uncluttered toiletries and cosmetics

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uncluttered toiletries and cosmetics

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Started 4 months ago by luxcat
Latest reply from ninakk
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luxcat
Member

In my quest for the perfect set of toiletries and cosmetics I've burned through a lot of money and time. I thought this might make an interesting topic... I know it's been brought up in bits and pieces in other threads...

What works for you? What criteria do you have in selecting your products? Not for women only- this topic extends to shampoo, shave cream, lotions, etc for men too.

My Criteria: long lasting, effective in its task, mild pleasant smell (if any), paraben and pthalate free if possible, reasonably priced and reasonably easy to find. (I'll invest a few dollars more for something that meets my criteria, but $100 face cream is not in the budget)

My Products:
Tom's of Maine Deodorant (24 hour roll on)
Earth Science shampoo and conditioner (they don't rate a perfect score on the healthy cosmetics type websites, but it's a good enough balance for me)
Trader Joe's mango shave cream
Earth Sciences ADE Cleanser (fruit oil based, so no other makeup remover needed)
Earth Sciences Herbal Tonic Mist
Bliss Body Butter (I got a sample of this one and it sold me on it, but it's a luxury)
Kiss My Face 30 SPF face and neck face factor sunscreen
Arm and Hammer Complete Care Toothpaste (tastes like baking soda, but really improved my overall dental health vs. other name brands)
Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion (ok, it's not from the health food store, but it works)
Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel (for the occasional blemish, works in hours)
Stila Foundation
Burts Bees lip gloss
Sephora eye shadows
Maybelliene mascara (tried 'em all, came back to the drugstore brand)

I recently read in a blog I like that she uses Kiss My Face olive oil bar soap for face and body and gets to skip the lotions in summer... I might try it.

Posted 4 months ago #
MTNgirl
Member

Lush aromarant deoderant followup up by a mix of baking soda and rice flour (I am going to switch to a crystal deoderant when the Lush is used up)
Chagrin Valley soap bar for length of hair and Burts Bees grapefruit shampoo followed by lemon juice rinse (I will buy an organic shampoo in bulk when BB is used up)
Kinky Kurly Knot Today leave in conditioner-(works great on my wavy hair! Pricy but I have had my bottle for three years and it is still half full)
Kiss My Face olive oil soap (body washing and shaving-and sometimes face-it doesn't dry my skin out!)
Raw honey for a face wash and mask
Jojoba oil for am/pm facial moisturizer and coconut oil under my eyes at night
Coconut oil for body moisturizer
A sensitive toothpaste from my dentist for nighttime brushing, Toms of Maine for am brushing-I will make my own with essential oils when TOM is gone
No makeup except special occassions and then I use only Mascara-some natural brand, homemade blush which doubles as eyeshadow, and lipgloss (Covergirl or Mary Kay)
Hand cream-I using up a bottle of Eucerin in the bathroom and a bottle of Vaseline brand lotion in the kitchen, but I will try cocobutter or maybe make a cream when those are gone. I have very dry skin and my hands are the worst-I may have to keep buying drugstore brands because they work.

Posted 4 months ago #
smallLife
Member

I try to limit the number of products, the ingredients in those products, and natural alternatives wherever possible. Criteria include limiting/avoiding bad chemicals, ease of composition (for home made), effectiveness, local business/fair trade/organic where possible.

Bought and homemade:

Purchased:
EcoDent tooth powder/using up the last of a Tom's of Maine
Local castille soap for body wash and face wash
Hugo Natural's shampoo and conditioner
Physician's Formula Organic Mascara
Burt's Bee's lip gloss
BareEscentuals under-eye correcter

Use it up:
Skintimates shaving cream, two cans left. Will use soap when done.
Desert Essences body lotion - will use plain coconut oil when out

Homemade:
Deodorant - baking soda, cornstarch, coconut oil, tea tree EO and rosemary EO
Baking soda as facial scrub
Jojoba oil - moisturizer for face
Calcium bentonite clay/lavender EO/jojoba oil - face mask for acne

Soap and water handle pretty much everything I need, and I avoid lotions by using jojoba or coconut oil. Acne is hormonal more than anything, a clay mask gets the worst and a baking soda scrub is preventative a week before. Looking at my list it sure doesn't seem like much, but then again I don't need much to get clean :-)

Posted 4 months ago #
Alee
Member

The best way to declutter beauty products is to stop buying bad ones. How do you know in advance? Check out:

http://www.beautypedia.com/

It is a great (and free) website in which a team of people (and company founder Paula), who have no affiliation with the brands they are testing, break down products by ingredient, ph, packaging, etc., and rate them in a no-nonsense sort of way. Almost every beauty product available in the US is on this site. She (company founder Paula Begoun) does have her own product line which she plugs regularly. Paula also recommends comparable drugstore brand products to prevent any bias. Beautypedia also has a dictionary of ingredients that is easy to use so you can instantly spot bad ingredients. Every review is backed by science.

This website has saved me a ton of money. I used to have moderate acne, and figured it was hormonal, but now have it under control by cutting out harsh irritating ingredients (ugggh, Clinique 3 step system will kill your face).

Just a heads up, she does not rate most natural brands very highly. I don't either due to the fact that most of contain irritating fragrances (fragrance does not equal skin care, in the case of lavender, it causes cell death).

Anyway, what works for me is Cerave gentle cleanser or Olay Sensitive foaming Face Wash, Paula's Choice BHA Liquid (for acne), Paula's Choice AHA Liquid (for skin renewal), Cerave Night Lotion, Clinique City Base Foundation/Sunblock, Maybelline Great Lash mascara, Dove deoderant, Sensodyne toothpaste, Bath and Body Works body wash (hate that stuff BTW, too much SLS, but I bought a ton on sale) and love my Tweezerman tweezers!

Posted 4 months ago #
Ella
Member

If anybody has a recommendation for the World's Best eye cream, bring it on! I don't care what it costs, as long as it helps my dry puffy wrinkly eye area.

Posted 4 months ago #
grey
Member

i stick pretty much with Alba products (easy to find here in canada and in the US). shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash, facial toner, face lotion, body lotion. i wear eyeliner and mascara regularly and cover-up occasionally, but jump around between brands based on sales.

the Alba products are vegetarian, eco-conscious, etc. and work really well with my skin and hair. i'm interested to look it up on the website alee provided and see how it rates.

Posted 4 months ago #
Jennifer
Member

Also, you can check out http://www.leapingbunny.org if you are at all concerned about animal testing.

Posted 4 months ago #
mili
Member

I tried to do that whole 'I have a pared down routine of a few old faves that I don't stray from', kinda like what you said about the 'perfect set' of toiletries and cosmetics, but in the end, I realized two things:

1) given I hadn't done this by my early twenties despite having been choosing my own toiletries for a good ten years (my folks operated under a principle of a kind of 'toiletries allowance' within the limits of which I was free to pick what I wanted), then it must be because it doesn't in fact suit my temperament (or I'd have naturally gravitated towards it already, no fuss no pressure)

2) it's not a worthwhile aspiration to spend my energy on. It's not like not having taken the time to establish a streamlined grooming routine is something I'm likely to regret when I am old and looking back on my life :P

On the lighter side, I also realized that what seems at first blush to be simplicity is actually the flipside: getting too reliant on products that could be discontinued any day, which would make a big, fussy dent in your routines for no good reason (aka, discontinued cosmetic syndrome).

DCS can still happen; for some reason, I seem to have the worse. luck. ever. with face lotions - to date, there are THREE that my difficult skin got on GREAT with which have been discontinued. But that's a very specialized product for a sensitive area and for most people it takes a fair bit of trial and error to get *just* right. Why bother trying to make myself picky in areas I'm not? Especially when sampling all the varieties available is something I enjoy anyway (see point 1)

So now, not only do I switch between stuff, I even *buy small quantities* - like, travel sizes. I got a big Yesstyle shipment coming in any day now that's full of my latest love: mainstream asian brands with names like Etude House and Skin Food, all minis. I'm squirming with anticipation :P

That's not to say I don't develop favorites; stuff I come back to over and over because they worked once, and I'll fall back on when there's nothing that catches my eye (or more like my nose; scent is a big deal for me, on par with texture/performance - it could be the best gloop out there, if it stinks, the deal's off). But the main thing is that I no longer fret about ending up with any sort of Definitive List :-)

(If anyone is interested in comparing notes on these 'accidental' favorites, let me know and I'll post - I'd typed them out quickly but cut them out because this would have gone from 'too long' to absurdly long lol)

Posted 4 months ago #
bandicoot
Member

for the last 11 years i have been making my own soap, tooth powder, scrub, lotion.
sometimes i like to use a manuka oil toothpaste from nz.
i swap soap for lip balm and dusting powder.
i prefer simple natural ingredients and very simple formulas
i change shampoo and conditioner regularly, my hair doesn't mind supermarket brands.
i have considered no-shampoo but the climate and my hair aren't conducive.
i use a little mineral makeup... LA minerals.
i use sunblock on my face during the day and a bit of homemade olive oil and honey lotion with various essential oils at night.
on the whole i keep it very simple and don't get too hung up on brands... except for my own soap of course!

Posted 4 months ago #
Jude2004
Member

The only thing I use on my face is water.

Posted 4 months ago #
ninakk
Member

I tried the make it in your own kitchen routine, but found it was either not working (my skin didn't like it or I just didn't have the energy to investigate recipes, make and try them all out), so I ended up looking through some nicer brands graded on Skin Deep http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ , the Cosmetics Database. Some truly natural products get distorted numbers due to their rigid ways of reading contents' lists, but I don't care, it's okay in most cases.

I'm using:
- Biotherm deodorant (not the EcoCert one, it's awful and makes you smell after half a day, so plenty of points in the database above; tried a bunch more of the green kinds but all of them sucked real bad)
- Pepsodent or colgate tooth paste; it tastes really good and I like the texture (tried some green ones and they were very nasty)
- All Soft shampoo and heavy cream by Redken (almost all points a product can get in the database, but I've tried a zillion kinds and my skalp was always itching so I gave up; at least my hair is lovely and skalp pH in balance)
- Weleda eye cream, face cream, makeup remover, hand cream, foot cream, body cream, shower gel
- Lancôme face cream with some beige colouring (I put it on only after having applied the face cream but it still contains bad points; oh well, I don't use it that often), mascara and eye brow pen (haven't even looked but they both probably contain lots of points)
- Guerlain Meteorites powder
- Kanebo blusher
- Mac base cream before makeup comes on and eye shadow (I have only one)
- YSL light pen; using it up, will use another brand after that
- One eyeliner, can't remember the brand right now

As you can see, I'm not very green as far as the cosmetics goes, but toiletries I'm a bit better with these days. Each groups fit into one baggie, which can't be said about the situation before. Many days I don't put any makeup on and when I do I don't necessarily put the whole war mask on either. For me the biggest improvement has been in the analysing and acting upon the conclusion; old, unused out and duplicates into consideration pile after which some were given to sis.

Posted 4 months ago #
ninakk
Member

Oh and if someone wants to try to find a commercial product that hasn't been tested on animals, is ecocertified and is Fair Trade, as well, good luck. It's not like they make it easy for the consumers to find that little niche. Back to the kitchen it is to start all over from organic, Fair Trade products, but who has the time to do exactly everything from scratch? I'm just wondering that all the organisations looking out for someone's rights don't pool their resources already to make one single superdatabase.

Posted 4 months ago #
liag
Member

This is an area where I have always been minimalist: store brand shampoo and conditioner, deodorant--usually Dove stick, Aim gel toothpaste, floss, sunblock for faces w/ high spf, Pond's to clean face with, chapstick when cold and dry (seldom in Houston). That's it. Travel is a breeze. Perhaps it began as a money-saving technique as a young teen and was reinforced by the 1960s lifestyle when I was a student, but I have been doing without many toiletries all my life and loving it. Philosophically it suits me, and it saves energy and thought for things that matter more.

Posted 4 months ago #
lucy1965
Member

My two criteria: no SLS/SLES, as I'm sensitive to it, and fragrance free as DH is sensitive to that (perfumes being an asthma trigger for him). At the moment I'm using:

Desert Essence shampoo, conditioner and lotion, all in their fragrance-free line. Twice a week I'll use ShiKai's Color Reflect "Platinum" since my hair is now 60% silver

Kiss My Face olive oil soap and SPF 30 sunblock

Crystal deodorant stone (works for me, YMMV)

Laura Mercier SPF 20 tinted moisturizer

Honeybee Gardens mascara

Burt's Bees tinted lip balm

I pay to have my legs and brows waxed (legs to just above the knee) as that's greatly reduced the number of ingrown hairs. I wear makeup about three times a year and use Aromaleigh minerals, and I do my nails myself with a ceramic nail file and chamois buffer.

With the exception of the moisturizer and mascara, I can pick all of it up at the grocery store. DH and I don't need separate products (very useful after the move, as we'll be sharing a bathroom), it doesn't take up much space, and it works for me.

Posted 4 months ago #
candy
Member

@mili: I am all to familiar with the Discontinued Cosmetics Syndrome, and even more with its variation Not Available In My Country. Having moved around quite a bit, I have had to tear myself away from (for example) my beloved Neutrogena Rainbath body wash which is not available in Sweden. I have not been able to find a good replacement for my Shu Uemura face wash oil, so I just have to rely on trips to Paris or internet shops (luckily a bottle of that face wash lasts forever...) And of course, last year on a business trip to Houston I found the most perfect body lotion ever, but... not available here. Also, my favourite lipstick was discontinued a year ago but I managed to buy a few to hoard before it was too late.

In other words, I have my favourites and I have a really hard time replacing them. I don't use a lot of stuff, though.

Posted 4 months ago #
chacha1
Member

I go the "cheap and easy" route with cosmetics and hygiene products; I get them all at the drugstore, with the exception of my Retin-A (from Mexico).

store brand unscented moisturizing body wash
store brand light exfoliating scrub
Garnier hair color, shampoo, and conditioner
South of France Green Tea liquid hand and face soap
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula unscented heavy-duty moisturizer and body lotion
store brand unscented sunscreens
Dove or Secret "Clinical" deodorant (hey, I'm 46 and active; I sweat!)
Maybelline mascara
store brand eye makeup remover
completely promiscuous selection of liquid eyeliners, color shadows, etc.

When my Neutrogena runs out I plan to transition to olive oil for daily moisturizer.

Posted 4 months ago #
Ella
Member

I've been lucky at finding my favorite discontinued items on eBay, often priced considerably less than original retail.

Posted 4 months ago #
mskris
Member

I have to say this is an area where I'm much more like milli - I love trying new things. That said, I had to go the prescription route when my face broke out like a teenager's 2 yrs ago. Now I have the opposite problem - dry and sensitive (gah - these hormone fluctuations are killing me!). I found only 1 facial cleanser that doesn't sting: Burts Bees sensitive cream cleanser. I generally use a color-protective (aquage brand) shampoo and Pantene or Nexxus conditioner (I have processed hair). For makeup I've been trying to pair down - I use sheer cover concealer, foundation, and blush. I use maybelline eye shadows (sometime cover girl), and clinique or almay eye pencils. I use good ol' chapstick and clinique glosses on my lips and at night I use bliss hand cream, cuticle cream, and blistex lip medic. I have incredibly dry body skin and strong perspiration: thus I use Olay moisturizing body wash, Neutrogena rain bath oil, followed by Curel ultra healing lotion, and the only antiperspirant that works - Secret Clinical.

While I'd love to use fewer products, this has been a long, trial-and-error process to find what works best for my skin and hair. I love playing with makeup colors and am easily bored. That said, my makeup routine is only 5 mins each morning. I just don't have time to shop around much or make my own toiletries. Oh, forgot, I use sensodyne enamel restoring toothpaste.

Posted 4 months ago #
Ella
Member

I have very dry, somewhat sensitive skin. Here are four products I love:
- Neutrogena fragrance-free Sesame Body Oil.
- Burt's Bees Lemon Butter cuticle cream, great for dry fingertips. It works as lip balm, too.
- Kiss My Face Lavender Shea moisturizer. I slather it on my hands and arms before bed for good strong lavender aromatherapy.
- Bag Balm for dry cracked heels. This stuff is a miracle product. Some people use it overnight, but I prefer to coat my heels and soles with it before I put on athletic socks and go out for my daily walk. The walking massages the balm into my feet, and they are so soft afterwards.

Posted 4 months ago #
Lori Paximadis
Member

What works for different people varies *wildly*, and I find the ratings sites just about useless for figuring out what will work for me. The Beautypedia site linked to up there says the only stuff I've found to work with my skin -- Aveda and Origins -- are terrible, and rates Neutrogena highly when their face stuff doesn't do anything good for me at all. It's all about trial and error, at least for me.

Posted 4 months ago #

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