Lather Questions: Before stropping? Warm lather
I've been working on my lather lately and haven't quite hit something I like.
Did it work better before?
Before I started straight shaving, I was wetting my face with hot water, rubbing it with a shave stick soap and then lathering with my fingers (and then with a brush). This seemed to produce a decent slippery surface. I'm thinking of revisiting this - and just re-wet with hot watered brush and dab of soap/cream.
Recent issues with lathering
Recently I've been using the Body Shop maca root shaving cream and have tried:
Lathering in bowl
Lathering on face (seems best with hot water in brush).
First application - hottest and best lather seems to be when I lather directly on face.
2nd application -
- Bowl lathering -haven't been able to get it warm enough in bowl (and I've been experimenting with double bowl combinations sitting in sink of water)
- Face lathering - I could do 2nd and 3rd applications with fresh load of hot water on brush and new load of cream - but it seems wasteful of the cream.
Will keep experimenting with variations on above (if that makes sense).
2nd big Q - Lathering before stropping?
Noticed that this seems to be popular.
But doesn't the face cool down, the lather dry out and you need a re-application?
Do people go straight into the shave without a new lather?
Any feedback or tips, gratefully appreciated.
All the best,
Michael.