A perfect wet shave with less waste

At Ethically Engineered, Joe and I get great questions about how to achieve the perfect wet shave:

Andy - Chicago

"For years, I’ve been using razors with disposable cartridge blades but lately I feel like between the fancy shaving creams and those expensive refills (I go through a cartridge a week), I’m spending a pretty penny and generating quite a bit of waste. Dry shaving with an electric razor seems like the more eco and economically sensible choice. Any thoughts on which would be best shaving tool for a hirsute guy like myself, my wallet and for the planet?"


EPA Fact:  The U.S. throws away 2 billion disposable razors each year.

We'd like to suggest the humble safety razor that our Dads and Grandads have used for great wet shaves every time.  Ethically Engineered has started to carry a line of low cost double blade safety razors that won't hurt the wallet too much; while saving the waste of plastic razors in the landfill or even worst -- contributing to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.  Yikes.

Simply use the twist and release handle to access, remove and replace your disposable shaving blades.  When used in tandem with the vegan shaving brush you'll find that a traditional wet shave is as quick and efficient as using a foam can and plastic razors but with much less waste.

You'll remember from our previous postings that the shave brushes have a two part affect.

A vegan shaving brush, when quickly run under hot water and rubbed over your Razor's Edge Shaving Puck or Tin, will produce a mug full of lather in less than ten seconds.

The lather will sit on top of the nylon hairs of the brush rather than being absorbed which happens with animal hair brushes.  Running these fibers over your whiskers acts to set up your beard for a better shave every time with a straighter and truer cut leading to less irritation and ingrown hairs.

Did you know that Pogonophobia is the fear of beards?

Handling Flu Season In Eco-Friendly Ways

A Look at Cloth Handkerchiefs, Tissues and Antibacterial Gels

Cotton handkerchiefs can be more absorbent than paper, as the fabric can expand when moist, and dry off. There is also less friction, as paper is coarser, and often chaps noses when blown frequently. Using a soft flannel hanky for those with runny noses can ease the burn on peeling skin.

While it is debatable whether washing a load of handkerchiefs and air-drying them on a rack saves money or is less energy efficient than buying a box of paper tissues, there are some considerations. Cloth handkerchiefs reduce the toll on our forests, and with a cold water wash and minimal detergent, a load of 40 hankies is roughly the size of two double-sized bed sheets: a small- to average-sized load when all are washed at once.

Having re-usable hankies for use at home will cost less and be easier on your nose and wallet.

Full Story by Naomi Szeben

If you have a cold you will produce more mucus and might want to rinse your hankie in warm water and hydrogen peroxide to keep it naturally fresh and white.  Check out these handmade gems from our friends at banoo.

The Chicago Bar travels to New York

Every so often Joe and I get a nice email from a fan who wants to take The Chicago Bar to different parts of the country or the world.  From weddings in Jamaica, to holiday gifts in Amsterdam or just for gift giving to a misplaced Chicago-an who is missing the thrum of the city ; we really enjoy getting photos of our humble little high lather emissary on the road.  So it was nice to receive this little request from Kelly.

"Hi! I've been sending your amazing Chicago bar soap to friends/family in NY and I'm heading over this weekend and wanted to bring some! I went to XXXXXXX and XXXXX and both are out. Is there any way I could get some before tomorrow?"

Kelly C. -- Chicago

We are happy to report that she was able to drop by the studios to pick up a couple of bars before heading out and we hope that mornings will be a little bit brighter in Syracuse with a shower full of rich moisturizing suds and our invigorating RX of coffee for the senses;  peppermint.

Send us your pictures of  The
Chicago Bar travelling and joining you on your adventures wherever they may take you.

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Try Organic Soap

Organic soap is made out of 100% natural ingredients that don’t cause harm to your skin. This has become the preferred soap for more and more people because over the years, ingredients in most commercial soap found on supermarket shelves have been revealed to have bad side effects.

Regular mass-produced soap often have harmful ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate, which is a heavy-duty industrial cleaner used for floors.

They also include alcohol products which dry the skin, and fragrances that cause allergies and other skin reactions.

On the other hand, organic soap is safe and pure, made completely from plant, fruit, and vegetable extracts. These ingredients have been harvested on a purely organic method, which means that farmers did not make use of any chemicals or artificial pesticides and other means to speed up their growth and production.

These pesticides, in the long run, harm the soil and the plants, instead of helping to make them fertile for future growth. They also end up in our water systems and pollute the air.

Additionally, it also means that the production of organic soap did not harm farmers, plants, or fight natural growth processes in order to harvest. Organic soap is produced completely environmentally friendly.

Top 5 reasons why organic soap is something you must try

1. It is not tested on animals. By living healthy and switching to organically produced soap, you are also helping to save an animal’s life.

2. Ingredients used are all-natural and safe, and are also great for sensitive skin. Commercially produced soaps are loaded with artificial ingredients, preservatives and additives that lead to breakouts, acne, allergies, and other skin conditions.

3. You will be able to easily feel the difference once you start using organic soap. You will never want to go back to using commercially produced soap again, because your skin will instantly feel healthy, smooth, and moisturized.

4. You will greatly reduce the toxins you are putting into your body when you are using organic soap. The chemicals found in regular soap have serious side effects, such as cancer, brain damage, and damage to the nervous system. They may not be felt right away, but over a longer period of time these can build up inside your system and cause serious disease later on in life.

5. Organic soap is pumped with natural moisturizers that leave your skin feeling light, refreshed, and moisturized, even on humid days.

Organic soap is safe and friendly for everyone, so it’s something you should consider when doing the groceries for your family next time.

However, you shouldn’t pick just about any soap products in the aisles. It’s important to review labels carefully, because many brands can label themselves as organic when in fact they mix the ingredients with other chemical products.

Some of the common ingredients in organic soap are the following:

* Colorants from nature

* Sustainably sourced Palm Oil

* Coconut Oil

* Plant matter

* Peppermint

* Sea salt

* Olive oil

* Essential oils

Source: Alternative Medicine Zone

Why would I need a shave brush?

Hey Hey!

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.

Oils from Bergamot, Grapefruit and Petitgrain are essential, uplift ones spirits, decrease anxiety and depression. Also antiseptic, antispasmodic and deodorizing agent.

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.

In Chicago, vegan and don't have a lot of money to waste?

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.

http://chicagoveganco-op.wikispaces.com/

Ethically Engineered Tour Date Announced

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.