I use thin latex surgical gloves like these.
Benefits are:
You can pick up the queen and
feel that you aren't squashing her
You can dispose of them after each apiary visit, or between apiary visits to ensure you never spread disease
They are comfortable and cheap
You can use them afterwards for decorating/household jobs
They never become caked in propolis as you don't reuse them
They protect you bascuase the bees can't get a grip on the surface " as their isn't anything to cling to to push the sting in. If I have a really nasty colony I wear rubber washing up gloves as well.
And maybe a bit clearer here: