Health & Lifestyle: Revive Collagen - Premium Vegan Collagen Drink Supplement review

 

A couple of months ago, I reviewed Revive Collagen Original Collagen Supplements, and I was asked by a couple of my regular readers if I knew of any vegan-friendly versions. Well, guess what?! Revive has recently launched the world's first clinically proven vegan collagen!

With more and more people turning to a plant-based diet for either personal, ethical, or environmental reasons (or all of the above), it makes sense for there to be a vegan version of pretty much everything out there these days. However, sometimes this takes time to come to fruition, but lo and behold, Revive have well and truly cracked it with a liquid vegan collagen supplement drink. This is currently the only product of its kind in the world which identically mimics human type 1 collagen.

Recommended by the famous consultant dermatologist, Dr. Alhia Ahmed and Harley Street nutritionist, Clarissa Lenherr, this new product has been clinically proven to work in trials with 80% of participants saying it made a noticeable improvement to their skin. In vitro trials also showed that Revive Collagen's vegan ingredients increased collagen production by 134.97% - that's pretty impressive!

What's In It?

Each liquid supplement drink contains 2500mg of Revive's VeCollal Blend which is a 100% vegan-friendly and sustainable alternative to animal-sourced collagen. There's also a whole host of essential vitamins such as Vitamin A (Retinol), B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7 (Biotin), B9, C, E, and D3, plus 10mg of Panax Ginseng to help support natural energy levels.

How To Use

Consume one sachet per day, either direct from the sachet or add it to a small glass of water. This supplement has a pleasant Raspberry flavour so I've been taking it straight from the sachet, first thing in the morning before I eat anything.

Overall Thoughts

I have seen so many people online ask about vegan collagen supplements that it's amazing to finally be able to provide them with a solution, and one that truly exceeds all expectations. Described as 'the most efficacious and bioavailable liquid vegan collagen that exists' – this liquid supplement drink has a 95% absorption rate compared to tablets (30%) and Revive Collagen Vegan’s ingredients bypass digestion so that you reap the rewards quickly and efficiently.

The addition of the Panax Ginseng, along with the spectrum of essential vitamins, makes this what I would call a 'Collagen plus' supplement, and is a worthy addition to anyone's daily routine for better overall skin and health.

Shop Revive Vegan Collagen* (14 sachets, £37.99) revivecollagen.com

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Worth The Hype: Do You Need A Sustainable Waken Mouthwash In Your Daily Routine? Apple & Mint review

 

The consumer quest for more sustainable and eco-friendly everyday products is never-ending, and today I wanted to share a quick post about Waken Mouthwash as they have been popping up in my social feeds a lot lately. Are they worth the hype?

It may seem odd to be reading (or in my case, writing) an entire blog post about just one particular mouthwash, yet Waken has been causing quite the stir online since they launched here in the UK two years ago. 

A celebrity favourite, Waken has a luxury range of sustainable products which include mouthwash, toothpaste, lip balms, and associated eco-friendly accessories. The brand is the brainchild of Simon Duffy (founder of the famous Bulldog skincare company) and promises gentle and effective everyday products that also tread lightly on our planet earth.

But is Waken worth the hype? I tried out one of their 'hero' products, the Apple & Mint Mouthwash to find out.

Packaging

For an eco-friendly brand, you might be wondering why their signature mouthwashes are packaged in plastic, right? Well, this is a pretty interesting discussion point because Waken's mouthwashes were originally packaged in aluminum bottles before the brand decided to make the switch to plastic last year. 

It may sound like a backwards move, yet the switch to these new plastic, BPA-free bottles has actually helped to certify the brand as Carbon Neutral due to the aluminum packaging requiring a lot of external packaging during transit to prevent denting. The change to plastic has also helped to bring the price point of these luxury mouthwashes down from a hideously expensive £8, to a much more reasonable £4.50. In addition, this new PCR plastic is made from a blend of recycled old plastic milk bottles and sugar cane plastic which is better for the environment, and the end product is fully recyclable again. 

Waken has kept the aluminum lid as it is though as plastic tops are notoriously difficult to recycle due to their smaller size.

Ingredients

Waken's mouthwashes are formulated alcohol-free so they don't have that nasty stinging burn that a lot of mainstream mouthwashes possess, and they are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. The ingredients are mostly natural with the exception of PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (a synthetic emulsifier/surfactant) and Sodium Fluoride. I know that the Sodium Fluoride debate continues to divide people, yet from my own research I personally don't have a problem using it and I often look for it in more natural dental care products as I believe it's useful to keep teeth strong and healthy. Overall, this is not a 100% natural mouthwash, nor does it market itself as one, so it's worth bearing in mind that the 'sustainable' aspect here is purely focused on the packaging.

Flavour & Performance

There are nine different mint-based flavours to explore in Waken's mouthwash range and the one that caught my eye the most was the Apple & Mint. The flavouring is crafted from natural ingredients and it really does have a refreshing zing to it! I was pleasantly surprised and absolutely love waking up with this in the morning. My mouth feels wonderfully fresh and clean which is exactly what I want a mouthwash to do.

Overall Thoughts

Whilst Waken's mouthwashes are not as natural as many would expect, for those looking for a refreshing mouthwash that works well, comes sustainably packaged, is cruelty-free and vegan, and looks very fancy sitting by your bathroom sink, you'll love it. But if you're after a purely natural and fluoride-free option, this isn't for you.

Waken mouthwashes (£4.50, 500ml) are available from various stockists and online via wakencare.com

Have you tried anything from Waken?

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A Natural & Cruelty Free Alternative To Vaseline: Beauty Kitchen Natruline Lip Treatment Will Rescue Dry Lips (And More) This Winter

It's time to step away from those ubiquitous tins of greasy petroleum, and instead, make a more sustainable and natural swap to Beauty Kitchen's wonderful Natruline Lip Treatments.

With temperatures plummeting across the UK and snow on its way, you may be noticing that your skin is feeling drier than usual and needs a little more TLC. Lips especially are at risk of cracking and chapping throughout Winter, but it's easy to keep them happily moisturised thanks to Beauty Kitchen.

Although not a new product, Beauty Kitchen's Nattruline Lip Treatments are new-to-me and they caught my eye in the recent Holland and Barrett sale where I immediately added two to my basket. 

I know what you're thinking; these look uncannily like a certain non-natural brand that has been pushing cheap and nasty mineral oil products onto consumers for over a century, and I doubt that the striking resemblance is a *wink wink* coincidence (well played there Beauty Kitchen!). 

The differences, however, are numerous as Beauty Kitchen is a British brand with all of its products being made here in the UK. They are cruelty-free and pride themselves on their innovative formulas which are created from natural and sustainable ingredients. On top of all that, Beauty Kitchen is a certified B Corporation that is widely seen as one of the highest accreditations when it comes to businesses that adhere to strict social, ethical, and environmental standards of performance, accountability, and transparency.  

So back to this natural and cruelty-free Vaseline dupe. Is it as good? No. It's better!

The problem with petroleum/mineral oil is that it doesn't properly moisturise the skin - it just sits on top and long-term use of it can actually make your skin worse by becoming more sensitive and dry. 

I love the Beauty Kitchen Natruline Lip Treatments because they look and feel like Vaseline, but thanks to their all-natural ingredients, they actually hydrate, soothe and help to protect dry skin. And just like Vaseline, you can use these in exactly the same ways, so apply to lips, cuticles, dry elbows etc.

A note on the ingredients; the original Natruline (blue tin) contains two types of Castor Oil, Carnauba Wax, and Beeswax, whilst the vegan version (green tin) contains all of the above minus the beeswax. Testing them out side by side, I honestly couldn't tell much of a difference between the pair!

Beauty Kitchen Natruline Lip Treatments* (20g, £2.99 each, link)

Is your skin struggling this Winter?

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Sustainable Beauty: Just One Switch Campaign with Counter Culture #JustOneSwitch

 

This month, I've been taking part in Counter Culture's online campaign to encourage consumers to make more environmentally friendly purchases. The focus has been on making 'just one switch' in your daily beauty routine to get you started towards a more sustainable lifestyle, one step at a time.

Counter Culture is an online UK store that is home to some of the best sustainable beauty and wellbeing brands, and it's proud to champion female founders and indie/boutique brands as well. Their #JustOneSwitch mission resonated with me as soon as I received an email about it because I often see people on social media saying how difficult it is to go from using conventional products to finding more eco-friendly alternatives. 

It can be a consumer minefield out there and thoroughly overwhelming at the start, so by shifting the focus on making just one switch at a time, the journey to a more sustainable lifestyle suddenly becomes a much more attainable goal. But where to start?

Counter Culture kindly asked me to choose a couple of products from their online store to show you how easy it is to make 'just one switch'! 

Switch Your Deodorant: POSY Grapefruit & Lemon Deodorant* (70g, £9.95, link)

Get rid of polluting aerosol deodorants that are full of nasties and switch to a clean, natural, eco-friendly one instead. There are so many brands out there nowadays that do them, so my advice would be to pick one in a scent and format that you like the most. 

For this challenge, I decided to try POSY Grapefruit & Lemon Deodorant which comes packaged in a plastic-free cardboard tube that has an easy push-up, solid cream stick of deo inside. I find this ultra-convenient to use and I just love the fresh scent of grapefruit and lemon essential oils. It's made from natural and organic ingredients, and comes in a card tube or tin format, as well as a range of different scents.

Switch Your Hand Wash: Flamingo Soap Co Citron and Coffee Soap Bars* (£6 each, link)

Washing our hands has become more important than ever for obvious reasons and I honestly dread to think of just how many plastic bottles of hand wash have been used up and thrown away during the course of this awful pandemic. However, it's super easy to switch to using a bar of soap instead! I'd recommend buying a couple of these and placing them next to every sink in your home - you'll be amazed by how many plastic bottles just one bar of soap can replace as they really do add up throughout the year. 

I love these soaps bars from the Flamingo Soap Co as they're affordable, free from palm oil, parabens, and SLS, and they're vegan-friendly too. They're a completely zero waste solution to plastic hand wash bottles and even the label is embedded with wildflower seeds so you can plant it and feed the bees and butterflies in your garden. My two faves are the Citron and Coffee soap bars, and if you're already thinking of doing another sustainable switch, why not pop one of these into your shower to use instead and save even more plastic waste?

Switch Your Face Wipes: Bamboo Collection Bamboo Flannel* (£3, link)

When you're thinking about moving towards a more sustainable lifestyle, one of the easiest ways to adapt is by making a pledge to yourself to stop using anything that is single-use. From face wipes to cotton wool rounds, there are reusable replacements for all of these things that are kinder to your skin and the planet. 

I would suggest starting with disposable face wipes because they are so commonly found clogging up our rivers and beaches; a soft and luxurious Bamboo Flannel is the perfect switch for these. This one is made from a blend of 50% bamboo and cotton so it's naturally anti-fungal and super absorbent. When you've finished using it, simply put it in the washing machine along with your towels, dry, and reuse it again and again. A super easy switch!

Visit CounterCulturestore.co.uk for all of these eco-friendly products and more

What product have you switched to?

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Sustainable Lifestyle: WaxWrap Beeswax Cotton Food Bags & Wraps #PlasticFree

 

It's never been easier to make small, sustainable swaps that add up to make a big difference, especially when it comes to replacing those everyday single-use items with plastic-free reusable alternatives. My latest swap? Ditching plastic cling film and aluminium foil for eco-friendly, beeswax cotton wraps and food bags!

OK, so I'm a bit late to the party as these beeswax food wraps & bags have been gaining in popularity for quite some time now, but after 18 months of Covid and various lockdowns, it's only been recently that I've decided to invest in some as we're finally moving from WFH life back to the office.

If you're new to beeswax cotton food bags and wraps, they are basically an eco-friendly, plastic-free, reusable alternative to cling film and aluminium foil. Available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colours and patterns, they're a fun and practical way to inject some colour into your kitchen and lunchbox, whilst helping to save the planet at the same time by reducing how much rubbish you're throwing out. It's a win-win all round!

Each brand is different of course, but generally speaking, these products are usually made from a piece of organic cotton that has been coated in beeswax and often has other natural ingredients added such as pine resin and plant-based oils to help improve their flexibility. 

Why is Beeswax used? 

Beeswax is naturally antibacterial making it the perfect ingredient to create a hygienic environment for food storage without the need for any harsh chemicals to be added. There are, however, vegan-friendly alternatives starting to appear on the market so keep your eyes peeled for those if you want a product that doesn't contain beeswax. For now, though, I'll keep the focus on the ones that I've been trialling from WaxWrap.

WaxWrap 3 Beeswax Organic Cotton Food Wraps* (£16, link)

Made from 100% natural ingredients, these Food Wraps are crafted from organic cotton cloth that's been dipped into a mixture of beeswax, pine resin and jojoba oil to keep food fresh. The cloth is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 approved which means that it bears non-toxic textile ink that meets strict environmental and social standards. 

This pack contains three different sizes so you can choose the wrap that's most suited to your needs and using them is super easy. Simply rub the cloth between your hands to lightly warm the wax which makes it more pliable to form, and then wrap it around anything you like! The wraps are waterproof, self-adhesive and allow the food to breathe so you'll find things like cut fruit and veg will last a lot longer than when it's wrapped in single-use clingfilm or foil. 

After use, wash the wrap with cold water and eco-friendly washing liquid and allow to air dry, or pat dry with a cotton towel and then reuse. WaxWrap states that their products are reusable for over a year if maintained properly and to extend its life you can re-soak the cloth in wax again. At the end of its life, you can compost them where they will naturally biodegrade.

WaxWrap 3 Beeswax Organic Cotton Food Bags* (£22.50, link)

Are you someone who takes sandwiches to college/Uni or work every day? If so, these Food Bags are the perfect eco-friendly alternative for you! Like the wraps above, they are made from the exact same natural materials but are stitched at the sides and feature a foldable pouch for you to easily store your sandwiches and other food items inside. They're also waterproof and self-adhesive so you don't have to worry about your food spilling out during your travels - great for picnics and holidays!

This pack from WaxWrap features three different sizes with a small, medium and large-sized bag to suit all needs and appetites. I particularly love the fun banana print and I've already received so many compliments and questions about them from colleagues who have been quite intrigued when they've seen me take them out of my lunchbox. What a fantastic way to start an engaging conversation on the environment ;)

Overall Thoughts

Like most eco-friendly alternatives, WaxWrap food bags and wraps may seem quite expensive at first, but the joy of using something that doesn't harm the environment, nor adds to the landfill and plastic pollution problem, far outweighs the financial investment. Do some good for the planet and ditch single-use cling film and aluminium foil forever!

What eco-friendly swaps have you done recently?

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Sustainable Lifestyle: Pets Against Plastics - The Online UK Plastic-Free Pet Store

 

I love dogs more than I like people, and my two fur babies are my pride and joy. But just like having kids, being a dog mama can be tricky at times when you're trying to live more sustainably. Luckily, there are lots of alternatives out there nowadays to help you reduce the carbon footprint of your foot-legged best friends.

Pets Against Plastics is one such online UK store that is helping dog owners to turn the tide against plastic waste. Set up in 2018 by two animal lovers, Lucy and Luke, Pets Against Plastics has blossomed into a thriving online shop where you can find everything you need to make better eco-friendly choices for your pets. From toys and treats, to plastic-free poo bags, bowls and grooming accessories, it's a great place to make planet friendly purchases for both dogs and cats.

They very kindly sent me some of their betsellers to give you an idea of what they stock:-

Denzel's Tropical Bites* (£2.90) and High Protein Soft Baked Chews* (£2.50)

Denzel's are a popular dog treat company who specialise in having all of their products in plastic-free packaging. Instead, the pouches are 100% biodegradable and compostable, and they recommend that you pop these into your regular bin at home as they will break down within just 30 weeks in landfill conditions, as opposed to 300 years for single use plastic pouches. 

My dogs loved the Tropical Bites which are made from 100% natural ingredients and contain low-fat, healthy ingredients such as Coconut, Seaweed, White Fish, Ginger and Mango. The High Protein Soft Baked Chews also went down well as a tasty evening snack and are again made from high quality natural ingredients - in this case a blend of Spinach, Chickpeas and Chicken.

Goodchap's Whitefish Jerky* (£3.50)

Many dogs these days have allergies just like people so natural options like this White Fish Jerky from Goodchap's are a really good alternative to give. High in protein and free from wheat and gluten, these additive-free, 100% whitefish skin pieces are dried and wonderfully chewy for your dogs to enjoy.

The packaging is made from paper which is easily recyclable or compostable.

Fetch It Poo Bags* (£5.49)

Perhaps the single most important eco-friendly switch you can do as a dog owner is to swap your regular plastic poo bags to these Fetch It plastic-free ones. 100% compostable, these poo bags are manufactured from GM-free corn starch with no plastic element at all, despite feeling just like the real thing. Strong and tough, they break down in months and won't leach any harmful chemicals into the environment. Plus they are super cute! 

Shop these products and more at https://petsagainstplastics.co.uk/

Are you purchasing more plastic-free items these days?

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Sustainable Periods with WUKA Period Pants & Sea + Flo Menstrual Cup #SustainableLifestyle

 

Let's talk about periods. They're not much fun and they can be uncomfortable and annoying at the best of times, and horribly painful at the worst, yet nearly half the population experiences them every month. One way to make periods more comfortable is to switch your menstruation products from disposable plastic pads and tampons, to comfy period pants and menstrual cups. The environment will thank you as well!

We've all seen the factual memes and awful images of the ever-growing plastic pollution problem that is damaging our oceans and the environment. Much of the focus of this has been on disposable, single-use plastic products that we use every day, but it's only been fairly recently that awareness has been made of all the disposable menstruation products that are clogging up our rivers and beaches too.

I started my periods when I was 11 years old and back then, things like period pants, reusable pads/cloths, and menstrual cups weren't readily available, so like everyone else's family that had young girls, my mum went to Boots and bought me a packet of sanitary pads. It's scary to think of just how many pads and tampons I've used since then, and how many are languishing in landfill sites all around the world still decomposing right now.

But it's never too late to change and make a difference, so ladies, if you're reading this, it's time to say goodbye to disposable pads and tampons and embrace sustainable periods! There are so many different reusable options available nowadays, and I wanted to share just two that have helped me to make the switch.

WUKA Ultimate Bikini Briefs (from £17.99, link)

When I first began researching period pants, there was one brand that kept coming up time and time again and so many friends and family members have recommended them to me, so now it's my turn to rave about them! WUKA (which stands for 'Wake Up Kick Ass') has the best range IMO and they are wonderfully ethical with a strong focus on education to break the taboo around periods, body positivity, inclusivity and female empowerment in general. Their period pants are made from sustainable and plant-friendly materials which are responsibly sourced, and they're delivered in plastic-free packaging. 

I absolutely love their Ultimate Bikini Briefs which are made from organic cotton and come in a range of sizes from 2XS to 4XL. These period pants completely replace the need for pads or tampons and hold 15ml of period flow so they can be worn for up to 8 hours. After use, simply pop them in the washing machine as normal without any fabric conditioner, hang them out on the washing line to dry, and then re-use again and again!

They are SO comfortable to wear and I had no issues with leaks or odours. They do run a little on the small side so I'd recommend going up a size when ordering. Also available in packs of 3 and 5, and with different flow options to suit your needs.

Sea + Flo Menstrual Cup* (£25, link)

If you're a tampon wearer, you'll probably prefer a menstrual cup and these really are such a great eco-friendly option as they can last up to 10 years with the correct care. They're also ideal for those who want something a bit more convenient and discreet than period pants, plus they are amazing for travel! 

The market for menstrual cups has grown massively in the same way as period pants which means there are lots of different brands to choose from. I like this one from Sea + Flo as the cup is made from 100% FDA-approved medical-grade silicone so you can rest assured that there are no unnecessary toxins such as parabens or BPA, and no latex which makes it ideal for those who have allergies.

Menstrual cups are surprisingly very comfortable to use and wear, though it can take a few tries at first to properly insert them - there are loads of handy tips and YouTube vids for guidance on this. Sea + Flo has some excellent articles, as well as cup sizing recommendations on their site so do check them out! Like period pants, I have no problems with leaks and you can wear one for up to 12 hours, day and night.

Overall thoughts

I know what you might be thinking; the initial cost seems to be the main reason why women don't make the switch or put off making the purchase until later on. I had the same feeling, but whilst the initial outlay may seem high at first, you will save money in the long term. Not only are reusable menstrual products a healthier, safer, and far more comfortable option than their mainstream disposable counterparts, the benefits to the environment mustn't be ignored here. Yes it sucks and it's unfair that as women we have to pay for these things, so why not go with the more sustainable product? After all, can we really put a price on our environment?

Have you made the switch to sustainable period products?

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Plastic Free July: 6 Easy Plastic-Free Beauty Swaps

 

As Plastic Free July comes to a close for another year, I wanted to share my 6 Easy Beauty Swaps to keep the awareness going and inspire not only everyone reading this to make better, more eco-friendly consumer choices for the planet, but as a personal reminder that there's always more that I can do myself as well.

If you're new to going plastic-free, my advice would be to just start small with one swap and take it from there. It can be rather overwhelming if you try and change everything all at once, not to mention expensive, so use up what you have first and then make your next purchase a plastic-free one. 

I still have an awful amount of plastic in my bathroom and beauty routine as you'll no doubt see from my Empties posts, and I'm going, to be honest here and say that I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to follow a completely plastic-free lifestyle, but making some changes is better than doing nothing!

Here are 6 Easy Beauty Swaps you can try to reduce your plastic waste:-

1 - Swap Your Morning Cleanser For A Konjac Sponge with The Korean Konjac Facial Sponge* (£9.99, link)

Suitable for even sensitive skin, Konjac Sponges have been popular across Asia for decades and have in recent years started to pop up in sustainable bathrooms in the west thanks to their completely natural and biodegradable nature. Made from the Konjac plant, these sponges appear hard at first, but once submerged in water, they soften and expand. Their unique structure gently cleanses the skin and you'll find many Konjac sponges are infused with Red or Green Clay (such as above) to help absorb oil, dirt, and impurities. They're designed to be used on their own with just water for a refreshing morning cleanse, though you can add a tiny amount of your favourite cleanser to them if you wish.

Konjac sponges last around 2-3 months, after which they can be composted. If you try this and like it, there are also larger Body Sponges that you can replace plastic loofahs with for another easy swap!

2 - Swap Your Aerosol or Plastic Roll-On Deodorant For Ben & Anna Natural Deodorant* (60g, £9.95, link)

The natural deodorant market has literally exploded with more choice than ever before so swapping to a natural deodorant in eco-friendly packaging is one of the easiest swaps to make these days. I've reviewed so many over the years (check out some of my reviews here) and I often chop and change between different brands. 

My current favourite for summer has been this Ben & Anna Natural Deodorant in Persian Lime which has such a beautiful zesty and fresh citrusy scent. It comes packaged in a handy twist-up cardboard tube that's easy to recycle afterwards, and each purchase helps to support ocean cleaning projects around the world.

3 & 4 - Swap Your Toothpaste & Floss To Ben & Anna Natural Toothpaste* (100ml, £8.95, link) and Georganics Natural Activated Charcoal Floss* (£4.90, link)

I've talked about plastic-free dental routines in the past, and again, the market for these products has grown enormously due to consumer demand which is very encouraging to see. There are lots and lots of natural toothpaste to choose from and I have another favourite from Ben & Anna here who do a brilliant range of fluoride and fluoride-free options so you can pick the one to suit your personal needs. All of their toothpaste is packaged in glass jars with an aluminium lid and come with a little wooden spatula that you can use to dispense the paste straight onto your brush.

Don't stop with just toothpaste though! Dentists recommend that we should all be flossing at least once a day for optimal gum and mouth health so grab one of these Georganics Natural Activated Charcoal Floss that comes in a reusable glass jar and buy the refills whenever you run out.

4 - Swap Your Plastic Shampoo Bottle for Marley's Pure & Natural Shampoo* (50g, £11.50, link)

Natural shampoos are perhaps the trickiest swap so save this one for last if you're new to this as I have personally found them to be a bit of a journey to find ones that work for your hair. However, I'm currently enjoying Marley's sustainable Pure & Natural Shampoo in Euclayltpus and Green Clay which is specially formulated for oily/greasy hair types.

This is quite different from the usual natural shampoo bars that you see people using, as inside the plastic-free bag are natural shampoo flakes. To use it, you simply add hot water to the bag, leave for 30 minutes to dissolve and once cool, transfer it to a reusable bottle (this could be your previous plastic shampoo bottle). Pop the bottle into the fridge overnight to rest and come the morning, it's ready to use! This is a good one to try if you haven't had much luck with traditional shampoo bars, and instead prefer a liquid-based shampoo.

6 - Swap Your Hand & Body Wash For A Soap Bar* (100g, £2.49, link)

We've all been washing our hands like crazy during the pandemic and unfortunately, all of that plastic waste that's generated from hand wash bottles is adding up, so if you only do one of these swaps, make it this one. I've loved seeing old-school bars of soap come back into fashion again! Versatile to have next to every sink in your home, you can choose your favourite natural ingredients and scent and enjoy a truly plastic-free, zero-waste alternative. Once you've swapped your hand washes, why not try using a bar or two in the shower instead of shower gel? Another easy plastic-free swap!

What are your favourite plastic-free beauty swaps?

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Christmas Gift Guide 2020: The Very Last Minute Digital Gift Idea from ZeroSmart #CarbonNeutral

Left it too late this year? Don't worry, ZeroSmart have just the perfect gift for anyone who wants to shop zero-waste, eco-friendly and sustainable this Christmas.

Whether you've been rushing around trying to juggle the gift shopping between life and work commitments this month, you've been caught out with the new Tier 4 rules down South or you've simply missed someone off your list, ZeroSmart are here to save the day!

Sustainability has been a big ongoing theme for the last few years and with many of us re-assessing our lifestyles, it's been encouraging to see so many more consumers actively choosing to purchase greener gifts this year. 

ZeroSmart specialises in offsetting carbon footprints for people and pets by planting trees and working with environmental charities and climate-change organisations around the world. All of the carbon offsetting projects that ZeroSmart are involved in, including all tree planting, are regularly verified by third-party organisations like the United Nations FCCC and Verra. For extra peace of mind, the trees are protected and cared for by experienced professionals and dedicated local communities who are paid a fair wage for their vital conservation work.

Gifts include personalised digital certificates for humans (example above) and the carbon offset is calculated using average carbon data stats from trustworthy organisations such as WWF, the EU and the UK Gov's own ONS (Office of National Statistics). 

Pet lovers can also purchase digital certificates to offset the carbon of their own pets or those of their family and friends (examples above), as a thoughtful gift to the environment! Together we can plant more trees for a greener environment tomorrow :)

Learn more at zerosmart.co.uk

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