Proraso lather question

[OldSkool1959]

I'm a newbie, been using the Proraso-made, OC Bigelow cream I bought at Bath & Bodyworks. I'm lathering with a VDH mug and brush.

I begin by filling teh mug with hot water and soaking the brush while I shower. Then I dump out the water, give the brush a shake and put a small ribbon of the cream in the mug.

As I begin to swirl the brush, the lather seems to build on the sides of the mug and brush as opposed to the tip of the brush. I have even wiped the side of the brush on my face to get adequete lather.

I know the VDH brush is pretty cheap, do you think its just from the brush or do I have a problem with my tachnique?

 

[danparker77]

I use a cappuccino mug and sometimes use my VDH brush, but it doesn't really matter what brush I use, the same thing happens to me. I just keep pushing it down to the middle of the mug and squish the bristles down a few times and it seems to work out.

 

[Fozz7769]

If the brush is new and or not broken in, it will not hold too much lather. This will improve as the brush breaks. As mentioned keep pushing the lather down to the bottom of the bowl & keep beating it until you get what you are after.

 

[alabamalawyer]

If the brush is new and or not broken in, it will not hold too much lather.

+1. This is particularly true of a boar brush, which actually improves over time as the bristle ends split and soften.

 

[media]

I know what you mean. You're fine, just dont push the brush on the cream so much. Just a little less pressure while mixing.

 

[phishkabob]

This has happened to me when using too much water. Is the cream very "sudsy" when you are having these issues? Additionally, try using a larger mug.

 

[Luc]

+1 on using a larger mug. A small cereal bowl would do, I like something 3" diameter and 1" tall.

 

[DE Shaver]

A larger mug will certainly help. As you mix, maneuver the foam back down as it builds up along the sides. It requires a little attention but you can keep the mess to a minimum.

 

[devil24]

For Proraso, a solid technique and the right amount of water, make a huge difference when lathering inside a mug.

Patience is a virtue for a reason .

 

[flycbyrd]

Find a soup cup. I would go to Antique stores in my area until i found one. Make sure your fist will fit in it, thats how i check to see if the mouth is wide enough. If it has little ripples in the bottom of the bowl or ridges in the bowl itself not the lather, then it will lather better.

 

[chrismikehead]

I just started using Bigelow cream last night, with the same brush. I am using a larger mug, though, and got better lather than I have ever managed with the VDH soap. The brush seemed to release the lather better than it does with the soap. I had been using more of a standard sized mug with the soap, and I enjoyed the lather process more with a wider (though just a bit shorter) mug.

I did have to pitch my first batch of lather though. I had not removed enough water from the brush, and it was sudsy and thin right off the bat. The second attempt was much better.

 

[auk1124]

+1 on a cereal or soup bowl, it will make it easier to see what is going on down in there.

For me, trying to determine the right amount of water to add is as much visual as anything else - if you see smudgy, clotted streaks of lather in the bottom of your cereal bowl while swirling, you might need to add a few drops of water until the swirls are smooth and even. My goal is lather that has a bit of shine to it and is yogurt-like in consistency. Watching the swirls in the bottom of the bowl is a pretty easy trick to help determine when I am there.