I too shave against the grain. I wash my head and face then put King Of Shaves , shaving oil on top, wiping the excess off on my face. I think use Head Slick Cream on top and wipe the excess off also on my face. I then shave my face and then my dome. By the time I shave my dome the oil and the cream have had their time to soften the forest.
I then pop into the shower and cool it off with some cool water.
Voila!