Cella Lathering Issues

**mwhitcraft** · 03-15-2012, 02:37 PM

I recently purchased a tub of Cella. I love the smell and also the way it feels on my face. However, when I lather it in a bowl, it produces tons of rich lather with peaks and all, but seems to fall flat about halfway through my second pass. By the third pass, there is practically nothing left and what there is, has become more like soap bubbles than lather. Has anyone else experienced this? Any solutions?

Thank you.

**smokelaw1** · 03-15-2012, 02:47 PM

Face lather. Cella, to me, ABSOLUTELY excels as a face lathering cream. Also, use more. Dip the tips of your brush in a bt of water if it feels like it needs it. 30-40 swirls (or so), face lather on a wet face.

**Ruston** · 03-15-2012, 02:52 PM

I face lather cella but have noticed that if I don't load the brush sufficiently I get airy lather that's not really rich and creamy. My suggestion is to load longer and see if that helps.

**Bigsurprise** · 03-15-2012, 03:01 PM

I would recommend playing with your lather. When you have some free time, just whip up some lather. Really load the brush and don't add much water. Look and feel the consistency. Then slowly add water and mix until it becomes thinner and thinner, feeling the lather at each step. Continue in this way until the lather is clearly too thin and airy to be effective. You might want to do this whole experiment more than once.

There is only one way to know how each soap works, and that is to calibrate yourself to it.

**mwhitcraft** · 03-15-2012, 03:01 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I just read somewhere that Cella does not like hot water. I always use the hottest water available. Could that be another problem?

**Bigsurprise** · 03-15-2012, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by mwhitcraft

Thanks for the suggestions. I just read somewhere that Cella does not like hot water. I always use the hottest water available. Could that be another problem?

I suppose if you are using boiling water it might be a problem, but my go to soap is Cella's brother P.160, and I have never had a problem using hot water.

**whavens** · 03-15-2012, 03:48 PM

Read this thread and see if it helps. I didn't like Cella until I read this and started Marco's suggestions. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...+italian+soaps

**mwhitcraft** · 03-15-2012, 04:20 PM

Thanks again for the ideas. Actually, I normally use the "Marco Method" except for the fact that I usually build my lather in a bowl. I am going to keep experimenting with your suggestions and see where it leads me. I guess if I cannot make it work, I can always continue with Razorock which is currently my soap of choice!

**DFSDAILY** · 03-15-2012, 04:36 PM

Marco's method is the answer for getting the best lather out of Cella.

**Evil Malkil** · 03-15-2012, 04:45 PM

Never have any problem with Cella and hot water.

Just take your time loading the brush a little bit longer and you will be rewarded.

**RazoRock** · 03-15-2012, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by mwhitcraft

Thanks again for the ideas. Actually, I normally use the "Marco Method" except for the fact that I usually build my lather in a bowl. I am going to keep experimenting with your suggestions and see where it leads me. I guess if I cannot make it work, I can always continue with Razorock which is currently my soap of choice!

My suggestion... scrap the bowl for Italian soft soaps. Build the lather right on top of the soap (with a nicely soaked brush) for 30-60 seconds; you will be rewarded with a rich creamy lather that offers protection, cushion and slickness... a wet (shavers) dream!

**gfdoto** · 03-15-2012, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by RazoRock

... a wet (shavers) dream!

Nicely done, Joseph.

I've had good experiences with building lather with Cella in a bowl as well.

**DC_MPA** · 03-15-2012, 06:23 PM

Hmm, I honestly would have to go with more product, less water. I use hot hot water and bowl lather Cella and never have a problem.

**Marco** · 03-16-2012, 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by mwhitcraft

Thanks for the suggestions. I just read somewhere that Cella does not like hot water. I always use the hottest water available. Could that be another problem?

No problem at all with hot water. Just keep in mind those great advices that come directly from Italian Master Barbers' wisdom and that here on B&B are now improperly known as Marco method. Keep us updated, mate.

**mwhitcraft** · 03-16-2012, 12:49 PM

I tried again this morning with less water and more loading. The lather initially looked a lot thicker, but practically disappeared within a minute or two of when I spread it on my face.

It was so bad that I rinsed off everything and mixed up a bowl of Razorock half way through my shave!

I'm still stumped. So far, i've tried face lathering using Marco's method, bowl lathering with everything according to marco's method except for the fact that I used a bowl, and longer loading with less water. I'm starting to get frustrated!

I have not had such a hard time with any of my other soaps or creams!

Nevertheless, I am still committed to figuring this thing out. I can't imagine that it is a problem with my brush. I use a wonderful Thater stout 2 in Silvertip that has incredible backbone for a silvertip due to the density of the knot. I'm going to see if I can mix up a few bowls of lather today at some time to see if I can make this stuff work for me. Anything that smells and feels that good is worth the effort!