Face Lathering with Cream

**cfriend** · 04-28-2009, 04:53 PM

WHY is this fabulous, glorious, marvelous technique not presented to every newbie when they sign up?! How did I JUST discover this? Out of curiosity, I stuck the nozzle of my Speick SC deep into the center of my brush and gave it a light squeeze-and-twist, just as I would if putting cream in a bowl. Dripped a few drops of hot water on top, and got to work. I'd like to describe the ensuing lather as an eruption of spicy, sexy, slick cushion that lead to my most comfortable shave yet... pure enjoyment.

**TorzJohnson** · 04-28-2009, 04:57 PM

It's the best way to enjoy the scent as well. I also like shave sticks for the same reason - the soap spends more time under my nose.

**cfriend** · 04-28-2009, 05:10 PM

Yes, the scent was definitely more intense and more enjoyable than before from a bowl. Tonight's lather process felt better, smelled better, just plain was better.

**Handy** · 04-28-2009, 05:21 PM

Face lathering is the only way to go!

**cfriend** · 04-28-2009, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by Handy

Face lathering is the only way to go!

I've been face lathering soaps for a while, I should've been more clear in the original post in saying the idea of face lathering a CREAM only just struck me tonight

**RILEY** · 04-28-2009, 05:35 PM

I dont know German but I am pretty sure Shavemac D01 Silvertip translates into "Face Latherer".

At least I would like to think so

**Yushiro** · 04-28-2009, 05:39 PM

Why of course its entirely possible to face lather with a cream. I just did it last night with my Godrej Deluxe Lather cream...mmmm...meringuey, creamy, dollops of lather. With a boar brush even.

**Advil** · 04-28-2009, 06:38 PM

I have no luck face lathering with creams. but i face lathered with my tabac today :)

**poppi** · 04-28-2009, 08:11 PM

I use a slightly different technique to face lather creams. I put a small dollop of cream on each cheek and start lathering with a wet brush. Mounds of wonderful lather in no time at all. Much easier than using a bowl, more wonderful/longer lasting aroma and you get to work it into your beard.

**Ignatius** · 04-29-2009, 04:12 AM

I lather like this with my high-street, inexpensive creams (Palmolive, Erasmic, Nivea and Ingrams), and its the best method with them, for me. The more expensive creams, strangely, don't seem to lend themselves to this as readily for me; they work much better lathered in bowl. Maybe the extra thickness requires a more vigorous lathering with more water?

Maybe its all in my head...

**patrisVII** · 04-29-2009, 09:06 AM

I found that it's a case of trade offs-

I could only get that ideal peaky, meringue texture using a bowl. In this state creams are very protective and retain their moisture well.

Face lathering for me results in a less than ideal consistency of the cream, but gives better beard lifting and a slicker surface.

Nowadays I rarely use a brush and just hand lather (my favorite cream, Molle, cannot be lathered with a brush anyway). The thin layer works better for me with both a blade and my Panasonic.

**masonjarjar** · 04-29-2009, 09:44 AM

Whichever method I use, I try not to whip too much air into it. I think this happens less with face lathering. Count me as a fan.

**Tommy_C** · 04-29-2009, 10:29 AM

I, too, wondered why face lathering with creams isn't mentioned more. As a newbie, I didn't even know if it was possible. I tried it the exact way the OP described it: squirted the cream directly into the middle of the brush and it worked great. In fact, I have pretty much shelved all of my hard soaps...face lathering with creams is all I do.

**Sullybob** · 04-29-2009, 10:39 AM

I face lather creams if I'm traveling. Its great. Face lather some Poraso to really get the menthol effect!

**Jatte** · 04-29-2009, 06:13 PM

i love doing the upside down soap gathering trick from mantic, and then using sienna from c&e , lather like crazy, and its always so warm :)

**Gogo** · 04-29-2009, 06:21 PM

I only face lather, soaps or creams. In three years I've tried a bowl maybe three times. I know people love their bowls for stirring up lather, but for me, I don't see the need. I'm glad that others have the same success as me.

**jhclare** · 04-30-2009, 03:02 AM

I first face lathered some TOBS Rose when I was away on business (couldn't be bothered to pack bowl etc). I had one of my best shaves ever!

I now face lather exclusively, and spend a good ten minutes working it into my face before I even think about shaving! It's really good prep, and I would argue that it's better prep then painting bowl-made lather on your face for less time.

Less to clear up too!

My only gripe - I need a way to keep the brush warm in between passes. Any suggestions?

**mdunn** · 04-30-2009, 03:17 AM

Originally Posted by jhclare

I first face lathered some TOBS Rose when I was away on business (couldn't be bothered to pack bowl etc). I had one of my best shaves ever!

I now face lather exclusively, and spend a good ten minutes working it into my face before I even think about shaving! It's really good prep, and I would argue that it's better prep then painting bowl-made lather on your face for less time.

Less to clear up too!

My only gripe - I need a way to keep the brush warm in between passes. Any suggestions?

get a scuttle (modern one, not a vintage one). They have a nice little bowl where you can stick your brush between lathers to keep him warm.

Ive been face lathering both soaps and creams since i accidentally broke my bowl. Never looked back.

**biomesh** · 04-30-2009, 05:31 AM

I have never seen the need to use a bowl when shaving (a scuttle is another matter) but my brother uses one so that when he builds a lather he doesn't get water all over the place. If you modify your technique you don't really need a bowl and can get great lather too.

**mammoo** · 04-30-2009, 06:16 AM

I recently gave face-lathering a try with my creams. The shave significantly improved for me with it being noticably easier to cut through the beard. Since then (maybe 4 or 6 weeks ago) my poor bowl hasn't been touched.

I still think the bowl has its uses. I think for newbies it's a good way to get consistent cream/water amounts when first learning to lather.