Since switching to zero waste, beauty is one of the areas I've really saved money on. Previously, Claudia Kishi was a very poetic figure in my life, informing many of my maximalist tendencies. Not only did I do deeply sus things like wear a single giant heart shaped statement earring, leaving my other lobe earringless, I adopted a palette Lisa Frank would find excessive. Yes, I had gold eyeliner. I used white Wet and Wild pencil to brighten my eyes, blue Dior mascara (the natural sequel to the Maybelline Great Lash favored in high school) to accentuate their color, and for awhile loved pairing yellow and pink MAC shadows on my lids. I never left class without whipping my Laguna / Orgasm duo out, brushing blush along the apples of my cheeks because I read it would diffuse undereye bags. Never mind the fact that I was NINETEEN and would not have bags for another seven years.
That's what I find so insidious about the makeup industry and women's / teen magazines. They create imaginary problems, making you think everyone's staring at flaws you either don't have or no one notices because NOBODY CARES. Everyone's too wrapped up in their own stuff. Pore size does not impact anybody's life enough to warrant daily use of a refiner, especially at the cost of the environment. This is something my mom tried to impress upon me before I spent half my nontaxable income at Sephora, but of course I didn't listen. Anyway, I've written posts on this before. However, my routine changed, and like Rory Gilmore before me, I decided, no doubt erroneously, I am my own best subject and people somehow care about what I do or do not use for my hair and skin. So here's everything (if you prefer videos with poor production value, check it out here):
Face
AM: Nothing. I don't wash it, I don't moisturize, I don't even put on sunscreen, sorry, doctors and dermatologists everywhere (if you prefer not to play Russian roulette with carcinogens and cellular DNA damage, I recommend Cocoon Apothecary, Raw Elements, or one of the plastic free sunscreens listed here). I apply Burt's Bees Red Dahlia lip balm every morning. It's not vegan, but Leaping Bunny certified, and they have a takeback program for the containers, which are reused for new lip balms, or turned into yogurt containers and park benches. I'm considering Fat and the Moon Ruby Red tinted balm after finishing this (2/3/2018 update: Fat and the Moon is also not vegan, only plastic free- I now use Urb Apothecary).
Sometimes I use Votre Vu eyebrow powder my mom was going to get rid of with an Ecotools brush as eyeliner. It's in glass with a metal (plastic lined) lid. If I feel like it, I curl my lashes and apply W3LL People mascara, which is the best mascara I've ever tried, period (UPDATE: I now use Ilia Beauty). I love the recycled packaging and silicon brush. It's gentle (I think it also smells good but who smells mascara), doesn't flake or smudge, is easily removable, and doesn't make my eyelashes fall out like conventional mascaras did. I liked RMS Beauty, but it stung my eyes and they changed the packaging so the product dries out prematurely. Maybe I got a bad batch of Kjaer Weis mascara, which did nothing for my lashes, flaked like crazy, and felt like acid if any accidentally touched my pupils. W3LL People offsets carbon emissions via Carbonfund.org, and you can drop off used tubes at Origins, which has a brand agnostic recycling program. I considered Ilia Beauty mascara, but W3LL People was at Target, so...
I like bronzer and blush because my face is so big, but I don't have time to dehydrate beets and cocoa powder makes me hungry. As much as I love Kjaer Weis compacts, I don't mess with cream makeup formulas. Also, despite being unencumbered by reality as I am, I'm not about to spend $56 on something that's just going to disappear on my face. I'll probably try one of the refillable pressed cheek colors from Elate Cosmetics, which offers bamboo compacts and seed packaging.
PM: Wet a washcloth (one of my knitted hemp ones or a cotton one from around the house) and scrub. Sometimes I moisturize eyes or lashes only with olive oil / coconut oil / castor oil, which I apply with fingers to remove eye makeup, before wiping off with a washcloth (I fail to see the purpose of reusable facial rounds). Water only eliminated my cystic acne, and when I do get a zit, just letting it heal naturally is quicker than any pimple cream I tried, even dermatologist prescribed products. Sometimes the washcloth pops a blemish- that's fine. Since switching to water only, they always disappear within 48 hours without scarring.
Body
PM: Shower and shave with bar soap (I love evening showers, they help me unwind, and I also need to be clean before I get into bed). I don't care about the kind of soap, as long as it's moisturizing and locally available. Dr. Bronner's All in One is cheap here (UPDATE: I now use palm oil free Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve), and if I find unpackaged vegan soaps at stores I buy them. I shave with a Merkur razor. I have a pack of Kai blades and moisturize with coconut oil. I don't think it's a good idea to shave or brush teeth with coconut oil, because it clogs drains. Straight baking soda is the best deodorant. Swipe underarms with coconut oil first, then apply with fingers. Zero waste deodorant doesn't have to be difficult- baking soda is not that messy or hard to use, it's not complicated! If you really need a creamier formula, mix one part cornstarch, one part baking soda, and one part coconut or sweet almond oil. You can also dissolve 1/4 teaspoon baking soda per every 120 mL water in a spray bottle, or use a simple lemon or lime slice, or diluted ACV, or a Meow Meow Tweet deodorant. I know people who've quit using deodorant and truly don't smell anymore. The deodorant detox recipes don't work, but quitting cold turkey will (as will changing your diet. Taking activated charcoal internally or ACV will help).
Hair
Water only. Yes, I have one hair tie I found on the ground. Sometimes I put coconut oil on the ends, or use lavender essential oil (here, lots of people make their own essential oils, I have several gallons I can use, or I can purchase from Refill Revolution) if I plan on tossing my hair or something.
Dental care
Brush with a bamboo toothbrush and bar soap once a day, baking soda once a day. Coconut oil for oil pulling, and siwak or neem in place of floss. I still need to try Vomel, which I think is the most sustainable option available right now UPDATE: I now use Dental Lace, biodegradable mulberry silk floss in a refillable glass jar.
Some beauty / personal care brands offering refillable options or popular among the zero waste, plastic free community include Meow Meow Tweet, Ellis Faas, Beatnik Naturals, Holistic Science Co., Le Labo (which is not cruelty free), Living Libations, Schmidt's, Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve, Plaine Products, and Call of the Vialed. I work a lot, and travel a lot for work, so I don't have the time to make stuff anymore. When I'm home, I'd rather spend time cooking food or sleeping and I'm not much of a DIY person anyway. Buying is just easier for me right now.
I really like the Fig + Yarrow balm (comes in a metal tin, most if not all formulas are vegan) - nice tint and quite moisturizing!
ReplyDeletehttps://figandyarrow.com/products/rose-vanilla-tinted-lip-sheen
DeleteI was just going to say the same thing! It's my lip color but better. Great cuticle and nail salve as well.
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DeleteOh I think I saw this on Instagram! I love the tin, so pretty (I'm actually fascinated by the utility and design of non plastic packaging)
DeleteYour beauty routine is the minimalist/zero waste ideal!
ReplyDeleteIn my case I would switch out coconut oil with a glass bottle of raspberry seed oil (coconut oil, along with other favorites such as waxy jojoba, or oleic-acid heavy olive, almond, argan oils break me out like no other). Thankfully, my favorite sunscreen by Derma-E comes in recyclable plastic packaging, so it makes me feel slightly better about having to buy something in a plastic squeeze bottle.
It seems like Hurraw is the only mainstream brand that has a vegan alkanet tip tint.
Also, recently I tried cleaning my used glass dropper bottles, and was able to do so successfully! However, I'm leaning more towards re-using glass bottles with a plastic reducer attachment, since it prevents contamination and is less of a hassle to clean.
That is awesome ! I love red raspberry seed oil... for some reason coconut and olive oil don't break me out when I use iron my body or around my eyes... on my face though, it's a huge mess. Sunscreen is one of those things I don't think people should skimp on even without a perfectly zero waste solution... I guess I feel the same way about floss too even though I hypocritically use neither of those things myself
DeleteOnce I tried oil cleansing with coconut oil - it felt lovely, but I didn't look too hot after a day when I started getting red spots on my face. It's too bad. I like the idea of being able to carry something around with you that is edible as well as beautifying, but I shouldn't complain, because dry skin comes with its own woes. Yes, red raspberry seed oil is lovely - it's the perfect consistency for me.
DeleteI'm at risk for skin cancer due to my pale skin and proneness to pigmentation/moles, so I have to use sunscreen, or wear a hat and long sleeves if I'm not indoors. I like to walk, and wearing a hat in the summer breaks me out.
My father is a dermatologist, and tells me that the whole re-apply every hour is a guideline that applies to chemical screens that break down, or for when you're sweating profusely or in water. Otherwise, a once a day application of mineral sunscreen should be enough, since it's a physical barrier - sadly, dermatologists are complicit in the money-making beauty/skincare industry, so it doesn't hurt them to push product.
As Jane W says below, the less makeup you wear, the less gunk you have blocking your pores. The more make-up/sunscreen you wear, the more exfoliators, cleansers, pore-treatments, etc. dermatologists and aestheticians get to sell to you. Make-up can be fun but I think that most of the time it's about conforming to social expectations - many experts don't like to say this but, make-up, especially foundation/concealer, does make your skin worse. My father doesn't recommend it - mineral or otherwise. There's a reason why models often talk about "giving their skin a break."
Very interesting, especially about the once a day application of mineral sunscreen! I cover up with sleeves and a scarf (ok actually a turkish towel) when I'm in the sun, especially in the desert or the tropics, because I would have to apply sunscreen all the time otherwise. I completely agree that it's more about social norms and ugh foundation ruined my skin
DeleteTurkish towels are awesome! I have a colleague who uses one she bought in Istanbul as a scarf - it's very elegant. I also like to wearing shawls over any sleeveless/short-sleeve tops or dresses in the daytime. There's always the evening for showing skin in warm balmy weather :)
DeleteIt is true that mineral sunscreens need more exfoliation to remove from skin. As a fair skinned gal, I use mineral sunscreen everyday ~ so a few times a week, maybe 2x per week, I use powdered oatmeal to scrub my face with (just put raw oats in a blender and blend until a powder forms).
DeleteRachel P.
That sounds like an awesome exfoliant Rachel!
DeleteI prefer an umbrella (with the UPF rating) over hats od sunscreen. It is light enough so I can always carry it with me and very comfortable to use. I can even protect an another person too, if it is needed and it does not spoil my hairstyle :).
DeleteO how i love the ease...
ReplyDeleteYour routine is so minimal too, and beautiful, it's an inspiration!
DeleteI am evolving too. Left out the rose water because my brand changed to plastic packaging... my skin is still fine, I still get a lot of questions about it (which is really funny because I am sooo basic). I did send a letter about my extreme disapointment about the packaging though... they are thinking about changing it up again.
DeleteI recently cut waaaaay down on my makeup usage I wish I had done it 20 years and $10,000 sooner.
ReplyDeleteYou know what refines your pores? Not having to cleanse makeup out of them every night. (Cue choir of angels.)
Lol good point! Also all the extra sleep we get from not applying and cleansing makeup must have done more for our skin than anything else
ReplyDeleteCouldn't stop laughing at your comment 'Yes, I have one hair tie I found on the ground.' Bloody hilarious!!
ReplyDeleteIt is so lovely to read your posts again! I hope you are doing well and getting some joy out of each day of life.
ReplyDeleteI love how your posts seem to balance frankness and poetry. I recently switched to, and then discovered that I cannot handle Dr. Bronner's products. I have eczema and the soap aggravated it. Even though that company does an impeccable job at using sustainable, natural, and organic materials, they actually don't disclose every ingredient they use in their soaps. Some soaps, even the organic all-natural ones, don't usually disclose ingredients like "Cocamidopropyl Betaine," which is a foaming agent. I found this disheartening since I'm trying to balance zero-waste with accessibility/convenience/my sanity.
I'm resorted to all olive-oil soaps like ones offered by Kiss-My-Face since they, too, are Leaping Bunny certified.
That's my fun fact :)
Thank you so much Julie, and that's a great point about the hidden ingredients. My favorite soaps are olive oil based too, I especially loved Aleppo, which you can buy unpackaged in so many places in Paris. Actually my grandmother can only use olive oil soaps for her sensitive skin. Thanks for the Kiss my Face recommendation.
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