Can't get a lather

[hedonist222]

Hi everyone.


I can't get a good lather. It'll be this very puffy almost aerated stuff instead of a nice thick lucious creamy texture.


I was using a synthetic cheapie Omega because I couldn't find a proper badger brush around here. I have L'Occitane shaving cream but doesn't give me a good lather in my scuttle. It'd be this pasty thing until I added water. Then it'd puff up nicely but apply thinly on my face. It'd be translucent as opposed to lush and thick. So I assumed the cheapie brush wasn't up to creating a good lather and finally found a Crabtree & Evelyn Best grade brush. What's frustrating is that I got the same exact results!


Goopy then runny/watery and translucent. I always make sure to add a tiny bit water. Drops at a time. I'm also making sure not to pump the brush when scrubbing.


I made sure to let the brush soak in warm water in the scuttle while I showered.


I go in circular motions with minimal pressure. I did this in about 2-3 minutes.


Whats going on


Thanks!




--------------


Solution




Success!!!!


Turns out I'd done everything appropriately except the water part.


I'd start out dry and then add water when it became paste-like. Here's the thing, I was adding too much water.


This time when it got pasty I added literally 3 drops. Then whipped it around for a good minute then added another 3 drops.


Previously I must've added a good 20 drops. Makes sense.


I was a bit drier this time but I can manipulate that easily.

 

[tmurzz]

Are you using enough product (cream or soap)? Are you ringing out your brush before lather? What material is your scuttle?

 

[hedonist222]

Are you using enough product (cream or soap)? Are you ringing out your brush before lather? What material is your scuttle?

At least 2 almond size dollops. Very generous with the cream.
Scuttle is a regular mug or cereal bowl.


Yes completely raining out water after the initial soak.

 

[Kostas1]

It might be your cream. Soap version is great, but cream is pretty poor IMO.

Do you get the same results with any other creams/soaps?

If you've got a Bath & Body Works near by, might want to pick up some CO Bigelow (Proraso).

 

[gmgaj]

Hard water? Gave me fits for a while. I've installed a softener (for other reasons) and it made a huge difference.

Also, kiss my face is a good cream if you can find it locally. Or go get some VDH soap from walmart, target or walgreens. $2-5 depending on deluxe/luxury and it is all pretty good stuff. Any of those options WILL give you lather. The Bigelo recommended above will definitely do the job as well.

 

[Matt_Bloodletter]

There are a lot of factors at work. I'm thinking that palm lathering to get the lather started will give you a better feel of what's happening. Start with a moist but not wet brush. Add cream to tips or to palm. Lather into flat palm. If too dry, dip the tip of the brush in water or sprinkle water onto hand or brush from other hand. Very little at a time. I'm also wondering if there are manufacturing byproducts on the brush which keep it from whipping up - a few lather/rinse/repeat cycles should cure that. I'd prefer a cheap soap for dialing in that process if you have access to one. Maybe a little Wally World VDH?

 

[dpittman70]

I have also heard that L'Occitane cream is not good for lathering. +1 for the C.O. Bigelow. I have some Proraso cream (same as Bigelow just different name) and it is great.

 

[YTS]

Firstly I would like to congratulate kostas1 for his football teams achievement last night

Secondly hedonist222, how long do you spend creating your lather? I live in an area with hard water. It takes a good 5-6 mins for me to build a good creamy slick lather. From what you say I think you are using an adequate amount of cream. Try spending more time swirling your brush around and be careful with the amount of water.

I have found that when ones water is hard you may not get enough lather for 3 passes. But 2 almond size dabs should generate enough though. I advise you to spend more time mixing, at least 5-6 mins. Keep us updated.

Lastly try using another cream. Maybe the one you have has expired or it is from a bad batch

 

[attime6]

If i were you start with a drier brush and use more product, i had similar problems when i first started.

 

[DiNaN]

I would recommend that you read http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/21136 and try the method out.
It actually helped me a great deal!

My problem (which i found thanks to that tutorial) was that my brush was too wet while loading!

Edit: Oh sorry, nevermind. I overlooked that you used cream. But still, did you try to squeeze your brush out before lathering?

 

[YTS]

If you have time take and post 5-6 photos at one minute intervals while you are creating your lather.Maybe some of us will be able to give you some tips.

 

[hedonist222]

Thanks everyone!

It might be your cream. Soap version is great, but cream is pretty poor IMO.

Do you get the same results with any other creams/soaps?

If you've got a Bath & Body Works near by, might want to pick up some CO Bigelow (Proraso).

I didn't try with my soap because the brush was so loppy it literally did not a dent on the soap.
So the L'O is all I have to go by.

There are a lot of factors at work. I'm thinking that palm lathering to get the lather started will give you a better feel of what's happening. Start with a moist but not wet brush. Add cream to tips or to palm. Lather into flat palm. If too dry, dip the tip of the brush in water or sprinkle water onto hand or brush from other hand. Very little at a time. I'm also wondering if there are manufacturing byproducts on the brush which keep it from whipping up - a few lather/rinse/repeat cycles should cure that. I'd prefer a cheap soap for dialing in that process if you have access to one. Maybe a little Wally World VDH?

I'll try that too.

Firstly I would like to congratulate kostas1 for his football teams achievement last night

Secondly hedonist222, how long do you spend creating your lather? I live in an area with hard water. It takes a good 5-6 mins for me to build a good creamy slick lather. From what you say I think you are using an adequate amount of cream. Try spending more time swirling your brush around and be careful with the amount of water.

I have found that when ones water is hard you may not get enough lather for 3 passes. But 2 almond size dabs should generate enough though. I advise you to spend more time mixing, at least 5-6 mins. Keep us updated.

Lastly try using another cream. Maybe the one you have has expired or it is from a bad batch

Congrats to kostas1!

I spent a good 4-5 minutes and ended with very tired wrists.
Coincidentally my cream is new but coud be from a bad batch. Maybe it's made by Creed? Anyone get the Creed reference? LOL

I would recommend that you read http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/21136 and try the method out.
It actually helped me a great deal!

My problem (which i found thanks to that tutorial) was that my brush was too wet while loading!

Edit: Oh sorry, nevermind. I overlooked that you used cream. But still, did you try to squeeze your brush out before lathering?

yep squeezed it till it was moderately moist with no drippage.

If you have time take and post 5-6 photos at one minute intervals while you are creating your lather.Maybe some of us will be able to give you some tips.

I'm thinking I'll post a video in a couple of days.

 

[hedonist222]

Success!!!!


Turns out I'd done everything appropriately except the water part.


I'd start out dry and then add water when it became paste-like. Here's the thing, I was adding too much water.


This time when it got pasty I added literally 3 drops. Then whipped it around for a good minute then added another 3 drops.


Previously I must've added a good 20 drops. Makes sense.


I was a bit drier this time but I can manipulate that easily.

 

[YTS]

Congratulations.

 

[jburghy]

Success! Congratulations.

P.S. - I finally got a good lather from my Arlington today. It was wonderful, and I that scent. LOVE it.