We knew the slow foodSlow Life, today there is Slow Cosmetics! One more concept? Not really… Created in 2012, following the success of the book “Adopt Slow Cosmetics”, this movement advocates a more respectful beauty, using natural and organic ingredients. Meeting with Julien Kaibeck, its founder.
What are the principles of Slow cosmetics?
It is a new mode of ecological consumption of beauty, which invites to consume less, but better. Less, because we use the same cosmetic product for several actions, and better, because we take the time to select only formulas based onnatural ingredients of quality, the least processed. It is therefore a reasonable consumption and natural beauty products.
Slow cosmetics, who is it for?
For everyone ! Both for a person who only uses one deodorant and a soap, only for someone who loves cosmetics and wants to use more noble materials for their skin and her hair. Let’s add all the people sensitive to ecology, to respect for nature. But also those who are tired of overconsumption, those who are also ready to make their own products care…
Tips for getting started
First of all, you have to do a little assessment in your bathroom, taking the time to analyze the compositions of the products you use on a daily basis (to be found on www.slow-cosmetique.org). Those that contain petroleum-derived ingredients, plastics and siliconesand preservatives, potentially toxic to health or the environment are obviously not recommended!
Then, we can also ask ourselves if we really need this or that product and see how to replace it. For example, instead of shower gelwe will use a real soap (made cold), the cotton pads for removing make-up will be swapped for washable and reusable wipes, and the Cleansing milk exchanged for a vegetable oilfollowed by a hydrosol (floral water) for one gentle and natural make-up removal.
What products do you recommend?
The essential basics of Slow Cosmetics, which are vegetable oils, shea butter, clay and the aloe vera. I recommend products that have won the Slow Cosmétique Mention (see below). They were chosen for the ecology of their formula, but also for the honesty of their promise. The winning brands sell their products directly to the consumer (via the website www.slow-cosmetique.com). You can find the essentials here, but also make-up, perfumes, soaps. These brands are also available in organic stores or in certain pharmacies. They are less known to the public, because they are often artisanal.
What are the advantages ?
Above all, it allows for a more ecological consumption of cosmetics. We generate less waste, we pour less polluting formulas into nature, because there is never any silicones orEDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic acid used as a stabilizer in cosmetics) for example in products. Read also our article: cosmetic ingredients to watch out for
Another major advantage, we use materials that are better for the skin than those offered by conventional industry: a virgin and organic vegetable oil is entirely composed of precious active ingredients, such as vitamins A or E, polyphenols… Let’s also add the economic side: fewer products mean less expenditure. It weighs in the balance!
And the disadvantages?
There are few because you can do everything in Slow Cosmetic mode! Fans choose either winning products or homemade recipes. It’s up to you depending on your individual needs. However, you have to agree to change your routine a little and adopt new habits. So, for example, when you wash your hair, a post-shampoo careproves necessary, because the recommended shampoos do not contain silicones, nor antistatic agents which sheath and discipline. We will therefore opt for a rinse with vinegar waterwhich tightens the scales and makes your hair shineand/or apply a little aloe vera gel to the still damp lengths to facilitate detangling.
What is the Slow Cosmetics Mention?
This label, which has existed since 2013, guarantees (after a rigorous analysis) a “clean” and ecological formula (result of a rigorous analysis), but also reasonable marketing: this must limit the number of products in a range, offer a long lifespan for the product, adopting clear communication without false promises, setting a reasonable quality/price ratio… So many criteria that are rarely taken into account or too little known to the public! In 2016, the Slow Cosmétique Mention was awarded to 48 new brands. More than 130 brands now carry this label.
On a daily basis, how to get started?
-Morning, we undress ourselves the hydrosol(floral water) to purify your skin and regulate the pH, then massage your face for a few minutes with a little oil before applying your day cream. You can then put on make-up, if you wish.
-Evening, remove make-up carefully with a neutral vegetable oil (sweet almond or apricot kernel), then finish with a spray of organic hydrosol (floral water) adapted to your skin type. Then, we massage his face for several minutes with a few drops of a serum custom oily.
-On the body, after a good shower and on clean skin (with a cold-made soap), moisturize your skin with virgin macadamia, argan or avocado oil, they work wonders! In case of drier areas to pamper, a little shea butter is needed. Finally, do one dry brushing a week (much like a friction or a scrub) to have very soft skin…
2 Slow recipes to make at home
- A lifting anti-aging serum
Ingredients :
- 2 tbsp. argan oil
- 1 large tbsp. tablespoon rosehip oil
- 2 drops of grapefruit essential oil
- 5 drops of cistus ladaniferous essential oil
- 5 drops of rose geranium (or damask rose) essential oil
Manual :
- In a 30 ml amber glass bottle, pour each ingredient one by one and shake gently to mix well.
- Apply a few drops of this serum morning and evening to cleansed face, then your day or night cream, if needed.
- A scented deodorant powder
Ingredients :
- 3 tbsp. tablespoons ultra-ventilated white clay (very fine)
- 1 C. teaspoon baking soda
- 10 drops of grapefruit essence
- 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
Manual :
- In a bowl, mix each of these ingredients with a fork.
- Stir well until the essential oils are completely dispersed in the powder. If needed, use a small kitchen whisk or pestle
- Once the mixture is homogeneous and very dry, without lumps, pour the powder into an empty salt shaker (or into a small box with a lid).
- Use like talc, by applying with your fingertips or with a powder puff, a small amount of powder on very dry armpits. You can also use it on the feet (in case of sweating) or in your shoes.
Store for a few months in a dry place.
To read: Adopt the Slow cosmetics of J. Kaibeck, ed. The Duke
Natural well-being by J. Kaibeck, ed. Solar
The products distinguished by the Slow Cosmétique Mention are available on www.slow-cosmetique.comthe ingredients to make your own recipes can be bought in organic stores and on the internet.
>> And also in the news: Lush opens zero packaging store
Natural cosmetics: a misleading name
Read also :
The good Slow cosmetic tips for enjoying the sun
A slimming coffee scrub to refine your legs
