Tag Archives: cruelty-free

Embracing Natural Beauty & Greening Your Beauty Routine

Girl with brush for makeup

Beauty products are increasingly marketed to have all-natural, totally “green” ingredients that leave your face fresh and your conscience clean. With so many cruelty-free and earth-friendly products out there, why not overhaul your makeup bag for a renewed look that’s gentler on your skin and the planet?

Tool Kit Overhaul

Start your green makeover by updating the toolkit. Swap out your old plastic-based beauty tools for products made with sustainably harvested, naturally renewable materials, such as bamboo. Green-up your beauty kit with these solutions:

  • EcoTools: EcoTools are affordable, effective, and made from cruelty-free synthetic bristles and recycled aluminum. A set of six brushes sells for only $13, which makes this 2012 Green Product winner a solid steal for the green girl on a budget, spotlights Instyle Magazine.
  • Urban Decay: Urban Decay’s “Good Karma” blurring brush was recognized by the natural beauty blog, Gorgeously Green, as being highly effective at blending makeup without brush marks. Urban Decay has also led the eco-friendly cosmetic industry for years with its cruelty-free products, which identifies this company as a trusted source for superior green goods.

Mineral Makeup

As you perfect your skin every day with foundation, keep in mind that standard foundations contain harmful chemicals that damage the skin over time. Mineral makeup blends create that lustrous look, made with ingredients that are all-natural, antibacterial, and perfect for sensitive skin types.

Refinery29 recommends these top picks for the best up-and-coming mineral makeup brands:

  • Inika Mineral Foundation: Silky, soothing, and perfect for sensitive skin, Inika Mineral Foundation is an all-natural product made in Australia. Products are sold at several small online boutiques specializing in skin care, including www.adorebeauty.com.au and www.blush.com.
  • Lily Lolo: Made in England, Lily Lolo, is a pretty mineral blend power that has SPF 15 sun protection. It’s also backed by the brand’s commitment to anti-cruelty organizations.
  • Everyday Minerals: Everyday Minerals’ affordable, all-American mineral cosmetics prove that natural mineral blends can still be glamorous. The Texas-based company features all-natural, handcrafted vegan products, including shimmery eye shadows and flirty blushers.

Green Beauty Shopping Tips

Reflect on your green goals, and evaluate what beauty product ingredients are most valuable to you. Do you want to avoid animal ingredients and animal testing? Are chemical and additive-free ingredients out of the question? Do you need everyday essentials or crave glamorous on-trend products that take your style from day to night? With some research, you’ll be more prepared to navigate the widening world of green beauty.

Also, many green companies are startups and independent online boutique retailers. While shopping on these smaller ecommerce sites, make sure the company is a reputable company that values consumer privacy. According to Life Lock, retail was the sixth most targeted industry for online shopping identity theft. To avoid an online shopping disaster during your green makeover, create a pleasant experience by first looking for a website’s security seal and https in its URL. Search the web for reviews of green companies and take standard precautions while shopping online, such as storing strong passwords for each of your online accounts.

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