Here, here, Merlin. There is something to be said for being the metrosexual guy when it comes to shaving, as I spent way to much of my formative years hacking my face to bits from doing it wrong. Here is what has become my ritual, of sorts.

Shower 1.) Use a facial cleanser, not soap. Soap merely dries your skin. You want something that is going to not dry out your skin. 2.) Use an exfoliant. I have oily skin and am prone to the occasional pimple. After the cleanser, a little exfoliating will work nicely. 3.) Hot water in the shower. Make sure to get your face nice and wet. Keep your beard wet. Pre-Shave 1.) Wet your beard thoroughly again. 2.) Apply a shave oil. I have used both Anthony Logistics Pre-Shave Oil and Grooming Lounge's Beardmaster shave oil. Both do the same thing. A little oil with eucalyptus to open things up and provide a smooth layer beneath the next ingredient. 3.) Apply a shave cream. I use Grooming Lounge Beard Destroyer Shave Cream, but I am still up in the air on it. I might have to use the shave brush suggestion, but that might come later. 4.) While shaving--I use the Fusion as well, but I think it is just slightly more effective than the Mach3--use plenty of water. Also use small, smooth strokes. No need to try and take your beard out with one stroke like that tool in the ads. 5.) For the love of god, please go with the grain. If the direction of your whiskers is not quite down, follow it. Just go with the grain. There are exceptions to this for everyone--myself included, but those areas are small. If you go against, you will always inevitable hack up your face or leave open the chance for an ingrown hair, which is not fun. 6.) Use plenty of water while shaving, always rinsing. I cannot say this enough. If you follow this enough, you should be fairly nick-free. Post-Shave 1.) Rinse with hot water, thoroughly. 2.) Rinse with cold water, just to splash it on your face and "cool the burn." 3.) If you suffer from "the burn" postshave, try something for what ails you. I have been using Anthony Logistics Razor Burn Repair with decent results, but YMMV. 4.) Use an after-shave balm or moisturizer. You have just taken layers off of your face, and it is going to need some protection. Again, I have been using the Anthony Logistics After Shave Balm, and it works pretty well. Those of us who are oily, though, might want something with less moisturizer. It is still pretty good, though.

Admittedly, I don't shave every day, and not quite every other day. I think if I did the latter, I would hack my face up more, and that is what I am trying to prevent. Thus, I shave 2-3 times per week, depending on what is going on at the office. On the weekends, it depends on what is happening.