natural and sustainable

After spending much too much time digging through my make-up bag I decided I needed to do a little fall cleaning.  Here’s what I discovered.

According to ecosalon.com most women end up trying to branch out with new cosmetics but our fear of change combined with what naturally looks good with our skin tone ends up being a shade very close to what we already have.  I can now identify myself as an owner of four almost identical lip glosses, three one-shade-away eye shadows, and two matching eye pencils that I was sure were different.

What does this mean?  Maybe branching out isn’t in the cards for all of us.  Or maybe we just need to organize our stash of cosmetics more often.  Either way, I’ve decided to keep trying to mix it up, but my efforts will now be dedicated to switching my cosmetics over to all natural cosmetics made by sustainable companies.

To be honest, my sister-in-law is the one who really encouraged this transition.  Last Christmas my present was a package of cover up, blush, and loose powder from Physicians Formula Organic Wear.  I rarely wear powder cosmetics but I tried it out and I love it.

I’ve done a little reading lately and here’s the sustainable scoop on what people are recommending from the world of cosmetics.

Erika Mayyasi from sheknows.com recommends Alima Pure and the Austrailian brand Nvey Eco.  My friend from college, Lauren, said she uses Colorscience Brightening Primer, and my co-worker, Sarah, who has oodles of experience in the sustainable region of the cosmetic world gave me a full review on her favorite sustainable cosmetic brands such as Kiss my Face, Dr. Bronner, Alba, and Avalon.

Inspired by all of the people out there switching over to natural cosmetics, I did a little research to see what the cosmetic companies are up to.  To my surprise and delight I discovered the Sustainable Cosmetic Summit.  This year will mark the 6^th European Cosmetic Summit during which cosmetic companies meet to discuss issues in the industry including how to best practice sustainability and how to use green ingredients.  The Summit takes place on the weekend of November 28, 2011.  I’ll keep you updated.

Sources:

http://www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/articles/809081/5-eco-friendly-makeup-lines

http://www.sustainablecosmeticssummit.com/aboutthesummit.htm

http://ecosalon.com/high-definition-curbing-makeup-repeats-250/

Images:

http://www.c2cportal.net/2011/05/sustainable-cosmetics-summit-comes-to.html

http://www.healthtrition.com/category/makeup/

http://www.makeupcore.com/

A nice nature box model.

Hiking is a fun and healthy way to stay in shape. A nature box is a piece of art that is created from what you find on a hike or hikes. Here is how you to can go about making your very own nature box.

1. Find a box. Use a crate, cardboard box, or pieces of wood around your house to use as your frame for the art that you will find. Your box can be any size but keep in mind that a bigger box will require more things to fill it so you may have to go on more than one hike.
2. Go on a hike. Beaches work great because you never know what you will find washed up on the shore. Hiking for a nature box takes a keen eye and a certain amount of trail blazing. Often, however, the most interesting items are found off of the beaten path.
3. On your hike collect things that interest you or are visually appealing. There is no limit to what you may find, from pretty rocks, brightly colored leaves, the potential is limitless.
4. You may find things on your hike that are not part of nature that appeal to you like rusted metal, bullet casings, and shells. If you are on a beach you can find glass that has been smoothed down by the sand (do not pick up sharp glass). However, most of the things that you will find are not on this list- this is what makes a nature box original, as no two are the same and you never know what you may find.
5. Once you have the subject pieces for your nature box, affix them into your box however you see fit. Hot glue and nails generally work great for bigger items, whereas tacky glue can do for the small things. Between these three things you can affix most anything you find (it doesn’t hurt to have a roll of duct tape handy though).
6. Admire your box; your box is organic and unique to you. If one hike did not fill your box or you are dissatisfied by the composition, then you can go on another hike to fill it or try and re-arrange the items (if possible), or start over entirely. There is no end to what you can find, meaning the nature box is full of limitless possibility.

Nature boxes are fun, and can often lead to environmental cleanup of “junk” that is visually appealing. Remember, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Have fun on your hike, enjoy nature for what it is, as it does not cost a thing. Happy hunting.

Image Sources:

http://lemoncholys.blogspot.com/2009/07/typesetter-drawer-shadowbox.html

http://artpropelled.blogspot.com/2009/09/nature-walk.html