Mermaid Beauty: Eco-Friendly Make-Up

I have said it before and I will no doubt say it again: I am not the biggest girl-girl that ever did girly-girl. That said, I do - on occasion - like to wear make up or paint my nails. I'm actually sporting a garish mix of orange and blue nails as we type. While I am not exactly in the market for any new make-up right now, my box is over flowing and I don't rightly have the money to spend on it presently, there is absolutely no harm in doing some research into some more eco-friendly options. This way, I'll be ready to spring straight into shopping when I am looking to replenish and revive my make-up collection.

I think the last time I bought a lot of make-up was for my sister's wedding three years ago. I'm sure there are make-up experts balking at the fact that some of my make-up is three years old and still in circulation. I won't tell them about the items I have had since university... I've bought a couple bits and pieces since then - largely dark lipstick because that is my vibe - but it has mostly stayed the same for three years.

Like with everything, I am often drawn to what seems like "good value". Be it a special offer or just the cheapest section in Boots, my criteria is dictated by budget. Pre-research, I am assuming that I am going to have to be willing to spend a little more on eco-friendly options. Considering how long I keep my make-up, I think it will be easy to justify that I am getting my money's worth!

My colourful collection

So, where to start?

As I have already mentioned Boots, let's start with what I know. Boots have a range called Natural Collection. Growing up a vegetarian, this was often my go-to brand because they seemed to fit my ethos. However, the colours are quite boring. I like bright colours and Natural Collection are a little fifty-shades-of-beige, which is fine if you are going for a "natural" look. In fact, this seems to be its whole function, the name is just misleadingly eco. I have a hazy memory of reading they are eco, but having not really perused the brand since I was sixteen I now cannot be sure.

Still, it is probably be a brand and style I would go for if I wore make-up daily but I don't. I am inherently lazy and would rather spend the twenty minutes in bed that slapping on an extra layer of face. When I wear make-up I want it to pop!

The few sensible colours I own.

This has lead to a love of Barry M. So glittery and colourful, Barry M is what I would treat myself to at university. The last Barry M item I bought said it was vegan and, with a cursory glance at their website, it would appear they are all about that cruelty-free make-up. That is a big tick in a very important box. Rabbits do not need to wear our make-up first. Does anyone else just think it would make much more sense to make our cosmetics out of materials which aren't harmful to the skin?

I say this, knowing full well that make-up used to have lead in it, which would poison the wearer. I guess humanity has to do things the dumb way before the smart way.

But does a brand being vegan and cruelty-free necessarily mean it is a good eco-friendly brand?

My favourite yet it goes with nothing XD

As always, I start my research with typing "eco-friendly make-up" into Google. It's a complicated process, I swear. Immediately, it brought up "Top 5 Lists" and some company names which I have spotted on previous dives down the rabbit hole. Of course, The Body Shop was quite high on the list of results. I have always loved The Body Shop products, if not their prices. If I see a sale on, I will spend a good amount of time perusing the shelves and sniffing ALL THE THINGS. Veganism, cruelty-free, anti-plastic, recycling, empowerment, and other issues are at the forefront of their store and website. This will always be a safe bet.

But are there other options which will not rely on the planets aligning in a way that provides me with the styles and products I need/want being on sale?

Peace With The Wild have appeared in a number of my searches before. Once again, these products seem very expensive. For example, a make-up palette with more than two colours on PWTW would cost you (at least) £33 whereas it would cost you just £7.99 from Barry M. Ouch! And I think that does not even come with any actual make-up! Just the palette to keep your powders in. It is a reusable make-up palette and made from organic bamboo, so it is going to last you a long time. The eyeshadows themselves are £5-8, though, so it will all quickly add up. I think the only way I would fork over £33 for a palette was if I was able to make my own powders.

An option, definitely. But certainly a little way down the line!

Fifty Shades of Purple

A better comparison might be the lipsticks. These actually have make-up in them. I love me a good purple lipstick. Barry M has this lovely matte yet vibrant purple for £4.99. PWTW have a similar coloured product for £13. That is (rough maths) three times more expensive. However, the quality of the product does make it seem like it is worth that amount of money. From the cute tin to the handmade, organic nature, I would be happy to spend £13 on something like that. Maybe. Ok, so it would have to be my Birthday or something really special. But it is certainly not as galling as a £33 empty palette!

I think my big problem with the price is that I genuinely feel that organically and ethically sourced ingredients should not cost more than the more main stream ingredients. I understand why, but I do not agree with it. We need to create a more sustainable society and that is definitely going to need to take some concession from the fat cats at the top. The consumer may vote with their wallet, but when their budget is restricted because the fat cats want to hoard wealth instead of share it, voting for the sustainable option becomes unachievable.

Politics aside, we were talking make-up. (Like good little women. Feel free to make some undignified raspberry noise here.)

I am a Sexy Mother Pucker

A new brand for me is PHB Ethical Beauty. This is a UK based, plant powered company. Now, maybe it is psychological pricing or the fact that 20% of the profits go to charity, but these prices feel more acceptable. A standard lipstick is £11.95 which is, indeed, closer to PWTW but feels like a more justified jump from Barry M. PHB actually stands for "Pure. Handmade. British." I can very much get on board with that. I can see myself getting something from here as a grown up treat to myself.

Of course, I am still a colour junkie and will probably supply my colour needs with Barry M. Their WILDLIFE range donates money to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and they do have a range of nail polishes called Under The Sea (currently wearing Electric Eel). What is a mermaid to do?!

My final weak spot is glitter.

What? I was an impressionable teenager when Twilight came out - can you blame me?

All the sparkles

Actually, I've always loved glitter. When my cousin and I used to play make overs with that weird kiddy make-up you get, we would always come out looking like a glitter factory had exploded on us. Glitter is a major problem as it basically starts life as a microplastic and the only way to get rid of it is to shower several times and scrub your skin until it is raw. You will still have some trace of glitter on you somewhere and it will move before your next shower.

Now, I don't get much opportunity to wear glitter these days. (My skin thanks me for it!) But I would like the option of making myself a fire Hallowe'en costume with oodles of glitter. Enter, Eco-Glitter Fun. Eco-Glitter Fun make biodegradable glitter which does not damage our eco-system or take industrial composting to break down. They have a gorgeous range of colours and styles, and the prices do not seem that outrageous. I honestly think it's because I am coming at it from a different mindset. I know glitter is an extravagance therefore I do not mind paying a little bit more for it. However, they do seem entirely reasonable, regardless. Sets range from £22-30, individuals are from £4.

Such a natural model...

So what have I learned from this brief foray into eco-friendly make-up research?

1. I need to stop balking at prices,
2. Barry M still rules,
3. And if a cosmetic brand supports charities then all the better!
   

One last thing, down the rabbit hole I did find Logical Harmony, a beauty blogger specialising in making cruelty-free cosmetics easy. In addition to having a beautiful website which I am sure is chock full of helpful information, she has compiled a list of cruelty-free brands. Huzzah for someone making my life easier! You have got to love internet folk. I will definitely diving deeper into her website and checking out the list. I have briefly checked and Barry M make the list. Woot woot!

I am excited to make my cosmetics collection at the very least cruelty-free if not more eco-friendly! I just need my make-up to get proper manky or used up first!

15 years old and unable to close!

Do you use any good cruelty-free/eco-friendly brands? Do you know which companies I should definitely avoid? Do you know of any more beauty bloggers to help expand my research?

"And when you use your lips they better be on me!"
Bounce - The Cab

Listening to: This is The Cab