Thread: Building lather on face

So while reading some posts the other day i came across a gentleman saying he built his lather on his face.. Seemed like a good idea to me so i gave it a try. Well i must say its the best way i have tried so far. i get a great lather and i definitely recommend others trying it. before i was getting a thin lather and eventually it was getting better. However once i started lathering it on my face.BAM.. like a pro... Im hoping this isn't a bad way of doing things because it really solved my lathering issue. Hope it works for other noobs like me out there..

No it is not a bad way to lather up, only one of several ways you can lather up. There are no bad ways if the end result is a lather suitable to the job at hand. To me, with the addition of using a shave stick soap, it is the simplest no fuss way of going about a shave. Glad it worked for you.

Bob

Glad face lathering worked for you. I've tried it a few times and just can't seem to get it to work with soaps. I can manage a decent face lather with creams, but not as good as if I use a bowl. And as far as using a soap puck to face lather, I might as well not even use lather at all considering how fast it drys up. I'm sure my technique is the problem, but I am not inclined to bother fixing it when bowl lathering works perfectly.

I generally build my lather on my face anymore. It is an easier way of doing things, but not necessarily faster. I find the right brush for the soap I am using is particularly important. I will use my badgers for cream and I will use my boars hair for hard soaps. I will especially use a very scrubby boars hair for lathering the face. Glad it worked out for you Katan. Try a stick if you get a chance Katan they last for ever and are easy to travel with.

I, probably like most, started out bowl lathering. I haven't used that method in about three years. Strictly face lathering here.

I face lather and rarely bowl lather. It is easier and perfect lather each time. I think face lathering is ideal for guys new to traditional wet shaving.

Originally Posted by TucoRamirez

I face lather and rarely bowl lather. It is easier and perfect lather each time. I think face lathering is ideal for guys new to traditional wet shaving.

right you are. it is easier to learn the optimum water-soap/cream ratio while face lathering as it gives a much quicker feedback to the shaver instead of going back to the bowl and swirling it up again and again. once the ratio has been practiced and perfected, bowl lathering becomes much easier and more enjoyable. i recommend that beginners who have problems with the lather consistency face lather and make sure that when painted (after the vigorous swirling ritual), the lather is nice and smooth rather than textured like cottage cheese, helps ALOT and gets you making great lather really quick. however, YMMV!

goodluck and happy shaving!

I use face lathering to fine tune my bowl lathering to the right consistency if that makes any sense. I lather up in the bowl and i'm almost always too dry by a bit so I go ahead and do a lather and then dip the brush a little and then add volume and moisture to the lather by face lathering.

I also find face lathering goes a long way towards revitalizing my lather between passes. If I strictly bowl lather it gets waaay to dry. but that little drop of moisture and a little face lather and I'm good to go again. Just did five passes (don't judge me my face feels amazing right now) off the same brush without returning to the puck that way and could have done more.

I prefer face lathering as i can tell right away if I need to add a little water to the brush.

I have added a small scuttle that keeps brush and lather warm between passes.

I used to face lather. I like the bowl now. I know what you mean about getting the lather right. Although I can tell as I'm whipping it up. I put a tiny squirt of glycerin in the bottom and let her rip.