I lather with shameless amounts of cream but I'm careful to start my first stroke a little way from my beard line. I find that this approximation has become more refined as I have practised. The latter passes are made with a very dilute lather (thinning down to a 'water pass') when I am able to carefully 'edge' my way up to the desired shape line. This is of course, easier if a smoooth shave is maintained.