It’s Enviro-Mama Thursday here on Strocel.com, and today I’m trying out some more sustainable makeup options. It’s my One Green Thing for October. But before I get into that, I’ll update you on my One Green Thing for September, which was switching a portion of my heating fuel to biogas.
At the beginning of the month I signed up for renewable natural gas through my gas company. It was fast and easy, and to use biogas for 10% of my heat I will be spending about $5 per month, on average. I also interviewed Matt Dickson of Cowpower BC. While I still haven’t signed up for his service, I’m considering it now that they’ve added the option to purchase a set dollar amount of cowpower each month. The minimum is $10, which is a little easier to swing for most people.
This month, I decided to focus on myself for my One Green Thing. Yesterday, I attended the Leading Moms event here in Vancouver. I was one of a half dozen moms who walked the runway wearing some Nicole Bridger fashions. As I considered the reality of being a model, even in such a limited capacity, I could not ignore the fact that my makeup is extremely outdated. I bought most of it before my children were born. I had one eyeliner, in light brown, and a very limited selection of eyeshadow and lipstick. I haven’t bought any makeup in living memory for two main reasons: (1) I rarely wear it, and (2) I have concerns about most makeup. I’ve read the stories about lead in lipstick, and I’m worried about animal testing and the use of petrochemicals.
I decided that it was time to update cosmetic collection so that I can dress up if I want to, and I did a little research. I saw that some people whose opinions I respect had good things to say about Gabriel Cosmetics. Since they happen to be carried at my local organic grocery store, I headed out to buy some.
Gabriel makes two lines – the more affordable Gabriel Color and the pricier Zuzu Luxe. I opted for the more affordable option, and even still it was pretty pricy. I paid more than I would have by buying off the Gabriel website, but since I didn’t have to pay shipping (no free shipping for Canadians) it evened out. Plus, I needed the stuff for the next day, so I couldn’t wait. In the end I bought one lipstick, two eyeshadows and two eyeliners, and it cost me about $90. This isn’t cheap makeup. Plus, the selection is somewhat limited compared to what you’d find in your average drug store if you’re buying Cover Girl. But, Gabriel isn’t tested on animals, it’s vegan and gluten-free, and they don’t use any synthetic chemicals.
In trying the makeup out at home I found the lipstick and eyeliner were great. I had a harder time with the eyeshadow. It’s more powdery than conventional products, for one thing. For another, it didn’t come with an applicator, so I was using a brush, which I’ve never done before. There’s definitely a learning curve there, which makes it a little tricky if you’re not exactly a makeup pro.
I feel much better about using these products, but I’m not going to be able to buy a whole lot of them. I can’t afford to. Although for me that’s okay, since makeup is only a once-in-a-while thing in my world. It does feel good to know that when I do dress up and wear makeup I’ll be wearing something that’s safer and more sustainable. And it really feels good to know that when one of my kids asks to try out a little lipstick, they won’t be getting any lead along with it.
I wonder what you think – have you tried green makeup, and what did you think? Do you have any brands you’d recommend? And how much more would you be willing to pay to make sure you’re not spreading toxins on your skin? Share your thoughts! Also, if you’d like to get in on the act and take on One Green Thing of your own, I’d love to hear about it. Feel free to grab the button from this post if you’re blogging about it, and spread the enviro-love.
amberstrocel
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amberstrocel
Twitter: blauelibelle
says:
Makeup is on the list of things to ‘green’, but it’s way down there… I have a lot of MAC that I really like to use & I don’t want to just pitch it. I’m not too concerned over the toxins as I rarely wear it. I do wear lip balm most days–that’s something I switched to greener brands years ago.
As for using a brush for eyeshadow application, it’s really the best way to go, once you get the hang of it. I quit using those awful little spongey things years ago & haven’t looked back. It’s hard to see what kind of brush you got in the photo–is it an angled one or rounded? I use two: one rounded soft one for shadow & one small angled one (it’s the same kind of bristles, but it’s less flexible because it’s shorter) for eyeliner smudging, using dark shadow instead of eyeliner or using shadow to fill in my brows.
Lisa C’s last post … Halloween Arrives Early with The Great Big Boo!
Twitter: AmberStrocel
says:
The brush I got is angled – they didn’t have any round brushes. That explains my issues, at least in part. The eyeshadow was going on too dark. Since I’m not looking to enter a belated goth phase, I think I’ll track down a rounded brush.
Twitter: jenarbo
says:
Here’s the thing for me. I use makeup so infrequently, that it tends to go bad (because it does expire) before I manage to use it. So, $90 for a few pieces simply isn’t going to happen. like Lisa, makeup is near the bottom of my “green” to-do list.
Jen’s last post … Belgian Waffle Cookies: Lukken
Twitter: AmberStrocel
says:
This was my first reaction, too – I wear makeup infrequently, so I couldn’t justify spending that much money.
Ultimately what I came around to in my head is that makeup actually isn’t super-cheap. I would have spent less for the same items at a drugstore, but it probably still would have been $50-60. And at $19.99 for a lipstick the Gabriel is right in line with what you’d pay at someplace like Sephora. So in the end if I’m buying makeup at all, I’m swallowing the fact that I’m buying something expensive and frivolous, that I probably won’t use in its entirety before it goes bad. If I’m already shelling out, in my mind, I may as well be buying something that I feel somewhat good about using.
Of course, this is just my thought process for now. I may give up on the eyeshadow in frustration, or I may find that my run of wearing makeup 2-3 times a month in August and September was a lifetime high point and I never buy it again. Who knows?