Why DON'T you face lather?

[Hercule]

Face lathering is probably the most (or next to most) fundamental shave prep one can do. Why DON'T you do it then?

 

[Claudel Xerxes]

Because I prefer to build and dial in my lather with a mug or bowl. I'm also using a vessel to soak the brush that I'm using, so it's already right there.

 

[Tathlum]

Face lathering is probably the most (or next to most) fundamental shave prep one can do. Why DON'T you do it then?

Brush burn.

 

[Tomo]

Too messy. I end up with lather flying around everywhere and not enough lather in the brush for subsequent passes.

 

[Roy]

I face lather with my SV badger brush but I find synthetics too springy so bowl lather with them. Face lathering with the right brush is wonderful though.

 

[Southbound1]

I used to bowl lather exclusively. I have scuttles , Captain choice bowl etc . For the past 3-4 months i only face lather. IME bowl lathering whips and beats(too much air) the lather to death. I get a more creamy consistency when i face lather, plus i am getting all that brush action and beard prep with building a lather on my face.

 

[VerbaVolant]

Too messy.

 

[Raktajino]

I think you accelerate the wear down on the bristles of the brush, whearas you can protect them better when bowl lathering. Also I get more lather (for more passes) - which is best for me because I shave head (2 passes) and face (at least 1) and also like to have leftover lather to put on my head &face while I clean up my gear. That lather fuctions as the first step of the post shave routine.

 

[Whisky]

I use a hybrid approach. I start in a scuttle and then “finish” the lather by adding more water or lather on my face. I like the scuttle because it keeps my brush and 2nd pass lather warm. My wife gave me the scuttle for Christmas a number of years back so using it is pretty much mandatory.

If I shave in the shower it’s strictly face lather.

 

[Alex Jr]

A lot of people can’t handle the brush exfoliation. It seems harmless but it isn’t.

I face lather all the time, but I have to be really careful. Painting motion only, soft boar brush.

Want to test it? Face lather the “normal” way, wash it away and apply aftershave or alum.

I get the burn before any blade touches my skin. And the brush used was soft.

If I ran this test with a Simpson best badger, I’d say my head would turn into a fire ball.

Every skin is different, and it is wonderful to finally figure out that sometimes it isn’t the shaving part that’s giving you trouble.

 

[Darth Scandalous]

My face doesn't always like that level of brush contact. I always start in the bowl and how much work I do on my face is dictated by what brush I'm using and how my skin feels that day. Sometimes that's 90% facelathering, sometimes it all bowl lathering and just painting it on.

 

[Bsamps]

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. I don’t most times because I think I enjoy building lather in a bowl. There’s just something about the process that’s very relaxing and rewarding for me.

 

[WetShaveVet]

I have rosacea. My dermatologist contends that for anyone a little brush action on your face maybe be good for some exfoliation a lot is certainly not good. I build the lather in a bowl then mostly paint it on. for 45 years now. I get close shaves, I get no irritation.

 

[Hercule]

My wife gave me the scuttle for Christmas a number of years back so using it is pretty much mandatory.

So far this is the only reasonable excuse offered. In my opinion, of course.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

It's not like I can answer your question.

Dirty Bird 1.5.​

Moss large. Moss small.​

Moss large. Moss small.​

I acquired some really nice bowl lathering gear, but...

I never could get the hang of bowl lathering, so I tried face lathering. Face lathering seemed far more intuitive, worked great for me, and bothered my somewhat sensitive skin less because I could always get the hydration exactly right.

I paint but I also mash the splayed brush into my skin and scrub. I tend to prefer knots which have what I call delicious scrub. The brushes I tend to use are not too harsh. Face lathering does not bother my skin unless I use an overly rough brush. Towards testing that end I have an incoming Oumo Unsullied which I plan to break in offline.

I really like having a warm brush. This currently out of stock device from PAA does the trick. I'd buy a 2nd one.​

Happy shaves,

Jim