Phew! I feel like I just lifted a huge weight off my chest. I really mean it, too. More than most women, I think, but not so much that I never do it, though.
In my crunchy quest, I started seeking out alternatives to aerosol shaving cream. That stuff is expensive and horrible for your skin and earth! I even made a few DIY shaving balms, but they just gooped up my razor (those expensive cartridge ones that are named after a goddess) and I couldn't even finish one leg. So that's when I started thinking, "these little wire-wrapped blades get gooped up and I can't take them apart to clean them. What can I do about that?" Then I remembered the old metal safety razor my grandmother used to use. That thing was SCARY! It was an all metal double edged heavy duty monster. But...she could take it apart...but how did she do it without slicing her fingers open? How long did the blades last? Where can I get one? So I called her.
Me: Hi, Grandma. Do you remember the metal razor you used to use?
Grandma: Hi, sugar. Yes, but I haven't used one in years. Didn't you make fun of me when YOU were a teenager about using an old fashioned razor?
Me: Yeah, probably. Wait. You don't use one anymore? What do you use? And where can I get a safety razor?
Grandma: I use those plastic ones (named after a goddess) now. I bought my last safty razor at a local drug store decades ago. I don't think they carry them anymore. Why? You want one now???
Me: Yeah. Gotta run. I've got internet research to do.
That's when I got overwhelmed.
I also noticed while reading the reviews, NONE were written by women.
Oh, and these things are not cheap, but in my research I found one that many reviews listed as a good starter. And it is a double edged, so that means more swipes between rinses (I guess). And it came as a package deal with 100 DE (double edged) blades for, like $17. Now, when I used to buy the plastic greek goddess razors, the blade cartridges alone cost about the same for just four. So I bit the bullet and bought this one.
It arrived in just a few days and then it sat on a shelf for MONTHS. I was so scared of that thing. It is metal. It is heavy. It has a double edged razor blade on it... INTIMIDATING! And then I finally used it. Where has this thing been all my life? I actually got few cuts than with the plastic razors. I prepped with a sugar scrub and followed with my home made Beer'd Shaving Soap (hot process soap made with beer and clay). I can't believe more women don't use these things. They are so efficient that they don't need a gel layer or wire wrapped blades; they just do the job they were meant to do.
It's been nearly a year now, and I haven't used half of the 100 blades that came with the set (I still don't like shaving much). But I do notice there is less waste in my bathroom trash bin, and I have DEFINITELY saved major $$$ every month.
So, are you ready to take the plunge and purge the plastic razors and toxic gel/cream? C'mon. You can do it! Share your experiences, we can laugh together about how silly those plastic things are once you do!
You can also check out my review on the razor here.
