Start shaving when your pores are still open and your skin is still warm, so almost immediately after you have prepared your skin. This will give you the cleanest and cleanest shave possible. Shave immediately, otherwise the preparation will have been for nothing and you will have to start again.
Next, take your razor in your dominant hand and use your other hand to pull your skin taut, so that the surface of skin you are working on is as smooth as possible. This will be most essential when working on hard-to-shave areas, such as the nasolabial fold, between your mouth and nose, as well as your jawline.
Apply shaving cream and gently run the razor blade over these areas, not exactly in the direction of hair growth, but not directly against it either. Pay particular attention to whether you have missed any hairs on your neck or jawline, as hairs in these areas usually do not all grow in the same direction and are easily missed.
After this step, shave in the direction of hair growth. Run your hand over your beard. In one direction, your hairs will stand up, in the other they will be flattened. Shave in the second direction. Direct the flat of the blade almost parallel to your face in order to remove the bulk of the hairs.
Shave your face in small sections, one after the other. You won't be able to shave properly if you rush. You should start by working on one side of your face and slowly work your way to the other side, section by section. Each section of your face should be spotless before you move on to the next. This will save you time and you will be more likely to get a good shave the first time, without irritation or burns.
Rinse your razor in the sink filled with water and tap it against the rim to remove any cut hairs. This will be especially important if you are using a multi-blade razor, as these models tend to get clogged with foam and hairs. This will make your razor much less effective on your face.
Rinse your face with warm water. Run your fingers over your face to spot any areas you may have missed. Make sure the sides of your face, around your mouth, and around your nose are clean-shaven.
To shave without blocking the sink, simply put newspaper in your sink. This will trap the hairs and allow the water to continue to drain. Remove the newspaper once you have finished shaving. Now you know how to shave without blocking the sink.