SCARY SWAPS: ALBATROSS FLAGSHIP BUTTERFLY EXTRA LONG RAZOR
Most of the time, making the switch from single-use items to sustainable products is simple. There is not a lot of risk involved when replacing Ziplock baggies with Stashers, utilizing reusable mesh produce bags instead of the wasteful plastic bags from the grocery store, or traveling everywhere with your favorite refillable water bottle to cut down on plastic consumption.
But every so often, a sustainable substitution can seem a bit…intimidating. Never fear! Lite Foot is here to help you wade through the murky waters of replacing some of your more sensitive household items with eco-friendly options in our new series “Scary Swaps.”
Today, we’ll discuss ditching disposable razors for the Albatross Flagship Butterfly Extra Long Razor. If you’ve never seen a safety razor before, it looks like a prop from a movie set in an 1890’s barber shop. It’s got some real Sweeny Todd vibes. Luckily, Lite Foot customer, Laura Ramirez, accepted the challenge of making this scary swap, and she’s here to share her experiences with our readers.
Laura has been a Savannah resident since 2016 when she moved to Georgia to attend Savannah College of Art and Design. She studied abroad in Hong Kong for her undergraduate degree in fashion, and her time oversees opened her eyes to opportunities to reduce her carbon footprint as a designer. She was inspired by the changes fashion businesses were making to create sustainable products in a field typically admonished for its wastefulness.
While Laura’s always been interested in pursuing a green lifestyle, her mindset and purchases evolved as she pursued her Master’s in Design for Sustainability. Laura started thinking about sustainable products on a higher level, including how she, as a designer, could create shifts to encourage consumers to be more mindful of their product purchases and behaviors.
“As time goes on, I’ve become more conscious and more aware of what I’m purchasing, what I’m supporting, and what I’m designing,” said Laura.
Her first visit to Lite Foot Company happened upon a chance encounter. She was on a bike ride with several friends, and when they stopped by the water for a break, they noticed a flyer for a nearby market. They decided to explore the pop-up, and Laura recognized Lite Foot Company from its promotions on social media.
Laura with a group of friends on a bike ride before her first visit to Lite Foot Company.
Laura and Katie connected about their passions for eco-friendly living and bettering the community. Laura made her first Lite Foot purchase that day.
“I remember buying the dishwasher pods, and we were in biking gear,” Laura said. “I was like ‘Where are we going to put these?’”
Katie jumped in with the assist and provided Laura with a jar from the free bin to aid in her ride home.
Since then, Laura’s become a regular at Lite Foot Company, and she’s tried a variety of products in her pursuit of an eco-ethical lifestyle. But it was actually Laura’s sister who pushed her to purchase the Albatross safety razor.
It’s kind of funny,” said Laura. “My sister—she’s not as sustainable as I am, but I kept telling her that I was going to try the [safety] razor. She found one in Mexico. She bought it, and I was like ‘I cannot believe my sister bought the razor, and I’m still using plastic razors.’
With the encouragement of her sister and the recommendations from a variety of social media platforms, Laura received her safety razor as a Christmas present in 2021. However, she did not immediately jump into the tub and start shaving away. Laura was hesitant to use the safety razor as she was nervous about cuts. So, she continued to use her final disposable razor for around another 30 days.
Laura is not alone in her hesitation to swap her disposable razor for a reusable safety razor.
In the 90’s the Environmental Protection Agency issued a report stating the United States produces 2 billion throwaway razors each year. As of 2020, over 158 million people in the country were still buying disposable razors. And one major issue with these types of razors, in addition to the overwhelming numbers consumed, is the fact that they are very difficult to recycle. They are made from variety of mixed materials. The handles are often plastic and rubber. The head contains metal blades surrounded by a plastic frame. Outside of dropping your used disposable razors at a TerraCycle bin or shipping them into the company to recycle, there are not many of viable options to ensure these items get reused.
The first time Laura used her razor, the process went relatively smooth. However, during her second attempt, she found herself dealing with a nasty cut. Laura quickly identified her mistakes, noting that she applied too much pressure and did not concentrate on the angle of the shave. She was able to regroup and has not had an incident shaving since that experience.
The process of shaving with a safety razor will look a bit different when you’re first staring out. If you’re like me, you shave your legs and pits like a maniac, attempting to get through the entire routine in three minutes flat. But Laura said that’s a mistake. She recommends you go slow and really pay attention to how the razor feels on your skin.
Laura also said that she uses shave gel because her skin is sensitive. However, she recommends that other customers use whatever is proven to work best for them. I personally use Lite Foot Company’s clean shave soap with my safety razor, and it’s kept me smooth and razor-burn free for almost of year.
“It’s one of those products where, yes, it’s scary, but I feel like, as with any product that has a blade on it, you just have to be careful,” said Laura.
Her advice for new safety razor shavers is to go slow, pay attention to the angles, don’t apply too much pressure, and be gentle with your skin as you grow accustomed to this new style of shaving.
In addition to her safety razor, Laura has some LFC product recommends for readers. She said she loves the Dish Block. She’s had her block for about six months, and it has not run out yet! She’s a fan of the dish washing brushes to use with her block, as well as the detergent pods when she opts to use the dishwasher.
She also enjoys using the Abeego Beeswax Food Wraps, and of course, Stasher bags.
Laura’s next adventure is a trip to Miami, and she plans to take her safety razor along for the ride. She’ll be reporting back to give us all the details on how TSA responds to packing a safety razor in carry-on luggage!
If you are interested in making a sustainable swap to a safety razor, check out these links to the Albatross Flagship Butterfly Razor as well as the replacement blades, which can be returned back to Lite Foot Company or Albatross after use for upcycling.
Are you already the proud owner of your very own safety razor? Leave a comment about your experience below or email us at blog@litefootcompany.com to share your thoughts on this product!