Cleaning out the soap holder

OK being that I am new to the world of wet shaving and yesterday was my first time, I have a question for you guys. After I finished shaving, I squeezed my brush to get the excess soap out and noticed it looked brown with dirt (but the lather on my face and the tip of the brush were white). Looking in the bowl, I noticed some of the lather was starting to turn a tinge of brown as well. Is this happening merely because I am using a stained wooden soap holder for the first time? Is my brush dirty? Will this happen again? Regardless I cleaned off the soap and holder this morning.... Before and after pictures.

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It's hard to say but from your description and photos, I'd say the soap bowl is the guilty party. To test that theory, try mixing a different soap in the bowl next time and see if you get the same brown result.

BTW this is me... I thought I was logged in as this name, I guess now lol. If Andrew could kill the other login EMS_Dude99, that would be awesome. Thanks.

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Take a white paper towel, get it damp and rub into the wood bowl. Check to see if the stain comes off. It's not uncommon for some soaps to oxidize when exposed to air (like when you lather) and it's not going to be an issue (heck many soaps are colored), but I suspect it's the bowl itself.

Your brush could be dirty, especially if it's new. I'd also recommend Freddy's suggestion. By the way, how do you like the Red Leaf? It's my favorite glycerine-based soap.

Your brush could be dirty, especially if it's new. I'd also recommend Freddy's suggestion. By the way, how do you like the Red Leaf? It's my favorite glycerine-based soap.

It was the first time I've used it, and my first soap overall. That being said, I was surprised by how much lather came from a simple looking clear cube. The scent was very mild, and mild when applied. When rinsed off, the scent did not linger. It felt great on my face, and must have provided a good protection and lubrication during the shave since I have zero razor burn (however I did use the alum too). Overall I like it thus far, and there seems to be a lot of the travel size bar left for use.

Now to the brush, yes it was brand new. But if it was dirty, wouldn't the hot water it was soaking in have turned dirty? Also how much shedding is to be expected in badger brushes and is it normal for them to flatten out on your face while lathering?

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Your brush could be dirty, especially if it's new. I'd also recommend Freddy's suggestion.  By the way, how do you like the Red Leaf? It's my favorite glycerine-based soap.

It was the first time I've used it, and my first soap overall. That being said, I was surprised by how much lather came from a simple looking clear cube. The scent was very mild, and mild when applied. When rinsed off, the scent did not linger. It felt great on my face, and must have provided a good protection and lubrication during the shave since I have zero razor burn (however I did use the alum too). Overall I like it thus far, and there seems to be a lot of the travel size bar left for use.

Now to the brush, yes it was brand new. But if it was dirty, wouldn't the hot water it was soaking in have turned dirty? Also how much shedding is to be expected in badger brushes and is it normal for them to flatten out on your face while lathering?

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Shedding can vary from brush to brush.  If you are losing the odd one or two then that should not be of any concern.  If you consistently lose six, seven, eight, etc. hairs per shave over a long period of time then that might be something to be concerned about.

If a brush is flattening out on your face then it could be a somewhat floppy brush or you may be pressing the brush on your face harder than you have to.

So I noticed when I shaved this second time, still white and fluffy until I squeezed the suds out of the brush when I finished shaving. The squeezed soap was an almost brownish color again. Lol I guess I gotta clean and recondition the brush?

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