When Anya Hindmarch released her much-hyped eco-friendly ‘I’m not a Plastic Bag’ tote, I decided it deserved a permanent place in my wardrobe! The bag quickly became my essential carryall as I shimmied from work, to the market, to the gym. Besides toting around the ‘it bag’ of the season, my inner green spirit was released. All of a sudden I became envious over the prime parking spots reserved for hybrid vehicles at my local Ikea, started taking jaunts out of the city to pick organic berries, and began asking my father if his deodorant was aluminum free. Embracing green was easier than I thought, and I didn’t even need to channel my inner boho to capture the essence. The one area that remained unscathed was my beauty depot. I can talk about parabens and lead in makeup until I’m blue in the face, but parting with my favourite beauty products would constitute a breakup of grand proportions. However, never being one to back down from a dare (even if it’s self induced), I decided to challenge myself to use only eco-friendly and organic beauty products for two weeks.
Could I live up to the challenge? This would prove to be an exercise in self-discipline. It started with removing of all my existing non-EFO (eco-friendly/organic) products that live in my bathroom, and replacing them with my new EFOs. To attempt this project fairly over the two-week period, I had to cover all of my beauty bases, including everything from a body scrub to mascara. My first challenge? To take off my coveted non-EFO dark polish with my new soya and corn based nail polish remover. While the nail polish doesn’t glide off as smoothly as the non-EFO, it does the job and actually leaves my nails feeling moisturized. Also the smell is divine! Instead of the nauseating (fake lemon, rubbing alcohol) stench I was used to, this one smells like lily of the valley.
To keep motivated during my two-week trial, I log on to saffronrouge.com and read organic beauty expert Kirstin Binder’s blog that’s chock-full of inspiring eco-beauty ideas. I’m also amazed at how many newly released EFO products are dropped off at my desk for my consideration here at the magazine. Could the eco-gods be shining down on me? Or is the eco-world giving the beauty world a run for its money? As more and more women are making a conscious effort for the environment and their health, I can’t help but wonder if I should fully pledge my beauty allegiance to the eco-crusade.
With each passing day, my new products quickly turn into a regime. There’s the Burt’s Bees Cinna-Mint toothpaste; the Herbalist Cream Cleanser face wash; and the Lemony Flutter body cream that I’ve come to adore. In all honesty, I worried that I would face drastic skin and hair disruptions with my new 'green' regime, but to my chagrin, my hair and skin looked as good as ever! Daily makeup application was easy and fun because of the vast selection of shades and colours that EFO makeup comes in.
As the two weeks trail along, I find myself becoming more and more absorbed in the issue. It’s quite the hot topic around the globe, with an endless barrage of information in magazines and newspapers voicing opinions on planet-friendly beauty. One afternoon over soy chais, my PFP (planet-friendly pal) tells me about a new book she is enjoying, Ecoholic by Adria Vasil, which dishes out practical tips, tricks and products that are all environmentally friendly. It’s a must read for the planet-conscious, and I make a mental note to order it online.
Before I know it, it’s the last day of my two-week challenge. I am happy to report that I emerged successful, having found a new appreciation for eco-friendly and organic products. I find it hard to part with my newbies and decide they deserve a permanent place on my makeup shelf alongside my old favourites (hey, it’s a compromise). Brides, can you take the two-week challenge? I’m confident that you will find your inner green spirit too.
These are a few of the products I used during my two-weeks:
Moisturizing shampoo and conditioner by Live Clean $7 each, at Shoppers Drug Mart and Wal-Mart.
Tunu Elastik Hair Tamer by Ojon, $27 at, sephora.com.
Herbalist Cream Cleanser by Linden Leaves $37, at lindenleaves.ca.
Herbalist Exfoliating Facial Wash by Linden Leaves $30, at lindenleaves.ca.
Papaya Body Scrub by The Body Shop $22, at The Body Shop.
Barely Pink-Signature Lipstick by David Scott $26, at davidscottcosmetics.com.
Black Mascara by Dr. Hauschka $30, at saffronrouge.com.
Pure Pressed Eye Shadow in Khaki Kraze by Jane Iredale, $34, at spas and stogryn.ca.
Lemony Flutter Hand and Body lotion by Lush, $12, at lushc.ca.
Cinna-Mint Tooth Paste by Burt’s Bees, $9, at burtsbees.com.
