#canadian eco friendly lip balm

[oceanspirebc]

Website: https://www.oceanspire.ca/

Address: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Oceanspire offers health & beauty products made with quality natural ingredients that are safe for us and our ecosystems. A collection of natural, plastic-free products designed with ocean protection in mind, including reef-safe SPF with non-nano zinc oxide.

All packaging is plastic-free and made with 100% recycled product that can be tossed into the compost after consumption.

Our Mission:

Reduce plastic culture, promote conscious consumerism and raise the standards of the health and beauty industry. We aspire to change the collective consciousness about plastic consumption through community engagement and consumer awareness.

10% of all product proceeds goes directly towards ocean conservation initiatives.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceanspire/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oceanspire

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/oceanspire_/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oceanspire.ca

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[trendsdresscom]

INNISFREE NOW OPEN IN CANADA

Innisfree is a name familiar to anyone obsessed with Korean skincare and makeup; with its shiny new flagship at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, the South Korean brand and retailer has just begun to introduce itself to Canada at large. Well, large-ish. At least two more doors are opening soon in Ontario with more to come in Vancouver, BC. Stay tuned for news on other Canadian locations. Online shopping in Canada will likely be addressed once the flurry of openings subsides, maybe in another year or two.

Thanks for watching!Visit Website

Innisfree Green Tea hydration-care regimen

According to Innisfree, which was founded by parent company AmorePacific in 2000 and counts Laneige and IOPE (of first-ever foundation cushion fame) as sister brands, it’s the most popular beauty mecca in Korea. More than 100 doors are open worldwide, including shops in Japan, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and, as of 2017, the USA in NYC, LA and San Francisco. The extensive product range for women and men includes skincare, haircare, body care, makeup, beauty tools, fragrance and home accessories; pricing hits mostly between $20 and $30 CAD.

Aside from its bestselling Green Tea Seed Hydrating Serum (for normal, dehydrated and dry skin) and Pore Clearing Clay Mask with Super Volcanic Clusters (for oily and combo skin), Innisfree’s eco-friendly practices are worth noting. (Approximately 70 to 80 per cent of Innisfree’s ingredients are natural, by the way.) Green initiatives include kraft-paper shopping bags, biodegradable sheet masks, an in-store Empty Bottle program (apparently the brand has recycled/upcycled more than 25 MILLION empties to date), responsible use of sustainable materials, and sourcing/cultivating ingredients from Jeju Island, an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thanks for watching!Visit Website

Thanks for watching!Visit Website

The little clip above presents a romantic Innisfree origin story.

The clip below is a quick IGTV video (that will look better on your phone) I shot at the new flagship Canadian Innisfree store at the media preview, the day before doors opened to the public.

I spotted some interesting Innisfree items, including lip balms that made me think of another brand,  silicone fingertip sleeves to aid in blackhead extraction, and mascara-remover in a mascara-wand format. As well, I asked store manager Amanda and staffer Rhonda for the lowdown on two of Innisfree’s most popular products. (I’ve tried both and like them so far; need more time for a proper evaluation.)

Get this Jeju Island Heritage Kit with a greater-than-$50 spend while supplies last.

Also noteworthy is a $35 limited-edition Toronto Exclusives introductory kit that includes a Green Tea Seed serum, hydrating cream, cleansing foam and eye cream, as well as a Jeju Island Heritage discovery kit with 9 mini sized items when you spend more than $50.

Are you familiar with Innisfree? If yes, we’d love your input on products you like/dislike and/or suggestions on what to try. If Innisfree is as yet unknown to you, what do you think so far?

*innisfree.com is a non-affiliate link ©2019BEAUTYGEEKS imabeautygeek.com

Source link

The post INNISFREE NOW OPEN IN CANADA appeared first on Trends Dress.

from Trends Dress https://trendsdress.com/innisfree-now-open-in-canada/

[bonniejstarks]

INNISFREE NOW OPEN IN CANADA

Innisfree is a name familiar to anyone obsessed with Korean skincare and makeup; with its shiny new flagship at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, the South Korean brand and retailer has just begun to introduce itself to Canada at large. Well, large-ish. At least two more doors are opening soon in Ontario with more to come in Vancouver, BC. Stay tuned for news on other Canadian locations. Online shopping in Canada will likely be addressed once the flurry of openings subsides, maybe in another year or two.

Thanks for watching!Visit Website

Innisfree Green Tea hydration-care regimen

According to Innisfree, which was founded by parent company AmorePacific in 2000 and counts Laneige and IOPE (of first-ever foundation cushion fame) as sister brands, it’s the most popular beauty mecca in Korea. More than 100 doors are open worldwide, including shops in Japan, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and, as of 2017, the USA in NYC, LA and San Francisco. The extensive product range for women and men includes skincare, haircare, body care, makeup, beauty tools, fragrance and home accessories; pricing hits mostly between $20 and $30 CAD.

Aside from its bestselling Green Tea Seed Hydrating Serum (for normal, dehydrated and dry skin) and Pore Clearing Clay Mask with Super Volcanic Clusters (for oily and combo skin), Innisfree’s eco-friendly practices are worth noting. (Approximately 70 to 80 per cent of Innisfree’s ingredients are natural, by the way.) Green initiatives include kraft-paper shopping bags, biodegradable sheet masks, an in-store Empty Bottle program (apparently the brand has recycled/upcycled more than 25 MILLION empties to date), responsible use of sustainable materials, and sourcing/cultivating ingredients from Jeju Island, an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thanks for watching!Visit Website

Thanks for watching!Visit Website

The little clip above presents a romantic Innisfree origin story.

The clip below is a quick IGTV video (that will look better on your phone) I shot at the new flagship Canadian Innisfree store at the media preview, the day before doors opened to the public.

I spotted some interesting Innisfree items, including lip balms that made me think of another brand,  silicone fingertip sleeves to aid in blackhead extraction, and mascara-remover in a mascara-wand format. As well, I asked store manager Amanda and staffer Rhonda for the lowdown on two of Innisfree’s most popular products. (I’ve tried both and like them so far; need more time for a proper evaluation.)

Get this Jeju Island Heritage Kit with a greater-than-$50 spend while supplies last.

Also noteworthy is a $35 limited-edition Toronto Exclusives introductory kit that includes a Green Tea Seed serum, hydrating cream, cleansing foam and eye cream, as well as a Jeju Island Heritage discovery kit with 9 mini sized items when you spend more than $50.

Are you familiar with Innisfree? If yes, we’d love your input on products you like/dislike and/or suggestions on what to try. If Innisfree is as yet unknown to you, what do you think so far?

*innisfree.com is a non-affiliate link ©2019BEAUTYGEEKS imabeautygeek.com

Source link

The post INNISFREE NOW OPEN IN CANADA appeared first on Trends Dress.

from Trends Dress https://trendsdress.com/innisfree-now-open-in-canada/ from Trends Dress https://trendsdresscom.tumblr.com/post/614091822301626368

[lindyhunt]

These New Canadian Designers Are the Future of Fashion

In our Winter issue, FASHION editors rounded up the 100 people, products and experiences we predict will blow up in 2019. It’s our inaugural Hot 100 Fuse List. From the workouts you’ll be doing, to the new designers and destinations you’ll see on your feed, this is your guide to being in the know next year.  To help us uncover the next big thing in Canadian fashion, we hosted The Perfect Fit Design Challenge with the Maybelline New York Fit Me! Foundation and The Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute.

The Challenge: Inclusivity is the new exclusivity, but the desire to be inclusive doesn’t come at the expense of customization. We all want to belong, but we also want to express our own individuality. For the Perfect Fit Design Challenge, each fellow from The Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute (SRFI) was asked to create a look that was both inclusive and inspired by empowering female archetypes. Depending on their aesthetic, the designers were matched with either Mother Earth, Artemis or Aphrodite. The focus was on creating daywear pieces that highlight texture, layers and separates.

Photography by Riley Stewart. Styling by Eliza Grossman. Makeup by Grace Lee. Art direction by Danielle Campbell. Hair, Cia Mandarello for P1M.ca. Makeup, Grace Lee for Maybelline New York. Fashion assistant, Cynthia Ongenda. Model, Eliane ciza for Ciotti Models. Ring, $95, Jenny Bird. Shoes, $1,075, Stuart Weitzman at The September.

Photography by Riley Stewart. Styling by Eliza Grossman. Makeup by Grace Lee. Art direction by Danielle Campbell. Hair, Cia Mandarello for P1M.ca. Makeup, Grace Lee for Maybelline New York. Fashion assistant, Cynthia Ongenda. Model, Eliane ciza for Ciotti Models.

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26. JONAH SOLOMON

“As a designer, you’re shaping what the world is through your designs.”

When Jonah Solomon was 16, he headed to Parsons in New York to attend an intensive summer course on fashion design. The first weekend he got there, which happened to include the Fourth of July holiday, an intense professor told the class to prepare 50 design sketches or not bother coming back. Solomon was intimidated, sure, but he met the requirement and found out that he loved the pressure cooker experience.

“I love having a grind and being on a deadline,” says the 20-year-old designer. Now in his third year as a fashion design student at Ryerson and an SRFI fellow, he’s more willing to tackle the big issues than ever before. “As a designer, you’re shaping what the world is through your designs,” he says. “There is so much turmoil happening. I can use my position to create some sort of change.”

  Beauty Note: “I wanted the makeup to be neutral and natural, but I also wanted a little glow in all the right places,” explains Grace Lee, lead artist for Maybelline New York. “I used Fit Me! Hydrate and Smooth Foundation in ‘375,’ and I mixed Baby Lips Balm and the Facestudio Master Strobing Stick on the model’s cheekbones and eyelids. For extra glow, I dusted on a layer of Facestudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter. Total Temptation Washable Mascara was used on the top and bottom lashes, and the brows were brushed and set with Great Lash Clear Mascara. The lipstick was Colour Sensational Shine Compulsion in ‘Chocolate Lust.’”

Photography by Riley Stewart. Styling by Eliza Grossman. Makeup by Grace Lee. Art direction by Danielle Campbell. Hair, Cia Mandarello for P1M.ca. Makeup, Grace Lee for Maybelline New York. Fashion assistant, Cynthia Ongenda. Model, Jahyun shin for Ciotti Models. Shoes, $895, Alexandre Birman at The September.

Photography by Riley Stewart. Styling by Eliza Grossman. Makeup by Grace Lee. Art direction by Danielle Campbell. Hair, Cia Mandarello for P1M.ca. Makeup, Grace Lee for Maybelline New York. Fashion assistant, Cynthia Ongenda. Model, Jahyun shin for Ciotti Models.

Photography by Riley Stewart. Styling by Eliza Grossman. Makeup by Grace Lee. Art direction by Danielle Campbell. Hair, Cia Mandarello for P1M.ca. Makeup, Grace Lee for Maybelline New York. Fashion assistant, Cynthia Ongenda. Model, Jahyun shin for Ciotti Models.

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27. OLIVIA RUBENS

“My goal is to bring my craft up to the level of a couturier.”

“When people think of eco-friendly clothing, they envision something very bland and granola; I really have fun challenging that and going in the opposite direction,” says Olivia Rubens, a 26-year-old designer whose kooky, colourful designs are the antithesis of dull. The Ryerson grad and SRFI fellow is now completing her MA in womenswear at the London College of Fashion.

“My goal is to bring my craft up to the level of a couturier,” she says. But it’s been a long journey: She applied and was rejected four times before she finally got in. “I just won’t give up,” she says. Rubens hopes to snag a coveted atelier position working for Vivienne Westwood or Faustine Steinmetz before returning to Canada to spearhead her own label. With her unmatched level of grit and determination, there’s no doubt she’ll make it happen.

Beauty Note: “For this colourful outfit, I really wanted the makeup to be vibrant,” explains Lee. “I decided to add some pops of colour to the model’s eyelids with the Lemonade Craze Eyeshadow Palette. I also used the Eye Studio Lasting Drama Eyeliner Pencil in ‘White’ underneath the eyeshadow to make her eyes really stand out. When I’m doing a brightly coloured eye, I like to keep the rest of the makeup looking soft and natural. That’s why I chose Colour Sensational Shine Compulsion in ‘Baddest Beige’ for her lips. For her foundation, I used Fit Me! Matte and Poreless in ‘238.’”

Photography by Riley Stewart. Styling by Eliza Grossman. Makeup by Grace Lee. Art direction by Danielle Campbell. Hair, Cia Mandarello for P1M.ca. Makeup, Grace Lee for Maybelline New York. Fashion assistant, Cynthia Ongenda. Model, McKenzie Verdon for Ciotti Models. Earrings, from $15 for a pair, and shoes, $30, H&M. Rings, from $200 each, Dean Davidson.

Photography by Riley Stewart. Styling by Eliza Grossman. Makeup by Grace Lee. Art direction by Danielle Campbell. Hair, Cia Mandarello for P1M.ca. Makeup, Grace Lee for Maybelline New York. Fashion assistant, Cynthia Ongenda. Model, McKenzie Verdon for Ciotti Models. Earrings, from $15, H&M.

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28. Matin Mithras

“I put my heart and passion into something that I really love doing.”

Matin Mithras always wanted to be a designer, but when he was growing up in Tehran, the only college that taught fashion only accepted women. Mithras settled on studying interior design instead and forged the beginnings of a successful career. But when he moved with his family to Canada in 2010 (“We didn’t like the [Iranian] government,” he says), he realized he was ready for a new path.

“From the first day we moved to Canada, I had this feeling that I was going to try fashion,” he says. When he was chosen to be an SRFI fellow, the fourth-year Ryerson student who specializes in vampy glamour describes feeling validated for his life choices. “I feel like I put my heart and passion into something that I really love doing, and it looks like somebody’s recognized it,” he says. Turns out his childhood dreams weren’t so far out of reach after all.

  Beauty Note: “There’s nothing more beautiful and classic than a statement red lip,” explains Lee. “For this model, I chose SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in ‘Pioneer.’ It’s a long-wear product, which means it’s important to work quickly because once it dries, it won’t come off. You’ll have a perfect red lip with no need for a touch-up. Her foundation is Fit Me! Matte and Poreless in ‘130.’ I also contoured her face with a darker shade of foundation, and then I filled in her eyebrows with the Brow Precise Micro Pencil. For the mascara, I chose Total Temptation, and I used the Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner along her lash line.”

[jessicakehoe]

These New Canadian Designers Are the Future of Fashion

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

In our Winter issue, FASHION editors rounded up the 100 people, products and experiences we predict will blow up in 2019. It’s our inaugural Hot 100 Fuse List. From the workouts you’ll be doing, to the new designers and destinations you’ll see on your feed, this is your guide to being in the know next year.  To help us uncover the next big thing in Canadian fashion, we hosted The Perfect Fit Design Challenge with the Maybelline New York Fit Me! Foundation and The Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute.

The Challenge: Inclusivity is the new exclusivity, but the desire to be inclusive doesn’t come at the expense of customization. We all want to belong, but we also want to express our own individuality. For the Perfect Fit Design Challenge, each fellow from The Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute (SRFI) was asked to create a look that was both inclusive and inspired by empowering female archetypes. Depending on their aesthetic, the designers were matched with either Mother Earth, Artemis or Aphrodite. The focus was on creating daywear pieces that highlight texture, layers and separates.

Photography by Riley Stewart. Styling by Eliza Grossman. Makeup by Grace Lee. Art direction by Danielle Campbell. Hair, Cia Mandarello for P1M.ca. Makeup, Grace Lee for Maybelline New York. Fashion assistant, Cynthia Ongenda. Model, Eliane ciza for Ciotti Models. Ring, $95, Jenny Bird. Shoes, $1,075, Stuart Weitzman at The September.

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26. JONAH SOLOMON

“As a designer, you’re shaping what the world is through your designs.”

When Jonah Solomon was 16, he headed to Parsons in New York to attend an intensive summer course on fashion design. The first weekend he got there, which happened to include the Fourth of July holiday, an intense professor told the class to prepare 50 design sketches or not bother coming back. Solomon was intimidated, sure, but he met the requirement and found out that he loved the pressure cooker experience.

“I love having a grind and being on a deadline,” says the 20-year-old designer. Now in his third year as a fashion design student at Ryerson and an SRFI fellow, he’s more willing to tackle the big issues than ever before. “As a designer, you’re shaping what the world is through your designs,” he says. “There is so much turmoil happening. I can use my position to create some sort of change.”

  .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

Beauty Note: “I wanted the makeup to be neutral and natural, but I also wanted a little glow in all the right places,” explains Grace Lee, lead artist for Maybelline New York. “I used Fit Me! Hydrate and Smooth Foundation in ‘375,’ and I mixed Baby Lips Balm and the Facestudio Master Strobing Stick on the model’s cheekbones and eyelids. For extra glow, I dusted on a layer of Facestudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter. Total Temptation Washable Mascara was used on the top and bottom lashes, and the brows were brushed and set with Great Lash Clear Mascara. The lipstick was Colour Sensational Shine Compulsion in ‘Chocolate Lust.’”

Photography by Riley Stewart. Styling by Eliza Grossman. Makeup by Grace Lee. Art direction by Danielle Campbell. Hair, Cia Mandarello for P1M.ca. Makeup, Grace Lee for Maybelline New York. Fashion assistant, Cynthia Ongenda. Model, Jahyun shin for Ciotti Models. Shoes, $895, Alexandre Birman at The September.

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27. OLIVIA RUBENS

“My goal is to bring my craft up to the level of a couturier.”

“When people think of eco-friendly clothing, they envision something very bland and granola; I really have fun challenging that and going in the opposite direction,” says Olivia Rubens, a 26-year-old designer whose kooky, colourful designs are the antithesis of dull. The Ryerson grad and SRFI fellow is now completing her MA in womenswear at the London College of Fashion.

“My goal is to bring my craft up to the level of a couturier,” she says. But it’s been a long journey: She applied and was rejected four times before she finally got in. “I just won’t give up,” she says. Rubens hopes to snag a coveted atelier position working for Vivienne Westwood or Faustine Steinmetz before returning to Canada to spearhead her own label. With her unmatched level of grit and determination, there’s no doubt she’ll make it happen.

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

Beauty Note: “For this colourful outfit, I really wanted the makeup to be vibrant,” explains Lee. “I decided to add some pops of colour to the model’s eyelids with the Lemonade Craze Eyeshadow Palette. I also used the Eye Studio Lasting Drama Eyeliner Pencil in ‘White’ underneath the eyeshadow to make her eyes really stand out. When I’m doing a brightly coloured eye, I like to keep the rest of the makeup looking soft and natural. That’s why I chose Colour Sensational Shine Compulsion in ‘Baddest Beige’ for her lips. For her foundation, I used Fit Me! Matte and Poreless in ‘238.’”

Photography by Riley Stewart. Styling by Eliza Grossman. Makeup by Grace Lee. Art direction by Danielle Campbell. Hair, Cia Mandarello for P1M.ca. Makeup, Grace Lee for Maybelline New York. Fashion assistant, Cynthia Ongenda. Model, McKenzie Verdon for Ciotti Models. Earrings, from $15 for a pair, and shoes, $30, H&M. Rings, from $200 each, Dean Davidson.

1/2

2/2

28. Matin Mithras

“I put my heart and passion into something that I really love doing.”

Matin Mithras always wanted to be a designer, but when he was growing up in Tehran, the only college that taught fashion only accepted women. Mithras settled on studying interior design instead and forged the beginnings of a successful career. But when he moved with his family to Canada in 2010 (“We didn’t like the [Iranian] government,” he says), he realized he was ready for a new path.

“From the first day we moved to Canada, I had this feeling that I was going to try fashion,” he says. When he was chosen to be an SRFI fellow, the fourth-year Ryerson student who specializes in vampy glamour describes feeling validated for his life choices. “I feel like I put my heart and passion into something that I really love doing, and it looks like somebody’s recognized it,” he says. Turns out his childhood dreams weren’t so far out of reach after all.

  .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

Beauty Note: “There’s nothing more beautiful and classic than a statement red lip,” explains Lee. “For this model, I chose SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in ‘Pioneer.’ It’s a long-wear product, which means it’s important to work quickly because once it dries, it won’t come off. You’ll have a perfect red lip with no need for a touch-up. Her foundation is Fit Me! Matte and Poreless in ‘130.’ I also contoured her face with a darker shade of foundation, and then I filled in her eyebrows with the Brow Precise Micro Pencil. For the mascara, I chose Total Temptation, and I used the Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner along her lash line.”

The post These New Canadian Designers Are the Future of Fashion appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

These New Canadian Designers Are the Future of Fashion published first on https://borboletabags.tumblr.com/

[storytimewithtina-blog]

8 Privileges (Part 1)

“Nobody tells you how hard things are” Yes, they do. They really do. We just don’t usually don’t pay much attention to it when the “hard” part isn’t hard for us. My past 3 months in Nepal have taught me so much and opened my eyes about so many things that I had known about but not quite internalized as well as I probably could have. So here is the first of 8 things that Nepal has shown me just how much I take for granted;

1 - Garbage sucks

This one bothered me the most, so I’m addressing it first and with a bit of a longer post, so here we go!

One of the other interns at our university briefly mentioned this in our discussion group so my roommate and I did some research; Nepal produces only 1/18 of the waste per capita relative to Canada (2017 stats), but looking at our capital city compared to theirs, you would think it was the other way around; 

(Above: Kathmandu’s sacred Bagmati River)

(Above: Ottawa’s Rideau Canal)

Canada’s waste management system, although more sophisticated, keeps waste out of sight and out of mind. In Nepal, where the waste is a lot more visible, I felt guilty just carrying a non-reusable plastic water bottle, and then there was the struggle of trying to find a garbage, let alone a recycling bin, to throw it away in.

Something worth mentioning here is that a lot of the trash in third world countries isn’t even theirs. I don’t have the numbers on Nepal specifically, but it makes you think about where exactly all of our trash goes if our cities and towns are so much cleaner. Most western countries, to maintain their “clean” appearance, will export their trash to third world countries, the ocean, and/or land fills.

It’s incredibly hard to not produce any waste todays society, but the average Canadian produces 2.7kg of waste PER DAY…..2.7 Kg!!! That’s almost 6 pounds! (I reread the statistic 5 times). I can’t imagine how 6 lb of trash can be created in a day, nor how that’s at all necessary.

Some obvious things that can help here are:

Stop buying plastic bottles, and try to avoid non-reusable wrapping and packaging (As much as I love instagramming my Starbucks, it looks the same, if not better, with a reusable starbucks coffee mug - they usually have designs that are way cuter than the plain paper cup anyway) 

Mesh, reusable light-weight bags to bag your produce instead of plastic bags - and obviously bring your own shopping bags as well Use reusable cloths instead of paper towel for cleaning (I would highly recommend microfibre cloths and towels, one of my best friends got me one for my trip and it’s lightweight, insanely absorbent, and - of course - reusable) 

STOP USING MICROBEAD SCRUBS!! I LOVE scrubs but the little beads in them that help exfoliate DO NOT dissolve, and end up in the oceans, fish and seafood. The reason they are in scrubs is so that they don’t dissolve while sitting in the scrub on the shelf at the store. Canada has banned products with microbeads, as of 2018, which I’m really happy about, but even if other countries haven’t, you can still choose more eco-friendly options. St. Yves was one of my favourite brands for these, and they have since come out with a new recipe for scrubs that don’t have microbeads, but it is incredibly simple to make DIY body scrubs that are cheaper, just as effective, and chemical/waste free. I’ve been making these for about a year, and I love them. (You can make them in advance, but the sugar one will separate on its own so will need a good stir before you use it, the coffee one might be less rough as an exfoliant the longer you let it sit)

1 Lemons worth of juice + 1 tbsp honey + Sugar to preference (the more sugar, the more rough it will be): this is good for your whole body; the lemon juice is acidic and gets rid of dirt and dark spots, the sugar acts as an exfoliant, and the honey makes your skin feel soooooo smooth

1-2 tbsp Coconut Oil + 1 tbsp ground coffee + Sugar to preference (same as the one above, the more sugar, the rougher the scrub): also good for your whole body; the coffee helps with keeping your skin firm (and is a nice fresh morning smell in the shower), and the coconut oil is good as a moisturizer - I would be cautious using this on your face, the skin on your face is much more delicate than the rest of your body, and coconut oil can tend to clog pores and cause breakouts in some people.

1 tsp kefir, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp rice/corn flour: this is especially good for your face, the kefir is a scientifically proven probiotic that helps balance out the good bacteria on your skin after having stripped away bacteria and oils while washing (you can also use yoghurt or milk here, but the more probiotic cultures, the better), the flour is an exfoliant (using regular wheat flour doesn’t work as well because it is less coarse and will bind with the kefir/milk/yoghurt), and the turmeric is really good as an anti-redness agent

^You can obviously adjust the ingredients based on what you like

RECYCLING: this was quite hard in Nepal where it was oftentimes tough to find a regular garbage, let alone a recycling bin, but looking around doesn’t hurt. Also, I think it goes without saying that littering is a no-no

Paper towels: probably one of my favourite household items, which was not at all a regular item in our house in Nepal (or many of the houses we visited). I bought some to use for putting in my contacts, but everything in the house was manageable with reusable cloths. This sounds incredibly simple but I feel so guilty thinking about how much paper towel I used to use while cooking and cleaning in Canada.

I’ve decided that I will do my best to go the extra mile on this one, because it is very doable, just needs a little extra time and effort (but every little bit goes a long way). So here are a few things that maybe aren’t as mainstream yet, but are very available and affordable:

Reusable metal straws - Some restaurants have started with these, but you can easily bring these retractable straws with you and ask the waiter for no straws, or just not grab one at fast food places/coffee shops (I bought these for $12 on Amazon, and I love them so far) (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0734K7RH3/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 )

No-waste bar shampoo - this one I actually really really love because it lasts much longer than a bottle of shampoo, so you’re saving some money, which as a student is always in the back of my mind, and also has a lot less chemicals - depending on the brand - and also has no plastic container, and some come in small tins that you can use to store small things (I’ve just bought some of these and some conditioner bars as well from Lush, great so far, will post more about these later) (https://www.lush.ca/en/hair/shampoo-bars/)

Reusable cling wrap

Biodegradable Bamboo toothbrushes (https://www.bambrushes.com/collections/all-products)

Ethically sourced clothing companies that recycle materials: I’m doing a lot more research into this and will try out some brands and probably write about what I find later

Make up brands that recycle their containers - I know MAC will take back your empty make up containers and give you a discount on new products, not sure about other brands; another thing I’m doing more research into

Or if you are feeling extreme, you can try making your own make up (mascara, toothpaste, lip tints, and lip balms are fairly easy, I might very cautiously try homemade deodorant but I’m quite skeptical so we will see)