What soap/cream did you use today?

Grooming Dept Frankinlime

Today in my SOTD ...

Soap Commander /Honor

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Nice soap good scent


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Desmond's Barrow non-tallow shaving soap

Stuff is nirvana

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No. 88 t. (Czech & Speake) rose, plumeria, vetiver, sandalwood

I thought I knew something about building a lather on my face until I read HoosierShave's step-by-step description of how it's really done. Today I applied his method, and I'm still reeling from the results. By the time I was done, my brush was gushing over with world-class suds that were deeper, richer, wetter, slicker, heavier, and more protective than anything I've pumped out in a long time. And it smelled fantastic. Here's my breakdown:

         00:00–00:45 (45 secs): loaded a 24mm synthetic from a lightly bloomed puck of No. 88
         00:45–01:30 (45 secs): used painter strokes to apply the soap evenly across my face
         01:30–04:30  (3 mins): started adding water from the tap while still using painter strokes [flat, unimpressive lather so far]
         04:30–12:30  (8 mins): switched over to swirling strokes and continued adding small drips from the tap [lather suddenly blossoms]
         13:00–20:00  (7 mins): gave myself two passes with a Feather ASD2 loaded with a Kai blade (6).
         20:00–21:00  (1 min):  splashed down with Barberry Coast Bay Rum Aftershave No. 28.

So what did I learn? 

1. Great lather takes time. I used to think I was done after 5 minutes of brush work. Now I see I need to double that, at least.
   
2. Starting off with painter strokes gets the soap on the skin without adding too much air.
   
3. After the soap is on the skin, adding water for about 3 minutes (still using painter strokes) hydrates the emulsion fully. 
   
4. Swirling strokes need to wait until about 5 minutes into the build. I used to start off with swirls, but now I see that patience yields a finer grained lather that blossoms miraculously.
   
5. After the lather blossoms, 6 more minutes of brush work and hydration are needed to fully build the lather.
   

HoosierShave's posts have been an inspiration, and his careful descriptions have greatly improved my technique. I'm ready to open a new chapter of shaving joy. Many thanks!

HoosierShave looks like you need to launch a YouTube channel. 
I used a smiliar approach today. Not quite as long but had a very nice lather. 

WEST OF OLYMPIA / Lust 
[font=Trebuchet MS]Sundays are always date night with my bride, my shaving soap should (hopefully) set the tone![/font]

BOELLIS / Panama 1924
A drawing underneath would have taken away from the beauty of the stunning Italian ceramics.  I should have taken the soap out with an image of the inside too, just beautiful! 
One of the true Italian Almond scented Soaps, pure luxury! 

Great stuff right there

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I agree Tommy! The almond scent is sooo classic, I like to use a Chatty Lux balm like La Fleur de Carondelet after, it meshes well with the 1924.  DanLaw and I agree 1924 is underrated. Personally, I like to take my hard pucks to a cheese grater and grate the soap into my bowl and go from there!

I see your work there Sir! Under that lid is plastic wrap, exactly how I preserve the scents on all my soaps! I also have my balms and splashes refrigerated! I’ve learned quite a bit over time from you Gents! At $60 a pop, I’m protecting all my Nuavia’s lol, Cheers!