Bar Shampoo, Brushing Your Teeth With Dirt And Other Failures And Successes In Making A Zero-Waste Beauty Routine 2019

A few weeks ago I wrote about the changes that would happen on this blog and the ways in which I had changed, myself, in how I related to objects and consumption. I have drastically altered the way in which I buy and use beauty products, in particular, as I try to consume in a more sustainable and ethical way and it has lead to some ... interesting ... experiments, results, and failures.

I. Buying Less

This is the most important change in my routine and the most crucial for anyone trying to consume more responsibly. Buying less is the easiest way to be kinder to the planet as it uses less resources to make, package, and deliver products and leaves you with less waste afterwards. Many of us buy things without even thinking about it, not entirely finishing something before moving on to the next thing, abandoning one product for something we've seen used or advertised. However, in an attempt to correct my chaotic overconsumption in the past, I've been buying only what is absolutely necessary in my routine. This has also simplified my routine. No more random skincare items infused with the trendy ingredient of the moment or some gimmicky fad but, rather, only the basics: cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, sun cream. And you'd better believe I'm cutting things open and using every last drop.

II. Shopping My Stash

Continuing on from buying less, I've also been rooting through presses and drawers and rediscovering things I forgot I had and making sure to finish them all. Something I was already doing, it has been further bolstered by the inspiration of Estée Laundry's daily #shopmystash posts in which the self-described "anonymous beauty collective" shares followers' pictures of the products in their routines and how they are doing with their own journeys towards being more sustainable. Also, for independent, unbiased information about beauty brands, beauty news, discussion about diversity and ethics in the industry, deep dives into various trends and issues, and more, you should give EL a follow as they are one of the most important pages atm for anyone interested in the area.

III. Bar Shampoo

I noted my attempts to switch out products for items with less or no packaging over on Bean a while ago. One of my first trials was the switch to bar shampoo from Palm Free Irish Soap. In theory, it's perfect, right? No packaging at all, relatively cheap, long-lasting, and it smelled nice. However, sadly, it was a case of something being too good to be true. 

Now, perhaps, if you have some sort of different hair texture, bar shampoo might work for you. Maybe if you wash your hair less often than me, if might work for you. Maybe if you're a more meticulous person, it might work for you. But from day one I hated the bar shampoo and it clearly hated me in return. On first use I lathered too much and I couldn't wash it all out. I thought I had been thorough in rinsing but the horrid, greasy mess I woke up to said otherwise.

Moving forwards, I used less and less of the product with each wash and that yielded better results but it still drastically affected my hair. Prior to bar shampoo, my hair was incredible; soft, silky, and impossibly shiny. When I brushed it, my friends would marvel and say it was shampoo commercial hair. Only now is it returning back to that state, a month after abandoning my bar in favour of refillable shampoo in glass bottles from The Glass Dispensary. 

Great in theory, in reality bar shampoo just isn't an option for lots of us, particularly those with lots and lots of very fine long hair that requires daily washing. However, the Glass Dispensary's refillable bottles are a great alternative and mean that you still aren't generating any waste. 

Oh, and don't worry, I didn't just throw away the shampoo bar. It still smells nice so I used it as regular soap instead.

IV. Brushing Your Teeth With Dirt

Okay, so I obviously wasn't actually brushing my teeth with dirt but another of my swaps was for toothpaste. Toothpaste tubes and the difficulty in recycling them really, really triggers my anxiety. I don't know why it is so especially strong for this particular item but it is. Therefore, it had to be one of the things I focused on finding an alternative for. 

Years ago, I used Lush's toothpaste tabs - which are little tablets you chew up and then add water to with a wet toothbrush - but I really hated the texture and never went back to them. In an attempt to find a better alternative, I tried Georganics' glass toothpaste pots. A natural toothpaste, the texture is a bit different to your regular toothpaste, more crumbly and drier. Pair this with the fact that I was using the charcoal variety in their range and you might be able to see why it felt as though I was brushing my teeth with dirt. It's great for whitening and does a decent job cleaning but I really missed feeling minty fresh while using it. Plus, I dreaded the texture and hated using it. It made brushing my teeth a real chore. I want to try the peppermint flavour next and see if that is any better but I have to say that it's not my favourite experience I've ever had, overall. With few better options, however, I guess I'll just have to learn to put up with it all. 

V.  Getting Rid Of Disposable Cotton Rounds

This, I think, has been my most successful swap. I have traded disposable cotton rounds for reusable ones and they're great. I've heard of others not liking them but I tried them anyway and I'm into it. I actually think they drink up less of my toner, allowing me to use more and waste less of it, stretching out the life of that product too. They are also pretty low maintenance and my pack of five is perfect for using a side each night and then throwing however many I've used in the wash with my clothes. I always having some clean ones lying about and never have to worry about running out. 

Progress(?)

All of this has been a bit of a learning curve for me and I'm always trying to find more sustainable options and do better. While some of the experiments that I have undergone on this journey have been vaguely disastrous or unpleasant, I do think I owe it to the planet to go through a little discomfort. In the grand scheme of things, it's not that big of a deal or that much of a sacrifice. And, perhaps, you can use my experiences and anecdotes to help yourself get started too...except with some things to keep in mind and avoid.

Let's all do our best and try to be better!

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12 Days of Giftmas - Lush ¦ Giveaway

On the first of Giftmas my true love gave to me, beauty gifts that are cruelty free...

Lush is probably a regular haunt for a large proportion of my readers and will, no doubt, already be a destination for at least some of your Christmas shopping. However, I thought it would be the best place for me to begin my 12 Days of Giftmas, not as somewhere new for gift ideas but somewhere with great gift options for different price points and people.

"But what, pray tell, might this 12 Days of Giftmas be?" you're probably asking.

Good question. The 12 Days of Giftmas is a project that occurred to me last week. An idea that I ambitiously decided to go through with very last minute - I must be a lunatic. It's a sort of advent calendar for me and my readers, a way of saying thank you for reading and rewarding you in a small way. For the first 12 days of December, I will be writing a post every day on a shop, brand or item that would make good gifts. This is instead of the long gift ideas posts I've done in the past and offers a more in-depth look at some amazing companies and things. To complement each post, I've also teamed up with these fantastic brands and will be giving something away each day! So, the 12 Days of Giftmas will give you some gift ideas and the potential to win something for a loved one (or yourself!).

Lush presents a lot of gift options. The regular Christmas line has lots of lovely festive-themed products to choose from to act as stocking fillers, gifts to yourself, items to personalise a hamper or care package or just regular gifts for fans of the brand. Particular highlights have to be the festive bath bombs and bubble bars with Dashing Santa, Butterbear, Golden Wonder and the Five Gold Rings bubble bars being personal favourites. Five Gold Rings is especially nice as a gift as it's five baths worth of bubbles in one and relatively inexpensive compared to other baths bombs and bubble bars. It costs €6.95 for those five uses (or one if you're feeling luxurious, I guess) versus five or six quid for an item that can only be used once or twice and requires cutting up for multiple uses.

Another item from the Christmas lines which caught my eye is the Snowman Shower Jelly. I've never used a shower jelly before but they seem fun and this one is in the shape of a snowman! So cute! At €5.45, it's a great stocking filler (though it'll leak a little so don't throw it in with other gifts willy-nilly).

Similarly, the lip tints are perfect to chuck into a stocking. Natural, with extraordinary lasting power (stuck with me through two glasses of mulled wine, party food, cake and a glass of champagne during the Toy Show) and vegan, they also have the added bonus of coming in a new tube format that is wayyy handier than the old pots. I was also suckered in by the name; Santa Baby Lip Tint (€8.25) goes on glossyish, dries matte but doesn't dry out your lips and is a lovely light but bright red shade. I highly recommend it.

I'd also recommend the Santa's Lip Scrub (€7.25) which I didn't purchase purely because I bought one from the Valentine's line that doesn't even have a dent in it after all these months. Seriously good stuff for rejuvenating winter-ravaged lips, this is a great gift idea for that pal with permanently chapped lips.

Then we get to the actual gift sets, of which there are many and there is a great variety of types and price points. They're also great as they already come wrapped up and ready to go! One of the starter levels is the Little Snow Fairy. At €11.95 with a Pink Fun and Snow Fairy Shower Gel, it's a nice gift for younger people who don't have a lot of money to spend, for Secret Santas with small spending limits and as a stocking stuffer.

A similar level gift but in more sophisticated packaging and scents for a, perhaps, older audience or someone not into candy-like smells, is Joy To The World (€13.95) which has the Love and Light Handcream and Yog Nog Soap inside - a nice idea for anyone who works with their hands and who might need a little pampering.

The Butterbear Tin (€21.50) set is SUPER-cute and comes with six Butterbear Bath bombs inside. It's also easily opened, unlike some of the other gift sets, and you can pop in some extra bits and customise it as you please. This is one of my favourites of all the sets which is why I chose it to give away! Read on to the end to learn how you can get your hands on it!

If you're sending a gift to a loved one abroad, the Merry and Bright (€21.95) gift set is perfect for this! I've been assured it only costs around €5 to post from Ireland to most of Europe and it contains a Beautiful Shower Gel, Rub Rub Rub Solid Scrub and Celebrate Body Lotion. A nice little surprise for someone who can't make it home or a penpal (do people have those anymore?), perhaps?

Comfort and Joy (€28.50), meanwhile, is considered a good unisex option - if you're gendering smells. It's also a nice pampering gift with two shower gels, a soap and body lotion inside.

And, if you're buying for someone with a body in need of pampering with baths but an adventurous spirit, the Human Cannonball (€33.95) is a must. Packaged in a tube which opens with a bang and confetti, it cannot legally be sold to under sixteens due to the fact that it has a minor explosive in it! This alone makes me want it! It also comes with five bath bombs inside so there's some substance to the gimmick.

It's Christmas Deer (€37.50) is another retro, adorable tin with lotions, bath bombs, bubble bars, soap and shower gels inside and it is seriously cute. While Christmas Wishes (€47.50) goes a step even further with the cute and is a tin in the shape of a carousel with turns, plays a melody and tells a story about the items included. It's something you'll keep forever and would be lovely for kids and nostalgia-prone adults alike.

And now we get to the big gifts. The ones for when you seriously love someone. These are the gifts that will induce squealing, hugging and cheek (maybe even mouth) kisses. The 12 Days of Christmas (€72.50) is the beauty advent calendar we all want with 12 lovely Lush bits included. This is for someone you want to spoil in the run up to Christmas, as well as on the big day itself. Wow! (€220.00) is what it says on the box - this extravaganza of Lush goodies includes bath bombs, lotions, shower gels, shower jellies, body lotions, dusting powders, body scrubs, lip tints and more. This is for the Lush fanatic in your life.


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...woo. Hopefully, you've gotten some gift ideas after all that! But let's get to the important part - the giveaway! Here's the deets:

1. Sadly, I can only keep my giveaways open to Ireland this time around. I apologise to those who might disappointed but I have to keep the generous brands that I'm working with in mind!
2. The prize is one Butterbear Tin.
3. All you need to do is comment below with who you'd give it to - or if you want it for yourself! However, you must be following me on at least one platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Tumblr), let me know which one in the comment!
4. Competition closes a week from now on the 8th of December 2015 at midnight Irish time.
5. Winners will be chosen at random.
6. I will then comment below the winner's comment and ask you to email my official blog email address.

And that's it! Good luck and see you again tomorrow for the next brand and giveaway!

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Bigger Lips

Lips have become the focal point of the face in recent months. These things go in cycles. For a while there, it was brows. And even that was a repeat of a eighties beat which was a repeat of a fifties beat... As are plump lips - Angelina Jolie started the pout envy for much of this generation.

With the rise in cosmetic procedures at earlier ages and the normalisation of the process, being enhanced is increasingly easier. Or, you can jump on viral bandwagons like the Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge to use little cheats for a similar effect. If you want to go down a less invasive, in the former case, and less potentially harmful, in the latter, there are tips and tricks that anyone can use to exaggerate the look of their lips.

Admittedly, I'm rather fortunate when it comes to lip size - my sister has a rather (un)charming nickname for them that I'm loathe to repeat here - but often, it's a case of changing the shape a little, or drawing the eye to the right spot. Making them poutier or more rosebud-like. Whatever your tastes dictate. So, here are some tricks I implement into my make-up routine when I feel like boosting the beestung vibes.

1. Exfoliate!

I suffer from terribly dry lips and, as I have a terrible habit of biting and picking at them, they can get chapped. Sloughing off some dead skin helps the lips look healthier but also makes lip colours apply much more smoothly. I wouldn't suggest doing it too often - give your poor mouth a break! - but maybe once a week or so.

This lip scrub from Lush is a favourite! It tastes like sweets and a teeny amount goes a long way so it'll take ages to get through it. This particular one was from their limited edition Valentine's Day line so it's no longer in store but there are several others including Bubblegum and Mint Julips (both £5.50).

2. Moisturise

Next, you need to get in there and care for your lips after being so rough with them. Apply a lip balm, preferably a nice rich one, and leave it to sink into the skin.

I have a few favourites but my holy grail lip balm is the Eve Lom Kiss Mix (€20.00).

3. Highlight

You might already be highlighting like crazy but one of the places people often forget to implement it is along the cupid's bow. It has major impact, drawing light and the eye to the lip and extending the size of the lip just a smidge.

Currently, I've been digging the Glow Pot by Topshop in the shade Polished (£9.00). It's creamy and blends nicely. It's glowy but not outrageous for day-to-day use or lighter make-up looks.

4. Colour

At this point, you can start to line your lips. However, if you're going for a more natural look, merely apply colour. I went for this pretty rosy lip crayon by No.7. This one is from a multi-pack I bought around Christmas, so it's a mini but you can buy the regular in a range of shades in store (€11.75).

5. Shine

I'd never been a huge fan of lip gloss...until I realised it isn't all that goopy stuff that magnetically attracts your hair to your lips and glues it in place. Again, it's all about attracting light and attention. Instead of applying a coat over the entirety of the lip, only pop a bit on the centre. This will make them look plumper...



6. SPF

...which reminds me. This lip gloss by Hawaiian Tropic (currently €4.99) happens to also have an SPF of 25. Don't forget the sun protection for your mouth! The skin there is more sensitive and needs caring for as well.

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Admittedly, you're not going to get the same effects as Botox here but it makes a difference without costing a bomb, hurting you or being invasive. And several of the steps will maintain the health of your lips as well as making them look better - always a bonus, right?

Before

After

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Brand Overview: Lush

Lush is a beauty blogger favourite. A long-time girl favourite now being discovered by more and more guys. It's one of those things diverse people of varying political stances nod in sage agreement over - whether they care about animal testing, ingredients and ethics or not. Because aside from lots of great things like being cruelty free, entirely removed from sweatshop production models, interested in using more natural ingredients and trying to give back - Lush make damn good products that smell amazing, hit great price points and (best of all) actually work.

I cannot remember the first product I tried by the brand, try as I might. And now it seems that they have taken over my life and many of my daily routines from skincare, dental care to showering and bathing. When the fridge empties of food, masks and sprays line the barren shelves. Lush is just this big presence in my life now.

I thought, then, that it would only make sense to have them as my next brand overview. Admittedly, I have tried very little of their makeup and fragrance lines (neither have yet to really appeal to me) but I've used and habitually use a wide variety of their products.

Long-time staples for me are products that I use to target pesky hormonal breakouts. It's pretty frustrating to have perfect skin ruined by yet another cycle of the moon and Lush masks are a great way at treating this pre-emptively and after the fact. My two favourites are Catastrophe Cosmetic (a Fresh Face Mask) and Mask of Magnaminty (a Face and Body Mask which is good for targeting breakouts elsewhere, thankfully that's not a concern of mine). Both are quite soothing and cooling which makes them feel good on top of painful breakouts in particular. My toner has been the Tea Tree Water. Probably the most modest part of my daily skincare routine which is, admittedly, largely made up of luxury or high-end products, it utterly holds its own. It's refreshing and another dose of ingredients in the daily mix to fight acne.

Recently, I've added Grease Lightning, a spot treatment, as another layer of protection against acne. It's quite good at bringing down redness and size overnight. And unlike a lot of spot treatments, it doesn't sting yet offers results - always good! Probably better for those with sensitive skin than other treatments as its all about the tea tree and witch hazel rather than salicylic acid to combat acne more gently.

As I always have trouble with dead skin on my lips, I've been using the The Kiss Lip Scrub from the Valentine's range and, I have to say, I've been loving it. There is a ton of product so it's actually very good value and it tastes almost too good. The effects aren't miraculous but I think that has rather more to do with my lips and less the product.

The Toothy Tabs are something that intrigued. Basically they're small boxes of tablets that are bitten up between the front teeth and which foam when brought into contact with a wet toothbrush. It's an odd sensation that takes getting used to and it doesn't taste especially nice but the main selling-point is that the packaging is better for the environment than the traditional method. I use the Dirty Toothy Tabs from time to time but on a daily basis I miss the feeling of regular toothpaste. My conscience will probably eventually sway me to them entirely but I'm not quite ready yet.

My biggest hair hits are the Marilyn Hair Treatment, which smells great and helps take the brassy tones out of my hair while also leaving it feeling soft and smooth, and the Big Sea Salt Shampoo, which a great friend gifted me knowing that I fight for volume in my hair. Again, it smells lovely and while the salt can feel a little rough on my scalp, I love how my hair is subtly better and bigger the next day without the same kind of texture given by sea salt sprays - much as I love them.

Finally, let's talk bath bombs. Probably what Lush is most well-known for - especially given recent meme-ification on tumblr. I've tried a range, tending to go for seasonal, citrus or calming scents and really have no particular loyalties. Rather I prefer to try something new each time. And with seasonal collections, there's generally a really good selection and something to suit all tastes. Some are a wee bit extravagant for a single bath, in my mind. And while they supposedly can be reused in most cases or halved, I'm not really arsed with all that work. Bubble bars, in this regard, tend to make more economic sense as they are crumbled into the water rather than tossed in and can be more readily rationed. However, I suppose the point is a little bit of luxury rather than daily (or anything close to it) use. Most recently, I was given the Unicorn Horn bubble bar from the Valentine's Line by the lovely staff at Grafton Street (Note: You'll never be in a store with staff more passionate about the products or ready to answer your questions - really. Like. Ever.). I LOVED it. I mean, unicorns? Glitter? Lavender smells that are just right rather than overpowering? Yes. Please.

But, really, the only thing to do is go in and have a sniff. You shan't be disappointed.

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Le Skincare Routine

I love skincare.

More than makeup.

To many, it may seem like a boring chore (and I won't pretend I don't skip the full routine every now and again when I'm feeling super-lazy) but I think there's something really luxurious about high-end skincare. It's taking a moment to entirely focus your energy and time on yourself. And it sure is an easier way to take care of yourself than exercise or avoiding eating deliciously bad-for-you things.

Consistency is key with skincare so I never change my routine hugely. I swap out moisturisers or cleansers or rotate a few at any one time but the steps remain the same, if somewhat refined as I go forward.

Morning is very simple. I don't use cleansers and instead use plain water to wash my face because, unlike in the evening, my skin doesn't have a night of healing ahead of it. I don't want to strip it first thing. After washing my face, I use Lush's Tea Tree Toner and then Ren's Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil* to make sure the last of the impurities are cleansed and moisture is immediately returned to my face. Then I use a little of Ren's V-Cense Youth Vitality Day Cream*. To finish, I use a high SPF suncream.

The evening routine is more elaborate. I cleanse with VOYA's Cleanse and Mend* most nights but a couple times a week I use Yes To Carrots Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, applying and massaging it very gently into the skin so as not to damage it. The same toner and oil come into play at this stage and then Ren's V-Cense Night Cream*. On top of this I apply Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel and then a dab of pure tea tree oil to any blemishes I might have. Lastly, as I get into bed, I moisturise my hands with Laura Mercier's Ambré Vanille handcream (so lovely it makes drunk people stop in the street and demand what the smell is...several times) and apply a little of Eve Lom's Kiss Mix to my lips.

Other than this, I also regularly use Lush's Catastrophe Cosmetic and Mask of Magnanimity masks to try and keep hormonal blemishes in check, alongside Ren's Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial* to brighten the skin.

 

And there we have it!

I won't say I have anywhere near perfect skin but it's certainly better behaved, softer and more well cared for. And I can attribute that to nothing more than the awesome products I use and research and time put into figuring out a routine that works for my skin - which is combination with dryness around the nostrils and an oily t-zone as well as being prone to hormonal breakouts.

I would also say that you can probably devise a more inexpensive system but I'm personally cool with spending a bit more, especially for products that are more natural...also, all products marked with a * have been sent or gifted to me so I'm a wee bit spoiled...

One Night Essentials

I'm not going to lie and say I travel light. By and large, I bring too much with me - be that in a handbag or luggage. I like my things and I like to bring them with me. However, I've gotten better at leaving things behind for short trips.

Or, I had gotten better at it.

And then I had to go and spoil it all by doing something stupid like getting into skincare.

Again, I won't lie and say I'm always rigorous or consistent. Sometimes, when tired, I just wash my face, brush my teeth and go to sleep. But I rarely skip at least some form of a skincare routine because some consistency is necessary to see the results.

Which means that travelling light now necessitates finding room for my skincare. This weekend, I went home for a night to my family home as I'm going to be so busy with my dissertation for the next while that I doubt I'll be able to get back often. Though I only brought a clean tee and underwear to change into, I also had to bring the following. At the moment, these are the skincare items I can't go a day without. So, I guess, you could say they're my essentials.

Lush Tea Tree Toner Water - Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille Hand Cream - Viviscal Hair and Scalp Serum - Ren Flash Rinse One Minute Facial - VOYA Cleanse and Mend Cleanser - Ren V-cense Day Cream - Eve Lom Kiss Mix - Tea Tree Oil.

So, what can't you go a day without?

PS. Thanks to anyone who nominated me in the Irish Blog Awards - I'm now shortlisted! Woo! x

Favourites du moment.

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So, here's some of the stuff I've been majorly feeling lately....all gathered on my vanity table. Now how did that happen? 

There are a couple repeats from my last favourites post. I'm still loving the Surya Brasil Sapien Women Body Moisturiser and accompanying shower gel (not pictured) - they just smell so nice! And the Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic has been a real saviour during hormonal breakouts lately. 

New is the Macadamia Oil Extract Hair Treatment I picked up (in the Euro shop - obvs). My only criticism of an otherwise solid product is that it doesn't have a dropper and trying to get the 4-5 drops only that they recommend for long hair is a pain. I usually end up washing a lot of excess off and wasting product. But I do notice my hair is extra silky when I use it!

For lips I've been switching out my regular Dr Bronner organic balm for one of the many Baby Lips I bought over Christmas. I felt I really should use them...and the Intense Care has been great. Again, it's the scent that's swaying me but I like the colour combo on the packaging a lot too! I'm a terrible sucker for cute packaging. My nails have been getting more attention than normal recently and I'm really liking the colour combo of Jessica's Starfish Glow - a bright pink shade - with Mavala's The Elle Orange - a reddish orange. People keep complimenting it stating they'd never put pink and red together normally but that it looks cool. Silly old fashion rules...pink and red can totes work when done right!

With jewellery I'm adoring these Cos earrings I got at the new store opening in Dublin a few weeks back. I haven't worn them much as they are kind of a pain to put on but I will crack them out for the next fancy thing  go to! And I've been wearing my Tatty Devine cat ring again lately. So cute.

I've been reading Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane - not as much as I'd like as I always find it difficult to commit to a book when researching but it's Neil Gaiman! And so far so good!

Lastly, I'm listening to plenty of Girls as I picked up their Broken Dreams Club in a charity shop for €1.50 and Sharon Van Etten's new stuff purely because it's AMAZING. I'll leave you with the new single. Enjoy x

PS. What have you guys been loving? I'd love to know!