Foam consistency...when is it right?

I'm new to wet shaving (less than 10 shaves) but I'm still having the concern that my foam is not of the consistency of yogurt. It's foamy, and lathers, but it's more foamy than having a thick consistently and is light in spots when applied (I can still see my skin through the foam). So, I think I'm going about this improperly, especially since my foam rises up and clings to the lip of my cup.

My question is how much soap do you use? How long should you swirl the brush in the cup? Is a yogurt consistency a must? How much is a dollop of shave cream (or the right amount) to put in the bowl from a tin? How do use an arko stick? Also if the shave is a cream, do you need a brush and should it be of yogurt consistency after being whipped?

Really can someone walk me through how to literally take the product out of the tin, place it in the cup (how much and how) and how log should you swish the brush and what should the consistency be. I'm truly concerned, so if anybody can help with a creating shaving foam properly tutorial (its ok to talk to me like a five year old because I need to learn proper techniques before I get further along and ingrain so bad habits).

Thanks in advance.

Helpless in Houston

Check out the video on the first post of this thread to get an idea of how much you may want to load.

http://damnfineshave.com/thread-mike-s-natural-soap

If your lather is working for you, then there really isn't any need to adjust it. However, I would recommend following the suggestions in the video to get a creamier lather which you might find works better for you.
If you bowl-lather, just do the same as in the video and transfer things to your bowl and work it more.

Good luck.

Check out the video on the first post of this thread to get an idea of how much you may want to load.

http://damnfineshave.com/thread-mike-s-natural-soap

If your lather is working for you, then there really isn't any need to adjust it. However, I would recommend following the suggestions in the video to get a creamier lather which you might find works better for you.  
If you bowl-lather, just do the same as in the video and transfer things to your bowl and work it more.

Good luck.  

Thanks much.

Austinoire
I bet most of your lathering challenges can be remedied by simply using more product to begin with and adding water very slowly and in small amounts (just 5 or so drops at a time). In my experience trying to stretch your soap or cream only results in poor, under-protective lathers that are no fun to shave with. The video Celestino mentioned above shows the method, I am trying poorly to explain, very well.

I saw the title and came here to mention the two guys above but they beat me to it

My advice would be to start with a dry brush, bloom the soap for 30 seconds and tip the bloom water away or into mug.



Then load for some time, adding SMALL amounts of water as you go by dipping the tips of your brush into water or in the mug of bloom water. You are looking to build a thick white paste.



From there I would face lather still adding small amounts of water until I get a creamy lather that shines. This is not a fast process so take your time.



Once you have got to this point you should notice how much protection the soap is giving you and a good test is if it can hang upside down.



Excuse the pictures they were done quick time. Hope this helps along with the video

Nice tutorial Oli and lovely lather too!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I saw the title and came here to mention the two guys above but they beat me to it

My advice would be to start with a dry brush, bloom the soap for 30 seconds and tip the bloom water away or into mug.



Then load for some time, adding SMALL amounts of water as you go by dipping the tips of your brush into water or in the mug of bloom water. You are looking to build a thick white paste.



From there I would face lather still adding small amounts of water until I get a creamy lather that shines. This is not a fast process so take your time.



Once you have got to this point you should notice how much protection the soap is giving you and a good test is if it can hang upside down.



Excuse the pictures they were done quick time. Hope this helps along with the video

Wow! Oh, wow! I did need a simplified explanation and that was one. The pictures were especially helpful to conceptualize the process. I will try this and add this to my routine if I'm successful.  I was off by a mile on the firmness of the foam.  I see there needs to be more prep from when I open the cream/soap.

Very much appreciated.

Austinoire any time

Watch Merkur Man's (Nathan) video and along with the pictures you should be on the right track.

This is a picture of what Nathan can do and I think it is what we all aspire to do! Merkur Man hope you don't mind me using your pic.

"It's full of foam!!!"

Yeah, I wasn't even in the same solar system to what was pictured. I will take the suggestions and instruction and prep better.

Thanks greatly guys. It was much appreciated.

Austinoire any time

Watch Merkur Man's (Nathan) video and along with the pictures you should be on the right track.

This is a picture of what Nathan can do and I think it is what we all aspire to do! Merkur Man hope you don't mind me using your pic.

No problem at all Oli