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This Is A Labor of Love, I Tell Ya

cosmetics

See that table o’ cosmetics? That’s my current makeup collection.

The funny/sad thing? I got rid of tons before moving this summer, so this is my paired down collection. However, starting this month, I’m going through each and every product, pinpointing each ingredient, and researching the toxicity. I AM ON A MISSION. I have a sneaking suspicion my collection will be quite whittled down in the near future.

This researching, man…it takes some TIME, but I’m making a great reference spreadsheet for you guys because I can’t just be doing this for myself. I mean, GAH. (I’ve already been really surprised by some brands, both pleasantly and not-so-pleasantly. Also, besides Skin Deep, this website has been very helpful.)

Also? I turn the Big 4-0 on Thursday. #unrelated #kindof #howdidthathappen

Happy Monday to you.

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26 comments
  1. Lyssann

    November 3, 2014 at 6:40 am

    i hope you’ll report back on the brands you fine are non toxic. I’ve been slowly replacing my beauty products with homemade versions, but makeup and hair products I struggle with (I have fine curly hair and have finally found a combo that works and as crunchy as I am, it’s taken me so long to not have awful hair, I’m loath to give up the product)

    • whoorl

      November 3, 2014 at 6:46 am

      Of course! I’ve been surprised so far…

  2. Heather B.

    November 3, 2014 at 6:54 am

    My big issue is that a lot of the natural makeup brands don’t make shades dark enough for women of color. I love Tarte’s eye makeup and blush but their face makeup won’t work. I had high hopes for Bare Minerals’ new foundation and it was WAY off. The struggle is real.

  3. whoorl

    November 3, 2014 at 7:01 am

    Great point, HB. If I come across a brand with a good range of shades, you’ll be the first to know.

  4. Jen

    November 3, 2014 at 10:00 am

    Hi Sarah~
    Before I turned 40 (3 years ago), I always said I’d like to freeze time at 28- you’re not quite 30, and you’re almost out of your twenty-something(s). But when I turned 40?!?!?!? Forty is THE best. Something changes in your everything. Enjoy and embrace it.

    • Jen

      November 3, 2014 at 11:37 am

      And from another Jen who also turned 40 three years ago (shout out for the most popular US girl’s name in the 1970s!), it is the best. I started mountain biking when I was 40, and did some epic riding in British Columbia this fall. Wanted to do it in my 20s but never could / would have.

  5. Brie

    November 3, 2014 at 10:29 am

    Mineral fusion has a good range of make up colors.

  6. Tiera

    November 3, 2014 at 10:37 am

    I think you might like the Think Dirty app. It’s a Canadian woman who developed it after her mother was diagnosed with cancer and she became curious as to the effects of personal care products on our health. What I liked about it was that it was an independent organization and not linked to any product manufacturers. Super simple to use, you scan a bar code and it gives you a rating based on toxicity and known carcenogens, neurotoxins, perfumes and allergens and other things.

  7. Sarah

    November 3, 2014 at 12:18 pm

    Did the very same thing this past spring after getting some terrible medical news. I did much of that paring down in an irrational, hyper-panic frame of mind. I do wish I’d been more thoughtful about it, researching more than one or two sources before making snap judgments. I don’t regret the small fortune I spent on Dr. Hauschka skincare, though. :)

    Happy researching to you!

  8. estelle

    November 3, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    Well, I can tell that you’ll be dumping about 98 percent of that collection. It’s shocking how toxic all personal care products are in the States. I can recommend Juice Beauty for so much and Ilia for lipsticks. They are amazing. And Acure is great for face wash, oils and shampoo and conditioner and it’s also well priced. Have fun with your purge. It’s so exciting!

    • whoorl

      November 3, 2014 at 1:08 pm

      Yep! Dumped about 60% so far…not even close to being done!

  9. Lauren

    November 3, 2014 at 2:06 pm

    I’m very excited to see all your research! I posted a few of my favorite Rose skincare products on my blog today, and none of them have a rating of the EWG. Anywhere else where I can find this info?

    Love your blog!

    Lauren
    http://www.spacebyLV.com

    • whoorl

      November 3, 2014 at 3:13 pm

      If the actual product is isn’t in the database, enter the ingredients of the product in the search bar and research that way. That’s what I’m doing right now. :)

  10. Kristiina

    November 3, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    I’m so excited that we’ll be the benefactors of all of your hard work. I kind of bury my head in the sand when it comes to this issue and I’m glad you are keeping it in the forefront :). Also: I turned 40 in August….for the year prior I think I pretended that I was already 40 so it wouldn’t be so jarring LOL. It worked! Welcome to the club :)

  11. Jody

    November 3, 2014 at 2:30 pm

    i turn 41 in December. And other than wondering how that happened, I’m suddenly obsessed with taking care of my skin. Not obsessed enough to do the research you are doing but certainly enough to read your list! And I can’t wait. Thank you thank you thank you!

  12. Teri

    November 3, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    I am looking forward to reading your research. I see a few products in that picture that I use as well.

  13. Sarah

    November 3, 2014 at 6:27 pm

    I use chantecaille and tarte for that very reason! Let me know if you find anything wrong with them.

  14. Rachel Stewart

    November 3, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    I’m a consultant with Beautycounter. I know that awhile back you rated out Tint Skin as one of your favorites.
    Do you know we now have a full color cosmetics line as well?
    The products are really amazing (and I am a total product junkie as well) and we have done all the work for you.
    Safe. Beautiful. Effective. I hope you check them out too!

  15. Sarah

    November 4, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    If you haven’t found it yet, you might like this blog: http://beautyliestruth.com

    I found it via a link on Facebook. One of the authors was recruited for an internship at L’Oreal and her response, given the the types of ingredients they use in their products, is beautifully written. (The parts about paragons and breast cancer hit home for me, but there’s much more to what she’s written than just that.)

    And if you’re in Boston, hit up Follain. It’s a story selling only environmentally healthy, luxury brands. It’s a beautiful shop!

    (I’m not affiliated with either the blog or the shop in any way. Just passing it along in case your or other commenters are interested in that type of stuff.)