Share your routine
When I have time I use a two track razor. My routine is that I soak my face for two minutes in hot water or a hot towel. I then use lotion as my shaving cream. That's right: lotion. I buy it in a bulk container and it sits in my bathroom for guests to get freaked out by. A friend I met in Florida put me onto the idea and I thought he was crazy until I tried it, I've used it ever since and have favored it over soap and brush or any other foam-in-a-can. The cool thing about using lotion is you never have that nasty razorburnt feeling, even when you shave against the grain. I've used preshave oils and all the stuff you can find from artofshaving, but this still works best for me and it's way cheaper. Using lotion, you also don't need to use any aftershave, which makes this routine even cheaper. If you try this make sure it is unscented lotion or it can burn your skin. When my skin needs it, I use aloe vera gel as an optional aftershave and this does wonders at preventing my skin from breaking out when I am around machine oil and welding smoke all day long. Doesn't matter what it is as long as it is 100% aloe vera and nothing else.
I carry my straight razor with me in my backpack for when I don't even have time to grab my Norelco. This might seem strange, like I should keep the straight razor at home and carry the two-track razor around, but I do so because the two track razor retains moisture and gunk in between the blades. I don't want to have to worry about mildew or whatever, so I carry the straight razor because it dries very easily in comparison. I have a loop of fishing line attached to it that I put my hand through so that if the razor slips in my hand it won't fall and ruin the blade.
Anyway, that's my routine, what works for you?