all photos ©encircled. #af

The swab ends are TPE (a mix of plastic and rubber according to wikipedia), the rod is plastic and the case is PLA which is biodegradable and made of corn according to the Last Object website.  So... there is still plastic involved here. But the idea is that this one reusable item will replace thousands of disposable cotton swabs over it's life course! 

These materials were chosen to be durable, comfortable, and hygienic so you can wash and reuse your Last Swab over and over again! 

I really liked the idea of this product so I backed the crowdfunding campaign on indiegogo (now closed), but I was kind of skeptical. I don't regularly use cotton swabs in my makeup routine, but I wanted to try each version.

So far I give the makeup version maybe a 3.5/5. It's okay, but I can't see it being incredibly precise. 

​On the other hand I am pretty impressed with the Basic version. I find it easy to use and effective. I had previously tried a metal reusable Q tip and didn't like the cleaning part of it although it is also a good option to reduce your waste in this area! So I had at least switched to cotton swabs with wooden rods instead of plastic. I generally use them right when I get out of the shower to both dry my ear canal and remove any wax. But how could a non-absorbent material like on Last Swab perform the same tasks, I wondered. 

​The design is very effective at removing any wax and while it isn't as effective as an absorbent cotton swab at soaking up all moisture, I was surprised that the space between the bubbles on the ends of the Last Swab actually do manage to collect water!

 I actually give the Last Swab Basic a 5/5.

Last Swab is a fantastic alternative to disposable cotton swabs and even though it's not a perfect replacement in the department of drying, I think the slightly lower performance here is worth the sacrifice for the waste it eliminates! 

If I had to choose between buying a similar item from a smaller brand like encircled or the much larger Everlane, I would rather shop encircled. It just feels more like supporting a friend. I know that’s what any brand is hoping you say because if they get you involved in the brand then you’re more likely to be a loyal customer. And it’s true. But it really feels that way with encircled. A smaller brand can have better connection with customers. Encircled does cool things with their customers. They really take feedback to heart and if they bring an item back the next season you can be sure it is improved based on that information. They run awesome pop-ups with other conscious brands. They do customer photo shoots and so many more things. Encircled's CEO Kristi Soomer also hosts an insightful business podcast brave + boss that you shouldn’t miss.

Of course, no brand is perfect. You will not like or need every design. And that’s okay!

While I generally would rather support the smaller brand, there are times when you need what the other brands offer. Everlane, for instance, has a huge variety of products and many of them are at a pretty great price point (here is where the controversy comes in.).  But when I ordered from Everlane I didn’t get quite the same feeling of contributing to a real person’s dream as I do when I order from encircled. In fact, Everlane cranks out so many items that in the short time I was browsing for a few staple items to try, I started to feel overwhelmed.

1. The revolve dress. I mentioned in an earlier review that it’s too light and clingy and a bit too short for me to wear as a dress. I also don’t love the (intentional) bias cut on my body. But I do like it as a top/tunic. Still, I have barely worn it. Why? The drape. I love how the drape looks on everyone else, but on my petite upper frame I find the neck too wide [ie bra straps always showing] and the drape too low. So I usually wear it backwards. The drape positioned at the back looks beautiful and classy. Still, I feel limited on how many ways I can wear this item and feel confident and comfortable. Purchased to be worn as a dress front and backwards, tunic front and backwards and a top front and backwards = 6 ways, but I’m only wearing it as a top or tunic backwards = 2 ways. So that limits my value. I am considering passing it on or having it tailored so the neckline is a bit more narrow at least. We’ll see if I wear it any more this winter!

So I have learned that I love drapey necklines, but not on myself. I’ve learned that I prefer fitted bottoms with a flowy top or flowy/loose bottoms with a fitted top. If I wear 2 comfy, flowy items like the dressy sweatsuit, it does nothing for my petite frame but make me look frumpy while other people look comfy-chic.

I can like it, but I don’t have to own it.

I love the comfort of luxe sustainable fabrics like modal, but realistically, I’m never going to wear bottoms made of it out in public unless my rear is fully covered by a tunic or long sweater or cardigan. Or if it’s a dress or skirt I have to wear slip shorts (does anyone know of a more sustainable version of these?) at the minimum to feel comfortable. That’s just me. 

I’ve learned that my favorite “neutral” colors are Black and Navy. I rarely lean toward a tan or gray option.
I also learned that I love color. Well, I already knew that. But more specifically, I love bright, saturated colors on myself.

I see really pretty pastel colors and now I don’t even think about buying them.

Why?

I don’t like how they look on me. (not my color season?) Thus I wont wear it so no point in buying it. They don’t match my other clothes anymore as I’ve removed clothing styles and colors that I don’t feel confident in. Leave the pastels for someone else. Leave the tan and gray basics for someone else. I’ll get the Black and Blue. The Pink and Green. The Red and Royal Blue.

I prefer brights or darks. I rarely wear white or any other light, tan, taupe shade.

I quite like white and taupe, buuuut I’m realistic with myself. I can’t keep that clean. One drop of anything and I’ll look like a slob all day. lol. Plus I’ll be fussing about show-through on light colored tops. I don’t want to be bothered. That being said, I do still own a taupe top and a white one. I don’t wear them often, but I still have them, "just incase" ;).

​ I decided long ago that no matter how chic white bottoms can look, I will never wear them again. Nothing is grosser than dingy white bottoms. I’ll stick with the jeans or skirts or leggings if I’m chilling.

As you curate your wardrobe and pass clothing on to friends and family, swap it, or donate it, there may still be some lingering items you just can’t seem to let go of. Facts can help. I’ve been using the Stylebook App to log my outfits. I can see closet stats like cost per wear (check out my encircled CPW here) , what colors I’m wearing most, which items I wear frequently and.. inversely... which items I never wear.

If you go 3 months, 6 months, 1 year or more and not wear an item at all.... it's safe to let it go, my friend.

Guilt free.

Clear the space in your closet and simultaneously clear your head of one more item to sort through and any guilt you have for not wearing it. Let it go!

Growing up we used to wander malls and big stores with huge discounts at least once a week as something fun to do. It was weird to come home and not buy SOMETHING. There had to be something for 90% off you could snag. Years later I stopped shopping in stores besides every once in a great while. I would buy a few things online, but largely was working to scale down my closet. Now I’m working to make my closet truly mine. Adding pieces I know I will love (at least that’s the aim) and replacing well used pieces as needed.

Last winter some of my sweaters were getting really worn. Very pilled, armpits getting bare.. etc. So I put that on my list and was able to snag 2 Everlane cashmere sweaters in previous season’s colors for 50% off with their "name what you pay" sale. (See review here)

This is my new goal. Add items I need to replace. Research suitable, sustainable replacements, and not give in to the temptation to buy something cheaper, more convenient and less ethical/sustainable.

It's a work in progress, but I feel good about the progress I've made so far.

​Thanks for letting me share what I have learned  in my first year of conscious shopping. 

You would be surprised how using these cash back sites can really add up.
​ 
As you can see here, so far I have $71.90 in cash back from Rakuten from things I was already going to buy! 

​​Thanks for visiting
Trip Don't Fall - A Clumsy Girl's
​Travel & Lifestyle Blog


Growing up I thought I would never leave my home town, but in my 20's I caught the travel bug and if I'm not traveling you can bet I am dreaming about my next adventure. If I am 'home', I probably have my AirPodsin and I'm listening to a podcast or youtube (travel, declutter, zero waste videos mainly) while trying to streamline my home and wardrobe, and working to create a greener, simpler, more intentional life one baby step at a time. Feel free to poke around here at www.tripdontfall.xyz and follow us on instagram @tripdontfall.xyz to join me on my journey! [This post my contain affiliate or referral links]