Face lathering takes a long time

[Guff]

I've been DE shaving for over six months now, and I've been bowl lathering that whole time -- except for the last two weeks.

I've been on a two-week road trip, and I didn't want to tote my stone bowl with me. So, I started face lathering, and my shaves substantially improved.

However, it now takes me about 5-6 minutes to achieve an acceptable lather, where I could achieve the same lather in a bowl in less than 30 seconds. I use AoS Sandalwood pre-shave oil, shaving cream, and aftershave balm.

Due to my extremely tough and wiry whiskers, my normal shaving routine takes 35-40 minutes. I'm trying to reduce the time without filleting my face.

Is 5-6 minutes normal? I've tried to follow the technique on Mantic's video, and it DOES work -- and gives me a better shave than bowl lathering. BUT, I don't like the extra time it takes.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[Hoss75]

What shave cream do you use?
People that face lather here seem to really love shave sticks and the vids out there show a pretty fast lather by simply applying a shave stick and then face lathering. Maybe try Arko?

Welcome.

[JaggerDragger]

Yes face lathering takes more time (at least for me) but it is recommended to let the lather condition your beard for a few minutes before shaving anyway. While you are lathering the soap is getting time to strip the oils and soften your whiskers, maybe this is why you are getting a better shave?

I would imagine that as you get into a routine with face lathering your times will improve! I have very hard water and I am admittedly new to this whole traditional shaving thing but I can make a good lather in 2 or 3 minutes with an easy soap like prorasso and arko, MWF takes a bit longer.

In learning to face lather and in learning a new soap it takes me about 5 or 6 minutes but I think that it is time well spent in the shave because if the lather is not right the whole shave is compromised.

If it keeps taking you a long time to make a lather maybe try palm lathering on the road? Then you can stick to using a bowl at home... You gotta do what works best for you in the end!!

[sychodelix]

Yeessss. Arko is always the answer.

[AverageJoe]

My guess is you have hard water. I get a decent lather (no matter where I make it) in 10 seconds or even less. With a brush of hot water lightly shaken out and a dab of AOS, Proraso, or a few swirls of VDH soap, it's pretty effortless and very fast. I'm convinced it has to do with the 'softness' of the water, because it really isn't rocket science and really doesn't take any longer than that. That's the only variable if we all use SC or soaps from the same manufacturers and the same or similar enough brushes. I spend maybe a minute or less face-lathering and always get great shaves. BTW, I also have the typical 'extremely tough wirey fast-growing beard' a lot of us seem to have on here!

[Go West Young Man]

It should take about the same time either way.... just keep working at it, you'll figure it out soon enough!

[BeeSeeDub]

could the pre-shave oil be interfering with the creation of the lather?

[Useless shaver]

I facelather (never used a bowl) and it takes me less than a minute. It could be "hardwater", maybe.

[Neognosis]

five to six MINUTES? Geez, that's a LONG time.

If you are using a soap (and not a cream or stick) try getting your lather started in the bowl the soap is in.

I think the guy above might be onto something with the preshave oil, and the hard water idea.

I don't think I've ever had to work longer than 15-30 seconds to get a good lather while face lathering with a hard soap, but I do a little bit more than just load the brush on the puck. It's more of a hybrid. Somethign to consider.

[brother cavefish]

face lathering is the best, it preps and massages the face----my lather get get up in under a minute------

[PFP_Dad]

I'm fairly new to this but face lathering is incredibly fast for me, a few swirls on the puck and the same on my face and I'm all set. What brush do you use? Too much water or too little can definitely be a bit harder to control without the aid of the bowl.

[huntingdan]

I second the notion of the pre shave oil, but I have nothing to compare it to. I don't use preshave, but I do face lather. It has never taken me that long to build a lather even with picky soaps like MWF. Best guess would be 2 minutes tops. It could also very well be water hardness. Good luck! Try it without preshave if you have not already to see if that changes anything.

[Eric83]

I face lather and use the AOS products and you don't have to over due the lather. The cream is to be used brush or brushless and will lather quick with some pressure and proper water. 5 to 6 minutes is too long, you might need a dab more of cream and a little water...

[willwhatyoudo]

My shaving routine always gets a bit disrupted when I'm traveling. I'm sure it'll get better once you get home.

It should take about the same time with face or bowl lathering. I've never had a problem with pre-shave oil and face lathering, but maybe you've got a ton of shave oil on your face? Also, are you adding water to the lather more slowly when you face lather?

[TheVez2]

Not sure why it would take longer. It is much quicker for me to face lather and I get the desired thickness in my lather faster and easier than If I try to bowl lather. In bowl lathering you have to build it, then apply. In face lather those two steps are combined, saving time. YMMV!

[Rustonrazor]

I use T&H preshave and mostly face lather. No problem for me with the oil. I figured out I was using too much water. The lather had to build as my brush, face, and soap/cream were drying up some. It took a few minutes. Honestly, it seems that I use far less water than most on the board, but YMMV. Start with way less water because you can always dip the brush.

[Guff]

Thanks to all you gentlemen for the advice.

I believe the problem is not using enough water to start out. The lather is extremely thick when I start out, and I have to dip the tip of the brush in water many times to achieve the soft, slick "best shave" lather. I lathered the AoS cream in a bowl this morning, and it exploded into a terrific lather in about 30 seconds. I know the cream is good, and my town has very soft water.

I don't think the oil is the problem, either. Others using oil don't have the same problem.

I'll keep trying the face lathering technique. It IS getting a bit faster, and patience in this process has been my friend from the get-go. I also get better shaves when I face lather. Maybe the extra time actually improves my shave through more thorough beard conditioning.

Thanks again for all of your suggestions. I now believe that my inexperience with face lathering is the cause. I'll just keep at it, try some of your suggestions, and move on. I bet the lathering time will be more reasonable in a month or two, and I can always lather in my bowl if I need to shorten my morning routine a bit.

[BigBull]

Just curious, what type of brush are you using?

[Rustonrazor]

One more suggestion Guff. Just think of your shave at "me time". The actual time means less and less with that perspective. You will get it. Just as you said, be patient and enjoy the process.

[sparco]

face lathering is the best, it preps and massages the face----my lather get get up in under a minute------

+1 It is so much more comfortable than creating lather in a bowl and then apply the lather on the face.