LastSwab reusable cotton swab review

Every day I am trying to do better by the environment.

The worlds first reusable cotton swab

I’m still not doing enough and lots of the time I have genuine eco-anxiety worrying about what we are doing to the world and what state it will soon be in. So whenever I see a way to try and do something better, I give it a chance. I had already switched to bamboo cotton buds but it’s still better to reuse so I was incredibly excited to try LastSwab- the worlds first reusable cotton swab.

Super fast international delivery

I bought it via an Instagram ad which I usually vehemently advise against as nothing I ever buy via an Instagram ad EVER ARRIVES. They are 99% scams and I don’t know WHY or HOW it’s allowed. But anyway, I was insanely surprised that it arrived, in Malta, within 48 hours of being purchased. A very good start. Especially during a pandemic where some parcels have been delayed by over THREE MONTHS.

Eco-friendly packaging

As you’d expect from a company set on reducing waste, the packaging was minimal and recyclable. It came in a tiny cardboard box without any plastic packaging whatsoever.

Is the LastSwab actually any good?

When I posted a picture of my LastSwabs on instagram stories, I got mixed responses. Some people super excited about it, some who loved theirs and some who didn’t rate it at all. I purchased one ‘basic’ (the one you use in your ear but they can’t tell you to use in your ear because we all just pretend that we are not meant to put them in our ears) and one ‘beauty’. I usually use cotton buds to CLEAN MY EARS (don’t tell me you don’t!) and also to wipe away mascara when I’m applying it and undoubtedly get a bit on my eyelid/cheeks.

The “beauty” LastSwab review

I do not rate this one. It doesn’t work as intended. Normally if you smudge your mascara or eyeliner you give it a minute to dry, then wipe it right off with a cotton bud. You don’t need to be rough, or pull the skin or use any makeup remover. But the rubbery, silicone swab doesn’t do anything. I ended up having to put a bit of makeup remover on the swab and quickly wipe the offending mark before the solution dripped off the silicone.

The “basic” LastSwab review

This one was doing quite well. It’s a bit bulkier than a normal cotton bud and it has little bumps all over it. The first time I used it, it felt way too big and quick uncomfortable but after a few goes I got used to it. It didn’t hurt, just felt a bit odd. I am quite obsessive about cleaning my ears. I do it regularly and if I don’t, I find my ears feel so wet and itchy. Sometimes when I have travelled and forgotten earbuds and can’t get hold of any for some reason (it has happened) I end up dreaming about cleaning my ears because it really gets to me when I can’t.

I found that somehow the bud would be coming out clean but I’d still have this wet, waxy feeling in my ear. However, I did happen to get my ears inspected (I was sure I had a bug in my ear. I’m still quite sure I do) and the GP was impressed with how clean they were. So whilst they didn’t feel as dry as they usually do when using cotton swabs, they were, apparently, well cleaned.

So, all was going well until this week! Only 6 weeks after I received my swab it broke in my ear. Split clean in half. I am not particularly rough, I just pop it in a little way and twist. So unfortunately, I’ve ended up creating worse waste. At least the bamboo ones would eventually biodegrade but this is now going off to landfill.

It’s such a shame as I think it’s a great way to reduce huge amounts of waste that we barely even notice we are creating, but as it broke so quickly, it is not quite hitting the mark.

Get 10% off LastSwab!

If you want to try it out for yourself anyway you can buy LastSwab online and use my code “MOVINGONUPAWAY” to enjoy 10% off your purchase.