Lather decays quickly

Hello everybody,

I am still very new to straight shaving, and I have noticed that my lather (with both creams and soaps) decays and drys during my straight shave. I never noticed this with a DE, probably because I am much more skilled and faster with the DE. Any tips on how to keep the lather nice and thick/wet on the face? I have been just lathering only a portion of my face at a time to keep it fresh while I shave, but I would much rather just lather the whole face at once like I would with the DE. Let me know if you've found this as well/any solutions.

Thanks!

At the risk of sounding facile, I would suggest using more water.

I have, almost to the point where the lather is too thin, doesn't seem to work. I am using MWF soap and Trumper's Violet cream.

They are both reputable products.

What brush are you using? do you bowl, or face lather? do you live in a very hard water area?

My guess would be just more product and more water and work it for a couple of minutes. If you are not sure about the water, try bottled water as a one off, just to see.

How long would you say it takes you to shave?, or how long does your lather last, before it decays. For instance, I lather my face, then I strop my str8 razor.
When I come back to the mirror, it's dry, usually, or in the process of drying out. It's a thin layer of cream/soap on your face exposed to the air, so it will dry relatively quickly. There are variences from soap to soap, and cream to cream. Some do last longer than other's. If you uber, your MWF, with some Musgo real, and a couple drops of glycerin, it will help....

RK - You're new to it, so most likely you're taking ALOT more time. 'Nothing wrong w/ that at all, but no lather will stand up to an hour long shave. Some lather only a portion at a time - like you mention. While that works, the unlathered face is losing all the moisture - which makes the stubble harder to shave, harder on the edge. I took an hour when I started. If the lather got dry - doesn't rinse off easily under running water, then dip the tip of the brush in water and go over the dried sections to keep the lather (and beard!) moist. Its not enough to paint some water on the top of drying lather, you need to get the lather moist to the skin surface w/ the brush. If I'm going slow w/ a new blade, I will still do this so the shave quality holds beyond a single lathering's ability to stay moist.

Don't worry about taking the time. You're learning and will very soon have the best shaves of your life.

I think this could be caused by a few different things.

Make sure to use enough product.
Is your water hard or soft? That will make a difference on the MWF IMO.
As suggested, try a bottled water for comparison.
How hot is the water you use? I've found that some soaps and creams tend to break down a bit faster when using too hot water.
Do you properly clean your face with water and soap before lathering up? I have pretty oily skin, and without a thorough washing I will get sub-par lather.
Keep at it, you'll find the sweet spot for those particular products. They are of good quality and should give great and lasting lather:)

Sounds like a time issue. If you were getting good lather with your DE shave, and you haven't changed your lathering processes, then more than likely it is due to the extra time you need with the straight. Lather is just soap and water, the water is evaporating constantly, even the best lather will dry out eventually. I would suggest keeping your face wet, and periodically add more water to the lather as you shave, this will help keep it from drying out so fast. Good luck.

I usually start my lather out slightly on the wet side and let it thicken as I shave. If it gets too dry I just re-lather right over the dried out area. You're on the right track blaming the length of time required to shave as the culprit behind your dry lather. The good news is that as you gain speed the problem will gradually go away.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Birnando

Do you properly clean your face with water and soap before lathering up? I have pretty oily skin, and without a thorough washing I will get sub-par lather.

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Thanks Birnando, I always shave before I shower and have been wondering why my lather seems a bit below par.
Being new to the game I'm not sure what a good lather should look/feel like despite lots of reading in the appropriate forums. (Like a shave ready blade I suppose)
I have put it down to having a brand new brush and thinking it might need to be broken in but now it seems that the oils in my skin may be to blame.
I hope I haven't hijacked the thread. Apologies if I have.

Try shaving after your shower. Whiskers will be softer and skin clean. I always pre-shave in the shower also to really soften the whiskers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mvcrash

I always pre-shave in the shower also to really soften the whiskers.

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Are you using a conditioner?

I use an Omega silvertip brush as well, so it is definitely not my products. I definitely take a loooot more time with the straight than the DE. It probably takes me a solid 40 minutes at least to pull off two solid passes with some clean up. I can shave 3 passes with a DE in 20 minutes. I have been face lathering, which do you guys prefer? I started out bowl lathering and then eventually went to face lathering, not really sure why. Do you find that one is easier to find the right lather/water balance?

Also, i live in downtown Chicago, not sure about the hardness/softness of the water... will try bottled.

Don't rush your shave just to keep up with the lather. Applying more lather is much more pleasant than applying a styptic pencil.

This can have several reasons.
You Lather is too thin and should be drier.
You Lather is too dry and therefore more water.
Your face is not washed well enough so that the salt out of your pores make the Lather disappear.
Use of hard water.

Wash your face with hot water just before Lather up. ( sweat kills Lather by the higher salt content)
dip your brush in hot water before you use it,and just let it drip and not shake.
Just play with your Lather.Take a mug and Lather Up, look how long it remains good. play with it, more water, doing more with your brush ect.
But above all enjoy.

I find that adding some glycerin to the top of the soap just before whipping up a lather really helps the lather thicken up and even adds more glide. Dont overdo it, only a few drops are necessary and it is very low cost.