The Face

I don't use shaving cream, just a razor and hot water, which may or may not be your cup of tea.  I would recommend a shaving Gel with Aloe though.  I always wet both the area of my face that I am about to shave and the razor several times before starting.  Start by shaving with the grain, remembering to use plenty of hot/very warm water.  Always wipe your face with a towel after each stage.  The second stage is go against the grain, again using hot water.  After that, I shave with side to side and diagonal strokes to get that freaky stubble that just has to go every which way.

The Chest, Stomach, Arms, and Armpits

I don't have a lot of chest or arm hair, and that which I do, is not very thick.  So, for me, I only need to go with the grain.  Remember to be very careful when shaving around the nipples, as you don't want to lose one.

I heard someone suggest that the best way to handle the arms is to take an electric hair trimmer, and shave the arm hair to a 1/4" inch length; this makes the hair more feminine without being noticeable to most people.  Additionally, you may want to bleach your arm hair to make it less visible.

For the armpits, I use an electric hair trimmer set to the shortest possible setting.  Be very careful when using such a device to always keep it parallel to the skin and not to force anything.  I accidentally took a small chunk out of my armpit and boy does it smart afterward.

The Crotch and Buttocks

This is my least favorite area to shave as it is difficult to assess your work.  If you can get someone else to do it for you, it would make it a lot easier.  I recommend taking this step in the shower, or, preferably, in the bathtub.  Again, be very careful not to force anything or press too hard, and always keep the blade parallel with the skin.  I use my hair trimmer to shave the hair as short as possible; it gets the hair cut to the point where it is just long enough not to itch, and where it is comparable to a real blade going with the grain, only without the razor burn.  You can then follow this up with a razor for a smooth shave, using a shaving gel.

The Legs, Feet, and Toes

I use the same philosophy as I do with the crotch area.  Start by going against the grain with a hair trimmer.  I find that using the hair trimmer is faster and less aggravating than a real razor.  The trimmer can get your body hair pretty short, without the itch.  I follow this up by using a razor and shaving against the grain, with plent of shaving gel.  Be very careful shaving your toes, feet, and remember that the knees are tricky, so be patient.

First timers may want to simply stick to shaving with the grain for week or so to allow their legs to toughen up a bit.  This may help prevent ingrown hair (see problems).

Afterwards

I will recommend using baby powder or a skin lotion with aloe after you have shaved yourself.  The face is used to being shaved, but your genitals and legs may be very sensitive.  Baby powder prevents chafing, so if you shave your legs, you may want to use it whenever you take a shower.  Always use hot/very warm water and shaving cream on your legs.

The first time I shaved my legs, I first took a shower, then sat on the edge of the bathtub with a can of shaving cream and a new razor.  The results were great, but the next day, I decided to touch it up and only wet the razor; I developed ingrown hair (see problems).

I highly recommend purchasing a hair trimmer if you are only occasionally going to shave your legs, or if it is your first time.  They are only $15-20 at the drug store (usually placed in the same aisle as the hair dryers and hair curlers) and save you time and prevents cuts (unless you do something stupid like me and cut your armpit).  The shave you get from them is smooth when you run your hand with the grain, but a little stubbly when you go against it; not noticeable under dark or opaque hosiery.

As for real razors, I use the Sensor Excel (I got it for free in the mail) on my face, but you can use any type of razor as long as it has a fresh blade.  Avoid the disposables.  If you feel really feminine, you might want to buy a woman's razor (such as a Gillette Sensor for Women), though it probably doesn't make a difference.  I tried my mother's electric Lady Schick, and I don't know if it was old, broken, or functioning properly, but it was very slow, and didn't provide an adequate shave.  If anyone has found a women's electric razor helpful, please let me know about it.

For shaving gel, I recommend going with a women's brand.  I use Skintimate myself.  It comes in different varieties such as Dry Skin, No Nicks, Sensitive Skin.  All of them include Vitamin E and one or two have Aloe.  You may also find it useful to get a moisturizing body wash to use as well.

Problems  *special thanks goes to Lisbeth for helping with this section.

I've noticed that my Sensor Excel blades tend to get dull rather quickly; so always check your blades before using them to avoid "razor rash/burn".

Secondly, if this is the first time you have ever shaved your legs, or if it has been awhile since you last shaved them, you will want to avoid cutting the hairs too closely--always wait two to three days before redoing them--as you can develop what is known as "ingrown hairs".  This is where the hair is cut so short, that it is actually below the skin.  The skin may seal over the follicle, and as the hair re-grows, it is forced to push up through the skin.  The skin develops small red bumps (each bump is centered around one hair, and upon close inspection, one can actually see the hair near the surface), becomes very sensitive, and itches like crazy.

Lisbeth recommends, and I second, procuring the following items:  1) an anti-itch and/or anti-inflammatory lotion (preferably with aloe); 2) anti-bacterial soap (doctors often recommend this for a variety of reasons, so it isn't like having to buy lice killer or anything); and 3) a loofa sponge.  Follow the directions on the soap bottle (they usually recommend not using too much) and use the loofa to clean your legs.  The loofa will remove any dead skin that may be covering the follicles (opening them up) and the anti-bacterial soap will prevent any possible infections (infection isn't too likely, this is just a precautionary measure).  When you're done, apply the lotion to your legs according to that brand's instructions.

Some hairs have been cut shorter, and may grow back slower, than others, so you may suffer from irritation for two or three days.  Be patient!  Use the lotion and, if possible, don't wear anything that aggravates the skin (I've found that sweatpants just make the itching worse; you may wish to sleep without pants also).  If you are only experiencing ingrown hair in a small area, as the hair breaks through the skin, it may be helpful to take a needle and carefully coax the hair up, and pull back the skin over it (sort of like with a splinter; but be careful; if you stab yourself, you were too rough).