The Art Of "Man-Scaping"

I ripped this off a site... but it's so true about cheap razors, and how to get a good shave. Hope it helps.    

The Art of Shaving

Proper shaving has become a lost art. Shaving is one of those glorious
male traditions that used to be passed down from father to son, but
somewhere along the line, when shaving became more about cheap,
disposable razors than a nice, precision-made metal tool in your hand,
it became a brainless routine to rush through in the morning without
even thinking about it.

A dull disposable razor dragged across a layer of foam or gel on your
cheeks was a step backward not an improvement. Now that men of all
ages are paying more attention to their appearance, it’s no wonder
that the hottest trend right now in male grooming is a return to the
traditional wet shave and millions of men have been shocked to
discover that the old fashioned method of shaving they thought went
out with the Hula Hoop is actually the best quality shave you can get.

Shaving should be a simple morning ritual that you enjoy and which leaves you feeling refreshed and revitalized. A superior shave is best-achieved using quality shaving products and techniques.

Prepare


Never attempt to shave without first having a hot shower or bath. Hot water and soap softens the beard, opens pores and cleanses the skin. Facial hair is some of the toughest hair on the entire body. A dirty face can be the cause of infections and razor rash. Massage a soap or facial scrub that contains natural ingredients into the beard and leave it there for a few minutes to prime the hair follicles and remove dead skin cells.

Shave


Fill a sink with hot water, dip the brush into the hot water, give it a shake then dab into shaving soap-crème. Rich in eucalyptus oil, this shaving soap is designed to protect this skin and provide a close, comfortable shave. Glycerin provides good slip and protection while the other ingredients do a great job of moisturizing and forming a creamy lather. A small quantity is enough for a rich creamy lather. Apply the badger brush to the beard using a circular motion to hydrate the shaving soap. This will whip up a thick moist lather, lift each hair and protect and lubricate the skin. Use slow, short strokes during your shave. 

To get best results, you should take your time as you shave. Always shave with the grain (the direction the hair grows and check your neck to see if it grows in the same direction as your face). Avoid applying too much pressure on your razor since this is often the cause of razor burn and skin irritations. Always glide the razor gently over your face. Rinse the safety razor in hot water after each stroke. Use slow, short strokes during your shave. To get best results, you should take your time. Use one hand to hold the razor the other to hold your skin gently taut to create a flat surface for the blade to glide over. For an even closer shave, re-lather and shave lightly across or against the grain.

Protect

Rinsing your face in cool water to close pores and tone the skin. Apply aftershave balm or gel that contain vitamins, natural oils to moisturize and aloe vera to help heal the skin. Do not apply aftershave lotion or spray, the alcohol will sting and cause redness. Apply your own scent to chest area and shoulders.

Maintenance

Look after your equipment, the badger brush should be rinsed in hot water and hung upside down. If the razor felt like it was starting to drag, replace the blade for next time and whilst your at it give the safety razor a wipe with a clean cloth or towel. Never clean the razor with a blade in.