Is Lather Consistancy A Personal Preference ?

[Mark 83]

As i'm new to D/E shaving iv'e been watching alot of how to vids on youtube, the first thing that struck me was the difference in technique and preparation, i watched one bloke dip his brush in the cream give it about 10 -15 swirls in a bowl and just paint it straight on his face, it's consistency was very creamy and it was a very thin layer coated on his face it seemed to work really well and it seemed as though it was a good 2 pass shave, he also said he was a professional barber so he must know what he is doing, others i have seen have a really frothy texture with loads of water.

The thin type cream makes sense to me because you are not diluting all the goodness out of the cream, basically what i am asking is it just a personal preferance or is there an optimum type of lather. Who is to say something is wrong if it works for them, thanks for reading.

 

[Chaucer498]

As i'm new to D/E shaving iv'e been watching alot of how to vids on youtube, the first thing that struck me was the difference in technique and preparation, i watched one bloke dip his brush in the cream give it about 10 -15 swirls in a bowl and just paint it straight on his face, it's consistency was very creamy and it was a very thin layer coated on his face it seemed to work really well and it seemed as though it was a good 2 pass shave, he also said he was a proffesional barber so he must know what he is doing, others i have seen have a really frothy texture with loads of water.

The thin type cream makes sense to me because you are not diluting all the goodness out of the cream, basically what i am asking is it just a personal preferance or is there an optimum type of lather. Who is to say something is wrong if it works for them, thanks for reading.

You pretty much answered your own question.

 

[strat1117]

ymmv

 

[cfriend]

he also said he was a proffesional barber so he must know what he is doing

Read any of the many horror stories here about poor shaves received at the hands of a professional barber... just because they're trained, doesn't mean they always know what they're doing. That said, many do know what they're doing... just seems there are many more that don't

 

[Mark 83]

Read any of the many horror stories here about poor shaves received at the hands of a professional barber... just because they're trained, doesn't mean they always know what they're doing. That said, many do know what they're doing... just seems there are many more that don't

I know i don't think i would let another person shave my face.

 

[Emmett]

Hydration is important to me. Some products, such as Trumper's, tend to give a fluffier lather, while others like Cella provide a very dense lather. I don't have a preference so long as both are shiny and slick.

 

[Mark 83]

Hydration is important to me. Some products, such as Trumper's, tend to give a fluffier lather, while others like Cella provide a very dense lather. I don't have a preference so long as both are shiny and slick.

So will the lather be bad because he didn't use much water.

 

[82R100]

So will the lather be bad because he didn't use much water.

It depends on what the soap or cream is, how well the face was prepped (and pre-hydrated) and how long it has to sit there before the razor gets to it.

- Chris

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Short answer to your question is yes. Thats why I always wonder when B&Bers say they get great lather out of a product that I do not...I ask myself:

Self.."what do they consider 'great' lather?"

That said, with pics, its tough to prove you dont get great lather...that evidence speaks more for itself.

 

[mdunn]

it us up to a point, but then it can be tweaked. So once youre making good lather you can add a bit more water to get it to your tastes etc, but it would still be considered by all good.

 

[WhosYerBob]

A personal preference? Sure it is!

 

[LagerLover]

Lubricity is the main thing for me. When shaving cream is too thick it is not as slippery as it needs to be. I like a thin layer of soap that doesn't run down my face. Not a big fluffy souffle, but thick enough to stay there.

Lots of water to make it slick. King of Shaves used to make a gel tube with little beads of stuff in it that was really slick, but it was clear, and you couldn't tell where you had shaved already. So the layer of soap has to be thick enough to see, and slippery enough for the razor to glide over your skin.

 

[ShaveAddict]

Personally i always put a bit more of water than needed in the beginning.
After i work my lather until she gets a good consistency.
Not to liquid, not to thick.

 

[dpmtherrien]

I think its up to you. If you're getting a lather that works for you then who's to say its wrong? As long as its working for you and you're content, then you've got a great lather.