You are moving to the UK or
you are already living here, and your supply of make-up and body products
from back home (wherever that is) is starting to dwindle. You are probably
nervous as to where you are going to go…Boots?? Superdrug?? Not that there is
anything obviously wrong with these franchises, but the general brands they
stock there that meet my needs were either too expensive or there really wasn’t
anything that met my needs.
If you are an eco-friendly lady
like myself, I did find I struggled when I first arrived to Edinburgh. After
having found the perfect mineral make-up and body products that were paraben
and SLS free (among other things) back home in Australia, I thought what a pain
to have to go and find a new make-up and body products brand that would cover
my ethical-self checklist:
- Paraben and SLS free
- organic/naturally derived products
- chemical free
- recycable packaging
- NOT tested on animals
I try to use the above as a general guideline when shopping for products, because if we all do our little bit, I really do believe we can help the planet. I know it sounds clichéd, but it does help, imagine if a different person each day started recycling, or giving clothes away to charity instead of throwing them out, etc. We can all do our bit and after all things you hear about make-up products and the treatment of animals - why the hell would you want to do that to a poor bunny or puppy?!!
Even back home in Australia, the
anti-animal testing protest resurfaced recently after a Greens senator introduced the End Cruel Cosmetics Bill to parliament, a couple of weeks ago. My home country
currently has no law in the importing of products that have been tried and
tested on animals. With the EU being shown on a pedestal for its law where it
stops brands being sold within the EU that have been tested on animals – except
with brands that have used a loophole – where the product can be sold within
the EU, if the product is made in a country where ‘the law says it has to be
tested on animals’ before it can be sold for human use or consumption. For
example, a brand is Italian-based but its products are made in China where the
law states they have to be tested on animals before they are used on humans*. This
bill would also seek to modify this particular loophole, to see to it that it doesn’t
happen in Australia.
[Read about the new anti-animal
testing bill proposal, on the ABC website here.]
This made me think about some
brands, there are very few, that carry the ‘not tested on animals’ logo, or it
clearly doesn’t state ‘not tested on animals’ on the label. So how can you know
whether the company does do animal testing or not? Do some research! A great
place to start your research about which brands that do/don’t carry out tests
on animals is at the following organisations websites:
When I first arrived and
eventually ran out of my Aussie make-up, I was forced to start looking. I went
to Superdrug where I thought I had found the perfect product; a natural mineral
face powder that suited my complexion and it fitted in the budget. So I started
using it, until one day I was running scarily low on my second jar, when I went
into Superdrug and they told me they were out of stock. I got told this for a
couple of weeks, I even resorted to using some other s**t and eventually
‘googled’ the company - where I found out that the company had gone into
receivership.
“I hate
cosmetics companies. They get you addicted to the perfect lipstick or nail
polish and then, six months later, they discontinue it. You have to buy your
favorite colors like you're storing up for the Apocalypse.” - Denise Hennessey (Lisa Kudrow)
in Ps. I love you (2007)
It took me a few weeks to stumble
upon Holland&Barrett
– a health food and lifestyle franchise – that have shops all over the UK. And
I found my answer in Dr.
Organic, a body product range that wasn’t too pricey, was
organic (and all of the above) and the best thing is with Holland&Barrett
is you can sign up for their rewards program; so everytime you shop, you
collect points and you’ll eventually be rewarded with vouchers.
I love, love the different ranges
Dr. Organic makes, but my personal favourites are:
- -and Organic Rose Otto Skin Toner
I also found at
Holland&Barrett; Lavera Loose Powder, a light loose
powder that applies evenly and leaves my skin colour quite natural looking but
covers up any blemishes and Miaroma Sweet Almond Oil, which I use
to make my own body scrub (the recipe is down below). And low and behold they
also sell my favourite body product brand Sukin
that I used to buy in Australia, so I’m able to buy the Facial Moisturiser, though they sell
the full range, I stuck to using Dr. Organic. Mainly because it is a UK-based
company and since I am living here at the moment, I thought that it would be
‘experiencing’ the country I’m living in that little bit more, plus they are
just a little bit more expensive that what I would pay for them at home (as I
said it is a tight budget).
One of the other places where you
can shop is Lush;
yes that’s right, remember the UK is the home to this company, so if you are
already addicted to the bath bombs and other beautifully smelling products,
don’t fret. There is one in almost every major city/town in the UK. Well we
already know these guys are definitely against animal testing and they try to
use naturally derived products. Though I find most of their products to be too
expensive (said it before I’m on a really tight budget) for myself, otherwise I would delve
into my pockets to buy more of their lush
stuff.
I recently made the change from
using Maybelline mascara (which I have used since I was a teenager) to Lush’s wheat-grass
based Eyes
Right mascara. Just because I felt like the mascara and
concealer I use was the final frontier before going all naturale on my face. It goes on nice and evenly, there is no
clumping and you can re-apply if you want a heavier look for going out. The
only thing I don’t like is that the wand is quite compact (it’s a handy travel
size) and I feel it doesn’t give my hand enough freedom when applying it.
The other product that I have
found to be the cheapest and the handiest of them all (because J uses it as
well) is Treacle
Moon bath and shower gel, which was found at Tesco. It is a
bargain price – especially because I have a Tesco Clubcard as well – and its
paraben and SLS free and not treated on animals. It is a win-win for everyone.
 |
| L- R: Dr.Organic Organic Moroccan Argan Oil hair treatment serum, Treacle Moon bath and shower gel, Dr. Organic Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner, Lush’s Eyes Right mascara, Dr. Organic Organic Dead Sea Mineral face wash, Lavera loose powder, Dr. Organic Organic Virgin Olive Oil skin lotion, Sukin facial moisturiser, Dr. Organic Organic Rose Otto skin toner, Miaroma sweet almond oil. |
So that’s a little bit about my
beauty regime, I’d say it is probably the girliest aspect of me and it’s a bit
OCD - I hate having to try new products that I’m not used to using. What’s your
favourite eco-friendly brand (UK or Australian)?? Are you worried about animal
rights when it comes to make-up and cosmetic companies? Feel free to comment
below.
|
*I actually haven’t gone to deep
into the research, so I don’t know if China is one of those countries…it was
just a hypothetical example. Do your research!!!!
D.I.Y Body Scrub
Recipe
Ingredients:
- raw (demerara for British folk )
sugar
- olive oil/almond oil*
- lemon (optional)
- ground cinnamon (optional)
Method:
*Olive
oil is probably cheapest, but almond oil absorbs into your skin better and
smells nicer – the choice is yours – just test a bit on your face or any other
parts of your body that may be prone to break outs.
*
Make sure it is a balanced texture of oil and sugar, excess oil is basically a
waste, so add more oil or sugar to get a gritty texture of goop. You don’t have
to use a whole cup of sugar, it does depend on how often you exfoliate, I tend
to only do it once a week and it lasts up to a month.
To use:
Rub it on damp – wet
skin in circle motion, and wash off under warm water.
Well enjoy life, until next time.
x
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