One common misconception about ethical fashion and beauty is that it is difficult to find. I will admit that it isn’t always as easy to find as many conventional products, but it is definitely in the stores that you are probably already going to, even if you aren’t a wellness or health food store shopper. A few of my favorite tried and true, and not all that expensive ethical beauty products can be found at drugstores and big box stores like CVS, Target, Walgreen’s, etc. Here are a few of my favorite drugstore ethical beauty and makeup that are easy to find:
- W3ll People Lipgloss. I am obsessed with these. The colors are bright, they feel amazing, and there is a slight cinnamon flavor for a bit of a tingle. W3ll People is made in the US and has serious green beauty credentials. And, at about $15, not much more than your traditional products, available at Target!
- Burt’s Bees Lipstick. I have been a huge fan of Burt’s Bees deep hued lipglosses for ages, and don’t get me started on their jammies! So when they launched their makeup line last year, I was thrilled, I have yet to try the rest of the line, but I love this lipstick. It is moisturizing, the price is just right, and the color is perfect. If the rest of the line is this good, I will be ecstatic, as the price is amazing. They have a $9 mascara and a $3 lip oil (in my shopping cart as we speak!). And, Burt’s Bees is everywhere!
- Pacifica Mystical Eyeshadow Set. A few weeks ago, this palette got stolen. I was devastated. I love it. I had no issues with creasing, the pink shade is the perfect neutral for my skin tone, and the blue, when wet, was a great addition to my eyeliner for an evening look. At $23.99, it is a little more than the other items here, but it is worth it (in my opinion). Pacific is a totally innovative, sustainable first, gluten-free, vegan makeup line, packaged in recyclables. I also love their creamy-textured bronzer, and am looking forward to trying more of this line!
- Sonia Kashuk brushes. While not labeled ethical beauty, Sonia Kashuk has committed to cruelty free and no animal products in their products. And when it comes to brushes and other “investment” type beauty products, I say, buy the best you can, take care of it, and then don’t buy it again. These brushes, to me, are worth it, and are the type of brush to buy once, and love for a lifetime (or close to it!).
- Mineral Fusion color sticks. I love these. They are bright, beautiful colors, and are a 3-in-1, and if you’ve been here before, you know how much I love a multi use product. And they are Environmental Working Group approved! They are available for about $20, at CVS, Whole Foods, and Walgreen’s.
If you find yourself at a drug store, needing something now, and don’t see any of the ethical options you are used to, take a look at the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Database. You’ll find a rating on every product, from 1 – 10.
As I discover more brands and products that I love, I will add them here. And I am always looking for new ethical beauty products every time I shop. If you have a favorite, I’d love to hear about it.