bookmark_borderReview: Pretty Frank Vanilla Lavender Lotion Bar

Hey earth muffins! In the past, I have done some sponsored reviews for Primal Pit Paste and have loved everything I have tried from this company. I was quite excited when they recently reached out to me again, as they have now re-named themselves as Pretty Frank. After searching through the products that I have not tried, I was curious to try out the new Vanilla Lavender Lotion Bar. They were kind enough to send it my way, so I will be sharing my thoughts on the product with you all today!

What I Love
*It is plastic free! It is no secret that I have been trying to avoid as much plastic/unnecessary packaging since starting my journey towards living a sustainable lifestyle in 2018. Lotion containers irritate me because 1) they are made of plastic and 2) you often can’t get everything out of the bottle (which can impact their ability to be recycled). This product comes in a cardboard box, which can be recycled. I love that the product itself is “naked”, as it resembles some of Lush’s products. I love that companies are starting to realize that it is important to reduce the waste of their packaging!

*Perfect for all your moisturizing needs without being greasy. I also am not a fan of typical lotions because they are often quite greasy…. Who else can’t open doors for a solid 5 minutes after rubbing in some lotion? So annoying! This bar is awesome because it moisturizes but doesn’t get that greasy layer on your hands (or wherever you apply it). Especially in a time when we are washing our hands more, it is so important to keep your skin healthy and moisturized!

*Easy to apply! I was interested to see if it would be harder to apply a lotion in bar form, but it is quite simple. All I do is take the bar and rub it over the area of dry skin and rub it in with my fingers for a minute or so. Again, the fact that it doesn’t leave behind any greasy residue is so great for me – definitely a huge bonus!

*Equivalent price to other lotions. This bar is only $10 (or $8.50 if you get a plan to ship every 1-3 months). While I have only been using it a few weeks, it seems like it will last for a long time as you don’t need a ton of product for each use. Lotion, in general, can be pricey, but I think this is a good bang for you buck!

*Fast shipping (even in quarantine!). I was talking with my contact at the company (shoutout to Katie!) right when all of the stay at home orders were first put into place. And my product still got to my house super-fast!

*Smells amazing! Honestly, who can hate the scents of vanilla and lavender together? Lavender is such a calming scent for me, so I love applying this lotion right before going to bed as it helps me go to sleep. I am not sure if Pretty Frank is going to release more scents in the future, but it wouldn’t surprise me. If vanilla and lavender aren’t your thing, keep an eye out!

What Could Be Better
*The circle shape could be a square. As the cardboard box is a square, it would seem like the bar itself could be a square as well. Even though the circle shape is easy to roll over the skin when applying, it might be easier storage wise if it were a square instead (even though I just kept the box it came in and haven’t had any storage issues yet).

*It came wrapped in wax paper. While the box itself is recyclable, the bar was also wrapped in a small square of wax paper. This can’t be recycled, so I made sure to reuse it before throwing it away. I would have loved to see this wax paper be just normal paper that could be recycled! : )

Overall, I have been loving Pretty Frank’s Vanilla Lavendar Lotion Bar! If you are looking for a more sustainable option than your typical plastic bottle lotion, I would definitely recommend giving it a try. I look forward to trying more Pretty Frank products in the future! What lotion are you currently using while in quarantine?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderReview: Clean Faced Cosmetics Zero Waste Cake Mascara

When I wrote my review of Mad Hippie’s Mineral Mascara last month, I referenced the other mascara that I use on a day-to-day basis and realized that I have not written a full review of it yet… I have been using a mascara from Clean Faced Cosmetics for a couple of years now, so I thought today would be a perfect day to share my Clean Faced Cosmetics cake mascara review! 

What I Love:
*It is sustainable! This was one of the first switches I made when I started my green journey back in May 2018. The mascara comes in a metal tin, can be sent back to the Etsy seller to be refilled, and comes in zero waste packaging. I also use a powder from this shop (see the full review here!), and I love that the seller will ship a compostable bag of the product instead of using another tin.

*Made of only 4 ingredients – As you all know I try to keep the ingredient count down on all the products I use, as I’m not a fan of chemicals or putting things on my body that shouldn’t really be there…. So I LOVE that this product is made with less than 5 ingredients!

*Good pigmentation and color – It is not super duper black (even though it is buildable if you want a dark black), which I love because I usually do a natural makeup look.

*Lasts all day and is easy to get off in the shower! I mentioned in my Mad Hippie mascara review that I didn’t like how I had to actually try to get this mascara off in the shower. I love this Clean Faced Cosmetic mascara because it is easy to get off with just water but lasts all day long.

*It is multi-purpose – Because this mascara is in cake form, it allows it to be used as both a mascara, eyeliner, brow filler, and even eyeshadow! I typically just use it as mascara and eyeliner, which saves me from creating more waste than I need to! 👏

*Easy to apply! Cake mascara might seem harder to apply compared to those in tubes, but it is actually super simple.

*Comes with a TON of product – Especially if you use a small amount each day like me, this product will last you a long time.

*Supports a local business – Laura, the lovely lady who owns the Etsy store, is from Grand Rapids, MI. I love that I am able to support a local Midwestern!

*Easy to sanitize! Mascara wands can get pretty nasty and collect bacteria, so I love to sanitize my cake mascara by spraying it with some rubbing alcohol every once in awhile. You definitely can do this with typical plastic containers!

What I Don’t Love:
*A bit pricey – Compared to cheaper drugstore products (like elf, NYX, Wet n Wild, etc.) this mascara is more expensive… But for $16 (and usually the shop has some awesome sales!), it is definitely worth it!

*Learning curve – While applying cake mascara is easy, it will require you to learn how to do so if you have been using wand mascaras for your whole life. Not a big con, but I thought I would still add it to the list. 😬

Thanks for reading my Clean Faced Cosmetics cake mascara review! What is your favorite mascara currently? 

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderReview: Mad Hippie Mineral Mascara

Hey earth muffins, happy Monday!! Today I will be sharing my thoughts on another sustainable beauty product: the mineral mascara from Mad Hippie cosmetics! 🤩 Mascara is one of my favorite makeup staples, so I was beyond excited to test out this product – let’s jump right into the review!

A picture of the Mad Hippie Mineral Mascara with the words Mad Hippie Mascara Review
Pin to read later!
 

What I LOVE:
1. It makes my lashes look extremely long! I have always preferred mascaras that make my lashes longer than those that make them “thicker”/clumpy. This mascara does an excellent job of coating each lash, enhancing their natural length.

2. The wand is perfection. It is both long AND thick, which allows me to apply it so easily. Definitely my favorite mascara wand of all time!

A picture of the wand of the Mad Hippie Mascara, a perfect length and width

3. It smells like roses. When looking at the ingredient list, it is clear that their is no rose in the actual mascara, so it might be smelling like the sweet almond oil… 🤔 Regardless, it smells SO good!

4. The container is sustainable!! One of my biggest challenges with trying out new makeup products since I started my journey towards low/zero waste is to find products that are in sustainable containers. This mascara is made of a sugarcane bioresin plastic tube that can be recycled after it is used up. While recycling is by no means the best solution to the struggles of our planet, it beats the plastic tubes that can never be recycled!

5. It is made of simple ingredients. As it is a mineral mascara, there are no synthetic waxes, dyes, or coal tar inside the formula. Compared to the Clean Faced Cosmetics cake mascara I typically use (which only has 4 ingredients!), it includes more ingredients in the formula… But much fewer than those in drugstore/high end products.

6. This mascara will last all day through rain, sweat, and tears. 😅 Trust me.

7. The brand is vegan and cruelty free! I will always support these types of companies and brands!

What I DISLIKE:
1. You need to use some sort of soap to take it off. While this might seem like a weird con to most people, I usually just wash off my makeup in the shower… So I don’t like the fact that I need to take an extra step to get this off. However, as I said above, this mascara doesn’t budge during the day so I guess the extra time to take it off is okay.

2. It is a tad pricey… But most sustainable beauty products are pricier. This mascara can be bought on the Mad Hippie website for $19, while the Clean Faced Cosmetics mascara is $12-16. However, there are many sustainable makeup brands that are WAY more expensive… But, I thought I would mention it none-the-less. 😊

A picture of the Mad Hippie Mineral Mascara over the paper it came with that says, Welcome to the Revolution
Definitely go check out this mascara!

What is your favorite mascara currently?

*I was sent this product for free; all opinions are my own!*

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderReview: LUSH Herbalism Face Cleanser

Hey earth muffins! As I mentioned in my Plastics I Refuse to Give Up post, I started using the Lush Herbalism face wash over the summer. I have been using it for a few months now, so I thought I would share a review of the Lush Herbalism cleanser with you all today! 😀

An image of a jar of Lush
Pin to read later!

Pros:
~This face wash makes my skin feel SO healthy and moisturized! I had been using Proactiv for a year or so before making this switch, and that always made my skin feel super dry. I love that my skin feels nourished and clean after using this face wash!

~Helps prevent new breakouts. The reason I started using this product was because over the summer my skin freaked out with Proactiv. It has been a few months now, and I am still dealing with some of the scarring left over from the incident. This product definitely helps my sensitive skin in preventing any new zits from forming, which is a huge bonus!

~There are fewer ingredients/chemicals, making it better for my skin. I plan on writing a whole long rant about how Proactiv ruined my skin, but the major reason I stopped using it (spoilers, I know) is that it bleached one of my dark shirts. If it can literally bleach a dyed fabric, what is it doing to my skin?! I feel much happier that Lush makes products with fewer ingredients and additives!

~The packaging is made of recycled plastic and can be brought back to the store! While I try to avoid as many plastic containers as I can (check out my Why I Use Bars Over Bottles post!), many Lush products still do not have a “naked” form… But hopefully they will one day! I love that you can bring back 5 of the black tubs to any Lush store and receive a free face mask in return – definitely a great incentive to get people to recycle their containers!

~A little goes a long way! This cleanser is used a bit differently that others, as you have to take a dollop, get it wet, and then apply. Because of this, the product will last much longer than a typical bottle (which I love!). Plus, you aren’t paying for water in your face wash. 😊

A image of a hand with some of Lush

~Saves water in the shower. Because it is a more hands on process, I don’t actually wash my face in the shower anymore, choosing to wash it after getting out. This saves water and makes my shower time even shorter.

~Smells very fresh! This product has over 1,000 reviews on Lushusa.com, and many people seem to think it smells bad. I think it smells nice, but maybe I am in the minority…

Cons:
~Takes more time than other “normal” cleansers. Like I mentioned above, this cleanser is more hands on, but I don’t think that is a bad thing! However, if you can’t add a couple more minutes into your beauty routine then this cleanser is not for you.

~I am not a fan of the ground almonds. I understand that they act as a natural exfoliate (thank goodness there are no plastic microbeads!), but I sometimes think they irritate my skin as they can be very sharp!

A dancing almond, showing that Lush

Thanks for reading my Lush Herbalism review! What is your favorite Lush product?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderTough Teeth Tooth Powder ft. Primal Pit Paste!

Hey earth muffins! After struggling to find a low waste deodorant a few months ago, I stumbled upon Primal Pit Paste (now Pretty Frank) and their amazing selection of sustainable products. I have talked about both their Wild Woods Natural Deodorant and Charcoal Whitening Tooth Powder in the past, so I am excited to share my thoughts on P3’s Tough Teeth Tooth Powder with you all today! 😊

The first thing I obviously love about this product is that it comes in a glass jar. As I am on a journey towards being as sustainable as possible, this is a huge pro for me! The only negative I found about their packaging is that there is a band of plastic around the lid when it comes in the mail. 😕 While this makes it not fully “zero waste”, the jar can be reused or recycled after the product is used up, making it way more Earth-friendly than other fully plastic toothpaste tubes.

I also love that there are only 7 ingredients in this tooth powder: Kaolin Clay, Bentonite Clay, Non-Aluminum Baking Soda, Organic Peppermint Essential Oil, Sea Salt, Myrrh Powder, Organic Spearmint Essential Oil. When I started making more sustainable choices last summer, I realized just how many chemicals and un-natural substances I was putting in/on my body. This powder definitely makes me feel good about avoiding those nasty things 😍

The powder is super easy to use, and the small jar will last me quite a long time! Compared to using toothpaste from a tube, there is a small learning curve to figuring out how to use a powdered toothpaste. Here is what works best for me:

1. Wet your toothbrush
2. Dip the brush into the jar until there is a generous layer of powder covering it
3. Brush your teeth as normal (making sure to leave the faucet OFF as you brush 💧)

I was quite surprised how clean my teeth feel after using this product! I am curious to see if my dentist says anything to me after my visit next month… (*Will update this post if she does or not!*) The only downside I have found is that it does have a salty mint flavor that was a bit off-putting at first. However, I got used to this flavor after only a few brushes and it doesn’t bother me at all! 🙂

Overall, I have absolutely loved all the products I have used from Primal Pit Paste. This tooth powder is great, and I will definitely continue to use it. 🎉 What toothpaste are you currently using?

*The Primal Pit Paste products were sent to me for free, but all opinions are my own. The link to P3’s website is an affiliate link. 😊*

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderReview: Ethique Boost Hair Mask 🌸

Hey earth muffins! As the summer humidity starts to set in, my hair usually goes through a period of being extremely dry. This probably hasn’t been helped by the fact that I have been doing some traveling recently and hotel air doesn’t agree with the frizz of my hair either… To give my hair some pampering, I decided to try out a hair mask from Ethique. 😊 As their brand fits perfectly with my mission towards living low waste, I will be sharing my experience with this product today!

The hair mask that I decided to try was in the “flavor” Boost (you can find it on their website for $13.95!). I featured their other mask, Bloom, in my Sustainable Gift Guide for Mother’s Day, but I figured a little boosting would be perfect for my hair right now. This product comes with two masks in a compostable box – wow, such a great way to reduce your waste!

Overall, I thought the mask was extremely easy to use. Just plop the adorable heart shaped product into a mug, pour 150 ml of boiling water over top, stir until smooth, and let it thicken for about 15 minutes. Then, apply to dry hair for 20+ minutes and rinse out in the shower. 👍

For me, the process was extremely easy; however, I found that 150 ml seemed like too much water. After only 15 minutes the mask was still a bit watery, but after letting it sit for longer it was fine to apply into my hair. Maybe the water was too hot? Or maybe I just added too much? I’d say shoot for about 130 ml 🙂

I think this hair mask did boost the shine of my hair, as it felt extremely soft after my shower. My hair tends to be on the greasier side, so I was glad that it didn’t seem to make my hair appear like it had more oil in it. I am excited to use the second hair mask in this package, and I love that I am able to pamper myself while still reducing my waste! 😁 I would definitely recommend checking out Ethique’s hair masks!

What are your favorite hair products?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderWild Woods Natural Deodorant ft. Primal Pit Paste!

Hey earth muffins! Back in March I reviewed Primal Pit Paste’s Tough Teeth Charcoal Whitening Tooth Powder for you all. In that post, I mentioned that I was also excited to try out the company’s natural deodorant (especially since I LOVED the tooth powder). As Primal Pit Paste (now Pretty Frank) products come in glass jars, they fit perfectly with my journey to live low waste! 🎉 My old deodorant finally ran out, so I have been using the Wild Woods deodorant for about three weeks now – the perfect amount of time for an in-depth review 😁 Let’s jump right into it!

The Pros
*Easy to apply – While you can’t just roll it on like a typical deodorant, it is still so easy to apply! Using the small wooden stick that comes with the jar, you take out a pea sized amount and roll it between your fingers a couple of times to make it soft. Then, just rub into your armpit! I have found it easiest to apply my deodorant before I put on my shirt for the day as I can see where I am applying it 😊
*Smells amazing (and keeps ME smelling amazing!) – I don’t usually smell unless I am seriously sweating, but this deodorant has never let me down! 🎉 The Wild Woods scent is earthy and smells like a forest, and I love it!
*Dries fast and doesn’t become sticky during the day – Before switching to this product, I was using Tom’s of Maine deodorant. This would often become sticky during the day, so I am so thankful that this natural deodorant stays dry all day. You can’t even tell that it is there!
*Doesn’t stain clothes or leave residue – I was worried that it would leave white stains on my dark clothes… But it does nothing of the sort!
*Comes in a glass jar – In my Zero Waste Successes and Failures post, I mentioned that I was having a hard time finding a zero waste deodorant. While Tom’s of Maine was natural, it still came in a plastic container and there were no TerraCycle places near me to recycle it properly. Therefore, I LOVE that Primal Pit Paste products come in glass jars. I will be able to use the jar for something else after I finish up the product or recycle the glass.

The Cons
*Difficult to get the same amount each time – As you need a wooden stick to get the product out of the jar, it is hard to get the same amount each time. This isn’t a huge deal at all, but it was the only con I could think of! 😝

Overall, I would recommend checking out the Wild Woods deodorant from Primal Pit Paste (or any scent of their deodorants really!). As mentioned in my last review, I also still have a tooth powder that I haven’t been able to start yet (as I still have some of my toothpaste tube). Keep a lookout for a review of the tooth powder when I start using the product!

Have you tried anything from Primal Pit Paste? Will you give their products a try??

*The Primal Pit Paste products were sent to me for free, but all opinions are my own!*

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderReview: Ethique Heali Kiwi Shampoo Bar

Hey earth muffins! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday if you celebrated Easter this weekend 🐰 I got to spend some marvelous time with family, which was super great to relieve some stress during finals. 😀 At the end of January, I reviewed the Jumping Juniper shampoo bar from LUSH… After finishing that bar, I wanted to explore some other package free shampoos as part of my journey towards living a zero waste life. Ethique has some great zero waste products, so I decided to try out their Heali Kiwi bar. 😁 Here are my thoughts so far:

Pros:
~Fits nicely in my shower container: I mentioned in my How to Zero Waste Your Bathroom post that I have an Ethique container that keeps my shampoo bars/soaps dry in the shower. I love that the bars from Ethique fit perfectly in this!
~Sustainable: This bar is package free, which is amazing for the planet. I also love that the box it comes in is compostable 💚
~Smells nice: Compared to the Jumping Juniper bar, it smells a bit more earthy – but it still smells really good!
~Larger than LUSH bars and more cost effective: The bar at LUSH was $10.95 for 1.9 oz, which is about $5.76 per ounce of product. Compared to that, the Heali Kiwi bar can be bought on Amazon for $16 for 110 grams (which is about 3.88 oz). This means that you are only paying $4.12 per ounce!

Heali Kiwi (left) compared to Jumping Juniper 



Cons:
~Doesn’t lather as well: I have found that this is a common problem with many organic and natural soaps so this isn’t a big deal for me… Just make sure to wash your hair well if you want to avoid grease! 👍
~Seems like it won’t last as long: Even though the product is larger than the bars at LUSH, it seems like it won’t last as long. The soap is softer than the hard bars of LUSH, which makes it more susceptible to water. Just make sure to keep it out of water to make it last as long as possible!

What shampoo are you currently using? Would you switch to a shampoo bar?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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