Wednesday 20 April 2011

Earth Day Ramp Up: The Beauty Edition


First of all- Tanis Fiber Arts is having a giveaway! Go leave a comment for a chance to win!

I know I don't often talk about some of my non-knitting personal habits, but with Earth Day coming up on Friday, I thought this would be a good time. Most of the products I use are 'green' products, and I feel like I've tried enough of them that I thought I'd give you my faves. the first one is what I feel is the most important, since skin care is generally something we all care about. I personally don't see how slathering oil and petroleum industry by-products onto my face will give me the skin I want. Here are three simple products that I love, work great, and are better for you and the environment:

First up: Rose Hip Seed Oil

I use rose hip seed oil on my skin every night when I go to bed. Just a dime sized amount mixed with whatever moisturizer you  currently use is perfect. I bet in about two weeks you'll notice a real difference in your skin. Brand doesn't matter, and you can get it at every health food store every where. It's about $15. It's magic.






 Next up: Tarte Cheek Stain


This product is amazing, and also rocks as a lip stain. I use the 'natural beauty' colour. And I know $30 seems like a lot for blush, but this will last you a looong time. And it's free of parabens, sulphates, synthetic fragrances, petro chemicals, and Phthalates (all that stuff- terrible for you!). Which brings me to me next point- you see that green symbol on this shamelessly thieved photo from Sephora? Sephora actually has an entire section devoted to earth friendly beauty and hair products. Go check it out!



What about perfume? Glad you asked:  Lavanila

This smells incredible. The company has a series of fragrances and body care products that smell utterly, unbelievably amazing. Vanilla Grapefruit (pictured above) is my favourite.  Considering the kinds of chemicals that go into perfumes that you then tend to spray directly onto your skin, a more earth friendly choice of fragrance will definitely benefit both you and the planet.

I hope you'll take a closer look at some greener products that you will enjoy! Let me know if you do try any of the above.

24 comments:

Emily Repnyek said...

I use all burts bees products for my face, and I use desert essence organics for my lotion of choice. I also use lush soap for my shower soap.

Kaitlin said...

I love this post! I was a little shocked to find out that dove and major drugstore brands of deodorant all test on animals. I found that TOMs of Maine is a PETA approved, cruelty free company that makes a great stick deodorant. Best of all it's clear and those white marks don't occur!

Teresa said...

Thanks for all the tips! I'm always on the look out for good, more natural selections for personal products.
I'm really curious about the Lavanilla now - must go and find it!

margaux said...

awesome! i'll definitely check those out. Sephora even has a sale today!

Julie said...

I use Tom's of Maine deodorant, too! I love the apricot one. :) I'm definitely not a fan of testing beauty products on animals, it's totally unnecessary.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the Sephora link! I'm trying to find some cruelty/chemical free products for my wedding make up. I don't know how many of the eco products I use are available in the states/Canada, but I swear by Dr Bronner's castille soap, Pitrok deoderant and bare minerals powder for make up.

Anonymous said...

Of course we can't get that cheek stain here. Figures. I tend to use stuff by this tiny company here in the UK: Mother Earth.

Evelyn said...

I use Yes to Carrots which is delightful and have been meaning to try Tarte! Yes, these products tend to cost more but it's absolutely worth it!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great tips! I'm going to go smell that perfume asap. And I definitely need to add some rose oil to my facial regime, your skin looks great!

Rachael said...

I use Vitamin E oil on my face, the same way you do with the Rose Hip stuff - a dab mixed in with whatever moisturizer I happen to be using. It has made such a difference in my skin!

Sabrina said...

Thanks for this post! I love when I find other people that care about their bodies and the environment like I do. I'm definitely going to give these suggestions a try. I am using Avalon Organics Vitamin C face wash and moisturizer. It works pretty well, I think. And my sister makes soap, so I've decided to buy all my soap from her from now on.

Adriana said...

Awesome post, Julie. We've been trying to replace all our personal care products with things that are better for the environment and for us. I'm going to have to look for the ones you suggest. What moisturizer do you use?

Julie said...

Hi Adriana! I am not particularly faithful to a night cream, but I like Yes to Carrots Night Cream. I've also used Boscia, and really liked it. I'm pretty frugal, so I buy what tends to be on sale, or what I can afford at the time I'm running low on my current cream.

Anonymous said...

Well, your skin looks incredible, girl. I guess that Rose Hip Seed OIl works!

Maryse said...

These products do seem very pleasant to use! Great post!

Carolyn M said...

I have read that the most vital part of your beauty routine is to use a good sunscreen on a daily basis. I have been using DeVita Natural Skin Care Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+. Using a sunscreen is the best anti-aging defense a person can use.

jen said...

I am definitely going to try the rose hip oil! I have super sensitive skin, allergic to fragrances + parabens and am a celiac so there's hardly anything I can use. That said I've found the Korres products amazing!

Knit 1 LA said...

Thanks for the info! The older I get the more sensitive my skin becomes. I've read the more you use chemically products your skin builds up allergies to them. After years of dying my hair I had to stop my skin couldn't take it anymore. :(
Try 100% pure coconut oil before you towel off from the shower. It'll make your skin feel amazing!

PoorKnitter said...

Your my first/new favorite blog! Ever. I love your go green beauty products and I'm excited to check em out.

Cakewalk Yarns said...

I've tried that perfume & love it! Oddly, I found it in the gift shop at our hospital when I went for x-rays. I didn't know it was at Sephora, thanks for the tip.

PineappleBoy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I'll definitely have to try these!

I've been slowly finding green products to replace non-green ones around the house. my most recent find: method laundry detergent. i love everything about it: smell, packaging, the pump system, everything. next on my to find list: conditioner that plays nice with my hair...

Anonymous said...

I'll have to try the rose oil. My poor skin... I wish I would have used sunscreen on my face all of those years. I don't have blemishes, but I do have wrinkles and sun spots. I love Bare Minerals make-up - it evens out my skin tone without settling into lines and looks natural.

Anonymous said...

These green posts are full of so much good information, thanks! I have been trying to make the switch to greener (vegan, no petrochemicals, etc) beauty products as I replace things that run out. I like the Desert Essence face wash and moisturizer, and use Avalon Organics and Dr. Bronner's soaps too. Still looking for a shampoo I'm happy with, though.