Brush Burn, Synthetics, and Breaking In

[GFT et al]

I have been sampling a variety of different synthetic brushes lately and am finding the bristles burn my skin when face lathering. It is not severe, but is noticeable and uncomfortable.

The XL STF does it; both grades of Simpson synthetic do it; every Yaqi (Timberwolf and Tuxedo) and Razorock (Bruce, Big Bruce, Keyhole, Noir, and BC Silvertip) I have tried seem to do it.

There seem to be differing opinions about whether these brushes “break in” or not, and I am not trying to start a food fight here. The brushes I have been sampling are all new. For the past ten years, I have been using Super grade brushes from Trumper’s shop.

To anyone with similar experience with bristle burn, does it go away as the brush gets used more, or as one’s skin gets accustomed to a new material?

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Hannah's Dad]

I suspect it’s more about your skin adapting than the brush evolving.

 

[Alum Ladd]

To anyone with similar experience with bristle burn, does it go away as the brush gets used more, or as one’s skin gets accustomed to a new material?

As an exclusive face latherer and having used several badger grades and synthetics I can only suggest from experience that one's own method of face lathering dictates this.

I began with a truly awful synthetic, with the consistency of a yard broom. My skin wept. No technique could redeem it.

I since found that the Simpsons Duke 1 in pure is a lovely face latherer with a nice feel, and I have found a couple of excellent synthetics that do a great pain-free job.

Exfoliating (scrubbing and splaying) more gently with the brush and figuring out what you want your lather to "be" during the lathering process seemed to help. A thinner lather helped the exfoliating part for me.

I would agree that one's skin adapts, coupled with a refinement of your face lathering technique according to individual taste, skin toleration and growing awareness of the soap, cream and best lather type that suits you in this.

 

[spacemonkey42]

Every face is different. Some folks face will get used to it, some folks never experience it, and others can not tolerate face lathering.

I am guessing you have, but have you tried less splaying and scrubbing and using a lighter touch with the brush? Does that help?

 

[JCarr]

I'm a bowl latherer, so face lathering is not my thing, but there are synthetics that are a bit softer and floppier than others. You may want to take a look at a cashmere synthetic. Fine makes an 'Angel Hair' synthetic brush that's soft, has less backbone and splays very easily.

 

[GFT et al]

Every face is different. Some folks face will get used to it, some folks never experience it, and others can not tolerate face lathering.

I am guessing you have, but have you tried less splaying and scrubbing and using a lighter touch with the brush? Does that help?

That’s an excellent point. My technique is probably not helping.

I am more a linear painter than a circular painter or splayer, and my experience with soft, tiny brushes has allowed me to use a rapid and forceful motion when applying product.

There has definitely been a learning curve to avoid/minimize splattering foam all over the place with these larger and taller synthetic knots.

 

[Rivers23]

Well, from my own experience, I started out as a face latherer. And I really used to mash my face with synthetics and boars because that's what I saw on youtube videos. But then I realized I don't really need to spend so much time torturing my face, it's only required if you have really thick long beard so that the lather can really get in between the whiskers.

Synthetics never really felt comfortable for me. So I would say that maybe try 2 things:

a broken in boar - it's really really soft, you will barely even feel it on your face
a horse brush - I got a Vielong for 10 bucks and I must say that it feels like having a pillow on my face. Sure, it doesn't have backbone, but I don't need it, my beard is very tough, but not super thick, so the lather gets between easily. I also must say that it shares the lather the best.

I think for the price of boar and horse brushes, it's worth a try.

 

[GFT et al]

These are my first three brushes, for reference.

They have all done well for me and I like them very much, but I also want to give synthetics a fair try.

Right now, though, I am mostly just flinging water at the mirror.

 

[srgjazz]

View attachment 1655844
These are my first three brushes, for reference.

They have all done well for me and I like them very much, but I also want to give synthetics a fair try.

Right now, though, I am mostly just flinging water at the mirror.

Some nice brushes. I’ve tried a vast array of synthetics and sold them all upon my return to Badgers. A lot of guys get excellent results from synthetics. Everyone’s skin and lathering technique is different. It’s taken me a long time (too long) to find the combination of products and technique that work the best for me. Hopefully it hasn’t cost you too much money to eliminate what is not working.

 

[njpaddy]

I'm a face latherer and prefer badger, from Simpson Best to Thater and Shavemac 2-bands. My first two synthetics were like shaving with a porcupine and are no longer in use. While I still favor badgers, my RazoRock 24mm Plissoft is silky smooth, in circular or painting lathering. I mainly use it for old soaps that I'm trying to conserve as it doesn't eat up soap like badgers.

 

[Trollky]

I also exclusively face lather and have had issues with minor brush burn from synthetics. In my case the remedy was to swirl less and paint more.

This goes a long way to mitigate the fundamental difference in how a synthetic knot and badger knot splays.

Perhaps the one exception I found is the 24mm Cashmere synthetic knot from AP Shave Co.

 

[huck1680]

Ya know...I've had really good luck with the AP Shave Co. synths. Really nice handles and my favourite knot so far is the "SilkSmoke" G5B 24mm brush.

 

[rsp1202]

Hmm. Never a problem with synthetics, but some tingle with a Mistura.

 

[Lockback]

View attachment 1655844
These are my first three brushes, for reference.

They have all done well for me and I like them very much, but I also want to give synthetics a fair try.

Right now, though, I am mostly just flinging water at the mirror.

I started out with a pretty inexpensive badger and haven't liked it terribly much. I received a synthetic rebuild in an Ever-Ready handle that I like and just bought a Maggard's 24mm Marble Handle synthetic that I absolutely love so far. Everyone's different but definitely don't ignore synthetics; there are some good ones out there!
And, FWIW, my face is a bit sensitive too.

 

[DesertIguana]

Brushes are not one is perfect for 99.99% of population.

Everyone skin is different, some people do great with ———, fill in blank.

Another uses that. ______, and it irate you.

If your lucky the first brush you buy is grail brush, that fits your skin like custom suit fits body.

Some people have to try several brushes to find their grail brush.

 

[Juanmosey]

Bowl lather then paint your face. Works like a charm.

 

[ChriWilson]

Not a heavy synthetic user by any means, but I have often experienced what @GFT et al describes.

Though I primarily face-lather, I find it best for me to avoid brush-burn by building my lather structure in a bowl before moving to my face where I finish at desired consistency and slickness.

While I don't envision myself moving to use synthetic bristles over natural hairs anytime soon, I find my synthetics essential while travelling abroad.