I've been experimenting with a variety of options for prepping my face for pre, during a post shave.

Col. Conks with a badger brush is nice, but my best combination to date has been...

Nutrogena. Their pre-shave face scrub, shaving cream and post shave cream seem to work wonders.

Previously, I'd been using the pre-shave face scrub to keep my beard soft while I was working up my lather. Then I'd hose that off and let the lather do it's thing while I'm doing my final prep work. It worked a treat. I've been using the after shave for a few years now because it works, doesn't feel greasy or sticky when it dries and it doesn't stink.

I travel quite a bit (hotels 2-3 days a week are common for me) and while a brush and mug aren't a huge burden, the convenience of shaving cream is nice because I am sometimes hurried (or just lazy) in the morning so I always keep it in my kit as a back up.

Other than the fact that the cream sticks to the razor more than soap does, a little of that on a damp face works great. A bit expensive compared to COL. Conk's but only a buck or so.

Plus, it's easy to find.