During the Lent Plastic Challenge, there were items that were really hard to source from local shops and online eco stores, particularly make-up and toothpaste.

So we really were made up to discover the independent producers making small batches of products, with natural ingredients on Etsy.

Mascara

Hello Twink Beauty‘s original, vintage style “cake mascara” which comes pressed in a rectangular metal tin.

Just add a drop of water and rub the applicator in it. You need to apply a couple of coats but it is amazingly waterproof (tested at a wedding where there were lots of tears), whilst coming off really easily at the end of the day. Of course the applicator is still plastic but this can at least be reused.  The mascara is available in a great range of colours including black.

Toothpaste

Even natural toothpastes come in those non-recyclable tubes. So, we have got quite into making our own toothpaste with coconut oil and baking soda But we are aware that for some people this could be a step too far. Hoorah for Georganics who are making organic toothpaste in London and selling in glass jars.   The benefit of the glass tub is that you just dip the toothbrush in which uses much less than squeezing out of a tube that is not even recyclable.

Georganics list all of their organic ingredients and their origin- and unlike mainstream toothpaste these are actually pronounceable!

Animal & Vegan Friendly

The fact that these products are made with simple ingredients also means these products are vegan-friendly, as they are not tested on animals.

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