The Story of Cosmetics

Got this make-up in the mail recently. It's from a cosmetic company based in Exeter, Ontario and, as you can see, it's called LUVU Beauty. But this isn't any ordinary cosmetic company. I ordered these amazing eyeshadows and concealor from LUVU because they specialize in organic cosmetics and skincare (and they go on SO well!). Organic cosmetic and skincare products have become increasingly important to me because I've come to realize the amount of toxins that make up (no pun intended!) most cosmetics.

To prove to you what I mean, check out this video: 

You can also check out this website, the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia's Guide to Less Toxic Products. It is so useful and insightful. And then there's this one, a Montreal-based company called Femme Toxic and their Toxic Twenty, which is a list of 20 chemicals to avoid. Even better is this website, the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. Get this: you can look up how "toxic" the cosmetic and skincare products you use are!

I started thinking about all this about a month ago, when I attended a Femme Toxic-based workshop put on by the Saint Mary's University Women's Centre, where I volunteer and go to school. In this workshop we made a completely natural lip balm, which I absolutely love! It goes on smoothly and stays on! Here's the recipe for two:

Ingredients:
3 tbsp. cocoa butter
3 tbsp. beeswax
1 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
A few drops of essential oil
*(we used peppermint extract, which works just as well)

Directions:
Melt the cocoa butter and beeswax in a double broiler. Add the olive oil and the essential oil!

Enjoy!!