Lathering
One of the most deceptively simple-sounding keys to a good shave is producing a good lather. With Gillette, Edge, Barbasol and friends wantonly promoting the idea that lather ought squirt out of a can in an unbroken ribbon of blue goop which then decompresses into dry white foam, many would not consider the care that can be put into the lather. With a few simple changes, though, even the shave from a cartridge razor can be dramatically improved.
1. Buy a decent brush.
This doesn't need to be incredibly expensive, good brushes can be had for as little as $10, and $30 can buy you a surprisingly nice brush.
2. Get a good soap or cream.
A lot of people skimp on this, thinking that a $20 tub of cream will only last as long as their $3 can-of-shite from Gillette. Wrong! A good puck of soap can last many, many months or-- as my friend Ron can tell you-- years!
3. Less is More
It doesn't take a lot of cream to make lots of good lather. Too much will foul your brush and make it hard to raise a decent lather-- try using a very small amount and working up, rather than down.
4. Use enough Soap
You want to make that puck last, I know, but really load your brush. Soaps are drier and harder than creams, so you have to work more to get the same material loaded into your brush.
5. Try Distilled Water
Hard water can mess up most soaps and creams. If you're having trouble with lather being the wrong consistency and drying out no matter how you change the soap/water ratio, try using distilled or deionized water.
6. Soak your Brush
Soaking your brush in hot water for even 2 minutes will dramatically improve the results of your lathering.
