For a beginner there is a bewildering array of Shaving Soaps and Shaving Creams. In your experience, what would you recommend? What's your brand preference? What's your favourite way to apply? Is there a starting point you would recommend and then....what would be the second step?

Pretty sure there will be lots of discussion on this one and as a Newbie, I'm really interested in your comments!

Wishing you a pleasant day and shaves as soft as silk.