Ethique's solid beauty bars with plastic-free packaging

I kindly receive dozens of emails each week, from companies asking me to try their product. While it's very nice, rarely will one actually fit with my lifestyle. Which is why, you don't see many of these disclosure statements before I write a blog post...the product I am about to talk about was gifted to me. All thoughts are my own.

Two weeks before the Builder and myself were about to embark on our honeymoon, an email from Ethique arrived in my inbox. A New Zealand based company that was aiming to be the most sustainable beauty company in the world.

Here we go I thought, another one...

But it wasn't another one. This one was different.

You see Ethique make beauty products; soap, shampoo, conditioner, moisturisers and other similar products. What sets them apart is their very simple aim. Like me, they want to prevent unnecessary plastic bottles and jars from being used and thrown away. So far they had prevented 60,000 bottles and jars from being thrown away. There ultimate goal is 1 million. They cater for the person who wants to do better, but does not have the time to necessarily make their own stuff like soap, conditioner and moisturisers.

While I enjoy making my own products, and I know some my readers do too, not all of us have that time or even want too. Including myself. And that's ok. Living plastic free or zero waste, does not mean weekends or evenings have to be filled with DIY beauty projects.

Ethique make all of their products in solid form. No liquids. No need for the bottles and jars. Each product is simply wrapped in compostable packaging. It's kinda hard not to fall in love with a company that dislikes plastic and unnecessary packaging as much as I do.

I decided to check out their website, see what products they had and learn more about them.

• Certified B Corp 
• Cruelty free
• Climate neutral 
• 20% of our profit goes to various animal & environmental charities 
• Natural ingredients 
• Compostable packaging for a totally waste free product 
• Sustainably sourced ingredients 
• The owner does not like bioplastics 
• Vegan friendly products

As I was about to head overseas, I decided to try the saving face serum. Ordinarily I use plain hemp oil on my face. However, I had a 7kg weight limit due to some internal flights on the honeymoon (hand luggage only for me). And glass jars add weight. Every little thing adds up. A solid moisturising block would weigh a lot less and take up less room.

Here is how it arrived:

How to use the Saving Face Serum bar:

After I wash my face in the morning, I simply warm the Saving Face Serum in my hands, then wipe the bar over my face. If I have any extra on my hands, I'll rub it into the ends of my hair. 

Good morning. Snap taken on our honeymoon. No makeup. In my pyjamas, getting ready for the day. 

The verdict:

• I really love it AND am still using the first portion of the bar eight weeks later
• There were NO breakouts (I have the oiliest skin and break out very easily) 
• It did not melt when we left the car sitting in the sun on days reaching 35 degrees (woohoo!) 
• No need to worry about it spilling out of a bottle 
• No 100ml restriction anxiety when travelling
• It was light weight and took up next to no room
• Gorgeous subtle smell 
• The fine lines around my eyes softened
• I don't have to clean a bottle at the end

When I need to purchase another, I can ask for a refill only and continue to use the original box for it's home. It's small things like this that make me smile.

Turns out fancy pants serums don't need to come in bottles or jars. Compostable packaging and recyclable boxes work just as well, if not better.

Along with the saving face serum we received soap and shampoo bars. We are currently trying their soap (oh my gooodness, Lime & Ginger...the SMELL is divine). And my friends gave the shampoo bars a whirl, all are very satisfied. One had never used a solid shampoo bar before, and has now be safely converted. I think what pushed her over the edge, was learning that the average shampoo can be made up to 80% water. When you are washing with water in the shower or bath, then that extra water is just a waste. Ethique solid shampoo bars are equivalent to three (300ml) bottles of liquid shampoo. That's a lot of water and money saved, plus the bars last longer.

Ethique does not contain:

• Sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate 
• Parabens 
• Phthalates 
• Ingredients that form nitrosamines or dioxins 
• Formaldehyde or formaldehyde donors 
• Palm oil 
• Petroleum byproducts 
• Animal products 

I have faith Ethique will very easily hit their goal of preventing 1 million bottles and jars from coming into existence. Not only are they passionate about preventing plastic waste, the company is transparent, friendly and will answer any tough eco question you might have for them (I had a couple). I usually find that companies asking tough eco questions of themselves, are never slow to respond with truthful answers when asked. It's the kind of relationship you want with a company, who is asking to put stuff on your body. I trust Ethique to do that.

Thank you Ethique for letting me try your product. #giveupthebottle