Thread: Question about lather

Originally Posted by Alraz

Well, it depends on what you are doing. When I shave I do 2 things: test the soap and shave. I find it easier for me to find the right point of the lather (when the big air bubbles start to come out) when I lather in a bowl and use a bit more than I need, particularly because I test too many soaps; otherwise, I would agree with your comment for the most part.



Again, I think that you are partially right on this one. Yes, one of the functions of the lather is to lubricate your skin (and also to soften the whiskers) but also to provide cushion and glide (these do not have to be mutually exclusive) during the shave. Good lather does even more for your skin than just that but I agree, the santa face is not necessary, you can definitely get both if you really want. I would say that the santa face is a matter of personal preference. If I have read the reviews correctly, with the soap you are using, you get some of these qualities from the clay rather than from any direct effect on the skin, this is also something to consider.

I'd agree that the "santa face" is a matter of prefference, but then, 90% of what we do falls in that category. This post is simply my perspective on lathering.

10 seconds? With most of the soaps I use, if I swirl for more than 3 seconds, I end up filling my bowl with lather.

You know, it's funny you mention that. Nobody else commented on that, but you're right. I've never timed it, and that just sounded right when I was typing that out. Today I actaully looked at my watch, and yeah, it was about 3 seconds tops. When I go back for the extra passes later in the shave, it's basically one quick twist and pump.

I am not a face latherer but after talking to a few senior member that prefer this method, I gave it a try. I must say that face lathering is great for your skin. I would have to work on the process as I ended up making a mess in the bathroom but that is a different story. Also, a lot of brushes are to soft to be used for this method. I managed to get enough soap in the brush to relather a couple of times without hitting the soap again.

Yeah, like I said, if I hit the soap again, it's literally one quick twisting pump. Not even 100% sure it's adding soap. May be just redistributing, but it seems to help between passes.

Now, as far as making a mess face lathering, I've found one thing that helps make less of a mess, and lather faster. I could show you what I'm talking about in half a second, but I'm not sure if I can explain it well typing. Anyway, what I do, it I keep the brush angled just slightly, so that the handle points down and away from my face, rather than just straight out, but only slightly. Then I keep my brush in contact with my face the whole time. No "sweeping." Then I work the brush in circles, and work my way slowly down my face. This way, the bristles point up slightly, and the lather is deposited as I work my way down.

If I read your post correctly, your comment is partly directed towards the economy of your method........

Yes, it is, but only as a side note. I mention it (and I've mentioned it elsewhere) because there are a lot of folks who use a straight, at least in part, because it's less wasteful. If being less wasteful is part of why you use a straight, it doesn't make sense to whip up enough lather to shave 6 times over, and rinse the extra down the drain. That's all I'm saying there.

Most of what I'm about to say has already been said, but I'm gonna say it anyway.


The first few shaves I used soap and brush, I lathered right on my face. I don't think I loaded enough soap on the brush, I only got 1-2 good passes out of it.

Then I switched to using a bowl, this was better and the lather was hot, as I kept the bowl floating in a sink full of hot water. Got enough for 3+ passes.

Then I got a TGQ soap (waaaaaaayy better than Williams-sorry, had to throw that in there), and I switched back to right on the face.

I first soak the brush in the sink while I shower, then shake some of the water out. Then I lather most of the way right on top of the puck--generates a huuuge amount of lather, then I finish the job on my face, swirling about 30 sec or so.

Here is a video I saw, I learned a lot from it and this is the technique I now use (I don't know if the author is here on SRP somewhere? If so forgive my ignorance)

YouTube - Quick lather with boar