What should I expect from italian soft soaps?

[fds_ba]

Hi,

I've been giving Cella a chance lately and still cannot figure out if I like it or not.

I struggled lathering it and then tried the "Marco approach", which worked but was messier and required more time and effort than I usually spend lathering. I got a (lot of!) nice lather, but I can get what to me is equally nice or better lather with Tabac or D R Harris in significantly less time.

Of course I don't mind investing time and effort to get a better result; after all, I am sold on wet shaving even though it takes me significantly longer than slapping canned gel on my face because it pays off. But in the case of Cella I'm not convinced the extra effort results in a gain.

As with most things around here there's a learning curve so these initial efforts probably don't yield the best results possible. Because of this I wonder what is it about soft italian soaps that would make it worth it to take the time and learn how use them to their full potential.

Thanks!

[takeshi]

I didn't find Cella to take any longer to lather than DRH (my current go to soap).

As with most things around here there's a learning curve so these initial efforts probably don't yield the best results possible. Because of this I wonder what is it about soft italian soaps that would make it worth it to take the time and learn how use them to their full potential.

And as with any question of worth (on any topic) -- it's highly subjective. I thought Cella was close to/just as good as DRH but did not prefer the scent over Marlborough or AOS's sandalwood. You really just need to keep trying it to see if you find it worthwhile or not. You can read through other people's reviews of Cella but whether or not you'll agree with the reviews is an entirely separate matter. YMMV as we always say.

[ackvil]

I have found Cella relatively easy to lather. In fact, for the past few days I have been using it as the soap ingredient in making Uberlather. However, I use a tad less water than Marco and tend to twirl my brush rather rapidly. The shaves I get are great. If you want to try something special try using Cella plus a little bit of cream (my favorites for Cella are T&H Ultimate Comfort, Godrej, and Akka Kappa 1869), plus a few drops of glycerin. You will find it whips up fast and plentiful!

[fds_ba]

I have found Cella relatively easy to lather. In fact, for the past few days I have been using it as the soap ingredient in making Uberlather. However, I use a tad less water than Marco and tend to twirl my brush rather rapidly. The shaves I get are great. If you want to try something special try using Cella plus a little bit of cream (my favorites for Cella are T&H Ultimate Comfort, Godrej, and Akka Kappa 1869), plus a few drops of glycerin. You will find it whips up fast and plentiful!

Thanks for the tips.

I've done a few uberlathers with Tabac and La Toja cream on my "relaxed Sunday shaves". It's really nice.

I guess what I'm trying to find out is what makes Cella worth spending time in finding the right way to lather it.

[Bigsurprise]

I guess what I'm trying to find out is what makes Cella worth spending time in finding the right way to lather it.

I can't speak for Cella personally, but I do use and love the similar P.160. I can tell you that I find it to be the slickest cream/soap per $. The only disadvantage it has to me is that there is loading time. I really like creams that you can just plop in your bowl and start whipping, but I really don't mind the loading too much. It only takes me about 5-10 seconds to load my (fairly dry)brush.

I'm not sure how long you have been giving Cella a try, but I say give it a week or two and that should be sufficient to see whether it's a keeper or not.

[franz]

+1. For me, the soft soaps explode with lather if you look at them the wrong way. However, they like to be loaded heavily, with at least moderate amounts of water, and are arguably less efficient on a gram per shave basis than hard soaps. Expect to use lots of product. Whether that means loading longer or being less dainty on the puck is up to you.

[rockviper]

I lather it like my other soaps and creams, except that it is more thirsty for water.

[gtoface]

i couldnt lather cella at all when i lived in ny cus of the hard water. it was very hard. and it took 10 mins or so to later. now that im down in NC theres super soft water and it laters in a matter of seconds. but they are very thirsty for water. keep messing around. i hate the smell of cella i think it smells like almond and a mary kay makeup vault. i hate the smell of makeup. but its a dang good shave soap.

[fds_ba]

Thaks for the tips, I'll definitelly work on my lathering technique with it.

[Ski-Patroller]

Cella is my go to soap, but I don't use Marco's loading technique. I slightly wet the soap, and start with a brush that has been soaked and partly squeezed out. After I get enough soap on the brush, I go to the bowl and add some water. I think it gives the same end result, but it is not as messy. Cella seems to have a fairly stiff lather that works great with my Futur and Progress razors, but maybe not as great with my Feather AS.

[Toulouse]

I've traveled a little with a tub of Cella in tow and I certainly noticed that water hardness plays a very big part in how easily it lathers.

[jgkeegan]

Cella, Vitos and P.160 Tipo Morbido are all wonderful latherers and shavers, imo.

--james

[Shave A Buck]

I find them a bit more sticky and could clog a cart razor perhaps. Valobra does well for me but it does need a bit more water. All in all I like them but there is a learning curve.

[jgkeegan]

I find them a bit more sticky and could clog a cart razor perhaps. Valobra does well for me but it does need a bit more water. All in all I like them but there is a learning curve.

I should have mentioned Valobra. I like that too. Re the learning curve, I think that was the case with Cella, perhaps, but not the others for me.


--james

[Johnny_Ludlow]

DR Harris Lavender and Cella are my two favourite soaps. I find Cella to lather even more quickly than DR Harris. When I first sniffed Cella, I wasn't sure about it, but now I love it to death. The lather smells and feels absolutely fantastic. It's getting kind of ridiculous - I can't wait for morning so that I can shave with Cella again. So, give it some time. It will probably grow on you. Both lather- and smellwise.

Oh yeah, first post here. I'm a long time lurker. Love this forum.

[GreekGuy]

Italian soft soaps are decent performers, and outrageously cheap in Italy. Stateside, not so much. I think you just need to spend more time loading the brush and use more water. So in essence, use more product.

That being said, while I think Cella is a good soap, and still relatively cheap, it isn't near the top of my list. YMMV and all that

[franz]

DR Harris Lavender and Cella are my two favourite soaps. I find Cella to lather even more quickly than DR Harris. When I first sniffed Cella, I wasn't sure about it, but now I love it to death. The lather smells and feels absolutely fantastic. It's getting kind of ridiculous - I can't wait for morning so that I can shave with Cella again. So, give it some time. It will probably grow on you. Both lather- and smellwise.

Oh yeah, first post here. I'm a long time lurker. Love this forum.

Welcome!

[drandall]

You should expect awesomeness. Italian soft soaps are some of the best! I loves me some cella or razorock

[barneykiller]

I love Razorock soft soaps. Easiest lather to build (Tabac status) and they smell amazing while protecting my face from Mr. Derby. Have never tried Cella which needs to be fixed ASAP.

[n.solo88]

What you should expect is pure amazing!