Stay Away from the Razor's Edge

by Leslie Aronson — July 6, 2008

Shaving is a pain. It's one of those things I feel obligated to do during the summer (let's face it, I'm lazy and spend the majority of the winter hiding behind jeans; and I've tried the no-shaving thing in hot weather, and it's definitely not for me). Which is one reason I've recently converted to waxing. The biggest plus is that it lasts a lot longer than the average shave, so you don't have to do it as often. In addition, it's more environmentally friendly, especially if you make your own wax. Most shaving gels and creams contain all kinds of funky chemicals that get washed down the drain and, some say, never actually get filtered out of the water (like many other chemicals such as birth control, anti-depressants, and who know what else) and so have a negative impact on humans as well as the environment. By not shaving, you're also not contributing to the waste factor by putting plastic disposable razors or the plastic refill cartridges in landfills. Waxing does require using some form of material to yank the hair out of your body, but if you use cloth strips, you can wash and reuse them. By making your own wax instead of buying it at the store, you reduce your general consumption, save money, and engage in a more sustainable lifestyle. Here's a simple recipe you can make at home: ½ cup each of honey, lemon juice, and sugar. Put ingredients in a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 3 to 4 minutes. Or heat thoroughly on the stovetop, but be careful not to burn the mixture.