(UN)SAFE COSMETICS

By Jada Lombard

Must read book of the summer:

Theres Lead In Your Lipstick

Photo credit: Makeup's a Drug

Theres a storm brewing, and author Gillian Deacon is at the helm of our ship, and come hell or high water she is going to get us safely home to shore. Best selling author, environmental advocate, award-winning broadcaster, and breast cancer survivor, is kicking butt and taking names with her newest offering, Theres Lead In Your Lipstick. Gillians guide to identifying and coping with toxins in your everyday beauty routine is thought provoking, informative, and sassy.

She describes, in detail, the major players in the cosmetics and toiletries industry that keep your makeup bag, tub surround, sink, and medicine cabinet populated with some of the nastiest chemicals around. Chemicals including DEA/TEA/MEA, Dimethicone, Ethoxylated surfactants, Parabens, Talc, Triclosan, Parfum, PEGs, Fragrance, Sodium laurel sulfate, and Sodium laureth sulfate can be found in everything from your nail polish, eye shadow, body wash, shaving cream, and toothpaste.

But wait, this book is not all doom and gloom, no siree. Gillian has done her due diligence, and a ton of homework, and lists many safe alternatives to these chemical laden intruders. Companies such as Pure Anada, Dr. Bronner, Aubrey Organics, Badger, Green Beaver, Dr. Hauschka, Druide, and Gabriel Cosmetics, all offer cosmetics and toiletries that are not only of the highest quality, but that are safe for your whole family.

Many of you might be thinking right now, that this is a lot of information to take in and you are not sure how to go about greening your daily beauty routine...well, I have some resources that will come in very handy for those of you wishing to wage the war on the dirty rotten scoundrels. First, I suggest taking a peak at Gillians Handy Wallet-Sized Tip Sheet here at http://www.gilldeacon.ca/tips.php. Print this handy sheet and take it with you when shopping for cosmetics, toiletries, and other household items. It clearly lists the many toxins that you will want to steer clear of and 13 companies that sell safe, natural, socially and environmentally responsible products.

Another resource that I consult quite often is the Environmental Working Groups (EWGS) website Skin Deep http://www.ewg.org/skindeep. It is a cosmetics database that contains information on over 65,000 products. If you have concerns regarding the safety of a cosmetic or toiletry item simply enter the product name or company name into the search bar and voila, you will now have access to a wealth of information about that product, the good, the bad, and quite often the ugly. Taking that first step towards a safer future for your family and the environment is often the toughest one. You will find however that the reward of knowing that you are doing your best to be kind to yourself, your family, animals, and the environment worth it. So pick up a copy of Gillians book and start living a greener, safer, kinder, life today! 

Peace, 

Jada Lombard

Make-Up Artist

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