In the News: Green Cosmetics & Products

Saturday, April 25, 2009

I think 2009 is the year of "green." As Kermie from Sesame Street says, "it's not easy green" and I think that applies to the cosmetics industry very well.

With man-made chemicals, massive packages and jars and containers that would make the chemical company weep, "green" isn't the first thing you think about when talking about cosmetics. However, lately, that's changing.

Here are some resources to help you know the real story behind cosmetics and how to use brands and products that are good for you and the earth.

Greenlivingideas.com has some posts about what chemicals are bad for you. They have an interesting article about the popular mineral cosmetics, which I haven't tried - yet.

The Cosmetic Database can help determine the "environmental quotient" of a particular brand or product. You have to register to view.

The Sierra Club listed a few sites to go to for products. You know if it's recommended by them, it has to be good.



• Spirit Beauty


• Eco Nvey

Which chemicals should you look for when determining how "un-organic" it is. The Organic Consumers Association has 10 suggestions.

There have always been "natural" cosmetics. The Rachel Perry line from at least the 70s. You can always find these in co-ops, but now they're online at mainstream retailers. 

One thing that's very cool is Origin's recycling program. When you're done with your product and have an empty container, take it to an Origins store and they'll recycle parts of the package they can, leaving you with an easy mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Today's temperature is well into the 80's today, and possibly the 90's in places Now is the time to start thinking about the harsh sun on your skin - all over, not just the face.

Hopefully, throughout the winter, you've been protecting your skin with at least a moisturizer with SPF 15. It's not even so much about beauty, but protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays. However, you do want to get some sunlight to get vitamin D that the sun helps absorb.

In my next post, I'll list some of the product being reviewed in the magazines. There seem to be some interesting products available for every part of the body.

Thank you, Earth!

Makeupista!

***Turning 41 tomorrow!! EEEEEk!

ANOTHER Post

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Yes, amazing isn't it? I'm actually posting on a fairly regular basis. Maybe getting ready for the show is getting me back into the swing of things. Now that the recital's over, I have a little bit more time. My foot's still bothering me so I'm trying to take some time off. It's hard to go from dancing 12 hours per week to pretty much nothing.

A few weeks ago, I got two inexpensive masks, or "masques" as the product description so eloquently puts it. I bought the Honey and Cream Skin Polisher and Chocolate Masque. Montagne Jennesse is a UK company that touts its natural products. I didn't like the honey and cream polisher. It smelled odd, and felt very rough (yes, that's the point, but still) and actually burned just a tad. That's never good. I'll probably throw it out.

Last night, I tried the chocolate mask (masque) and love it! It smelled great and looks like a mud mask, which I normally don't use on my face. I've used them in the past and they're just too rough on my fair skin, LOL! Last night my face looked and felt smooth and soft.

I purchased mine at Ulta for $1.75, but you can also buy them at this site for $2.25. I've used their tonic cloths, and they're OK, but very wet and I hate using it only once and throwing out.

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Makeup - for real.

As I said in my introduction to this blog, I don't wear makeup to work or pretty much anywhere unless it's a special occasion so when I found myself wanting to take a few extra seconds to put some on the past couple of morning, I thought, "I've become a GIRL!"

Well, yes, I am a girl, but fairly low-maintenance and definitely not someone who takes a lot of time on her appearance. However, it must be the influence of the hair straightener Sean's mother got for me for Christmas, but I also actually straighten my hair in the morning since it only takes a few seconds to do and the results are great.

Anyway, so I've been using a bit of the Stila products I got in the pack I got just before the recital as well as the sparkly eyeshadows from Joyce Leslie. The key to all day makeup, especially for work is a light hand. Makeup that's barely there is the best for day anyway.

Today, I actually used turquoise eye shadow, something I never thought I'd do either. It looked OK and I toned it down with a bit of bone-colored shadow. A touch of bone colored sparkly shadow and a touch of black Stila Mascara, a daub/dab of the peony lip/cheek blush, and I was out the door. Oh, a little coverup for the darker places around the face. It really only took 5 minutes.

Once you have the products, it's fairly easy to do. Also, practice makes perfect.

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I received the bifecta (is that a word?) of beauty in the mail: An Ulta catalog and Allure magazine. Won't go over those now, but save it for another day.

Happy Spring,
Makeupista ;)

I can stop; I swear!

Friday, April 3, 2009

Ms. LT sent me an email the other day about going to Ulta because she wanted to pick up a couple of things...who can resist such an offer!? Not I, that's for sure!

I swear after this, no more makeup. But first, what could I not resist?

1. Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 - Although this is $32, I actually found this in a kit with mascara, lip "slicks", 4 eye shadows, and a cream blush for $40!!! How could I resist such a deal? I couldn't! LT also bought a set for the turquoise eye shadow.
2. I also found two one-time use masks for $1.79 each. One with Honey and Cream and one with Chocolate. For that price, there wasn't even a doubt about not getting the chocolate one!
3. Earth Therapeutics Bamboo Face Polisher - the link here is to the bath mit, but it's the same idea. I thought it would be harsher, but it isn't and my face feels so smooth afterward.

Other bamboo products that look interesting:

• Eco Tools 5-Piece Brush Set
• Sally Hansen Nail Nutrition with Green Tea and Bamboo
• Ulta Thai Bamboo Skin Polisher

As I was checking out, I noticed some samples behind the counter and hinted that I'd like some. The very nice lady who didn't check me out gave me a few and I shared them with LT.

Makeupista!