Dealing with airy lather (large bubbles)

Here's something I've discovered through my limited experience with hard soaps:

I normally face-lather using circular motions. Using creams, this is nearly fool-proof, and the 4-5 types of cream I've tried produced nice thick lather. Hard soaps on the other hand (Mitchell Wool Fat specifically) tend to be more finicky about the amount of water in the mix, and it's easy to end-up with an airy lather that has large bubbles which collapse easily.

I found that by starting with circular motions on the face, I could build the initial lather, and if I found that the bubbles were too large, switching to painting motions quickly transformed the airy foam into thick lather. I know that a lot of people recommend hitting the puck to load more soap, but this didn't work very well for me.

I can't explain the physics behind this, but I know it works consistently for me... Hope this can help someone struggling with the same problem I had!

To avoid getting bubbles, I usually start with a less damp brush and add water progressively. This allows me to add in controllable drops. It is easier for me than estimating the proper water level in the brish prior to loading and tends to be less messy.

Yes, I do the same. Just swirl the tips in the water, shake and start loading the soap into the brush. I may repeat that a few times till I have enough pasty thick soap on the brush. Then I start to face lather using circular and painting strokes adding a bit of water at a time till I get the lather I want. Everyone develops their own style that works for them.

Bob

Another thing I've found is that some hard tallow soaps don't like really hot water and warm water works better and makes a better lather with more cushion

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Originally Posted by rodb

Another thing I've found is that some hard tallow soaps don't like really hot water and warm water works better and makes a better lather with more cushion

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Solved that problem by changing to sold water shaves. ;)

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BobH

Solved that problem by changing to cold water shaves. ;)

Bob

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I just can't make myself use cold water, luke warm works fine though

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rodb

I just can't make myself use cold water, luke warm works fine though

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Yup, that works too. Key thing, like you said, is avoid very hot water.

Bob

Loading enough soap, adding enough water and using more paint-brush strokes always seems to do the trick. :)