It's interesting to see how prep can change, too. When I first started shaving I would shower first, wash my face with warm water, dip the washcloth in hot water, and apply it to my face. When I got to college I was more rushed for time so I would wash my face with warm water, pat warm water on my face, and then shave and shower. I did this for many years. When I joined B&B I read about Kyle's method and tried that. I did not find that it improved my shaves o I reverted to just washing my face with warm water. Then I read about cold water shaving and tried that. I liked that and for the last seven years have been doing that a majority of the time.