I usually face lather and get consistently good results at this point.
However, when I get a .5 oz. or less sample I’ll smush the soap down into a thin, even layer using one of those collapsible slow-feed pet bowls. Every time I get a foamy bullshit lather.
I’m unsure how to get an equally wet and slick lather with the bowl. Do I just need to keep adding water? Move to the face sooner? Give up and grow a beard?
Sample lathering is quite a PITA for people who prefer to lather directly on their face/head, I feel your pain.
I’d also suggest another minimalist alternative to make it as close to face lathering as possible. Small glass or porcelain ashtrays (cleaned ofc) or candle coasters make for a good solution if the only camembert available in your area doesn’t come with a cool porcelain dish. You can easily find those, even vintage ones if you prefer thrift stores/flea markets. Spread the soap evenly with a guitar pick or wide popsicle and simply load as if it was a soap puck. Any sample that isn’t by Stirling Soap is only designed to give you 3 to 5 uses max anyway, so be generous with the amount of soap you’re spreading in there.
That’s a good idea, I’ll pop into a thrift store at some point and see.
I also have these 2 oz tins that I put Stirling samples into for brush loading. Perhaps I should just reserve one of those for lathering up other samples…
Great idea! An empty 2 oz aluminium tin is even better, as it won’t break easily like glass or porcelain. You might be able to find another one in a thrift store too.