I would appreciate some tips on lathering TOBS Do you lather in the tub; in a bowl; or face? I'm looking to improve my technique I use a DA Vinci silver tip 293 brush. My water is hard , so I use distilled. I seem to have trouble with any cream or soap to make a rich, full lather. I've read and watched all the tutorials but still can't get it. Help, please
TOBS techniques?
- Thread starter Thesil
- Start date
I scoop out a little piece (say almond sized), and put it in a scuttle or bowl.
I soak my brush first, then shake it out and work on the lather.
If it needs water, dribble a little bit in.
I soak my brush first, then shake it out and work on the lather.
If it needs water, dribble a little bit in.
What sort of results do you get? Thin watery lather? Dry fluffy lather? The big test is not how your lather looks but how it feels and performs. I never try to make piles of meringue like you often see in photos because I would rather that my lather is wet and yoghurt-like.
Have a practice run- start off with twice as much cream as you normally use and start to make your lather in a bowl. Add a few drops of water and keep working and don't forget to test the product with your fingers.
I use my hard water straight from the faucet for my TOBS. I find TOBS performs best when left at a yogurty texture. It doesn't perform well when trying to make it photogenic (lather porn).
So I love TOBS. Currently I have Mr. Taylor's and St. James as well as about six or seven partial samples. I used to bowl lather and I got okay results. So when I started face lathering that is when my TOBS really took off.
I alternate between a boar and a pure badger. I use the boar more often than not. So while I am in the shower before I shave, my brush is soaking in hot water. When I am done showering, I will shake most of the water out of my brush and swirl the tips of the brush around the tub of TOBS about 3 or four times. Just the tip though. I probably end up with more cream on my brush than I need, but who really cares. That means I get to buy something new...sooner. I will then lather my face slowly. Spread the cream all over the shaving area until it is a really thick coating. Then I put the tip of my brush in some water and then begin to lather the face again. This time faster. I will continue to do this, adding more water if I need to, until my face feels like the cream is lathered and slick. This probably doesn't help you out that much, but this is exactly what I do.
I alternate between a boar and a pure badger. I use the boar more often than not. So while I am in the shower before I shave, my brush is soaking in hot water. When I am done showering, I will shake most of the water out of my brush and swirl the tips of the brush around the tub of TOBS about 3 or four times. Just the tip though. I probably end up with more cream on my brush than I need, but who really cares. That means I get to buy something new...sooner. I will then lather my face slowly. Spread the cream all over the shaving area until it is a really thick coating. Then I put the tip of my brush in some water and then begin to lather the face again. This time faster. I will continue to do this, adding more water if I need to, until my face feels like the cream is lathered and slick. This probably doesn't help you out that much, but this is exactly what I do.
I also use a Davinci 293 with TOBS. Soak the brush in warm water for a few minutes. It's dense, so you will need to shake out some water. I put a small almond sized amount on the end of the brush, then lather in the bowl. I add a drop of glycerin about half way thru.
TOBS can dry out if you don't mix in enough water. It gets a silky sheen in the bowl when you get the consistency correct.
The davinci is so dense it can be hard to judge just how much water its retaining.
TOBS can dry out if you don't mix in enough water. It gets a silky sheen in the bowl when you get the consistency correct.
The davinci is so dense it can be hard to judge just how much water its retaining.
I make TOBS lather as I make any lather: I try to use enough water to get past the lather porn stage and get to the yogurty stage. That's when it is its slickest.
TOBS is one of those products that gives you big, billowy meringue-like lather in seconds, but being patient and incorporating more water gives you a much better shave.
And I do wish no one had ever come up with the phrase "almond-sized dollop" for the amount to use. With most creams that simply isn't enough. Try a dollop the size of two almonds, or even go wild and crazy and use three. Try using more product for now, you can always dial it back later.
The only creams I've ever tried (out of 20 or so) that work well with an "almond-sized dollop" are the very expensive ones such as Simpson's.
TOBS is one of those products that gives you big, billowy meringue-like lather in seconds, but being patient and incorporating more water gives you a much better shave.
And I do wish no one had ever come up with the phrase "almond-sized dollop" for the amount to use. With most creams that simply isn't enough. Try a dollop the size of two almonds, or even go wild and crazy and use three. Try using more product for now, you can always dial it back later.
The only creams I've ever tried (out of 20 or so) that work well with an "almond-sized dollop" are the very expensive ones such as Simpson's.
I face lather with a boar. I soak my brush in water while showering. Barely get the tips wet with product, add a few drops of water and go at it on my face. The first lather/pass is pretty thick, the subsequent lathers/passes are more along the lines of a thinner/slicker, consistency I like.
In my experience, I found out less water is better, at least in my case.
Agree!
Face lather - Definately
I face lather with TOBS and it works quite well for me. Just have to be careful to not have too much or too little water. Too little water is always better than too much as it's easier to add water than take away after the brush is loaded.
