Welcoming The Perfect Sustainable Shave.

If you just received your new single blade safety razor or are wondering “ how the heck do I use this thing?” We’ve put together a little guide to help you through it and provide some helpful tips!

A little bit of background, the first safety razor was invented over 100 years ago and it has come a long way since then! The first iterations of the razor were designed to be an at-home alternative to straight blade shaving at the barber shop! There have been many design changes since then to make the razor more “user-friendly” for personal use.

Some of the many benefits of using a safety razor include the environmental impact of using a reusable razor, the monetary savings, the quality of the shave, and of course less irritation and ingrown hairs often caused by multiple blades!

Did you know that over 2 billion disposable razors and refill cartridges end up in the landfill each year? Gross! If properly cared for, this razor will last you a lifetime and will save so much unnecessary waste from polluting our planet!

So let’s get into it…

How to use the razor: 

Picking this thing up for the first time might seem a bit daunting, but rest assured, there is a small learning curve but it won’t take long before you’re a safety razor pro!

When you’re first starting out, we recommend taking it slow, after all it is a blade, and it’s sharp! Start with small strokes, keeping the blade perpendicular to the shave area. If you’re worried about cuts, think of a kitchen knife, you can run it along your skin but as soon as the blade runs across your skin, that’s how you get cut! Same idea as a razor blade. Keep that blade straight and make small strokes in the direction of hair growth. 

You might be used to pushing against your skin with your 4+ blade disposable razor, but that’s NOT the case with a safety razor. The razor has some weight to it and the trick is to let the razor do the work, gently grasp the razor and hold it at a 30 degree angle to your skin, this is where the blade will glide smoothly over your skin without “digging” in. The razor works best when using a shave bar (see more below) or using a gentle shaving cream. That is it! If you’re still uncertain, remember, YouTube is your friend ;)

Changing The Blades:

To open the razor, unscrew the handle from the two part head. It’s recommended you don’t do this with wet hands, you don’t want it to slip or lose your grip. Once the razor head is in two pieces, place the new blade over the screw post and re-assemble the handle.

The razor blades are 100% recyclable and should be replaced every 5-7 shaves. Tip: If you notice a dragging or pulling sensation, it’s probably a good time to replace the blade!

Repurpose an old glass jar and collect your used blades until it’s full. (Store somewhere safe, out of reach of children). Once the jar is full, you can bring it to your local sharp object recycling facility. Some pharmacies, drug stores and clinics will also accept your sharp object drop off!

 

Cleaning and Storage:

To make sure your razor stands the test of time, it’s important to store it in a dry place, aka not the shower! After each use, run it under water to remove any debris and pat dry. It’s important to keep it dry to reduce the risk of rust or corrosion. The razor is an investment, one that you will have for years to come so treat it that way! :)

 

If you’ve opted in for the Shaving Bundle (good call) here’s some tips for each product

 

Exfoliating Mitt: Exfoliating before shaving is a crucial step that shouldn’t be skipped! Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, excess dirt and oil, and lifts hairs slightly, preparing them to be cleanly shaved. Use our Exfoliating Mitt in the shower or bath to prep the area before shaving.

 

Shave Bar: The razors work best with some type of lubricant of cream to help with the shaving. We came out with a zero waste Shave Bar that'll make you never want to go back to shaving cream in a can! 

The bars are made with a shea butter and olive oil base, which means they’ll give you a nice and creamy lather to help the razor glide effortlessly across your skin. To apply the shave bar, wet the shave area and the bar and give the bar a couple of passes over your skin. With your hand, work in the soap to lather it up. It will give you a texture similar to a shaving balm!

 

Moisturizing Oil: The After Shave Moisturizing Oil is an exciting part of the shaving routine! The main ingredients in this super hydrating oil is Argan & Jojoba oil. Argan oil is extremely moisturizing, soothing and full of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This means less potential irritation, and more healing benefits. Jojoba oil closely resembles the properties of our skin's sebum, the oil our skin creates naturally. This allows the oil to penetrate deep within the skin.

Use the dropper to apply a few drops to the freshly shaven areas, massage it in and you’ll be left with satiny, silky smooth skin!

 

If you're looking to make the switch to a Safety Razor, check out our Shaving Bundle!