Zero Waste Hair Removal (and natural beard care)
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) and vegan shaving brushes.
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).
Pop 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 Razor
Reusable razors are used differently, but give a better result than disposable razors, which just ‘scrape your skin’:
- Insert stainless steel blades (each one lasts around 10 shaves).
- Lather with soap and vegan shaving brush (below).
- Shave in the direction of hair growth, to avoid irritation.
- 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, let it glide in slow short strokes.
- Pat skin dry with a soft clean cloth.
- Take apart your razor and place the blade in the protector, wiping your razor with a dry towel, to prevent it getting rusty.
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, helping to prevent irritation and ingrown hairs.
Why Choose a Reusable Safety Razor?
The average reusable razor costs £20, but then you only have to buy replacement blades, so it soon pays for itself.
As good as it is to be natural, most of us are not keen on sprouting hair from legs, underarms, bikini lines and even your face! But the plastic razor industry is causing huge harm to the planet, with landfills packed with billions of disposable razors (and blades), all sold in plastic packaging.
There is also controversy over the ‘pink tax’. In a nutshell, those pink disposable razors you see on sale for women, are the exact replicas of the same razors for men, but are priced higher. Why?
If you use an electric razor, then invest in one from an ethical brand (many major players like Braun are owned by animal-testing parent brands).
Jungle Culture (quality reusable safety razors)
Jungle Culture offers good quality safety razors made from stainless steel or bamboo, all with closed teeth, 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.
Pop 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 tins 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).
Dermaplaners: How to Remove ‘Peach Fuzz’ Hair!
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!
Shoreline Shaving’s 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.
Wooden Beard Comb (in a vegan leather pouch)
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.
Avoid essential oils for affected medical conditions. Avoid shea butter for latex allergies.
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.
Ulike (a UPL Hair Removal Device)
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.
How Does IPL Hair Removal Work?
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)
Green People offers organic vegan skincare for men, many items are scent-free. Everything is sold in easy-to-recycle sugar-cane packaging.
Avoid shea butter for latex allergies. Wash off natural sun protection before letting pets kiss you (due to zinc oxide).
Read The Labels Carefully
There is a lot of greenwash in the beauty industry, so look beyond buzzwords like ‘eco’ or ‘natural’ or ‘green’ that don’t carry any real meaning. Check for:
- Ingredient lists: Look for plant oils, clays, butters, and natural extracts. Avoid animal by-products such as beeswax, lanolin, and tallow.
- Packaging info: Genuine zero waste products use cardboard, glass, metal, or compostable materials. Skip anything in single-use plastic, shrink wrap, or that can’t be recycled.
- Simple, short ingredient lists: Usually, fewer ingredients means less chance of hidden nasties or synthetic bits.
Build a Zero Waste Grooming Routine
You only need a few items, so make a quick list of what you use daily – a face wash, soap, deodorant, razor and moisturiser, and maybe a hair product or beard balm.
Then find simple vegan zero waste swaps:
- Solid shampoo or soap bar (for hair and body)
- Metal safety razor or electric shaver
- Powder or paste deodorant in a cardboard tube or tin
- Plant-based oil or balm (works as a beard balm, aftershave, or moisturiser)
Hiltwood Natural Soaps (especially for men)
Hiltwood Turmeric Soap Bar is a unique soap, that is not just vegan and free from palm oil, but specially designed for men. Made with olive and coconut oils, shea butter and natural essential oils, turmeric is ideal for stripping unwanted oil and inflammation from the skin, while cedarwood oil gives a masculine fragrance. Ideal for spotty or red skin, it also contains thyme essential oil.
Avoid shea butter for latex allergies.
Lime & Charcoal is ideal for congested skin, like acne.
