Earth Day Cosmetics

    Today is not only my oldest daughter’s 17^th Birthday, but it is also Earth Day. I was asked to be on our local NBC morning show Live on Lakeside to talk about “green” cosmetics. I know about some of these products because I have allergies but while researching for the show it opened my eyes to so much more. Cosmetic companies are not regulated by the FDA unless it has a color additive added. On the packaging it might state organic, vegan or natural on it. To an average consumer this is confusing. Here is what I learned. To be organic it has to be made by certified organic growers. The crops need to be free of pesticides. Any vegan product means there is no animal testing done or animal byproducts included. For natural products no preservatives are added and only a few ingredients included come from the Earth.

   Here are the products I  featured; Juice Beauty; it is manufactured in a solar power plant and uses recyclable paper and soy ink for packaging. Fruit juices, seeds and essential oils make up their products. 100% Pure; it is vegan and gluten free. California Baby;  products  are all organic, vegan, soy, dairy, oat and gluten free. Burt’s Bees;  more of a natural cosmetic. No preservatives are in it and no animal testing is done. London Butter; is a nail polish free of formaldehyde and other carcinogens. EcoTools;  are makeup brushes that have cruelty free synthetic bristles and recycled aluminum bamboo handles.

   When buying a “green” product it is best to narrow down what is important to you. Some companies such as Aveda, Origins and Paul Mitchell will give back proceeds to charities that help the environment. Some retailers such as the Body Shop will give you a discount if you bring back in your bottles to refill them. At MAC cosmetics they offer a free lipstick for six glass, plastic or metal containers you return to their store. My best advice is to read the package, it will give you insight into what you are buying and if it fits your needs and beliefs. If you have access to the Internet look up the company and see how the product is made and if money is donated to a charity for the environment.  

 

Spring Cleaning

   It is that time of year to “spring” clean our homes, I think it might be time to clean out our makeup bags as well? At Christmas I received a designer purse as a gift, recently I looked at my makeup bag and thought "Wow this is an ugly mess and it doesn't match my new purse at all. So the hunt was on for a new cosmetic bag. Some are tiny, others are too big,  I was feeling a lot like Goldilocks in search of the right fit. I need the bag to not over take my purse, yet hold all the contents that I carry around. Ideally clear in material. Did I find my perfect bag? No! In fact I bought the worst one yet, why? Because I thought a black one with polka dots would look so cute with my new purse. Right now the problem is I can't find my tweezers or my eye brow pencil, it is a black hole, too dark inside to see anything.

  I want to share with you tips on spring cleaning your makeup bag. Throw away makeup that is old. Meaning old shades of lipstick you wore two years ago and stinky old. If it smells pitch it.  Eye creams might be expired check the dates and if you have foundation over two years old end your attachment and just get rid of it. Clean your tweezers with alcohol. Your eyelash curler might need a rub down also. Replacing the pads inside the curler might be a good idea, if it has been around awhile. Clean any makeup brushes in a bowl of baby shampoo or brush cleaner then rinse and dry them flat.

     If you have mascara for three months it is time to get rid of that also. You don't want an eye infection or clumpy makeup due to the formula being thick. Make sure to wipe out the bottom of your makeup bag. Add some band aids inside for summertime blisters and hair ties in case of a humid day. Drug stores sell small SPF tubes that might be a good addition inside as well.

    Unlike my awful pick of a makeup bag, it is wise to invest in a bag that is insulated to protect your makeup.  Don’t keep your makeup in too hot or too cold (now I sound like Goldilocks) elements because it will wreck your makeup. A clear makeup bag is good choice so you can see what you need fast and it pushes you to be neat all the time. I know we are all busy and this might not be a priority, but just think how much better you feel having a clean makeup bag. Plus if you go to an event all dressed up you can pull out your makeup bag and not feel embarrassed on how it looks.  Be the complete package when you go out not just the bow.

Insulated  bag

My cute but awful pick

Clear bag