I've been using Sebastian Shaper Plus Hair Spray for decades and I've never used any other brand in my whole life! The Plus has a scent but I love the way it smells and have often had comments on it (people think it is my perfume lol). It's never sticky and you can brush it right out. I love big hair haha and it is the best.
Love all your posts Shira! It's like getting a little present whenever I see one of your emails in my inbox! xo
I can attest that the aarke bubbler is awesome, and so much more chic on a counter than the classic soda stream ones. We use Blueland for our cleaning products, similar to branch with a concentrate you dilute in water. And for safe laundry we use Dirty Labs and then Puracy for stains - it works miracles and is plant based and family owned!
I have used the same mascara for 14 years (Trish McEvoy tube mascara). Every time I've tried something new, I've regretted it. I also use Dr. Bronner's castille soap for pretty much everything in the house (makes great foaming hand soap, regular hand soap, dish soap, can use it to make other cleaners, can even use it for toothpaste and laundry while traveling). I am tempted to try your cleaner though! I would love to get my family aligned on toiletries, but thus far my efforts have not worked - everyone is too attached to "their" product!
Another vote for Dr Bronners products. We use the Baby Bar soap in the shower and the castille soap for a zillion other household and bath uses. Tip: Remember to dilute depending on usage (amounts are in the fine print). It's concentrated and lasts a long time. I'm also a fan of Avene Xeracalm Balm. It's the only cream that really keeps my sensitive, eczema prone, dry skin happy and I restock when they go on sale.
The Aarke Carbonator has been on my wishlist as well! One of my fave YouTubers, Benita Larsson has one on the counter of her Stockholm apartment. Such a luxury to have sparkling water in demand without the aluminum waste!
I also love Benita's apartment. Our friends in Majorca have one and we used it last summer, i was really tempted to get one. Still trying to convince my husband that it would be great to have sparkling water all of the time.
I’m so grateful to you for turning me onto Branch Basics a while back. I keep a bottle of the concentrate on hand and use it to make all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, laundry detergent, and dish soap. I love the simplicity and not getting sucked into browsing the (multiple!) aisles of cleaning products at the store. Thank you for relieving so much decision fatigue for me.
The items I always restock without having to think are:
-Norse Organics for my face (and to naturally treat and prevent adult acne)
-Colorescience Face Shield Glow for my face sunscreen
-Athletic Greens for my daily supplements
-Puracy for laundry stain removal (thanks to a rec from you!)
Ohhh I love this list and the idea of streamlining the products you mentioned. We’re about to move back to the US from Germany so a good time for us to reset. I love Neutrogena’s hydro boost face wash. Tried a bunch of different ones a few years ago and came back to that one! I also like a basic bar of soap for body wash. Have been wearing Supergoop’s unseen sunscreen for years but I’ll admit I’m curious to try the one you mentioned! The Muna shade of eye brightener from Thrive Causemetics has been a staple for years also.
This is a good prompt to think about! I’m a “decide once” kind of person so I appreciate the mental load lifted by just knowing what you want!
A few of mine, very random ones:
Nellie’s Laundry Soda — I get a larger size tub which lasts forever. I love not having to think about it.
Everyone for Every Body 3-in-1 soap for my kids’ bathroom (bubble bath, soap, shampoo) — comes in great scents and can usually find for about half price at Marshall’s or TJMaxx.
Santa Cruz organic lime juice — the best tasting option, in my opinion, when you don’t have actual limes on hand. A good size and glass container that I like, too!
Huggies Natural Care unscented baby wipes — everyone in our house prefers these to all other brands. Not too sudsy, doesn’t irritate skin, thick enough to feel substantial and not rip, and good for a lot more than wiping babies! :)
Love adding a new thing my own MVP list, for all the reasons you mention. It’s really the best feeling knowing that’s at least one decision I won’t have to make in a good, long time!
I’ve used LRP Cicaplast balm the last two winters and I can’t say I notice any difference from the Dermalogica super rich repair cream I used before, except the price. I’ve been trying to find a basic face cream (without the $100 price tag) forever. Nourishing, but light enough for summertime. Too bad the LRP cream wasn’t for sale here in Norway. The search continues :)
I went for the Aarke Pro since I didn’t want the plastic bottles, but it’s a monster!
First comment- cause gotta go to teach! I’m also trying to double up usages. I use the S Generation at the moment free and clear bur enjoy a couple others too—- and use it as a hand soap- no issue with hands that feel dry after- ever..AND I buy the 50 once refill st WF or Target or where there’s a sale. 👋
One of the best (?) things I ever did was finally getting tested for skin contact allergies and find out I am allergic to SO MANY THINGS. I had to throw out literally every skin and hair care product I used and it was so freeing! It gave me an "excuse" to opt out of the obsession with beauty products. after a lot of trial and error, my routine is now very minimal (and is heavy on La Roche Posay).
I wasn’t tested but I’m in this same boat. I don’t have much to add to the perimenopausal friend group chat about skin products! It’s Vanicream products or bust for me. That’s literally all I can use now.
I've been using Sebastian Shaper Plus Hair Spray for decades and I've never used any other brand in my whole life! The Plus has a scent but I love the way it smells and have often had comments on it (people think it is my perfume lol). It's never sticky and you can brush it right out. I love big hair haha and it is the best.
Love all your posts Shira! It's like getting a little present whenever I see one of your emails in my inbox! xo
Aww love that! xx
I can attest that the aarke bubbler is awesome, and so much more chic on a counter than the classic soda stream ones. We use Blueland for our cleaning products, similar to branch with a concentrate you dilute in water. And for safe laundry we use Dirty Labs and then Puracy for stains - it works miracles and is plant based and family owned!
Great recs all around - also love Dirty Labs and Puracy is my ride-or-die. xx
I have used the same mascara for 14 years (Trish McEvoy tube mascara). Every time I've tried something new, I've regretted it. I also use Dr. Bronner's castille soap for pretty much everything in the house (makes great foaming hand soap, regular hand soap, dish soap, can use it to make other cleaners, can even use it for toothpaste and laundry while traveling). I am tempted to try your cleaner though! I would love to get my family aligned on toiletries, but thus far my efforts have not worked - everyone is too attached to "their" product!
I have used that same mascara for over a decade - so good xx
I also came here to add Dr Bronners. I use it for so many things and it saves space and money.
Another vote for Dr Bronners products. We use the Baby Bar soap in the shower and the castille soap for a zillion other household and bath uses. Tip: Remember to dilute depending on usage (amounts are in the fine print). It's concentrated and lasts a long time. I'm also a fan of Avene Xeracalm Balm. It's the only cream that really keeps my sensitive, eczema prone, dry skin happy and I restock when they go on sale.
The Aarke Carbonator has been on my wishlist as well! One of my fave YouTubers, Benita Larsson has one on the counter of her Stockholm apartment. Such a luxury to have sparkling water in demand without the aluminum waste!
Agree! And such a sleek design - and no cords! xx
I also love Benita's apartment. Our friends in Majorca have one and we used it last summer, i was really tempted to get one. Still trying to convince my husband that it would be great to have sparkling water all of the time.
I restock jojoba oil for a face moisturizer and coconut oil for body, especially any dry skin areas. Second vote for EltaMD sunscreen!
Lovely! xx
I’m so grateful to you for turning me onto Branch Basics a while back. I keep a bottle of the concentrate on hand and use it to make all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, laundry detergent, and dish soap. I love the simplicity and not getting sucked into browsing the (multiple!) aisles of cleaning products at the store. Thank you for relieving so much decision fatigue for me.
The items I always restock without having to think are:
-Norse Organics for my face (and to naturally treat and prevent adult acne)
-Colorescience Face Shield Glow for my face sunscreen
-Athletic Greens for my daily supplements
-Puracy for laundry stain removal (thanks to a rec from you!)
Yay! So glad the BB was a hit and I do swear by Puracy for stain removal. Thanks for sharing your other recs. xx
Dr. Bronner's castille soap for pretty much everything (dishes, hand soap, detergent, etc.) and also Shwally deodorant (skeptical at first as the scent was faint but it is the best natural deodorant I've ever tried and I've tried a lot!) https://shwallycompany.com/products/shwally-zinc-charcoal-deodorant?_pos=1&_sid=ee2d9a0d7&_ss=r
Yes, such a classic! xx
What body wash dispenser do you use? Was looking for one as well that isn’t plastic! Thanks for all of your recs
I love this one for dish soap and body wash! xx
https://www.murchison-hume.com/products/amber-glass-bottle-32oz
I always restock this body cream: https://vellumstsoapcompany.com/collections/fat-marshmallow/products/fat-marshmallow
It works so well, basically cures my baby's eczema, doesn't leave any residue, and smells f*ing amazing.
Plus the glass jars are reusable and recyclable.
Love the glass packaging! xx
Ohhh I love this list and the idea of streamlining the products you mentioned. We’re about to move back to the US from Germany so a good time for us to reset. I love Neutrogena’s hydro boost face wash. Tried a bunch of different ones a few years ago and came back to that one! I also like a basic bar of soap for body wash. Have been wearing Supergoop’s unseen sunscreen for years but I’ll admit I’m curious to try the one you mentioned! The Muna shade of eye brightener from Thrive Causemetics has been a staple for years also.
If you’re coming back to the US, Trader Joe’s does a great dupe of that Supergoop sunscreen for $10.
Ooh thank you! That's good to know, that stuff is expensive. Do you mind sharing the name?
It's Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40. $8.99!
Thank you!! I love this community of Minimalista's!
That sunscreen is my favorite!
YESSS PERIOD
This is a good prompt to think about! I’m a “decide once” kind of person so I appreciate the mental load lifted by just knowing what you want!
A few of mine, very random ones:
Nellie’s Laundry Soda — I get a larger size tub which lasts forever. I love not having to think about it.
Everyone for Every Body 3-in-1 soap for my kids’ bathroom (bubble bath, soap, shampoo) — comes in great scents and can usually find for about half price at Marshall’s or TJMaxx.
Santa Cruz organic lime juice — the best tasting option, in my opinion, when you don’t have actual limes on hand. A good size and glass container that I like, too!
Huggies Natural Care unscented baby wipes — everyone in our house prefers these to all other brands. Not too sudsy, doesn’t irritate skin, thick enough to feel substantial and not rip, and good for a lot more than wiping babies! :)
Ooh thanks for sharing! xx
Love adding a new thing my own MVP list, for all the reasons you mention. It’s really the best feeling knowing that’s at least one decision I won’t have to make in a good, long time!
I’ve used LRP Cicaplast balm the last two winters and I can’t say I notice any difference from the Dermalogica super rich repair cream I used before, except the price. I’ve been trying to find a basic face cream (without the $100 price tag) forever. Nourishing, but light enough for summertime. Too bad the LRP cream wasn’t for sale here in Norway. The search continues :)
I went for the Aarke Pro since I didn’t want the plastic bottles, but it’s a monster!
I know - not sure I have the counter space but I love sparkling water and would love to avoid the single use plastic and even glass bottles! xx
First comment- cause gotta go to teach! I’m also trying to double up usages. I use the S Generation at the moment free and clear bur enjoy a couple others too—- and use it as a hand soap- no issue with hands that feel dry after- ever..AND I buy the 50 once refill st WF or Target or where there’s a sale. 👋
One of the best (?) things I ever did was finally getting tested for skin contact allergies and find out I am allergic to SO MANY THINGS. I had to throw out literally every skin and hair care product I used and it was so freeing! It gave me an "excuse" to opt out of the obsession with beauty products. after a lot of trial and error, my routine is now very minimal (and is heavy on La Roche Posay).
I wasn’t tested but I’m in this same boat. I don’t have much to add to the perimenopausal friend group chat about skin products! It’s Vanicream products or bust for me. That’s literally all I can use now.