Eco Women: Protectors of the Planet!

Part 2 of 2. For Part 1, click here.

Recycla has been seeking out organic makeup and personal care products for a couple of years now. While she’s had great success with lotions, she has had mixed results with makeup.

Some of her findings:

Concealer — Right now, Recycla is using a concealer by Gabriel Cosmetics. She likes this product, but is trying to do more research on the ingredients used. It was sold in a local organic grocery store, but the label and website only say things like “Cruelty Free,” “Vegan,” and “100% Natural.” Until Recycla reads an exact ingredient list, she won’t be completely comfortable in her use of this product.

Tinted Moisturizer — Recycla has been using a tinted moisturizer by Burt’s Bees. She likes the lightweight feel of this product and how it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy. However, this moisturizer smells a bit like crayons AND it contains trace amounts of titanium dioxide, from which lead is a suspected byproduct, so Recycla has discontinued the use of this product.

Powder — Recycla has been using a powder made by Zia Natural Skincare. She loves the way it looks. She also loves the way she can buy a refill for the compact instead of replacing the entire thing. She DOES NOT love her recent discovery that this powder contains parabens and might contain trace amounts of titanium dioxide.

Blush — Recycla has been using a creamy blush made by Burt’s Bees, but it has been discontinued, so she’s on the search for a new one. Recycle finds it interesting that Burt’s Bees introduced a line of makeup a couple of years ago and has now discontinued most of those products. If she ever finds out the story on this, she’ll let you know.

Mascara — Recycla has tried several mascaras in her neverending quest for long thick eyelashes that she can bat at her husband.

• She is currently using one made by Beauty Without Cruelty. She likes it well enough, but it doesn’t thrill her, as it takes at least three coats to get merely decent eyelashes. Also, Recycla has just this very moment discovered that this mascara contains parabens and titanium dioxide, so she will be buying different mascara as soon as she can get to the store.
• Recycla has also used mascara by Eco Bella. She liked it, but discontinued using it when she discovered parabens in the ingredients list.
• Recycla has heard that Lavera makes an amazing mascara that is worth every penny spent on it. (And it’s many pennies.) In fact, Recycla has heard many great things about Lavera products. Her search for them locally has become like the search for the Holy Grail, but alas she has not found them and will have to place an order online.
• Recycla has also heard that Dr. Hauschka mascara is quite good and might pick that up the next time she is at Whole Foods.

Lip color — Recycla doesn’t wear much lip color — only on the rare occasion when she really has to go the extra mile with her appearance. When she does add a little color on her kisser, she uses a tinted lip balm by Burt’s Bees. Check labels carefully before buying, as some Burt’s Bees lip products contain titanium dioxide.

If it seems as if Recycla has had some disappointments in her eco makeup purchases, she confesses that it has been a frustrating experience at times. Just because a product is sold in an organic store or is labeled “all natural” or “cruelty free” doesn’t mean that it’s actually good for your skin. It may be BETTER than what most of what’s out there, but that doesn’t mean that’s the BEST product available to you.

Luckily, Recycla has found a new resource in her continuing quest for eco makeup: Eco*Pretty. Eco*Pretty is a blog devoted to “high performing green and natural beauty products.” Recycla has learned a lot from reading this blog, which is a recent discovery for her. She has seen several new products that she plans to try, including some found at local drugstores. Recycla encourages you to take a look for yourself.

Recycla would like to hear from all of you. What products have worked for you and were there any disappointments?