Understand your unique direction of your hair growth to avoid irritating your skin.
Prepare the skin
Open up your pores with a warm cotton flannel. Soften the skin with natural shaving soap.
Blade, angle, pressure
Always use a blade that's sharp, never blunt. 30 degree angle. Apply little to no pressure.
Aftercare
Rinse area with cold water after shaving. Pat dry with a clean flannel. Apply natural balm or moisturiser.
The Shaving Kit: Everyday Essentials
Putting together a shaving kit that's sustainable is easy these days. You no longer have to pay a pretty penny for disposable razors and blades every week. Eco-friendly and reusable shaving products are readily available, so you'll never have a problem getting everyday essentials for your shaving kit.
A reusable DE safety razor
For those who are new to shaving with a double-edge razor, start with a safety razor that is closed combed with a grooved or scalloped edge to the safety bar. These razors are perfect for daily shaving and less aggressive than open comb razors. Closed comb razors are much safer.
Natural shaving soap
Opt for shaving soap that's free from chemicals and nasties, and full of natural ingredients. Your skin will thank you for it. Many natural shaving soap bars are free from plastic, too.
Sharp double-edge blades
Not all safety razor blades are made the same. A blade's aggressiveness and coating can differ. As a rule of thumb, those with finer hair or sensitive skin should go for a blade that's less aggressive. Those with coarser hair should go for a blade that is sharper and aggressive.
Razor storage
Your shaving kit will need to contain a box, stand or travel bag that will help protect your razor from moisture in the bathroom. Alternatively, keep your razor away from the bathroom after each use. This will prevent the blade from blunting too quickly and stop your razor from degrading.
|Other shaving products to consider. To prepare your skin before shaving, use a soft cotton flannel to open up your pores and soften the are of skin. Make sure to use a natural moisturiser or balm on your skin after shaving, especially for those with senstive skin. Many people prefer to use a shaving brush and bowl to apply soap or foam to their skin.
Are you still shaving with a disposable razor?
We compare reusable razors with disposable cartridge razors to see which is better for the planet, the pocket and the skin.
Whether you're leaving the country for business or leisure, travelling with grooming products can raise questions and cause confusion. Here are a few tips you need to know when travelling with a safety razor.
Blades in carry-on baggage
Double-edge safety razor blades are not permitted within hand luggage. If you want to take them on a plane, blades must be kept in your hold luggage. If you're taking your razor in your carry-on bag, make sure it has no blade inside.
Taking shaving accessories
Shaving soap bars are ideal for carry-on or hold luggage, as they don't have a capped liquid amount of 100ml and are compact to travel with. A soap tin is also recommended for soaps that are already in use. Shaving brushes, wash bags or travel bags will also be really handy.
Buying products on holiday
The good thing about shaving with a safety razor is that double-edge blades and shaving soap are available to buy in most major supermarkets. You could even find your nearest plastic-free or eco shop with a little research. Pack your safety razor and travel bag, and enjoy your holiday!
|Alway double check with the airline & airport. Even though we've provided a general rule of thumb for travelling with safety razors, it's best to make sure before you travel. UK airports, for example, currently only allow liquids to be a maximum of 100ml. But this may be changing in 2024. Visit your departure airport's website, as well as your airline, to stay up to date.
Getting the basics of a travel shaving set
It's as simple as owning a safety razor, having blades and something to carry it in. The rest can purchased on holiday.
Shaving with a single-blade safety razor is a lot more sensitive on your skin than razors with three to five blades.
The reason is purely logical. The less scraping and raking you do, the kinder it is to your skin.
Using a safety razor is all about crafting your technique and once you get it right, you'll get the closest and cleanest shave you've ever had.
Reusable safety razors were ultimately designed to last a lifetime.
The materials used to manufacture safety razors are robust and long lasting, so with a little bit of care and maintenance your razor could last you as long as you need it.
This is why traditional wet shaving has come full circle, because people are noticing the key benefits once again.
A common cause of damage to safety razors is exposure to moisture when it's not in use.
It's important to make sure you keep your safety razor dry when you have finished using it. A tried and tested technique is to unscrew the head of the razor and safely place the blade to the side.
Using a dry cloth, gently wipe the handle and each plate of the razor head until all excess water has been wiped away.
Make sure you don't wipe the blade with a cloth, as this may blunt the edges. Carefully pick up the blade making sure you don't hold the sharp edges and give it a little shake, ensuring excess water is removed.
Then carefully put your safety razor head back together with the blade and screw into the razor handle.
It may sound counter productive, but don't keep your safety razor in the bathroom unless it is in a place that is kept away from moisture.
Using a drawstring hessian travel bag is a great way of keeping your safety razor dry in the bathroom, as long as it kept in a cabinet or a box that has a tightly closed door or lid.
It's perfectly fine to take your safety razor with you on a flight, but you cannot take loose blades in your carry-on luggage. If you have checked luggage, it'd be ideal to store your safety razor and blades in there.
If you only have carry-on luggage, do not carry any razor blades with you because they will be confiscated by airport security when your baggage is being scanned. Even if you don't have any blades with you, it's likely security will still want to check your safety razor.
The great thing about safety razors is that double-edge replacement blades can be picked up in a lot places and cheaply. Once you have landed in your destination, look for the nearest pharmacy and purchase some blades there.
Your Questions Answered
Shaving with a single-blade safety razor is a lot more sensitive on your skin than razors with three to five blades.
The reason is purely logical. The less scraping and raking you do, the kinder it is to your skin.
Using a safety razor is all about crafting your technique and once you get it right, you'll get the closest and cleanest shave you've ever had.
Reusable safety razors were ultimately designed to last a lifetime.
The materials used to manufacture safety razors are robust and long lasting, so with a little bit of care and maintenance your razor could last you as long as you need it.
This is why traditional wet shaving has come full circle, because people are noticing the key benefits once again.
A common cause of damage to safety razors is exposure to moisture when it's not in use.
It's important to make sure you keep your safety razor dry when you have finished using it. A tried and tested technique is to unscrew the head of the razor and safely place the blade to the side.
Using a dry cloth, gently wipe the handle and each plate of the razor head until all excess water has been wiped away.
Make sure you don't wipe the blade with a cloth, as this may blunt the edges. Carefully pick up the blade making sure you don't hold the sharp edges and give it a little shake, ensuring excess water is removed.
Then carefully put your safety razor head back together with the blade and screw into the razor handle.
It may sound counter productive, but don't keep your safety razor in the bathroom unless it is in a place that is kept away from moisture.
Using a drawstring hessian travel bag is a great way of keeping your safety razor dry in the bathroom, as long as it kept in a cabinet or a box that has a tightly closed door or lid.
It's perfectly fine to take your safety razor with you on a flight, but you cannot take loose blades in your carry-on luggage. If you have checked luggage, it'd be ideal to store your safety razor and blades in there.
If you only have carry-on luggage, do not carry any razor blades with you because they will be confiscated by airport security when your baggage is being scanned. Even if you don't have any blades with you, it's likely security will still want to check your safety razor.
The great thing about safety razors is that double-edge replacement blades can be picked up in a lot places and cheaply. Once you have landed in your destination, look for the nearest pharmacy and purchase some blades there.