DIY Beauty (Cheap and as organic or inorganic as you decide):
Eye makeup remover- olive oil
Homemade pore strips- unflavored gelatin and milk OR veganize it using agar agar and soy (or almond or hemp...) milk :)
Asprin Mask (acne)- uncoated or powdered asprin, a little water, and honey (or aloe gel or agave syrup)
Tomato Scrub- tomato top and sugar
(Yes, I <3 Michelle Phan)
More Pricey (but still sustainable)
I have not tried as many of these because of prices...
Aveeno
Aveeno makes skin care and hair products with natural ingredients like soy, oatmeal, shitake, and more. They also have recycling and upcycling programs for your used containers. I haven't used any of their products since my oatmeal baths when I had the chicken pox, so I can't attest to too much. I don't know enough information yet about animal ingredients in their products or testing.
Aveda
Now I am lucky enough to live really close to one of their student salons (an Aveda Institute rather) where students in the Aveda beauty school give you the services at discounted prices. I got my hair cut there- gave my hair to locks of love, and got the star treatment. They gave me a hand massage while I waited, a scalp massage before the wash, and offer you tea to drink while you wait too (which is DELICIOUS by the way) all for a very reasonable price ($12, $15, or $18 depending on the skill level of the student). Now, I don't know if the professional salons are that amazing (and I know they're more expensive), but my student one is amazing and affordable. Anyway, not only do they give awesome salon treatments, but they try to be eco friendly too. Their products use organic and sustainably grown ingredients and packaging containing post-consumer materials, and they use renewable energy in the production of their products. While I loved my salon experience, I did not purchase any hair products mainly because I had products at home and didn't want to buy the products that day. I have however used one of their shampoo/conditioner combos (my mom won it at a fund raiser) and it smelled amazing (like their wonderful tea) and kept my hair pretty soft.
Unfortunately I don't know about the use or lack thereof with palm oil from these companies either. The best I can say is- read the ingredient list before you buy it. If it says a generic "vegetable" oil on it, you might want to avoid the product just in case, if it says palm oil, avoid it, if it doesn't say, it's probably ok.
19 September 2010
13 September 2010
Greening Your Beauty Routine
So, I know it's been way too long and I'm sorry. I've been meaning to do a post about earth-friendly beauty products for a while...so here it is! :)
Basically here's my criteria for my green/ Earth-friendly products: I want products that don't contain harsh, synthetic chemicals that not only harm their users, but ultimately the water system and other organisms besides us. I want products that don't contain animal ingredients, such as lanolin. I'd really love it if the product is also not tested on animals (although unfortunately all prescription medications are required to be tested on animals). Finally, I also really prefer it if the product reduces trash- it uses partially recycled packaging, or comes in a reusable container, etc. Also (just FYI), none of these companies sponsor me in any way, I just like their products. O, and they're all available at your local pharmacy (and Walmart and Target).
Given these criteria, my favorite brands are as follows...
Skin Care
St. Ives
All St. Ives products are formulated without parabens or phalates, contain no animal ingredients and are not tested on animals (which is particularly important since this is a vegetarian blog). My favorite products by them that I love are the oatmeal body lotion, green tea and salicylic acid (which my skin much prefers over benzoyl peroxide) face cleanser, and their apricot face scrub.
Makeup
Physician's Formula
Physician's Formula has 2 lines that are very environmentally friendly. First, there's the Bamboo Wear line, which has bamboo cases that are refillable (reduces trash- reduce, reuse, recycle), bamboo brushes, and the makeup that refills the compact also has bamboo silk in it. Bamboo is very economically and ecologically friendly since it grows so quickly and easily, unlike other wood. Second, there's the Organic Wear line with mostly organic ingredients, formulated free of parabens, GMOs, synthetic preservatives and other harsh chemicals, and animal products. It also uses recycled materials in its packaging and is not tested on animals. Currently, I use the Bamboo Wear powder, the Organic Wear tinted moisturizer (with SPF 15 ), and the Organic Wear bronzer. I want to switch to the Organic Wear mascara and maybe the Bamboo Wear bronzer (I like the sustainability of it, but I like the materials of the other).
Makeup Brushes
EcoTools
They make makeup brushes with bamboo or recycled aluminum handles and bamboo fiber hairs- cruelty-free and sustainable. They also now have body care stuff (body wash, lotion, and butter, and hand and foot cream) that are paraben and phthalate free, allergy and dermatologist tested, and not tested on animals. I haven't tried those new products yet, but I definitely use and love their makeup brushes- they're so Earth Friendly and soft and easy to clean. I have their 6 brush set and their Kabuki brush. I got my set at Target, but I think CVS and Walgreens have them too.
Basically here's my criteria for my green/ Earth-friendly products: I want products that don't contain harsh, synthetic chemicals that not only harm their users, but ultimately the water system and other organisms besides us. I want products that don't contain animal ingredients, such as lanolin. I'd really love it if the product is also not tested on animals (although unfortunately all prescription medications are required to be tested on animals). Finally, I also really prefer it if the product reduces trash- it uses partially recycled packaging, or comes in a reusable container, etc. Also (just FYI), none of these companies sponsor me in any way, I just like their products. O, and they're all available at your local pharmacy (and Walmart and Target).
Given these criteria, my favorite brands are as follows...
Skin Care
St. Ives
All St. Ives products are formulated without parabens or phalates, contain no animal ingredients and are not tested on animals (which is particularly important since this is a vegetarian blog). My favorite products by them that I love are the oatmeal body lotion, green tea and salicylic acid (which my skin much prefers over benzoyl peroxide) face cleanser, and their apricot face scrub.
Makeup
Physician's Formula
Physician's Formula has 2 lines that are very environmentally friendly. First, there's the Bamboo Wear line, which has bamboo cases that are refillable (reduces trash- reduce, reuse, recycle), bamboo brushes, and the makeup that refills the compact also has bamboo silk in it. Bamboo is very economically and ecologically friendly since it grows so quickly and easily, unlike other wood. Second, there's the Organic Wear line with mostly organic ingredients, formulated free of parabens, GMOs, synthetic preservatives and other harsh chemicals, and animal products. It also uses recycled materials in its packaging and is not tested on animals. Currently, I use the Bamboo Wear powder, the Organic Wear tinted moisturizer (with SPF 15 ), and the Organic Wear bronzer. I want to switch to the Organic Wear mascara and maybe the Bamboo Wear bronzer (I like the sustainability of it, but I like the materials of the other).
Makeup Brushes
EcoTools
They make makeup brushes with bamboo or recycled aluminum handles and bamboo fiber hairs- cruelty-free and sustainable. They also now have body care stuff (body wash, lotion, and butter, and hand and foot cream) that are paraben and phthalate free, allergy and dermatologist tested, and not tested on animals. I haven't tried those new products yet, but I definitely use and love their makeup brushes- they're so Earth Friendly and soft and easy to clean. I have their 6 brush set and their Kabuki brush. I got my set at Target, but I think CVS and Walgreens have them too.
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