Zero-Waste Self-Care: LUSH Haul
In the past year I've become really interested in the zero-waste movement. Although I'm not even close to being zero-waste myself, the movement has inspired me to be more conscious about the trash I produce, and to incorporate some practices in my life in order to reduce it. You may remember my vegan, zero-waste deodorant, or how I switched from disposable tissues to handkerchiefs not long ago. I am also fully vegan, so I don't consume any animal products, or products that were tested on animals. Finally, I care about human rights, so I avoid purchasing items that were made by exploited workers.
So when I got money as a birthday present I immediately knew where I wanted to spend it: vegan, fairtrade and package free self-care products. And for me, that meant a trip to Lush.
I bought everything I needed as solid products, since that way I didn't need any package: I just took a container with me and put everything in there until I got home. However, Lush has a pretty cool recycling system: They encourage their costumers to bring their empty plastic containers from the lush products they already used by offering a free face mask for every three medium to large containers you bring. The small ones you should still bring for them to recycle, you just won't get a freebie. Package free is still the best choice though, and they have a wide range of products that are intended to be sold that way.
Another great thing about Lush is the attention given to the costumers. Some people find it very annoying how as soon as you enter a Lush store, a worker will immediately ask to assist you. I like it though, it's much easier to find what you're looking for, and you can talk about your specific situation and get thoughtful recommendations on what product better suits you. In my case, I have been struggling with my hair - I notice I have dry ends, normal scalp but the hair behind my neck is very oily, even right after I wash it. I told that to the employee, as well as that I wanted solid products so I wouldn't need packaging. These were the products that he recommended:
Sugar Daddyo Hair Conditioner
My hair is pretty long, and hair conditioner is a must for me. I had finished my Dr Organic conditioner, and even though I like it, I wanted to switch to a zero-waste alternative. So, after listening to my hair struggles, the employee recommended this hair conditioner. It's supposed to hydrate your hair and give it shine while still controlling the oiliness.
I gotta say, I still haven't fallen in love with this product. It's my first solid conditioner and I'm not really sure if I'm using it correctly, but it feels like there is no product going into my strands - like if I was rubbing my hair with a rock... After my shower, my hair was pretty oily, but I suspect it's because of the shampoo I used (another solid one that I got in a fairtrade shop in Milan). Hopefully with another shampoo it will be easier to see if this actually works or not. I really want it to work for me, it smells really good!
Seanik Solid Shampoo
Since my shampoo is almost over, and as I mentioned above, I suspect it is the reason behind the oily hair on the back of my neck, I also got a solid shampoo. This one, much like the hair conditioner, is supposed to also control the oiliness while still maintaining shine. I haven't tried this specific one yet, but I have used another solid shampoo from Lush (don't know the name though) and I loved it, so I'm really excited to do try this one! I was planning to finish my current shampoo first and only then try this one, but given the poor state of my hair, I think I'm going to try the Seanik sooner to see if it makes a difference.
I bought everything I needed as solid products, since that way I didn't need any package: I just took a container with me and put everything in there until I got home. However, Lush has a pretty cool recycling system: They encourage their costumers to bring their empty plastic containers from the lush products they already used by offering a free face mask for every three medium to large containers you bring. The small ones you should still bring for them to recycle, you just won't get a freebie. Package free is still the best choice though, and they have a wide range of products that are intended to be sold that way.
Another great thing about Lush is the attention given to the costumers. Some people find it very annoying how as soon as you enter a Lush store, a worker will immediately ask to assist you. I like it though, it's much easier to find what you're looking for, and you can talk about your specific situation and get thoughtful recommendations on what product better suits you. In my case, I have been struggling with my hair - I notice I have dry ends, normal scalp but the hair behind my neck is very oily, even right after I wash it. I told that to the employee, as well as that I wanted solid products so I wouldn't need packaging. These were the products that he recommended:
Sugar Daddyo Hair Conditioner
My hair is pretty long, and hair conditioner is a must for me. I had finished my Dr Organic conditioner, and even though I like it, I wanted to switch to a zero-waste alternative. So, after listening to my hair struggles, the employee recommended this hair conditioner. It's supposed to hydrate your hair and give it shine while still controlling the oiliness.
Seanik Solid Shampoo
Since my shampoo is almost over, and as I mentioned above, I suspect it is the reason behind the oily hair on the back of my neck, I also got a solid shampoo. This one, much like the hair conditioner, is supposed to also control the oiliness while still maintaining shine. I haven't tried this specific one yet, but I have used another solid shampoo from Lush (don't know the name though) and I loved it, so I'm really excited to do try this one! I was planning to finish my current shampoo first and only then try this one, but given the poor state of my hair, I think I'm going to try the Seanik sooner to see if it makes a difference.
Snow Cloud Soap (Christmas product)
I also wanted a solid soap, both to wash my hands and to use in the shower. I got this one because not only it smells really good as it is so pretty (it really does remind me of a cloud)! I still have shower gel so I haven't used it to wash my body but I have been using it to wash my hands and I love it, it smells so good, and my skin feels really soft afterwards, which is really amazing since I never have soft hands!
I also wanted a solid soap, both to wash my hands and to use in the shower. I got this one because not only it smells really good as it is so pretty (it really does remind me of a cloud)! I still have shower gel so I haven't used it to wash my body but I have been using it to wash my hands and I love it, it smells so good, and my skin feels really soft afterwards, which is really amazing since I never have soft hands!
In the store there is a big doughnut shaped soap that they cut into slices and sell by weight. I got a big slice of almost 200 grams, and when I got home I cut it into smaller pieces, since I feel it's easier to use a smaller soap bar than a huge one - and besides, after a while I notice that soap bars get a lot of dust stuck in them, which I find kind of gross. By using small pieces at a time, they finish before getting too dirty-looking, and I can store the other pieces in the fridge so they hold their shape (I don't know if they would melt, but I don't want to take chances!)
I stored the pieces that I'm not using yet in a empty cotton tip container (I no longer use cotton tips, but my mother does, so we had a few empty boxes laying around).
Each Peach (and Twos a Pear) Massage Bar
I'm guilty of not moisturizing as much as I should. I really hate feeling oily after applying lotion! But I have really dry knees and elbows, and if I don't start taking care of myself soon I'm going to regret when I'm older. So I decided I would get myself a solid moisturizer, hoping not only to reduce the waste I produce (by getting it package free), but also that a solid bar would be more enjoyable for me than lotion.
I asked the employee if they had something I could use both in dry skin or in the shower (there are really cool moisturizers that are applied in the shower that don't make your skin oily like regular lotion - I love them, but most times I forget to apply...). He told me that these massage bars are not supposed to be used in the shower but some costumers do and love it. So I got this one.
It has a subtle, refreshing smell and it feels really nice on the skin. I also got a tin to store it so it wouldn't get dirty. I haven't tried it in the shower, but so far I love it. It does take a while to absorb though, and I don't really like that... But it's still better than lotion!
Samples: Toothy tabs
Whenever I go to Lush, I always get more than what I purchase - Lush's employees never miss a chance to give you samples! I was interested in the "toothpaste pills", so the employee offered me two different kinds for me to try: Boom and Dirty.
They gave me the containers before I could protest, so I ended up bringing them home and I will return them as soon as I finish the tabs. What really interested me was the possibility of buying the "toothpaste" without the package, but as the employee said, it's still not possible for this specific product.
My favorite has to be Boom, just because I find it very funny to get black teeth while I'm washing them.
Total: 43 euros
I guess that's really expensive when you compare to regular hygiene products from the supermarket. A few years ago I would never imagine spending that much money on clothes, let alone hygiene products. But there are important things to be taken into consideration:
Samples: Toothy tabs
Whenever I go to Lush, I always get more than what I purchase - Lush's employees never miss a chance to give you samples! I was interested in the "toothpaste pills", so the employee offered me two different kinds for me to try: Boom and Dirty.
[ I know it's easy to DIY some toothpaste but honestly, I'm kind of scared that it will go wrong. I don't want to mess with my healthy teeth! So for now, I think I'll stick with the store-bought alternatives, and just try to look for vegan, cruelty free and more sustainable brands. ]
I've already tried them both, and I must say, it's kind of weird, but I like it. Dirty is supposed to taste more like regular, minty toothpaste, but in my opinion, neither one of them taste anything like toothpaste. The weirdest thing for me is not getting that cold, refreshing feeling after brushing - after I wash my teeth with these, my mouth is warm - it's not bad, it's just weird.My favorite has to be Boom, just because I find it very funny to get black teeth while I'm washing them.
Total: 43 euros
I guess that's really expensive when you compare to regular hygiene products from the supermarket. A few years ago I would never imagine spending that much money on clothes, let alone hygiene products. But there are important things to be taken into consideration:
- These are high quality, natural products, with simple ingredients (which also means safer than ingredients that you have no idea where they come from...)
- These are supposed to last longer than liquid alternatives
- No animal was harmed in the making of these products
- The ingredients are fairtrade certified, which means the workers that grow and harvest these ingredients have safe working conditions and are paid fairly
- These products were handmade by workers that are also in fair labor conditions
- This company is environmentally concerned
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