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?
The slow feed bowl doesn’t work for me either. The nubs get in the way of picking up the soap. It’s me general criticism of most lather bowls. The ridges are counterproductive.
I suspect that if you use a smooth-bottomed bowl to create a big surface of soap (like in the tub), then you’ll load just fine