Have you ever thought to look at the ingredients of your cosmetics before applying them to your face? For most collegiettes the answer is: probably not, its not like you’re eating it or anything! That is why it’s shocking to find that most of the cosmetics we use everyday may contain harmful chemicals, including human carcinogens and skin-disease causing agents.
In light of the celebration of Earth Day today, it might be time to take a little look at what exactly you are putting on your skin, and to find some more healthy and green alternatives. Her Campus got the scoop on what beauty brands you should grab and where to shop in order to lead a more healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle.
1. Burt’s Bees is probably the most popular green brand that is widely available. You can find this brand on drugstore shelves from CVS, to Target, to Walgreen’s. Natural or not, their lip care line is one of the best. For collegiettes looking for a “quick fix” for some fabulously soft lips and glowing skin, this should be your go-to brand.
2. Tarte Cosmetics is stocked like any big beauty brand with poppy and fresh finds. Collegiettes will find an array of products from bronzers to eye shadow primer at affordable prices. You can get Tarte products online or at big beauty product retailers such as Ulta and Sephora.
3. Pur Minerals is the green beauty brand with arguably the best prices and inventory. Snag fun finds like complete eye liner sets and mini compacts of eye shadow in fun colors. In celebration of Earth Day Collegiettes can get an entire Earth Day kit (including foundation, bronzer, pressed powder, facial serum, mascara, and a brush to apply) for just $50.
4. Physician’s Formula is on the cutting edge of innovation in eco-friendly makeup. They offer an enormous selection of products, some of which you will not find from other brands. This unique finds include a light-up mascara tube with a mirror, stackable nail polish bottles, and bronzer made with ingredients scientifically proven to make you happier. The brand can be found at drug and beauty supply stores worldwide, including Target, Krugger, Kmart, Ulta, and many many more retailers. Check out the website to find out more locations where you can buy.
5. Organic Gurus is a website dedicated to green products beyond make-up, but their make-up selection is covetable. The site brings together an array of green brands that collegiettes can experiment with.
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6. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is a hip 100% vegan and cruelty-free brand offering makeup that will definitely make you stand out. The brand carries a range of lip colors, nail polishes, and eye shadows in bright and bold colors. We love their lip tar, which combines the longevity of a lip stick in a gloss form. The lip tar comes in fun colors like True Fuschia Metallic and Electric Grandma Classic Coral Frost.
7. Jose Maran is a luxury eco-friendly brand started by a former model of that name. You will find a huge selection of top of line products for your face, hair, and body. We love the added benefits of the products and the unconventional packaging- like the wipes of nail polish remover and sticks of lip & cheek stain.
8. Armour Beauty is a lipgloss line with a kick. Started by Theo Kogan, the first fully-sleeved runway model, the glosses come in colors infused with a little rock ‘n roll. Get cool colors from Femme Fatale to Foxy and all for $21 per tube.
9. RMS cosmetic products are so natural, that they are good enough to eat (not that we are advising it!). Their products also feed and rejuvenate your skin when you wear them. You will find all your basic beauty products. The only downside is that their prices are a little bit steeper.
10. Aveda is known for their expertise in hair care, but they have a good amount of cosmetic product as well. With a more conservative palette, Aveda has a great selection of pressed powders, bronzers, blushes, and lipsticks. We love their lip colors which leave lips nourished as well as looking great.
This is not meant to frighten you. On the contrary, it’s to help you to make more informed decisions about the makeup you choose to buy. No need to fret because there are plenty of green & healthful products available for collegiettes to try. To learn more about the cosmetics you use, you can explore the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database. Happy Earth Day!
Images Courtesy of: purminerals.com, armourbeauty.com, blisstree.com, www.eyeshadowlipstick.com, and nymag.com