Thread: Cella!!

Originally Posted by sleekandsmooth

I truly think I am the only shaver who absolutely hates it lol. its so weird, it just does nothing for me at all. id rather use a bar of dove soap.

You're not the only one...

I have tried Cella three times.. She and I just don't get along.

First two times I gave up and PiF'd the tub because I couldn't get a decent lather. This time, after a brain-storm, I tried it in stick form (just pressed it into a twist up) and while I can finally lather it well, it seems to dry down too fast for a straight shave. Might work well for a brisker DE shave...we'll see.

I have no shortage of great soaps, so if Cella and I remain at odds, it's no big deal.

Originally Posted by MikekiM

You're not the only one...

I have tried Cella three times.. She and I just don't get along.

First two times I gave up and PiF'd the tub because I couldn't get a decent lather. This time, after a brain-storm, I tried it in stick form (just pressed it into a twist up) and while I can finally lather it well, it seems to dry down too fast for a straight shave. Might work well for a brisker DE shave...we'll see.

I have no shortage of great soaps, so if Cella and I remain at odds, it's no big deal.

how did you use it?
The best way is to add some water to the soap and then swirl the brush nicely to load up. For me best results come with face lathering not in a bowl.

Originally Posted by MikekiM

You're not the only one...

I have tried Cella three times.. She and I just don't get along.

First two times I gave up and PiF'd the tub because I couldn't get a decent lather. This time, after a brain-storm, I tried it in stick form (just pressed it into a twist up) and while I can finally lather it well, it seems to dry down too fast for a straight shave. Might work well for a brisker DE shave...we'll see.

I have no shortage of great soaps, so if Cella and I remain at odds, it's no big deal.

You may try the so called "Italian loading method". Soak your brush in hot water for a few minutes. Without shaking the brush (just leave it to loose a some water with gravity) load from the soap with gentle circle moves. Don't push the brush, use only the tips of the brush. Load the brush for 40 to 60 seconds. Then you may face or bowl lather.

Originally Posted by harrygr

You may try the so called "Italian loading method". Soak your brush in hot water for a few minutes. Without shaking the brush (just leave it to loose a some water with gravity) load from the soap with gentle circle moves. Don't push the brush, use only the tips of the brush. Load the brush for 40 to 60 seconds. Then you may face or bowl lather.

+10 to your comment. I did not know you would call this method as "Italian loading method" but it is the only method I always use when loading my brush with soap, any soap. Maybe this is what makes a difference with Cella and similar soaps?
I always soak my brush in warm water, saved synthetic brushes, for about five minutes before starting making a lather. I always use a bowl and, according to my experience, Cella always makes a rich, luscious and creamy lather. It's all about water and Cella likes water quite a lot. Not that much, but more water that you would usually use for, say, non tallow base soap, like Proraso soap.

It is said that this method was used by old Italian barbers. Works well with soft or hard soaps, boar or badger brushes.

Originally Posted by harrygr

It is said that this method was used by old Italian barbers. Works well with soft or hard soaps, boar or badger brushes.

That's why I have always used this method: I guess because I have always seen barbers, my father and my grandfather loading the brush and making lather this way.

Cella's the gold standard for me and the best performer. But occasionally I get tired of the scent and like a nice clean soapy smell.

What I did for an alternative, with great results, is grate an Arko stick with a cheese grater. Then I add water and boil. I squirt in some glycerin and add some citronella essential oil to duplicate the Williams smell. That combo is fantastic! (BTW, Arko really doesn't need the glycerin boost to lather well, it just lathers better since I did it.)

But I get the same results with Cella without doing a thing to it. It's the very best as far as I'm concerned. I just wish I could smell something else. I might try adding a couple of drops of an essential oil before shaving next time to see if I can get a different scent to change things up a little.

This is what I can easily get from Cella:

• Omega Badger Brush
• Cella Shaving Cream (of course)
• Bowl

Soak the brush in warm water for about five minutes, soak Cella soap with warm water too, then get rid of excessive water both from brush and soap. Load brush with a circular motion for about 40 seconds, mount lather in the bowl for about one minute. Add water drops, in case you need to.
Result: long lasting and very creamy lather which does not dry up. The quantity you see in the picture is enough for three passes, at least for me.

Enjoy!

Originally Posted by mainaman

how did you use it?
The best way is to add some water to the soap and then swirl the brush nicely to load up. For me best results come with face lathering not in a bowl.

I wrote it off as a problem with my water...

Wet brush, not so wet.. bowl or face.. boar or badger. None gave me the lather I could build with other software, so I gave up.

Love the stuff.
Smells like marzipan in the tub - a little different on the face.
Great lather and lubrication.