SCS New Spice help/advice

[CrowdedHouse]

Folks

I need a bit of help, I'm having problems with using SCS cream.
I've been trying New Spice for the last few days but I'm struggling with it.

The problem is that the lather just fades away after less than a minute on my face. I use a good dollop of it in the scuttle bowl,it seems to lather up good - goes on nice and creamy on my face and then fades to almost nothing

When it's there it's very good and the scent is great but it's not working out.

My usual are TOBS,Harris and Palmolive creams,Tabac & MWF soap I rarely have a lather problem.

What should I try ? I think I'm using enough,this morning I used considerably more than I would of any other cream but result was the same.

TIA

 

[SRock]

Sounds like a waterroduct ratio issue to me. Normally if a soap or cream does this I've found it is either not enough product or too much water. i.e. you have too much water for the amount of product. I've only used samples of SCS creams but I never had any issues with them at all.

 

[CrowdedHouse]

Thanks Rob

That's what I thought myself but I don't think so.
This morning I used a lot of product and as little water as possible(including practically wringing out the brush).

I'm wondering now if it's too little water...

Maybe it's a bad tub

 

[SRock]

Interesting. I would think if too little water were the problem then it would be much too creamy and as such wouldn't dissipate at all!?!?! Very interesting.

 

[joto]

I have not had a lot of luck with SCS creams- many here seem to love them, so I am clearly in the minority. I could never get them to lather well, although they were super slick, I wanted a little more cusion.

 

[kingfisher]

I've never use the creams, but I remember a thread on here about how they were finicky to lather properly. You might want to check the reviews.

I can't remember specifically, but I THINK the consensus was that you have to use MORE water, not less (again, I could be wrong; either do a search of this subforum or check the reviews, because I think it may have been discussed in the review section).

 

[kingfisher]

Found this in the review section:

"On the topic of latherability, this product can be a little bit deceptive. Keeping in mind that as a tester I have created 30-40 lathers with this crème (that is 30-40 with the current formulation), I will boldly say that it can create the best lather that you have ever used. Now, I realize that there will be some folks ready to argue after reading this statement, but there is a secret to making this product really perform for you and ironically, it is the very thing that makes our little hobby so special – WATER!

This crème is devastatingly hydrophilic or water-loving. From my findings, the amount of water that I use to create a meringue-like lather from any of the 3 T’s is simply not enough to satisfy the thirst of the SCS crème. I actually got as scientific as to measure out the water necessary for lathering several different brands of shave cream and found Sue’s products to require anywhere from 2 to 3 times as much water. This can be a difficult discovery to make because the early consistency of the lather will lead you to believe that it has too much water in it (i.e. a little bit runny). I encourage you, however, to continue to add water and watch as after several additional teaspoons of water have been added, the crème will actually firm up and create those beautiful meringue peaks that we all love so much."



Another reviewer also mentioned that he likes to let the lather sit in the bowl for about a minute after he has produced it, because he believes the lather gets better and better as it sits.


I am a huge fan of Sue's soaps, and I have no doubt that once you learn how to properly lather the cream, it will be a top-notch lather.

 

[40boy]

kingfishers' quote comes from a very nice review kyle did (with pictures) for SCS Very V Scented cream. check it out; it's in the review section. good luck

 

[GoldenMonkey]

Since you're using a scuttle, I would add that maybe you are keeping the lather TOO warm, causing it to break down faster. If it is too dry to begin with, there's your problem...try working the lather with just WARM water (not hot), and see if it works better for you.

 

[CrowdedHouse]

Thanks very much for the input Folks - much appreciated

It will be Tuesday before I get a chance to try again(away for the w/end brought Arlington along)

I'll try more water and a cooler bowl

 

[kingfisher]

Also, check out this little tidbit (somebody else's experience):

"I have been experimenting with Sue's (SCS) creams now for about a month and have the following brief comments. .....Here goes! ....... In a nutshell, I believe Sue's creams benefit greatly with a tad bit of water before hitting them with the brush. There is a great lathering thread in B&B that suggests leaving a small amount of water in the bowl/mug when dropping the "dollup" of cream in the vessel. My experience is that with Sue's creams, especially those that are very firm, you should break them down a bit with a tad bit of water and a little stir/agitation. I discovered this phenominon most impressively when I got a sample of Parma Violet that was a bit runny. It lathered up great! On the other hand I had problems when applying the brush to a firmed up dollup (I use 1/2 teaspoon) of New Spice. Apparently, the cream does not break down enough, soon enough, to allow for a really complete mix of water and cream until you water the cream down a bit. Also, some, including Sue I believe, suggest "whipping" the cream with the tips of the brush and not pushing down. The reason, I believe, is the same as the reason for softening up the cream in the first place. It allows for better infusion of the cream to the water before working up into the brush. In other words, it allows the cream to start working before being pushed up into the heart of the brush where it will just sit and do very little. I like my lather to be rather thick and rich. I found Kyle's lather too thin for my taste. Adding as much additional water as Kyle does made for a lot of lather but it lost its cushioning properties. In my experience, I work the cream/lather into a rather thin paste using the tad of water in the bown originally and the water from a medium size badger brush after a drip out and ONE shake. Remember, concentrate on the tips of the bristles. The lather will have that gripping/suction feel Sue describes. I add one teaspoon of hot water and continue to work the cream. At this point the cream is fully hydrated and you can push down on the brush more if you wish. Using the methods I have explained here I generally do not need much, if any, additional water with one caveat. I generally add a "touch" of additional water to the mix for each additional pass. Often I just dip the very tip of the brush in the hot water in my sink. The amount of cream described, along with the above technique, will create enough lather for four passes with a little extra for touch ups if needed."

 

[gaj90027]

Since you're using a scuttle, I would add that maybe you are keeping the lather TOO warm, causing it to break down faster. If it is too dry to begin with, there's your problem...try working the lather with just WARM water (not hot), and see if it works better for you.

This...

 

[gollum83]

I've been having similar issues myself with some SCS cream I recently purchased off the BST. I can't get the stuff to lather for the life of me. It doesn't matter how much or how little water or product I use, it just seems to perform poorly, which is a real shame it smells fantastic. I've tried multiple things including trying Kyle's instructions and I am getting really close to putting it back out there on the BST.

Anyway, I'm going to have to try that last little bit kingfisher posted. Hopefully, that will fix my problems. If doesn't, I'm sticking to Sue's soaps because I know I can at least get a great lather out of those.

 

[CrowdedHouse]

....I notice this evening I have nasty razor burn on my cheeks.....this cream is heading for the bin...

 

[kingfisher]

Anyway, I'm going to have to try that last little bit kingfisher posted. Hopefully, that will fix my problems. If doesn't, I'm sticking to Sue's soaps because I know I can at least get a great lather out of those.

Yeah, the soaps rule. Used one of her soaps this morning. Just a fantastic shave lather.

 

[SmoovD]

SCS creams are a bit of a different breed. They do take what one would think is too much water. When I first started using the creams I used too much cream and not enough water. The lather was slick but thin and unstable. After some experience with the cream and valuable info from the gents on B&B I developed a routine that works wonders.

First- face lather works better than bowl.
Second- brush should only be slightly damp. Just run the brush under some water and shake it a few times.
Third- a pea-sized dollop in the middle of the brush.
Four- work brush around the face- spreading the cream.
Five- add water to brush and build lather,
Repeat as necessary to create desired lather. Remember it does love the water.
I will add a touch more cream for each subsequent pass.

The creams from SCS do take more effort and a different approach than many other creams but they are worth it, IMHO.

 

[gollum83]

SCS creams are a bit of a different breed. They do take what one would think is too much water. When I first started using the creams I used too much cream and not enough water. The lather was slick but thin and unstable. After some experience with the cream and valuable info from the gents on B&B I developed a routine that works wonders.

First- face lather works better than bowl.
Second- brush should only be slightly damp. Just run the brush under some water and shake it a few times.
Third- a pea-sized dollop in the middle of the brush.
Four- work brush around the face- spreading the cream.
Five- add water to brush and build lather,
Repeat as necessary to create desired lather. Remember it does love the water.
I will add a touch more cream for each subsequent pass.

The creams from SCS do take more effort and a different approach than many other creams but they are worth it, IMHO.

I'm sorry, but if it takes this much effort and time to create a useable lather, then it is not 'worth it'. That said, I will give this a try, but this is frustrating me to no end.

 

[CrowdedHouse]

I'm sorry, but if it takes this much effort and time to create a useable lather, then it is not 'worth it'. That said, I will give this a try, but this is frustrating me to no end.

+1 but thanks for the input smoovd

 

[SmoovD]

I'm sorry, but if it takes this much effort and time to create a useable lather, then it is not 'worth it'. That said, I will give this a try, but this is frustrating me to no end.

It is not so much an effort as just a different approach than most creams. Kinda like MWF...when I pull in off the shelf I know I need to adjust my lather build. That said, if it isn't working for you there is no sense frustrating yourself- put it on the B/S/T.

 

[StillShaving]

I agree that SCS creams need more water than you think. I have her Juniper Mist which did not really shine until I added more water than I thought would be needed. Once I figured that out, I really enjoyed using it.