Gifting Ideas · Own Your Story · Self-Care · Sustainable ·Mar 02, 2022

Own Your (Sustainable) Business Story: Lisse Shave

Our “Own Your Story” series continues!

Starting February 2nd, Sitti is featuring seven self care brands that focus on sustainability and clean living in our ongoing blog series titled "Own Your Story". This quarter, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in Sittis Consious Earth & Body Box.

Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our Consious Earth & Body Box; a box centered around sustainable self care. To learn more about our other quarterly Subscription Boxes, click here.

Introducing: Lisse Shave

What is your brand's purpose/mission?

I’m Amy, I’m the founder and one-woman show behind Lisse Shave. At Lisse Shave, I help folks ditch the plastic and toxins one razor at a time. Right now 10 billion plastic razors end up in landfills and oceans around the world every year. And plastic isn’t the only problem, there are so many toxic chemicals and hormone disruptors found in most of our shaving products.

What makes your brand unique? (What do your consumers love about your products?)

As a brand, I never want to enforce the message that body hair isn’t beautiful. I use my platform to help end the stigma and shame around various types of body hair, especially for women and non-binary folks. Shaving is a personal choice and I always say that IF you want to shave, then here’s a more sustainable way of doing it. But one of the main differences with my razors is they are lead-free.

There are lots of cheaper look-a-like brands on the market that use cheap brass that contain toxic amounts of lead without disclosing it to their customers. I use stainless steel and safe for consumers!

2% of gross razor sales also goes to our charity partner Femme International which empowers people with periods through menstrual health education in East Africa. So with every purchase you’re ditching the plastic, cutting the toxins, and supporting an awesome charity.

When did you begin this brand? How was it started? Please share your origin story. (Did you start it after college, as a hobby, etc.)

By 2050 it's predicted there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish. So initially, the environment was my biggest driver to start dabbling in the world of safety razors. What I didn't realize though was how much of a better shave it was, I couldn't believe it had taken me so long to make the switch. But the world of safety razors has always been seen as a man's razor' and seemed really intimidating, so I wanted to start the brand to end this stigma and show that anyone can use a safety razor. I had also previously worked in the beauty industry so I was fully aware of the toxic ingredients in our shaving products, so this background knowledge, along with having some design engineer friends, I was able to manufacture my razor!

Tell us a story that encapsulates the importance of sustainable self-care. Consider any particular situation in which you were able to witness the effects of how your products have helped or empowered others.

I try to use my social media platform to normalize body hair, shaving bumps, and ingrown hairs to help folks know that they're not alone with these things that can sometimes knock our confidence. I've had countless of DMs from people saying that some of my posts have brought them to tears because they always thought they were alone and that for me is the biggest highlight of my job, whether they use my razor or not. It's never been about 'just selling products' but creating a brand and a community that cares.

How do you define sustainable self-care?

I used to hear the term 'self-care' I immediately think of pampering sessions and spa days and would feel almost 'selfish' for indulging in myself. However, self-care can be as simple as taking some time out to meditate, go for a walk, or make a nice hot drink for yourself. I love the expression "you can't pour from an empty cup", the more you fill up your own cup the more you can give to others.

What does your sustainable self-care routine involve?

I love creating making my own skin and beauty products, it's so fun to learn about where ingredients come from and how they impact our body, it's fun to make and you feel so much more connected to your products. And a few of my favorite low-waste bathroom swaps: 1. Toothpaste tabs (or in a glass jar) 2. Reusable period pants and menstrual cups 2. Safety razor (obvs!) 3. Switching to soaps for body and hair 4. Bamboo toilet roll.

What sustainability goals do you have for your company in 2022?

I've worked endlessly to make sure that both my consumer packaging and packaging from my suppliers are plastic-free, recyclable, and/or compostable. At the end of 2021, I moved to some new manufacturers that share my vision for lowering waste and I was able to reduce my "behind the scenes" packaging waste by almost 50%. So 2022 is focused on continuing to optimize my whole supply chain and continue to work with our carbon-neutral shipping partner.

What other eco-friendly social enterprises do you admire? Why?

There are too many to list!

I buy all my reusable period products from Aisle and HelloCup. Not only are their products pretty life-changing but I so admire how both companies have opened up the discussion around periods which is often a topic that is met with embarrassment and shame.

Routine Cream deodorant has totally leveled up my deodorant game. I tried SO many natural deodorants that just didn't work until I found Routine. It's so important to not be rubbing toxic ingredients on our armpits so close to our lymph nodes so I love that they've made this beautiful product that's safe to use and smells gorgeous, the 'Curator' is my fav!

Yellow Beauty is another clean beauty favorite of mine. I love how simple and clean their products are, harnessing the powerhouse that is Turmeric, and each sale contributes to organizations that are helping to end child marriage.

What is your best advice for people aiming to be more sustainable in their day-to-day lives?

Start small, and be kind to yourself. When you start diving into the world of sustainability it can feel totally overwhelming. You could start by making 1 swap a month whether it's a plastic-free swap or a clean beauty swap, and use up what you have first!

Write down anything else you would like us to mention about your company!

If anyone is nervous about getting started with a safety razor, our handy leaflet has step-by-step instructions and our Instagram has lots of shaving tutorials in our 'how to reel.

Thank you Lisse Shave for sharing your story!

**DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT YOUR DISCOUNT!** Check out the Lisse Shave website and use code “Sitti10” at checkout for 10% off your purchase (expires end of April 2022).