Facekins

Minimal (Zero) Waste Swaps & Repurposing

/ darphynia / Leave a comment

I am currently writing an opinion piece on the Zero Waste Movement and minimalism.  Until then, I thought I would post up some of the things I have purchased that help control the chaos in my tiny space.  While I have some issues with zero (I prefer minimal) waste, there are some things to be said for it.  Here are some products you may be interested in:

1.  Facekins

Image courtesy of Connie @ Facekins.


I really love these, and have purchased a few packs (7/pack).  Yes, they come packaged in plastic, but that’s okay.  Each pad is cut, hand-sewn, and packaged by hand in the USA by founder Connie and her team–no factory involved at all.  These reusable, washable face pads are ultra-soft and virtually stain-resistant.  They are perfect for travel, and will last ages.  Facekins will save you from having to buy cotton balls, and can be used twice before washing.  Use one side in the morning, the other at night, wash it, and let it dry.  You can also toss them in with your washing.

2.  Reusable Bags

image courtesy of badpickletees.com


We have been lucky to have received several reusable bags/totes from various events.  I have used them for shopping, as a purse, and while we travel.  I love how compact they are, and most are relatively durable.  When they get dirty, just pop them in the wash with your next load of clothes!

3.  Jars

I just love this jar from Mini Monster at the Anaheim Packing District!
It holds about the same amount of liquid as a Trenta at Starbucks.


Before hipsters popularized jars, we would keep and reuse the glass kind, especially if they had a metal cap.  We still do, but over time I have had to buy some to replace those that have broken.  I use them for drinks, picnics, and travel (except on airlines since some won’t allow them).  It’s a spill-proof way to take what you need.  They also take up less space, and they can be washed & reused after.

4.  Feminine Hygiene Products

Hopefully this helps to
show the capacity differences.
Large (green) and Small (clear).


Yes, I periodically purchase liners (I don’t like the feeling of reusable pads/liners.  They remind me of those huge bricks that we had before ultra thin pads came out), and I have tampons in case someone needs them since I no longer use them at all.  That being said, I prefer to use a period cup.  Years ago I had tried them (read more about that, here) and it was the worst experience ever.  I also dislike tampons in general– a plug that absorbs blood seems more gross to me than a cup that will hold it, plus, I was more prone to leaks with tampons.  For years I only used pads.  I figured I would just let it flow out, since that’s what nature intended anyway, but it’s not always easy to get to a restroom every 30 minutes or so.  The first 2-3 days are extremely heavy for me, so I am always in need of a restroom.  My favorite cup is Anytime (yes, they are manufactured in China, and have the testing reports if you want them).  I have four (4) total:  2 small and 2 large– it’s better to have a couple of extras in case of travel or they get lost.  The large cup holds more than the Lena, which I also have, and is the most comfortable for my body.  Menstrual cups will stain over time (it happens), but that doesn’t mean they need to be thrown out.

5.  BeautyBlender & Blotterazzi

Image courtesy of
BeautyBlender & Sephora.com
Image courtesy of
BeautyBlender & Sephora.com


Since BeautyBlender was introduced, I have been using them.  I love that they are reusable, washable, and perfect for personal.  you can use them in a professional setting, but for sanitary purposes, I recommend only using disposable.  If you have the extra disposable income, you can give the used one to your clients, which I have done in the past.  Depending on the set, it may be easier to use disposable sponges, but I’ve found that these little beauties last for ages, and provide a flawless finish.  They also work well in place of oil blotting papers.  They’ve recently launched Blotterazzi, which I like, but could have just used a sponge since they are essentially the same thing.

6.  Miscellaneous/Re-purposing

I also purchase drinks that come in packaging where I can get the CRV back. The packaging is recycled, and we get some money back in return.  I use LUSH knot-wraps as handbags, lunch sacks, and hair accessories.  Empty medication bottles are perfect for storing toothpaste tablets, Q-tips, and more when you travel.  They are also great for storing screws, nails, bolts, and other hardware in your toolbox.  Just don’t forget to label them.  It’s not a swap, but a repurposed item, which saves money.  I have also repurposed my letter trays for makeup and skincare, which stacks easily on the bathroom counter.

—–

What are your favorite zero-waste swaps?  Do you re-purpose?  Let me know in the comments.

Stay beautiful!

Stocking-Stuffers for All

/ darphynia / Leave a comment

Sometimes you just need a token gift or something small to fill the stocking.  Listed below are a few things for everyone in varying price ranges.  For those who are on a tighter budget, I highly recommend a trip to Daiso, if you have one near you, or the Dollar Store, because you never know what you’ll find.

1.  On-the-Go Gamepad, $8.99 

Image courtesy of worldmarket.com

 Do you know anyone who is going away on holiday?  This gamepad comes with 5 games to choose from, so  your traveling recipients will never be bored.  Great for long flights and rest-stops during road trips, the gamepad takes up hardly any space, and will keep everyone entertained.

2.  Clear Glass Fox Salt & Pepper Shakers, $12.99/set

Image courtesy of worldmarket.com

A fun, cute, and sophisticated stocking stuffer/housewarming gift is this fox salt/pepper shaker set.  They don’t come filled (yes, I realize that should be a given, but you never know), so you could always throw in a small jar of your favorite salt & pepper for the recipient.  

3.  Cat Timer, $5.99

Image courtesy of worldmarket.com

What cat person wouldn’t want to have this cat timer in his/her kitchen?  It’s adorable, and the bottom bit looks like a oversized collar.  Functional, cute, and doesn’t take up that much space, this timer is the perfect addition to any cat person’s home. 

4.  Desktop Basketball Set, $7.99

Image courtesy of worldmarket.com

I firmly believe in having a strong work ethic.  Sometimes, you just need to take a little break, and what better way than a game of basketball?  Desktop basketball, that is!  This set comes with two ball, two launchers, and a hoop.  Desktop games are great for adults and kids.  Create challenges, play by yourself or with others, and add make your day a little less stressful.

5.  Rau Hot Chocolate Spoons, $8.97/set of 3

Image courtesy of worldmarket.com

If you are looking for something a little different, these drinking chocolate spoons are a great addition to any stocking.  Each set comes with the following flavors:  Orange Caramel (white/milk), Strawberry + Chili (white/dark), and Dark with Amaretto Cookie.  Eat the chocolate right off the spoon or stir it into a hot beverage.  The choices are endless.     

6.  Men’s Striped Dopp Kit, $12.99

Image courtesy of worldmarket.com

The title may say it’s for men, but this bag is a great product for any traveler.  Whether jet-setting or
heading off to the gym, this dopp kit will hold the recipient’s travel toiletries and other necessities.  This product is a World Market exculsive.

7.  Noshkins Felt Food, $5.00 & up

Image courtesy of noshkins.com
Image courtesy of noshkins.com

Do you have a little one who loves to pretend s/he is a chef?  These felt food creations are a great addition to anyone’s playtime.  There are so many individual items and sets to choose from, such as: cakes, vegetables, sandwiches, pizza, etc.  Recently, I purchased the sushi and banana (what a combination!) for my nephew.  He loves to pretend he’s a chef.  With these, he can take them apart and put them together, without the hassle of having them break, tear, fall apart.  They are also non-toxic.  The petit fours and other dessert items are cute to display, especially if you have pedestal plates that are not being used.  They are great for parties and stocking-stuffers!   

8.  Viktor & Rolf:  Spice Bomb Fresh Fragrance, $98.00

Image courtesy of nordstrom.com

Apparently Viktor & Rolf’s fragrances are quite popular.  Personally, I don’t know how this one smells, alone or on a person, but I LOVE the packaging.  The little frosted grenade is just adorable.  You will also get deluxe samples of the after-shave balm and eau de toilette, while supplies last.  And what is really awesome is the gift with purchase promotion happening at Nordstrom.com, again, while supplies last.  If you spend $100 on men’s grooming/fragrance, you also get a dopp kit filled with samples (automatically added at checkout). 

Image courtesy of nordstrom.com

9.  Death Star Ice Sphere Mold, $11.99

Image courtesy of thinkgeek.com

How fun is his ice mold?!  You may only get one, but there are so many ways to use it.  Ice, Jell-O, fruit, soap (yes, soap!), chocolate…the list goes on.  The mold has a 2.4″ diameter, which makes it the perfect size for whatever you are molding.     

10.  Glow-in-the-Dark Play-Doh, $3.49 (currently on sale)

Image courtesy of target.com
Image courtesy of target.com

This Target-exclusive Play-Doh is a fun way to channel any recipient’s creativity.  It glows in the dark, and looks wonderful under a black light.  What kid wouldn’t want to build a castle, cake, or plate of spaghetti & meatballs that glows? 

Taking Up a Little Less Space in the Landfill with Facekins

/ darphynia / Leave a comment
Image courtesy of Facekins.com

I was sent a sample of Facekins to try out, and I am in L-O-V-E!  For those of you who don’t know, Facekins are washable, reusable fabric facial pads.

I took these with me while I worked camp, and they were such a blessing!  I didn’t have to gauge the amount of cotton facial pads and cotton balls I would need, and the Facekins took up far less room in my kit!  Since I wash my face at least twice a day (morning, night, and in the shower of course!) and always use makeup remover and toner, I go through a ton of cotton.  Okay, not literally a ton, but you know what I mean.  It is one of the softest products to ever touch my face!  It reminded me of something that would be used during a luxury spa treatment.

I also found myself using less product.  At first, I thought it was too good to be true Facekins, but no.  I tested out how far one spray of toner would go on a cotton pad versus the Facekins.  Both items were the round-shape, and were about the same in width.  I tried to do things as error- and bias-free as possible.  I used the same amount of pressure on the spray nozzle, held the spray bottle at the same distance, and as I said, just one spray.  To make sure that the temperature didn’t affect the outcome, both products were used within a few minutes of each other.  My results were that the cotton pad, even though it distributed the product fairly evenly in the beginning, it was nearly gone by the time I was done.  The product on the Facekins pad, however, lasted throughout the application process, which was the same as the process for the cotton pad, and is most likely due to its composition.

Here is how my experience went (and I still do this at home):

–  Morning routine, side 1 used.
–  Night routine, side 2 used.
–  Wash after night routine.
–  Let it air dry while I slept.
–  Repeat.

Now, of course you can throw them in the washing machine.  Because of our location, I couldn’t do that, but it also wasn’t necessary.  I can see how useful having Facekins are.  For those with stubble, these are a wonderful option because you won’t have a bunch of cotton fibers hanging around.

I love that they are:

–  Ultra-plush
–  Reusable
–  Come in a variety of shapes & sizes
–  Multifunctional
–  Soft enough for those with very sensitive skin
–  Saves money (I won’t have to spend near that much on cotton anymore)
–  Saves landfill space
–  Handmade and packaged in Southern California

Ladies, they also make nursing pads!  They help to alleviate soreness, and even work for women who are sensitive before/during menstruation.

Thank you so much, Connie!

View their FAQ page and shop!