How Reusable Razors Save Money and the Planet

Millions of people shave each their faces and bodies. This results in huge waste at landfill of both razors and blades (that can harm wildlife). If you don’t use an electric shaver (Brauna is owned by an animal-testing brand), here are good choices for reusable safety razors (and plastic-free disposable razors).

Do not shave on open wounds, cold sores, infections, eczema or during antibiotic treatment. For shaving soaps, avoid essential oils for pregnancy/breastfeeding (and avoid shea butter for latex allergies).

Jungle Culture offers quality reusable safety razors made from stainless steel or bamboo – with textured grips and extra-long handles, all sold in zero waste packaging.

The double-edged blade fits snugly into most reusable handles, giving full control over your shave. This design helps reduce nicks and irritation, making them a smart choice for sensitive skin.

The average reusable razor costs £20, but then you only have to buy replacement blades, so it soon pays for itself. There is also controversy over the ‘pink tax’ (disposable razors for women are no different, but are priced higher – why?)

Pop used blades in a blade bank

One blade should last you a few shaves with a reusable razor. A blade bank only costs a few pounds, and is basically an upgraded version of making a slit in a tin can, and sealing it with adhesive paper tape, before recycling when full.

This razor blade disposal tin is made from strong tin plated steel, designed to enclose used blades to store up to 100 blades safely. It should take a year to fill, and presents the hazard of sharp blades cutting refuse workers, or birds/wildlife at landfills.

If you don’t have a blade bank, send used blades in a prepaid (free) envelope to Gillette (who will recycle them on).

How to use a reusable safety razor

Reusable razors are used differently, but give a better result than disposable razors, which just ‘scrape skin’:

Insert stainless steel blades (each one lasts around 10 shaves).
Lather with soap and a vegan shaving brush, shave in direction of growth.
Allow the weight of the razor to do the work, rocking the blade against the skin at a 30-degree angle, until it lifts the hair. Use minimal pressure to hold the razor.
Pat skin dry with a soft clean cloth.
Take apart your razor and place the blade in the protector. Wipe razor with a dry towel, to prevent rust.

Use with a vegan shaving brush

Shoreline Shaving’s plastic-free vegan shaving brush uses sisal bristles, as a kinder alternative to animal hair. It creates a strong soapy lather, and also exfoliates and prepares the skin for shaving. This helps to prevent irritation and ingrown hairs.

Shoreline Safety reusable razor kits

Shoreline Shaving makes beautiful shaving kits for men and women, in various colours, sold in zero waste gift packaging. The kits include reusable safety razors (you just need refill blades after that) with shaving stands, blade banks (to safely recycle blades).

Dermplaners (to remove ‘peach fuzz hair’)

Shoreline Shaving’s stainless steel dermaplaners are used to exfoliate skin on the face, and remove ‘peach fuzz’ like on upper lips. The set includes a silicone blade cover and three replacement blades (also in rose gold). Then just buy refill blades.

Only use the tool every four weeks or so. Hold at a 45-degree angle, then use short gentle strokes to shave in downward motions. Be extra cautious around the nose and upper lip. Clean with rubbing alcohol.

Using a blade to scrape skin off your face may sound alarming, but if done properly with good tools, it’s a good way to scrape off dead skin and ‘fuzzy hairs’ without trips to the beautician or leaving stubble.

Although it should not be used on active acne, eczema or sensitive skin), dermaplaning is one of the best ways to safely soften the look of shallow acne scars, by removing the top layer of skin. Which is far safer than a harsh acid peel!

If you find that dermaplaners are not allowed for your particiular skin condition, an alternative is ‘threading’. This is where a trained technical uses twisted cotton threat to pluck hairs cleanly from the root. Unlike dermplaners, this method does not scrape the skin barrier, but you’ll need to find a qualified technician.

This method originated in India, and is also popular for hair removal, such as on the upper lip. And to shape eyebrows, as an alternative to tweezing.

Upcircle Beauty plastic-free safety razors are sold with two blades, then just buy refill blades after that. For men or women, it can be used on the face or body (do not apply pressure, just hold the handle gently and let the weight of the razor head glide over skin).

Prefer to keep your whiskers?

If you prefer to keep your whiskers (and many men do due to personal choice, less irritation or religious beliefs), then treat yourself to this wooden beard comb in a vegan leather pouch.

A good beard comb can guide unruly facial hair, and push it in the right direction, which helps to prevent ingrown hairs. Use a gentle shampoo to cleanse your beard, two or three times a week. Just combing your beard should be enough to distribute natural oils, and keep it healthy.

Fun facts about beards and moustaches!

Pogonophobia is ‘the extreme fear of beards!’
Hans Langseth grew the world’s longest ever beard, which was over 17 feet!
In Victorian times, men would protect their moustaches when eating soup, with a special spoon that had a guard on the rim.
Many other creatures have beards and moustaches. Obviously bearded collie dogs, but also orangutans and goats (hence the ‘goatee’). Walruses have moustache-like whiskers to detect prey.

UPL Hair Removal (how does it work?)

Ulike IPL Device (FDA/UKCA cleared) is a one-time investment of around £300, trusted by over 6 million people to safely and painlessly remove body hair, as a home alternative to laser removal, which runs into tens of thousands of pounds over a lifetime.

The company offers a Community Heroines 10% discount for UK health workers, first responders, teacher and military personnel.

Who Should Not Use IPL Hair Removal?

IPL works by targeting melanin (pigment) in the skin, so only works for people with fair skin and dark hair. It won’t work for people with blonde or red hair, and should be avoided for people with dark skin (due to melanin, could cause blisters and burns).

Do not use this device near children or pets.

Also avoid IPL Hair Removal:

When pregnant or breastfeeding
When menstruating
On sunburned skin
For skin allergies or eczema
For open wounds & scars
On or near the eyes
On tattoos
On genital areas
For photosensitive or epilepsy
If you have cancer or hemangioma (non-cancer growths)
On plastic prosthetics

For polycystic ovary syndrome, talk to your GP as sometimes this device could trigger more hair growth.

Light is absorbed by melanin in the hair follicle. This is converted into heat (Ulike includes ice-cooling technology to keep things comfortable), which results in thinner regrowth, and eventually stops hair growth altogether.

Skin is sensitive after use, so keep out of the sun (most sun protection creams contain pet-toxic zinc or titanium oxide, so wash these off, before letting animal friends kiss or lick you!)

How to Use Ulike IPL Device

The Air3 device should be adequate for most people.

Shave and dry the targeted areas.
Put on the safety goggles.
Power the device, then press to the skin.
Treat sensitive areas (bikini line, inner thighs, buttocks) at lowest power level.

How Long to See Results?

The device gives 93% hair reduction in 4 weeks, based on three treatments a week. This should give up to 12 months of smooth skin.

Once most of your hair has disappeared, you can then just use every fortnight or monthly, for maintenance. Average treatment times are:

Legs (7 minutes)
Arms (2 minutes)
Armpits (2 minutes)
Bikini line (1 minute)
Face (30 seconds)

Genuine Customer Reviews

Just a few weeks and already a big difference. And it’s painless.

After 3 weeks the hair on my bikini line has thinned down. The hair on my stomach has already completely disappeared.

What was only possible in a clinic a few years ago, has become an effective and safe option for patients to undertake, in the privacy of their own home. Dr David Lim (dermatologist)