I have been using MB Lemonleaf shave wax for years and still love it and marvel at its efficiency. The smell is subtle but natural, i can't resist a sniff at the bottle sometimes. It is pretty transparent, but perhaps being so used to it, i'm pretty able to see where i've shaved.. i think if you shave with a light on it helps (i mean even during the day) so it reflects off the shiny wax. Wax is indeed a strong word. It has a texture that's oily but it's water-dissolvable. I have mentioned this product before on SOTD etc, and people have asked what a shave wax is... i take it that this product is the only one of its kind. I usually use it when i want BBS or if i'm in a rush. I would say that of all my products this one is the most likely to give a BBS, AND it takes the least effort. Otherwise, if time permits, it is nice to have a good old indulgent shave with proraso p&p and a nice english cream. So in short, yes the fragrant creams are part of 'the experience', but MB Lemonleaf shave wax is pleasurable to use in its own right. The only problem is that shave is over before you know it!