Energy Saving & Eco-Friendly Steps for Your Bathroom in 2026

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If you are trying to make your bathroom more energy efficient and enhance your sustainability practices, here are some changes that can be made over time that will save resources, produce less waste and make your bathroom a more eco-friendly. Over the years, I given a lot of thought to the the ways in which I am unnecessarily wasteful. Here are a few things that I have implemented, or plan to try, to reduce, reuse, recycle and use fewer chemicals and chemical-laden products.

Install a Low-Flow Shower Head: Even after installing a low-flow shower head, I take shorter showers and turn off the water whenever possible (Home Depot and Amazon have a wide variety). This also significantly lowered my water usage, and therefore my water bill.

Use Eco-Friendly Bathroom Cleaners: Long ago I began using household cleaning products that contained fewer chemicals. Brands such as Ecover (Available from Amazon), Seventh Generation (Available from Target and Amazon), Dr. Bronner's (Available from Target and Amazon), Method (Available from Target, Amazon and Walmart), Mrs. Meyer's (Available from Amazon) and JR Watkins (Available from Target, Amazon and Walmart) are among my favorites. I find that it really makes a huge difference knowing that my bathroom is not necessarily filled with lots and lots of chemicals, and these brands make products that are effective. Therefore, I never feel as though I am sacrificing efficacy, and I don't have to worry that I am sending more chemicals into the ocean.

Switch your Towels, Rugs and Shower Curtains to Organic Cotton: 100% Organic Cotton is not filled with chemicals and it is easier on the environment and your skin. These items are widely available, and many are quite affordable. You can find them at Crate & Barrel, Amazon, Target and West Elm.

Eco-Friendly Skin, Hair and Body Refillable Sizes: Whenever possible purchase larger sizes or refillable bottles. Brands such as L'Occitane have refillable bags for some of their products, and it is much easier on the environment. 

Recycle Every Bottle, Jar and Tube That You Can: The catch is that you have to clean them out well enough to ensure that they will actually get recycled. I use a dish pan filled with warm soapy water to clean out those containers– that way I am not wasting water in the process.

Washable Facial Pads Instead of Cotton Balls: I have used quite a few washable cotton pads, and here are a few worth considering: Reusable Cotton Rounds (from Amazon) and Paula's Choice Reusable Cotton Rounds (from Paula's Choice). I really don't like the idea of so many cotton balls and pads making it into the landfill because of me, therefore this is a transition was a fairly easy one to make.

Eco-Friendly Cotton Swabs: I have yet to try these, but here is the one that I have been thinking about trying: LastSwab Basic is a reusable cotton swab that I have seen advertised online, and I am very curious to try one. 

Switch to Metal Razors Rather Than Disposable Plastic Ones: Eco-friendly reliable razors are far more environmentally friendly than plastic disposables– even for travel. I made that switch a while ago, but found a lot of cool eco-friendly razors on Amazon.

Waterpik instead of Floss, or Eco-Friendly Dental Floss: Waterpik Sidekick offers a teeth whitening component by simply placing the whitening tablets in the device one– enabling one to whitening their teeth while flossing. It is easy to use and it effectively flosses while whitening the teeth. It is the perfect device to consider if you are seeking healthier gums, whitened teeth and fresher breath, and you don't dump miles of used floss into the landfill. Waterpik Sidekick ($139.99 from Amazon): The Waterpik Sidekick is wonderful for traveling, and comes with its own travel case, but it is also wonderful for daily use, and its compact size makes it perfect for people with limited counter space.

Toothbrushes made From Recyclable Materials: Preserve makes affordable toothbrushes from recycled materials ($3.98 each from Amazon and Preserve), and they have a recycling program when you finish using your toothbrush. I have used many of their toothbrushes, and I like them a lot.

Switch to Organic Toilet Tissue: Pure Planet makes my favorite eco-friendly toilet paper (Available from Pure Planet Club). This is double-length 3-ply Tree-Free rolls feature 300 sheets per roll with 36 rolls per box. Their toilet tissue is 100% natural, plastic-free, plant-based, septic-safe, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and BPA-free, making it the most guilt-free toilet tissue available. Made from renewable bamboo, so it’s recyclable, biodegradable and sustainable.

Consider Replacing Your Toilet with a Low-Flow Energy: We replaced our water wasting toilet with a TOTO Low Flow Toilet years ago, and I highly recommend them! (Available from Home Depot and Lowe's).

Replace Your Lightbulbs with LED Bulbs: LED bulbs are more energy efficient and they are quite easy to find. Amazon has a large selection of them, and I have had really good luck ordering from them.

Replace Plastic Shower Liners with PVC-Free Versions: There are quite a few of them that you can find online and in-stores. One of our bathrooms has a glass shower enclosure, which is preferable to replaceable liners, but our other bathroom requires a shower curtain instead. So unless we end up adding a glass enclosure in that bathroom, I will continue to order PVC-Free liners when I need to replace them.

Call the Plumber if You Have Leaky Fixtures: We had a leaky faucet and a running toilet, and it is shocking how much water it wastes. Those are simple fixes for a plumber and it will not only be a more sustainable choice, but you will also save a lot on your water bill.

Overall Assessment: Small changes make a big difference over time, and I am really happy that I have made these changes. Have you begun to make eco-friendly changes in your household? If so, how?

Purchased and Press Samples (Affiliate Links). All views expressed are categorically my own. Copyright © 2025 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Happy Hanukkah

Wishing you and your family a safe and Happy Hanukkah.

Sephora 20% Off Sale on Full-Size Fragrances

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Sephora is having a 20% Off Sale on Full-Size Fragrances! Use Code: SAVESCENTS. Now through December 24 (One-time use).

Terms: ‡Offer valid for Beauty Insider members on full-size-fragrance purchase of 1 oz or larger 12/15/2025-12/24/2025 at 11:59pm PT in Sephora US and Canada stores, Sephora at Kohl’s, Instacart, and on sephora,com, sephora,ca, and kohls,com. Offer can only be used one time online or in store. Buy Online, Pick Up In Store orders placed after 12/24/25 do not qualify. Offer excludes sets, travel sizes, and Byredo products. Return of discounted merchandise will be for the price actually paid. Offer has no cash value. Not combinable with other offers or rewards, including Rouge Reward, except for Free Same-Day Delivery offer, Credit Card Rewards, and Beauty Insider Cash. Sephora employees are not eligible. Sephora may modify or cancel offer at its sole discretion. Beauty Insider Terms & Conditions apply.

Visit: www.sephora.com

UA HAWAI'I WENA Glow Eau de Parfum Review

Press Sample (Unaffiliated Links)

As previously noted, I recently discovered UA HAWAI'I fragrances, and I am smitten with their delectable Eau de Parfum scents. UA Hawaii's new Elements Collection features clean, luxury scents that are inspired by the natural elements found in Hawai'i. The fragrances are infused with sustainable botanicals and the ingredients are derived from natural Hawaiian plants or fruit oils.

UA Hawai'i Wena Eau de Parfum is a beautifully articulated, and grounding, fragrance that is best described as a gender-neutral woodsy amber with a bit of fruit and spice. It is a calming fragrance that creates a sense of wellbeing, and it is a pleasure to wear. The scent sits close tho the skin, and therefore doesn't announce your entry into a room, but instead is more subtle and indescribably beautiful. 

Fragrance Notes:

• Top Notes: Coconut, Pamplemousse, Clove
• Mid Notes: Bergamot, Amber, Wild Cypress
• Base Notes: Cedar, Geranium, Eucalyptus

According to UA HAWAI'I, 

Growing up in Hawai’i taught me to have a deep connection and respect for the island. From snow-capped Mauna Kea to Kīlauea with its lava reaching down to the ocean, this unique island connects us to the elements from which the islands were formed and from which all life springs. It’s this connection to the island that inspired me to create these scents.

Ingredients: Sugarcane Alcohol (Ethyl Alcohol), Fragrance/Parfum, Aqua/Water/Eau.

Overall Assessment: UA HAWAI'I makes beautiful fragrances, and I am delighted to have discovered this wonderful brand. 

$32.00 for .34 oz. from UA Hawai'i (Unaffiliated Links). Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.

Copyright © 2025 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

UA HAWAI'I Nalu Eau de Parfum Review

Press Sample (Unaffiliated Links)

I just recently discovered a wonderful fragrance brand, UA HAWAI'I, that makes stunning fragrances. UA Hawaii's new Elements collection features clean, luxury scents inspired by the island’s natural elements, and they are infused with sustainable botanicals and ingredients that are derived from natural Hawaiian plants or fruit oils.

UA HAWAI'I Nalu Eau de Parfum, formerly called KAI Sea Eau de Parfum, is a lovely crisp and clean fragrance that mingles top notes of bergamot, grapefruit and sea salt with middle notes of pink pepper, orange flower and jasmine. The top and middle notes create a complex peppery floral, but it is the base notes of saffron, oud and vanilla that offer it a rich and sublime depth. The aroma is quite potent at first spritz, and the dry down creates an indescribably complex, rich, warm, creamy and woodsy floral that is utterly intoxicatingly beautiful.

Nalu Eau de Parfum Notes: 

• Top Notes: Bergamot, Grapefruit, Sea Salt
• Mid Notes: Pink Pepper, Orange Flower, Jasmine
• Base Notes: Saffron, Oud, Vanilla

According to UH HAWAI'I,

Growing up in Hawai’i taught me to have a deep connection and respect for the island. From snow-capped Mauna Kea to Kīlauea with its lava reaching down to the ocean, this unique island connects us to the elements from which the islands were formed and from which all life springs. It’s this connection to the island that inspired me to create these scents.

Overall Assessment: This fragrance is such a complex thing of beauty, and whenever I wear it I have a feeling of wellbeing every single time that I pause to inhale its magnificence.

$32.00 for .34 oz. from UA HAWAI'I (Unaffiliated Links). Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.

Copyright © 2025 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Crate & Barrel The Very Merry Sale Up to 40% Off

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Crate & Barrel is having The Very Merry Sale up to 40% Off Sale across departments, and there are so many new markdowns! As you know by now, I  regularly shop their sales, and I have found some of my most prized items for my kitchen and home from them. There are many additions to the sale, and many that I am finding too hard to resist. It is worth taking a look if you are holiday shopping.

Visit: www.crateandbarrel.com

The Beauty & Style Spotlight Team Greets the Holiday Season

The Boxwalla December Beauty Box featuring Symbiome includes an exquisite eye cream and a neck and décolleté cream that are utter perfection. Lola's Secret Beauty Blog highly recommends this box before it sells out.

Suede is hot this season, and Nancy from Nancy's Fashion Style featured a gorgeous pleated suede skirt with beautiful camel coloured jacket worn on a skirt with a leafy 70's feel print. Mixing retro with modern.

Barbie from Barbie’s Beauty Bits shares some of the trending beauty habits that help you feel good in every photo. Looking confident, refreshed, and naturally camera-ready is less about filters and more about simple beauty habits that support your skin and your natural glow. 

Everyday jewelry has its rightful place in your jewelry box. Terri from Our Good Life shows you how to curate your own jewelry collection for everyday use.

Angie from Your True Self Blog is sharing an updated style tip of the day to help you sparkle and shine anytime...whether you are filled with joy or needing some cheer.

If you have light coloring or light eyes and you feel black mascara can be too much especially for everyday wear, check out Allison from Never Say Die Beauty’s suggestion!

Currently on Sale at Nordstrom: New Markdowns Sitewide

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Nordstrom is having great holiday NEW markdowns and 40% off Designer Clearance items! I spend a long time looking at the sale items and there are some spectacular savings on top products from top brands. If you are planning to do holiday shopping this year, then this it is worth taking a look at this sale!

Nordstrom has tons of new markdowns that they have added to their current sale, and they have so many great beauty finds on sale! I spend a long time looking at the sale items and there are some spectacular savings on top products from top brands. If you are planning to do holiday shopping this year, then this it is worth taking a look at this sale!

Shop by Department:
Sale: Beauty | Women | Men | Kids | Home

Women's Clothing | Women's Shoes | Handbags & Accessories

Visit: www.nordstrom.com

Boxwalla December 2025 Beauty Box featuring Symbiome

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The Boxwalla December Beauty Box featuring Symbiome is such a beautiful way to close out 2025, and I highly recommend this exceptional beauty box.

This is a bi-Monthly Beauty Subscription Box: The Skincare Box from Boxwalla is the best beauty box subscription curated for the luxury-loving skincare enthusiast. In our beauty boxes, you will discover the most effective & innovative plant-based clean beauty products that redefine luxury skincare. By showcasing not only the benefits of each product we feature but also demonstrating how they can be incorporated into your skincare routine, we help you figure out how to take care of your unique skin needs.

*This is a bimonthly Subscription* You will be charged immediately when you purchase. Automatic renewal occurs every two months until you cancel. Make sure to cancel before the 15th of the preceding month to not get billed!

Boxwalla December Skincare Subscription Box: The December Beauty Box features two gorgeous products from Symbiome.

The contents of the December Beauty Box are: 

• The Solution Firming Neck & Décolleté Serum ($90.00)
• The Luminary Replenishing Eye Cream ($100.00)

Price of the Subscription Box: $59.95; Retail Value: $190.00

About Symbiome,

Symbiome was founded in 2017 by Larry Weiss. Larry has an M.D. from Stanford University Medical School and a B.S. from Cornell University in Biochemistry, as well as an extensive background and experience in natural product formulation. He says, " The name Symbiome reflects our deep respect for the complexity and beauty of ancient, living biological systems. It represents unity and connection between skin health, a thriving microbiome, and our intricate relationship with nature." 

In addition to partnering with ACT, Larry says, "Symbiome is also a partner of the Yanomami Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of the Amazon rainforest, advancing research in the human microbiome space and global health, and promoting intercultural programs that build resilience, self-determination, and sustainable lifestyles for the Yanomami, an indigenous people in the Amazon. Symbiome regularly donates to the Yanomami Foundation to support their quintessential mission."

I had a fascinating conversation with him about the skin microbiome (and whether and how it can be restored), fermented Amazonian botanicals, their recently published Nature paper, and more. I can't wait to share more about Symbiome with you.

Symbiome The Solution Firming Neck & Décoletté Serum ($90.00): This brilliant neck and décolleté serum is extraordinarily hydrating, and it is specifically formulated for the thinner skin on the neck that is prone to becoming crepey and loose. Made from 9 potent ingredients, this serum targets the loss of elasticity, sun spots and helps to thicken crepey skin. The lightweight and fast absorbing serum melts into the skin, and it offers deep hydration while it nourishes and lifts the skin. This serum has a lovely aroma that is informed by a fragrant resin found in Amazon rainforest, and it is an utter delight to the senses.

According to Symbiome,

A lift for your neckline. Bioactive extracts and pro-collagen help to thicken crepey skin, prevent trans-epidermal water loss, and redefine the contours of the neck. Naturally enriched with a multifunctional spectrum of exosomes, stimulating growth factors and reparative peptides, The Solution targets tech neck, sun spots, and loss of elasticity at the cellular level.

'Moisture magnet' Saccharide Isomerate binds to the surface of skin for an ultra-hydrated appearance, boosting key barrier lipids at every layer of the stratum corneum. Scientifically proven to help brighten, smooth, lift and plump from the inside out.

Directions: For best results, gently smooth 1-3 pumps over neck and décolleté, morning and evening. Follow with cream or body oil.

Ingredients: Adult Adipose Stem Cell Conditioned Media, Water, Lactobacillus Ferment, Saccharide Isomerate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Protium Heptaphyllum (Breu) Resin, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Neroli) Flower Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Leaf Oil, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide.

Symbiome The Luminary Replenishing Eye Cream ($100.00 for 15ml / 0.5oz): This lovely eye cream has an ultra lightweight texture that melts into the skin immediately without leaving behind a residue. It is formulated to smooth, hydrate and rejuvenate the delicate skin under the eyes, and it does this with efficacy and precision. It is very concentrated, and therefore only a tiny amount is needed to reap the benefits from this ultra-effective eye cream. In addition to deeply hydrating and nourishing the skin, this antioxidant-rich eye cream scavenges free-radicals, effectively diminishes the appearance of dark circles, and leaves the delicate skin under the eyes soft, smooth and luminous. Symbiome describes the natural scent profile as a "sweet tang, milky and herbal" and that is the most apt description.

According to Symbiome,

See the light. Our ultra-hydrating, BioIntact™ eye cream smoothes and rejuvenates delicate skin to reveal bright, youthful eyes.

Nothing compares to the transformative benefits of fermented Green Coffee Oil, a coveted Amazonian botanical praised for its caffeine and chlorogenic acid content. These compounds, along with copious vitamins and antioxidants, penetrate deeply to stimulate thin skin under eyes and diminish dark circles, erasing the aftermath of a poor night's sleep. We pair it with Lactobacillus Ferment, water, and our precious Sanoma Flower Oil – sourced from a rare flower which we sustainably harvest at peak bloom for the most comprehensive cosmetic benefit. After fermentation with native rainforest microbes, this Postbiomic™ oil can deliver all the natural retinoid your skin requires in just a single swipe under the eyes.

A little bit goes a long way, and our board-certified dermatologists suggest use twice daily to combat accelerated aging, to smooth fine lines and prevent deep-set wrinkles, and of course de-puff tired eyes.

Directions: Gently massage or tap a pearl-sized amount under eyes and along the orbital bone, morning and evening. The Luminary should be applied each morning and evening, layered over The Answer for a purposeful treatment of fine lines. We recommend use after cleanser and water-based serum, in conjunction with face cream.

Ingredients: Water, Croton Eluteria (Sanoma) Flower Oil, Coffea Arabica (Green Coffee) Seed Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Dehydroacetic Acid.

Overall Assessment: The Boxwalla December Beauty Box featuring these two outstanding products from Symbiome marks the perfect way to end 2025. This is a covet-worthy box, and brand, that you don't want to miss. A+

Price of the box: $59.95. Retail value: $190.00 from Boxwalla (Affiliate Links).

Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own. Copyright © 2025 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Visit: www.theboxwalla.com

Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm in LE Snoopy Design

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Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm is now available in limited-edition Snoopy packaging, and it is a delight for Snoopy fans! 

Iconic k-beauty brand Banila Co, in collaboration with Peanuts®, is releasing a special Snoopy version of its Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm, complete with collectible artwork also featuring Charlie Brown. Sweet, nostalgic, and perfectly gift worthy for the holidays, this adorable launch comes on the heels of the Peanuts 75th anniversary celebration and is sure to be a cart worthy treat for Snoopy fans of every age.

BANILA CO Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm, from a wonderful K-Beauty brand, is a real pleasure to use. If you are anything like me, and love a good cleansing balm, then this is definitely one worth trying. Simply scoop out a small amount of this luscious balm and then gently massage it into the skin. As soon as you add water to this oil-based balm it transforms into a delectable creamy and milky emulsion. I massage it into the skin for a few more seconds and then rinse it off with warm water. Sometimes I double cleanse and follow with one of my lathering cleansers, but sometimes I just use this cleansing balm, and my skin is left remarkably soft, silky smooth and hydrated. It rinses clean without any sort of oily residue, and its light and pleasant aroma disappears altogether. It is such a pleasure to use this cleansing balm, and a little goes a very long way. Therefore, this jar should last a very long time– even with regular use.

According to BANILA CO,

Our bestselling Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm offers a soft, warm touch to your skincare routine, effortlessly melting away even the most stubborn face and eye makeup.

 

Powered by the brand's Micro Capture Technology™, the formula provides a deep but gentle cleanse without stripping moisture or upsetting the skin barrier. This proprietary blend of actives help lift impurities from pores and wrinkles, while a nourishing mix of botanicals, Hot Springs Water, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C supports a healthy-looking complexion. The formula also includes Acerola+, a combination of Acerola extract and Vitamin C, to help brighten, replenish, and promote a radiant skin finish. The certified vegan cleansing balm is dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, and suitable for all skin types including dry, oily, and combination.

 

With a rich formula designed to care for all skin types, it works to remove impurities while hydrating the skin in one simple step. Apply the perfect amount to ensure beauty and balance, making it the ideal first step in your double-cleansing regimen.

Ingredients: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Onsen-Sui, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Malpighia Glabra (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Polydiethyleneglycol Adipate/IPDI Copolymer, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates/Methoxy PEG-15 Methacrylate Copolymer.

A proprietary blend of actives that effectively cleanses skin deeply without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture balance.

Formulated with Active botanicals, Hot Springs Water, Vitamin E and Vitamin C for a healthy complexion.

Directions: Use spatula included to scoop balm. Gently massage in circular motions onto dry skin using your fingertips to breakdown all makeup and residue. Add water to emulsify the oil and massage again. Rinse well with lukewarm water or wipe off with face cloth or tissue.

Overall Assessment: I am a huge proponent of cleansing oils and balms and use them every single day, and this one is truly covet-worthy. Plus, I grew up with Snoopy and love this collaboration for that reason!

$21.00 for 3.38 oz. from BANILA CO, Ulta Beauty, Amazon (Affiliate Links). Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.

Copyright © 2025 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.