These zero waste hair removal ideas can help you to ditch disposable plastic razors. Did you know that ‘pink disposable razors’ cost more than the same razors for men? Disposable razors are bad for the planet anyway, and not as gentle on your skin.
Reusable razors are heavier, so allow them to glide in the direction of hair, letting the blade do the work. Place used blades in a blade bank (pop the can and blades in the recycling bin, you can use an old tin can with a slit, as an alternative). Disposable plastic razors can harm wildlife on landfill sites (if you use them, send all brands Gillette who recycled the plastic & metal into park benches & alloys.
Use unscented shaving soaps for pregnancy/nursing and avoid shea butter for latex allergies. Authentic House Organic Shave Bar is a good (scented) shaving bar with sandalwood, frankincense and green clay (use with a slatted soap dish). Or go for Conscious Skincare Organic Shave (in a plastic-free can).
- Shoreline Shaving offers colourful stainless steel safety razors, the gift sets have palm-oil-free shaving soap in a hessian bag.
- Upcircle Safety Razor (also at Social Supermarket) is made from chrome and includes 2 blades. Just unscrew the handle from the head.
- Acala Bamboo Safety Razor is a stylish double-edge razor with sturdy bamboo handle, delivered in recycled paper. It fits all double-edge blades.
- Norse Stainless Steel Safety Razor (Sheffield) is made with steel, brass and chrome (includes 5 blades). The Shaving Gift Set includes a double-edged safety razor, vegan shaving brush and beautiful stand.
- Bambuka Bamboo Razor Set includes 10 blades and a lovely gift box. Handle colours/sizes may differ, just note preference at checkout.
- Pure Spruce Vegan Shaving Brush (also as travel brush), Haeckel & Wild Sage all offer quality vegan shaving brushes (just run over your shaving soap, lather up, then rinse in cold water, squeeze and air-dry upside down).
- The company also sell a nice zero waste safety razor, ideal to lather up with your soap, for an alternative to disposable plastic razors. Place used blades in a blade bank (pop the can and blades in the recycling bin, you can use an old tin can with a slit, as an alternative). Disposable plastic razors can harm wildlife on landfill sites (if you use them, send all brands Gillette who recycled the plastic & metal into park benches & alloys).
Alternative Ideas for Hair Removal
- Tamara’s Organic Sugar Paste (for professional beauticians) is organic, vegan and Fair Trade. Sugaring is a biodegradable method of hair removal, just recycle the packaging. You can take certification courses at London Sugaring Company.
- Colibry (Italy) is a modern update on the Indian art of threading, to painlessly remove hair anywhere on the body, and weaken growth. It’s plastic but needs no batteries (buy 2 years of refill threads). The threaders don’t look compostable, so just bin them (never put string/ribbon in garden for birds’ nests, it can harm).
- Balade en Provence Shaving Bar is sent from France (quick cheap shipping). Enriched with coconut oil, grapeseed oil and shea butter, this smooth shaving bar for women includes the delicate scent of orange blossom, to transform you to the fields of Provence.
This bar of organic shaving soap is ideal to replace plastic bottles, store on a slatted soap dish, to help it last longer. This is packed with moisturising plant butters and oils including shea butter, coconut butter, green clay and almond oil, with essential oils of bergamot, sandalwood and frankincense, for a fresh wood citrus scent. Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing. Avoid shea butter for latex allergies.
About the Maker
Authentic House (Wales) is a lovely little beauty company that makes zero waste goodies, from environmentally friendly and ethical ingredients. The founder’s aim is to empower us to protect the planet.
