Table of Contents
Of all the many things we need to deal with as women – hair removal is up there.
I’ve got a love-hate relationship with the act of removing my body hair I admit.
I wish I didn’t care what people thought of me. I wish I could go around, willy-nilly, splashing my leg and arm hair with zero care. What a dream!!!
But that’s not me.
I’m not obsessed with being hair-free – but it’s not what I want to be. I love silky, soft skin, especially in summer. There! I said it!
Zero Waste Shave Kit
I can’t stand waxing or anything ‘pulley outy ouchy.’ So shaving is my best option. Plus – I’ve got kids, so time is… short.
Oh, then comes the choice – disposables or reusable razors? Single blade, double, triple? Do you ever think about this stuff I wonder?
Well, in this post, I aim to share my optimistic view on zero-waste shaving and give you my best advice on the topic.
This is a sponsored post. I only write posts about products I believe in, trust, and wish to share with my readers.
Eco Roots
A zero-waste razor means no more shitty disposables which cut your skin to shreds and leave you bleeding and red raw with spots all over (TMI?)
I’m talking about quality reusable handles, recyclable blades, and gentle shaves that are kind to your skin, kind to your bathroom, and even kinder to our glorious planet.
The trend of disposable razor blades started in the early 1900s – thanks to King Camp Gilette, who created the first disposable razor (yes, THE Gilette).
I say trend because they are still very popular. Annoyingly so. They’re terrible for our beautiful planet, and the irony is, we know this!
Despite many acknowledging the MASSIVE detrimental impact that throwaway plastic has on the environment, statistics still show disposable razor use in the US (and the UK) creeps up year after year.
I’m so conscious of throwing plastic and other toxic waste products in the bin. So much so that I’m now fully embracing as close to a zero-waste lifestyle as possible.
I’ll be sharing more posts on sustainability and frugal living over the next few weeks and months, particularly now that everything is going up in price.
As well we’re committed to teaching our children about the negatives of plastic waste.
It’s great to hear more people want to go plastic-free. Reuse and upcycle stuff! YES! This is the best thing we can do right now.
Because who wants to see the current reality continue?
The reality is that 2 billion disposable razors end up in landfill every year. It’s shocking. And let’s not mention toothbrushes and cue tips…
Zero Waste Options
Luckily, we live in 2022, where there are options for zero waste shaving routines. Usually, a zero waste shave kit is made from high-quality, durable materials built to last forever.
This means no more disposables – ever!
Of course, sustainable shaving has been an option with electric razors, but I personally never got on with them.
I still end up cut to shreds with nicks all over and found them not so gentle on my sensitive skin.
The best way to achieve a smooth shave is to invest in a quality, durable zero waste shave routine from the get-go.
It’s not just about the razor!
I mention routine, as there are certain products which I advocate to help give a super close shave and prevent skin irritation.
My personal favorite eco-friendly shaving kit is this one from FFS. Let me explain why.
Recyclable Packaging
What I particularly love is anything that arrives in recyclable or compostable packaging.
All the packaging from an FFS reusable razor is 100% recyclable, including the tubes that their scrubs and lotions come in, too.
They’re made from sugar cane, which you can pop straight into your recycling bin once empty.
Closest Shave
It’s been a long time since I experienced such an amazing clean shave on my legs – perfect for the summer season.
I’m prone to pesky ingrown hairs and bobbly skin (you know the mottled, pasty white pins no one ever shows on social media…), but with this zero waste safety razor, I am in heaven.
The FFS razor glides effortlessly over my skin and is pain-free – no nicks or cuts.
Blade Bank
I love how you can recycle the high-quality blades you get with the FFS razor.
They even include their own blade recycling scheme!
Simply use the blades til’ you’re done (I max them out; they’re that good – they last me several weeks each, even though the recommendation is to change the blade weekly).
So, when you want to replace the blade, send it back and order through the post. Win-win!
High Quality
Plastic-free razors are cheap and nasty, feeling brittle and manky in your hands. Yuck!
But check out this rose gold safety razor in the following pic.
It’s weighted perfectly for precision control around those tricky bits (ya know what I’m saying, ladies).
It also includes a rubber grip that prevents slippage in the bath or shower, and it’s available in various colours.
Oh – did I mention you can get the handle engraved with your name? (Your hubby certainly won’t be nicking your razor anymore!)
Eco-Friendly Razors PLUS Vegan Friendly
The FFS blades are vegan friendly, too, making them not only eco-friendly but cruelty-free.
They contain 6 (yes! 6) blades per head, which give that smoother shave and reduce the chances of cuts and bumps.
I used the 3-step system FFS also offers, which involves 1. a pre-shave exfoliant, 2. shaving cream, and 3. soothing post-shave balm.
I’m a huge advocate, like I said, of using the full system if it’s available, as the results are far better than just going for bog-standard shower gel.
Sophie’s Tips & Tricks
- Coconut oil – I love love love using coconut oil on my skin after shaving.
It’s 100% natural and leaves you smelling like a cocktail on steroids.
You could also try olive oil or shea butter, both of which are highly moisturizing and will leave your skin silky and soft. Natural is my preference every time.
- Use warm water (not hot) when you shave. If the water’s too hot, it may aggravate your skin, leaving you prone to inflammation and redness (sore bits).
- If you’ve been using disposable razors for a while, it can be a bit of a learning curve to try zero waste shaving alternatives.
Stick with it. The joy in knowing you’re not contributing toxic waste to the environment is astounding. Plus, the FFS razors look sublime hanging on the wall in your bathroom! Talk about luxury.
- Wet shaving is always the best way. Never ever dry shave as it’s soooooo not worth the risk of cuts and bumps. It’s a recipe for razor burn! There’s a reason shaving cream exists.
- Why not make your zero-waste shave experience a spa experience by adding some essential oils to your bath water? I love eucalyptus and lavender as a combo.
Sustainable Razors
FFS offers a subscription service, so you never run out of blades!
I hope you enjoyed this post. Do pop a comment – let me know; I always love to hear from you! And for more eco friendly reads, check these out:
Leave a Reply