Thread: Lathering up certain creams

Originally Posted by jackslimpson

Could age have something to do with creams that don't lather very well?

Technically, creams (and soaps as well) have an expiry date. If you look on your jar or tube there should be a small picture of a jar w/ open lid, and a listed number of months - usually 12m.

The jury is still out whether or not these products actually expire, but that could probably be discussed in a separate thread.

I think I noticed that someone else touched upon this, but if you've got a hard cream there's nothing wrong with loading directly from the tub with your brush (just like it was a soap), and then building the lather in a bowl or on your face afterwards.

You'll need to experiment with how much water you need in your brush, but you don't need to worry about undissolved particles of soap in the bottom of your bowl.

Originally Posted by tlittle

I think I noticed that someone else touched upon this, but if you've got a hard cream there's nothing wrong with loading directly from the tub with your brush (just like it was a soap), and then building the lather in a bowl or on your face afterwards.

You'll need to experiment with how much water you need in your brush, but you don't need to worry about undissolved particles of soap in the bottom of your bowl.

I enjoy my Castle Forbes creams (Cedarwood and Sandalwood and Lime), and yes, they're "stiffer" -- even more than the Cyril R. Salter products (which I love). I'm a "face latherer", and have always twirled my brushes a few times in the cream container, to transfer the product. It might be that your brush is overly soft -- mine are short-loft and "scritchy" (a couple of Rooney 1/1 in Super and Finest, and a Plisson pure black #22).

Good point about the water. Don't be afraid to add more, a bit at a time; if your lather gets too thin, another swirl -- perhaps a twirl -- in the cream container will thicken it up.

Smooth shaving!