My current routine is as follows:
Soak brush in HOT charged scuttle while showering (If using soap, I put a few drops of water on the puck to soften it up)
During shower i wash face with normal soap first.
I then put conditioner on my beard and let it sit while I wash rest of body and hair
Then I rinse off the conditioner, and let HOT water run over my beard for about a minute.
After shower I leave face wet while I lather in my HOT scuttle
Splash more HOT water on beard
Apply lather to face and REALLY work it in with the brush
Shave

I just make sure to re-splash hot water on face inbetween passes before I re-lather up