I'll be sharing a lot of minimal waste content both here and on Instagram throughout the month, and will be doing my best to reduce my plastic usage in all areas of my life as well. My personal goal is to be better with my food purchases, as that has really slipped since lockdown began. Anyone else relate?? And what is your aim for Plastic Free July? Are you taking part this year, or are you still not too sure about the mission? Let me know!
But that's a whole other conversation, and today I'm here to talk about empties! June was pretty slow in terms of product use, as I just wasn't inspired. My routine slipped, and I was finding myself using the bare minimum (which was actually refreshing and probably a good little reset for my skin!). My focus was more on my hair than anything else, as I want it to be in as good condition as possible for the wedding... Eek!
Overall we finished up 18 products - lots of haircare, some staples like shaving soap and shampoo, and of course several skincare goodies. You'll find lots of tried and true brands as well as some new faces that haven't appeared on The ecoLogical before - so get ready to dig in to everything Tim and I used up in June...
And of course I want to hear what you finished last month, so let me know in the comments!
Transparency Key:
* This post contains affiliate links and some products have been gifted
No matter how I have received a product, whether it has been purchased with my own money, gifted by a brand, been subsidized by a brand, won, gifted by friends/family, or purchased with a gift voucher, my approach is always the same -- honesty, integrity, and highlighting both the good and the bad. You can find more information on Disclosures and Privacy here.
Mallow + White Coffee + Mint Scrub Soap (~90g):
Enjoyed?: yes
Positives: perfect multi-tasker (for hands or body), perfectly exfoliating (not harsh, but definitely effective), smells incredible, non-drying, plastic free
Negatives: none
Buy again?: yes it's gorgeous!
Further review
Friendly Soap Shaving Bar in Orange & Lavender (95g):
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: super affordable, plastic free, multi-tasking, nice lather without being drying, gentle aroma, lasts ages
Negatives: none
Buy again?: yes, already have as it's Tim's favourite
Discount
Promise Organic Defining Coconut Milk Curl Cream (136ml):
Enjoyed: no
Positives: smells creamy and sweet, not too heavy, generously sized, pretty affordable
Negatives: I felt this dried out my hair, plastic tube
Buy again?: no (cannot find this online anyways at the moment - I picked it up in the US)
Josh Rosebrook Nourish Shampoo (60ml):
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: silky, leaves hair soft and refreshed, no frizz, super gentle, smells lovely (slightly sweet and calming)
Negatives: plastic bottle, doesn't easily lather
Buy again?: I think I'll get the full size duo at some point to try longer term results
Josh Rosebrook Nourish Conditioner (60ml):
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: leaves hair so soft and feeling restored, hydrating, creamy sweet scent, doesn't weigh down hair
Negatives: plastic bottle
Buy again?: yes I think I'll get the full size duo to see longer term results
Walden See the Moonlight Perfume Oil (10ml):
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: travel friendly and portable, chic glass, scent lasts a fair amount of time, gorgeous aroma - velvety, deep, intoxicating (perfect for evenings and romantic occasions!)
Negatives: none
Buy again?: yes, though I have the spray one now
Further review
Walden Castles in the Air Perfume Oil (10ml):
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: travel friendly and portable, chic glass, scent lasts a fair amount of time, gorgeous aroma - dreamy, faintly sweet, delicate (ideal for everyday use!)
Negatives: none
Buy again?: yes, though I have the spray one now
Further review - see above
Nakin Revitalising Face Oil (50ml):
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: nourishing, gentle, great as an overnight "mask" to replenish and condition, subtle scent
Negatives: a little heavy for my skin for day use (better for Tim's dry skin), plastic bottle
Buy again?: maybe
Shade All-Natural Sunscreen (15ml):
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: plastic free, effective (no burns!), long lasting, gentle, no strong scent, interesting airy texture, nourishing
Negatives: takes a bit of effort to blend in (otherwise white tint is v prominent), very rich so not ideal for the more congestion prone parts of my skin
Buy again?: maybe for legs/shoulders
Evolve Organic Beauty Nourishing Hair Elixir (30ml):
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: gorgeous aroma (so special - Tahitian Monoi), doesn't leave hair greasy, restores + adds shine
Negatives: for me coconut oil isn't ideal
Buy again?: maybe - used on Tim this time around as the coconut oil broke my scalp out last time
Weleda Lip Balm in Berry Red (10ml):
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: nourishing, non-sticky, great tint (beautiful rich shade that can be blended in for a more subtle look or built up for a more saturated colour), easy to use, affordable, lasts ages
Negatives: plastic tube, more of a gloss/glaze than balm
Buy again?: maybe in future - really like the glossy look!
Moksa Lavender/Chamomile Cleansing Oil (50ml):
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: lovely glass bottle + design, aroma (peaceful, perfect pre-bed), not too slick, melts away
Negatives: none
Buy again?: yes, the 100% plastic free one is calling my name!
Max & Me Oils Sweet Serenity Mask & Wash (30ml):
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: love the delicate fragrance (slightly sweet, soothing, chocolate notes, light florals - so interesting!), multi-tasker (exfoliates, cleanses, conditions...), super indulgent, adds a lovely glow to complexion
Negatives: a little rich more me at times + coconut oil triggers blemishes for me
Buy again?: possibly - it's a gorgeous mask and I'm tempted to have this on hand as a peaceful moisture boost treatment (full review on the way!)
Elixirs of Life Gardeners Life Hand Cream (60ml):
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: plastic free, fab texture (so silky and light), absorbs well, softens skin
Negatives: phenoxyethonal
Buy again?: maybe
Happy Naturals Revitalising Body Wash (250ml):
Enjoyed: no
Positives: scent is revitalizing, bubbles and lathers tons, super affordable, generous size
Negatives: phenoxyethonal, plastic tube, too harsh on skin (made Tim itchy, irritated mine)
Buy again?: no - this was gifted and we wouldn't get it again
Flaya Imagine Perfume (10ml):
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: cute glass vial, travel friendly + portable, such a fab scent (sweetly floral, calming, dreamy), a great everyday scent or one to liven up your special occasion
Negatives: none
Buy again?: yes I LOVE this brand
Further review
Anita Grant Ylang-Ylang Floral Water
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: great for refreshing hair or as a tonic rinse, gentle, even misting, solid glass bottle (compact), great for skin/hair/bath - super multi-tasker, affordable
Negatives: none
Buy again?: yes!
Bellapierre Mineral Lipstick in Envy
Enjoyed: yes
Positives: super creamy, doesn't dry out lips, great colour (LOVE the shade though there seems to be two versions?)
Negatives: a lot of plastic
Buy again?: using up others I have before I decide
It was a pretty good month of products, with only a few duds and several stars surfacing. It was nice to finally use up some goodies that had been on the go for ages - always a rewarding feeling to reach the bottom of a bottle! And now I get to open up some new things which is super exciting!
I think some of my favourites that I used up were the Josh Rosebrook conditioner, the perfumes from Flaya and Walden, the coffee soap from Mallow + White, the ylang ylang spray by Anita Grant, and the face mask from Max & Me. And I know Friendly is always a fav for Tim! Honestly though, other than the Promise Organic curl cream and the Happy Naturals body wash, I really got on with everything.
Do you spy any tried and true products in my roundup? I would love to know which you have used in the past and loved, or if you finished something in June that you think I should check out in future. Let me know! xx
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