How To Use a Safety Razor
This is a question I get asked a lot from customers who are looking to switch. I switched to a safety razor a few years ago and I talk about it being the best plastic free razor i've ever used and my favourite swap. It's estimated that around 2 billion disposable razors end up in landfill every year which is a shocking fact and one of the reasons I made the switch. Another reason was because I love sustainable products that can save me money and switching to reusable products can help you save cash and waste. Win Win right? Here are a few of my tips and things to think about when making the switch to plastic free shaving!
1. Know How to safely change your blade
The most daunting thing about investing in a safety razor tends to be the blade itself. From having conversations with my customers, we always talk about how to safely change the blade. Yes the blade is sharp and it is double sided so you need to be careful when using and changing the blade but it is also very simple to change.
How to change your blade:
1. Unscrew the top, ensuring you do not hold the the head on the edge where the blade is, hold the sides which have no blade.
2. You will then have two plates and the blade in the middle, carefully lift the bottom plate and then lift the blade out ensuring you are using the sides that are not sharp.
3. Pop your new blade in and place the bottom plate back over, screw the handle back on
2. Using your Safety Razor for the first time
My first advice to anyone who is making the switch is to take your time and be gentle the first time using it. The blades are much sharper than the plastic disposable razors so you don't need to push as hard for it to shave the hair. When I first gave mine a go, I literally just lightly brushed it against the skin to see what it did and then applied pressure from there as i got used to it. Ensure you are always holding your razor correctly, avoid putting your fingers anywhere near the end where the blade is but instead hold the sides which have no blade when removing the head.
3. Clean your blades in between use
One of the best things about your safety razor is that you can easily clean the blades in between use. There is nothing worse than when I used to use my disposable razor after a few goes, it was full of hair and needed to be binned. My plastic free, reusable razor can easily be cleaned between use simply by running it under the tap. Just quickly unscrew the head to separate the blade and two plates and rinse the hair off. Your blade will last much longer when doing this. A pack of 5 reusable blades usually last me around 5 months.
4. Use a moisturising soap bar
Pairing your razor with a good moisturising soap bar will help you see better results with your shaving. You don't need to apply much pressure when using your safety razor and you will want your skin leaving soft and hydrated. I personally love the Zero Waste Path clay soap bar as its so moisturising or the Marseille soap is also great because of its olive oil content. I also love to use my UpCircle body scrub and moisturiser as part of my skin routine for my legs.
Zero Waste Path Moisturising Clay soap bar
5. Recycle your blades
Safety Razors mean that nothing needs to go to landfill, the blades are made from stainless steel which can be easily recycled unlike disposable razors that only end up with landfill. To properly recycle your blades just collect a few and pop into an empty tin can, close the lid over using pliers, write 'razors blades' on the tin and recycle with your normal recycling.
6. Choose the right Safety Razor for you
Bambaw Metal Safety Razor - Black
Bambaw Metal Safety Razor - Silver
Bambaw Metal Safety Razor - Rose
Bambaw Metal Safety Razor - Bamboo/Metal
Head over to our instagram @the_plastic_free_life for lots of videos and tips on how to use your safety razor. Leave a comment below if you want to share you experience with a safety razor as I would love to know!
Lucy x