Hello again!

Once upon a time, while sitting on the toilet, I counted twenty-four plastic bottles in the shower that I share with four other girls. Now couple that lil observation with the fact that every piece of plastic that has ever been created, every shampoo bottle and disposable razor and micro-bead, still exists today, somewhere, wreaking havoc in nature. It makes you think a little bit harder!

There are so many unnecessary products and packaging that can be found in the average Joe’s bathroom. My personal hygiene routine was one of the first things I chose to tackle when I began adopting a more zero waste lifestyle and I think I’ve been successful in streamlining a lot of the every day process. There are so many posts out there on this topic from far greater zero wasters than I – but I thought I’d add my favourite products and strategies into the mix because, hey, I really love them and think everyone should use them!

I have 8 essentials in my bathroom that I use on an almost every day basis. Here’s what I use them for, where I got them from, and why they’re so fabulous! I’ve just realized they’re not in the most logical order so bear with me.

Hand Sh*t Hand Cream

– I usually moisturize my body with plain ‘ol coconut oil but when I want something more fragrant and luxurious for my hands, I turn to this baby. I got mine from a local odds and ends shop but it is also on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.ca/Blue-Hand-Shit-Cream-Jasmine-Fig/dp/B00CP0QB5G

(Side note: when buying stuff online it’s hard to tell what kind of packaging it will be shipped in! Try to find it in a real store first to avoid all this bubble wrap/plastic bag/packing peanuts nonsenseeeeee.)

2. Tea Tree Oil

– I use this as a spot treatment for nasty zits..it dries them up like there’s no tomorrow! Tea tree oil is also good for so many multitudes of things…just google it for a whole new world.

3. Homemade Toothpaste

– This is one of my favourites because it makes me feel like a real hippy environmentalist. All I do for this toothpaste is mix ~equal parts baking soda and coconut oil with ~25 drops of peppermint essential oil (I just eyeball it and go by taste! There’s a bajillion recipes online). Super simple, super quick, super zero waste. Not going to lie, the taste is something that needs getting used to..but I’ve grown to love it! I’m a tad fearful of the long term effect brushing with baking soda will have on my enamel; I’m definitely keeping an eye on sensitivity levels and will be grilling my dentist the next time I go in.

4. Bar Soap

– Ain’t nobody got time for fancy-ass-all-kinds-of-scented-exfoliating-moisturizing-rejuvenating-body wash. All you need is a bar of soap. Any soap from any store – they all make your body clean. Seriously, they’re like two bucks. And I also use it for shaving so this is a real win-win-win situation going on.

5. Safety Razor

– These require a bit of initial investment (especially for us starving students) but think about it – you never have to buy a razor again. Take care of this baby and it’ll last you for life..that’s money in the bank in the long run! The only thing that needs replacing are the blades which are extremely cheap and – guess what – come in paper packaging. I bought my razor here for a steal of a deal: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00CD9F5JW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.

I will say that these babies take some getting used to – they. are. sharp. And with no pivoting head to assist you, expect quite a few substantial nicks for a bit while you’re getting the hang of it. I’ve had mine for about two months and am still in figuring it out – but it’s so worth it.

6. Brush Naked Bamboo Toothbrush

– These toothbrushes are awesome; everything except the bristles is biodegradable. Some stores carry bamboo toothbrushes but I bought mine here: https://www.amazon.ca/Brush-Naked-Bamboo-Toothbrush-Medium/dp/B00V20ABVK/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1476761673&sr=1-2&keywords=brush+naked+toothbrush

7. African Black Soap

– This is what I use as my daily facial cleanser and it’s been helping with my acne. I’ll have to post sometime about the struggles of trying to control cystic acne without creating waste…it has been and still is a struggle! But this soap is great. It is, however, a bit drying which I’ve lately been remedying by moisturizing with different oils. It’s super cheap and lasts forever; by the time I run out I reckon it will have lasted me almost a year. I bought it here: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000XLWZGI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.

It came in just a cardboard box, which is great, however the envelope was lined with bubble wrap so I’ll likely try and find an alternate source when I run out, hopefully somewhere local!

8. Lush Bar Shampoo

– These are the best shampoo bars I’ve tried. They don’t leave your hair feeling waxy, they smell great, and last a fairly long time if you store them in a tin. I buy these in store (package free) when I’m at home but do need to order from the website when I’m at school – they send items in biodegradable plastic bags, which I would argue is still not great, but better than the alternative.

The Skeletons In My Closet:

There are still a few products in my personal hygiene routine that, try as I might, I cannot find a zero waste replacement for. The most frustrating of which is deodorant – I have tried so many zero waste options with different ingredients but they have all resulted in angry, irritated pits. I’ve had to resort back to regular stick deodorant while I keep searching and it’s a little difficult not to let that bum me out! But I just have to remind myself that every step towards a more zero waste lifestyle counts – it’s not an all or nothing sort of deal.

It’s taken me a while to find what works for me and my routine is still constantly changing and adapting. Streamlining your routine and reducing packaging can be an exciting challenge and I hope this post provided useful information and inspiration for anyone looking to simplify!

That’s all, folks!

Kristy