It’s finally the end of the week, and you deserve to relax! At Marley’s Monsters, we believe it’s important to take care of yourself and the environment. But with so many personal care products packaged in plastic or designed for single use, it can be hard to make “me time” eco friendly. So, here are sustainable and reusable items to make your self care routine green.
Shower Time
There’s nothing better than a warm shower after a long day. It helps melt away all the stress and worries piling up. Begin with a Cotton Chenille Makeup Towel for taking off the day’s makeup. Our Makeup Towel is made with two layers of luxurious black cotton chenille and sewn on only three sides to allow the towel to be used as a mitt. It can be flipped inside out to use the scrubbier side for tougher areas. Then, start your shower with Eucalyptus Shower Steamers, the perfect eco friendly aromatherapy. The cleansing vapors of eucalyptus are well known for deep support of respiratory health. These powerful steamers combine eucalyptus with concentrated cooling peppermint for an awakening and refreshing shower experience. Place one or two rounds in the shower in the direct stream of water. As the round(s) get wet, they begin to dissolve and release potent essential oils into the hot shower steam.
Get the maximum out of your favorite bar of soap with a Soap Saver Pouf. Organic mesh ruffles surround a mini soap saver bag to create the world's first soap saver shower pouf! This revolutionary pouf is made from organic cotton mesh and is totally plastic free. The cotton is slightly exfoliating for a good scrub. Or, try Organic Fair Trade Coffee Scrub from Urban Oreganics. This scrub is packed with antioxidants to perk up and protect the skin. Safe for use on the face and body, the high caffeine content increases blood flow to minimize the appearance of cellulite and small varicose veins. When used on the face, the natural oils and minerals will treat acne and other skin irritations. We also offer a Lavender Salt Scrub from Lovett Sundries. This glow-inducing salt scrub is like having a fancy spa treatment in a jar. Carefully blended mineral-rich sea salt makes this scrub the perfect way to soften your skin.
Ditch plastic bottles and swap to shampoo and conditioner bars. These hair care bars are non-toxic, plastic free and they smell and feel amazing. No need to ship plastic bottles of (mostly) water when you can get concentrated hair care packaged in a 100% compostable, recyclable, and biodegradable cardboard box that is even printed with water-based ink. You can also find face wash in bar form. This Facial Cleansing Bar from Meow Meow Tweet is handmade in small batches with vegan and all-natural ingredients. It is plastic free and packaged in 100% recyclable materials. If you prefer more of a facial mask, try Cleansing Grains from Urban Oreganics. Cleansing grains are a mild, soap-free daily facial cleanser that washes away dirt and impurities. Composed of gentle (yet effective) raw grains and clay, this natural cleanser exfoliates and protects dry and aging skin. Add a couple drops of water to these organic cleansing grains as part of your daily skin care regimen for soft, clear skin.
Hair Care
We all have an after shower routine that usually involves hair, face, and full body love. One of our favorite ways to treat your hair to gentle drying with a Flannel Hair Towel. Our cotton flannel Hair Towels are the perfect size to wrap your hair after a hot shower. Each towel is made from 100% cotton flannel and features an elastic loop, strategically placed to assist in securing your wrapped tresses. Offered in some of our favorite prints, this towel can easily spruce up your bathroom, it travels well, and decreases hair drying time.
Detangle sustainably with a Bamboo Hairbrush. This bamboo hair brush is a luxurious and sustainable swap for brushes made with synthetic materials. It has a natural feel and functions exactly like conventional hair brushes. The brush pins are pure bamboo, the cushion base is natural rubber, and the bamboo handle has a beeswax finish. It is shipped with compostable packaging made from paper only.
Face and Body Care
First of all, there is nothing worse than loose broken eyeshadow or exploded shampoo in your cosmetic bag. Keep track of your favorite beauty products and reusables with a Cosmetic Bag that is complete with a waterproof PUL lining to protect against leaks and for easy clean up. Just wipe out the interior, or toss in your laundry. Find a print that suits your taste best too! It’s also great for storing things like a Rose Quartz Facial Roller, an incredible tool for inner and outer beauty. Facial rolling is relaxing and de-stressing. It's been a beauty ritual since ancient times in China, dating all the way back to the 7th century. Physically, it helps to firm the look of skin through gentle massage. Roll either side of the roller on a freshly cleaned face to increase circulation!
One you’ve thoroughly rolled your clean skin, apply Rosewater Toner from Urban Oreganics. Whether your skin is oily, dry, or combination, this skin-brightening rosewater toner is for you. Use this toner in your beauty routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. By removing impurities and dirt left on your skin after cleansing, this toner leaves your pores tight and prepares your face to fully absorb a moisturizer.
Skip single use cottons like cotton balls or rounds by making the swap to Facial Rounds. Available in set of 10 or 20 facial rounds is a great way to eliminate more waste from your home. They are handmade of 2 layers of 100% cotton flannel, and each pad is approximately 3” in diameter. The edges are serged for durability and to prevent fraying. Facial Rounds are washable and reusable, just toss in your next load of laundry! Plus, they come in a variety of great colors and prints, so you can keep your unique style while saving the environment.
Reduce waste further by trying Solid Lotion from Lovett Sundries that comes packaged in a reusable tin. It is made with four simple ingredients: shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil, and beeswax. To use, warm the solid lotion bar in your hand and rub it anywhere your skin is dry or cracked. The silky butters will melt into your hands, feet, and elbows like magic. Or, feed your body with Urban Oreganics’ Body Food, a multi-purpose head-to-toe butter. Fall in love with this thick and luxurious formula and its many uses. The possibilities are endless: skin moisturizer, shaving cream, hair mask, diaper rash, tattoo conditioner, etc.
Give your hands the extra love they deserve with unscented Portland Bee Balm Beeswax Hand Salve. Protect your skin from the elements courtesy of Pacific Northwest bees. This salve is made with quality ingredients in a conveniently portable and recyclable tin.
As the saying goes, "your skin is a mouth" - absorbing everything it comes in contact with, so choose non-toxic, organic, and simple ingredients to keep your hands, and everything else, feeling smooth and nourished.
Relax
Now that your body is clean, your hair is dried, and your face is prepped, it’s finally time to sit down and relax. Whether you’re enjoying a good book, or binging the next five episodes of your favorite show, we love reusable and sustainable products to relax. For example, steep your favorite brew with Reusable Tea Bags. These Tea Bags are handmade with 100% Organic Unbleached Linen and offer a sustainable solution for relaxing with that perfect cup of tea. Fill with your favorite herbs for a custom cup. The cotton thread and cord ensures a long life, and a plastic free sipping experience. Just boil your tea bags periodically to clean.
Soothe your muscles after a long day with our flaxseed Heating Pad. We create the covers from 100% cotton flannel. Pick your favorite from our selection of colorful prints. The flaxseed heating pack cover is made from muslin and can be removed to wash. Warm the heating pad in the microwave for 20 seconds, or keep it in the freezer for a cool compress.
It’s important to take the time to care for yourself in such a busy and fast paced world. Sustainable self care is achievable, and may even help you relax more knowing you’re caring for the planet too. Of course, there are endless ways to incorporate sustainability and reusables into your self care routine. What other things are in your routine? Reach out and let us know. We’d love to talk!
