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My pal over at CrunchyDomesticGoddess sent me a simple email last month that has been stuck in my craw every since. She just asked what natural cosmetics I had tried and liked, and I was so embarrassed to write back and say I didn't have any to recommend. Not because they're all bad, mind you, but because (*GASP*) I haven't tried any. This is made especially blush-inducing by my diatribe about the cosmetics industry, picked up by BlogHer's own Suzanne Reismann here. It is time I took more of a stand on my stand, I think...
You see, back in my care-free child-free conscience-free days (twenties, oh how I miss you!!!), I spent more than my fair share of time at Nordstrom's Lancome counter. And the ridiculous thing about it is that I have never worn that much makeup. My friend Amanda had to show me how to apply eyeliner on my wedding day (no joke) and even when I'm wearing tons (for me at least), I'm almost always going for the natural look.
The funny thing about buying department store major-label makeup is that it's addictive. They reel you in with the free gifts and, once you've started down that slippery slope, it's hard to go back. In fact, I doubt I ever would have been able to give up the cute pink bags, perfect sample-sized mascaras, and unctuous face creams had I not, several years ago, discovered Skin Deep.
Skin Deep is the Environmental Working Group's database of cosmetic companies, their products and, most importantly, their ingredients. You can learn more than you ever wanted to know about Lancome (yes, they test on animals, no they won't sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics) here. Once I discovered this site, and saw how quick my young children are to mimic my cosmetic-applying (Lily can already say lipstick and calls just about every other makeup "cream" and she's not even two!), I knew I had to make a change.
I so rarely wear makeup that I'm not going to be trashing those mini-mascaras just yet, but I have made a few noteworthy purchases recently that I thought I'd share.
- Burt's Bees Radiance Day Creme - If you love the smell, as I do, of Lancome's Primordiale line of ultra-expensive moisturizers, you'll love this moisturizer. Keep in mind that I live in high-plains desert and tend toward dry skin--this is a heavy moisturizer, which is what I need. Unfortunately, although Burt's Bees has signed the Compact and doesn't test on animals, it does use a petroleum-based fragrance here, which makes sense if it smells like the Lancome stuff. Still, I think it's better, and certainly cheaper!
- Avalon Organics Vitamin C Moisture Plus Lotion - The Burt's Bees stuff doesn't have SPF, so I also use this one and I have to say I love it despite it's rather mediocre rating from Skin Deep! I think I'm going to have to peruse their new review of Sunscreens (since this lotion's octinoxate sunscreen is what really lowers its rating) and see if I can find another Compact-signer that makes a comparable product.
- Avalon Organics Lavender Deodorant - Yes, I can admit it. I've made the switch to crunchy deodorant. In fact, I did so about six months ago, so if you didn't notice a funny smell, you'll have to admit that it works pretty well. It's also inexpensive, and non-toxic.
- Tom's of Main Natural Care Deodorant Stick (Apricot) - This one doesn't get great Skin Deep reviews due to propylene glycol and synthetic fragrances absent from Avalon Organics' competing product, and Tom's is not a Compact-signer (shame on you, Tom's!), but it works well enough for my husband to use (OK, he doesn't use the Apricot, but that's what I have!). But considering that third down on the toxicity list is coriander oil, which is not only natural, but something I am exposed to intentionally in the kitchen and garden on a regular basis, and the list of ingredients in my old stand-by Degree is absolutely frightening, I think I can still safely give this one the thumbs-up.
- Burt's Bees Soap Bark& Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream - I remember my friend Leah & I slathering our sunburned faces with Noxema to take the sting out. Although I wouldn't touch the stuff now, I use this Burt's Bees product instead. I swear, it's just as creamily-delicious and more
