So I've done a few more shaves, with varying success. There's a couple issues that I know will just have to come with experience (had some drag in the shaving cream, needed more water in the mix...things like that), but I thought I'd ask advice to see if others are caused by technique issues or what.

I'm getting a lot of irritation. Thus far I've only done my cheeks, and I try to take as few strokes as I can, but the last time it looked like my 5 o'clock shadow had just turned from black to red. Under the sideburns there were pretty distinct red lines, from where I started the stroke. Would this be from a bad angle? Too much pressure? A different type of irritation from where the hair follicle was cut...looked like bad acne. The redness only lasted a couple of hours but I could still feel it the next day. Improper stropping/dull blade? Sensitivity to shaving cream?

Just curious if anyone had any suggestions. Thanks again!