Category: Beauty

bookmark_borderHey Humans Toothpaste Review – Another Remarkable and Sustainable Product!

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Hey earth muffins! At the beginning of this year, I reviewed David’s Natural toothpaste. This toothpaste comes in a recyclable aluminum tube, which is pretty awesome in terms of sustainability. However, at a price of $10 this product can seem a bit outrageous for the typical customer… When I saw Hey Humans carrying a toothpaste (in a metal tube as well!) for only $4, I had to give it a try and share my thoughts with you all. Let’s jump right into the Hey Humans toothpaste review! 🦷

What I LOVE About Hey Humans Toothpaste

It is obviously amazing that this toothpaste is in an aluminum tube. Once you are finished with the product, you just have to make sure to rinse out all the remaining residue before tossing it in the recycle bin. Check out this full guide on how to recycle aluminum tube toothpastes! I am so excited that more brands are opting for a metal tube compared to sticking with plastic. Even the cap of Hey Humans toothpaste is made of 100% plastic waste! This product also comes in a recyclable cardboard box, which makes for a great eco-friendly packaged toothpaste overall.

This toothpaste does an amazing job keeping my teeth clean and healthy. The paste itself is a clear gel with a consistency similar to most other toothpastes on the market. It is also made without harmful ingredients which is always good in my book. There are things like coconut oil and tea tree leaf oil to keep your teeth healthy without exposing your body to any extra chemicals.

A Hey Humans toothpaste review isn’t complete without a taste review: I have personally tried out both the Clean Mint and Wintermint “flavors”. They aren’t an overwhelming minty taste (which I absolutely HATE in plastic-packaged toothpastes), but it still keeps your breath fresh after you brush. I am a huge fan of subtle flavored products, so this is a bonus for me!

Another great thing about this product is the price! I often have to include this in the “cons” section of my reviews, so it is awesome to be able to include it in the “pros” for this Hey Humans toothpaste review. For only $4, this product is basically the same price as most other toothpastes on the market. This makes it more accessible to the everyday consumer – I hope it gets more people to choose the eco-friendly option!

What I’m Struggling With

Like I mentioned in my David’s toothpaste review, there are more zero waste options compared to this product. With products like toothpaste tabs on the market, I can’t say that a toothpaste in an aluminum tube is the best sustainable option you have. BUT, I still think it is a great choice! Some zero waste products aren’t for everyone (like toothpaste tabs can be hard to adjust to); anyone can opt for an aluminum tube instead of plastic!! I think this is an excellent accessible product that anyone can try out.

Another downside to this product is that you have to clean the tube before you can recycle it. This makes sense, as you MUST clean everything before it can be recycled… However, I think this will deter people from actually recycling the tube. I’m sure many will toss it in uncleaned or just toss it in the trash because they are too lazy to take the time to clean it. Please don’t be one of those people and recycle the tube properly!

Lastly, I want to mention that this product is only sold at Target. I think Target has a lot of great eco-friendly products these days… But, it sucks that you can only get this toothpaste in one store. Hopefully this will change in the future, but you might have to make the conscious effort to grab this toothpaste on your Target runs!

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Final Thoughts on Hey Humans Toothpaste

Overall, I think this toothpaste is amazing! 😊 In terms of being eco-friendly, the aluminum tub and recyclable packaging are awesome. The price point is much better than David’s Natural toothpaste, which makes this a more affordable option for anyone shopping at Target. It works great at cleaning your teeth but doesn’t have an overwhelming mint flavor. While there are more “zero waste” options out there, I think this is a great option for any low waster – including myself! Have you tried any Hey Humans products before? Comment below and don’t forget to add this to your Target shopping list!

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderNatissy Reusable Panty Liners: An Awesome Sustainable Product Review!

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Hey earth muffins! At the beginning of this year, I introduced you all to the brand Natissy when I reviewed their reusable “paper” towels (which I still absolutely love!). When Natissy reached out to me to try their panty liners, I was so excited to try out another one of their products. I recently entered the world of reusable period pads after experimenting with menstrual cups with little success. If you haven’t checked out my most recent pads review, I highly suggest giving it a read! 😊 Today, I want to share my thoughts on Natissy’s reusable panty liners (affiliate link). As an extra bonus for giving this post a read, please feel free to use the code “JENNAAMZ20” on Amazon to get 20% off Natissy products!

A pack of Natissy reusable panty liners, a sustainable alternative to disposable liners

What I Love About Natissy’s Reusable Panty Liners

First off, it should be noted that these are panty liners and NOT menstrual pads, which means they are not meant to be worn during your period. I personally like to wear liners on days when I have a lot of cervical mucus or know my period will start soon. Once my period actually starts, I switch to reusable menstrual pads. (Don’t worry, I will be doing a full review of Natissy’s reusable menstrual pads next month!) As panty liners, these work great! The material is thin but effective on keeping everything dry. Plus, they move with the body which makes them comfortable to use.

This Natissy reusable panty liners review would not be complete without mentioning how much I love the sustainability of this product! There are a few ways to zero waste your period… So, I love that this company is expanding on their already sustainable product line to include items that 50% of the population uses every single month. While the panty liners are shipped through Amazon, you can follow these instructions to get your Amazon packages plastic-free. AND, the liners are packed by Natissy in a biodegradable bag – it looks plastic but it actually isn’t (which is awesome)!

Other Things I Like About These Liners

I also love that the material is super soft! Natissy uses bamboo and organic cotton in their panty liners and pads, which makes them super soft to the touch. There are plenty of patterns to choose from as well – I personally went with the pack of 7 liners in the color “Black Grapes & Peacocks”. The pattern side faces up when you snap them into place, so I often choose darker patterns as they are less likely to stain or discolor after multiple uses.

Natissy reusable panty liners

The pack of liners I got were in a size small (affiliate link). They are the perfect size for me! Similar to pads, some people prefer longer sizes… So I love that Natissy also has a medium size option as well. While, again, these should not be used during your period, having more sizes is a great way to be inclusive for everyone’s body type.

Unlike the Leeklos pads I reviewed a few weeks ago, these only have one snap closure. I’m a big fan of the snaps, as it helps the liner stay in place and not shift around during the day. Even with one snap, these panty liners did not move around. (Even if they did though, it wouldn’t be that big of an issue since you aren’t bleeding into these liners as you would with a pad).

What Could Be Improved with Natissy’s Panty Liners

Just like with any review on Life of an Earth Muffin, I have to mention price in this Natissy reusable panty liner review. For a pack of 7 small panty liners, it will cost you around $40 (about $6 per liner). Compared to disposable liners, this might seem high… BUT, I feel like this is actually on the lower end to other reusable panty liners on the market. You can also use the code “JENNAAMZ20” on Amazon to get 20% off any Natissy products; this makes it an even more affordable price at less than $5 per liner. Remember, you are buying this product to last many years – you need to take into account the fact that it is handmade with high quality fabrics. 😍

Like I mentioned above, these panty liners only have one snap on them. This might be a “con” to some people if you want to be able to adjust the panty liner to your underwear style. However, this personally doesn’t bother me as I found the snap to work just fine and keeps the liner in place during use. Still thought I would mention it for those who have differing opinions!

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Final Thoughts on the Natissy Reusable Panty Liners

I personally love the Natissy reusable panty liners (affiliate link)! They are perfect for keeping me dry before my period; and, I love that the material is soft and comfortable to wear. The small size works great for me, but it is also awesome that they offer a medium/longer liner as well. While the price might seem high at first, these liners are comparable to other reusable liners on the market. Plus, don’t forget to use the code “JENNAAMZ20” on Amazon to get 20% off any Natissy products! Have you ever tried out reusable panty liners before? Comment below what you thought of them!

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderLeekalos Reusable Menstrual Pads Review – An Easy Way to Zero Waste Your Period!

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Hey earth muffins! If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you will know that I have been trying out sustainable alternatives to period products. The first menstrual cup I tried out, the Lena cup, I wasn’t a huge fan of. The silicone was on the harder side which made it uncomfortable for my body. I tried out the Organicup next, which was definitely softer than the Lena cup… But I still didn’t find it super comfortable either. I decided that I would take a break from menstrual cups and try out reusable pads instead (affiliate link). After using these Leekalos pads for a bit, I thought I would share my thoughts with you all. Let’s jump right into my reusable menstrual pads review!

A picture of four reusable menstrual cups

What I Love About Leekalos Reusable Menstrual Pads

Firstly, they work really well! Similarly to a disposable pad, the reusable ones catch your blood without leaking too. I was a bit concerned about this when I bought them, as single-use pads are made with specific materials to suck up everything. Reusable pads are made of just fabric, so I wasn’t exactly sure if they could successfully do the job or not. But, they definitey can! I bought a pack of smalls and a pack of mediums. At the start of my cycle (which are heavier days), I use the mediums. After day two I am totally fine with wearing the small pads. I love that you can get different sizes depending on your flow, just like “regular” pads!

Reusable pads are SO much more comfortable. The material of disposable pads is often plastic-y and makes weird noises when you walk… Because reusable pads are made of fabric, they are super soft and move with your body. Instead of having to stick it to your underwear, the wings snap together. There are even two different snaps that you can use for the perfect fit! I love this because 1) it is less obvious that you are changing your pad in a public restroom and 2) you can move the pad into a different position easily, if necessary. A stick-on pad definitely does not have this option!

This Leekalos reusable menstrual pads review would not be complete if I didn’t mention washing the pads. The ones I purchased are made of dark fabrics which means they did not get stained. I assume if you buy lighter fabrics they might stain a little, but overall they are super easy to wash! After I changed my pad I would rinse it off and soak it in my sink. Then, I would place it into the “wet bag” that came with the pads. At the end of my period, I did an express wash load to clean all of the pads – and they look good as new. Super easy and awesome that I will be able to use these again and again.

Other Things I Like About Reusable Pads

I also love that reusable menstrual pads save you money in the long run. I bought each pack of 6 pads for around $10 and will be able to use them for a long time (affiliate link). Normal pads and tampons are pretty expensive at the store, and you have to keep buying them every month or so. Plus, these disposable options have the extra environmental cost of rotting in a landfill for hundreds of years! Seems like a no-brainer to opt for the reusable alternative instead.

Lastly, there is just something about allowing your body to free bleed on your period. While I love the idea of menstrual cups, I haven’t been able to find one that works well for my body. Inserting and removing a menstrual cup can be a challenge, so I love that I can just snap on a pad instead. For me, it is definitely better to just let it all flow out naturally (but obviously this might not be your preference).

What I Dislike About Leekalos Reusable Menstrual Pads

While this doesn’t bother me, you might not enjoy getting up close and personal with your menstrual pads. It does add a bit of time to soak/rinse after you change your pad, but it really isn’t that much of a committment. It might even take you longer to insert or remove your menstrual cup if you aren’t skilled at doing so yet!

I also think it is important to note that your pad will obviously smell after it has been used… But, I have noticed the smell to be less than with a disposable one. Don’t worry – no smells will linger once you throw your pads in the wash! To combat any excess smells in the bathroom, I suggest wrapping up your pad before placing it in to your wet bag.

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Final Thoughts!

It isn’t very difficult to zero waste your period – there are so many great alternatives out there. I absolutely love reusable menstrual pads! I am a bit bummed I didn’t start with them; but, I guess I would have never known that I am not a fan of menstrual cups if I didn’t. Reusable menstrual pads are comfortable, easy to wash, and budget friendly. I highly recommend checking these Leekalos pads out (affiliate link)! I hope you enjoyed this reusable menstrual pads review – let me know your thoughts on zero waste period products in the comments below!

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderHow to Dispose of Bamboo Toothbrushes Properly

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Hey earth muffins! A couple of months ago, I shared my thoughts on bamboo toothbrushes. These are such a great swap to make in your bathroom. They are more eco-friendly than plastic toothbrushes and are even better for the environment than electric brushes as well. When making the switch to bamboo toothbrushes, it is important to dispose of them properly at the end of their use. Unlike typical plastic brushes (which get tossed in the trash), you must take the time to dispose each part of the brush in the correct place. This ensures that you create the lowest impact for this sustainable swap. Let’s jump into how to dispose of your bamboo toothbrushes!

A picture of three bamboo toothbrushes sitting in a cup in the bathroom

1. Check to see what your toothbrush is made out of.

Usually, the handle is made out of bamboo and the bristles are made of plastic. Don’t think that because the handle is made out of wood you can compost the whole toothbrush… Because you often can’t! The plastic bristles will not break down in a compost bin. Depending on what type of compost system you use, adding in the plastic bristles can negatively affect the rest of the compost bin too. Don’t think you can just throw the whole brush in the trash either. Even though the handle is made of bamboo (which is a natural material), it will NOT breakdown correctly in a landfill. As it decomposes, it will release methane – not good! There is no point in buying a bamboo toothbrush if you just plan on throwing it away.

2. Rip out the plastic bristles!

This is my favorite part of the whole process. 😊 Take some pliers and start ripping out those plastic bristles! They are often in small bundles on the brush head, so grasp a section firmly and give it a nice tug. They shouldn’t be super difficult to remove; I am quite weak (guilty as charged), and was able to easily rip out all of the bristles in about two minutes or less. Once all the bristles have been removed, throw them away into the trash! Check out this video below (at 1:35) to watch how to remove the bristles from your bamboo toothbrush.

3. Toss the handle into the compost bin or repurpose it.

Now that the plastic has been removed, feel free to throw the toothbrush handle into the compost bin. The wood will easily break down now that it has been disposed of correctly. If you don’t have a compost bin, I suggest finding someone in your area who does have one. Another alternative is to reuse the handle in some way around the house. I’ve seen some cute garden markers on Pinterest from old bamboo toothbrushes! For those heading on a camping trip before the weather gets cold again, use the wood as a fire starter. 🔥 Feel free to get creative!

how to dispose bamboo toothbrushes pinterest pin
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Final Thoughts on Properly Disposing Bamboo Toothbrushes

It is important to dispose bamboo toothbrushes properly, as it isn’t truly sustainable unless you do so! Why bother buying a bamboo brush if you are still going to toss it in the trash like you would with any other plastic brush? Once you have determined what materials your brush is made out of, dispose of each section correctly. Throw out any plastic bristles and put the bamboo wood in a compost bin where it can breakdown naturally. Ta-da! You just successfully disposed of your bamboo toothbrush! 🎉 Are you using a bamboo toothbrush? Comment below and let me know if you would give one a try!

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderIzzy Beauty Mascara Review: An Amazing Zero Waste AND Carbon Neutral Makeup!

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Hey earth muffins! During the pandemic, I haven’t been wearing makeup very much if at all. It has been nice to let my skin breathe! 😊 When I was packing up my bathroom before I moved last month, I realized that some of my makeup needed to get replaced. It was wayyy too old! In the past, I have used Clean Faced Cosmetics cake mascara. It is a great product, but I thought this would be a good opportunity to try another sustainable mascara. I found Izzy Beauty through some Google searching and needed to give their mascara a try. After trying it out for awhile (#gifted), I wanted to share my thoughts in an Izzy Beauty mascara review post – let’s jump right into it!

A picture of the zero waste Izzy Beauty mascara in a stainless steel mascara tube

What I Love About My Izzy Beauty Mascara

For starters, this mascara is zero waste. The product itself is packaged in a stainless steel tube that can be returned to the company and reused over 10,000 times! After using a cake mascara for so many years, it is nice to use a mascara in a typical tube package again. 😃 When I saw that you can send the product back to get a refill, I was concerned that this would create extra mailing waste during shipping. BUT, this company sends your mascara in a reusable mailer. The mailer reminds me of the pencil cases I would use in high school, except with a clear flap for the actual packing label. This is something I have never seen before; so amazing!

Along with the sustainable tube, the brush is made out of recycled plastic. I love that the whole mascara is made of eco-friendly materials AND you can get it refilled. Such a great circular economy! The brand truly cares about the environment, as they take measures to reuse water used in the production process as well as keep manufacturing close together to reduce emissions. Compared to the industry standard, their mascara has a 78% smaller carbon footprint after 25 refills. The more you reuse them, the better!

Izzy Beauty mascara reusable mailer with slot for packing label
The back of the reusable mailer

How Does it Work?

I obviously have to mention how the mascara works in this Izzy Beauty mascara review… Spoiler: it works great! I have always been one to enjoy a mascara that gives me length. The shape of the wand does a nice job increasing the length of all my lashes without clumping up. While the black color is noticeably darker than the cake mascara I was using, it compares to other mascaras on the market. The product also increases the volume of your lashes as well. Definitely a great mascara to try out!

What Could Be Better

This Izzy Beauty mascara review would not be complete without mentioning the price. Compared to drugstore options, it is quite expensive. To purchase it one-time, the mascara is $39. The company strongly urges you to sign up for the subscription service to refill your mascara every 3 months. This costs $35 + $19 every month if you pay quarterly; or, you can pay $85 for an annual subscription. While sustainable products are often more expensive, a high price like this will exclude many people from trying it out. The last cake mascara I bought was under $20, so there are definitely better priced products on the market. But, the cost of Izzy Beauty includes refilling, cleaning, and shipping… So it depends on what you are willing to pay for high quality, sustainable makeup.

Lastly, I wanted to mention something that might be a con for people: you get charged a fee if you don’t return your mascara tube and/or reusable mailer. While I think this is definitely justified (as the stainless steel tubes are expensive to make), I feel like many customers would get annoyed with this – especially since this fee isn’t advertised very well on their website when you buy the mascara. I found it buried in the FAQ information. For the mascara, this fee is $25 and the mailer is $5. Definitely not cheap! I like that this is an incentive to return the product (thus keeping the circular economy going), but it needs to be more clear that you will get charged if you do not participate.

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Final Thoughts on Izzy Beauty Mascara

Overall, I think this mascara is good! While it is a bit darker than I prefer, the mascara gives great length and volume to my lashes. The company is extremely sustainable from a zero waste system of refilling to being Carbon Neutral certified. Plus, I absolutely love the idea of the reusable mailers which I have never seen before! While they are definitely a “high-end” product due to the price, it would be totally worth it to purchase this eco-friendly product over another expensive mascara at Sephora. What did you think of this Izzy Beauty mascara review? Comment below and let me know if you would purchase this mascara!

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderHow To Read Your Cervical Mucus!

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Hey earth muffins! If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you will know that I monitor my cycle using the basal body temperature and cervical mucus methods. The basal body method is super simple – just take your temperature each morning and track using an app. However, the cervical mucus method takes some time to learn… I have found these methods super insightful on my cycle, so I wanted to share my tips on reading your own mucus. 😊 Let’s jump right into how to read your cervical mucus!

What is Cervical Mucus?

Not gonna lie, I think the word “mucus” is pretty gross. It reminds me of The Princess and the Frog. 😂 BUT, there isn’t anything nasty about your cervical mucus! Healthline defines it as “a fluid or gel-like discharge from the cervix”. Your hormones stimulate the glands in the cervix to produce this mucus, which is why it varies in thickness and amount depending on what stage of your menstrual cycle you are in. To keep track of your own mucus, all you need to do is observe it. When you are about to use the bathroom each day, wipe with some toilet paper before doing your business. It is also helpful to touch/stretch the mucus, looking for characteristics mentioned below. Some people prefer to actually insert a finger to monitor their mucus, but I have found that the toilet paper method is easier (and less invasive).

The Types of Cervical Mucus

During your period

When you are on your period, you will not be able to see any cervical mucus for obvious reasons. Know that it is there, you just can’t see it!

A few days after your period

Once your period is over, you will experience some “dry days”. During these days you will not have any cervical mucus. These days are when you are infertile during your cycle, so the risk of pregnancy is much lower. The length of this infertility period depends on your cycle… But, once you start to see cervical mucus you know you are on to the next stage!

Before ovulation

Before you ovulate (and are at your peak of fertility!), your body prepares by releasing cervical mucus. This mucus will be creamy, glue-like, and slightly stretchy to the touch. Depending on your body, this mucus can be white, yellow, and/or cloudy. As ovulation approaches, this mucus will become more clear, watery, and slippery to the touch.

Ovulation

This is the most important stage in this how to read your cervical mucus post! 😊 Once you notice your cervical mucus is the consistency of egg whites, you are ovulating! The mucus will be clear and easily stretchable. To test if it is “stretchy”, place a bit of mucus between your thumb and pointer finger and slowly pull the fingers apart. If the mucus stretches and doesn’t break, then you know you are in this phase of your cycle! If you are wanting to get pregnant, this is the best time to start trying; if you want to avoid pregnancy, this is when you need to be extra careful.

After Ovulation

After you are done ovulating, your cervical mucus can either go back to being creamy like the “Before ovulation” phase or just stop altogether to have more “dry days”. For me personally, I have a couple of days of creamy mucus before dry days until my period starts again. During this phase, you have a low risk of pregnancy as you already ovulated in your cycle!

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Recap of How to Read Your Cervical Mucus

There you have it – a basic guide on how to read your cervical mucus! 🎉 While it sounds a bit complicated at first, it is actually quite simple to pick up on. Once you start looking for that egg-white consistency, it is easy to place other mucuses in the correct phase of your cycle. Along with the basal body temperature method, the monitoring of my mucus has given me so much insight to my menstrual cycle. I highly suggest you all do the same! Have you ever tried the cervical mucus method??? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderLUSH Montalbano Shampoo Bar Review: An Easy Plastic-Free Swap

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Hey earth muffins! One of the easiest swaps you can make during Plastic Free July is to start using shampoo bars. Instead of plastic bottled shampoo, these bars come with absolutely no packaging! I’ve tried many different shampoo bars over the years. Personally, I really like the bars from Lush; but, many brands are starting to offer these as an alternative to bottles. 🧼 This is the third shampoo bar I have tried from Lush, so I thought it was fitting to write a review for you all. Let’s get into my Montalbano shampoo bar review!

A picture of the Montalbano shampoo bar from Lush

What I Love About the Montalbano Shampoo Bar

Obviously the first thing I love about this shampoo bar is that it is sustainable! There are so many good reasons to choose bar products over bottled, especially since it often means there is no plastic packaging involved. Lush sells these shampoo bars with no packaging in the store. If you have to order them online, they are shipped with water-dissolvable packing peanuts. It is so much fun to watch them dissolve in the sink! If you are looking to reduce some of your plastic in the bathroom during Plastic Free July, swapping to a shampoo bar is a great idea!

I absolutely love the color of the Montalbano shampoo bar. It is bright yellow, which adds a great pop of color in my shower. I appreciate that this color also doesn’t transfer to my tub when I use the product. When using certain shampoo bars (namely the Jumping Juniper bar from Lush), the color will stain the tub a bright color. While this can easily be removed with some scrubbing when I clean the bathroom, I enjoy that this bar doesn’t leave a bright yellow mark in my shower!

This Montalbano shampoo bar review would be incomplete if I didn’t mention the smell – it is amazing! The shampoo bar has a nice lemon citrus scent, but it isn’t overpowering. When I was using the Honey I Washed my Hair bar, the scent of toffee/honey was super strong in the bathroom. While it smelled really good, I personally am one for more subtle scents. According to the Lush website, there is also rosemary in the shampoo bar. But, you don’t really get much of that when smelling the bar. Citrus is definitely the overwhelming scent!

The Montalbano bar is meant to boost shine, add subtle volume, and cleanse your scalp. I think it definitely does those things! My hair feels super soft after using this shampoo, and it definitely has been adding some extra volume to my naturally curly hair. I recently got my first post-pandemic haircut, and I chopped off a ton of my hair. This shampoo bar has been great in keeping it healthy! In terms of cleansing, I have psoriasis on my scalp which often results in extra grease…. I think this shampoo does a nice job of reducing grease too.

A picture of the Montalbano shampoo bar from Lush

What Could Be Better with this Shampoo Bar

The first con to this Montalbano shampoo bar review would have to be the big chunks of dried citrus in the bar. On each side, there are big dried pieces for decoration. While it looks pretty, it just seems like a waste to me. Those dried citrus pieces could be used for something else! Plus, it makes it more difficult to lather up with the bar. Once the pieces fall off, it seems like they could also clog your shower drain. I personally have been saving them to put in the compost bin! 😊

Along with the dried pieces of citrus, the bar itself isn’t as smooth as other Lush shampoos I’ve tried. I’m not sure what gives it a rough texture, but it is definitely not as smooth. I typically like to lather up the bar in my hands before applying to my hair. But, the texture of the bar makes it easier to just lather in my hair directly. Not a huge con to this product, but I wanted to mention it!

Lastly, to close out this Montalbano shampoo bar review, I noticed more dandruff than usual when I first started using this bar. As mentioned above, it is supposed to cleanse the scalp; so, it was probably just doing its job with my psoriasis! But, I wanted to mention it just in case you are prone to having dandruff already. You might want to opt for a different bar.

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Final Thoughts on the Montalbano Shampoo Bar

Overall, I think the Montalbano is a good shampoo bar to try! Lush has a really nice selection of shampoo bars to choose from. Especially during Plastic Free July, there is no reason to not try out a package free option. This bar smells great, looks pretty in the shower, and works! While there are huge chunks of dried citrus on it, don’t let that deter you from trying it out. What shampoo bar have you been using lately??

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderWhich is Better: A Bamboo or Electric Toothbrush?

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Hey earth muffins! When I started this sustainable journey, I had an electric toothbrush already in my bathroom. I wasn’t sure if continuing to use it was the best option, as bamboo toothbrushes are a good alternative to plastic ones. I decided to use my electric toothbrush for a couple more years; but, a few months ago I decided to try out bamboo toothbrushes instead (affiliate link). After writing a full review on this bamboo toothbrush, I realized that it is quite confusing to think about which one is better for the environment… So, I thought it would be a great thing to write about! Here are my thoughts on which one is more eco-friendly – a bamboo or electric toothbrush?

A picture of three bamboo toothbrushes sitting in a cup in the bathroom

Both will give you similar results in terms of brushing.

I always thought that electric toothbrushes were better for your teeth… But that isn’t necessarily the truth! With a bamboo manual toothbrush, you can still brush your teeth extremely well. Regardless of what toothbrush you use, you need to also floss and take good care of your teeth overall. If you do this, you won’t have many issues them. Less issues = less dental waste at the dentist office! 🦷 Those who don’t brush properly or take care of their teeth will often find themselves having to sit through more procedures at the dentist.

You MUST dispose of your bamboo toothbrush properly!

Bamboo toothbrushes are supposed to be a better alternative to plastic ones because they won’t last thousands of years in the landfill. But, bamboo toothbrushes must be disposed of correctly or they can still cause issues. First, many of them still have plastic bristles. Make sure to cut or rip them out before getting rid of the wood handle! Once the bristles are gone, compost the bamboo. If you don’t compost it, the wood will end up in the landfill with other food waste and natural materials. Because there is no oxygen in a landfill, it will create methane while it breaks down… Definitely not something we want! Sure, it won’t last as many years as plastic, but it will emit greenhouse gases if not disposed of properly.

A picture of a hand holding a bamboo toothbrush

An electric toothbrush will last a long time.

In terms of how long a bamboo or electric toothbrush lasts, an electric one can last much longer. This is because the plastic handle can be reused again and again. However, every 3-6 months you should replace the head of the brush. These are obviously made of plastic; but, there are some eco-friendly alternatives! Some brands allow you to send back the heads to be recycled. You can get a pack of 8 recyclable heads for only $10 on Amazon (affiliate link). While sending products back to the company to recycle is a nice option, it does create more shipping emissions.

Bamboo toothbrushes don’t require any electricity use!

Electric toothbrushes either require batteries or have a rechargeable battery inside. The first option isn’t that eco-friendly because you have to change the batteries. Batteries can’t just be thrown in the trash – you must dispose of them properly! The better option would be the rechargable toothbrush. But, this obviously requires electricity use! While it doesn’t take too long to charge the electric toothbrush each time, it is still pulling power off the grid. Sure, there are other ways for you to get electricity (ie. solar), but most people don’t have that option.

Electric is often more costly!

In the bamboo or electric toothbrush debate, price is also something that must be considered. In terms of overall cost, the bamboo toothbrush is much cheaper. For the brushes I bought, you get 5 for only $9 (affiliate link). While some electric toothbrush heads are a similar price point, the actual electric toothbrush is a costly investment up front. There is also a large range of prices too – I’ve seen toothbrushes anywhere from $30 to $200!

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Final Thoughts: Bamboo or Electric Toothbrush?

Looking at all the pros and cons of the bamboo or electric toothbrush decision, I think it really comes down to each individual person! I personally love my bamboo toothbrush for a bunch of reasons; but, I think you could definitely still be eco-friendly with an electric toothbrush. If you opt for bamboo, make sure you dispose of it properly! For those fans of electric, choose recyclable heads and take the effort to send them back to the company! For everyone, make sure you take good care of your teeth so that waste in the dentist office can be minimized. 😊 What toothbrush do you use currently?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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