Did you know that Americans generate around 250 million tons of landfill waste every year? That's a lot!! Luckily, many beauty brands are working to recycle and reuse to help save our precious planet. In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to give a shout-out to some healthy beauty brands that are not only doing your beauty routine good, but also doing our planet good.
Aveda, known mostly for its skin and hair care, fully embraces the idea of sustainability from their partnerships with non-profits like the Earth Fund Grantmaking Program to the use of sustainable furniture in their corporate office to their use of wind power in manufacturing. As the first privately held company to sign the CERES Principles (Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies), Aveda incorporates plant-derived plastics and recycled packing into all of its products.
Tarte Cosmetics is a vegan cosmetics brand that makes a variety of skincare and cosmetic products and engages in initiates to save the rainforests of the Amazon. The company is constantly researching formulas and biodegradable plastics to make their products more sustainable and even offers tips on creative ways to reuse packaging. They also sell replacement powders for their reusable compacts...saving you money and saving the earth!
As the name implies, EcoTools makes a variety of affordable eco-friendly beauty tools. All of the packaging is recyclable and uses post-consumer recycled paper. Makeup brushes also feature recycled aluminum ferrules...the bristles are so soft that you wouldn't believe that they're synthetic and 100% cruelty-free. Plus, all products feature natural materials like cotton and bamboo.
Throughout the product lifestyle, Vapour Organic Beauty is committed to sustainability with all of its cosmetics. First, the company sources ingredients from organic farms that help reduce pollution and toxic water waste. Anhydrous filling system are then used during manufacturing to reduce landfill waste, while wind power powers the plants. In addition, the company has offices that are wind and solar powered and prides itself on engaging in green practices like re-using shipping materials. Product packaging is developed from recycled material, uses soy ink, and is both biodegradable and non-toxic.
Manufactured in Vermont, Tata Harper uses renewable energy (recycled methane gas) in their facilities to manufacture its skincare products and remains energy efficient by keeping all activity in one place. The brand utilizes recycled paper and glass bottles in their packaging and engages in sustainable farming practices to source ingredients.
Weleda has taken on initiatives to allow for a greener planet. Using, Fair Trade and BioDynamic agricultural practices, the brand harvests its powerful natural ingredients for its skin and body care products, while simultaneously preserving the earth. Along the way, Weleda funds research and development to reduce waste in their production processes. And of course, the packaging is eco-friendly too!
From production to consumption, Burts Bees is an innovator skin and body care as well as in sustainability with local partners like NC Green Power and Renewable Choice Energy. It works to reduce different types of waste. A reverse osmosis system allows 700,000 gallons of water to be reused during manufacturing. Facilities are designed using energy-efficient lighting, resource
management software, and efficient production equipment to reduce waste. Any leftover facility waste that cannot be recycled or composted is transformed into biomass-based fuel or electricity. Every year, Burts Bees sets goals to further reduce waste.
Not only is Alison Raffaele one of my favorite facial cosmetic brands, but it is also very eco-friendly. All of the brushes are super soft and are made with wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and cruelty-free, Takelon bristles. All products feature non-toxic, skin-safe ingredients as well as recyclable packaging.
All of these brands are natural or organic. Natural/organic does not necessarily imply that a brand is sustainable. But luckily, most natural and organic brands are very eco-friendly...a great way to help both your body and the environment. This Earth Day, don't forget to do your part in saving the planet one lipstick tube at a time ;)
What's the one makeup product women can't seem to live without? Surveys show that it is mascara. I tend to agree because a little mascara can make a huge difference. It only takes 2 minutes to apply and can really open and highlight your eyes more naturally than eyeliner or eyeshadow can.
But the market is so saturated with mascara products these days. How do you narrow down your options? First, I like to start by focusing on paraben and sulfate-free products (like the product recommendations below). In general, try to look for smudge-proof formulas. Save water-proof formulas for the beach because they often peel or clump easily. Many mascara formulas are similar, so it's really all about the brush. Different brushes serve different functions. Most women with normal lashes are looking to boost lash definition. Fine toothed comb brushes like the Juice Beauty Lash Defining Mascara ($19 at Ulta) can help sweep lashes upwards, while depositing clump-free color onto lashes that won't transfer to skin or stick lashes together. Volumized lashes can offer a slightly more dramatic look. I absolutely love the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! ($19 at Sephora), and it is definitely a fan favorite. It is "clinically proven to increase the appearance of lash volume by 424%," and the natural formula is very gentle on lashes. Overall, I like the mascara's light, soft feel and natural look.
For those of you with sensitive eyes...try Almay's mascaras, which are hypoallergenic and ophthalmologist recommended for contact lens wearers. I especially like the Almay One Coat Triple Effect Mascara ($8 in drugstores). Almay is an affordable and effective brand with products for people with sensitive skin and eyes, and their mascara is no exception. They make specific lengthening, thickening, volumizing, etc. mascaras, but the One Coat Triple Effect is a very general mascara product. It builds, extends, and sculpts lashes in one simple sweep.
For those of you who prefer waterproof products...try the bareMinerals Flawless Definition Waterproof Mascara ($18 at Ulta). The formula is waterproof, but it is not as sticky or flaky as many other waterproof products, while the fine bristles help brush lashes upwards and allow you to easily reach all of your lashes. With beautiful shades like Ripe Plum and Espresso, you had definitely a color that goes with any look.
For those of you with sparse lashes...try a thickening formula like the Jane Iredale Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara ($33 on dermstore.com). The large brush adds a lot of color with each sweep (you only need 2 coats) while separating lashes. Like all Jane Iredale products, this mascara is good for your lashes too. A good tar-free mascara is hard to find, but this is one of them. Also, it contains seaweed to condition and fortify lashes.
For those of you with short lashes...try a lengthening formula like the Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara ($8 at Ulta). I didn't think that the fatter brush on this mascara was going to work well for lengthening, but it's actually really nice! Since my eyelashes are pretty short, this is usually my go-to mascara. The formula glides on really smoothly, and the brush makes for a neat and full application. This product comes in multiple shades, but my personal fave is the Black Shimmer. The "shimmer" is very subtle, but really adds a sparkle to the eyes.
And don't forget about your lower lashes to complete the look. Since they're smaller, they can be harder to reach. If coating the lower lashes is tough for you, invest in the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara ($10 at Sephora). The short brush is designed for reaching all of those lower lashes, and the formula removes easily when exposed to warm water.
Make sure you curl your lashes BEFORE you put on your mascara. Curling them with mascara on can make your lashes brittle and cause them to stick to the curler. My personal favorite curlers are the Shiseido Eyelash Curler ($18 at Sephora) and the Laura Mercier Eyelash Curler ($16 at department stores), which has a cushy pad that prevents pinching and unique compact shape for travel. Also, heating your curler with a blow dryer helps your curler curl (just be careful not to burn yourself because the metal will get hot). You can even buy heated curlers like the Sephora Heated Eyelash Curler ($17 at Sephora). If you have lashes like mine that don't curl very easily, you can use a brush with a curved wand like the Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara ($19 at Sephora) in addition to curling your lashes. As the name implies, the S-shaped wand will help sculpt and shape lashes more effectively than a straight brush. Many drugstore brands make a product with a curved wand, but I like the Buxom one because of the ultra fine brush bristles and the vitamin-rich formula.
Another way to improve your mascara wear is by applying a primer first. This will hold the mascara onto your lashes for a longer period of time and prevent smudging, flaking, and fading. Like your hair, your lashes can get brittle after being coated with mascara day after day. Primers can also protect your lashes from mascara. The Tarte MultiplEYE Clinically Proven Natural Lash Enhancing Primer ($22 at Sephora) is a natural option that nourishes and conditions lashes with HydroPlant peptide to help them naturally appear longer and fuller.
The nice thing about mascara is that there are many great options for wallet-friendly prices. So, picking up your favorite mascara from the nearest drugstore can be a guilt-free treat. After all, there's nothing more elegant than luscious lashes!
What is your favorite mascara?
We often hear the terms toner and astringent used interchangeably. But do they mean the same thing? Which one is best for you?
Well...
The two products are in fact very similar. They both refine/tighten pores and help remove excess oil, dirt, makeup, and residue. There are a few slight differences though:
Astringents often have antiseptic properties that help clean bacteria from skin's surface and unclogs pores. In addition, they generally have an alcohol content that mattifies oil. Thus, astringents are ideal for younger women, oily skin types, and blemish-prone skin. Natural astringents include witch hazel and cucumber.
Product recommendations:
Toners tend to be alcohol-free and more gentle than astringents. They are often better for balancing and softening skin. For example, aloe and rosewater are natural toners. Women with mature skin, combination/normal/dry skin types, or sensitive skin should choose a toner rather than an astringent.
Product recommendations
- Caudalie Beauty Elixir ($18 at Sephora) for mature skin. Like all Caudalie products, this elixir has grapes for powerful antioxidant protection against aging. With nourishing essential oils, it is a part toner, part serum that leaves skin feeling moisturized.
- Origins United State Balancing Tonic for combination skin. This product keeps the skin's pH balance in check...reducing excess shine in the T-zone and softening dry areas of the face.
- Murad Hydrating Toner ($27 at Sephora) for dry skin. The toner helps restore hydration to the skin with lecithin to keep skin supple. And vitamins C and E provide antioxidant protection.
- Korres Pomegranate Toner ($20 at Sephora) for normal skin. Pomegranate extract is a natural nutrient-rich ingredient that will condition and rejuvenate your skin to reveal a radiant glow.
- Avene Gentle Toner ($20 on dermstore.com) for sensitive skin is formulated with softening and soothing spring water. This toner is hypoallergenic and so gentle that it is suitable for even the most sensitive skin types.
Should you be using a toner or astringent? Yes! Most toners and astringents say to use them day and night. You should definitely be using one at night after cleansing and before treatments and moisturizers to clean up anything your cleanser may have left behind. Also, tightening your pores will keep dirt and toxins out as well as make your complexion look and feel smooth and refreshed. I like to use a cotton ball to help sweep away residue and toxins from my skin, but you can totally spritz toner/astringent if you prefer (though it may not clean your skin as thoroughly). Whether or not you use it in the morning is up to you...it's not as big of a deal if you don't because it's not as essential for your skin to be squeaky clean. Using an astringent in the morning will help reduce oil during the day if you tend to get shiny. And tightening your pores in the morning can improve the appearance of your skin throughout the day. Personally, I use a moisturizing toner in the mornings more for its smoothing and softening effects so that my makeup holds better during the day.
Do you use a toner or an astringent?
When it comes to my mani, I'm all about the shine...and I've found the shiniest of shiny top coats, Sally Hansen Big Shiny Top Coat ($6 at Ulta). I put it over my nail polish one day and was delighted to see that it made my polish look as shiny as a gel formula. The thicker formula makes it look glossier than any other top coat that I've tried and helps protect your polish from chipping. This is a great gel-alternative for me. Even though I really like the mirror shine of gel manicures, I don't generally get them because I find that they can be a little too harsh on my nails. Luckily, I can fake one with Big Shiny. For the optimal gel effect, use Big Shiny over a thicker polish formula. I used Sally Hansen Insta Dri ($5 at Ulta), but you can also try Revlon ColorStay Longwear Nail Enamel ($8 at Ulta).
One of these pictures is a gel mani and one is a Big Shiny mani. Can you tell which one is which?
With all of the new product innovation that has spurred such competition amongst beauty brands, a few cosmetics stand out as being particularly unique. Special effects have given us products that allow us to look flawless while doing the following:
1. Glowing in the dark
Wow everyone at a party or club with fluorescent makeup! These products provide a pop of color both day and night. During the daytime, they provide ordinary pigmented color and react with UV light to glow in the dark. For your lips, try the Stila After Glow Lip Color ($18 at Sephora), which is a long-wearing moisturizing lip crayon that comes in two bright colors: fuscia and tangerine. Then, dust the rest of your face and/or body with the Make Up For Ever Fluo Night ($31 on www.makeupforever.com). This finely milled loose powder comes in a variety of colors (including a translucent white) and can be mixed with other cosmetics to enhance colors and turn them into fluorescent formulas. Both of these products are limited edition products (the Fluo Night is an older product and a little harder to find), so scoop them up while you can! And you can't forget about the nails. The Glow in the Dark Nail Polish ($6 at American Apparel) is a convenient, affordable option.
2. Sleeping
The biggest beauty crime is not washing off your makeup before bed. However, the bareMinerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment ($60 at Sephora) changes what we think about sleeping in makeup. It's a pigmented powder that works its magic as you sleep. Formulated with minerals, this powder hydrates, smooths, minimizes pores, and brightens so that you wake up with a more even skintone and a luminous glow. The feature that really differentiates it from other night treatments is that it provides coverage. You fall asleep with a flawless complexion and wake up with a more naturally flawless one as well ;)
3. Swimming
Want to look fabulous from the beginning to the end of your next pool party? Well, with Make Up For Ever's Aqua products you can. It features a collection of waterproof eye cosmetics (shadows, liners, mascara, and eyebrow corrector) and lip cosmetics (pencil and color). The line even contains an Aqua Seal ($21 at Sephora) that allows you to convert any powder eye cosmetic into a waterproof liquid one. However, the Aqua collection is missing waterproof face cosmetics. But don't worry because the Make Up For Ever brand does make a Face & Body Liquid Makeup ($40 at Sephora) to provide waterproof coverage for
the face and body. Since oil and water don't mix, many waterproof formulas tend to be super oily or waxy. However, the Face & Body Liquid Makeup is nice, since it's water-based, so no breakouts! And fix those more specific imperfections with the Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Waterproof Concealer ($22 at Sephora). Feel free to dive, splash, and frolic in the water without worrying about smudging or running!
In general, you should reserve these products for occasional rather than regular use, with the exception of the Pure Transformation Night Treatment (since it's a gentle skincare + cosmetics product). The ingredients that make a product glow in the dark or waterproof can be harsh, but vary based on each product. I usually advocate healthy products only, but some of these products do contain parabens as well as other toxins. But honestly if you're using them once in a while, it's not a huge a deal. Also, there are only 1 or 2 of each of these product types currently on the market, and there aren't any healthy alternatives available. The take away? These products are super fun, and you should definitely use them for the occasions for which they are meant :)
Have you had the same beauty regiment for the past 10 years? Or do you change it up every day? You can actually get away with using a lot of the same products for a long time. At the same time, there are some "optimal" times when you should change it up. Why?
The facts:
The truth is that your skin won't get used to the ingredients that you're using for the most part. For example, if you've been using a vitamin C moisturizer in the evenings for the past few years, your skin won't get "immuned" to the vitamin C to the point that the effectiveness of it diminishes. It's similar to ingesting vitamins and minerals - eating an apple every day won't necessarily make an apple less healthy for you after a while. Your skin simply uses the nutrients from your skincare products to assist in cellular processes.
While your skin doesn't get used to ingredients, it does respond to environmental stimuli and can therefore adapt to some of the products that you're using. Mostly, your skin adapts in terms of moisture and sebum (oil production). If you deprive your skin (and your lips) of moisture, your skin will eventually respond in the long-term by producing more oil to keep
skin elastic. Similarly, if you overmoisturize, your skin will respond by producing less oil, since you're doing the job of keep skin moisturized. The overproduction of oil can lead to breakouts, while the underproduction of oil can lead to the development of a dry skin type. Thus, make sure that you are moisturizing your face just the right amount...in the morning and at night only. To prevent overmoisturizing, start with a light moisturizer like the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream ($27 in department stores). If that does the trick and seems to keep your skin soft for the rest of the day then great! If not, try a more heavy duty product like the Philosophy Hope in Jar Night ($50 at Sephora). For the daytime, try the Juice Beauty SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer ($29 at Ulta), or the thicker Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15 Moisturizer ($38 at Ulta). Of course, you may have to adjust
this routine depending on how dry/moist it is outside, but for the most part, this should be enough moisture for your face. The skin on your body isn't as delicate as your face, you should be fine using a light body moisturizer a few times per week. Additionally, the same rules apply to cleansing. If you wash your face too many times per day, you will strip your skin of good oils, causing you to overproduce oil. Limit face washing to night time, and mornings (unless you have super dry or sensitive skin).
What does that mean? Well, you don't need to be changing up your products frequently to keep them effective. However, you should be changing up your beauty routine during the following times:
- Seasonally: When the weather is hotter and/or more humid, your skin needs less moisturizer, since there is more moisture in the air. And don't forget that it tends to be
sunnier when it's hotter, so boost your level of sun protection. Wearing a moisturizer with mineral SPF of at least 30 like the Algenist Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50 ($38 at Sephora) on a daily basis is your best defense against sun-induced aging and melanoma.
- As you age: Your skin changes with time. You develop sun spots and wrinkles, collagen production slows, cells don't regenerate as efficiently, and your skin gets drier. On the bright side, your skin gets less shiny and acne-prone. So gradually, you will be transitioning from oil-free products that mattify shine, minimize pores, and medicate pimples to products that provide more intense hydration, brighten, firm, and increase elasticity. You can wait to see what your more specific aging needs are (dark spots? wrinkles?) as the signs come, or simply switch it up from your 20's to your 30's to your 40's...
- To treat any skin conditions: This is pretty much common sense. But sometimes during dry weather, using new products, or randomly, your skin can develop allergies, become irritated, or develop conditions like eczema. In these cases, you probably have to switch to gentler, hypoallergenic products geared toward sensitive skin.
What changes to your routine have you made recently, and why?
What better way to make your makeup pop for your next night out than to add some glitter? Check out some of this glittery cosmetics:
The nails...
of sophisticated shades that moisturize lips and gives you long-lasting glittery pout.
