Green Your Beauty Routine

Have you ever wanted to use greener, cleaner, healthier makeup and skincare but didn't know where to start? What we put on our bodies is just as important as what we put in our bodies but the change to a cleaner beauty routine can be overwhelming. Especially if you are a product junkie like me!

On Monday night I hosted a “Green Your Beauty Routine” party with Makeup Artist and Holistic Wellness Consultant Rebecca Casciano. Rebecca has successfully helped me clean up my beauty routine, and I wanted her to do the same for my girl friends. You can see a video recap of the party here!

Over healthy holiday treats (Pomegranate Guacamole and Spiced MexicanTruffles to name a few) and a few glasses of Prosecco, Rebecca talked to us about being glamorous and green at the same time.

She also did a makeup demonstration on one of the gals using her favorite green products.

What better way to celebrate the holidays than getting gorgeous and green at the same time?

Here are Rebecca's answers to my question on all things green beauty. Enjoy!

How and when did you get interested in green beauty? Was it always part of your work as a makeup artist or was it a transition?

Although I have been transitioning aspects of my diet and lifestyle for many years, my makeup kit was the last to go green. Two years ago, when I decided to become a Holistic Wellness Consultant, I knew it was time to find cleaner options for both my personal and professional use. Surprisingly, I found many gorgeous alternatives to my favorite commercial beauty brands and created a green makeup kit. It's still a transition because there are times that call for a certain color quality or durability, that may not be available in a green beauty product...yet!

Why is it so important to “green your beauty routine”?

Much of what we put on our skin gets absorbed by our body and deposited into our bloodstream. Unfortunately, most of the commercial beauty and self-care products on the market contain toxic chemicals that have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, infertility, nervous system damage, allergies and more. Because we use beauty and self-care products so often and so liberally, it makes sense that would want to choose safe, non-toxic alternatives.

What are the main ingredients to look out for in your makeup and personal care products?

Parabens, fragrance, petroleum, mineral oil, sodium laurel sulfate, formaldehyde and triclosan, just to name "a few'! I highly recommend the book "No More Dirty Looks" by Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt. It's a great guide for both "Dirty Ingredients" as well as recommendations for beauty brands you can trust.

It can be overwhelming to green your whole beauty routine at once. If someone wants move away from toxic products where would you suggested starting? What is the biggest offender they should get rid of/swap out?

Agreed! Try not to get overwhelmed. Simply start with one item at a time, or whatever you can comfortably handle. I actually suggest starting with self-care products that are applied often and liberally; such as body wash, moisturizer and shampoo. Another big one is deodorant 'aka' antiperspirant, as most contain aluminum, which both blocks normal sweat function and gets absorbed into the body. The effect has been linked with breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

What are your current favorite green makeup products?

I love RMS Beauty Eyeshadow, Jane Iredale's PureGloss and Korres Cherry Oil Gloss for lips, Alima Pure's Satin Matte Foundation (combo-oily skin), Vapour Organics (dry skin), Christopher Drummond Beauty Duo Phase Concealer and Revolution Organics Freedom Glow Beauty Balm.

What are your current favorite green personal care products?

I'm a big fan of Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap and pure African shea butter for body, Dr. Alkatis Skin Food and Kahina Giving Beauty for face, Giovanni shampoo and conditioner, Soapwalla Deodorant, La Vanila Healthy Perfume and Deodorant.

I am going from work to a holiday party, what are a few quick and green products I can use to bump up my look and make me party ready?

Add some sparkle with Alima Pure's Venus Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow or RMS Beauty Living Luminizer. Dab some on the tops of your cheekbones, inner corner of the eye, brow bone and cupid's bow (right above lip). A red lip is always perfect for holiday glam, so try Lotus Cosmetics Lipstick in Classic Red or Josie Argan Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain in Flamenco!

A little elf wants to buy you (Rebecca) some holiday gifts. What are three things on your wish list this year?

Hmmmm, a Vitamix blender, an island getaway and a great camera!

For more information on Rebecca and the beauty and wellness services she offers visit her website at www.rebeccacasciano.com