Shaving cups: features of choice and use

With the advent of safe Gillette machines to the market and the emergence of foam in aerosol cans in the 40s of the XX century, and even more so after the invention of the electric razor, the usual male hygiene procedure became fast and technical. Men spend very little time on the morning toilet, but, unfortunately, they lose the special charm of charming retro details, one of which is a special bowl for whipping foam. But for several years in a row, we have seen a revival of interest in the classic "wet" shaving ritual, so the question of the right choice of accessories is becoming relevant. Let's take a closer look at the features of choosing and using a shaving bowl.

Careful preparation of all components for wet shaving creates a special, one might say, meditative attitude. A leisurely process gives a special feeling of relaxation, hot water steams the skin, softening the hairs. A shaving bowl is one of the main attributes of this action. If instead of a special container, you use ordinary kitchen utensils: a salad bowl, a bowl, a cup, an ice cream bowl, then it will be difficult to achieve a truly perfect result with excellent machine sliding and clean-shaven skin, and most importantly, with pleasure from the process, it will be difficult. The question of aesthetics is also important: a beautiful, color-coordinated set of tools sets a special bar.

This is done with a shaving brush with energetic circular movements, so the most comfortable and ergonomic shape of the bowl is round or oval. It is in it that the correct foam consistency is obtained: rather thick so as not to drain from the brush. The material of the vessel itself does not affect the quality of the lather, but it does determine how long the cup will remain comfortably warm after being scalded with hot water. And also the material affects the weight of the product. The average dimensions of this accessory are 7–10 cm in height and 12–15 cm in diameter.

Bowls can have an eyelet for the thumb or a small loop handle, but they are often made without them, in the form of a round symmetrical compact bowl, bowl.

Such irregularities: indentations, pimples, spiral or vertical notches - help to prepare the foam composition faster and better. At the same time, they should not be too pronounced so that these dishes are comfortable to wash, and the soap does not accumulate in the embossed bends. Well, it was also noticed that the natural badger and boar bristles of the shaving brushes wear out faster from friction against a very noticeable relief.

In terms of shape, the vessels are as follows:

• classic, bowl-shaped;

• tettauer mug - a compact elongated bath, divided either by a partition or by two "floors" into compartments for whipping foam and for excess water;

• scuttle - clever design with double walls ("cup in cup"): soap is mixed in the main inner container, and hot water is poured into the opening of the outer part.

The bowls can be made from several materials.

These bowls are very pleasant to the touch. The beautiful texture is emphasized by impregnation with special oils, and the applied varnishes give moisture resistance. Only species that are not subject to decay are used, such as: bamboo, mango, olive, rosewood.

The most popular raw material for creating a variety of sizes, shapes and color variations of the glaze.

A beautiful, flexible, but fragile material with which you need to be careful in the bathroom. Porcelain cups are often made with unique handcrafted designs.

These bowls are chrome-plated for silver or gold, matte and colored. Steel bowls are resistant to corrosion and mechanical damage, and if they are made with double walls, they keep the temperature perfectly. In a copper bowl, foam cools quickly (heat capacity is 2 times less than that of ceramics), but this is a classic material for many eastern countries, for example, Turkey, India.

The capacity from it turns out to be weighty, with a beautiful texture. Marble models retain heat 3 times better than ceramic ones. Variants of stone (jade, granite, malachite) have a high cost, since both the raw material itself and its processing are expensive.

An accessory made of this material will look amazingly beautiful. It is lightweight, strong and durable. Such vessels are popular in exotic countries.

Such a product is cheap, perhaps this is the only plus, since too light weight, rapid heat loss, not too presentable appearance, easily appearing scratches make the plastic bowl the least quality choice, but it will be very useful on business trips and camping trips.

To choose the right shaving accessory, you need to decide on the size, material, shape of the model. The dimensions of the bowl and the shaving brush are interrelated, because a large shaving brush with a large brush diameter will have nowhere to unfold in a small container. Only by trial can you determine individual preferences: some people like rather tall elongated bowls, others like flat ones. Often, manufacturers and stores offer various sets: a bowl with a shaving brush, a bowl with a stand for the machine and a brush. This kit provides compact storage, while the unified design looks neat and stylish.

It is pleasant and safe when the outer surface does not slip, because when shaving, hands can be wet and soapy. Models with a wide, flat bottom are more stable. Variants with a small base are popular, for which it is convenient to hold the bowl. The color of the product is also chosen according to taste preferences, but there is a nuance: soap stains are less noticeable on light surfaces. True, the contrast of the dark bowl and snow-white foam looks very advantageous.

The very process of self-preparation of foam in a bowl is quite simple, the skill is acquired quickly. A container of soap or shaving cream is taken in one hand. Using a shaving brush dipped in hot water, begin to whip the foam in a circular motion. You can shake off excess foam into the bowl, and you can easily warm up the composition by placing the container in the sink with water.

Using the classic Tettauer mug will give you a lot of fun with thoughtful functionality. The bar of soap is placed in the embossed part. A wet brush "passes" over the soap and irregularities of the surface of the bowl, producing foam. Excess water flows into the adjacent compartment, and if there is a lack of moisture, it will be enough to dip a shaving brush there. At the end of shaving, the container is thoroughly rinsed, and a clean brush can be removed into the finger hole at the bottom of the container.

See the video below for shaving cups and how to use them for shaving foam.