Links are not affiliate unless otherwise stated.
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Websites Recommended the Most
Cheeky Wipes – This is an affiliate link which gives you 15% off any order over £40
Big Green Smile
Salt Tribe
Imperfect Im
Clothing
Firstly, swap or give old/unworn/rarely used clothes to a friend. This is super easy. I take photos of anything in good condition and send it to my friends.
This is an obvious one. Buying second hand and from independent brands has never been easier with an app such as Depop.
ReFashion is essentially a giant online charity shop. You can request a donation bag, pick your charity and send off your branded clothes to them via your nearest Collect+ point.
Lemon (yes, that is her name) is incredibly pro body positivity, inclusivity and empowering women. Lemonade Dolls do an underwear subscription service and the cutest bralettes/crop tops.
My Sun and Stars owner, Charlotte, makes and sells her own jewellery. It’s all vegan, eco friendly and handmade. If you ever see me wearing some funky earring, you can almost guarrantee I got them from My Sun and Stars.
Chief Cosy Girl, Hollie, makes super cute hair accessories and jewellery that are all made from recycled/natural/organic/ethically sources fabrics.
Lauren runs her own business and sells so many super cute tops and co-ords with new items being added regularly.
Lucy and YakLucy and Yak do so many super cute dungarees and trousers. They are also UK based/run.
Chunky Resin is a Yorkshire-based jewellery brand with loads of quirky earrings.
You can use ASOS’ Sustainability ‘Responsible’ filter and let them do the searching for you.
Washing
A more eco friendly alternative to detergent etc. £18 may sound like a lot but say if you do 2 washes a week every week, that is 360 weeks worth of washing (which is about 6 years worth!)
Washing Bags from Cheeky Wipes
Mesh bags stop micro plastics falling out of clothes and going into the ocean etc. They also prevent the annoying bobbling effect that washing has on some clothes. It also means all your socks will stay together.
Skincare/Makeup
Holland and Barrett stock a huge range of CBD based moisturisers/body oils/lip balms etc. which are super good.
Do not put fragranced skincare products onto your skin. It will dry you out more than you will ever know.
The Ordinary have become increasingly popular over the last few years. They use recyclable packaging and keep profit margins low (source) so they are more affordable and accessible. I talk about their products a lot in my Skincare blog post which you can read here.
Reusable Makeup Wipes from Cheeky Wipes
It is basically common knowledge at this point that wet wipes and cotton pads can be bad for your skin and the enviroment. Cheeky Wipes offer their Makeup Wipes in a variety of patterns which, personally, I love. Big Green Smile and TALA also sell reusable makeup wipes.
Pura are vegan, cruelty free and use natural ingredients to make their lip products.
Period
Menstrual/Moon/Diva cups. I always found these to look fucking terrifying but very useful. Nixit is also a good alternative if you don’t want that suctioning sensation.
Organic period pads from brands such as Yoni, Natracare and ECO by Naty. Some big brands allegedly use harmful carcinogens and other chemicals. The brands mentioned above can also be found on Big Green Smile.
Reusable period pads. They genuinely are not as gross as you think. Just wash with no detergent/fabric softener in a little mesh bag. Cheeky Wipes are my personal favourite.
Period Pants. These are genuinely so so useful for sleeping or very light days. They wash the same way you’d wash a reusable pad so can all be thrown in together once your period has ended. Cheeky Wipes, Modi Bodi and Thinx are probably the three most trusted/reputable brands for period pants.
Wet Bags are useful to put both single use and reusable pads in as it keeps them all in one place and hidden. They come in different sizes so can be used on holiday, for swimming or as a baby changing bag. As usual, Cheeky Wipes make wet bags in a variety of sizes and patterns.
Other
Reusable straws. I bought a pack of rainbow coloured silicone ones from Amazon for about £8 and I love them. I find them more convenient and less clunky than metal alternatives too.
Bee’s Wax Wraps. Despite these being non-vegan they are a great alternative to cling film.
https://salttribe.co.uk/products/full-bamboo-cutlery-set?_pos=1&_sid=eefea2501&_ss=r – For when you might have a meal on the go or lunch at work and don’t want to use single use plastic.
La Biblioteka is a Sheffield based independent book store. Supporting an independent or small business helps the local economy.
Reusable bags like tote bags. Urban Outfitters carrier bags are surprisingly hard wearing.
Independent Sheff
As a student in Sheffield, I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by so many small businesses and independent shops/cafes/restaurants.
Naturally, many also have websites so you can order from wherever you are.
Here are a few of my favourites’ Instagram pages.
Plantology Flowers (This was my first ever job. Jill, El and the team are so lovely and experts at their craft.)
georgiaolivia 