home - blogs - biter's writer's block

Biter's Writer's Block

I've been starting here at this screen for about 20 minutes, trying to figure out what to write in today's blog.  See, last time I blogged about makeup, I referred to myself as a cosmetics whore.  Apparently, people out there have strong feelings about the word "whore," even when used in a tongue-in-cheek, self-effacing kinda way.  People took umbrage at my use of the term (god bless JK Rowling for naming Dolores Umbridge), and they weren't quiet in letting me know where they stood on my self-reflexive use of the term.

So I sit here, staring, wondering what on earth to write.

Because here's the deal: the term - when applied to my rampant, insatiable love of all things cosmetic - is just too apt.  I can't really think of a better way to describe it.  Close friends know that I'm the first to admit that I have a slight makeup addiction.  Don't even get me started on bathing products...

I guess this is all just a long-winded way of saying that my cosmetic-whoreness just gets worse and worse each day, as more and more amazing eco-finds come across our desks.  Larenim, Dr. H, Lavera, Borlind, Alima... it's all just beautiful and fun and juicy.

So play away.

-Heather... off to pick out a lipgloss for the day...
Posted by: hstephenson on 03/27/2007
related tip
59 Comments 
Email Permalink
Bookmark and Share
Email Send to a Friend
LJ  on March 28, 2007 at 01:28 PM 21
In response to Cat's recommendation for Alba sunscreen - is that light enough to use as a daily moisturizer? If not, does anyone have recommendations for a daily moisturizer with UVA/UVB protection that is paraben free?
Phyllis  on March 28, 2007 at 01:29 PM 22
Warning! I went to the linked site on the Cargo lipsticks. They are NOT paraben-free! I don't understand why it was on the suggested list. I've been relying on the information provided in these daily tips and I forward to many other people. FYI, an excellent brand that is organic, as well as paraben (et al) - free that was not listed, is Eminence.
Meredith  on March 28, 2007 at 01:36 PM 23
LJ, I use a daily moisturizer with SPF 15 from Boscia. Might not be strong enough SPF for you, but if so, it's an excellent choice. I love their products.
Kathleen  on March 28, 2007 at 01:55 PM 24
Cat and LJ, I find that Alba Botanica Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin is light enought to wear as a daily moisturizer, doesn't cause me to break out, and is very reasonably priced.
Phyllis  on March 28, 2007 at 02:26 PM 25
I was using Alba Botanica sunscreen for awhile b/c it is now organic. But, I've since learned that the sunscreens with chemicals (of which Alba is one) are harmful - even more harmful than not using sunscreen at all. These type of sunscreens are absorbed into the skin and do not provide protection against the sun's rays - not to mention that you are absorbing the chemicals into your body. It is important to reply these sunscreens very frequently, as a result. It is better to use a "physical" type of sunscreen - with active ingredients, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide (remember, the white noses when you were a kid?) A film is left on the epidermis that provides the protection that you need. Of course, you need to reapply, depending upon how long you are out in the sun. Dr. Hauschka has excellent sun screen products that meet these requirements. I also noted that the Lavera site, which was linked on the daily bite for mascara, has an array of "physical" choices of sunscreen. I'm going to try the one especially for the face.
Idealbite Team Member tmeronek   on March 28, 2007 at 03:15 PM 26
To Biters looking for good titanium dioxide-based sunscreens: Check out our tip at http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/archives/aint_no_sunshine_allnatural... Your discussion's inspired us to add a new tip on eco-daily moisturizers/sunscreens to our editorial calendar. Stay tuned... (In the meantime, check out the titanium dioxide-based ones from Juice Beauty: http://www.juicebeauty.com/sunprotection/)
Phyllis  on March 28, 2007 at 03:29 PM 27
Thanks for the add'l resources!
Annie  on March 29, 2007 at 03:54 AM 28
Toshio, if you're looking for something to replace the Cargo lipstick with, check out miessence's berry shimmer creme, it's only ingredients are: "organic jojoba (simmondsia chinensis) seed oil, organic unrefined beeswax (cera alba), mica, organic vanilla (vanilla planifolia) extract. May contain: +/- iron oxides." It's so popular it's out of stock at the moment in the USA, but it's still available in Australia and elsewhere in the world and the other colours are available: www.anniesorganics.mionegroup.com I'm an independent representative for the company and I just heard the founder, Narelle Chenery speak last night, she's an amazing woman dedicated to producing safe, natural, certified organic products that are simply divine. She hinted that they are coming out with a sunscreen soon too, which of course will be organic, paraben-free etc etc... stay tuned!
Rebecca  on March 29, 2007 at 10:03 AM 29
FYI, Aveda - while they are a lot better for the planet than traditional cosmetic companies- is NOT paraben free either. Which makes me sad because I love their body care & makeup lines. Sometimes I get suckered in to buying from them and figure at least it's better than most of what's carried in drugstores but if I'm going to go to the trouble of buying products that are in keeping with my ideals, I want to do it all the way... I've got to make the skin deep report my bible and will check into some of the other sources listed here. Although makeup is one of those things I just can't bring myself to buy unseen (my computer screen is not a good test for colors!) so I'll be looking for things I can find in stores...
Phyllis  on March 29, 2007 at 05:15 PM 30
Rebecca, good for you! This is what it takes to create change. And, there are now so many choices because of our demands. I can't tell you the amount of Aveda products (including hair products) that I threw in the garbage. I use to go to an Aveda salon to have my hair done, i.e, colored and cut. I now go to a place that uses enzymes to color and it is much better for your hair. I'm like you...I need to see makeup in person. After that, I could buy online. I'm sure you can find Dr. Hauschka makeup in many local places, including Whole Foods. Cosmedix, while not organic, also makes a nice line that you might be able to find locally. It has no parabens nor the nanopartical stuff you have to also worry about. Good luck!
« first‹ previous123456next ›last »

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <font> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <p> <br> <img>

More information about formatting options