I have been straight razor shaving for a few years now. I find the preshave prep is a very important part of my shave. I like to keep it simple. I apply a warm face cloth to my beard (something similar to a hot towel prep in a barber shop), then I apply either Proraso white or green preshave cream, massage it in well and wait a few minutes then lather up. If I am in a rush I will skip the Proraso...but I never skip the hot towel. And in winter that hot towel is particularly pleasurable.