Building a Natural Makeup Collection on a Budget

If you're currently using conventional cosmetics and are looking to transition to more natural products, the replacement costs can be staggering.  Many women have paid hundreds of dollars (if not more) for the cosmetics they already know and love.It can be traumatic imagining throwing everything in the trash due to a new knowledge of cosmetic ingredients.  I've collected a few tips to help you learn how to stretch your dollars while building a more natural collection.

• Unless you are allergic to a product, consider using it up until it expires or runs out.  Eco-friendly cosmetics still take resources to produce, so it may be better for the environment to use up what you have before reaching for something new.  Cosmetics such as eye shadows can last as long two years, so consider using longer-lasting powders for at least a few months before swapping them out for something more natural.
• Buy or try samples of new cosmetics and make sure you purchase from a company with a liberal return policy. Just like buying any other new cosmetic, you want to be sure you can test colors and see how a product wears throughout the day before making a large purchase.  Don't be lured into one-day sales or impulse buys for items that will be on your face all day.
• Look for cruelty-free drugstore products.  Try items from brands such as Burt's Bees, Physician's Formula, Pacifica, and E.L.F. (mineral line). Check the EWG Skin Deep database to find the most gentle products.

Remember, building a natural cosmetic collection isn't about an "all or nothing" approach; every small change makes a difference. When you are ready to throw out your cosmetics, please consider bringing your cosmetics packaging to an Origins store or department store counter for recycling.  They will take packaging from any brand and attempt to turn it into something new.

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