Before taking off on our trip, I stopped into one of my favourite stores — terra20 — to see what cosmetics they would recommend for my travel makeup bag. (I started on a cosmetics quest a little while back to use products that do not contain any harmful ingredients and this was another milestone on this journey.)
It was a real treat to receive these products all at once. And over the past month, I’ve had a good chance to give them a work-out — from the city to the desert! Here are the details and what I’ve liked (or not liked) about each.
Skin care
Not only is this “Get Started Age Defying Kit” from Andalou Naturals perfect for travel, but it’s a great, low-risk way to try these products. Included are: a cleanser, a mask, a toner, a day cream, and a night cream. You can count on terra20 to have screened their products on your behalf, so it’s really no surprise to learn that Andalou does not use GMO’s, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, Sulfates, Synthetic Colors, Dyes, Fragrances, Triclosan, PEG, MEA, TEA, DEA, or Paraben Preservatives in these products.
I love the way the creams absorb so easily and have a very light, fresh fruit scent. The price for this kit of 5 different products is $24 and I already plan to buy the full-sized version of the day and night cream when I get back. I am really enjoying this line.
Tinted moisturizer with sun protection
This tinted moisturizer by 100% Pure receives its colouring from fruit and vegetable pigments rather than minerals or synthetic dyes. I’m big on sun protection, so I also like that it offers SPF 20. It’s 100% natural, 100% vegan, and 100% gluten-free.
So far, I’m finding that it is perfect for my summer skin but I suspect it will not provide enough concealing effect for my winter skin. It blends it really well and leaves no yucky sunscreen smell (like some other moisturizer/sunscreen combos I’ve tried in the past). If you already have great skin that needs little to no concealer, this product is for you. Price = $42.
Blush and lip colour: an all-in one
This DaLish Lip and Cheek Balm is so compact (smaller than a lipstick and can easily slide into a front pocket). You just apply it directly to your lips for lip colour and then blend it into your cheeks for some blusher.
I’ve always been a bit sceptical about these kinds of “all in one” products, but I have to admit that it really is handy. The colour I have is a bit too orange-y for me, but I think I could start to use this product regularly in the right colour. And at $10, I’m up for trying a couple of different shades.
Mascara and eye liner
I’ve been terribly attached to Dior Show mascara for a number of years now. It ain’t cheap, but my mom has been sweet enough to spoil me with duty-free treats when she returns from her business trips. So, really, I was not in a big rush to switch from Dior to a terra20 brand, but I gave it a go with Gabriel mascara in black and Gabriel liner in chocolate brown.
And … well … I love them both! The mascara is a lengthener (as opposed to thickener) and goes on easily with no clumping and a great, sleek shiny colour. As for the eye liner, it’s that perfect type that’s not too hard or too soft. I’ve been using it on my upper eye lids and for my barely-there eyebrows. I’m a convert! The price for the mascara is $25, while the liner is $20.
All of the above drop right into a great looking Danica Studio cosmetics bag with a seriously cute little squirrel on it, while still leaving me with loads of room for deodorant, hair elastics, and some travel size shampoo and conditioners!
P.S. Looking for any other tips for switching to safer cosmetics? You can find all my posts on this topic right here.
P.P.S. Do you have any “cleaner” cosmetics to recommend? Do share with us below! (I am doing well so far, but haven’t had luck on the deodorant front.)
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