Learning to shave is one of the few coming-of-age rituals that all men must endure. From the very first time that cold, hard metal takes a swipe at your facial hair, it instantly becomes an integral part of your routine until the day you die. And while the trends in beards and the technology in razor blades will change, the basics of getting a great shave never do. Here are your timeless shaving dos & don'ts.

Do- Use a preshave & postshave routine

Taming the mane requires more than a rinse and a razor. Proper preshave treatment should include facial scrub to cleanse and soften the beard. For more sensitive skin types, try a specially formulated oil or gel to prep the area prior to doing the deed. Then, follow up with an aftershave balm. Check out The Art of Shaving line for product ideas.

Dont- Soap up

Bar soaps are barely acceptable for washing your hands, let alone washing your face. They tend to leave residue and dry skin in their wake, and the moisturizing ones that claim to do just the opposite cant compete with advancements in liquid face washes and scrubs. A multiaction lathering gel, on the other hand, will dissolve excess oil and unclog pores effectively for a stress-free shave.

Do- Shave after showering

Pores need to be wide open for close, clean shaves that minimize skin irritation, and there is no better way to loosen things up than in the shower. The steam causes pores to relax and skin to soften, allowing the blade to glide seamlessly across your face. Invest in a fogless shower mirror for the all-inclusive experience or take the task sink-side for some aftershower action.

Don't- Splash on cold water

Paying attention to the water temperature in your grooming routine may seem like splitting hairs, but it has a significant impact on the success of your shave. In much the same way that warm or hot water pushes pores to open, cold water can cause them to close up shop. Trying to rip hairs out of tighter pores is significantly more challenging -- and irritating -- than shaving supple skin (and all it takes is a more aggressive twist of the faucet).

Do- Use short strokes

Somewhere in a long-lost father-son handbook must have been misguided advice to shave with endless strokes -- the kind that meander from cheek to jaw and curve underneath before reaching their final destination at the base of the neck. Its a mouthful as much as it is mistaken. Short strokes provide a more precise shave that reduces the amount of pressure placed on the blade handle. This translates into closeness without the cuts.

Don't- Apply too much pressure

Attempting to get a flawless shave is hard enough, so no additional pressure is necessary. Pushing on the blade and increasing its force on the face wont make for a smoother shave. Instead, the razor will end up dragging across the skin. The result: A *la*hdy mess of bumps, bruises, nicks, and cuts. Pop a chill pill and let the blade work its magic through guiding and gliding.

Do- Change blades often

Nothing is worse for your skin than shaving with a rusty razor. Although it may not quite get to the point of full-on corrosion, quality cartridges like those from the Gillette family of products, such as the Gillette Fusion, have a handy indicator strip for determining razor-readiness. When it begins fading to white, its time for a change.

Don't- Dry-shave

Dry-shaving is right up there with never-ending shaving strokes in that old-school father-son handbook. And as strange as it may sound to those fluent in the most basic how-tos of shaving, there is still a segment of the male population that goes bare. Its a strategy typically employed by electric-razor lovers, but everyone, including follically challenged men, must use some sort of shaving cream. It helps create a buffer to protect the skin from the blades harshness, which knows no bounds.