Time for a new Empties post! I have used up quite a few products these past weeks. I can recommend most of them, so if you are in the market for a new, natural shampoo, sunscreen, babyproduct, shower gel, face serum, concealer, face cream and/or toothpaste, then come have a rumble through my trash. Also, if you are interested in ways to reduce plastic by adjusting small things in your beauty routine, then keep on reading!

The products I recommend are linked to Dutch webshops, to make it easy to shop them. If you don’t live in the Netherlands, I advice you to check international shipping (fees) first!

Use less plastic in your beauty routine

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For my collaboration with National Geographic I researched ways to reduce the use of plastic. I realized there were still so many ways to use less plastic, just by adjusting little things in my daily life. We have incorporated these adjustments into our daily life, step by step. And now they have just become part of our every day routine.

When it comes to your beauty routine, you can easily reduce the use of plastic:

• Choose q-tips made from organic cotton, instead of plastic. I use the ones from Bel Nature.
• Put two little bins in your (beauty)room: one for plastic and one for paper. That way it’s easier to recycle. I bought mine from Ikea.
• Choose brands that use recyclable packaging, like Hair O’right, one of my favorite hair care brands. They actually developed a bottle that is biodegradable, made from bio based plastic.
• Choose brands that don’t use micro beads in their products. These tiny bits of plastic are a great source of plastic pollution.
• Use bamboo toothbrushes instead of plastic ones.

Other products featured above, that I highly recommend:

• Organic Cotton Pads: a more environmentally conscious choice for removing make-up with cotton pads. You can also choose washable cotton pads, if you want to reduce waste. The 5 packs come in a small size and a large size.
• Aleppo Shower Gel: If you want to know why I am obsessed with Aleppo soap – especially when the weather gets colder and my skin more dry – then read this blogpost.

Natural and Cruelty Free Choices

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It is so easy to choose natural and cruelty free, as there are so many beautiful brands that value the environment and animal well being. It’s also so much better for your skin and body, to choose natural.

A few faves we've used up this month:

• The Weleda Calendula Bath Cream, for your little one, is probably one of my all time favorite baby products. I used this on Isaya and now for Alela.
• Ladival Sunscreen: I love this brand, not just because they don’t use chemical filters, parabens, colorants, perfume and emulsifiers in their sunscreen, but also because they donated a Big Fat Check to the Dutch organization that helps battle cancer in children (KWF).
• The Rose Day Cream from Dr. Hauschka: When it comes to my favorite natural brands, Dr. Hauschka is definitely at the top of that list. I have never been disappointed by their products.
• Eucalyptus Toothpaste, from Urtekram: I was curious about the brand Urtekram and in my search for the perfect natural toothpaste I decided to try one of their products. It’s a good toothpaste: 100% natural and no SLS/SLES and no fluoride.

More lovely products!

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• The Catrice Liquid Camouflage Concealer: I wrote a review on this concealer. It’s a great dupe for expensive concealers from brands like Urban Decay and it’s cruelty free.
• FAJU Rejuvenating Face Serum: love, love loooove this serum and love this brand. 100% natural ingredients, that have been sourced in an environmentally and ethically friendly way. FAJU donates 1% of their sales to non profits that work to preserve the planet. Their products don’t contain chemicals, parabens, synthetic fragrances, silicons, phtalates, artificial colorants or alcohol and they are non GMO. And of course, they are a cruelty free brand.

Saying goodbye to…

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Even though I have been buying exclusively cruelty free for over a year, I still have non-cruelty free empties. That’s because, when I started this journey I decided not to throw anything away, as I consider that a waste. This Maybelline mascara was in my beauty stock and had to be finished: I won’t miss it one bit. There are so many amazing natural & cruelty free alternatives, that are just as affordable. For instance this vegan mascara from Benecos (love it!). I will miss the Bioré nose and face strips as I have not yet found a cruelty free alternative and they work wonders. But you know, animal cruelty trumps pores any day if you ask me…