Thread: Castle Forbes ?

So i just got some castle forbes lime and i TOTALLY love it!!! but i noticed its stiffer than the other creams i use...AoS Lavender and T&H No. 10 and i am wondering how to load the brush better with it. With the other 2 i usually take the amount and dab it on the tips of the brush b4 taking it to my G5 scuttle but i find that since the CF is denser this doesn't work as well and when i try to just put the amount in the bottom of the scuttle it clumps and doesn't lather as quickly.....so i figured i'd see what others did with CF......thanks for your help!

I use the Castle Forbes products a lot, it is very good stuff.
What I do is load the brush by swirling it directly in the tub of CF a few rounds.
That loads the brush much like a soap.
In this way, I get the right amount without over-doing it and wasting product.

I use my finger and pull out about a almond size amount. That seems to work for me also. Either way, you'll figure it out. Great stuff, my favorite SC>

Just as Birnando says. Easy to overload, though, so test it a few times and add as needed until you figure out the right amount of swirls for your brush.

I take a small amount out, say a peanut-sized glob, and schmear it into the bottom of my lather bowl. Slowly add water until perfection is achieved. Stellar stuff.

I also love CF creams and balms. My favorite method is to put a small dab of CF cream into my lather bowl and float it in hot water. Then I pour a little hot water into my soap mug (Muhle is currently my favorite soap) and let it float in the sink of hot water too, along with my brush. After five minutes or so, I pour the water from the soap mug into the lather bowl, which begins to melt the CF cream. I also add three drops of glycerin to that lather bowl. Then I squeeze most of the water from my brush, load the brush with soap and then mash it up with the CF cream, soap water and glycerin, and begin working up a lather. I adjust the lather with more water if needed or more soap if needed until I get a thick, moist and warm lather. However you use it, CF is thus far my favorite brand...

You can smear a small amount in the bottom of your scuttle. Let it sit a a bit, so the heat from the scuttle softens it, or melts it. I put a hot towel on my face while I'm waiting, and then apply pre shave oil. Usually, the cream has melted by then.

Originally Posted by Birnando

I use the Castle Forbes products a lot, it is very good stuff.
What I do is load the brush by swirling it directly in the tub of CF a few rounds.
That loads the brush much like a soap.
In this way, I get the right amount without over-doing it and wasting product.

Gentlemen,
My method of loading the brush with Castle Forbes is similar to my friend Bernando's. Early on I tried other methods with this superb cream, which tends to be on the hard side, but eventually settled on using it as a somewhat soft soap.

I've found sometimes it's real soft like a typical cream and sometimes it's like a soft soap. For the harder varieties I just twirl the brush very lightly and briefly and it loads up very fast, probably too fast.

I've never liked loading my brush directly on a cream. Of course, since the brush is premoistened, you are introducing moisture to your cream. If you close the lid right away your cream will likely go mushy, and unlike a soap you can not let it air dry overnight without the chance of drying out your cream in the process. That's why I prefer to use a snurdle - bet you guys haven't heard that term in a while, huh?

What I do is scoop out a small amount (halfway between a pea and an almond) and smear it across the bottom of my lather bowl. Then I put a couple teaspoons of hot water on top and let it soften while I shower. I then swirl my brush on top of the cream/water to build my lather, adding more water if necessary. Alternately, you could also dump the water out before swirling on top of the cream, then slowly hydrating the lather with the soapy water. Works a charm. Just remember that CF is a water hog, so don't be afraid to add a bit more so your lather doesn't end up too thick.