It seems odd but the only one sphere of a business that still ignoring the plastic problem is a beauty industry. The touch of fashion and luxury makes us to forget that luxury jars and posh bottles are not always fully recyclable. 

We can't ignore the fact that 90% of all cosmetic products are still in plastic. It is cheaper packaging for a manufacturer and makes customer sense as it's lightweight and travel-safe. Plastic pumps for lotions and soaps, sprays and foaming bottles are really comfortable and hard to replace.

Unfortunately, we use and produce much more plastic than we are able to recycle. Most of the plastic packaging contains other materials and when it's difficult to recycle it goes to the landfill. It is happening every day.

Maybe you think it is not a huge problem but when you look at the amount of make up, skincare and cosmetic products you use everyday. Starting from shower gel and finishing with mascara - all packaging is plastic. Most of the cosmetic products have complicated packaging: metal parts, plastic tubes, mixed packaging.

"I myself have twenty-one product just for the hair, and if I would collect all cosmetics that I use - I would be able to open a shop and live on the profit for five years! I'm the beauty addict, just like everyone else these days.." Alina Perfance 

This is a modern trend of one-time-use beauty dictate us the way to live, wear, smell and look. 

The problem of plastic microbeads became aware so quickly even on the government level. It must be the increasing speed of the pollution and unreversible circumstances we could face if we would carry on using microbeads.

On 9th of January 2018, the British Government launched the law that banned microbeads completely. From now on all manufacturers are prohibited by law add to any products of personal care plastic microbeads. 

Microbeads are small plastic particles less than a millimetre in a dimension that used as a cheaper exfoliator in rinse-off products like: face and body scrubs, shower gels and even toothpaste. You can find them in the list of ingredients. There are various names: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polylactic acid, or nylon. 

Well, really if you try any cosmetic product you will notice that plastic microbeads that go down to the drain and then into the river and oceans.

The actual plastic bottles and bags are dangerous enough for a ocean wildlife but with microbeads - they might end up in our organs one day with the seafood we consume!

We can use natural biodegradable exfoliants like the apricot kernel and jojoba grains, coffee, sugar and salt scrubs and biological exfoliators like citric, salicylic and lactic acid.

"I really like the way L'Oreal managed the problem of microbeads by launching Smooth Sugar Scrubs. I think this is one of the most conscious beauty brands we have on the leading market and I'm glad they exist." -Alina Perfance

What can we possibly do about it?

"As a part of a  new beauty generation, I can't ignore this problem. More beauty brands appear, but not many actually do something about pollution and plastic problem. We have organic brands, we have vegan brands and even cruelty-free but there is nothing changed about plastic packaging in beauty products." - Alina Perfance

This is a question of an attitude and our testimonials are bringing good for people and the planet.

Even if it is not always easy to refuse from budget plastic packaging we will continue using environmental-wise packaging.

The result is all our Perfance face creams and moisturisers are glass jar packaging. Most of our body products like Black Moroccan Soap, body scrubs and body lotions are aluminium tins packaging.

We are working on researching the best possible packaging for liquid products: before launching a new product we make a decision on what packaging to use. 

We do not test products on animals or use any animal-based products.

We never use microbeads - only natural goodness. Perfance Dead Sea Salt Scrubs are an amazing exfoliator that enriches skin with minerals. What possible do good plastic exfoliating microbeads for your skin?

Is there is a biological plastic?

Unfortunately, cornstarch plastic or any other vegetable based plastic is not a solution - it will create the same amount of pollution but with wasting real natural resources. The real solution is - we should completely refuse from plastic.

"When we look back in 70's we did manage to live without plastic: paper bags and glass bottles created that genuine atmosphere and the feel of the product, no matter was it a bottle of milk or a paper box of talcum powder. " - Alina Perfance

We are here to make our own choice everyday.  It is only depending on every single customer that goes to the shop and making that choice.

Just imagine if people would stop buying products in plastic packaging I can promise you tomorrow manufacturers would replace packaging into environmental-friendly.

The same way we refused from animal-based products and testing on animals long time ago and Vegan cosmetics became a choice number one. 

The action plan:

1. Recycle as much as possible. Check local recycling system and reduce general waste as more as you can do it. Not everything that gets into recycling would be 100% recycled - so make sure you do your best. 

2. Choose glass and tins packaging over one-time use plastic. Many things like organic soap that comes in paper packaging or a tin are much better for a planet. And glass bottles and jars does give that hint of a genuine luxury on your dressing table. 

3. Refuse from plastic carrier bags - get a shopper.

"I don't have any plastic bags at home for a long time, I use Cath Kidston Foldaway Shopping bag - I keep it in my handbag and it unreplaceable for any shopping groceries or a new shoes.

4. Find out if cosmetics that you use has microbeads in it. To be honest, I can't find on the major beauty brands website full list of ingredients like it is some kind of a secret. This information should be available to the public. But you can always phone up to Customer Service and make a request: you would be surprised that some of the very famous skincare products are still tested on animals and can't be classified as vegan. Or even with microbeads - I'm sure some manufacturers still using them.

This is only your choice to make - leave our planet polluted and abundant or create a new intelligent thinking regarding environment. 

Things can be much more simple than we think. Like after a long day of work and then an evening gym session you feel like you not gonna make it. You need to learn to relax. The most simple routine is taking a bath. And adding Dead Sea Salt.

Why Dead Sea Salt?

Dead Sea salt is full of minerals that give a huge benefit to your skin and even your immune system. Only Dead Sea Salt has similar mineral content as human's blood, that's why only Dead Sea salt is able to treat any dermatological problems and many other chests, heart and throat diseases. No wonder why Dead Sea SPA resort doesn't need advertising, as many people visit when the traditional medicine can't help.  

When added to hot bath the minerals evaporate and helps your immune system fight colds and viruses unblock breathing from city pollution. For the skin is amazing softening rough skin, mineralising and treatment effect. And if you have any of dermatological problems with the skin they will be fixed with just a daily salt bath.

When high quality oils added it gives to bath salts invigorating scent and real flowers creating a total SPA experience at home. It just gives you something special you deserve at the end of a busy day. And good relaxation improves good night sleep that will definitely recharge your batteries. It's best got the bed straight after taking a bath, switch off distractions, maybe read a book as it is almost similar to meditation and you'll sleep like a baby. 

Perfance Dead Sea Bath Salts were inspired by my travel to Israel to the Dea Sea. The genuine local atmosphere, red orange sands on the Dead Sae beach and oily mineral feel on the skin after floating in the Dead Sea make you feel special. 

I have added flowers to Wild Lavender and French Fields Perfance Bath Salts expressing SPA mood that will give you this product. 

Wild Lavender Bath Salts smells more like lavender summer fields, more woody and genuine rather than 'strong wholefood store scent'. Creating scent by using organic therapeutic grade oils makes it smell special. The unique blend of Bulgarian Lavender softened with Cinnamon Bark Oil. Finished with Blue Lavender petals makes. 

French Fields Bath Salts blended carefully with invigorating Ylang Ylang and Woody Vanilla Oil. Finished with Chamomile flowers dried on the sun. 

How to use?

It is the best added Perfance Dead Sae Bath Salts into a hot water while the bath is filling up to make Dead Sea minerals evaporate. Then adding cold water to make a more comfortable temperature. 

Take a bath from 15 to 30 minutes, you can combine ritual by applying face mask or facial oil. After the bath get straight to bed as it will improve your night sleep. 

The creaminess and luxury of this lipstick are just inspiring and totally unexpected! Non-smudge pigment makes colour stay-in-place and you can completely rely on this lipstick. 

You would think this is just a lipstick but the moisture in this chubby little case in enormous!

"Result: my dry lips were absolutely recovered after the second application, the pigment is just awesome and it doesn't actually get into the lines on your lips. Since then this lipstick is never leaving my handbag!"

The texture is not just creamy but perfectly blendable even on the cheeks. I applied lipstick directly onto cheeks and blend it with a damp beauty blender (fingers works just fine too), I love the colour and it all went perfectly: beautifully matching lips and cheeks gives really pastel and fresh look in 808 Victoire shade.

Melts perfectly but non-oily residue, it's less creamy than crazy creamy YSL Volupte Lipsticks.

"Dior does stay on the lips and never on teeth and outside of the lips contour like Clinique for example.. Yes, I tried it. To be honest, Clinique has beautiful shades but their quality is not just there yet. 

Be sure, when you are wearing Dior lipstick you are absolutely party-safe!" 

So, whenever you want to wear bold colour go for Dior, I have tested all range of lipsticks: Dior Addict, Diorific, Rouge.. they are all reliable and perfect. 

Luxury Packaging is a black with the smooth finish and Christian Dior logo, the click will announce when it's closing. Quite lightweight and luscious packaging.

Now the favourite part is a swatches, I know it might be difficult to buy online if you have never seen lipstick in real life, almost impossible. 

 Only because Dior Rouge Lipstick made so much difference how soft my lips look and feel I decided to dig deeper and have a closer look at the list of ingredients.

"So, as I was finishing this blog post two ingredients in this lipstick really surprised me: 

C10-30 CHOLESTEROL/LANOSTEROL ESTERS which is basically wool wax or wool grease(!) and ALUMINIUM HYDROXIDE is actually medicine for heartburn and stomach aches.."

I give an explanation of each cosmetic ingredient and better understanding what's in your cosmetics you use. 

FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS:

POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE - Skin conditioning agent, Texture Enhancer, Emollient (Softening and Soothing), Surfactant (), Emulsifying Agent (helps to blend in oils and water for example);

HYDROGENATED POLYDECENE- Synthetic polymer, gives smooth and non-sticky feeling  on the skin;

SYNTHETIC WAX- is a hydrocarbon wax produced from natural gases, functions: binder and emulsion stabiliser;

METHYL HYDROGENATED ROSINATE - organic origin compound derived from Resin (Rosin), film-forming agent; 

TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE TRIISOSTEARATE - Skin conditioning agent;

OZOKERITE - a brown or black paraffin wax occurring naturally in some shales and sandstones and formerly used in candles, polishes, and electrical insulation;

ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE - Fragrance ingredient, widely used in cosmetic products, may irritate skin or eyes;

C10-30 CHOLESTEROL/LANOSTEROL ESTERS -  is a mixture of cholesterol and fatty acid ester from Lanolin - wool wax or wool grease - animal origin product;

CALCIUM CARBONATE - inorganic salt, bulking agent, oral care agent; 

POLYETHYLENE - an abrasive, adhesive, binder or bulking agent, an emulsion stabilizer, a film former, an oral care agent, and as a nonaqueous viscosity-increasing agent.(Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17365139);

CERA ALBA (BEESWAX)- works great as a protective barrier from environmental assaults, emollient and moisture binder; 

CALCIUM ALUMINIUM BOROSILICATE - glass type material used as a bulking agent;

DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE - ingredient based on natural mineral  clay hectorite, suspending agent - nonsurfactant, anticaking ingredient;  

MANGIFERA INDICA (MANGO SEED BUTTER) - plant-based, nourishing, skin conditioning agent, a rich source of fatty acids, skin soothing ingredient;

CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC  TRIGLYCERIDE - a compound derived from coconut oil and glycerine, skin-replenishing agent, emollient;

DECYLOXAZOLIDINONE - Plasticizer, skin conditioning agent, stabilising agent; 

PARFUME (FRAGRANCE) -  gives aroma and decreasing odour of raw materials might give a skin or eyes allergic reaction; 

HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL - skin conditioning agent, viscosity increasing agent - thickener; 

LUFFA CYLINDRICA SEED OIL - plant also called Egyptian Cucumber, used in makeup as a base to give softer and smoother appearance;

ETHYLHEXYL HYDROXYSTEARATE - Plasticizer, skin conditioning agent, stabilising agent; 

BHT - Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is similar to BHA that is also listed as “generally recognized as safe.” It, too, is added to food as a preservative. The two compounds act synergistically and are often used together. BHT is not a listed carcinogen, but some data have shown that it does cause cancer in animals(Source:  EWG.Org.);

CRITHMUM MARITIM EXTRACT - Sea Fennel Extract, Rich in minerals and vitamins A, C, and E. Has antioxidant, toning, skin conditioning, and soothing properties. It is also often being used in anti-ageing products;

TRIHYDROXYSTEARIN- a type of fatty acid, lipid, skin conditioning;

PROPYL GALLATE - antioxidant used in food to prevent oxidization; 

BUTYLENE GLYCOL - dissolvent - helps the product to dissolve in water, viscosity-decreasing agent, skin conditioning agent; 

PHENOXYETHANOL - aromatic alcohol, used as a preservative, sources claims that it's safe and it's relatively new preservative and it's not completely studied yet;

GERANIOL - is alcohol primary component of Rose Oil, Palmarosa and Citronelle; 

ALUMINIUM HYDROXIDE - used to treat heartburn and stomach aches and kidney disease;  

SODIUM HYALURONATE - small molecules of Hyaluronic acid that gets deeper into the skin and works better as moisturiser and moisture retain; 

CITRONELLOL - colourless oily liquid with a rose scent,  functions: fragrance and masking; 

AMYL CINNAMAL - synthetic scent ingredient;

LIMONENE - extracted from Citrus, fragrance and solvent functions 

CITRAL - fragrance agent with a citrusy scent; 

TOCOPHEROL - fragrance ingredients, skin conditions, similar to VItamin E;

BENZYL BENZOATE -  insecticide ingredient (kills bacteria) and gives a pleasant aroma to cosmetic products.

The rest of the Ingredients like CI12085 (RED) are just colourants.

Conclusion: of course this is the only basics and when we see in the list of Ingredients Limonene which is extracted from Citrus but we know nothing about the method: how did they extract it and what kind of citrus they used. Only because it's a trade's secret.

"Dior Heritage has a long history of development and growth, they made a revolution in makeup and fragrance world and we should respect that too.

It's all purely is a question of choice. And I choose Dior as I keep coming back to their counter."

Lift in the jar: possible?

CATCH: Cream Mask that can visibly ‘lift and contour’ not only wrinkles but saggy skin areas (jawline, neck). Used along with Treatment Applicator for your Sonic Brush to double effect!

CONCERN: wrinkles, lines, dry skin (as has a good mix of instant moisturising ingredients), dull complexion (tired colour of the skin).

TEXTURE: Super creamy and concentrated, but not balmy texture (as majority antiaging masks can be) incredibly rich, non-greasy, absorbs without residue.

HOW TO USE: Smallest amount apply on the face and neck avoiding eyes after cleansing is complete. Apply 3 times per week. Can be left overnight. Rinse is not needed, just tissue off.

WHAT IT DOES: To say that this masks does lifting – NO. What it really does is replenishing, smooth and supple your skin instantly! Gives a good cocktail for skin to look alive and healthy!

PACKAGING: Plastic Jar with a screw top.

INGREDIENTS: Concentration from High to Low

Aqua – Usually used purified water

Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides – solvent, emollient and skin replenisher extracted from coconut, excellent for dry skin, help to replenish moisture balance.

Butylene Glycol – conditioning agent and solvent, makes texture thinner for easier application.

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil – restores and soothes skin, perfect for replenishing skin’s moisture levels.

Isostearyl Neopentanoate – that what gives this mask lovely sparkly neon colour (after application you’ll see a very slight hint of colour), stabilizer agent, emollient.

Squalane – moisturising ingredient (can be found in olive oil or can have animal origin), lubricator.

PEG-100 stearate – mixture of natural oil (can be coconut and palm oils) with Stearic Acid.

Isopropyl Isostearate – skin conditioning agent, humectant (retains moisture), ester (mixture of Alcohol and Acid).

Glyceryl Stearate –  emulsifier, conditioning agent, waxy- like substance.

Cetearyl Alcohol – oil soluble agent, helps to dissolve oil based and water based ingredients.

Polysorbate 60 – dissolvent and refresher, that what makes mask texture non oily and without residue.

PEG-40 STEARATE- ‘is a synthetic polymer composed of PEG (polyethylene glycol) and stearic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid’(Source:ewg.org)

Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax – surfactant and emulsifier (derivate from beeswax).

NOW IS A GOOD STUFF:

Sweet Almond Extract – perfect for dry skin, soothing and regenerating.

Bambusa Vulgaris (Bamboo Extract) – soothing, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, even antibacterial properties (Source: cosmedicine.com).

Barley, Chlorella, Cucumber, Pea Extracts, St. Paul’s Wort Extract are anti-oxidants and  good stuff for skin.

Caffeine – anti-oxidant and skin stimulant, in small amount can be fine, usually extracted from coffee or tea plants.

Crithmum Maritimum Extract – basically a plant, that gives skin conditioning and tonic effect, might have anti-aging benefits which currently under studying. 

Sodium Hyluronate – Clinique is proudly tell that most of their products contains Sodium Hyluronate - same as HA (Hyaluronic Acid) gets easier into skin due to its smaller molecule size, used in ‘youth injections’.

Ethylhexylglycerin – almost like Glycerine but derived from a sugar alcohol, might be used as preservative.

Nylon-12 – Polymer, makes skin matte and smooth, hypo-allergenic ingredient.

Whey Protein (Milk Protein) – skin conditioning agent with animal origin.

Carbomer – polymer and texture stabiliser.

Tromethamine – ‘buffering agent, and masking ingredient used in cosmetics’ - (According to truthinageing.com).

Acrylamide – stabilize products and bind ingredients, has foaming, anti-static and lubricating properties, the EU sets limits for the amount of residual acrylamide allowed in products containing polyacrylamide (Source: Safecosmetics.org).

Propylene Glycol Dicaprate – conditioning agent and moderate hazard ingredient that causes irritation (because this ingredient is on the bottom of Ingredient’s list the amount of it is very small).

Oryzanol  - is Rice bran oil, in cosmetics used as Carnauba Wax – polishing agent.

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake – is abrasive, absorbent and bulking Agent, plant origin, non-allergenic and non-toxic.

Isohexadecane – skin conditioning agent and a compound of petroleum (Mineral Oil, Petroleum Jelly).

Sorbitan Stearate – used as a fragrance ingredient and emulsifier (bulk of it costs almost nothing).

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil – process that makes mixture of any liquid oils with plant origin spreadable.

Polysorbate 80 – surfactant and emulsifier very often used in cosmetics.

Glucosamine HCL – compound of animal origin (shellfish) for skin rejuvenation.

Disodium EDTA – type of salts and preservative.  

Phenoxyethanol – preservative and alternative to parabens, it’s quite new ingredient in cosmetic industry – according to truthinaging.com ‘is toxic’

Titanium Dioxide and Mica are silicate minerals (talc) – cheap ingredients that gives shimmery effect to this mask!

A CATCH: It’s not just ordinary Make Up Remover, it’s Water-Free Cleansing Milk (no rinse needed just wipe off traces with toner and follow with moisturiser).

CONCERN: Dry Skin, Redness, Irritation from contact with waterGentle morning cleanser!

Removes Make Up, Impurities, SPF Creams + Detox! Doesn’t remove waterproof make up but works even on eyes (doesn’t stings) – apply on the cotton pad and hold onto eye lid.

TEXTURE: Creamy cleansing milk with a touch of light green colour, non-oily, refreshing, residue-free.

HOW TO USE: According to Clarins you apply directly on the face and massage slowly and gently to dissolve make up, then you press with your palm onto the skin (anti-sucking movements) for a deeper cleansing and SPA effect!   

PACKAGING: Plastic Squizy Bottle, sometimes the lid is not properly attached, would prefer a pump bottle which I think is available in Salon size.

INGREDIENTS: Concentration from High to Low –

+ Aqua – Usually used purified water

- Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides – solvent, emollient and skin replenisher extracted from coconut, excellent for dry skin, help to replenish moisture balance during cleansing and minimize moisture loss.

Octyldodecanol – helps mix oils and liquids, gives a smooth feeling to skin, anti-foaming ingredient.

Glycerine - water retention, conditioning, lubricating, (there are two ways of derivation – plant and petrol, I think Clarins uses more plant based Glycerine).

Pentylene Glycol – helps to blend-in unblendable, humectant, has antimicrobial properties and preserves.

Polysorbate 60 – dissolvent, cleanser and refresher! This is the ingredient that makes your skin feel fresh and clean!

Phenoxyethanol – preservative and alternative to parabens, it’s quite new ingredient in cosmetic industry – according to truthinaging.com ‘is toxic’.

Alpha glucan oligosaccharide - Emollient used in cosmetics that also has water-binding properties (Source: Paulaschoice.com – love her reviews, quite honest and brave!)

Perfume (fragrance) – makes the scent of raw materials pleasant, might be an allergen for 1 out of 100.

Stearyl Alcohol – ‘fatty’ alcohol from coconut, also emollient and thickener.

Limonene – extracted from citrus peel, used in medicine, helps penetrate the skin (only 3% are sensitive to Limonene).

19^th in the list of ingredients out of 51 ingredients in total. So, the actual quantity of Limonene might be too high for some skins and might create irritation (1 out of 80).

Linseed Extract  and Moringa Seed Extract – has anti-oxidant, anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory properties, makes skin firm and protects from free radicals (stress, smoke, pollution, caffeine – that causes skin’s aging)

Benzyl Salicylate – used as fragrance additive UV absorbent “allergenic” substance and the European Cosmetics Directive requires OTC leave-on products to indicate its presence, even at concentrations of .001% (Source: truthinageing.com)

Disodium Phosphate – regulates pH level and used as water softening compound, inorganic and even used in food industry.

Anise Alcohol – fragrance ingredient, makes beauty products smell nice.

Gentiana Lutea Root Extract – skin soother and anti-oxidant

Geraniol and Citronellol – derivated from Citronella oil, fragrance ingredient.

Althaea Officinalis  Root Extract – this is Marsh Mallow Extract – minimizes swelling, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

Sweet Almond Extract – perfect for dry skin, soothing and regenerating.

Arnica Montana Flower Extract – anti-inflammatory properties.

Hypericum Perforatum  Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract – is  St Johns-wort – good for dry and damaged skin.

Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract – used in medicine as a natural painkiller, here used as a fragrance additive.  

Melissa Leaf Extract – helps to unclog pores and soothes + antioxidant.

Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract is Pine Cone - anti ageing and anti-sagging ingredient.

Potassium Sorbate  -  preservative that used in wines and good.