I haven't worn or have bought makeup since March 2020; it has been six months—not once—although I had planned to experiment during the lockdown. However, I've been actively exploring ways to recycle waste. I've been trying to do my bit, sometimes even going out of my way, and I believe all of us do. I only knew MAC's recycling programme, but I am delighted to state that there are many brands introducing recycling programs.
This—recycling criterion—is worth considering before purchasing any product, for me personally. This doesn't leave me with many choices, rather...I like to think...its only fair! You get some, you lose some...
I am listing down all the brands, both cruelty free and non-cruelty free, available in India that offer recycling programmes. I am not categorising them as green, clean, ethically sourced or anything else, but I am solely looking at them as brands that encourage recycling by offering rewards in exchange.
Back to MAC**
You get a free full-size lipstick from MAC's permanent collection in exchange of six primary packaging (except wooden pencils). This also includes empty pack of face wipes and empty pigment tubes. Primary packaging here refers to the component without the product, i.e., MAC eyeshadow/blush component with its pan intact; components with missing pan are not acceptable under this programme. You can avail the offered product, depending on your location, at any MAC counters. This programme is available online in Canada.
You can check the detailed terms and conditions for MAC's Back to MAC programme in India here.
Kiehl's**
Kiehl's has a recycling programmed named as "Recycle and Be Rewarded". Under this programme, consumers are rewarded with a "stamp" in exchange of one empty container. With certain number of stamps, one can avail deluxe samples, #1 lip balm and a full-size product (up to INR1200).
You can check the detailed terms and conditions for Kiehl's Recycle and Be Rewarded programme in India here.
The Body Shop*
The Body Shop has two different programmes for rewards and recycling. For recycling, The Body Shop accepts empty containers under "In Store Recycling Scheme". Basically, The Body Shop accepts empty containers and passes them onto (a third party) their recycling partner. No reward system or point system is followed under this scheme. This scheme is limited only in select stores (all stand-alone stores) across India. You can draw "X" on the containers with a permanent marker and return them at select stores. I have returned two empty containers so far. Honestly, it feels nice to know that my empty containers won't end up being marine debris.
You can check the detailed terms and conditions and select stores for The Body Shop's In Store Recycling Scheme in India here.
Innisfree**
Innisfree offers points as rewards on valid product purchases under "My Innisfree Rewards" programme and points in exchange of empty containers under their "Empty Bottle Recycling campaign". They offer membership "Welcome" on their first purchase which can be upgraded to "Premium" and "VIP" with purchase of Innisfree products worth INR 5000 and 10000, respectively. One can give back up to five empty containers per month in exchange of 1250 points per container.
You can check the detailed terms and conditions for Innisfrees's "My Innisfree Rewards" programme in India here.
Plum*
Plum accepts empty containers under their "Empties4Good" programme. Their packaging is made using recyclable materials. One can either send empties (only Plum containers) on their address or request a pick up by filling a form given on their website. For every empty container, Plum credits INR 50 in the sender's account.
You can check the detailed terms and conditions for Plum's "Empties4Good" programme in India here.
The Nature's Co.*
The Nature's Co. accepts empty containers under their "#PlasticFreeWorld" programme. Empty bottles and containers, completely rinsed and packed in a cardboard box, are to be sent to their Plastic Collection Centre. An e-coupon card will be sent to the sender for their next purchase.
You can check the detailed terms and conditions for The Nature's Co.'s"#PlasticFreeWorld" programme in India here.
Needless to say but its really important to rinse your empty containers to avoid contamination during the recycling process. Rejected containers end up at landfill sites. Apart from these brands, various brands such as L'Occitane, Garnier and Love Beauty and Planet have begun contributing to reduce their carbon footprint by using containers made from post-consumer recycled waste. This post is limited to the availability of brands in India. There are many brands across globe contributing in various ways; some brands may take inspiration. *wink*
*cruelty-free brand
**non-cruelty-free brand
It all began on that September morning of 2013, when we (T and I) visited a beach polluted with plastic bags. We could not wait there for more than five minutes, so to speak. That was not alarming enough.
On a lighter note, I found a movie ticket from 2011 in my old bag, the one I saved with a purpose. All the printed letters have disappeared, it is blank. Trash.
I cannot exactly put my finger on the date it had begun, initially, it was a phase, or so I believed.
I had to sort out my academic stuff, after I finished college. My life needed spring cleaning in the midst of fall. The first step in action was to give up everything I was holding onto. Half-filled journals, pretty boxes saved to store things, newspaper-magazine cutouts and things that are nothing more than a graveyard of pleasant-unpleasant memories. In a way, clutter-free, minimalistic living was what I wanted. As I sat in front of all these things, it just hit me hard with a thought that I am not the only one, who gathers things. In that brief moment, my imagination multiplied it to 10, 1000, million times. It was like growing up in a second. But I see that all my struggles, efforts have failed. I shredded all of it from an analytical perspective before I could even sum up my courage to put this in writing. I wanted this to go live on the Earth's Day, which coincidentally happens to be my birthday but honestly what I was trying to put up? failure?
My initial action towards a minimal and ecological lifestyle included all these measures:
Beauty-wise
1) I gave up face scrubs way back, I almost forgot how they must feel against my skin. The beads can block gills and kill fishes.
2) Recycling jars and containers to store DIY stuff.
3) I stopped using cotton pads, and I bought few microfiber cloths for makeup removal to replace them. For toners, I am thinking of getting the reusable cotton pads. But for now, I am following the serum technique—pat, pat, pat.
4) I gave up Shampoo. I did the math: shampoo and body washes' empty bottles, 6 each for 12 months on an average. I imagined my disturbing lifetime bottle trash. Hence, I switched to shampoo bars, and I am even considering making them on my own. I havenot yet figured out the body washes' alternatives yet. I cannot imagine me and bar soap together. eek!
5) Am I the only one who hates paperboard and full plastic sealed packaging?
6) I do not like sheet face masks. I tried them twice. But logically, it is a serum infused sheet. Just spray-soak your face with a serum/ampoule, you'll save a sheet!
7) I wish every brand start out recycling programs. I would very much prefer glass packaging for everything. Let us just forget the glass packaging as a con for once.
8) No skincare wipes; no blotting papers. I had to be strict with myself for these two things. No sanitising wipes, either, which makes me feel incomplete (or germ-ridden) at times. I think I have one of each for extreme emergencies. I had given up using facial tissues back in 2011; I switched to using cotton kerchiefs.
9) As insignificant as it may sound, but I have started opting for bulkier versions of bottles. So that I do not end up cluttering and adding to the landfill with 3 bottles for 3 months, when I can minimise it to one.
Stationery-wise
I hoard stationery. If I see anything fancy, I pick it up. I collect pens, needless to say I have as many as I can store. Notebooks, journals and diaries too. Currently, I have six blank, sealed ones that I do not know what I would use them for. Hoarding can get crazy at times, my life is a living proof? *sigh*1) I reflected on the past, only to see how I have misused the mighty pen. I would go through one Pilot Hi-tech for approximately 6 essay answers. For the amount that we had to write, it is disturbing, because I disliked refilling them, as they would leak. I refill them now, and I don't care even if they leak and colour my fingers. I have started liking them, ink-stained fingers! I like to assume that it makes me feel like an artist, writer, to be precise.
2) I stopped scribbling or writing ideas on paper. I stopped journaling or making daily diary entries. I use private blogging, Evernote and Microsoft Word now.
3) I cannot decide between wooden pencils and mechanical pencils. FAIL!
4) I do not opt for ATM receipts.
5) I have stopped using post-its for trivial things. I use reminders on the phone instead.
6) For all things related to writing, I cannot find easy alternatives. I simply write using pencil and erase and reuse the paper.
7) Ebook is such a heavy-heart choice for printed word lovers. I try my best, to avoid "that" fancy limited cover page edition.
Lifestyle-wise
1) Sanitary napkins, No, thank you! There are eco-friendly alternatives to suit every woman.2) Water bottles.
3) I have killed my desire to get those PVC neon bags for the monsoon. No PVC anything.
4) For all that is perishable, compost for the plants.
5) I plant my own herbs.
6) Vegan ways for ecological balance.
7) No more food-coffee takeaways. Major FAIL!
Why did I fail?
1) I cannot stop my lazy self from buying things online to save time and effort, which has its own ecological disadvantages: packaging, airbags and plastic packaging.2) Some days, I consciously contribute to non-ecofriendly ways like an old habit.
3) Some days minimalistic approaches do not seem to work. And there is so much more than I think I should be doing.
On the brightest side, I have turned into this secretly unapologetic eco-spiritual woman on a mission.
There are days, I drift away and seriously fail to adhere to any one mentioned thing. Takeaway coffee. I think I should give it up.
Few years back, I switched to using shampoos devoid of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), and that has made a world of difference between how my hair felt before and after. Thin hair runs in the genes, so I had to look out for products, methods and techniques to maintain the texture and volume of my hair.
The five benefits I noticed after switching to SLS free shampoo:
- bouncier hair
- no clogged pores and acne due to silicones in shampoo and conditioner
- less amount required
- squeaky clean scalp
- no stripping off of natural oils.
The Nature's Co Shampoos
The Nature's Co is PETA certified cruelty-free and contains natural ingredients. The surfactant used is derived from coconut. You can read more here. I have used Nori Hair cleanser; you can read an in-depth post here.Barley Volumising Hair Cleanser
Apple-Guava Hair Cleanser
Marigold Hair Cleanser
Watercress Hair Cleanser
Sandalwood Hair Cleanser and Conditioner
Lush Shampoos and Bars
The news of Lush relaunching in India circulated when they had completely shut down. I wonder what happened to that! Lush Shampoos contain gentle surfactants such as ammonium laureth sulphate (ALS) and sodium alkyl sulfate. Lush claims that their shampoo bars are for people with sensitive scalp. Sigh! I want Ro's Argan and Jason and the Argan oil!Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo and Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Conditioner
These are the most amazing, refreshing shampoo and conditioner I have used ever. A soft, mild scent yet refreshing; these both left my hair feeling extremely soft. I wish these were available at Sephora India. Their shampoo and conditioner are silicone-free too.Himalaya Daily Shampoo
I never repurchased this after 2012, I honestly felt the ingredient list was incomplete. This does contain same surfactant base (ALS) as Lush. I did try their protein shampoo and felt that it did make my hair feel a bit thicker to touch. This is by far the cheapest SLS-free shampoo available in India.Soulflower Shampoo Bars
Rosemary and Lavender Shampoo bar is my favourite. I always stock up on the mentioned variant. Sandalwood Geranium Shampoo bar dries out my hair and scalp, and Let your Hair down shampoo makes my hair greasy pretty quickly. I have a criterion for liking shampoos: two days down and no grease; a keeper!Kama Ayurveda Shampoos*
Update: The second ingredient on the list is SLES. Although it is SLS-free, it is not SLES-free.Lotus Herbals Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel SPF 50
The Body Shop Drops Of Light Brightening Cleansing Foam
Bath and Body Works Cherry Blossom Fine Fragrance Mist
Colorbar Single Eyeshadow in 10 Black Tie
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Audacious Asphalt and Painted Purple
Suncote Gel SPF 30
VLCC Sun Defense Matte Look Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 | PA+++*
Victoria's Secret Lost in Fantasy Body Mist
NYX Retractable Eyeliner in White
Dermalogica Total Eyecare SPF 15
NYX Eyeshadow Base in White
Large Stippling Brush from Coastal Scents 22 Piece Brush Kit
Coastal Scents brush kits are probably good for starting out. Some of them are unusable, but face brushes are better in my honest opinion. This was one of my favourite brushes, and I used it almost daily to buff my foundation. Using this as a stippling brush was my way to achieve sheerest coverage ever: just the way I like it. I am looking for a better option, a cruelty-free one; I think I found one but I need to dig deep for the brand's cruelty-free stance.Lip balms: Maybelline Baby Lips and Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer SPF 15
I never did monthly empties posts because I never had the patience to save the empty jars and bottles to photograph them. Once I finished something I discard it immediately to keep the clutter off. And once I forget, it stays there forever!
So I embarked on this journey of using Cruelty-Free products. Since I already had switched to Cruelty-Free skincare, I have started discarding Non-Cruelty-Free Makeup. I decided to compile them into Project Pan List and listing down as how I am replacing Non-Cruelty-Free Products with Cruelty-Free ones.
So here is the list of Products I emptied from October 1st to October 25th. I am also discarding stuff I have barely used or disliked.
The Nature’s Co Nori Hair Cleanser
I have reviewed this here. And I have liked it too except that my hair takes a lot of time to adapt to it.
That makes me difficult to heat style my Hair. I bought two Soulflower bars that would last me entire 2016.
I may repurchase this. But I have shampoo bars and SLS Free Shampoos that will last me long.
The Nature's Co is Cruelty-Free. Check the full review here.
The Body Shop Moringa Shower Gel
I finished this in the first week of October and I switched to Grace Cole Indulgent Foam. The Body Shop Moringa Shower Gel was my Cruelty-Free replacement for my all time summer fave Dove Green Tea and Cucumber Bodywash/soap. But did I like it more than Dove? No.
I will not repurchase this. I will switch to Lotus Licorice Bar till the end of 2015.
Featured here.
Kama Ayurveda Rose Jasmine Face Cleanser
I used this up in 19 days! I opened this up on the first of October and on 19th, I was sad. I used this twice a day and this foamed very well. After looking at the Ingredient list, I was taken back with the second ingredient: Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, assuming it same as SLS. But an in-depth reading makes me conclude that Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is the mildest form of foam booster. There are Nitrosamine contamination concerns with Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, is carcinogenic as well.
To refer, The Handbook of Green Chemicals by Michael Ash has listed Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate as Green chemical.
I may repurchase this or other variants from Kama Ayurveda once I finish Cetaphil Cleansing Bar, Melawash and Himalaya Aloe vera Facewash.
The Body Shop Vitamin Cool BB cream
I disliked this from the very first use. It just didn’t work for my Normal-Combination skin. I tried this in every season hoping it might just work. I did use this instead of moisturiser when I ran out of my regular moisturiser, couple of times. It made me look 3 times dark, I assume it is due to either undertone or skin type. It does work well with my neck but refuses to look good on my face. I gave up, there is 80% of the product left and has dissipated too.
Never Repurchase. I dislike BB, CC or ZZ creams altogether.
GlamGlow Powermud Dual Cleanse Treatment
I don’t like samples for the reason I can never make up my mind with a single use. I’m too fickle and there are very few products that work amazingly from the first use. This did deep clean with no breakouts post usage. The texture is unique with clay based mask with little granules. The mask is required to keep on for 20 minutes. You can see it transform into oil after massaging on dampened face. This hydrates well and it did bring a glow. This lasted me two uses but Glamglow is not Cruelty-Free.
Rimmel Stay Matte Dual Action Concealer in 040 Soft Beige
I bought this on impulse for covering Acne and blemishes. This never blended well, it either balled up or smudged and transferred on my phone. And yes, it did accentuate my flaking blemishes during the healing period. In all, total waste of my money though it is cheap.
Rimmel is not Cruelty-Free.
Chapstick in Green Apple
Carmex were the only Lip moisturizers I went through quickly. I love Carmex and Chapstick too. I finished this up in 6 months alternating with EOS sweet mint. I have either Cherry or Strawberry left.
I use Chapstick before applying my Matte lipsticks and it hydrates well without drying.
I may not repurchase Chapstick but I am stocking up on Carmex.
Dermalogica Daily Microexfoliant
At first, I was unsure if this would work great for me. I do not use granular scrubs since it aggravates pigmentation. It has been over a year, I haven’t used one. Yes, I Love this and I will be repurchasing this later in 2016.
Rose water and Soulflower Jojoba Oil are an essential part of my skincare routine.
Apart from these, I finished up all the Skincare samples from Sephora. There are few more products lined up that I will be discarding. I am so spaced out right now!
I know I am too late, (it's December) I've been caught with whirlwinds of deadlines with zero peace of mind. :-l
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