Since my toiletry bag has changed quite a bit since becoming vegan, and now again as I move towards a more minimalist and zero waste lifestyle, I thought I would update you all on what’s in there.
It’s not yet a perfect toiletry bag, but I feel like I’m on the right track at least.
Skincare:
Coconut oil as a make up remover
Solid face cleansing bar – currently using Coalface by LUSH
Homemade ACV and tea tree toner paired with reusable cotton rounds (you can buy these on etsy, or you can get inventive and do as I did and bought cloth nipple pads)
Moisturiser in recyclable packaging – I’m currently using up one I already had; I found out I had hoarded a whole lot of various moisterisers over the years…
Hair:
Bamboo hair brush – better option than plastic
Solid shampoo bar – currently using Karma Komba from LUSH
Solid conditioner bar – currently using Big from LUSH
Teeth:
Bamboo toothbrush – compostable, unlike the billions of plastic toothbrushes that go into landfill each year
Tooth powder – I’ve been giving LUSH’s Tooth Fairy a try, and while I like it, I’m going to go back to using my…
Homemade toothpaste – I used a recipe I found on the Internet for this one using coconut oil, baking soda and peppermint oil
Tongue scraper – yep, sounds gross but it helps oral hygiene
Coconut oil for oil pulling
Dental floss – like moisterisers, I seemed to have hoarded heaps of dental floss too, so I’m using all of that up while looking for a better option for the future. Any suggestions, let me know
Tooth mousse – Not vegan nor zero waste, but it’s (for the moment) something my dentist has instructed me to use as a treatment. So I’m putting it on this list to be accountable and honest.
Body:
I used a good old bar of soap – I never liked body wash anyway
Although, I do keep some Dr Bronners Castille Soap handy in case I run out of soap, or am in need of some emergency dish/clothing/household soap.
I used a safety razor paired with coconut oil to shave – it saves all the plastic disposable razors I would be using instead going into landfill, and isn’t that scary once you get used to it. I have, admittedly, cut myself a few times though…
I use coconut oil as a body lotion
And I use a dry body brush to exfoliate.
Ta da, that’s it. That’s all I have in my bathroom (bar a few items that I’m still using up from my pre-minimalist/zero waste days and will not purchase again)
Books about Zero Waste that I love:
Note: Some of these are affiliate links. I only ever affiliate myself with products and companies that I believe in and either use, or would use, myself.
Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson
Plastic-Free by Beth Terry
Yes I love this so much! Thanks for sharing, these types of posts are so motivating to me ☺️💛
Thank you so much! 💛
My toiletry bag definitely isn’t perfect yet, but I’m working on it ☺️
I wash and reuse floss. I tried using silk strands but they didn’t work for me, kept breaking. They’re not vegan either. Never heard of tooth mouse, what does it do?
That’s a great idea Elaine – does the floss work well enough after being washed and reused? Yeah I’ve heard of the silk option, but no, it’s not vegan so I won’t be trying it. The tooth mousse is a special concoction they put on your teeth sometimes at the dentist and leave it on for five minutes, then get you to spit it out, but you’re not allowed to eat or drink for half an hour afterwards. It’s basically to strengthen my teeth – unfortunately my teeth are naturally a bit weaker than average, and then as a youngster I didn’t take care of them as well as I should have, as well as indulging in many sweet treats.
Love to see more + more people becoming aware of zero waste! Check out Bestowed Essentials as well – it’s my line of ethical + eco-friendly self care products that are handcrafted with all-natural ingredients, no animal products or testing, plastic-free packaging, and solar power!