Thread: Flaky lather

So I am new to wet shaving, and I just bought a shaving soap from poraso. My question is what I am doing wrong when my lather becomes flaky and starts to disappear?

Sounds like you need to add a bit more water when you are lathering.

Bob

Most likely your lather is drying too fast. You need more water as Bob said.

If you have hard water issues you may try bottled water. Either way I agree it's flaky cause it's to dry.

Try a different soap. [Not Williams]

This happens often with new guys. It happened to me.

I was not using enough soap and water. When I started to load the brush more I found adding water was easier to get correct. Stay at the soap or use a bit more cream and you can keep adding water until you get a good lather. With more soap more water and it seemed to me a bigger margin for error

I was also just learning how to shave so I was slow. I would deliberately take my time. Time on the face was drying out lather. Don't be afraid to re-lather mid pass. Or even do 1/2 your face at a time. I will still lather only parts of my face for touch ups. Why not do it for the shave.

Lastly try wetting your face before lathering. This will add some much needed water to your lather.

Good lather, good shaves

Originally Posted by 2Sharp

Try a different soap. [Not Williams]

I just bought some Williams soap , It arrived today smelling pretty harsh. So what are the ups and downs of Williams soap ? Should I even try it ?

Originally Posted by razor720

I just bought some Williams soap , It arrived today smelling pretty harsh. So what are the ups and downs of Williams soap ? Should I even try it ?

Sure try it if you like. It doesn't cost much. I could never get mine to lather and never did like the scent. You could bath your dog with it but he probably won't like it either. There are too many good soaps out there and not enough time to try them. [ Creme Brulee Glycerin Shave Soap Creme Brulee Glycerin Shave Soap [shvso95] - $1.00 : Mama Bears Soaps and Gift Shop , Mama Bears Shaving Soaps and Bath Products for the Discerning Gentleman and Lady ] bj

Originally Posted by razor720

I just bought some Williams soap , It arrived today smelling pretty harsh. So what are the ups and downs of Williams soap ? Should I even try it ?

I bought a puck of William's because it is iconic but can't bring myself to try it.

I'd be the last to say that the current Williams puck shave soap is a great soap but if you can get it to lather it is a serviceable shave soap. After banging my head against the wall trying to raise a decent lather from it I finally did succeed. Was it worth the effort? Almost I'd say.

Try sprinkling some water on it then loading your brush and repeat that many times before you try making lather. Load it like you hate it and use more water than with any other soap. Good luck.

Bob