Welcome to this place and its well informed members.
Most of this malarkey is about technique, technique, and well..... some more of that technique stuff. And the more you nail that side the more you'll start to wonder where your money is disappearing.
I've got a great technique I picked up in here. See other members SOTD photos with amazing soaps, aftershaves, brushes, razors and bowls then proceed to buy said items...wait approx 3 weeks for RM to deliver by which time I've forget I ordered said items so when they arrive I use them straight away, repeat until bankrupt or wife leaves, whichever comes first.