Using Samples - How to?

[Looney12345]

This may sound like a ridiculous question and it probably is, but how do you guys actually use your samples?

@p.b has a thread on January being the month to use all of his samples (seems to be going well!) and this has prompted me to take stock of the samples I have and also the ones I've got incoming.

The thing is, I never seem to get the best out of samples. I can't work out the best way to make the most of them, so what methods do you guys use? Do you put the lot into a mug/bowl? Do you take a certain amount out to use for the shave you are having? etc etc

Cheers, Looney

 

[p.b]

I put the lot into an Ikea Grunstal (sp?) bowl and then spread it over as wide an area as I can.

This seems to be key: maximize the loading surface. A 25mm diameter blob will have an area of 490mm^2. A 100mm bowl will have a surface area of 7854mm^2. 16 times greater! Once you've spread it out as much as possible load for much longer as you'll still have less surface area to load from. I'm sure most people don't get enough soap on their brush when using samples.

or you could swirl your brush for 16 times longer...

 

[Looney12345]

I put the lot into an Ikea Grunstal (sp?) bowl and then spread it over as wide an area as I can.

This seems to be key: maximize the loading surface. A 25mm diameter blob will have an area of 490mm^2. A 100mm bowl will have a surface area of 7854mm^2. 16 times greater! Once you've spread it out as much as possible load for much longer as you'll still have less surface area to load from. I'm sure most people don't get enough soap on their brush when using samples.

or you could swirl your brush for 16 times longer...

That's really useful, thanks I agree, I think that's the issue I have. I'll just consign myself to the fact that if I'm going to use a sample, I should be using it all, for however many shaves it'll last, instead of chopping between soaps...

What about cream samples? Same principal?

 

[DamianJ]

I take some out and put it in my bowl. A quick spread around and then get lathering. When I've used samples I get a good idea of the performance of the soap, however trialing a scent is often more useful to me.

 

[p.b]

Creams:
Scope a bit out and splodge it on the bottom of a bowl.
Double it.
Add a bit for luck
Whip into lather.

Don't skimp or you'll never get rid of all those samples!

 

[Rowlers]

I use 2 bowls... Spread the sample thinly over the base of one bowl to load up, transfer the loaded brush and proto letter to your main bowl to build lather proper...
Creams much the same as a full tube, squirt into bowl and lather away...

 

[halvor]

Here's my take, to at least approximate the performance you will get from a full product. On par with Lee's method above.

1. Don't be skimpy! Smear ALL of it into a wide brimmed container like you would normally prefer shaving creams and soaps to come in. (If there's any left afyerwards, which there presumably will be, put the lid on after use and use it another day.)

2. Go ahead with loading and lathering like you would any other product, proceed to face or bowl.

 

[zealshaver]

Only difference with p.b is that I spread the lot into a Mike's Naturals tin can. Wide and sturdy.