Thread: lathering up

I have just purchased a badger hair brush. While I am happy with the brush, I can't seem to get the same lather I used to get using my hand to create a lather on my face rather than a brush.

Am I doing something wrong?

On my first attempt, the water in the brush just diluted the cream and washed it all off my face. The second time I tried it after shaking the water out of the brush and got a better effect but still not as good as using no brush. Maybe I need to use more cream with a brush?

Anyone got any tips?

I'll direct you to this article again: http://www.classicshaving.com/articl...0351/18187.htm

I found it very helpful when I was starting out.

Originally Posted by Bobbo

I have just purchased a badger hair brush. While I am happy with the brush, I can't seem to get the same lather I used to get using my hand to create a lather on my face rather than a brush.

Am I doing something wrong?

On my first attempt, the water in the brush just diluted the cream and washed it all off my face. The second time I tried it after shaking the water out of the brush and got a better effect but still not as good as using no brush. Maybe I need to use more cream with a brush?

Anyone got any tips?

What shaving cream are you using?

RT

And what brush are you using?

Bobbo, I have been using a badger brush for over 30 years. I used mostly hard soaps but now I really like the creams. This is the way I have been doig it for a while with great results. I fill my mug with the hottest water I can. I dip my brush in to saturate the bristles then let it drain out until just a slow drip. Have your cream in the palm of your off hand and use the brush to whip it in to a lather. Apply the lather to your face, as you do so dip the very tip of the brush in the hot water. This will add additional water to your beard and increase the lather...remember, just the tips of the brush. Once I have finished I pour the water out and set my brush into the warm mug. This keeps the brush warm for any touch ups. Give it a try.

You just need to experiment through trial and error to find what the correct proportion of water to soap you need for your particular brush and the soap or cream you are using. If any of the two are off your results will suffer.

Bob,

I wonder if the cream you are using is made to be used with a brush. This could be the biggest problem.

RT

That makes sense actually as I am just finishing off my old can of Gilette gel before I start on my new tube of Geo F Trumper shave cream (this stuff smells AWESOME, can't wait to try it). The Gillette stuff clearly isn't supposed to be used with a brush.

Thanks guys. I will try the decent cream and let you know how I get on.