TOTM The Period Self-Care Bundle Review

Reviewed by Anon

Monthlies, Aunt Flo, having the painters in…..whatever term you use when it’s your time of the month one thing is for certain, every woman needs an little bit of extra TLC and so does the planet.  So when I received a package specifically for my TOTM offering to do just that, I was happy to snap up the opportunity to give it a try! 

TOTM is the period brand with a conscience that has self-care and sustainability at its core.  TOTM are leading the way in period products that offer comfort, care, convenience and kindness to the planet.  My package contained a pack of medium pads, liners, organic dark chocolate and an activated charcoal facemask that all make up the ‘period self-care bundle’.  The packaging is so eye-catching, fresh and unique; not at all reminiscent of your typical period product packaging.  The pads are organic and made with cotton that is non-toxic and kind to skin.  For me personally I find this really important as I have found that over the years all the chemicals and plastics used in the bigger brand products have begun to irritate my skin – adding to the monthly misery.  As a result, I’m always on the lookout for something that will work with me not against me.  I am also part of a growing number of consumers who are baffled by the constant use of plastics in personal products, so I am familiar with the difficulty in finding non-plastic products that actually do a great job of protecting the skin and your dignity without suffocating the earth. 

I was ‘lucky’ enough to have my very own TOTM just after my gorgeous little package arrived so I was able to put them to full use and what better way to start than with some self-care!    I, like most women, am very bad at prioritising myself particularly at this time of the month when the extra care is needed more than ever.  The bundle is a great reminder of the importance of this.  The chocolate was divine.  It was a really smooth dark chocolate, infused with blood orange and was a really good quality chocolate with a very subtle hint of orange.  The activated charcoal facemask went on beautifully and made my skin feel really soft; I only needed a small amount meaning the jar will last me through quite a few monthlies.

The pads were soft to the touch and looked much like any other in design but there was a noticeable difference in how much less plasticy they looked.  The liners were perfectly comfortable to the point that I forgot I was wearing them.  They absorbed really well.  The medium pads were perfect for my flow and again were great at absorbing but most importantly didn’t cause me any irritation, even when worn throughout the night which is something I haven’t experienced in a long time.

As a bundle I really do rate this.  I particularly like the brand and its ethics which are very much in line with my own values.  I think that if women were more aware of the choices they have with regards to the period products they use, then brands like this would be the number one choice for most of us. I believe that environmental impact is important to most women.  This is why I think that the bundles are a great idea for a gift with a difference; for any woman in your life trying to get through the ‘red days’ and all the joys that come with it, it would show them some of the great options they have available to them.  I also think, that as a gift, it’s a reminder to put self-care right to the top of the list which is something we need to do for each other more often.

I love the fact that there are other bundles available; these are the cup newbie bundle and the first period bundle.  Both the self-care bundle and the first period bundle would make great gifts for any teenager to help them to sample and learn about the more environmentally friendly choices that can be made early on.  In addition, TOTM offer a subscription service that offers rewards and perks which is something we all need when it comes to our periods.  The service allows you to completely tailor the monthly package to your own needs and adjust as and when needed.  I priced up what I think I would need to get started and was really astounded by the affordability of it – it came to less that £10.  Added to that free postage and the convenience of it coming straight to your door, I really wouldn’t hesitate to sign up to this service for both myself and my daughter when her time comes!

I highly recommend not just this bundle; a great gift to really make someone feel cared for, but the brand as a whole.  Knowing that you have to create waste like this on a monthly basis is difficult but knowing that you can do it in an ethical way through a brand that puts the planet first eases the pain each month!

Rating: I give the products and the brand a 5/5 and urge any woman looking to minimise their impact on the planet or to gift a friend with the same values, to give TOTM a try; it might just be the kindest thing you’ve done for yourself in a while!

RRP and Buy link: The bundle can be purchased for £19.25 and is currently on offer for £17.33 at https://www.totm.com/product-category/bundles/.  The website is packed full of interesting facts and information about the impact of period products on the environment and how TOTM products minimise that, with their biodegradable packaging and the sustainable sources they use.