How long to let the lather sit on your face......

HBK42581 · Post by **HBK42581** » Sat May 30, 2009 12:58 pm

before you take the razor to it? I don't let mine sit very long and I'm thinking that this may be an important step in my prep that I am missing currently.

Jonnieboy61 · Post by **Jonnieboy61** » Sat May 30, 2009 1:09 pm

Hi Scott

I don't think this is too important to woryy about, for me by the time I have dried my hands from lathering and dipped my razor in the water, I'm about ready to go. Some will say that certain creams need to stand a while on your face prior to shaving e.g. Proraso, but I have been using this for a long time now and cannot see any difference IMO.

As long as you have built a good lather which has adequate cushion I shouldn't worry.

All the best

marsos52 · Post by **marsos52** » Sat May 30, 2009 2:10 pm

same as what john says for me too

lather and go for it

marc

ThePossum · Post by **ThePossum** » Sat May 30, 2009 4:56 pm

As long as it takes me to put down the brush, grab the razor and swish the razor in the sink.

GA Russell · Post by **GA Russell** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:49 pm

I don't let it sit on my face at all. However, I spend a couple of minutes applying it for the first pass.

Trumperman · Post by **Trumperman** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:58 pm

GA Russell wrote:I don't let it sit on my face at all. However, I spend a couple of minutes applying it for the first pass.

I'm in the same boat. I actually take more time lathering than I do shaving. Once I get the lather to my liking I start to shave.

Regards,

Bill

iancevans · Post by **iancevans** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:16 pm

Straight shavers typically let the lather sit on their face while they strop. Not me. I strop then lather. I don't think you're missing out on anything.

bernards66 · Post by **bernards66** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:52 pm

Nor do I. Like those who have already responded, I spend a little time working the lather on my face, but then just wet the razor and go.
Regards,
Gordon

fallingwickets · Post by **fallingwickets** » Sun May 31, 2009 2:02 am

Scott

go backwards. After your last pass lather your face and let it sit for a few minutes while you rinse your brush. razor, sink and whatever else you do to clean up. When done, wipe the lather off your face. You will feel like a 'new' man

Clive
jumping on the lather and shave bandwagon

swarden43 · Post by **swarden43** » Sun May 31, 2009 3:29 am

marsos52 wrote:same as what john says for me too

lather and go for it

marc

same here

desertbadger · Post by **desertbadger** » Sun May 31, 2009 5:19 am

Trumperman wrote:
GA Russell wrote:I don't let it sit on my face at all. However, I spend a couple of minutes applying it for the first pass.
I'm in the same boat. I actually take more time lathering than I do shaving. Once I get the lather to my liking I start to shave.

Regards,

Bill

Works for me.

drumana · Post by **drumana** » Sun May 31, 2009 5:46 am

Sometimes I let the lather sit on my face for a while. Can't hurt none, and it feels and smells good. It may or may not soften up the beard and moisturize the skin a bit. I'm not sure... Most of the time I take a good couple of minutes lathering up and then just get to shaving.

Try it for a week or so and let us know if there is any difference in your shaves.

a-cut-above · Post by **a-cut-above** » Sun May 31, 2009 7:48 am

When I use a straight, I "face lather" (another cause for debate) and strop the razor with the lather on my face. With a DE, I face lather then start shaving.

scaryshoes · Post by **scaryshoes** » Sun May 31, 2009 3:29 pm

I second what Clive said above. After all the passes are done, I lather up one last time as I clean up, then rinse off that lather after the clean up. It does seem to go that extra step and condition the skin before applying any aftershave

King-D · Post by **King-D** » Sun May 31, 2009 10:17 pm

It's a good question, and one I've thought about. As it is, my beard is well prepped with hot water during my shower, so I simply lather and go. But if I didn't have any prep, which would be better: One minute of splashing hot water on my face, or one minute of lather on my face? My guess would be that the lather would soften the whiskers faster.

bernards66 · Post by **bernards66** » Sun May 31, 2009 11:20 pm

David, I normally shave after I shower, but this is really more a matter of convenience and habit. On those rare days when I just shave without the shower, the shave is generally just as good. A liberal splashing with hot water and a well made lather seems sufficent.
Regards,
Gordon

rasel · Post by **rasel** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:14 am

I put some lather on and let it sit for a while (2mins or so). I find I get a better shave this way.

a-cut-above · Post by **a-cut-above** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:15 pm

Hot water followed by working the lather up on my face. I guess I do both since I take about two minutes to lather up. The hot water helps a lot because I notice the lack of softening more if skip the hot water than if I rush the lathering following a good hot water series of splashes.

Magnus6208 · Post by **Magnus6208** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:58 am

I lather up my face and then brush my teeth. By the time that I am done brushing me teeth (2-3 minutes), my beard is nice and soft.