Michelle emailed us this morning. Here's what she had to say about The Razor's Edge shaving soap:
"My man bought the razor's edge. It smells great and we love the message of your company.
He scooped some out into his palm, added water and tried to mix it with his fingers. It didn't change consistency much. Suggestions for what he should do differently to make this lather?
(if you must use a brush, we think that should say so on the package. we don't have a brush!) thx!"
Issue: In returning to the 'good ol days' of chemical free shaving we are two or three generations past the use of shave brushes. The way I was taught to get a proper shave has passed just as the "greatest generation' in large part has departed. So we need to retrain ourselves how to get a truly great shave.
Resolution: We emailed Michelle and are sending a brush her way and including her suggestion in our next label printing. But fair warning here. Shave brushes are ideal for getting the best out of natural shave soaps; whatever the brand. Shave brushes whip up tons of suds and don't require the use of toxic foaming agents that change the sex of fish and effect testosterone levels. Most commercial shave creams contain nasty toxins like Triclosan, Triethalolamine, Phthalates and Sodium lauryl sulfates. Our shaving soap uses certified organic ingredients and will not put toxins on your face or into the bio-sphere. Likewise, our shave brushes are nylon, vegan and non-toxic. For more great info on out pledge to great shaving read our blog on why synthetic nylon shave brushes produce a better shave than brushes made from animal hair like boar, horse, or badger at EthicallyEngineered.com.
Have a great week.
Cheers,
Jack and Joe Ethically Engineered The power of the Sun compels us. Phone: 63-NEW-ETHIC or 636-393-8442
Each day the power of the mind amazes me with new and wonderful records broken. A Swiss led team of engineers and researchers has managed to complete a 26 hour flight in a Solar Powered plane called the Solar Impulse. Huge solar panels stored the power during the day and the plane amazingly flew overnight. The news of the Solar Impulse's accomplishment is remarkable and they were able to reach a hight of 28,000 feet. Plans are in the works to circle the globe with a new plane and work will begin on that project soon.
The panels Joe and I use to power our facility pull in 15% of a charge even at night. Simply amazing. However, we hope these efficiencies will be seen as the vault bar to raise higher and higher each week, month, and year as we embrace renewable energy. It is simply amazing to be living in during what the scientific community agrees is a tipping point. Each day I am looking for signs that the compassionate evolution is indeed occurring and today's landing has filled me with renewed optimism that a 'Manhattan Project' of green technology can push us forward in the struggle to maintain and improve our precious bio-sphere.
This weekend's Green Music Festival was a great time. Listeneing to the Wailers and The Aggrolites was amazing and we made so many new friends. Thanks to everyone who came out and thanks as well to all the support of our carbon neutral process.
It's back to work today and I'm making small batches of our zen-ful Bergamot and Grapefruit high lather body bars and massage oil today. Ohmmmm. They say if you truly love your work you never work a day in your life. So true.
Bergamot’s distinctive citrus smell helps lift a blue mood, builds confidence and self-esteem. Coming from the Citrus bergamia tree its oil is mechanically cold-pressed from the fruit’s rind. I've obtained the finest quality oil however which is hand-pressed.
Grapefruit oil is believed to reduce cellulite and fluid retention, as well as reducing muscle aches and pains when massaged into the affected area. The oil is obtained from the fresh peel of the fruit, by means of a process known as cold expression; which involves rupturing the fresh peel and pressing out the essence or zest.
Check out the Chicago Vegan Co-op buying club to get discounts and wholesale pricing. Buy in bulk or get your friends together and chip in on some Daiya Cheese for pizza night or pick up those great vegan hikers for the upcoming trek. Saving money is fun and an ethical plant based diet should be rewarded. Tell all your friends.
Don't miss Green Music Fest on Chicago Avenue between Ashland and Noble, Saturday and Sunday, June 26th & 27th from 12-10pm. The innovative green technology-themed event reflects our eco-conscious city by fusing environmentally-friendly bands with green vendors, local retailers, arts & crafts, and educational kid’s activities. greenmusicfestchicago.com
We had a great time, last year, turning new friends onto the No-Bottle Shampoo and Conditioning Bars while listing great bands like Art Brut.
This year's event features great live music on the main stage with the legendary reggae band The Wailers plus The Aggrolites headlining Saturday 6/26, and indie-rock legends Cloud Cult and David Bazan headlining 6/27.
Both Joe and I have been, and continue to be, deeply troubled about the effects of chemicals in our bio-sphere. Toxins are poorly regulated and tested prior to them being approved by the Federal Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, or the United States Department of Agriculture.
For those of you that have asked why we refuse to use chemical fragrances and only use essential oil in our products the answer is only as far as your shower drain. Ethically Engineered’s mission includes the promise to only use ingredients that safely and harmlessly return to the water table and our planet.
In this article from CNN detailing the “5 toxins that are everywhere” you’ll find the problems, research and solutions to avoiding chemicals like the following:
bisphenol A, or BPA; phthalates; PFOA; formaldehyde; and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PDBEs
Ethically Engineered will never contain the Phthalates.
What they do: This family of chemicals softens plastics. They also are used to bind chemicals together.
Where they’re found: Shampoos, conditioners, body sprays, hair sprays, perfumes, colognes, soap, nail polish, shower curtains, medical tubing, IV bags, vinyl flooring and wall coverings, food packaging and coatings on time-release pharmaceuticals.
How we’re exposed: Absorbed into the body through personal care products, ingested in drugs, on food, in water and dust. Infants can be exposed through infant care products like baby shampoos, lotions and powders. Fetuses are exposed in the womb. Virtually everyone is exposed to phthalates.
Health effects: A new study by the Mount Sinai Center for Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research found a statistical association between prenatal exposure to phthalates and incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder years later. Phthalates are considered endocrine disrupters, and studies have shown a statistical association between phthalate exposure and male sexual development. Research has also shown phthalates disrupt reproductive development of male laboratory animals.
Regulation: Phthalates are an EPA “chemical of concern.” The FDA allows for plastic containing phthalate in flexible food packaging. The U.S. government last year banned or restricted six phthalates for use in children’s toys and children’s products.
What you can do to reduce exposure:Avoid shampoos, conditioners and other personal care products that list “fragrance” as an ingredient. These may contain phthalates. (Companies are not required to disclose the ingredients in their scents, and the industry says this phthalate is safe.) The federal government recently ended one source of exposure, banning the sale of toys containing any of six phthalates.
Joe and I got a great question today from a recent customer who purchased The Razor’s Edge Shave creme.
The Razor's Edge 2 oz Shave Tin with synthetic brush
Q:
I bought your ‘Razor’s Edge Shaving Soap’ and am having difficulties using the stuff. I’m a guy who’s used to shaving w/ a Barbasol shaving cream that shoots out of an aerosol can, so I may just be confused. What I did was wet two of my fingers, rub the shaving soap straight out of the tin to try and work up a lather of some sort, and in the end pretty much got nothing, not nearly enough lather to even shave 1/4 of my face with. Any advice on how to use this stuff? Hopefully I’m just not using it correctly,because I was excited as Hell when I found this…
-Coppens
A: A great shave has 3 main ingredients: a good razor, a good brush, and a ‘true soap’ shaving cream with natural plant based emollients. But the biggest difference between wet-shaving and the way most guys shave today is the use of a shaving brush. A good shaving brush is the single most important ingredient in getting the perfect shave.
For years I bought the cans and smeared cheap factory chemical creams on my face and never looked into nor even glanced at the ingredient list. But a few years ago I started checking into what I was washing down into the water tables. Nasty toxins that were bad for the planet but also toxic to my skin. Now why would the shave can companies add toxins to creams that go on some of our most sensitive skin? Profit? Corporate nastiness? Probably not. (source: Good Guide) Most likely these chemicals are added to create the illusion of quality like foaming agents or that icy cool blue color. Remember that they’re in competition with the other companies for your dollars so if one shave cream appears to be better or easier to use then most likely the trick will help to sell more. But ditching the extra packaging and chemicals for a creamy ‘real’ shaving soap and brush will deliver the best shave. And using a brush is also the best possible way to prepare your skin and whiskers for the closest, most comfortable shave.
The next tool you need for wet-shaving is a razor. And by razor, I mean whatever high-quality, NON-DISPOSABLE razor you feel most comfortable with. I know, I know, disposables are cool because that’s what they hand out in jail, but they’re extremely hard on your skin because the quality of the blades isn’t as good as a cartridge razor, or better yet, the kind of razor that serious wet-shavers use: the classic double-edge safety razor!
Coppens, get us your details and we’ll work it out for you to pick up an Ethically Engineered shaving brush. No badgers, or animals, were harmed in the making of this brush. We’ll get you on the way to a great shave with less irritations as well as a chemical free process. Good for your skin and better for the planet.
For others interested in getting a great shave I’ve included a short course.
1. Wash your face with an exfoliate facial wash. Some people like to use a hot wash cloth. The heat and moisture will help to soften your beard (if you have one) and lift up the hairs, as well as open your pores. However, be careful that the water isn’t too hot. Hot water slackens skin and pulls moisture away.
2. Have your shave kit ready for when you finish washing your face so you can start right away before your beard has a chance to dry and your pores have a chance to close. Put some cold water in the wash basin and let your blade linger in the chill waters (hot water will only make the blade expand and be duller).
3. Apply your shaving cream with a shaving brush. The brush will further help to soften your beard and exfoliate your skin. It also helps to float the whiskers out away from the blades while you are shaving. Letting the lubricant sit on your face for up to a minute can amplify its effects.
4. Start with one side of your face and work steadily towards the other side, doing small sections at a time. This way you won’t miss anything. Use short, light, downward strokes (with the grain) to remove the bulk of the hair. Use your free hand to pull your skin tight. Rinse the blade often to keep it from clogging. Swirl it around in the filled sink and tap the razor against the side of the sink to free up beard trimmings. Continue until you have shaved your entire face in a downward direction.
5. Rinse your face in cool water and pat dry with a clean towel. It’s said that Paul Newman had a ritual ice bath after a hot shave to tighten the pores. Not a bad idea but the natural peppermint oils in The Razor’s Edge will tighten the pores around the whiskers as well. Apply a non-alcohol shaving balm. This is not always needed, however, I recommend it if you have sensitive skin. Aloe and tea tree oil can help prevent dry skin and razor burn. However, if you are going to use Tea Tree Oil, it should be at a very low concentration, since it’s potentially irritating to freshly-shaved skin.
6. And finally, take care of your shaving implements. Keep your soap tin dry by turning it over on a drying plate and use the cover to keep free radicals out of the creme. Rinse and dry your equipment thoroughly, and store in a dry place. Clean equipment is less likely to introduce bacteria and infection to your open, freshly shaved pores. Change the blades as needed. A dull blade will leave your face feeling raw and sore, and is much more likely to cause razor burn.
Jason Holland, a veteran of the shave as well as the owner of Male Concept in Eastbourne England, has found results similar to my own findings when using a Badger Brush in competition with the superior synthetic bristles. Check out the synthetic bristles’ TKO:
Ethically Engineered debuts at the West Town Do-Division Festival
Joe and I had a great time at the Do-Division street festival in West Town/Ukrainian Village. The Empty Bottle did a great job of setting up the bands and organizing the event. But it was the combination of the great music and some fantastic weather that really brought out the party vibe. We made tons of new friends and got a little bit of color while whipping up some suds and hanging out. Thanks to everyone who came out and joined us.
Ethically Engineered with Mercy for Animals at the Greenfest Chicago
Joe and I jumped at the chance to debut our products at this year’s Chicago GreenFest. Even better; Mercy For Animals gave us the opportunity to show off our months of hard work and the new product line while helping to raise money for a cause we strongly support. May 16th and 17th we shared a table with MFA and greeted visitors to the Navy Pier Festival while talking about the work to end the cruelty of Factory Farming. All in all the two days went well and seemed more of a chance for me to interact with old friends and make some new ones. J and the guys from Chicago Soy Dairy were on hand with yummy ice cream cones. Upton’s Naturals had these really great calzones that I cannot recommend enough and the Team from Chicago VeganMania were getting the word out about this year’s vegan festival happening October 10th @ Pulaski Park near the Blue Line Division stop. All in all it was a great time and I can’t wait for next year.
Packaging is a problem. It clutters our streets, chokes our landfills, and often takes a very long time to break down. Walking the streets of Chicago you can get a sense of how much plastic has become a part of our scenery. How much it’s become a benefit and bother to our daily lives. So, if we’ve decided to keep the football helmets and nylon climbing ropes but avoid the water bottles, takeout food and excess packaging what are a few easy steps in doing this? A Life Less Plastic, one of Chicago’s bloggers, has cronicled her adventures in a world of unnecessary petroleum stuff. She’s provided some helpful insight.
Ten Tips for Reducing Your Plastic Consumption
1. Bring Your Own Bag: The EPA reports that between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are used each year worldwide. Avoid this needless waste by always carrying a bag or two with you and be sure to bring grocery bags and produce bags with you when you go to the market. Ecobags offers a wide variety of cotton and string bags that a great for grocery shopping, and you can also probably find great canvas bags at your local thrift shop. See here for tips on how to remember your grocery bags when you go shopping.
2. Drink Tap Water: Americans consume at least 22 billion bottles of water each year (I’ve also seen statistics reporting much greater numbers), and nearly all of these plastic bottles end up in the landfill. Unless you have serious water quality or taste issues, this is an easy way to curb usage. Here’s an additional list of reasons not to drink bottled water.
3. Buy from Bulk Bins: This is a great way to avoid buying food products in plastic packaging. Stores like Whole Foods offer granola, cereal, dried fruit, dried beans, nuts, candy, and grains that you can bring home with reusable cloth bags. Use the internet to find out if you have stores in your area with bulk bins.
4. Carry a Reusable Water Bottle: Sometimes you just need a drink, so be sure to carry a reusable water bottle with you. Don’t forget that Nalgene bottles are made of polycarbonate, a type of plastic that is likely to have many adverse health effects.
5. Bring Your Own Mug: If you love hot beverages, be sure to carry along a mug. Stainless steel mugs are a great option.
6. Discover Fresh Foods: Almost all processed foods come in plastic in some form or another. Buy fresh fruits and veggies (be sure to use your produce bags!), get your meat wrapped in paper from the meat counter, and find a deli where you can get your cheese in paper.
7. Do Some Baking: Lots of baked goods that usually come packed in plastic can be made easily at home. Favorite examples include cookies and bread. Note that breadmakers turn baking bread into an easy task and are simple to find at local thrift stores and garage sales.
8. Enjoy Slow Food: Among the many ills of fast food, it’s almost impossible to avoid plastic packaging when eating at a place like McDonald’s. That means it’s time to slow down and start cooking your own meals. If your new to cooking, Allrecipes.com has an amazing collection of user-reviewed recipes.
9. Kick Your Soda Habit: Americans consume billions of bottles and cans of soda each year (note that aluminum cans are lined with plastic to prevent the aluminum from leeching into your soda). To avoid this waste and possible health consequences, pour yourself a glass of agua from the tap.
10. Use Natural Cleaning Products: Products like baking soda and vinegar don’t have to come packed in plastic and are multi-purpose and effective. Learn more about natural cleaning products to reduce your plastic consumption.