Circles vs. Paintbrush

[cfriend]

A recurring theme, I'm sure, but this image from this BST thread by Nitrosnail (thanks to him for the picture) shows an insert from pre-fix Simpson CH1 best, illustrating paintbrush YES, circles NO. Personally, I face lather, and find paintbrush strokes to be damn near worthless for all but initially transferring soap to the face, then smoothing out any mounds of lather after creating them with circular motions. Is there any real merit to the "circles will damage your brush" claims? Even if there is... I may just destroy my brushes. I cannot make lather with strictly paintbrush strokes

 

[unmodern]

As a fellow face-latherer---no way. If swirling is wrong, my lather and I don't wanna be right. I'm no expert but brushes are made to be brushed. A good brush can take moderate swirling and plunging. If this turns out to be false, I will gladly stock up on Omega's #49 boar at $9 every few years.

 

[Tricky]

I just don't see how making circles in a bowl is any different than making circles on your face is any different. Well, maybe I'm just a simpleton. I figure the enjoyment I get out of getting great face lathering is worth way more than making my brushes last a bit longer. Heck, we all know we like buying new stuff, so why bother worrying about it?

 

[SilkySmooth]

As long as you're not being aggressive with your brush you should be fine.

 

[Leche]

As another dedicated face lather, paintbrush is worthless.

 

[Bertilak]

I am always suspicious of instructions like that -- where they tell you you can't do what actually needs to be done. It's as if they are protecting themselves from any responsibility. If the knot falls out and you complain they will ask if you used a circular motion (knowing you must have because *everybody* does) and then refuse to make good on a defective product.

This actually happened to me with an electric toothbrush. After a while it refused to take a charge so I called the company. They asked me if I ever got it wet! I said of course I did -- it's a *toothbrush* for God's sake! I use it in the bathroom near running water! I rinse it clean! They pointed out that the warranty (on their web site) explicitly says the warranty is void if you get the toothbrush's handle wet!

 

[moonshine44]

I figure the enjoyment I get out of getting great face lathering is worth way more than making my brushes last a bit longer. Heck, we all know we like buying new stuff, so why bother worrying about it?

My sentiments exactly!

 

[chainfire]

I've used circles since the start and can't imagine stopping now.

 

[Arthur Dent]

Paintbrush is as useless as it gets...

 

[richmondesi]

What's the difference in loading a brush and building a lather in a mug in circular motions and applying it or face lathering in circular motions?

 

[Antique Hoosier]

I actually find myself lathering the brush tips on a puck of soap in a paintbrush motion...making M's as I load the brush. I then utilize mostly paintbrush motions as I face lather as well. Works for me.

 

[texbilly]

Paintbrush? Circles? I just push the brush into my face. Maybe that's why I can't build lather!

I can actually build lather with a paintbrush stroke, but only if I rapid-fire flick my wrist. This sometimes results in lather artwork on the wall, mirror, pets, etc. Circles better!

EDIT: Now that I think about it, my circular motion is really a long, narrow oval so I think for some of us paintbrush and circular strokes are almost the same. FWIW.

 

[syzygy]

I use both, circular first and then paintbrush. I have been using my Rooney 1/2 exclusively since Oct 5th and have only lost about 3 hairs this whole time. Seems like a non issue to me.

 

[*King G*]

those people are experts in brush-making, not shaving.

 

[kingfisher]

I do circular motions when building lather in the bowl, but I use mostly paintbrush motions on my face. Mostly. I start with swirls but move quickly to paintbrush.

 

[JPM]

What's the difference in loading a brush and building a lather in a mug in circular motions and applying it or face lathering in circular motions?

Couldn't agree more. I'd just do what works for you.

 

[GoldenMonkey]

I use both, circular first and then paintbrush. I have been using my Rooney 1/2 exclusively since Oct 5th and have only lost about 3 hairs this whole time. Seems like a non issue to me.

I've had MY Rooney 1/2 Finest about the same amount of time, and lost zero hairs (not bragging, just a statement, lol). I load the brish with slight pressure in circles, I build lather on my face in circles, and then I paint to smooth, and there's been absolutely no ill effects...

 

[mmack66]

I paintbrush and it works just fine, though I have been known to circle on occasion.

 

[Leon]

I do circles all the way, but after I'm happy with the lather in my face I paintbrush against the grain to ensure the hair is in the most vertical position possible to be ready to be cut.
Am I too perfectionist?

 

[GoldenMonkey]

I do circles all the way, but after I'm happy with the lather in my face I paintbrush against the grain to ensure the hair is in the most vertical position possible to be ready to be cut.
Am I too perfectionist?

No, that sounds perfectly sane, logical, and is pretty much what I do too, Leon.