Last night, at the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs event in Vancouver (I work for a tremendously driven woman) I met the talented people behind Well Kept.

Natalie and Emilie are all about women empowerment and living sustainably.

“We were looking for simple products, with natural ingredients and appealing aesthetics and got stuck on not being able to find an alternative for plastic, baby blue razors.”

Among their beautiful branding and perfectly curated booth were some safety razors. For those who are unsure what they are, a safety razor is an older style of the non-reusable metal blade holder and handle with a sharp razor blade screwed in. After 5 or 6 shaves, you unscrew and put in a new one. The replacements are very cheap, in fact, here’s 100 for less than $18!

They reminded me of the stress I feel around buying a new type of disposable razor. There are so many types, they’re expensive, and they’re incredibly wasteful. A few shaves and the whole thing goes in the trash. There are some fancy ones that vibrate, have vitamin E in the moisture strip, even though you’re never going to absorb a micron of nutrients from a razor. Then there’s the pricing structures of 2 blades + 1 bonus, or 1 head but it has 3 razors in one blade. Confused? Me too. I’ve actually left a store because I couldn’t deal with it anymore.

So, wanting to support a local company, and in love with their style, I bought a safety razor and gave it a go.

First of all, if you’re going to do the same, remember that it takes a few days for your face (and anything else you want to shave) needs a short while to adapt from an electric razor to a blade. Stubble from an electric razor can be tricky. It hurts a little, but after a couple of shaves, you’ll be back to a smooth-skinned wonder.

I have to say that, yes I know the Well Kept brand is aimed at women, but I have started to spend a little more time caring about my skin, and I’m happy to embrace a little education from those who know what they’re talking about.

The razor is made from painted brass which gives it a really satisfying balance and weight. I didn’t have to push down on it, just guide it across my face after opening the follicles with warm water and moisturising with some shaving foam.

The trick to a smooth shave seems to be keeping the skin tight. So I pulled on my cheek and let the razor slowly cut through my stubble. I kept the strokes short and rinsed it each time.

Afterward, my skin was so smooth that it’ll buy me a couple of days of not having to shave, which is perfect because I am really fed up of doing it every day to look smart for work.

The whole act of shaving with this kind of blade feels very classy. The simplicity is the beauty and it’s so nice to be able to separate myself from the heavily commercialised soccer player- sponsored novelty razors that you see on TV.

This feels very grown up and I really like it. I like that it’s a local company who are making tools for a better lifestyle. No more plastic waste, no more nonsense of colourful toys aimed at those just discovering a need for a razor.

As well as razors, the team make bath salts, shave oil, and washcloths, all beautifully designed. They’re the kind of products that make you want to redecorate, dress nicely, and generally improve your life.

So, are you going to make the switch?

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