Hey earth muffins! I have been using makeup from Clean-Faced Cosmetics since the very beginning of my sustainable journey. I absolutely love their mascara and have tried out the foundation powder during my college years. Before I started my new job a couple of months ago, I figured I would try out the Clean-Faced Cosmetics foundation (which also can be used a concealer!). It was my first time going back to the office in a year, so I hadn’t been wearing foundation in awhile… I’ve had some time to test out this product, so let’s jump right into the review!
What I Love About the Clean-Faced Cosmetics Foundation
Obviously I love that this company is zero waste! It is run by a woman named Laura in Grand Rapids, MI – and she has been seeing so much success on Etsy that she recently opened up her own website! 🎉 Her products are made with natural, eco-friendly ingredients which is important to help your skin stay chemical free. All the makeup products come in some sort of metal or glass container; if you ask for a refill of a product, she will mail it over in a compostable bag instead! Supporting small businesses like this is great because I know the products are all top notch AND zero waste as well.
Hey earth muffins! If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I use a couple of different natural birth control methods. I have been using my trusty Femometer with the temperature method for many years now. This thermometer takes my temperature each morning, which helps track my cycle. Read this full guide on the Basal Body Temperature method if you are interested in learning how it all works! 😊 Now that I’ve used the Femometer and its app for many years now, I thought I would write a full post of its pros and cons. Let’s jump right into my Femometer app review!
What I Love About the Femometer App
For starters, the app is super easy to use and connect to your thermometer. Once you purchase the Femometer device (affiliate link), you just have to connect it via Bluetooth. Even if you don’t purchase the brand’s thermometer, you can still manually enter temperatures as well. I love that the free version of the app includes everything I need; I know there are other apps that actually make you pay a fee each month just to use it!
Hey earth muffins! If you have been following my blog for a while, you will know that a month or so ago I started a new job. With this position I was required to head back into the office after a year of remote work… Which left me realizing that I had absolutely no shoes to wear! 😬 I wanted to stick with my sustainability morals; so, I ended up purchasing a pair of loafers from the brand Rothy’s. This company has been on my radar, and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to try out a pair of their shoes. Here is my Rothy’s loafers review – let’s jump right into it!
What I LOVE About My Rothy’s Loafers
First off, a huge plus is that this brand is extremely sustainable! They create the shoe material from recycled plastic water bottles. The foam in the insoles is algae-based – which is a renewable resource. The shoes are made in a process that minimizes waste. AND the brand is starting a recycling program this year to reduce their shoes from going to the landfill. It is quite impressive all the things Rothy’s is doing to stay true to its sustainablility values! Even when they ship your shoes, the box is perfectly sized to fit your pair without having any extra packaging or padding. I love to see brands that care so much!
Hey earth muffins! A few weeks ago I posted a review of Natissy’s reusable panty liners. This brand is awesome; I found them last year when I tried out their reusable “paper” towels. As many of you know, I have been venturing into the world of reusable period pads after failing to find any success with menstrual cups. Natissy was kind enough to send over some pads to try out; so, today I will be sharing my reusable menstrual pads review with you all (affiliate link)! 😊 Don’t forget to use the code “JENNAAMZ20” on Amazon to get 20% off any Natissy products!
What I Love About Natissy’s Reusable Menstrual Pads
Obviously I love that this product is a sustainable alternative to disposable period pads. There are multiple ways to zero waste your period from menstrual cups to period underwear. As I didn’t find any luck with cups, these pads are a great alternative to still reduce my waste that time of the month. While these pads are shipped through Amazon, you can follow these instructions to get your Amazon packages plastic-free. Plus, the menstrual pads are packed by Natissy in a biodegradable bag – it looks plastic but it actually isn’t (which is awesome)!
This reusable menstrual pads review would not be complete without mentioning that they work great! 🎉 I have found that they do not leak and are much more comfortable than disposable pads. Having an eco-friendly fabric near my most sensitive parts is much better than those crunchy, chemical filled sticky pads. The bamboo and organic cotton material is super soft too!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
