Bowl vs Face Lathering – Which is Best Suited For You?
After several emails asking whether bowl lathering is better than face lathering, it made sense to put together a bowl lather vs face lather article.
It’s one of those finer aspects of shaving that has much to do with personal preference. However, there are minor pros and cons of each method.
I will give my views and personal experience on this subject while including what others say to give a broader picture.
Bowl Lathering
Bowl lathering is the method that most of us use when we are new to wet shaving with traditional shaving soaps and creams.
Here are some of the advantages of whipping up a lather in a bowl:
- It makes it much easier to get the right consistency before applying the lather on the face.
- Less time the brush spends on the face if less facial brush action is your thing!
- It’s enjoyable! The whole traditional wet shaving process is enjoyable to many of us, and whipping up a lather in our favorite lather bowl is all part of the ritual.
- It’s easier to play around and test the consistency. Bowl lathering is much easier to add more soap or more water to see how far we can push out the bubbles while keeping the lather hydrated.
- You can make a hot lather, which is not possible when face lathering.
Here are the potential disadvantages:
- Bowl lathering is an extra task to do that is not really required.
- A shaving bowl is an extra item to purchase.
- If you prefer a less foamy, thick lather, this can be done from the puck to the face.
Face Lathering
With face lathering, I am talking about loading up the brush with soap from the puck or adding shaving cream on top of the brush bristles or a couple of blobs added to the face, then creating that lather on the face.
Here are the advantages of face lathering:
- Not having a bowl means one less item to purchase, clean, and store.
- More time is spent with the brush on the face, which really gets that lubricant into the stubble.
- The potential for more exfoliation because of the extra use the brush requires.
- If you enjoy your scents, you might not want the brand-new scented soap you’re testing to spend more time on your face under your nostrils than inside a bowl.
- Soaps and creams with fewer ingredients like tallow or triple-milled soaps that lather up quickly, are good for face lathering.
- It’s likely to save soap and cream as none is left over in the bowl.
- It is a good option to have when traveling. No need to pack a bowl!
Here are the potential disadvantages of face lathering:
- It’s harder for some guys to get the consistency right, especially those new to lathering up with a brush without a bowl.
Not a lot is there!
What’s My Experience and View?
My view is that there is no wrong or right way. It’s what works for you!
Over the years, I have leaned more toward face lathering, and I test out every soap or cream with a face lather. If I struggle with consistency, in terms of it being too dry or drying out too quickly when I shave, then bowl lathering is the go-to for that lubricant.
If I struggle with a soap or cream that is more foamy when bowl lathering, then going from the puck or jar to the face usually makes that easier.
Bottom Line – Which Is Best?
As stated, there is no right or wrong way, only the way you enjoy that suits you best.
The best method for guys new to shaving brushes is to get a shaving bowl and try both methods. The bowl will likely give you the visible experience of seeing the consistency and getting it right.
With new creams or soaps, you can try both methods and see which method works best. It does differ with certain lubricants.
Lastly, you don’t need a bowl!
