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Looking for advice on soaps. How thick is the larger supposed to be? Also I’m sure it’s because I’m new to the game, my soap seems to be drying on my face. I think it’s because I’m still overly cautious and taking my time. I just reaply as needed, is this best practice?
It takes a little time to get familiar with soaps and creams.
The best advice I could give is to play around making lather, when your not shaving. Its gonna take a long time to use up a puck of soap.
BTW, What soap (s) do you have.?
Sounds like you may not be using enough water, or not enough soap. Finicky stuff, soaps can be, creams tend to be easier to lather.
Thanks for your input I’m using Omega Eucalyptus Shaving Cream Soap. Came with my beginners kit. Is it supposed to be foamy like Whipped cream?
Any of the soaps/creams an be light and foamy. It depends on how much water you add to it.
As to drying out on you before you’re done, just lather section by section. Lather then shave your cheek, then the other cheek. It’s a great way to keep it from drying out before you are done shaving
Welcome to SRP
If your water temp is TOO hot that can dry out your lather as well.
I tend to develop lather until it creates peaks by dabbing the brush in the bowl (or on your face if you face lather). That's when I tell it's "done" but people like their lather wetter or thicker as well. it's personal preference and it takes time to develop a routine. This is just what works for me.
As for drying on your face... make sure that you condition your beard well before you apply soap if you have the means, and like Dieseld said - if you are truly worried about taking too much time then just lather bit by bit, and have a nice warm scuttle :)
Generally, when trying a new soap for the first time, I will palm lather. I take brush that seems to work with all creams and soaps (a synthetic in my case) and start to generate a lather in the palm of one hand. I then add water a little at a time until I get a good lather.
My test for a good lather is to stroke a finger across the palm with the lather. If the lather is sticky, I add more water. Some soaps require more water than others. When the lather becomes slick, I then check to see if my finger wipes off the lather (not good), or leaves a thin, protective layer. Some soaps either lack in slickness or lack in protection. A 1st tier soap will be quite slick and very protective. Many people believe slickness is the most important criteria. Of course, a wonderful aroma is a plus.
Follow the advice already offered and if that fails try a different soap/cream from this group http://straightrazorpalace.com/soaps...ps-creams.html
I just posted this on another thread - apologies to those seeing it twice.
You might Google: lynn abrams making lather
He has a bunch of videos on making good lather with different brushes and methods. This can really shorten your learning curve.
Anytime I want to learn something about shaving I Google the topic with Lynn's name. I like him because he is very competent and doesn't say anything unless it is correct.
No it is not supposed to be foamy. Is the one in the tube or the one in the bowl. I have been using the one in the bowl the past few days and it makes a good lather if you get the soap to water ratio correct. You have to play with it by practicing till you get it right.Quote:
Originally Posted by DK99
Yes, the problem or at least part of the problem could that being a beginner you are shaving slowly which everyone does in the beginning so the lather can dry out and flake way. You can lather only the part of your face you intend to shave immediately. Then lather the next part and so on to avoid the lather drying out. Do not try and shave faster, that will come with time, as it only leads to cuts and razor burn.
Here is a couple of ways to make a lather.
Bob
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4zESTQWDuw
I found that a nice herbal soap that works well for my skin but does dry quicker than others. Do it in sections in this case, I tend to soap up one side and shave, then do the other side, then the neck. Works well for me, not sure if its the "correct way" but like I said works for me.
Although I'm rather new to straight razor shaving, I've found that taking the time to load the brush fully has an real impact on the working up a good lather.
The vid is good but looks like it needs a but more work do its not so flat
Pay attention to the video that BobH posted. I find a lather that is dense and soapy enough to form defined peaks, and is wet enough to have a slick appearing sheen is perfect. As the video describes, you don't want it too pasty and sticky. Pasty and sticky can make peaks, but will not have the right sheen. A too wet lather will have a wet sheen, but will not hold good peaks.
Some do like to use a thinner, wetter lather for the third pass, or for advanced techniques like buffing.