brush and when I bowl lather with it it never gets a good, thick creamy lather. It's always very foamy and dries quickly on my face (to the point that I can't even finish my shave). Has anyone else experienced this? I have no problems with VDH or Proraso soap, but for some reason I can't get the MBS to work for me.
I had the same experience with Mama Bear soaps and did truly find them to be some of the worst performing soaps I've ever tried. That is if I am allowed to state that opinion....
I have several Mama Bear soaps and I find the lather pretty good, but not as good as some other artisan soaps which I use. The skincare from these soaps is also not quite as good let's say, Stirling or TSD soaps.
This individual has a video showing three methods of use with a sample: Face, Hand, Bowl. When you watch it, you might want to turn off the sound because to me the sound was distracting. I have not had problems using MB soaps when I choose to use it, but I make sure that the water balance is good and I have to take care of that with most soaps. I hope this helps.
The two possible fixes, and keep in mind I've never used MBS so I'm just trying to come up with something here, that come to mind would be, use more product. I kind of assume you've tried this. The other is that I know a lot of people say MWF works best if you face lather. I might try face lathering and see if this makes a difference. I'd like to think there's a way to make the soap work. OTOH it just might not be that good.
I forgot to mention that sometimes the sizes of samples also tend to make it a little harder to use as compared to a full sized item.
Maybe I need to order a stick and try to truly face lather it. (I normally load by brush from the bowl and build the lather on my face). I wanted to try some new scents and I love the way the samples smell, I just can't get them to work as well as I've hoped.
Try increasing the surface area of the soap by melting the sample in the microwave (short 5 - 10 second bursts). Don't let it boil, and make sure the bowl/mug/container is microwave safe (Old Spice mugs are not microwave safe if I remember correctly). Then let the soap cool till it is solid again. Viola! edit - hmmm......just watched the above video. The sample looks quite thin from what I could see as he flashed the sliver at the camera. Not sure I'd try microwaving it, if it is just a thin sliver.
I tried melting one and in 5 seconds it boiled. I'm going to try rubbing it on my face to see how that works for me (like in the video). Mama Bear Soaps website actually said NOT to melt it, but I think it might help with a puck.
Joelio, Is this your first use of a glycerin soap? If so, this may be part of your problem. I tried Mama Bear soaps but they did not work for me - I do not care for the formula of these soaps or the lather. However, she makes some great smelling soaps at reasonable prices - wish they worked for me.
I never had much luck with them. I always had better results with tallow soaps. I don't know what it is about that.
