I participated in an online Christmas calendar contest in december. It was run by a Norwegian organic beauty store called Skinlove. The contest offered daily prizes and was quite simple. I just had to answer a daily question related to organic beauty. Unexpectedly, I won on Christmas and the prize that day was a 500 NOK gift card (roughly 50 € or 60 $).

Because of the contest and a huge sale following the holidays, some of the items I had been looking at were sold out. I had to wait until they were in stock which is why I'm posting this so late.

I bought the following items with my gift card

• Wooden hair brush by Redecker
• Natural bristle hair brush by Redecker
• Hair Oil for dry and damaged hair by Badger
• Face Tan Water by Eco By Sonya

The wooden hair brush is amazing! It is so gentle on my hair and scalp. I cannot believe I didn't get one earlier. Both of the wooden brushes prevent static which is nice too. The natural bristle brush is good for distributing hair oil and brushing out fine knots and tangles. I'm also very satisfied with the hair oil by Badger. It is moisturizing, leaving my hair soft and shiny as well as having a lovely citrus scent. I've only tried Eco By Sonya's Face Tan Water once. I think I need to give this product a few more tries. I read the reviews and people were pleased because they got very even results, but I am exceptionally pale and my ended up a little patchy. I'm still overall satisfied with my purchase.

I have accumulated a nice little collection of organic makeup products with nearly plastic-free packaging. I have already reviewed some of these products and I'll leave links to those reviews. However, I've never showed how these products look on my face, something I desperately seek in other people's reviews.

I don't wear makeup on a daily basis, that has been one of reasons why I didn't add any photos. I also realized that wearing glasses is not a good idea for an eye makeup review. Long story short, I didn't have any photos of myself wearing makeup without my glasses on. Luckily, I wore contact lenses and makeup during the holidays (hurray!). I finally have some decent photos I can use.

Now, I'm no beauty guru. I prefer a very plain look. I shun black pigments in makeup so much that I never wear mascara or eyeliner. I still believe my photos can give you an idea of how these products look on a face. The photos were taken without a flash, in front of natural lighting (my window, hah). I've also adjusted the brightness, as raw images tend to be dull and unsaturated.


My near zero waste makeup
None of these products have been tested on animals.

Kjær Weis
This is a makeup brand founded by the New York-based, Danish-born makeup artist Kirsten Kjær Weis. The brand combines sustainability and luxury. All the ingredients are certified natural or organic and the products come in a sleek, refillable alloy containers, making them very zero waste and plastic-free.

I use the eye shadows Cloud Nine and Wisdom and I've already made a more detailed review about them here.

Eye shadow, Cloud Nine
Cloud Nine is a pastel-pink eyeshadow with medium shimmer. I use it on the inner corner of my eyelid and sometimes as a highlighter for my cheekbones. For this I use generic sponge eye shadow applicator.

Eye shadow, Wisdom
Wisdom is medium shimmer too and has a cool brown shade that's neither light or dark. What I love about this eye shadow is that it's buildable. I blend it out thoroughly on my lids with EcoTools' eye shading brush because I prefer a mild look, but I also this eye shadow to create a smokey winged liner with my EcoTools' angled liner brush.


RMS Beauty
This is an American brand created by makeup artist Rose Marie Swift. Her story is interesting. After working in the cosmetic industry for years, she developed health issues. It turned out that she had toxic levels of chemicals found in makeup in her body. This inspired her to create her own brand and help women claim their right to healthy beauty. I've also reviewed my RMS beauty products before.

Un' cover-up concealer, shade 000.
I use this concealer under my eyes to soften my dark circles and to cover up my occasional blemishes. I don't use any brushes or tools for this.

Lip2cheek, illusive
This one is mainly for my lips. I use it on my cheeks sometimes too and I did in the photos.

Packaging
These products are plastic-free, with the exception being a thin plastic sticker on the bottom of the jar. The jar itself is made out of glass and lid is tin, making it very recyclable.


Physician's formula
This is an American brand that has been around for quite some time and specializes on creating makeup for very sensitive skin.

Gentle wear, organic pressed powder, translucent medium
I use this powder exclusively under my eyes after applying the 'un' cover-up concealer. This is to prevent the concealer from creasing and smudging. I apply the powder with my EcoTools airbrush concealer.

Packaging
This product is not completely plastic-free. The powder comes in a paper maché like container but it has two thin plastic windows, one on the top and one on the bottom. It also includes a brush with a plastic handle. I am seeking a future replacement for this one.


Maria Åkerberg
This is a Swedish brand that sells organic skincare products but also makeup. I don't think the products are available outside of Scandinavia, which is a pity because this brand has the best hair conditioner I've tried. I have been using Maria Åkerberg's shampoo and conditioner for four years now (mentioned in this post: Bar soap for your hair?).

Brow Pencil, perfect for blondes
Years of plucking has thinned my brows. I use this pencil to fill in what's lost, ha ha! This is a wooden pencil but it's not entirely plastic-free because of the plastic cap.

What I didn't mention in the photo and why
I didn't mention my lip liner by the French brand Terre d'Oc. I believe the brand has discontinued their makeup. Terre d'Oc still sells skincare products, but I can't find my lip liner anywhere online. I excluded it because I don't want to recommend something that is unavailable.

It's a shame though. I loved this pencil so much that I hoarded a whole bunch when my Norwegian retailer was having a clearance sale. Is it plastic-free though? Like most lip, eye or brow pencils, no. It has the usual plastic cap. When the time comes I'll find a replacement, hopefully one with a plastic-free cap. Kjær Weis' new lip pencils are potential candidates but I'm not liking the current shades.

Thank you for reading! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I don't bite. :)

So you've embarked the journey that sustainability is and now you're wondering what to do with all the plastic items that you already own. The zero waste superstars certainly make it look like you have to rid yourself of all plastic, but that would be a little bit paradoxical. Right? Some of the zero wasters have obviously cleared their lives and homes of all previously owned plastic. This is something I'm strongly against. Replacing disposable, single-use plastic items with durable and sustainable alternatives is one thing. Throwing reusable plastic items just because you're going plastic-free will only result in unnecessary purchases and waste.

The "toxic" reputation of plastic is being used as an argument, but can I just say that mixing your pancake batter in that plastic bowl you've had for years will not disrupt your hormones, nor make you sick. The toxic effects of plastic usually occur when heat is involved or when foods and liquids are stored in an unsafe plastic types over time. Your plastic mixing bowls, storage boxes, laundry basket, etc., are unlikely to be directly hazardous.

Keep in mind that plastic has its upsides too, it practically lasts forever. This is of course the main issue with it, but buying a plastic item that lasts may not be a bad investment after all. Plastic items that make good use shouldn't be thrown out because of a lifestyle change. Keep it, use it, wear it out. If you're going to get rid of it, recycle it. I still own plenty of plastic things that ain't going anywhere, anytime soon. The plastic you want to cut down on is short-term and single-use plastic, e.g., toothbrushes, cotton swabs, plastic containers, dispensers and other plastic packaging.

If your plastic item is useful and reusable, keep it.

Let's talk skin care. All of my post in the beauty section are about makeup products, so I think it's time to bring a skin care product to the table. I'm currently loving two different serums by InstaNatural, the Age-Defying Retinol Serum and Age-Defying & Skin Clearing Serum.

I chose these serums for several reasons, packaging being one of them, but I also like what the brand stands for. InstaNatural offers a variety of natural skin care products, and they are all without harmful or questionable ingretients. Here's a quote from the brand's website "What we stand for: No parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, formaldehyde releasers, MCI/MI and synthetic dyes."

Let's move on to the packaging. This product comes in a paper box, but the serum itself comes in a glass bottle. Like most serums, it has a glass pipette attached to the lid. The lid has a metallic part, and a soft rubber top that you can squeeze and release to get a desired amount of product. Unforunately, this product is not entirely plastic-free because of the safety seal on the lid and the stickers. To be fair, it's a really small amount compared to an entire bottle being made out of plastic.

Another thing that attracted me was the active ingredients. Now, I'm extremely skeptical of anything "anti-ageing" and "skin improving". From what I've read, retinol, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid and CoQ10 seems to be the most promising ingredients. These are components in these serums and what I'm interested in. The content in each serum is different, which is why I have two different kinds. Age-Defying Retinol Serum contains retinol, hyaluronic acid and CoQ10. Age-Defying & Skin Clearing Serum contains salicylic acid and a smaller amount of retinol.

The scary thing about skin care products like this is that they can backfire if you use them wrong. Antioxidants such as retinol, ascorbic acid and tocopherol, all present in these serums, can make skin more sensitive to UV radiation. One should definitely apply sunscreen when using these products. As an additional precaution, I apply the serum in the evening.

I'm quite satisfied with several things. I love that the serums aren't greasy like skin creams. My skin has not been irritated by the retinol, something I have experienced in the past. The scent is nice and mild.

Kjær Weis is a natural makeup brand created by the Danish born, New York-based makeup artist Kirsten Kjær Weis. The brand offers a variety of makeup products such as blushes, lipsticks, highlighters, foundations and eye shadows.

Kjær Weis' eye eyeshadow received a lot of positive reviews by other natural beauty bloggers, so I finally gave it a try. I now understand why this eye shadow is so popular. The consistency of this eye shadow is just amazing, it's so silky and blendable, unlike any other eye shadow I've used before. Normally I dislike shimmery makeup but the consistency totally makes up for the semi-shimmer. It is, in fact, not that shimmery when applied.

Packaging
The eye shadow comes in a neat little paper boxes. Inside is a metallic container so the eye shadow is completely plastic free. Kjær Weis is all about refillables, the container has a magnetic bottom and is refillable. This is also a lot cheaper.

Color
Cloud nine is a quite light eye shadow with a pastel pink tone and is great for highlighting around the eyes. I'd say that it's more shimmery compared to Wisdom, but I suspect that's just because it's lighter.

Wisdom has a medium brown-taupe color and is semi-shimmery. When used it's nearly matte. This eye shadow is well pigmented and blendable. I feel as if a little goes a long way with this one as I prefer a less intense look.

Ingredients

Cloud Nine
Talc, Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Zinc Stearate, Tin Oxide, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract*, Silica, Aqua (Water), Tocopheryl Acetate, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extracti*, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, CI 77891 ( Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides).

Wisdom
Talc, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Zinc Stearate, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract*, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extracti*, Aqua (Water), Tocopheryl Acetate, Tin Oxide, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Dextrin, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 75470 (Carmine). Caution – Contains Carmine.

*Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) is a naturally derived preservative. There has been some controversy around this ingredient because it contains substances that are similar to parabens. 

I recommend this post about the Honeysuckle controversy by Marta, the founder of Truth in Aging.

Summary
My overall impression of this eye shadow is good. This is a high quality natural product and a great zero waste alternative because of the packaging and the refills.



With Flash





























Without flash

Bar soaps are a zero waste favorite, simply because you can get them plastic-free and/or package-free. Soap bars can be used to wash a lot of things, but are they good for your hair? One of the most recurring topics online regarding bar soaps is dry hair. I have tried using bar soap for my hair and thought I'd share my experience here.

I started my non-toxic journey before I became eco-friendly. In 2013 I began replacing my regular makeup with natural makeup. Shampoos and body wash also caught my attention. I discovered a natural soap seller on Etsy and ordered some bars, specifically for hair. I began using these and felt great because I knew I wasn't using those shampoos with who-knows-what type of ingredients. However, my hair suffered horrible consequences and for some reason I couldn't figure out why, at least not at the time.

In 2014 my hair was dry, tangled damaged. Despite being dry it would get very greasy the next day. I did everything possible to prevent tangling and damage. I never applied heat. I slept on a silk pillow case. I used brushes with very soft bristles. I oiled and trimmed my hair regularly. On top of that I used conditioner and a natural detangler. It doesn't just stop there. I started taking supplements and increased protein intake. Nothing seemed to help, my hair was still a nightmare. At the time I thought my hair had just become this thin, brittle and difficult to work with after years of dyeing (although I completely stopped dyeing it in 2013). Another thought I had was "it's because I'm no longer using silicone-based products that coats my hair".

Not only was my hair dry and damaged. I encountered another problem, my scalp was incredibly itchy! I would constantly scratch it and get gunk under my nails. This turned out to be residue from the bar soap. I rinsed properly but it still happened. Eventually, I used up my last soap and bought a liquid shampoo instead. My life and hair changed completely after that and I have been using liquid shampoo ever since. My shampoo (Sage) is from a Swedish natural brand called Maria Åkerberg. I also use their conditioner (Energy). Maria Åkerberg's shampoo and conditioner is not plastic-free, but comes in large recyclable 500ml plastic bottles. I always buy the 500ml bottles, that way I don't have to buy many small one's frequently. The big one's will typically last four to five months and I always recycle them.

This was of course just my experience. Try if bar soap if you want. There are different bar soaps out there, some might be more compatible for hair than the one's I used. Everybody's hair is different too, your hair might respond differently to these soaps compared to mine. I'm not going to discourage anyone from trying, but these are things you might experience while doing so. I totally use bar soaps for my body though!

Safety razors are seemingly becoming more popular again. I know I've mentioned the safety razor before, but I feel like it deserves its own post.

Disposable products contain way too much plastic. Single use razors or replaceable razors heads are contributing to the problem because they are both non-recyclable and end up in landfill. Although cartridge razors can be reused thanks to replaceable heads, one must not forget that these heads still contain plastic and are non-recyclable. This plastic will eventually degrade into microplastic, something that is already everywhere in the ocean and affecting the life in it. What makes safety razors great is that they're completely plastic-free, that includes the blades. Although steel isn't exactly biodegradable it does corrode but it takes forever. The bright side is that it doesn't turn into something that poses a threat to the ecology. Also, depending on where you live, the blades might be recyclable.

I know people are shunning safety razors in fear of cutting themselves. I was worried too because using one felt quite different from what I was used to. What I can say is that you get used to it quickly. At least I did and I can proudly say that I've never cut myself. When I was transitioning I started with my legs. I felt that shaving my legs would be the easiest place to begin. Once I got a sense of control I included my armpits and more private parts. Speaking of shaving private parts, shaving them is the biggest concern online when it comes to safety razors. I'll admit that it was terrifying to begin with, but like I mentioned, I've never cut myself. The trick is to have a fair amount of lather. Don't apply pressure to the razor, just slide it across the skin. Also, hold/tighten the skin near the areas your shaving. You don't want to be pulling your skin. I'm pretty sure that's how you end cutting yourself. The most important tip is to go slow.

The razor I have is a woman's safety razor by Edwin Jagger and I currently use Astra blades. There is no particular reason to why I chose this razor. It was sold by a local retailer and was on sale. Even on sale it was a little bit expensive because these razors are. However, they are an investment for life and do pay for themselves in the long run. The blades are a lot cheaper than the replaceable cartridge heads and the safety razor itself is much more durable.

The shaving cream and shaving brush is from Ecco-Verde.

Thank you for reading! I hope this gave a little bit of insight if you're considering buying one.

There are number of ways you can preserve your food without using disposable plastic. The simplest way would be to use containers, e.g., lunch boxes and jars. However, boxes and jars can be very unpractical. Imagine that you've just served food in a large bowl, and now you have to scoop the leftovers into a box or jar. A disposable plastic wrap for your bowl would be better, right? Except it's plastic and disposable, both no-no's.

What on earth can be reusable and leakproof like a plastic wrap, yet plastic-free? The answer: beeswax cloth wraps! They are made out cotton fabric (100%) and are waxed with beeswax. This makes them completely waterproof, reusable, plastic-free and biodegradable. On top of that they're moldable, cleanable and pure awesomeness! These wraps will surely keep the food in your bowl fresh, just like the plastic counterpart. You can even wrap your school/work sandwich in these. No bulky lunch box required. I wouldn't recommend using the wraps for raw meat though. That's because they can only be cleaned with lukewarm water. Hot water dissolves the wax, and that removes the waterproofness.

My wraps are made by the Australian brand Wrappa, but there's also another brand called Bee Green Wraps (Australian too). I'm sure there are more brands out there. These are just the one's sold by Norwegian retailers.

I can already hear all the vegans say "Beeswax isn't vegan!". Well, I have good news for you too! Wrappa also makes vegan cloth wraps, waxed with tree resin and jojoba oil. You can read more about the vegan wraps on Wrappa's website.

After my previous post "That time of the month, sustainably" I decided to give reusable pads a try. Reusable pads are not cheap but they're definitely cheaper than menstrual underwear. I looked into Lunapads and Gladrags. These are quite expensive, especially with the shipping. Another thing that made me put them aside was the fact that shipping pads from America to Europe isn't exactly environmental. I've already made a post about the environmental downsides of online shopping and how to do it in a greener way, feel free to read it.

Hannahpads review
The good news is that I found a Norwegian retailer that sells Hannahpads, for a reasonable price. I ordered four small-sized Hannahpads with floral designs. After giving the first four pads a try, I ordered additional pads and a pouch.

Materials
The pads are made out of organic cotton and have multiple layers that make them extra absorbent. They are not entirely plastic free because they have plastic snaps and a TPU coating. The coating makes them leakproof. Before you shun the these pads because of the tiny plastic content, keep in mind that they are made for long-term use.

Absorbance
Like I've already mentioned, they have multiple layers of fabric to make them extra absorbent. They can absorb about 120-180 ml, depending on the size. I ordered the smallest pads, they are in a pantyliner size. The different sizes range from pantyliner, S, M, Overnight, Ultra and Super Ultra. You can check out the sizing chart here, it lists the number layers and absorbency too.

Cleaning
Hannahpads can be hand washed or machine washed, it doesn't really matter. The pads should be soaked and hand washed a little bit before using the washing machine. Also, do not use laundry softener as it will make them less absorbent. For hand washing you just soak them and rub them with soap. Hannahpad sells a special probiotic soap too for cleaning but you can totally use a regular mild soap too.

Other
These pads can be buttoned into a square, making them easy to put in your purse if you're on the go. This also makes it easy to bring used pads safely home, if you end up changing one while you're away. Not only are they practical, they come with beautiful designs and you can order a special pouch for storage.

Natural lipsticks, powders, concealers that fall into the zero waste category are all over the place. Finding a natural zero waste eye shadow is a different story. I'm both annoyed and surprised by how few options there are out there. "Make your own" is what the Internet suggests.

No, I'm sorry. I'm not going use cocoa powder nor am I going to buy two pounds of pigment that will ensure my ten following generations eye shadows too. I want to support the brands that get it right. It's not that there are absolutely no zero waste eye shadows available, because there are. My biggest problem is that most of these eye shadows are shimmery and I'm a matte-gal.

I've listed the best alternative that I've found in this post. Some of them are not plastic-free but still a zero waste option because they're refillable. I've included the shimmery one's too, if you're into that. I've also added where the product are from because shopping online within your continent is the most environmental option. I'll switch to one of the eye shadows on my list when I've used up the one's that I have now.

Feel free to leave a comment if you know any other brand that has zero wast eye shadows!

Zero waste eye shadows


Veg-Up
Cardboard eyeshadow palette, also sold at Ecco-Verde.
Eyeshadow type: shimmery
European














Kjær Weis
Comes in a metallic container, it has a magnetic bottom and is refillable.
Eyeshadow type: all eye shadows are semi-shimmery
American brand, made in Italy















Ecco Bella
Refillable paperback compacts and eyeshadow refills.
Eyeshadow type: mostly matte but a few are shimmery
American

















Nabla's refills
Palettes and refills.
Only the refills are zero waste. The single eye shadows that come in plastic containers are not refillable.
Eyeshadow type: has matte and shimmer
European

















RMS beauty 
Eye polish
Eyeshadow type: cream, all are shimmery
American
















Suncoat 
Duo Mineral Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow type: shimmery
American

















Antonym
Certified Organic Quattro Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow type: shimmery
American
















Zao
Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow type: matte, shimmery, mineral and cream
European












PuroBIO 
Compact Eyeshadow
Comes in a plastic container but has a magnetic bottom and is refillable. Palettes are also sold.
Eyeshadow type: matte and shimmery
European










Elate
Pressed eyeshadow refills for magnetic bamboo palettes.
Eyeshadow type: matte and shimmery
American

Going out can be a nice experience, especially if you're a lil' lazy. No cooking or washing is required. Be it a restaurant or a fast food place, going out for a snack generates a lot of bad waste. I'm not trying to discourage anyone from going out, but there are certain things I want to shed some light on. Going out can be green but it depends on where you go. Takeaway food with it's disposable containers is the enemy. Plastic/paper cups, plastic cutlery, paper plates and takeaway containers are all single-use items that end up in the trash. Most of the time these are non-recyclable and even if they are, why make trash when it can be avoided?

Here's how you can do this the right way... be prepared, bring your own stuff.

• Takeaway containers. Bring your own box. Trust me, it's not that weird to ask for your food to be put in it. You're basically saving the company money by not using their containers.
• Paper cups. If you're a coffee or tea drinker, bring your own reusable coffee cup. There are many great alternatives out there (e.g., Joco, KeepCup, Onya, Ecoffee).
• Other drinks and liquids. Bring a bottle or thermos.
• Plastic straws. You can get reusable straws that are made out of steel, bamboo or glass. A brush is normally included too so you can clean the straw properly.
• Paper napkins. Bring a cotton napkin that is washable.
• Plastic cutlery. Bring reusable cutlery.
• Paper plates. You can use a lunch box.
• Bonus tip. Use a lunch box for your leftovers. Throwing food is completely unnecessary, plus you've already paid for it.

Hey! I've made my very first video about sustainability. The video is very basic and I'm not particularly proud of it but I felt like giving it a shot. Feel free to check it out.

Cotton swabs are a plastic nightmare. I cannot believe that they are still being manufactured with plastic rods. The problem with the plastic rods is that they're not recyclable. They wind up in landfill or the ocean where they don't biodegrade. Luckily, there are better versions with paper, or bamboo rods that are biodegradable/compostable.

Availability can be an issue though. My options are few. For instance, I can't get my cotton swabs completely plastic-free from my local stores. I can either get swabs with paper rods in a plastic box or bamboo swabs in a plastic zip-lock bag. These are still better options because unlike the plastic rods, the packaging is recyclable. Cotton swabs by Hydrophil is the 100% plastic-free alternative for Europeans. Hydrophil is an awesome brand if you're looking for plastic free toiletries. The cotton swabs have bamboo rods and are packaged in a paper box. They can be found on Hydrophils website and Ecco Verde.

Buying online is my last option because it's not that eco-friendly. The local store is actually the most sustainable option, even if the product has plastic packaging. I explained some of this in my post "Greener online shopping".

Anyway, thank you for reading! I hope this shed some light on cotton swabs. Check out my post "Sustainable in the bathroom" to see more Hydrophil products and other swaps you can do.

A lot of non-recyclable plastic waste is generated in the bathroom. That's because many of the things we use when we groom ourselves are for single-use only. Many of these things can be swapped into better alternatives. Here's a list of some single-use items and what you should replace them with for a more zero waste-like lifestyle.

Cotton swabs
Cotton swabs are non-recyclable because of their plastic rod. They're a nightmare for the environment but you can infact get ones that are made out of bamboo or paper. Both of these are completely biodegradable so you can compost them. Read my post about cotton swabs.

Cotton pads
These are completely unecessary. I use cotton cloths and I have been using them my whole life, before my sustainable days. I know some people make washable cotton pads but I think a cloth will do too.

Toothbrushes
Replace your plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush. You can read more about bamboo brushes in this older post.

If you travel a lot and want to avoid using plastic bags for your tooth brush, get a bamboo toothbrush case. Mine is by Hydrophil.

Bottled soaps and body wash
Replace your bottled soaps with a bar soap. If you're from Europe, you package free soap from Ecco-Verde or Etsy. Local health shops may also sell soaps that are either packaged in paper or unpackaged. You can try to use bar soap as shampoo too but my experience is that these are very drying on your scalp and hair. Even the ones made for hair and your hair should not suffer just because being environmental. I buy bulk shampoo in a large recyclable plastic bottles so I won't have to buy small ones frequently.

Shaving
You should absolutely not use single use razors, this is the least environmental type. They're plastic and non-recyclable. Cartridge razors with replacable blades are hardly any better too. The replacement blades have plastic on them and they're not recyclable too. The best alternative is safety razors, are plastic free and will last you a lifetime. You only need razor blades that are entirely plastic free and cheaper than the cartridge blades. Safety razors can be expensive but do pay for themselves in the long run. (Read my post about safety razors)

Some people are scared of cutting themselves with safety razors. I'll admit that I too was scared because safety razors definitely feel different to use. I only shaved my legs only until I felt more comfortable using it. Which took less than a month. I can shave anything now with my safety razor and I've never cut myself with it.

If you feel a little daring, you can get a straight razor.

Soap sachet
In the photo below there's a soap sachet by Hydrophil. I really recommend one for the soap bars. You can put those tiny useless pieces in the sachet and use them up completely. The sachet also works as an exfoliating sponge. I consider this one of my best zero waste purchases.

Dental floss
Get floss that comes in a sustainable container that is refillable. Read my post on dental floss.

Stationery can be made greener by doing some simple swaps. Here are some swaps you should consider.

Replace your plastic pens with refillable pens
The problem with plastic pens is that they're not very recyclable nor biodegradable. Most plastic pens end up in landfill after they've run out of ink. Getting a refillable pen is a better option. There are many types of refillable pens but the best alternative is a fountain pen with a piston converter. The piston converter is refillable so you won't have to replace it. The great thing about fountain pens is that many of the inks come in glass bottles. I use the Iroshizuku ink by Pilot.

I know that fountain pens can be pricey but they are absolutely worth the investment. There's cheaper alternatives out there too. My fountain pen is made by the Chinese company Jinaho. These pens are significantly cheaper, yet excellent for writing. I'm very satisfied with mine. Plastic fountain pens are the cheapest alternative. These are entirely made out of plastic except for the nib. It's a little bit contradictory but keep in mind that this will last a really long time because it's refillable. I think plastic is OK long-term use.

Hello there! You probably found this post after googling an RMS beauty product, looking for swatches or reviews. Well, I have good news for you then! Today I'll be reviewing the "Un"cover-up concealer in the shade 000 and Lip2Cheek, Illusive. I don't know if you're a just a makeup addict or specifically looking for organic brands. Maybe you're a zero waster? Anyway, this is the right place because I'll be covering all those aspects in my review.

RMS beauty "Un"cover-up concealer
Shade: 000

Packaging
So this product comes in a tiny paper box, you can see pictures of it on the bottom of this entry. Inside the box is a small glass jar with a tin lid. This product has a minimal amount of plastic so it's a good option for a zero waste lifestyle. The only plastic that comes with this product is a sticker on the bottom of the jar that has the name of the color on it. I took a photo of that too (bottom of the page).

Color
I really like this concealer! I decided to go with the lightest shade possible (000), but was skeptical. Any pale girl, like myself knows the struggle when it comes to finding the right product. Concealers, foundations and powders are often too dark or too yellow. I don't know why organic makeup manufacturers seem to believe that fair skinned girls only exist with warm undertones. My skin definitely has a cool, pink undertone. What makes this concealer great is the neutral color. It's neither pink or yellow so I assume it works for both undertones.

When it first arrived I got a little worried, the shade seemed a little bit too fair. However, it turned out to be the right shade. If you take a look at my swatches you'll hardly even notice it.

Coverage
The concealer is very pigmented and provides a heavier coverage. It can certainly cover up anything, something I find that a lot of natural products don't. It's also a little bit oily so I prefer locking it in with a little bit of powder to make it less shiny on my face. This is just my preference, I prefer matte-looking makeup. I have worn it without powder too and it was not a problem.

Scent
The concealer has a very light scent that is only noticeable when you smell the jar. It's nothing you would notice when wearing it on your face. I can't pinpoint the smell, it's vanillaish.

Ingredients
*Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol(non-GMO), *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, and may contain: [+/-] Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Iron Oxides CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499.

*CERTIFIED ORGANIC

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RMS beauty Lip2cheek
Color: Illusive

Packaging
The packaging is identical to the "un"cover-up concealer.

Color
The pigmentation is great and I'm loving this color. We're all different when it comes to what kind of lip color we prefer. I personally prefer darker colors because I can easily make them look less intense. You either wear the product as it is for full effect, or you can apply a thin layer to make it light. Illusive comes off a little darker in photos than it is in real life.

I have not used it on my cheeks, nor am I planning to do so. This is solely for my lips. The reason I chose lip2cheek is because I'm not too fond of shimmery makeup products. Most of the RMS lip shine products are shimmery but beware, some of the lip2cheek products are too!

Scent
It has a light coconut scent.

Ingredients
*Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax) (Cire d’abeille), *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, **Buriti (Mauritia Flexuosa) Oil, *Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Tocopherol(non-GMO), Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Propolis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract , *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, May Contain: [+/-] Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Mica.

*CERTIFIED ORGANIC **WILDCRAFTED

The product comes in a paper box. Inside the box is a glass jar with a tin lid.

Unless you're already a zero waster, I will bet that your dental floss comes in a plastic container. Single or short-term use plastic is a big no-no. How many of you actually recycle your floss container? I've sinned that way too, thrown it away without giving it much thought. I could have thrown it into the plastic bin (we have those at home in Norway) but didn't. It didn't really cross my mind at the time.

But Elinor, I cannot quit flossing! Yeah, I know. That would be disgusting! The good news is that you can totally make flossing much more environmental. Several companies are now making dental floss in glass dispensers with metallic lids. The good news doesn't end there, the dispensers are totally refillable.

There are several options. For my American friends I'd recommend Dental Lace. The dispenser even comes with a stylish design in different colors. You can either get Dental Lace from their website or from Life Without Plastic. For my fellow Europeans, the Italian brand Tea Natura has a similar floss. The company's site is in Italian so it's not very foreigner friendly. I bought Tea Natura's Filo Dentale from Ecco Verde instead. My number one natural skin care and makeup retailer (the European iHerb). Unfortunately, I can't seem to find any refills for Tea Natura on Ecco Verde. I'm not sure if there are refills for Tea Natura at all. It doesn't really matter because Vömel's (German brand) refill is basically identical and that's what I'm refilling it with.

So why didn't I just get Vömel's container to begin with? Well, when I made the switch to environmental floss I was buying other things from Ecco Verde too. It was more practical to buy all the things at once and from the same retailer.

I'll should probably add that these flosses are not entirely plastic free. Tea Natura's floss comes in a tiny plastic bag and so does some of the refills. However, the reduction of plastic is still significant this way. The tiny plastic bags are also totally recyclable.

Where to buy

• Vömel (Europe) retalier 1
• Vömel (Europe) retailer 2
• Vömel (Norway)
• Vömel refill (Europe)
• Vömel refill (Norway)
• Dentale Lace, official page
• Dental Lace from Life Without Plastic
• Tea Natura
  
  

This is what it looks like when it's new, only without the tiny plastic bag that it came in.

This is definitely not the most comfortable subject to bring up but we have to adress the fact that periods produce a lot of waste (not to mention a mess). Tampons and pads end up in landfill, and that's a lot of waste per woman as we require these things on a monthly basis through a large portion of our lives. Are there environmental periods? Yes. A lot of women are already using the menstrual cup and it has received great reviews. The truth is though, not everyone is comfortable with menstrual cups and tampons. Some of us freak out by the thought of strolling around with something inside. Worry not, sister. There are other options.

So I mentioned the menstrual cup and if that caught your interest, Divacup and Lunette has made quite a fuss among zero waste bloggers. The menstrual cup is basically a soft silicone cup that you insert just like a tampon, only it is washable and reusable. One purchase will last a long time but for those who refuse to insert anything, there are several other alternatives. Lunapads and GladRags currently have the largest assortments of washable cotton pads. These are shaped and used like any regular pad, only they're durable and made out of cotton fabric. Instead of throwing them in the trash, you throw them in the washer. The pads are a little expensive, but they will pay form themselves in no time.

If not pads, you can always turn to menstrual underwear. Yes, you heard right! Menstrual underwear. No pad, no tampon. Sounds gross? I agree, but decided to try it anyway and it didn't make the mess I thought it would. THINX is the brand and the panties are expensive too, but let the reusable part weigh in before you turn your back. You don't need to buy new underwear every month, unlike regular pads and tampons.

THINX comes in different styles and with different absorbency. They even have thongs, obviously for lighter days. I personally went with the hiphugger style for heavy days. My thought was "If I'm going to do this, I'm going to DO this!" so no medium or light day panties in this house! Hiphugger also comes in two colors, nude and black. At first I wanted black but decided to go with nude because I was testing, assuming any leakage would be easier to detect. If you're squeamish I can tell you that you won't be seeing much of aunt flo' because the inside of the the panty is black.

My experience with THINX was good. I had no leakage but my flow would also fall into the medium category. The downside to my test was that I only bought one panty and had to use pads for the rest of the week. However, I managed to replace a whole day's use of pads with THINX. If I owned several pairs it would have been more sustainable, but they're so darn pricey! I did some research and found a that the cheaper alternative is Padkix. I have no experience with these, but I might give them a try in the future. Anyway, despite my positive experience, I don't trust these 100% yet. I'd wear dark pants if I were to go out. You know your own flow, but if you're going to give 'em a try, do it at home first, just to be safe.

If you still don't feel ready to let go of your regular pads and tampons, don't get your panties in a bunch just yet (ha). Ordinary pads and tampons are often full of synthetic, non-biodegradable materials and even contain harmful substances. Yoni offers both pads and tampons that are made of organic cotton and tested for these harmful substances. The box is made out of paper and the pads are wrapped in a thin biodegradable plastic. Replacing orginary menstrual products with Yoni is a step in the right direction too.

About three years ago I ordered a large package of bamboo toothbrushes and three years is how long it lasted. This order was a little bit paradoxical though. I had to order the toothbrushes from Australia, when I live in Norway. Basically, my environmental toothbrushes had to travel across the world, which of course is not very eco-friendly.