Who doesn’t love ‘redhead friendly’ brands and products that are not only good for us redheads but also the environment?! Spring is a time to celebrate the beauty of our planet –– the birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. There is no better time to refresh your redhead makeup and redhead skincare essentials with these eco-friendly products.  

1. AVEDA DAMAGE DAMAGE REMEDY DAILY HAIR REPAIR, $31

  Aveda is committed to creating vegan and cruelty-free products from ethical sources. It’s also the first beauty company to use 100% post-consumer recycled materials in their packaging. This leave-in treatment is 98% naturally derived and will visibly repair and protect your red hair from damage due to heat styling.

2. DOVE SENSITIVE SKIN BODY WASH, $9

  At the end of 2019, this major brand switched to 100% recycled plastic bottles and eliminated the plastic wrapping on their beauty bar boxes. This Sensitive Skin Body Wash is hypoallergenic and sulfate-free –– making it perfect for redheads!

3. PLAINE PRODUCTS ECO-FRIENDLY SHAMPOO, $30

  The shampoo (featured in a past H2BAR Box!) is infused with rosemary, mint, vanilla shampoo in a refillable, returnable aluminum bottle. Recycle the bottle or purchase a shampoo refill.

4. JUICE BEAUTY PHYTO-PIGMENTS ULTRA-NATURAL MASCARA, $24

  This brand is known for its ultra-natural products and socially responsible giving. They are also 100% vegan and cruelty-free. This best-selling mascara contains Organic Aloe and will leave lashes looking full and defined.

5. ILIA MULTI-STICK, $34

  This product is a cult-favorite. Its creamy formula contains moisturizing shea butter, providing a natural-looking wash of color to lips and cheeks. ILIA invites all U.S. customers to mail in up to 5 empty beauty products (any brand!) per month and they will recycle them using TerraCycle. Shades to try: I Put A Spell On You and All Of Me

6. KJAER WEIS CREAM FOUNDATION, $67

  All of Kjaer Weis’ packaging is designed to be refillable, cutting down on major waste. Their certified organic foundation comes in a range of shades, making it easy to match any redhead’s skin tone. It also contains skin-loving ingredients, including coconut and jojoba oils.

7. KAI BODY BUTTER, $52

  Not only do all of kai’s products smell incredible, but they are all made sans parabens, sulfates, phthalates, phosphates and gluten. Their body butter is filled with beneficial safflower oil, apricot oil, vitamins a, c, & e, aloe and extracts of chamomile, lavender and cucumber.

8. TATA HARPER DAILY ESSENTIALS SET, 6-STEP SKINCARE STARTER REGIME, $75

  This cult brand formulates, manufactures, and packages all of its products on their farm in Vermont.  They also have certifications from PETA, the American Vegetarian Association, and ECOCERT – ensuring that they adhere to the highest standards of eco-friendly practices. Their skincare is organic and free from GMOs, artificial colors and fragrances, as well as synthetic chemicals.

9. CAUDALIE BEAUTY ELIXIR FACE MIST, $18

  This multi-purpose product sets makeup and tones the skin while revealing its natural radiance. It is dermatologist tested and comprised primarily of essential oils. 100% of users claim they saw visibly reduced pores immediately after application. Caudalie also donates a percentage of its profits to reforestation. Rock it like a Redhead! 

Clean makeup is invited into our kit for our greatest good and that of Mother Nature. And is about to revolutionize the entire cosmetic industry.   At first glance, the displays in the Sephora department store in downtown Montreal are very similar. From lipstick to foundation: there is all the arsenal necessary for the makeup bag.   But as you wander the islands, you will notice that green tablets bearing the words "Pure and healthy" are affixed to certain displays. Who is entitled to this distinction? The ranges free from harmful and ecologically responsible ingredients. Launched in 2018, the stamp now brings together around sixty brands.   An offer impossible to imagine barely 10 years ago, when beautists looking for clean makeup had very little to get on their skin. What happened? Sephora listened to its customers. "We have noticed a change in the concerns of consumers, who are increasingly looking for quality cosmetics with no suspicious substances," said Jane Nugent, vice president of merchandising at Sephora Canada.   In the target market there are millennials and generation Z, demanding customers looking for transparency and who read the labels carefully. "Companies even go so far as to modify some of their formulas to meet our selection criteria," says Jane Nugent.   Sephora is not the only business responding to this trend. The American retailer The Detox Market, created in 2010, has slowly established itself as the leader in healthy beauty. “When we started talking about clean makeup, it made everyone laugh. People associated green beauty with the hippie movement, ”says Romain Gaillard, founder of the chain, which has three branches in Toronto. Each product found on their site or in store must go through a rigorous evaluation process. "More than 1,000 companies contact us each year to be sold here ... It is essential to choose what we really like," he says. Sea Surfer Curl Volumizing Mascara, Tart , $ 30  

What is clean makeup?

  In the absence of established regulations, the definition of clean makeup varies from brand to brand and remains open to interpretation. In principle, any component suspected of being carcinogenic, endocrine disruptor, neurotoxic or allergenic should not be present in the formula. In addition, the packaging, boxes and flasks must be biodegradable, with a low carbon footprint.   What client wants ...   This awareness has been brewing for a long time according to WGSN, the renowned London trend office whose expertise consists in anticipating the major consumer trends of tomorrow. "Several years ago, we predicted that ethical responsibility would become a non-negotiable criterion for buyers," said Jenni Middleton, WGSN beauty director.   Since then, the growth of this phenomenon has been observed in the food, fashion and, now, beauty industry. To such an extent that, according to a report published on the company's website, "cosmetic companies that neglect their environmental impact risk losing consumer confidence". The polling firm Nielsen has also revealed that internationally 73% of consumers were ready to change their purchasing habits to reduce their environmental footprint and that 38% preferred to buy ethical cosmetics.   This enthusiasm does not go unnoticed by opportunistic banners who see it as a golden marketing opportunity: being seen as eco-responsible is a sales strategy rather than a real value, which gives rise to the famous greenwashing). “Some brands distribute misleading information to give the impression of being green in order to arouse the interest of customers. This can result in misleading statements about the list of ingredients, the packaging (less environmentally friendly than it seems) or even the production chain (falsely carbon neutral) ", argues Jenni Middleton. Fortunately, the expert notes that the consumer is increasingly demanding to see evidence of these claims. And when the client wants something, everyone answers the call. Hence the “Pure and healthy” seal offered by Sephora.  

Precursors of yesterday, leaders of today

  These pioneering brands of clean makeup have paved the way towards a more responsible cosmetic industry.   Dr. Hauschka   Founded in 1957, the German company launched its make-up range in 1999 as a complement to the skin products it already offered. “We use the same raw materials as in our care. Infused with extracts of medicinal plants and certified organic vegetable oils, our make-up aims to sublimate women's beauty and not to mask it, ”specifies Marie Calas, head of research and development. Eye and brow palette, Pierre shade, Dr. Hauschka , $ 65   Bite   "When we heard that a woman would ingest 3.17 kg of lipstick during her life, that made us think," reveals Sylvie Rouaix, vice president of product development at Bite. Originally from Toronto, the company has become a cult in the world of lipsticks. "We wanted to prove that makeup could be both safe and effective," she adds. In addition to being now 100% vegan, the Bite brand is launching foundations this year, pressed powders and foundation perfecting foundations. Changemaker modular coverage pressed powder, Medium 2 shade, Bite Beauty , $ 48 for 7.5 g. Sublimating micellar foundation, shade L20, Bite Beauty , $ 52 for 30 ml.   Ilia   It is by peeling the ingredients listed on the boxes of her cosmetics that the Vancouver resident Sasha Plavsic wanted to create her own brand. What she did in 2011. “I loved a tinted lip balm. My first challenge was to reproduce it in a non-toxic version, ”says the entrepreneur. Nine years later, its illuminators, eyebrow gels and multipurpose sticks are sold like hot cakes. One of the secrets of its success? The formulas are enriched with beneficial ingredients, such as hibiscus extract or rosehip oil.   Green vs black   The European Union prohibits the use of more than 1,300 ingredients in cosmetics sold on its territory. In Canada, only 600 components are banned - which is still better than in the United States, where there are only about thirty. But why is there such a big difference between us and our cousins from across the Atlantic? According to Health Canada, this is notably due to the fact that the European Union studies substances individually, whereas here, they are grouped rather by family (for example, aniline dyes).   As for controversial substances such as parabens, phthalates and others, which are still permitted despite the concerns they raise, Health Canada claims to be watching them. The ministry follows “international scientific and regulatory reports closely, and regularly reviews the safety of chemicals in cosmetics in the form of risk assessments.”   The problem is simultaneous exposure to these ingredients, says Lise Parent, ecotoxicologist and professor at TÉLUQ University. In other words, a mascara used alone may not be a threat to health, but added, every day, to the foundation, lipstick and eyeshadow ... "We have no idea of their long-term effect, says the expert. However, we do know that phthalates have direct consequences for the rat's reproductive system and thyroid.”   Even if the human body is a wonderful machine for filtering out harmful substances, Lise Parent reminds us that it is not without its shortcomings, particularly in the case of endocrine disruptors. "They tend to accumulate in the body and, since they are similar to the hormones produced by it, our body is not always able to detect them and set in motion the process necessary to get rid of it, ”she explains.  

Green container

  According to the Zero Waste Week website, 120 billion packages of cosmetics are produced each year ... and most of them are not recyclable. A dizzying number to which several brands are responding with green initiatives. "At Maison Jacynthe, all the boxes are made of wood and aluminum, in addition to being reusable thanks to refills of eyeshadows," argues Marco Marsolais, make-up artist for the stars and co-creator of the range of cosmetics offered by the company. . For its part, Burt's Bees collaborates with TerraCycle, a company specializing in the management of non-recyclable waste, to ensure the recovery of its small pots. Reusable case , $ 19. Terracotta , Mattina shade, and blush , In Love shade, Maison Jacynthe, $ 32 and $ 29.50   Where do the color pigments come from?   Most manufacturers of clean makeup - like Dr. Hauschka and Burt's Bees - opt for pigments of mineral origin, often identified on the packaging as iron oxides. At Maison Jacynthe, certain shades come from plant sources, such as the turmeric present in eyeshadows.   The red color, on the other hand, is more controversial. Brands choose carmine, a natural dye used for centuries and derived from crushed mealybugs (insects living on cacti). Vegan ranges will prefer to introduce some synthetic pigments.   As for the iridescent effect of certain illuminators and lip glosses, we owe it to an ore, mica. However, it is its extraction that is controversial. Many miners do in fact work with children, their small size being advantageous for digging wells and tunnels in deposits. Fortunately, ethical players make it a point of honor to source from responsible sources.  

Apps using

  How to take a closer look at the composition of products without carrying around a chemistry manual? Applications have been designed to scan the barcodes and the INCI list (the nomenclature of components) written on the packaging. Skin Deep   Works with ratings from 0 to 10 (10 being the level most harmful to health). Clean Beauty   We photograph the list of ingredients, then the application extracts the controversial components in seconds. Glossary of 800 ingredients. Think Dirty   Canadian application which evaluates, after reading the barcode, the ingredients according to ratings (from 0 to 10) combined with a color system. A substance rated 10 and highlighted in red = danger!   Performance at the rendezvous   Clean makeup has long suffered from a lack of hold. The eyeshadows spun in the folds of the eyelids, the mascara had to be reapplied several times a day, the textures were not in focus… Today, the cosmetic giants have corrected these weaknesses. Makeup artist Alexandre Deslauriers, who acted as a consultant for the makeup component at Burt's Bees, believes that we must still moderate our expectations. "It's not normal for a lipstick to last for 16 hours!" he exclaims.   An infallible outfit often betrays the presence of silicone. To maintain color on the lips, Burt's Bees has replaced plastic particles with mixtures of vegetable oils and waxes. In its tinted cream formula, it is squalane, a plant component extracted from olive oil, which solves the problem of spreading and adhesion to the skin. Bite, a brand recognized for its ultra-pigmented lipsticks, has traded dimethicone (silicone) for orange peel wax accompanied by agave nectar, both rich in antioxidants. Matt stick, Rippling Rose shade, Burt's Bees , $ 9.99   Maison Jacynthe Complexion Fluid is the favorite product of make-up artist Marco Marsolais. Its formula is enriched with borage oil, which gives it a malleable texture and hydrating power. "By applying it repeatedly on my clients' faces, I saw their skin change," he says. Green ingredients are also used in place of BHA and BHT (synthetic antioxidants) or formaldehyde (antimicrobial preservative) to preserve the products and avoid rancidity of fatty substances. To do this, Maison Jacynthe had previously used coffee extract, but will soon opt for Labrador tea to promote the natural riches of Quebec.

Hair care brand Living Proof has linked up with TerraCycle on two new packaging recycling initiatives.   The programmes will apply to all of the Unilever-owned brand’s packaging, including its aerosol products.   “We are pleased to count Living Proof among a select group of luxury hair care brands that offer consumer-facing recycling programmes that actively address this large category of waste,” said TerraCycle’s CEO and founder Tom Szaky.   “Through the introduction of these innovative recycling programmes, Living Proof is giving their consumers a powerful, sustainable option to divert their empty hair care and aerosol packaging from landfills, as well as demonstrate their respect for the environment through the products they choose to include in their hair care regime.”   The brand is also giving customers an incentive to participate by giving points for every shipment, which can be used for charitable gifts or converted into cash and donated to non-profit organisations.   Living Proof’s Marketing Director Sarah Mountcastle Mitchell said she was proud to partner with TerraCycle.   She added: “Living Proof is committed to solving the toughest beauty challenges with safe, cruelty-free innovations that don’t compromise our planet, and partnering with TerraCycle has helped us further develop this commitment.”   Szaky’s firm has partnership deals with several global beauty brands including Burt’s Bees, Colgate, Deciem and Herbal Essences.   Participants wishing to recycle their empty Living Proof packaging can sign up to the programme via terracycle.com/living-proof.

AFTER SPENDING A few years at her “dream job” in a private practice, Dr. Sarah K. Ebeling grew frustrated by the hour-long commute. Exhausted by the challenge of finding a work/life balance with a toddler and new baby, she was carrying around some major “mom guilt.” What’s more, she saw a growing need for family eyecare in her own expanding community of Chanhassen, MN. So she took the plunge and struck out on her own.   Wink Family Eye Care opened its doors in December 2014. So appreciative of her former bosses was Ebeling that she never announced to her patients that she was leaving. It turns out she didn’t need to: “They were my number one supporters and told my patients that I had opened Wink and where they could find me.”   More than five years later, Wink is now thriving, with a four-person team and thousands of patients on its books.   Ebeling describes Chanhassen — located about a 20-minute drive southwest of downtown Minneapolis — as a suburban community with a small town feel. “Most of the town is young families like us, and more are coming. We have a projected population growth of 20,000 in Chanhassen and the immediate surrounding towns in the next 10 years.” Ebeling estimates Wink is around 50 percent pediatric, depending on the month.   The interiors at Wink are fresh, clean, modern and designed to be inviting for all ages with bright colors pleasing to children, but not so “pediatric-focused” that their parents aren’t comfortable, too. The apple-green featured throughout was chosen by Ebeling based on a lesson on “visually pleasing” color wavelengths she was taught in optometry school. “555nm is the easiest color for our eyes to see and there are pops of it everywhere in the office, from the pop-art mural in the optical to the paper towel dispensers in the contact lens room.” A natural wood floor offsets the cool white and aqua accents to create balance.   The total square footage is less than 1,600 sq. ft, so when possible, multi-purpose adaptations were made. When designing the space, Ebeling thought of every step patients would take through the office and tried to design around an ideal flow, with just a small area of hallway that a patient will have to walk through twice in a routine contact lens exam. To other ECPs working with limited space, her advice is to dedicate as much floor and wall space as you can to the optical, “because you will grow… I built out a second exam lane but didn’t equip it until our third year in practice.” Ebeling used to do all of the frame buying, but has handed nearly all rep meetings over to her lead optician, Bridget. “She’s much better at frame selection than I am,” says Ebeling. “We try to buy frames that are representative of the collection,” she says. “Though Etnia has beautiful black and brown frames in traditional silhouettes, we’re going to select more of their colorful or Art Deco shapes.” All collections are posted online with links to the manufacturers’ sites, which Ebeling says helps people who appreciate unique eyewear find Wink. “We also have quite a few patients who look online before they come in and already have an idea what they want… We can style patients in the office but special order their ideal color directly from the manufacturer.” Wink also does a lot of drop-ship from the vendors directly to the labs, which helps with inventory management.   The practice keeps its social media current with frequent posts for fun, education, or to showcase its newest frames. They’ve experimented with various approaches, including hashtag campaigns, using Glam Optometrist’s monthly subscription and hiring younger, tech-savvy optometry students to run their accounts, but Ebeling admits it’s a work in progress.   On the medical side, Ebeling strives for a mix of the personal and the high-tech, using a computerized refractive system, Optos digital imaging, and the iCare tonometer for those patients who despise the “puff” and drops. With over half of her patients under the age of 18, she says, each touch-point in the office is adaptable to each patient’s needs and size, “whether they are a 3 year old or a 6’6” hockey coach. We treat each patient as the friend and neighbor that they are.”   Five Cool Things About Wink Family Eye Care 1. SUNS SWEETENER. Every child who’s dilated gets a pair of Wink-logo sunglasses. 2. EYE-GRABBER. In the center of the optical is a pop art mural featuring Wink’s signature apple green, comprising dots that spell ‘Wink.’ LED spotlights make it visible when people drive by the office at night 3. TEACHABLE MOMENT. Every year Dr. Ebeling visits local schools to teach kids about the importance of eyecare. She takes a bunch of daily disposables with her for the kids to play with. 4. CL DROPS. Wink is a drop-off site for B+L’s contact lens blister pack recycling program through Terra Cycle. 5. GONE GREEN. From online exam booking and CL ordering to texted appointment reminders and recalls, as well as digital faxing and the Weave text-to-pay option, Wink is mostly paperless. Ebeling says this reduces accounts receivable and creates another “wow” opportunity.  

Supergoop *finally* launched in Canada at Sephora   Good news SPF lovers (which really should be all of us) – cult suncare brand Supergoop is now available in Canada. This week, the brand launched exclusively at Sephora with four of its key products: Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, Dailyscreen Moisturizer SPF 40, Zincsreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40 and (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 45. Holly Thaggard, the brand’s founder and CEO, said of the brand’s products, “At Supergoop!, our mission is to make SPF not just a habit to wear every single day, but a part of your routine that is easy and fun. We strive to develop a range of products that feel good on the skin, work for all skin types and tones, and fit seamlessly into your existing skincare and makeup lineup. We recommend playing around with a few different formulas to find the right fit for your specific skin needs and daily routine.”   Holt Renfrew launched an exclusive new spring candle collection from Diptyque   Now that we’re all spending so much time at home, chances are you’re (literally) burning through your candle stash, which makes Holt Renfrew‘s exclusive launch of Diptyque’s new spring candle collection perfect timing. Called Colouring Spring, the collection is comprised of five floral scents, including Mimosa, Geranium Rosa, Coisya, Freesia and Iris. Buy them all to create your very own floral bouquet whilst you wait for your favourite farmer’s market to reopen.   Living Proof announced a new sustainable recycling program for its hair care packaging in Canada   Hair care brand Living Proof (which is part-owned by Jennifer Aniston) announced an impressive new recycling initiative in Canada this week. Moving forward, customers have two ways to recycle their empty products via dedicated program pages on the brand’s website in partnership with TerraCycle. Both options include free shipping labels for you to send the items to TerraCycle to be recycled. For every package sent to TerraCycle, customers can earn points which can then be redeemed for charitable gifts or converted to cash donations for a non-profit, school or organization of your choice. “Living Proof is committed to solving the toughest beauty challenges with safe, cruelty-free innovations that don’t compromise our planet, and partnering with TerraCycle has helped us further development this commitment,” Sarah Mountcastle Mitchell, the brand’s brand marketing manager said in a release.   Live Clean launched a new innovative dry mist shampoo   Canadian natural hair care brand Live Clean expanded its portfolio this week with the introduction of a brand new Dry Mist Shampoo. Made from plant and naturally derived ingredients (including witch hazel, nettle and arrowroot), it has been formulated without the harsh chemicals often found in other formulations and is available in four fresh scents. Dry shampoo, though wildly popular, can be damaging to our hair and the environment but Live Clean’s new safe formula – which is suitable for all hair types – ensures your tresses are taken of with no risk to the world around you. Plus, the dry mist shampoo is air-powered meaning it is powered by oxygen versus propellants. The collection is now available at Shopper’s Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, Uniprix, Familiprix and Well.ca.   Province Apothecary released a new antiseptic hand wash   Toronto-based beauty emporium Province Apothecary unveiled the latest product in its lineup on Friday – a limited edition antiseptic hand cleanser. Made with 95 per cent Ethyl Alcohol, the hand sanitizer is Health Canada approved and kills 99.9 per cent of germs. Right now, you can get your hands on a bottle for $16 (it will be regularly priced at $22) via the brand’s website.   A Canadian tattoo shop released a ‘Speaking Moistly’ lip balm in honour of Justin Trudeau   PM Justin Trudeau has been the subject of many a meme of late. Besides his casual hair flick, the most prominent meme is undoubtedly the one based on when the PM said masks would stop people from “speaking moistly.” The regret at his use of the words was evident immediately but now local Canadian tattoo parlour Painted People Tattoo Co. has turned his words into an actual lip balm. The ‘Speaking Moistly’ lip balm is made using mostly locally-sourced ingredients, including raw local Canadian beeswax, with no articifical fragrances or flavours. $2 from every lip balm sold will be donated to the North York Harvest Food Bank, too, so you’ll get a piece of history for a very good cause.  

Good news SPF lovers (which really should be all of us) – cult suncare brand Supergoop is now available in Canada. This week, the brand launched exclusively at Sephora with four of its key products: Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, Dailyscreen Moisturizer SPF 40, Zincsreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40 and (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 45. Holly Thaggard, the brand’s founder and CEO, said of the brand’s products, “At Supergoop!, our mission is to make SPF not just a habit to wear every single day, but a part of your routine that is easy and fun. We strive to develop a range of products that feel good on the skin, work for all skin types and tones, and fit seamlessly into your existing skincare and makeup lineup. We recommend playing around with a few different formulas to find the right fit for your specific skin needs and daily routine.”   Holt Renfrew launched an exclusive new spring candle collection from Diptyque Now that we’re all spending so much time at home, chances are you’re (literally) burning through your candle stash, which makes Holt Renfrew‘s exclusive launch of Diptyque’s new spring candle collection perfect timing. Called Colouring Spring, the collection is comprised of five floral scents, including Mimosa, Geranium Rosa, Coisya, Freesia and Iris. Buy them all to create your very own floral bouquet whilst you wait for your favourite farmer’s market to reopen.   Living Proof announced a new sustainable recycling program for its hair care packaging in Canada   Hair care brand Living Proof (which is part-owned by Jennifer Aniston) announced an impressive new recycling initiative in Canada this week. Moving forward, customers have two ways to recycle their empty products via dedicated program pages on the brand’s website in partnership with TerraCycle. Both options include free shipping labels for you to send the items to TerraCycle to be recycled. For every package sent to TerraCycle, customers can earn points which can then be redeemed for charitable gifts or converted to cash donations for a non-profit, school or organization of your choice. “Living Proof is committed to solving the toughest beauty challenges with safe, cruelty-free innovations that don’t compromise our planet, and partnering with TerraCycle has helped us further development this commitment,” Sarah Mountcastle Mitchell, the brand’s brand marketing manager said in a release.   Live Clean launched a new innovative dry mist shampoo Canadian natural hair care brand Live Clean expanded its portfolio this week with the introduction of a brand new Dry Mist Shampoo. Made from plant and naturally derived ingredients (including witch hazel, nettle and arrowroot), it has been formulated without the harsh chemicals often found in other formulations and is available in four fresh scents. Dry shampoo, though wildly popular, can be damaging to our hair and the environment but Live Clean’s new safe formula – which is suitable for all hair types – ensures your tresses are taken of with no risk to the world around you. Plus, the dry mist shampoo is air-powered meaning it is powered by oxygen versus propellants. The collection is now available at Shopper’s Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, Uniprix, Familiprix and Well.ca.   Province Apothecary released a new antiseptic hand wash Toronto-based beauty emporium Province Apothecary unveiled the latest product in its lineup on Friday – a limited edition antiseptic hand cleanser. Made with 95 per cent Ethyl Alcohol, the hand sanitizer is Health Canada approved and kills 99.9 per cent of germs. Right now, you can get your hands on a bottle for $16 (it will be regularly priced at $22) via the brand’s website.   A Canadian tattoo shop released a ‘Speaking Moistly’ lip balm in honour of Justin Trudeau M Justin Trudeau has been the subject of many a meme of late. Besides his casual hair flick, the most prominent meme is undoubtedly the one based on when the PM said masks would stop people from “speaking moistly.” The regret at his use of the words was evident immediately but now local Canadian tattoo parlour Painted People Tattoo Co. has turned his words into an actual lip balm. The ‘Speaking Moistly’ lip balm is made using mostly locally-sourced ingredients, including raw local Canadian beeswax, with no articifical fragrances or flavours. $2 from every lip balm sold will be donated to the North York Harvest Food Bank, too, so you’ll get a piece of history for a very good cause.

Zero waste has become the mantra of more companies and municipalities as landfill space is running out and consumers are becoming more aware of the impact wastes such as plastic have on the environment. And speaking of plastics, one of the industry’s oldest and largest trade associations, the Plastics Industry Trade Association (SPI), is starting to nudge its members to consider launching zero-waste programs.   To that end, SPI tweaked its mission statement and now claims that zero waste is integral to the long-term success of the plastics industry.   In order to give this mission statement more teeth, SPI launched a recognition program for member companies that are working toward zero-net-waste within their manufacturing operations. While offering participating companies several lofty goals, the bottom line for SPI is to maximize its members’ waste-diversion efforts, such as the return of excess materials like resins to a manufacturing process or implementing an energy-recovery program in areas where recycling is not necessarily viable.   So, what do companies have to do? A qualification and verification process is the starting point. Companies need to evaluate how they can improve waste management within their operations, and determine what they are going to do with unwanted materials that include scrap, office and cafeteria waste, landscaping debris and waste, unwanted construction materials, and potentially toxic materials such as light bulbs, batteries and chemicals. Once a company has sent all documentation requested by SPI, it is permitted to use the SPI’s Zero Net Waste program logo.   There is one point, however, that will raise some eyebrows: SPI does not require any third-party verification. “SPI’s assumption is that companies will be honest and forthcoming with the information they are providing to meet qualification and verification requirements,” says the organization in its Zero Net Waste program materials.   Nevertheless, self-policing is better than taking no steps at all. The SPI’s goal is for companies to adopt the best possible waste-management practices without “onerous” restrictions — as in, regulations. SPI warns its members to take the program seriously and to avoid greenwashing. How a company would be discovered in violation of SPI’s terms and conditions for using its logos, however, is left unsaid. But of course in this age of social media, woe to any company that exaggerates or fibs about its sustainability efforts.   For the plastic industry’s shift to adopting zero-waste programs, or at least programs close to zero waste, reflects what is unfolding at more companies here in the U.S. and abroad. Cities such as Minneapolis, San Francisco and Palo Alto, California, have shown municipalities how they can inch toward total landfill diversion. CPG companies such as Unilever and Procter & Gamble, the products of which generate massive amounts of garbage on their own, have also made huge strides on the zero-waste front.   With other potential partners around, such as the upcycling giant TerraCycle, there are plenty of opportunities for companies to become more innovative with their trash so they can turn it into treasure. And in the meantime, they can gain the trust of their stakeholders and increasingly fickle consumers.

Com os dias longos em casa devido ao isolamento eu tenho buscado brinquedos educativos e, ao mesmo tempo sustentáveis. Acho muito importante comprar os brinquedos pensado no impacto na natureza, além de ser um brinquedo inteligente que irá despertar o interesse dos meninos por algumas horas, vários dias seguidos. E foi pensando em tudo isso que eu adorei quando a marca Mega Bloks me contactou para eu revisar alguns de seus brinquedos.

With the long days at home due to the isolation I have been looking for educational and sustainable toys. I think it is very important to buy toys with an impact on nature in mind, in addition to being an intelligent toy that will arouse the interest of boys for a few hours, several days in a row. And it was thinking about all this that I loved it when the Mega Bloks brand contacted me to review some of their toys. The Mega Bloks is a brand that began more than 30 years with an iconic line of large blocks stackable specifically designed for small hands of younger builders. One of the company's motto is to unite families to create moments of joy, fun, discovery and learning. In April 2020 Mega Bloks partnered with the international recycling leader TerraCycle to recycle branded (non-electronic) products and create new products in Canada. This program is called Blocks and Bricks Recycling Program and works as follows: (1) consumers must enroll in the program and send their items by mail using a prepaid card, (2) after they are collected, the blocks are cleaned, melted and remolded to produce new products. Through TerraCycle's free recycling programs, you can earn redeemable TerraCycle points or choose a school or non-profit organization to make a donation. The company has several sustainable initiatives and they can all be found here . Some examples of these initiatives include the blocks being made from plants (with a minimum of 90% bio-based), the plastic used in the blocks being of vegetable origin is made from ethanol extracted from sugar cane (100% renewable material ) and the packaging is fully recyclable.   I hope you enjoyed the tip. The boys loved the blocks and the fact that we can fit them together to assemble animals. They are sold in several places here in Canada, including online by Mastermind Toys. Here is a tip for you when you are doing a spring cleaning and throwing old toys away, to use this service and help with product recycling and nature conservation.  

  Clean makeup is invited into our kit for our greatest good and that of Mother Nature. And is about to revolutionize the entire cosmetic industry.   At first glance, the displays in the Sephora department store in downtown Montreal are very similar. From lipstick to foundation: there is all the arsenal necessary for the makeup bag.   But as you wander the islands, you will notice that green tablets bearing the words "Pure and healthy" are affixed to certain displays. Who is entitled to this distinction? The ranges free from harmful and ecologically responsible ingredients. Launched in 2018, the stamp now brings together around sixty brands.   An offer impossible to imagine barely 10 years ago, when beautists looking for clean makeup had very little to get on their skin. What happened? Sephora listened to its customers. "We have noticed a change in the concerns of consumers, who are increasingly looking for quality cosmetics with no suspicious substances," said Jane Nugent, vice president of merchandising at Sephora Canada.   In the target market there are millennials and generation Z, demanding customers looking for transparency and who read the labels carefully. "Companies even go so far as to modify some of their formulas to meet our selection criteria," says Jane Nugent.   Sephora is not the only business responding to this trend. The American retailer The Detox Market, created in 2010, has slowly established itself as the leader in healthy beauty. “When we started talking about clean makeup, it made everyone laugh. People associated green beauty with the hippie movement, ”says Romain Gaillard, founder of the chain, which has three branches in Toronto. Each product found on their site or in store must go through a rigorous evaluation process. "More than 1,000 companies contact us each year to be sold here ... It is essential to choose what we really like," he says.     Sea Surfer Curl Volumizing Mascara, Tart , $ 30  

What is clean makeup?

  In the absence of established regulations, the definition of clean makeup varies from brand to brand and remains open to interpretation. In principle, any component suspected of being carcinogenic, endocrine disruptor, neurotoxic or allergenic should not be present in the formula. In addition, the packaging, boxes and flasks must be biodegradable, with a low carbon footprint.   What client wants ...   This awareness has been brewing for a long time according to WGSN, the renowned London trend office whose expertise consists in anticipating the major consumer trends of tomorrow. "Several years ago, we predicted that ethical responsibility would become a non-negotiable criterion for buyers," said Jenni Middleton, WGSN beauty director.   Since then, the growth of this phenomenon has been observed in the food, fashion and, now, beauty industry. To such an extent that, according to a report published on the company's website, "cosmetic companies that neglect their environmental impact risk losing consumer confidence". The polling firm Nielsen has also revealed that internationally 73% of consumers were ready to change their purchasing habits to reduce their environmental footprint and that 38% preferred to buy ethical cosmetics.   This enthusiasm does not go unnoticed by opportunistic banners who see it as a golden marketing opportunity: being seen as eco-responsible is a sales strategy rather than a real value, which gives rise to the famous greenwashing). “Some brands distribute misleading information to give the impression of being green in order to arouse the interest of customers. This can result in misleading statements about the list of ingredients, the packaging (less environmentally friendly than it seems) or even the production chain (falsely carbon neutral) ", argues Jenni Middleton. Fortunately, the expert notes that the consumer is increasingly demanding to see evidence of these claims. And when the client wants something, everyone answers the call. Hence the “Pure and healthy” seal offered by Sephora.  

Precursors of yesterday, leaders of today

  These pioneering brands of clean makeup have paved the way towards a more responsible cosmetic industry.   Dr. Hauschka   Founded in 1957, the German company launched its make-up range in 1999 as a complement to the skin products it already offered. “We use the same raw materials as in our care. Infused with extracts of medicinal plants and certified organic vegetable oils, our make-up aims to sublimate women's beauty and not to mask it, ”specifies Marie Calas, head of research and development.     © Supplied by Châtelaine Eye and brow palette, Pierre shade, Dr. Hauschka , $ 65   Bite   "When we heard that a woman would ingest 3.17 kg of lipstick during her life, that made us think," reveals Sylvie Rouaix, vice president of product development at Bite. Originally from Toronto, the company has become a cult in the world of lipsticks. "We wanted to prove that makeup could be both safe and effective," she adds. In addition to being now 100% vegan, the Bite brand is launching foundations this year, pressed powders and foundation perfecting foundations.     © Supplied by Châtelaine Changemaker modular coverage pressed powder, Medium 2 shade, Bite Beauty , $ 48 for 7.5 g. Sublimating micellar foundation, shade L20, Bite Beauty , $ 52 for 30 ml.   Ilia   It is by peeling the ingredients listed on the boxes of her cosmetics that the Vancouver resident Sasha Plavsic wanted to create her own brand. What she did in 2011. “I loved a tinted lip balm. My first challenge was to reproduce it in a non-toxic version, ”says the entrepreneur. Nine years later, its illuminators, eyebrow gels and multipurpose sticks are sold like hot cakes. One of the secrets of its success? The formulas are enriched with beneficial ingredients, such as hibiscus extract or rosehip oil.   Green vs black   The European Union prohibits the use of more than 1,300 ingredients in cosmetics sold on its territory. In Canada, only 600 components are banned - which is still better than in the United States, where there are only about thirty. But why is there such a big difference between us and our cousins from across the Atlantic? According to Health Canada, this is notably due to the fact that the European Union studies substances individually, whereas here, they are grouped rather by family (for example, aniline dyes).   As for controversial substances such as parabens, phthalates and others, which are still permitted despite the concerns they raise, Health Canada claims to be watching them. The ministry follows “international scientific and regulatory reports closely, and regularly reviews the safety of chemicals in cosmetics in the form of risk assessments.”   The problem is simultaneous exposure to these ingredients, says Lise Parent, ecotoxicologist and professor at TÉLUQ University. In other words, a mascara used alone may not be a threat to health, but added, every day, to the foundation, lipstick and eyeshadow ... "We have no idea of their long-term effect, says the expert. However, we do know that phthalates have direct consequences for the rat's reproductive system and thyroid.”   Even if the human body is a wonderful machine for filtering out harmful substances, Lise Parent reminds us that it is not without its shortcomings, particularly in the case of endocrine disruptors. "They tend to accumulate in the body and, since they are similar to the hormones produced by it, our body is not always able to detect them and set in motion the process necessary to get rid of it, ”she explains.  

Green container

  According to the Zero Waste Week website, 120 billion packages of cosmetics are produced each year ... and most of them are not recyclable. A dizzying number to which several brands are responding with green initiatives. "At Maison Jacynthe, all the boxes are made of wood and aluminum, in addition to being reusable thanks to refills of eyeshadows," argues Marco Marsolais, make-up artist for the stars and co-creator of the range of cosmetics offered by the company. . For its part, Burt's Bees collaborates with TerraCycle, a company specializing in the management of non-recyclable waste, to ensure the recovery of its small pots.     © Supplied by Châtelaine Reusable case , $ 19. Terracotta , Mattina shade, and blush , In Love shade, Maison Jacynthe, $ 32 and $ 29.50   Where do the color pigments come from?   Most manufacturers of clean makeup - like Dr. Hauschka and Burt's Bees - opt for pigments of mineral origin, often identified on the packaging as iron oxides. At Maison Jacynthe, certain shades come from plant sources, such as the turmeric present in eyeshadows.   The red color, on the other hand, is more controversial. Brands choose carmine, a natural dye used for centuries and derived from crushed mealybugs (insects living on cacti). Vegan ranges will prefer to introduce some synthetic pigments.   As for the iridescent effect of certain illuminators and lip glosses, we owe it to an ore, mica. However, it is its extraction that is controversial. Many miners do in fact work with children, their small size being advantageous for digging wells and tunnels in deposits. Fortunately, ethical players make it a point of honor to source from responsible sources.  

Apps using

  How to take a closer look at the composition of products without carrying around a chemistry manual? Applications have been designed to scan the barcodes and the INCI list (the nomenclature of components) written on the packaging.   © Provided by Châtelaine Skin Deep App   Skin Deep   Works with ratings from 0 to 10 (10 being the level most harmful to health).     © Provided by Châtelaine Clean Beauty App Clean Beauty   We photograph the list of ingredients, then the application extracts the controversial components in seconds. Glossary of 800 ingredients.   © Provided by Châtelaine Think Dirty App   Think Dirty   Canadian application which evaluates, after reading the barcode, the ingredients according to ratings (from 0 to 10) combined with a color system. A substance rated 10 and highlighted in red = danger!   Performance at the rendezvous   Clean makeup has long suffered from a lack of hold. The eyeshadows spun in the folds of the eyelids, the mascara had to be reapplied several times a day, the textures were not in focus… Today, the cosmetic giants have corrected these weaknesses. Makeup artist Alexandre Deslauriers, who acted as a consultant for the makeup component at Burt's Bees, believes that we must still moderate our expectations. "It's not normal for a lipstick to last for 16 hours!" he exclaims.   An infallible outfit often betrays the presence of silicone. To maintain color on the lips, Burt's Bees has replaced plastic particles with mixtures of vegetable oils and waxes. In its tinted cream formula, it is squalane, a plant component extracted from olive oil, which solves the problem of spreading and adhesion to the skin. Bite, a brand recognized for its ultra-pigmented lipsticks, has traded dimethicone (silicone) for orange peel wax accompanied by agave nectar, both rich in antioxidants.   © Supplied by Châtelaine   Matt stick, Rippling Rose shade, Burt's Bees , $ 9.99   Maison Jacynthe Complexion Fluid is the favorite product of make-up artist Marco Marsolais. Its formula is enriched with borage oil, which gives it a malleable texture and hydrating power. "By applying it repeatedly on my clients' faces, I saw their skin change," he says. Green ingredients are also used in place of BHA and BHT (synthetic antioxidants) or formaldehyde (antimicrobial preservative) to preserve the products and avoid rancidity of fatty substances. To do this, Maison Jacynthe had previously used coffee extract, but will soon opt for Labrador tea to promote the natural riches of Quebec.