I use this cream almost daily, I add this to some soap (van der hagen deluxe or glycerin) and, unless i'm out, glycerin for some uber lather. Its great by itself and is even better in the uber or super lather technique. Its a real plus I can get it locally without having to order off the net, and its as many said, a top notch cream thats very nice and luxurious. Its pretty much recomended to have a brush for this or its just not anything special and you won't get the full effect of it. Even the el cheapo Van Der Hagen one from walmart or one from sally's beauty supply or something like that
(Warning Content Below is a rant about traditional shaving)
. Theres nothing like having a nice warm lather to brush on your face in the morning after a hot shower. Its much more enjoyable and, unless you get addicted to it and get into the hobby of it, much more cost effective in the long run. In a way it is pampering yourself and it does wonders for the skin. Sure it may take more time, but isn't your skin worth it? You only have it once... So lets review our options shall we?
A. Slaping slime out of a cold pressurized metal can on your face/head by hand to save time.
B. Getting up an extra 10-30 minutes earlier,building and applying a rich warm lather to your face/head with a brush that exfoliates, softening, and lubricating the skin thoroughly easing the hair out of the shaft a bit, and raising it up for an easier more comfortable, and depending on your technique, closer shave as well.
Be aware and consider your options gentlemen.
(End of rant)
Overall the C.O. Bigelow Cream is my daily reach for cream, but I just ordered some trumpers Violet cream, which is of the cream of the crop

Can't wait for it to get here and try it out.