Shaving should be performed once your beard area has been in contact with hot water. The warm humidity will open up your pores and soften your skin.
Apply quality shaving cream or soap to your face. A shaving brush is the key to keeping your face hot and moist during this process. Not only that, it softly massages your skin and will help to lift the hairs of your beard for a much closer shave.
The lather should not be scattered carelessly over the face.
Hot towels should not be used on excessively sensitive skin, nor should they be used when the skin is chapped or blistered from cold or heat.
Make sure to properly strop your razor before each shave.
Never use any pressure but let the weight of the razor guide you.
Your fingers should be kept dry in order to grasp and stretch the skin and hold it firmly.
Try to stay focused and concentrate on your shaving technique.
Use a smooth, steady cutting movement with the point of the blade leading.
A proper straight razor shave will include a WTG, XTG and ATG. (with, across and against the grain).
Take special precautions in shaving, especially beneath the lower lip, lower part of the neck, and around the Adam's apple, as these parts of the face and neck are usually the most tender and sensitive, and are easily irritated by very close shaving.
Rinse with cold water to close the pores. Always apply a skin moisturizer or after shave balm on your face immediately after shaving to help your skin recover from the shaving process.
Clean and dry your razor thoroughly before storage.