transitioning to less waste - diy make-up remover

i haven't given up on my goal of reducing the amount of waste i produce, even though its been ages since i first brought up the subject. i have been busy testing out homemade alternatives to all the products i used to buy, use then throw in the trash (or recycling)! soooo, one of my biggest waste creating products - the oh so convenient make-up remover towelettes. you know, they come in a plastic package (waste), you pull one out, clean your face, and throw it away (more waste). did i mention that these things cost at least $8 dollars a pack (before adding tax)? did i also mention that the number one ingredient is water? followed by other things i can't pronounce. yes ladies, we have been paying close to $10 for paper towels soaked in water. yup.

so i did a little internet research and found some recipes for homemade make-up removers.  and then i felt awful because for years i'd been wasting my money on those towelettes when the whole time i had everything in my house to make a make-up remover.  think of all the clothes i could have bought with that saved money!!!

ultimately, i decided to use the measurements from one recipe i found but different ingredients.  this is literally the easiest diy ever and i'm almost embarrassed to even call it that, but i'm sure someone out there will be amazed at this.  i decided to use coconut oil instead of olive oil - i don't know if you've heard, and its not scientifically proven, but coconut oil has magical powers.  you can use it for everything.  i'm pretty sure that when you use coconut oil in a homemade make-up remover it actually makes you more beautiful.  like i said, its not scientifically proven but i'm like 90% sure its true.  i also used dr. bronner's liquid soap instead of johnson's baby shampoo.  dr. bronners is made from vegetables, completely biodegradable and yeah, i also think there might be some kind of magical powers in this soap (the website even says that its magic).

homemade make-up remover instructions:

grab a jar with a lid.  heat one cup of water, you should probably do this on the stove and not in the microwave.  pour hot water into the jar, and add one table spoon coconut oil and one tablespoon the soap of your choice.  screw the lid onto the jar and shake to combine.

that is it.  homemade make-up remover.  you should wait for it to cool down before using it.  and if you are sitting here thinking "zero waste?  what about the cotton pads that you will use to apply the make-up remover?"  i've got a solution for that too.  i made some flannel make-up remover squares like these.  you could also just use an old t-shirt that you cut into squares, but the flannel squares are cuter.   

a few tips - do not use the peppermint dr. bronners, it will burn your eyes.  i'd suggest the lavender, rose or the unscented mild baby soap.

will you try the homemade make-up remover?  i've been using it for months and i works just as well as the expensive, throw away towelettes.  let me know what you think in the comments!   
  

the face paint

i haven't always worn make-up, and i actually only started wearing it everyday about 3 years ago! i was a lifeguard for six years and with the chance of having to dive into water at a moments notice the thought of wearing make-up seemed kinda pointless (although i never actually dove in for a rescue). i'd only wear make-up if i was going out, and even then it was pretty much just some eyeliner and mascara. that quickly changed once i started working indoors everyday (and in fashion).  

1. murad essential-c day mosturizer spf 15 - i received this as a sample and have used it everyday since i got it.  even though my make-up has spf, i like to use a moisturize with spf as well.  i think i'm trying to make up for all those years i "forgot" to put on sunscreen while teaching swim lessons.

2. smashbox high definition concealer - i use this mainly to cover my genetically inherited bags under my eyes.  goes on smooth & blends well!

3.  bareminerals matte spf 15 foundation - bareminerals basically changed everything i ever though about make-up.  i love how lightweight the powder is, and how easy it is to apply.  i'm kinda a bareminerals junkie!

4. bareminerals spf 25 mineral veil - i changed from the original mineral veil to the spf 25 mineral veil as soon as it came out.  i figure that all the extra spf can't hurt and i don't want wrinkles!

5. bareminerals brow color & brow brush - filling in my brows is something that i added to my make-up routine about a year ago when i stopped getting my eyebrows done (been trying to grow them out for over a year!).  i found that the powder works better than a pencil and looks more natural.

6. revlon colorstay liquid eyeliner - i actually don't put eyeliner on every day, it usually depends on if i'm doing something after work or if i wake up early enough to make the wings perfect!

7. bareminerals brow finishing gel - since i've stopped threading & trimming my eyebrows, this gel keeps them in place during the day!  usually i wouldn't buy something like this, but i bought the eyebrow kit and it came with it.  who knew i'd end up liking it!

8. bareminerals blush in giddy pink - i like loose powder blush much, much more than pressed powder.  it seems easier to control, so i don't end up looking like a clown.

9. covergirl naturelux mousse mascara - i'm always on the hunt for a mascara that i really like, and this is the current mascara i'm using.  my all time favorite is still givenchy phenomen'eyes mascara, but the covergirl is my favorite that doesn't break the bank!

10 - 13.  maximum coverage concealer brush, full coverage kabuki brush, flawless application face brush, angled blush brush - all the brushes i use to apply my make-up are bareminerals.  i find it easier to do most of my make-up shopping at the same place!  

wow.  it definitely took a lot longer to do this post than it takes me to put on all that make-up!  what are your favorite make-up products?

in the bag

i've caved and have decided to do one of those "whats in my purse" posts.  while i always am curious to see what other people have in their purse, actually doing the post seems a little lazy.  but i had to clean out my purse anyway so i guess i wasn't so lazy.  i threw away all the old receipts too!!

the purse - my trusty j.w. hulme legacy bag.

wallet - marc by marc jacobs.  super old wallet, literally bursting at the seams with reciepts, membership cards, etc... 

make-up bag: oilcloth international.  the best! 

lip products - i'm embarrassingly kinda ocd about chapstick, so i need multiples just in case i loose one.  i've been known to drop everything to go buy a chapstick if i don't have one.  i also once got 40 chapsticks for christmas. fresh sugar lip treatment, burt's bees medicated lip balm, fresh sugar tinted lip treatment, chapstick spf 4 in cherry, smith's rosebud salve, buxom lip polish in brandy 

ipod -  i cannot remember the last time i used my ipod, but it lives in my purse.

pepper spray - must have for an girl who doesn't look like sloth from the goonies. 

yes, i have all that embroidery thread in my purse.  i bought it and decided i didn't need a plastic bag so i stuffed it in my purse.  and left it there.  never know when i'll want to do some impromptu crafting!

make up: if you have ever walked into a bare escentuals store at the mall and bought something, you probably got one of the samples.  perfect for on the go!  i also love these blotting tissues from the body shop, they are coated in a mineral powder so i get a little touch up every time i use them!  bare minerals matte, bare minerals mineral veil, mini kabuki brush (similar), covergirl lipstick, revlon liquid eye pen, compact mirror from rome, the body shop mineral powder blotting tissues (similar).

annnnd that is the contents of my purse.  looking at these photos i find it kinda strange that i did not have my keys, phone or sunglasses in my purse at the time.  so weird.  what things do you keep in your purse?