What are your New Year's resolutions?
Although lists of resolutions are a bit cliché, we have still made a summary of the 5 most popular resolutions. These good intentions for the new year do not just come out of nowhere. No, we hear this daily from our customers. Are these also your resolutions?
Switching to the safety razor
This is actually no longer a new resolution. For several years now, we have seen that many men are switching from the multi-blade cartridge razor to the safety razor. We regularly hear from customers that they find the expensive Gillette or Wilkinson razor blades ridiculously expensive. They then search online for an alternative and come across the safety razor. On various shaving forums, one reads many enthusiastic stories from users or watches the numerous videos of shaving gentlemen on YouTube. 2023 will be the year of the safety razor. Even more people will switch, buy it, and start shaving with it.
Many customers switch for the following reasons:
- Saves money
- Universal shaving system
- More sustainable and better for the environment
- Shaves just as smoothly and comfortably or even much better than the multi-blade shaving system
- The razor holders are more beautiful and more elegant than the standard plastic and rubber handles of well-known retail brands
Back to basics: classic wet shaving
Life is becoming increasingly hectic and complicated. Many men try to simplify their daily lives and increasingly appreciate classic wet shaving. Away with those complicated electric razors, plastic disposable products, and chemical spray nonsense. We need to enjoy simplicity and beautiful things in life again. We regularly hear from customers that they would like to shave again like their grandfathers used to. Grandpa at least knew how to do it. He took his time and used a nice scented shaving soap. He would spend several minutes lathering up shaving soap with a beautiful shaving brush made of boar or badger hair. He, of course, shaved with a metal safety razor or a stunning straight razor with a wooden handle. After shaving, he would use an old-fashioned aftershave splash, and he would smell fresh again.
For many customers, shaving is a 'must-do'. After a few weeks of classic wet shaving, we regularly hear that shaving is no longer a necessary morning routine. Instead, they find shaving to be a delightful zen moment. They enjoy the shaving ritual.
Less plastic in the bathroom
We all know those images of floating plastic in the oceans. When you look around in the bathroom, you are shocked by how many personal care products come in plastic: everything is in a plastic jar or bottle. Many of our customers are concerned about the environment and try to reduce their use of plastic. Manufacturers are responding by developing and producing shampoo and shower bars. Over the past year, we have further expanded our range with these solid soaps.
A shampoo bar is actually much more economical and convenient to use. It does exactly the same as a regular liquid shampoo or shower gel. By now, there is a bar for every type of skin or hair. Most shampoo bars come in a cardboard box or a metal tin. Once it's used up, you can use the tin for loose screws or nails in your hobby shed.
Synthetic shaving brush instead of Badger hair
5 to 10 years ago, the supply of synthetic shaving brushes was very limited. Everyone used or bought a shaving brush made of Badger hair. Manufacturers, such as Edwin Jagger and Muhle started expanding their range of synthetic shaving brushes about 5 years ago. Various types of synthetic hairs came onto the market: Black fibre and Silvertip fibre. The Black fibre hairs are slightly stiffer than the Silvertip fibre hairs. These synthetic hairs feel just as soft and comfortable as the different types of Badger hairs.
More and more of our customers are also asking for a synthetic shaving brush because they have ethical concerns. The hairs from the Badger all come from China. Well, we know that they don't treat people and animals very kindly in China. It has now reached the point that the major shaving brush manufacturers are investing more in synthetic hairs and are gradually phasing out Badger hair.
More natural artisanal shaving products
Compared to 5 years ago, many artisanal shaving and beard brands have been introduced to the market. We have also purchased many new brands in recent years. These are shaving products that are produced on a small scale and by hand. The sales of these brands have also increased significantly. These small brands experiment a lot with natural and pure plant or animal ingredients. They also use many exciting and exotic essential oils.
Many of our customers are tired of the standard mass brands and are looking for honest products without all sorts of vague synthetic ingredients. The large mass brands are focused on mass sales and minimal costs. Because as many people as possible must find it pleasant, you get the 'airplane food effect'. As a result, many of these personal care products smell the same.
Are you also tired of your cheap shaving soap or aerosol foam? Then switch over and use a nice artisanal shaving soap or aftershave balm with a nice scent.
