too dry, too wet ??????

Seeing I'm still very new to this, I've expected problems to pop up now and then. While whipping up a bowl lather either with Prorasso or Arko, I can't really tell yet when I have enough water added. I try by sight , whether it looks dull or shiny . Any thoughts ?

 

A lot of big bubbles tend to mean its to wet. Usually just keep working it with your brush.

I usually find my lathers to be done when they have a very wet looking shine to them.

 

Imagine whipping cream in your head as your finished product.

 

It should really whip up like whipped cream. If it has big bubbles it's too wet. If it seems flat it's too dry. It's better to start off good dry and add a sprinkle of water every 20 seconds time and time again and keep whipping and watch for it to blossom. Homework for tonight is to make five bowls using the Marco method. By the fifth time you should have it down. By the tenth bowl you can make it in your sleep.

 

Here are two excellent vids, both by the one and only Mantic59. Take a peek at his other vids as well. They are great!

The art of lathering

How to build and apply shaving lather

Good luck, you'll get there!

 

Not familiar with the Marco method.

 

Check it this video.
If you bowl lather there is no reason not to let the water and soap from the puck drip into the bowl as you load the brush with soap.

 

I'm a newbie and I thought these videos really help know what to look for once I start using a brush.

 

I had the same issue when I first started. I still have to keep a close eye on how much water I have added to make sure I have enough. Most of the issues I have had with lathers has boiled down to me not adding enough water.

Here is my suggestion.
What I did to help me add the correct amount of water was to add too much water. Practice it a few times watching closely how the lather changes with the addition of water. Keep adding water until you see the lather break down. What did it look like just before it broke down? Then, try again and attempt to get the lather just a hair short of breaking down. Can you see the difference? Try it adding what you THINK is the correct amount of water, and then add some more. Did it break down this time? If not, then you weren't really at the point of adding too much water. For me, seeing how the lather reacts with more and more water was the key.

 

Even though I have been at this for a year it still helps to watch a video every now and then.

 

Signs I look for when my lather is ready are VERY tiny bubbles and a dense whipping cream looking lather. I presoak my brush and bowl while I shower so I start out with a well soaked, but not dripping wet brush to load soap off of my puck, I load off of a dry puck. Then I empty my bowl before beginning to make my lather, any drops of water left in the bowl are usually the only additional water I add.

 

Seams like I'm getting the Prorasso green down pretty good, Arko is pretty much the same. The artisan soaps are a little tricky though. Also I'm finding it easier, brush wise , using my inexpensive VDH then either Tweezerman badger or the Omega pro 49.

 

Your dilemma is exactly why I like face lathering. If it is too dry, you just add a few drops of water to the brush and go back to face lathering.The only mistake you can make is using too much water

 

+1 Mark. I do it a lot & they are very helpful. Seems I learn something new every time

 

No matter how old you may be may be you never stop learning.

 

The videos are great. I learned im not there yet....

 

You'll get there!