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How thick is my lather supposed to be?

How thick is soap lather supposed to be? Like am I supposed to be able to still see my face through the lather? Thanks!
 
I am still working on it myself, after more than a year. There will be way more advanced shavers chiming in on this soon, but I don't think the look of the lather is as important as how it feels. Just my .02 cents worth. However, if you can see your face through it, it might be a little thin with too much water. YMMV.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and the rest of B&B!
 
Different soaps may require different appearances. Bottom line is how well it shaves, not how it looks. If you are not happy with the slickness add more water next time, if that makes it worse try less water the following time. If the soap doesn't work for you pass it on and try a different one.
 
Different soaps may require different appearances. Bottom line is how well it shaves, not how it looks. If you are not happy with the slickness add more water next time, if that makes it worse try less water the following time. If the soap doesn't work for you pass it on and try a different one.

+1. Bill has given you excellent advice.
 
Different soaps may require different appearances. Bottom line is how well it shaves, not how it looks. If you are not happy with the slickness add more water next time, if that makes it worse try less water the following time. If the soap doesn't work for you pass it on and try a different one.
+1

Don't expect it to look like it came out of a can. Performance is what you want. If you need a comparison, I think yogurt or soft peaked meringue might work.
 

captp

Pretty Pink Fairy Princess.
It shouldn't be very thick at all. Just enough to hide your whiskers. Consistency is more important, you want it wet enough to provide plenty of slickness, but not so wet that it all runs down over your chest (close to that but not quite there). Soft peak stage is probably just right
 
If it LOOKS like it has too much water, you're on the right track, but if it FEELS like it has too much water, it probably has too much water.
 
It needs to be thick enough to give you a good, comfortable shave. Everybody has a different idea about what works for them, so everybody probably makes their lather differently. As mentioned above, you really can't go by how it looks--it's all about how well it works for you.
 

TexLaw

Fussy Evil Genius
Different soaps may require different appearances. Bottom line is how well it shaves, not how it looks. If you are not happy with the slickness add more water next time, if that makes it worse try less water the following time. If the soap doesn't work for you pass it on and try a different one.
+1 more. This really is what it's all about. There is no uniform optimal appearance. Check slickness and see whatcha got.
 
Different soaps may require different appearances. Bottom line is how well it shaves, not how it looks. If you are not happy with the slickness add more water next time, if that makes it worse try less water the following time. If the soap doesn't work for you pass it on and try a different one.
This!
 

OkieStubble

Dirty Donuts are so Good.
If a lather has the right amount of water, it will take on a yogurt like consistency, with a light sheen from reflecting light.

Sounds all mysterious doesn't it? :)
 
Spot on, at least for me. If you want it thicker for visual appeal, that's OK.
It shouldn't be very thick at all. Just enough to hide your whiskers. Consistency is more important, you want it wet enough to provide plenty of slickness, but not so wet that it all runs down over your chest (close to that but not quite there). Soft peak stage is probably just right
 
After several months, I settled on bowl lathering as a favorite method. With both soaps and creams, I pinch or scrape an almond-sized dollop, stir it with a once-shaken soaked brush, and introduce a few drops of water here and there if and as needed. After two minutes, it is thick enough that any peaks or overhangs seem do defy gravity and hold together on their own. The quantity is enough to pretty much fill a copper or ceramic lather bowl. On other occasions, I lather-up the Arko right in its mug, again to the point where it appears full and thick as described.
That consistency seems to make the best shave. I am no longer concerned about whether the lather looks so thick and frothy that it hides the skin tone. I keep after the shave until BBS, which involves lots of passes and touch-ups, and the lather always lasts through the shave with some to spare. Anything more than that constitutes "lather porn".
 
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