If I was stranded on an deserted island and could only bring one item, chances are it would be mascara. I have a pale Swedish face with very blond eyelashes so mascara makes me feel good and shows I actually have eyelashes.
The problem with most mascaras are all the nasty chemicals hiding in the tube that promises you lashes like Kim Kardashian. Here are the reasons why you should wear zero waste and chemical-free mascara.
Chemicals found in many mascara brands are:
· Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, and Propylparaben
· Thimerosal
· Synthetic Dyes
· Coal Tar Dyes
· Aluminum Powder
· Retinyl Acetate (Vitamin A Acetate)
· Formaldehyde
· Imidazolidinyl Urea
These chemicals are harmful, many of them banned in Canada and Europe.
Now of course I will not just put on any old mascara, no it has to be chemical free, vegan and yes zero waste mascara. I know right seems impossible. The good news is that today there are so many great options and here they are:
Etsy- There are lots of small business making and selling zero waste, cruel-free and all natural mascara on
River Organics- This mascara is Vegan. Cruelty Free certified and comes in a compostable paper tube with or without a brush.
Faith Avec Coeur– Contains clean ingredients, sustainably sourced and made. The mascara comes in a plastic-free glass vial with an aluminum lid, for easy recycling or upcycling.
Izzy Zero Waste Beauty- It’s made with clean, sustainable ingredients, it’s gluten free, vegan, cruelty free, ethically sourced, and zero waste.
Elate Beauty-This is my personal favorite mascara because it’s water and sweat resistant, which is important when you live in a warm climate like San Diego. This product is vegan, organic and sustainable. They are packaged in a recyclable plastic inner tube, encased in bamboo. You can keep using the bamboo container and buy a refill.
The eyes like skin and lips are vulnerable to absorption of the toxic chemicals so when you put something on your face every day you want to make sure it’s safe and free of chemicals.
To Read more about zero waste makeup check out this post: