Is a safety razor better for women? Here’s everything you need to know

Ironically, as soon as you broach the topic of safety razors for women, faces turn white, eyes widen and hearts pound. It’s ironic because safety razors are a significantly safer shaving solution for women than less environmentally-friendly options on the market. Really, the clue is right there in the name. 

But there’s still a lot of confusion about zero waste shaving options. And perhaps this is why you feel anxious about picking up a plastic free razor of your own?

Well, today we’re going to bust some myths and tell you why using a safety razor is much better for women!

A guide to safety razors for women

Before we tell you some of the reasons why you should consider switching to a unisex eco friendly safety razor, let’s bust some myths about this fabled beauty item.

Myth 1: Safety razors are for men

As much as major beauty brands will try to convince you otherwise, women and men fundamentally have exactly the same skin. That means, we can use the same razor - safety razor or otherwise. There really is no such thing as a ladies safety razor or a male safely razor - all are unisex. Women and men alike do need to wet the skin first and apply either a shaving gel or hair conditioner. Plus, if you have sensitive skin, you should moisturise afterwards as you usually would. 

Myth 2: It’s easier to cut yourself 

Wrong! It’s true that the blade of a typical double edge safety razor is sharper than disposal equivalents. But it’s actually harder to cut yourself when you use a DE razor. As long as you take it slowly whilst you get the hang of it. Also, the best safety razor choice for beginners is one that comes with a protective guard over the head which helps to prevent any knicks. Our unisex metal safety razor comes with exactly this function!

Myth 3: Safety razors are more expensive 

Not at all. Purchasing your reusable razor handle requires a one-off payment. For example, Jungle Straws offer either a bamboo or metal safety razor for women (and men) for £16.99. Once you’ve made that initial investment, your razor handle will last a lifetime - all you need to do is replace the blades. Each blade will provide you with 8 to 16 shaves on average. These blades can be replaced for as little as £3.99 for a pack of 10! Compare this with what you’re spending on your current disposal option…

Myth 4: Safety razors are old fashioned

Indeed, your safety razor is a form of traditional shaving. Safety razors have been around since the 18th century. Although, when they first arrived on the beauty scene, they were used exclusively by barbers. After all, as we said, these blades are known for their sharpness. But, throughout the past two centuries, unisex safety razors have developed to be used at home. Plus, we think our metal safety razor is anything but old fashioned!

6 reasons why using a safety razor is better for women

So if you’re still reading we assume that’s because you’re feeling slightly less intimidated at the thought of switching to a female-friendly safety razor? Now, let us tell you 6 reasons why a safety razor is an awesome decision for women!

1 - They challenge the pink tax

If you’re not already familiar with the pink tax, then listen up. Many beauty and grooming products are priced a fraction higher for women in comparison to the exact same product for men. That includes everything from ladies’ deodorant to girls’ clothing and yes, women’s razors. This sly tax equates to women paying around $1,300 per year more than men on products.

We passionately object to this, and this is why all our eco friendly safety razors are priced the same regardless of the gender of our customers. 

2 - A more sustainable shave 

If you’re looking to make your beauty routine more environmentally-friendly, ladies, you need a safety razor. It is believed that two billion disposable razors are thrown into landfill every year, where they contribute to plastic pollution. They are refused by recycling stations due to the mixture of materials used to create them, and because they are sharp objects. On the other hand, your DE razor blades can be recycled. You just need to locate your nearest recycling unit who accepts them. 

3 - Kinder to the skin

Unlike cartilage razors, our ladies double edge safety razor features a single blade. It’s true that this blade is sharper than a cartridge blade, however, it’s also much gentler on the skin. Modern disposable razors that use multiple blades tend to remove a top layer of skin or slice the hair at a poor angle. This can lead to pesky ingrown hairs, razor burn and painful bumps. Meanwhile, your lovely sharp safety razor slices the hair expertly - in one swoop. 

4 - More hygienic

The other benefit of shaving with double edge blades is that cause less drag on the skin. When you shave with disposal, multi-blade razor, you end up dragging the residue along your skin. This clogs the blades with soap, hair, skin - which is neither pleasant nor hygienic. With a safety blade, you don’t have this problem.

5. Gimmick-free 

Disposable razors are full of unnecessary gimmicks like silky moisturising strips, wedges of soap and additional blades. None of these is needed - they’re just marketing ploys to convince you that you need their product. Plus, half of these pieces end up causing the residue we mentioned above. A safety razor with a good shaving soap takes you back to simple traditional shaving methods. 

6. A more comfortable shaving experience

Safety razors are precision-engineered so that you don’t need to apply too much pressure, you only need to hold the razor lightly against your skin. Just make sure you hold it at a 45-degree angle for the most comfortable shave! 

Furthermore, in most cases, a DE razor is little longer than disposable razors. This makes tricky areas such as the underarms and bikini line easier to shave. Also, the single blade glides along smoothly and removes the hair in one swoop - so you only need to shave each section once.

HOW TO USE A SAFETY RAZOR

Have you ever wondered how to shave with a reusable safety razor? Well, it’s good news all round as safety razors are super easy to use and after a few attempts you will have mastered your brand new razor like a professional. We’ve included a handy little step by step guide below to give you a heads start.

1 - Before shaving, apply warm water and shaving soap/balm to the area that is to be shaved, whilst your safety razor soaks in warm water beside you.

2 - Once you’re ready, tilt your safety razor at a 45 degree angle and pull it gently over the skin allowing the weight of the razor to do the work. Ensure that you avoid any diagonal movements, or any quick swipes up and down.

3- After a few strokes, rinse your safety razor with warm water to avoid a build up of excess hair and once you’ve finished shaving, ensure that you thoroughly wipe your razor dry with a tissue or a cloth. This ensures that rust doesn’t build up on the razor blade.

4 - Once finished, store your eco friendly razor somewhere dry and out of the reach of young children.

Ready to switch to a female-friendly safety razor?

We hope you can answer yes to this question with confidence! The next question is which razor to buy?

We’d say that the best safety razor for beginners is a double-edged safety razor with a protective razor guard. This significantly reduces the chance of cutting yourself. Jungle Straws offer two different options that fit this quota; bamboo and metal. Both the bamboo razor and metal safety razor is equally suitable for women and men alike, so take your pick and enjoy your zero waste shave!

We’d love to hear how you get on so please do drop us a comment below or message us on Instagram with your feedback! For further reading, please check out our blog post over at Jungle Culture which discusses 7 reasons not to fear your safety razor or check out this helpful sustainable razor guide over at Beeco.

At Jungle Straws we are dedicated to creating beautiful  and sustainable products that you can feel good about using. We ensure that all of our products are 100% plastic free, and every bit of packaging that we use is recyclable. These are just a couple of ways that we are trying to make a difference in the world.

Jungle Straws is a proud member of the 1% for the Planet global organisation & movement. We pledge 1% of our sales to the preservation & restoration of the natural environment. We donate to domestic & international grassroots & environmental groups which helps make a difference in their local communities.