I have been using a 24mm Parker sliver tip brush for a few years for strictly bowl lathering. I wanted to give face lathering a try and saw that the chubbies are very popular. I read that the best and super grade of the Simpsons are sometimes identical, so i went with the best. I have been using it for a little over a week now but i am a little disappointed. It lathers very well, however i find it seems to make my skin red and irritated. I am not sure if i have sensitive skin, or if my skin is just use to a really soft silvertip brush and needs time to adjust, or if my technique is not good. The only thing that works is if i palm lather and then gently apply it to my face with painting motions. Is using the chubby 1 in best too aggressive on the skin for daily use? Should i sell it and buy another chubby1 in super? Has anyone with sensitive skin had any problems using any of the chubbies on a daily basis?
Simpson Chubby 1 Best, bad choice for sensitive skin?
- Thread starter MrRomania
- Start date
Welcome to the forum.
To answer the question, it really depends on your skin. I'd hazard a guess that the majority of B&Bers can face lather using a Simpson Best grade (keeping in mind that there is variation even within "Best") without experiencing irritation. I am in what I believe to be the minority of folks who cannot.
You may have more success with a less 'robust' (i.e., less dense, taller lofted) Best knot. Or, perhaps you should just stick to silvertip/"Super" grade. FWIW, if you're set on Simpson, I've heard good things about the softness of their current batch of 2-band hair.
To answer the question, it really depends on your skin. I'd hazard a guess that the majority of B&Bers can face lather using a Simpson Best grade (keeping in mind that there is variation even within "Best") without experiencing irritation. I am in what I believe to be the minority of folks who cannot.
You may have more success with a less 'robust' (i.e., less dense, taller lofted) Best knot. Or, perhaps you should just stick to silvertip/"Super" grade. FWIW, if you're set on Simpson, I've heard good things about the softness of their current batch of 2-band hair.
While Simpson's best grade used to be considered very close to super, I don't think that has been true for awhile. Best is soft but not as soft as super and usually firmer. So, my guess is Simpson's super grade would be a better choice for you. Other brands with notable softness would be M&F and Thater. Simpson's two band is indeed very soft but I don't think it's even available any longer except through Simpson. You probably would not like Simpson Manchurian either as it can be less soft than the super grade.
Not at all go for it!!!
I had a Duke 2 in best that was just too scritchy for me. Left my face very irritated so I gave it to my nephew and he loves it. I also have a Chubby 2 in best that is not scritchy at all and is one of my favorite brushes. Same hair grade but totally different face feel. I really don't know what my point is here. I guess I just wanted to tell a story. Thank you for your time.......
I think it may not just be a matter of Best vs Super, although the Super is certainly a better fit for the situation you are describing. But you might also want to try a different model the model you are looking at has a very short loft which will make it much scrubbier with any kind of hair than the same hair in a somewhat longer loft There are plenty of excellent, soft but firm, brushes out there. But if you're set on a Simpson than consider the Super hair instead of best and/or consider a style with a longer loft.
The Chubby 1 is a strange brush; I ordered mine but also ordered a 620 as a 'fail-safe' in case one didn't work out.
In the first weeks I used the 620 more, that CH1 just would not work: I experienced brush burn, poor lathers - argh! The 620 on the other hand - lovely!
Then I recalled a post about how that big, thick knot needed a LOT of product - and to just use the tips when face lathering - and give it time. Eventually, one day, the knot just "broke" and now it's my daily driver.
I say give it time, be gentle with it, and load heavy on product.
By the way, I've got very sensitive skin too!
In the first weeks I used the 620 more, that CH1 just would not work: I experienced brush burn, poor lathers - argh! The 620 on the other hand - lovely!
Then I recalled a post about how that big, thick knot needed a LOT of product - and to just use the tips when face lathering - and give it time. Eventually, one day, the knot just "broke" and now it's my daily driver.
I say give it time, be gentle with it, and load heavy on product.
By the way, I've got very sensitive skin too!
Welcome to B&B
If you are swirling when you make your lather only do it long enough to deposit a paste evenly on your face, then switch to a back and forth motion to build your lather. You can lessen the first part by using a shave stick or taking your puck and rubbing it directly on your face.
If you have not already done so, stop into the Hall of Fame and tell everyone a little about yourself
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forumdisplay.php/30-Hall-of-Fame
If you are swirling when you make your lather only do it long enough to deposit a paste evenly on your face, then switch to a back and forth motion to build your lather. You can lessen the first part by using a shave stick or taking your puck and rubbing it directly on your face.
If you have not already done so, stop into the Hall of Fame and tell everyone a little about yourself
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forumdisplay.php/30-Hall-of-Fame
Similar experience here with my Simpson Classic 2 in best. The day I squeezed it a bit more than usual (I mean it was drier before loading) and loaded it with more product... wow!!!!
On the other hand, my Duke 3 in best didn't take much time to break in, though its tips were a bit prickly for the first shaves. Now I love it...
Perhaps even more than my Tulip 2 in super, which is as if Monica Belucci caressed your face one of these mornigns...
- Thread starter
- #10
Glad to see im not the only one. Hmm... thinking about switching to cold water shaving for about a month. I think that overtime the brush may become slightly less scritchy, and the cold water will help keep the irritation down. What do you guys think? I really like how it lathers and performs and so i really want to make it work but if i don't notice a difference there will be no point in keeping it, so i might buy the chubby 1 in super or two band, although it might be too small for a practical 2 band? And no i have no interest in the chubby 2 im sure its a great brush, im just not into huge brushes.
- Thread starter
- #11
Quick update. I found the culprit, and it wasn't my new chubby, it was the soap i was using! Razorock classic, i seem to have some sort of reaction to it, it burns after i lather up for the second pass, and after im done shaving my skin is always red. I thought it was the brush this whole time arg. I washed my brushes out with detergent, threw the soap out, and now the problem is gone.
Good to hear you found the real cause of your irritation. Enjoy that Chubby 1!
