Recent Posts
We put Bower Collective's sustainable, personal care products to the test
Over at Sabina Motasem, we have been committed to finding sustainable products that are not only great for the environment but that truly work. Today, we're reviewing Bower Collective and a few of their personal care products they offer on their site.
Bower Collective is a company that is committed to eliminating waste and making households more sustainable. They have created the Bower Standard and curate products from leading sustainable brands that share their mission. You can read more about the Bower Standard, their products, and suppliers here.
I've chosen to try out products I've been hesitant to switch to: toothpaste tablets, refillable deodorant, face oil, and face moisturiser. I've heard some mixed reviews about sustainable personal care products, and decided I should take this into my own hands!
Let's truly see if sustainable personal care products match up to their less-green counterparts. Keep reading for my review of Bower Collective and their products' effectiveness.
How Bower Collective works:
You choose from sustainable home and personal care products, delivered when you need them. You can change the quantity and frequency of each item, depending how much you use monthly.
When it gets closer to reordering, Bower Collective will email reminders so you can adjust or skip your repeat orders before they go out.
And when you finish each of Bower Collective's products, they offer free returns of their refill pouches for reuse and recycling!
Verdict: I had no issues with delivery or returns with Bower Collective! I loved how fast their shipping was and loved they included their 'responsible delivery' pledge on the box! The refill system is super easy to use as well with their pre-paid return packaging.
Now, let's get into the review of their products...
Truthtabs Wild Mint flavour toothpaste tablets with Fluoride - One Month Supply: £4.50
These tablets from Truthtabs are made in the UK from the finest ingredients and are super easy to use. Simply pop one into your mouth, bite and brush. Truthtabs foam and clean just like toothpaste. Truthtabs contain fluoride as per dentists recommendations and have a fresh Wild Mint flavour to leave teeth sparkling clean and breath fresh. Each of their fully biodegradable pillow packs and inner bags contain 62 tablets- which is one month's supply.
Verdict: I loved these, they were so easy to use. I found the pre-portioned tablets were much nicer than using toothpaste from a tube. These did not feel chalky when I bit into the tablet. They tasted of fresh mint and they left no residue in my sink! The best part was my teeth felt thoroughly cleaned after using Truthtabs, which was my biggest concern with a toothpaste tablet. And for only £4.50? Move over, tubes! I'm converted!
Wild Natural Deodorant - Pink Starter Case with Jasmine & Mandarin Refill: £12
This deodorant pack from Wild caught my eye immediately. The packaging is sleek and stylish. Wild's deodorant applicators are reusable and made from durable aluminium and recycled plastic, and the zero-plastic deodorant refill is natural and compostable.
Every skincare product in Wild’s range is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, free from artificial fragrances, parabens, sulphates, and aluminium.
This pack includes one pink reusable aluminium case and one jasmine & mandarin blossom scented natural deodorant refill.
Verdict: The initial feel of the product felt very luxe. The smell of this jasmine and mandarin blossom Wild deodorant gave me nice, fragrant floral notes with a bit of sweetness. It personally reminded me of Pez candy, which was definitely welcomed. The feel of the product on my skin was not greasy and the wear of the deodorant was great! While wearing this, I did not feel I would sweat through and it did a great job of making me feel secure. There is a ton of product in these dispensers, which will last me a while with the refill as well! The product cost is well worth how much use you'll get out of this.
UpCircle Organic Face Serum with Coffee Oil - 30ml: £14.99
From UpCircle, this is a highly nourishing facial serum to boost collagen and keep skin firm. This serum is made with coffee oil extracted from used coffee grounds sourced from cafes & restaurants- which I found super interesting and was the reason I decided to try it out. This serum also has a hydrating blend of jojoba, sea buckthorn and rosehip oils. Organic and 100% natural, its Vitamin C and antioxidant-rich coffee oil fades dark spots and brightens your complexion.
Verdict: Usually my skin is on the normal/dry side. I found this oil to be on the thinner side and it soaked into my skin beautifully. The fragrance wasn't overwhelming in any sense, so don't feel you're going to smell like a coffee shop or a medical shop after applying this. It left a hydrating but firming feel to the skin and is perfect to have in the upcoming winter months. I would definitely give this a go if hydration is what you're after!
UpCircle Face Moisturiser with Argan - 50ml: £18.99
Another product from UpCircle, this moisturiser is a deeply hydrating, fast-absorbing face cream to nourish and brighten the skin. This face moisturiser is made with finely-ground powder of discarded argan shells, a natural byproduct of the argan oil industry and one that is rich in antioxidant Vitamin E. This moisturising day cream is suitable for all skin types. The argan shell powder is combined with cocoa butter, aloe vera and blood orange for soothing, which I am all for in the cold weather!
Verdict: This moisturiser was on the thicker side, so a little goes a LONG way! It blended seamlessly on top of the UpCircle face serum, and I felt the pair went a long way in keeping my skin hydrated for the entire day. The finish of this moisturiser gives an almost poreless finish and is a really nice base for under makeup or just to wear alone. I didn't feel I had to reapply for hydration throughout the day. When I wore the product to bed, my face did not feel sticky and in the morning was still feeling hydrated!
I would definitely recommend any of these products from Bower Collective. The company itself was great to order from and these personal care products did not dissapoint! Bower Collective has made me a convert now!
Are there any products you want us to review? If you're loving our sustainable blogs, check out our sustainable dresses!
