I am curious when one should know that just the right amount of water has been added? I worry about having to dry of a cream and also worry about a runny cream. So when is just right?
how does one know when just enough water?
- Thread starter tarheel1
- Start date
When it feels right! The "right" lather from person to person varies as much as blade preference. Probably more. Read some of the lathering tutorials in the stickies and you'll find what's right for you. Basically, "YMMV."
This is very subjective.
English and German creams can take a lot of water. Other creams seem to take very little. Start with a "snurdle" (about half the size of an almond) in your shaving bowl and a brush you have run under hot water then "shook" twice. Begin mixing. If it's to thick (little or no cream) add a small bit of hot water and mix again. You might have to do this several times. Better too little water than too much. You'll know it right when the mixture "explodes" and has the texture of whip cream, maybe a bit thicker.
Some gents perfer a thicker cream, whist others like it a bit thinner. Also, the kind of brush you use has an effect when mixing the cream.
You just gotta practice.
English and German creams can take a lot of water. Other creams seem to take very little. Start with a "snurdle" (about half the size of an almond) in your shaving bowl and a brush you have run under hot water then "shook" twice. Begin mixing. If it's to thick (little or no cream) add a small bit of hot water and mix again. You might have to do this several times. Better too little water than too much. You'll know it right when the mixture "explodes" and has the texture of whip cream, maybe a bit thicker.
Some gents perfer a thicker cream, whist others like it a bit thinner. Also, the kind of brush you use has an effect when mixing the cream.
You just gotta practice.
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Rub some lather between your thumb and forefinger. When it's slick with just a little sticky "give" for cushion, that's a good place to start. You might want to go a little dry or wet from there, but that's a good middle ground.
+1
I usually like thick lather so I do not add a lot of water. If I do add water it will be a few drops at the time. I would add water if I swirl and the lather doesn't build up.
After you load the brush and add the first tbsp of water (possibly less, depends on the brush) you will notice the lather has a dullish matte appearance. As you add progressively more water, bit by bit, and work it in, you will see the lather start to shine. At this point, it is pretty close. May need more water, may not. Lather up and test.
I know a video where the guy uses an almond-size dollop of cream and what looks to be 1 or 2 ounces of water to get this explosion of thick pillows of lather. I tried those ratios and my face and temper paid for it.
Maybe it's that some people have brushes that cost $100 and up. Maybe they have better water than I do, or maybe it's both. I have the cheapest badger hair brush I could find (I've already lost about 1/4 of the hairs from it), I think it was $35, and my water is just so-so.
Use a good amount of cream. You know when you put so much toothpaste on your toothbrush that it is holding on for dear life? Use twice that much. Add water as desired. Shave.
Maybe it's that some people have brushes that cost $100 and up. Maybe they have better water than I do, or maybe it's both. I have the cheapest badger hair brush I could find (I've already lost about 1/4 of the hairs from it), I think it was $35, and my water is just so-so.
Use a good amount of cream. You know when you put so much toothpaste on your toothbrush that it is holding on for dear life? Use twice that much. Add water as desired. Shave.
If you truly have lost 1/4 of the hairs (meaning you're not exaggerating) take it back. That's neither normal, nor acceptable for any brush.
My secrets? One was already mentioned by professorchaos. Good lather is SHINY.
The second secret? When you think it's perfect, add a tiny bit more water and it gets better.
(If you add a bit more after THAT, it gets worse again.)
If you're new to lathering, you should try hand lathering for a week or two. You can really feel how the lather changes as you add water. I started hand lathering about a week ago and now I'm not sure I'll ever go back to a bowl.
The second secret? When you think it's perfect, add a tiny bit more water and it gets better.
(If you add a bit more after THAT, it gets worse again.)
If you're new to lathering, you should try hand lathering for a week or two. You can really feel how the lather changes as you add water. I started hand lathering about a week ago and now I'm not sure I'll ever go back to a bowl.
+1 very very true. Godrej (indian made but behaves like an English cream) and Nivea (german) are prime examples of this
I usually start on the dry side and add water. A test I always do when i think im done mixing is to dab a little lather on a dry part of my forearm. Then i take my dryest finger and rub it against my skin in the lather. If it feels pretty wet, slippery and lubricated im usually good to go, then i tweak it each day based on my previous shave. I usually rotate creams in week long phases, not by the day, so i can better explore the subtleties of each cream (and then hopefully remember most of it for next time).
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