Using a shave bowl to work up your lather is great. It’s like magic. It condenses all the lather into a small area unlike trying to spread it all over your face. And the lather has no choice but to build up. And don’t just give it one quick swirl with the brush, give it a good 15 seconds of vigorous swirling. You don’t have to spend a lot on an “actual” shave bowl. I just got a small dip bowl from Walmart for about $2.