Enviro Girl loved The Story of Stuff. It broke down the problems with consumerism is such easy-to-understand terms. It showed where solutions can work, where the problems really lie. It gave the best rationale for her choice of lifestyle that she’s ever seen or read. She’s a fan of keeping it simple, streamlined, spartan. Enviro Girl’s family’s quality of life improves with less stuff. They’re happier with less stuff. They spend less money, less time maintaining, more time enjoying each other and experiences. Less stuff = less impact on the environment.
The people at The Story of Stuff are launching their new campaign: The Story of Cosmetics.
Enviro Girl already knew a lot of these facts, but was surprised to learn a few things, particularly that the average woman uses 12 products on her skin daily.
Twelve? That seemed like a lot. Enviro Girl began counting: Nature’s Gate tea-tree shampoo, Zum bar soap, Purpose face soap, prescription salve for her rosacea, Arbonne moisturizer with SPF 15 in the morning, Kiss My Face body lotion, Crest Sensitivity toothpaste, a dab of Boots No. 7 concealer, Almay mascara, Alba lip balm, occasionally Boots No. 7 eyeliner, Certain Dri antiperspirant, a little leave-in conditioner to keep the hair frizzies at bay (a dab of that body lotion on her bangs as needed), Arbonne facial cleanser and nighttime moisturizer before bedtime and under-eye cream if she thinks of it. What’s the tally? Sixteen. Seventeen if you count the Ivory bar soap she uses when washing her hands throughout the day. And Enviro Girl considers herself a low-maintenance kind of woman.
Reader, how many products do you use? Have you checked them out at Skin Deep to make sure you’re not poisoning yourself? Will you spread the word and join The Story of Cosmetics activism?
What a great new video!
Okay, on my skin: soap (face), soap (body), exfolliant (face), exfolliant (feet), shaving lotion, shampoo, lotion (face), serum (crows’ feet), lotion (body), lotion (feet), lip balm, concealer (four kinds, depending on use), tinted moisturizer (when I’m getting all fancy), pressed powder, blush, mascara, lipstick (optional), deodorant, and acne gel (occasional, but still necessary). I lost count at 20.
With three exceptions, everything is either completely or mostly eco.
As for the rest of my family, virtually all of their products are eco in some way. And when my daughters start to wear makeup, they’ll wear eco like their mom.