Thread: Lathering On My Hollywood Face

Gentlemen,

For years I had lathered directly onto my Hollywood face. I would shake much of the water out of the brush, load it with cream or soap, sometimes combining both, and then lather by adding a little water at a time to the brush to create a luxurious foam. The method worked well for me, especially since I felt it aided beard preparation.

For a time after I bought my Georgetown scuttle, I used it to keep the brush warm. Then I thought I would experiment and also make lather in the scuttle. That worked well, too, because the Georgetown has a big enough bowl for creating lather. Although, as I understand it, the main purpose of the scuttle is to keep the brush warm. Not that variation is outlawed.

Since I shave at the gym most weekdays, I continued to stick to tradition and lather directly onto the face, reserving scuttle lathering for the weekend shaving at home.

This morning I finally decided to return to my old ways and lather directly onto my Hollywood face. Not that I found anything wrong with making lather in the scuttle. No, of course not. Many gentlemen prefer that method of lathering, while others opt for lathering directly onto the face.

I felt something missing in my shaving ritual when not lathering directly onto the face.

No way is better than another; rather, it is a matter of preference. The world of straight razor and wet shaving is peppered with personal preferences and idiosyncrasy. That adds even more enjoyment to the art and craft of gentlemen shaving.

For me, I like the feel of the warm, lather-rich shaving brush sweeping across my face in circular patterns. The practice gives me a sense of comfort. I don't know why. Somethings I prefer not to question, but, rather, enjoy for what they are and for what they do. Thus lathering on the face: I just like it more than lathering in the scuttle.

Any thoughts, gentlemen?

Regards,

Obie