Thread: my face is drying out before I'm done

Is your lather disappearing when it dries out, or is it becoming dry, hard, and brittle. I found that more often than not I make my lather too dry. Looks nice and thick, but by the time I get to the left side of my face it is flaking off in little chunks that float away on the whatever breeze is in the bathroom. Adding water to my lather has made the shaves better.

Also, one other thing: when you shave and then dip the razor into water, is there still residue on the edge? That's a sign that the lather is too thick and doesn't have enough water.

Karl

There is no rule against re-applying more lather to your face if it dries out before you get to that side!


As said, try adding a smidge more water to your lather (you don't want tit to get "bubbly" though-that's too much water, and the lather will simply dissappear off your face instead of drying out). Add water until the foam gets "peaks" that stand up in the lather bowl when you take the brush out.

Originally Posted by midgho

Also, one other thing: when you shave and then dip the razor into water, is there still residue on the edge? That's a sign that the lather is too thick and doesn't have enough water.

Karl

You just solved a problem I've had.

I had the same problem with drying lather for the past two years and finally solved it completely. My water is hard at my home. As a result I would rarely get a lather that wouldn't dry out some what during the shave whether cream or soap. I now use 5 drops of glycerine in my mug before I start to make my lather. My problem was solved, maybe this will help you too. Cheers

Originally Posted by G Q

I had the same problem with drying lather for the past two years and finally solved it completely. My water is hard at my home. As a result I would rarely get a lather that wouldn't dry out some what during the shave whether cream or soap. I now use 5 drops of glycerine in my mug before I start to make my lather. My problem was solved, maybe this will help you too. Cheers

GQ, you may want to get some distilled water and use that for shaving, it will save on glycerine.

Markjm223, everything said above is good, its okay to relather, just check and see if its too watery, invest in a proper strop when you can.

It's nice to know we are not alone...I've just shaved with a straight the past two days and had the same problem...either my lather wasn't wet enough or I was taking so much time that the left side of my face just dried and needed to be re-lathered. My mantra is "Patience, grasshopper, patience."

Nathan

So am I the only one still applying lather in sections to my face? Right side of neck... shave... left side of neck... shave.... right side of neck and right cheek.... shave.... etc. etc.

I also enjoy a tossing a tiny bit of glycerine into my soap mug every so often.

Firstly,, It does not sound to me like you have a particularly good edge on your sword. Stick to it, you'll get better, and rapidly.
Now as to technique..
I apply my preshave oil onto my WET face. I don't towel dry my face at all until all is done.
I shave my left sideburn, then my right, then left cheek, right cheek, left neck, right neck, center neck.
I also don't rinse my brush until the shave is complete, often reapplying lather during the shave.
I get my blade as hot as I can with hot tap water before the shave begins. (by setting it ((closed) into a old shaving mug and letting hot water dribble into it while I am busy with my preshave oil and lathering up)
I also strop, 25 laps, both before and after the shave.

Hope that helps.