As a girl trying to put her money where her mouth is, I’ve run into some real black holes in the green market. We’re lucky to have green companies giving us some eco-friendly options — like green bath products — which have become relatively easy to find. I can pick from big, widely-avaliable chains like The Body Shop and Kiss My Face, or get even more nitpicky and go for lines like Bonicca, that take the time and energy to get certified organic, to get licenced as cruelty-free by the leaping bunny, and to look into 100% recyclable containers made of corn.
But thinking about the relatively easy availabilty of green lotions and bath products made me think about the green products I’ve been looking for, but haven’t been able to find — at all. For example, does anyone make a cruelty-free, organic waterproof eyeliner?
“Waterproof” is the key word, because non-waterproof eyeliners tend to run on me (If you condemn the use of eyeliner in general, know that I’m at least conflicted about my use of it). This rules out the one eyeliner that The Body Shop offers — I’ve tried it, with depressingly ugly results. Seriously, I’ve searched and searched, but so far, nothing. Today, I ordered an eyeliner from Garden Botanika, which I’ll report back on — Though to be honest, I’m not too hopeful. (**Update, 9/26/05: The Garden Botanika eyeliner was indeed terrible — Didn’t stay in place, smudged everywhere. Luckily, they have a return policy, though by the end of it I’ll have spent about $8 on shipping costs.)
Other things on my wants list: Organic, cruelty-free eye cream with SPF, and organic, cruelty-free foundation and powder suitable for Asian skin. The Body Shop stuff, and pretty much all the other green makeup options I’ve tried, are much too pink. I know by the rather frightening pink and orange faces I see on campus at USC that color-matching is not a concern some women, but most of us really prefer to retain our natural skin color, albeit with a more even tone.
And I’m not the only greenie in want. Check out City Hippy’s want list (scroll down the sidebar), which includes everything from ethical wind chimes to cheap eco-bedding. Both City Hippy and I are looking for a good, sprayable organic perfume.
Any leads would be appreciated. Or if you have the resources, perhaps you could start a green Asian makeup store that also carries eco-friendly wind chimes and serves fair trade coffee on the side?
Probably this takes away the last remains of my manhood (if there was any to begin with), but have you tried L’Occitane en Provence stuff? They are not certified organic but are cruelty-free, animal-free, and source their ingredients locally (which of course is not very local to the US). What is more, at least the one “male-compatible” EdT I’ve tried seems not to have any unlisted ingredients in the form of “parfum” – only explicitly listed essential oils. They have a line of perfumes too. What originally raised my interest in them was their packaging. It had a Braille label. Now this is what I call a sales argument.
Comment by avs — September 16, 2005 @ 11:04 pm
Well now, THERE’S a career opportunity for someone! You????
I try to be okay with minimizing my impact on the planet and its people. It’s the rare product that is PERFECT -environmentally friendly, causy packaging, fair trade, and costs less than a house. I wish it were different.
Andrea
Comment by Andrea — September 17, 2005 @ 6:07 am
“…if you have the resources, perhaps you could start a green Asian makeup store that also carries eco-friendly wind chimes and serves fair trade coffee on the side?”
I think that’s your calling, Siel.
Comment by Fletch — September 17, 2005 @ 7:24 pm
Wait — but I don’t know anything about making makeup or windchimes! I could totally take charge of the fair trade coffee though — I’ve always secretely wanted to be a green barista…
avs — I think it’s great that you’re embracing your inner metrosexual. Kiehl’s is esp. popular with the LA boys, though their labels have no braille. Thanks for pointing me to this — It’s something I hadn’t considered before. I have a visually challenged student in my class this semester, and am trying to be more personally aware and thoughtful about issues of equal access and opportunity –
Comment by Siel — September 17, 2005 @ 9:59 pm
A weird coincidence — One of the profs on my dissertation committee gave me a L’Occitane candle as a congrats for passing my quals. It is indeed braille-engraved! I’m not a big fan, however, of the honey scent. Hoping I can exchange it –
Comment by Siel — September 27, 2005 @ 11:18 pm
For organic skincare, you really cannot beat Jurlique (actually, they go one step furhter – ‘biodynamic’). It is an Australian brand. Their eye creams do not have an SPF, but what I do is put the eye cream on and then layer it with their SPF lotion – which is light and gentle enough for that area.
Quality organic makeup is a bit harder – I am a fan of Nvey. Although I really have to be honest – I dont think you will get waterproof eyeliner that is also organic. At least not that I have seen, anyway.
A new thing I have seen around is organic waterproof mascara – what it does is put tiny tubes around your lashes (sounds crazy but it works!). The upside of this is that the mascara does not do the damage to your eyelashes like ordinary waterproof mascara.
Goodluck, and am interested to hear what you find!
Comment by Eve — January 4, 2009 @ 4:15 am