Advantages of different lathering techniques?

**derekp** · 04-26-2009, 06:48 PM

What is the advantage of lathering in a mug, vs. lathering directly on your face? I figure that it has to go on there anyways. The only thing I can think of is that you can have extra lather in the mug for a second/third pass. But I've been unsuccessful getting a thick dense lather in a mug, whereas my whiskers end up helping in the lather-building process. Any other advantages of building lather in a mug? And if you build directly on your face, then what else can you use the mug for, other than holding a bit of water to work with?

Thanks.

**Boba Fett** · 04-26-2009, 08:10 PM

I have found success in building lather directly to the face and in a bowl. When I use soap, I apply directly to the face, and it works great (since I haven't had great success yet building them in a bowl, same as you). Creams I build in a bowl, mostly because I am not good at mixing them on my face yet.

One of the biggest advantage I have found with building lather in a bowl is that I can keep it in a sink of hot water, keeping it warm. Works for the soap, but I don't think it does as well.

**Mr Whiskers** · 04-26-2009, 09:00 PM

I am totally a face latherer for both soaps and creams. Probably whipped up a lather in a bowl less then 10 times. Face lathering is just my preference. I do not think I get a better shave than if I lathered in a bowl, and I don't think I would get a better shave if I preferred to lather in a bowl. Bottom line: lather up the way you enjoy most!

**Mr Whiskers** · 04-26-2009, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by derekp

And if you build directly on your face, then what else can you use the mug for, other than holding a bit of water to work with?

Thanks.

The only mug I use is filled with hot water that my brush sits in before I shave. I will also dip the tips of the brush in the mug water after the brush is loaded with soap. For creams, I distribute an almond sized dollup on my face and work the lather. The cream will load the brush, for subsiquent passes, as it lathers your face.

**Jonnyfive** · 04-26-2009, 09:17 PM

the main thing I like about lathering in a mug is that I can put my mug in a sink for of hot water and build my lather there and keep it there while I shave so that every time I put it to my face it's wonderful, fragrant and warm!

**Boba Fett** · 04-26-2009, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Whiskers

The only mug I use is filled with hot water that my brush sits in before I shave. I will also dip the tips of the brush in the mug water after the brush is loaded with soap. For creams, I distribute an almond sized dollup on my face and work the lather. The cream will load the brush, for subsiquent passes, as it lathers your face.

Is there a difference in the time it takes to build a lather on your face between soap and cream?

**evilmojojo** · 04-27-2009, 03:53 AM

You can make Superlather in a bowl but not on your face

**kingfisher** · 04-27-2009, 06:34 AM

You can make superlather on your face. Lather up with a soap and then apply cream to your brush and lather it up.

I much prefer bowl lathering, though.

**Chimensch** · 04-27-2009, 08:00 AM

I lathered in a mug and on my face until I got a scuttle to keep the lather warm. The only thing I've noticed is that lathering in a bowl uses a lot less soap because the brush doesn't touch the soap puck after the initial charging.

**Azza** · 04-27-2009, 08:15 AM

Bowl for me, I use less cream and can control the lather quality a little better. A problem I have with face lathering is that for my longer (4 pass BBS shave) I have to reload the brush and start the building lather process again. With a bowl I only build lather once and it lasts all shave. For two pass shaves face lathering is fine. Face lathering looks and feels better (more authentic), I get better results latherwise using a bowl.

- Aaron