My lather is better on the second pass

[Peter Mount]

Hi

I'm currently using the Proraso in the white container. I haven't opened the Proraso soap in the green container yet.

I'm finding the lather on my first pass is very watery and full of bubbles. It's only on the second pass it seems like a proper lather. I've been wetting my boar brush under running water and after i shake it a bit I dab it into my shaving soap and rub a bit in.

I guess I'm a face latherer at the moment as I just put it straight on my face. Should I lather it on my hand or in a bowl to get rid of the excess water first or should I try something else?

Thanks.

 

[Chimensch]

The problem is that you need to get the soap mixed better with the water. You can do this on your face, in your hand or in a bowl, although I prefer a scuttle.

 

[Luc]

The problem is that you need to get the soap mixed better with the water. You can do this on your face, in your hand or in a bowl, although I prefer a scuttle.

+1

Try to squeeze the bristles before you take it to the soap. You might need to work the lather for a bit longer on your face. I usually face lather every morning, I can't remember when was the last time I used a bowl...

 

[Bertilak]

Should I lather it on my hand or in a bowl to get rid of the excess water first or should I try something else?

I believe you are right that excess water is the culprit. Just shake brush a little drier to begin with. I find that getting the right amount of water initially is the key and that my tendency is to get it too wet if I don't pay attention.

 

[LarryAndro]

Just a guess. My suggestion is to soak the brush as before. But, to swirl the brush in the soap quite a bit before your shave, softening up the soap at the top of the puck, and filling the brush with much more soap than you need for your face. Do that for 30-45 seconds. Then, squeegee off the soap that is on your brush on the side of the mug back into the mug. Rewet your brush with a few drops of water - the brush will be soaked with soap now - and now dip lather out of the bowl as you were doing, and shave.

 

[BlackBard]

I believe you are right that excess water is the culprit. Just shake brush a little drier to begin with. I find that getting the right amount of water initially is the key and that my tendency is to get it too wet if I don't pay attention.

Yes. Your lather is better on the second pass because it has had time to dry out while you made the first pass. Water control at the beginning is the key.

 

[Steavis]

For me the key seems to be to give the brush a good squeeze before loading it with soap, and then give it several more swirls over the soap after I think it's properly loaded. It's easier to add a few drops of water if your lather is too dry than it is to try and take away water if the lather is too wet.

 

[aimsport]

Just to eliminate a variable, try washing your face first to get rid of face oils. Mixing with face oils can change the first pass. Or do what I do sometimes which is lather up and rub in, but don't shave until you rinse your face and re-lather...

 

[Peter Mount]

I tried giving the brush a good squeeze to get rid of excess water before putting it in the soap and that made a big difference.

Thanks very much for the replies.