HYGIENE & BEAUTY
Bea's Notes
The only yoga mat you'll ever need: It's study, it's comfortable, it's got great grip and it comes with a lifetime warranty!
Bea's Notes
The multi-pour lid makes it easy to dispense not only spices but also baking soda on your toothbrush as a toothpowder (see my book: Zero Waste Home), or in the shower as a scourer.
Bea's Notes
A simple reusable alternative to disposable razors. Tip: Dry your blade after each use, you'll greatly extend its useful life!
Bea's Notes
Given that all bamboo toothbrushes are made in China, we buy ours directly from there via Aliexpress, we pay a fraction of the price compared with US suppliers and save big $$$. In any case, remove the bristles (non-compostable) with plyers before composting the rest!
Bea's Notes
Made from recycled content and wrapped in paper. We buy ours locally from a restaurant supply store.
Bea's Notes
I use the spoolie side to apply my homemade mascara (recipe in my book: Zero Waste Home), and the brush side to apply either loose cacao powder on my eyebrows or the mascara as an eyeliner.
Bea's Notes
Replacement blades for your safety razor. Don't forget to wipe your blade after each shave, it will greatly extend its life.
Bea's Notes
I use one of these for my homemade multipurpose balm, and another for my cake mascara (both recipes are in my book, Zero Waste Home). I bought mine from a local food co-op.
Bea's Notes
I've been using one of these since 2008. One of the best purchases you'll make. Silicone does not last forever: After 10 years or so, it will start falling apart and need replacing, but it saves so much money overtime compared with disposables! My cup is so efficient, that it not only eliminated tampons, but also liners. I also love that it's easy to pack and travel with.
Bea's Notes
2 fl oz (59 ml) spray. Perfect for travelling and dispensing my homemade hairspray (recipe in my book: Zero Waste Home). We bought ours from a local health food store.
Bea's Notes
Great alternative to the saline nasal spray. My husband and brother swear by it.
Bea's Notes
These are the bath towels that we use. The waffle weave makes them light, super absorbent, dry quickly and are very durable. We have had ours for years. Plus they take less room in the wash. Note: request "no plastic sleeve" when ordering.
Bea's Notes
Hairdressers will probably cringe reading this ;) but I use this pet groomer to brush my hair. It's made of natural materials; the lack of a handle makes it easy to pack for travel; and compared with bamboo bristles, stainless ones are easier to clean. Overall, it fits my minimalist lifestyle better than (and is not far off) the stainless pin bristles types sold for "human" use. If you're afraid of going that route, the brand does offers good "human" alternatives ;-)
Bea's Notes
Great for applying my face powder and blush (recipes in my book: Zero Waste Home).
Bea's Notes
1LB block. I grate it to make the multi-purpose balm recipe in my book.
Bea's Notes
People buy these as reusable makeup pads. To remove makeup I was my face with soap over the sink and dry with my bath towel. But we do keep a stack of these in our pharmacy. We use to clean scrapes and cuts with soap. After use, I throw them in a wash of whites (in a laundry bag so they don't get lost) and steam/iron them to sanitize.
Bea's Notes
A 2-1 product. It files and shines! It's the best zero waste alternative to nail polish that I have found: it makes my nails shine as if they were painted with clear polish (it also seems to boost their growth!?). And unlike foam buffers, I'll be able to recycle it, should it break.
Bea's Notes
We shave and wash face, body and hair with just a solid bar of soap. Of all the bars I have tried, Aleppo soap is my favorite, but I can't find it unpackaged locally, so we use a generic brand that is sold loose at the health food store instead.
Bea's Notes
An easy, natural, alternative to deodorant. Wet and apply as you would deodorant. We've been using the same piece for a decade, so you can imagine how many sticks of deodorant you'll eliminate with this!
Bonus: You can also use it on shaving nicks.
View Product Details