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Posts Tagged ‘Halloween makeup’

Kid- and Earth-Safe Halloween Face Paints

Saturday, October 15th, 2011

Guest post

Face painting is an eco-friendly solution to all the synthetic, wasteful, and expensive Halloween costumes out there. With some painted-on whiskers and a blackened nose, your child can easily be transformed into a loveable feline. With some black circles around their eyes and a white sheet (with eye holes, of course) over their head, they’re instantly the scariest little ghost on the block.

Unfortunately, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reported that 10 out of 10 face paints they tested contained lead (a powerful neurotoxin), while others even contained nickel, cobalt, and chromium. Masks aren’t a healthy alternative either, as they have been discovered by the Washington Toxics Coalition to contain high levels of cadmium, another toxic heavy metal in paints that can accumulate in the body. Masks may also contain hormone-disrupting, off-gassing phthalates. Even trace amounts of chemicals and toxins are worrisome to parents, as children absorb about 50 percent of all the lead that enters their systems; and it never goes away.

Thankfully, there are natural, healthful alternatives available to eco- and safety-conscious parents.

Luna Star: This mother-and-daughter-founded company based in New Hampshire offers natural, hypoallergenic costume makeup for Halloween as well as other dress-up occasions. The ingredients, which include natural oxides, micas, and essential oils, are gentle enough for delicate young skin, and still easy to remove. Luna Star a proud signer of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics and comply with their non-toxic, no animal testing standards. Luna Star products do not contain preservatives, artificial colors, fragrances, parabens, or gluten. Their jars are also BPA free, and they use recycled shipping boxes and labels.

 

Terra Firma Cosmetics: Terra Firma Natural Face Paints are non-toxic, kid-safe, and eco-friendly. The Washington-based company is committed to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and donates 10 percent of its proceeds from paint kit sales to Green Halloween! Each kit includes an applicator set with an instruction pamphlet. The paints include ingredients like vegetable glycerin, aloe leaf juice, rose water, jojoba oil, beeswax, and grapeseed oil. Terra Firma Cosmetics also hold a record of making the best double jogging stroller available in the market.

 

Wee Can Too Edible Art Supply: Edible face paint? That’s exactly what Wee Can Too has done. This natural, eco-friendly, non-toxic face paint is made with organic fruit and vegetable dyes – real blueberries, beets, pumpkin, and spinach – mixed with rice cereal and rice flour! The ingredients are vegan, free of wheat, dairy, sugar, and preservatives. Purchase Edible Face Paint by Wee Can Too through the Susty Party website.

Celebrate Green! recipe: If you want to know the exact ingredients in your child’s face paint, make it yourself. Try this DIY recipe from the mother-daughter founders of Green Halloween and authors of the book, Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations & Traditions for the Whole Family.

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ChasingGreen is a website dedicated to sharing the message that ordinary people can positively impact our world in their everyday lives. ChasingGreen knows that your life is already complex and works to show you how you can reduce your environmental impact in simple practical ways.

Win over $200 in prizes in the “Big Green Halloween® Twitter Treat” Giveaway

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

by Corey

 

#Win a HUGE Green Halloween prize pack!

Just follow us on Twitter, then send us this tweet:

“@GreenHalloween: Please pick me to #win a #GreenHalloweenPrizePack!”

And you’ll be entered to win great, green goodies worth over $200!

Prizes include:

Angell Bar – Sample pack: 2 bars each Crisp, Dark, Snow, 1 Organic cotton T-shirt and assorted stickers

 

Natural Luxe – Shainsware recycled bracelet for kids

 

Eli’s Earth Bars – 6 bars

 

Revolution Foods™ – Organic Snack Packs! Reusable paper lunchbox for kids filled with samples of Grammy Sammys, Jammy Sammys, Mashups and Yo’ Drops, Tattoos and stickers for kids, and coupons for mom.

 

Terra Firma Cosmetics – Gift certificate for our Halloween Face Paint set

 

Select Preserve food storage products

 

thredUP – 1 box. Browse thousands of boxes of pre-loved kids Halloween costumes, clothes, toys or books listed by other moms across the country.  Giveaway includes a promo code that can be used for one box & shipping

 

Eco Party Time – Felt pumpkin Trick-or-Treat basket plus Kids Floral Perfume Trilogy

 

Good for You Girls – Complete Skin Care Starter Kit

 

LiveGreene.com – Orange Vapur anti-bottles

 

Limited edition, reusable 2011 Green Halloween ChicoBag®

 

Total prize value = $200+

WOW!

Giveaway rules:

  • Enter by following @GreenHalloween on Twitter, then posting the phrase: “@GreenHalloween: Please pick me to #win a #GreenHalloweenPrizePack!” Phrase MUST be posted to Twitter (not Facebook, blog post, etc.). You must be a follower of @GreenHalloween to win.
  • One post per twitter account. You will receive up to 10 extra entries for up to 10 re-tweets by your followers.
  • Tweet must be posted by 11:59pm PST on 10/31/11
  • We are not responsible for Tweets that do not post or do not post correctly
  • You must be 18 to win and live in the continental US
  • Winner will be contacted via Twitter no later than November 15th, 2011 and winner’s Twitter handle will be announced on Twitter and Facebook.
  • Winner will have 7 days to reply to Green Halloween with their name/shipping address.
  • Green Halloween and partners are not responsible for winning announcement that doesn’t make it through to the winner (via Twitter), lost or damaged prizes.
  • Prize partners may send prizes of equivalent value and/or gift certificates for free product in lieu of actual gifts.
  • If you have questions about products, please contact the product companies directly.

For more ways to win gifts & goodies from our green partners, click here.

31 Days of {Green!}Giveaways: Day #9

Sunday, October 9th, 2011

by Corey

Welcome to Day #9 of our

31 days of {Green!} Giveaways

Today’s question: Does the Halloween Fairy or Sugar Sprite come to your home on Halloween night? What are your techniques for keeping the fun, but losing the junk?

*Attention Facebook fans: Please answer as a comment on our blog, not our Facebook page in order to be entered to win!*

Today is day #9 of our month-long, trick-or-treating party for parents!

Just knock on our door (AKA blog) each day, answer the daily question (in lieu of shouting, “Trick or treat!” – although you are totally welcome to write that as well) and you’ll be entered to win some absolutely fabulous, ever-so-eco-friendly prizes.

Today’s prize package is worth $55!

From Green Party Goods, a box of 144 biodegradable, soy-ink straws (your choice of color) and a package of sustainably sourced Stripe Napkins. Value: $21. Ships to continental US only.


 

Gift certificate for (lead-free, mineral-based) Face Paints Set from Terrafirma Cosmetics. Value $24.99. Winner pays shipping.

 

Orange Vapur anti-bottle at LiveGreene. Value $9. Ships to continental US only.

 

Here’s how to enter:

1. Add your e-mail address to the comment login, below. (We cannot notify you if we don’t have your e-mail address!)

2. Add a comment (one per e-mail address) with your answer to the question above.

3. Comment must post before 11:59pm PST – TONIGHT

Be sure to review our giveaway rules here. Please note shipping limitations.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog and follow us on Facebook & Twitter for daily reminders & updates for the 31 Days of {Green} Giveaways promotion.

Good luck & have FUN!

(See you tomorrow ;) )

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Announcing the NEW Green Halloween® Marketplace on EcoMom.com!

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

by Corey

We’re over the (full) moon! Excited to present to you the brand-new Green Halloween® Marketplace on the one-and-only EcoMom.com!

Not only are we thrilled to help the greening of Halloween becoming easier for parents seeking safe, sustainable alternatives to conventional Halloween products, we’re so very grateful (and proud!) to be EcoMom’s non-profit beneficiary partner. (15% of sales will support the Green Halloween initiative!).

Here’s some of the eek-o-fab items you’ll find:

2011 limited edition Green Halloween ChicoBag

Designed by the 13-year-old winner of last year’s design contest. (Your child can enter to have his/her drawing selected for next year’s bag! Info here). Resusable (and washable!) year after year; a new Halloween tradition for your child. p.s. If the bags show as out of stock – not to fear. New bags are on the way!

All-new, Mineral Based Face Paints from Terrafirma

You may have read Campaign for Safe Cosmetic’s 2009 report in which 10 of 10 brands of face paints tested contained lead, a powerful neurotoxin. Since up to 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into the body, lead in face-paints is a definite concern for many parents. That’s why we’ve partnered with Terrafirma to create the very first line of lead-free face paints that are bold and vibrant enough for your lions, tigers and bears. {Oh my!}

Eye-Ball (organic) Cookies by Beautiful Sweets

We just love these  adorably-eco, not too scary treats. Just perfect for edible decor. Kids love e’m, Mama Earth approved. We’d say the eyes have it this Halloween.

100% Silk Mermaid Costume by Sarah’s Silks

Costumes made with petroleum products (i.e. polyester and PVC/vinyl) may contain toxic chemicals such as BPA, lead and pthalates. 100% natural materials make for a safer Halloween and year ’round dress up.

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Love the items we’ve listed? Have ideas for more? Let us know what you think of the new marketplace! Add your comment, below.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

 

 

25 Ways to Go Green This Halloween

Friday, September 16th, 2011


 

Halloween is meant to be enjoyed, but somewhere in between “planning” and “cleanup,” many parents find themselves feeling overwhelmed. It might seem that attempting to consider the Earth while planning a great ghoulish party is just too much work and way too expensive. Some fear it might even zap the fun right out of the day. But creating an eco-savvy Halloween doesn’t have to be scary, nor does it have to cost an arm and a leg when you follow these pointers:

  1. Consider your costumes. The truth is many store-bought costumes and accessories contain toxic chemicals that not only are a potential hazard to your child, but also to the environment and the people who helped to make them. Choose fabrics such as cotton, wool and silk or make costumes yourself from materials you know to be safe.
  2. Go au natural. When decorating your home for Halloween, skip the plastic black cats and paper skeleton streamers made in China. Instead, use décor inspired by Mother Earth by choosing fallen leaves, gourds or pumpkins, and 100% beeswax candles.
  3. Trim your trick-or-treats. Hand out less ________ (fill in the blank). Preferably your goodies of choice are healthy and/or Earth-friendly, but even if they’re not, handing out just one (rather than the conventional handful) of something is better for kids, better for the planet and better for your bank account.
  4. Apply the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) to all of your holiday choices: costumes, décor, goodies, etc. Of the 3 R’s, reducing is the best for the Earth, our wallets and, in regard to food, our waistlines. Rent, borrow, swap, make or acquire used, when possible, to avoid buying new, especially disposables.
  5. Choose eek-o-décor. Say ‘no’ to disposables and instead, re-use or re-purpose items you already own. Look also for items from nature and don’t forget to decorate with food (consumable décor). If you must use disposables, look for products that are compostable and then be sure to compost them. Or, choose recycled, reusable and recyclable items like Preserve products. Too bad they don’t come in Halloween colors… yet.
  6. Go kid powered. Give your child a shakable or hand crank flashlight to light his way.
  7. Love LEDs. Use decorative Halloween LED and/ or solar lights for trees, outside of your home, and for lighting the path for trick-or-treaters. They come in every shape, theme and color imaginable!
  8. Bag it, green style. Instead of buying, make your child’s goodie bag from a pillow case or anything else you already own that goes with the theme of the costume. Or, purchase a keepsake, reusable Green Halloween® trick-or-treat ChicoBag. (Designed each year by kids! Enter the design contest here. 10% of the sales support the Green Halloween initiative.)
  9. Get creative. Turn costume making into a creative and fun experience for your child. Hunt through the house, at neighborhood garage sales, or a thrift store for costume-worthy items. Enjoy the process and the product! Another idea: host a costume exchange as part of National Costume Swap Day (second Saturday in October).
  10. Switcheroo. Instead of allowing your child to eat all the candy he collects, ask him to select a limited, pre-agreed upon amount and then leave the rest out for the Halloween Fairy/ Witch/ Great Pumpkin, who will, while your child is sleeping that night, swap the candy for goodies such as books, games or “pumpkin points” redeemable for outings.
  11. Green the YUM. Make the party meal using foods that are mostly orange, black and green. Create spooky names for the food, if you can. Shop locally (support local farmers) and choose organic, whenever possible.
  12. Recycle the unexpected. Compost all leftovers, jack-o-lanterns, natural décor and unconsumed candy – remove wrappers unless they’re compostable. In some places of the country, you can add compostables to your yard waste bin.
  13. Celebrate others. Host your Halloween party at a retirement home, children’s hospital, organic farm or similar.
  14. Say ‘no’ to toxic chemicals. Make your own face paints. Here’s the recipe. Or purchase mineral-based, lead-free paints.
  15. Choose eco sweets. If buying candy, choose organic – you’ll be surprised at how affordable some brands are! If buying chocolate, look for triple certified: organic, shade grown, Fair Trade.
  16. Think outside the {conventional} candy box. Instead of giving out conventional candy: give away healthy and/or Earth friendly treats and treasures.
  17. Make décor to DIY for. Make your own Halloween décor by visiting craft sites and swapping conventional materials for eco-supplies. For example, if you are going to make some paper ghosts for your window, be sure the paper is reused, recycled or tree-free.
  18. Invite sustainably. Use e-invitations or make your own from reused, recycled or tree-free sources. Kids will love Mr. Ellie Pooh’s Elephant dung paper! It comes in gorgeous fall colors (all scent-free!). The orange cardstock is perfect for Halloween invites, place cards and more. Supporting Mr. Ellie Pooh means supporting the Elephants in Sri Lanka, who are losing their lives because without profit associated with them, they are seen as liabilities to local farmers.
  19. Reclaim wrappers. Collect candy and bar wrappers and turn them into picture framed, purses, jewelry and more. Tweens and teens especially love this activity. Contact Terracycle.net for a collection box.
  20. Trick-or-treat for good. When tweens and teens are too old to trick or treat, but still enjoy the traditions, encourage them to take a look at how they can turn trick or treating into an activity that benefits others such as: Reverse Trick-or-Treating, trick-or-treating for cell phones, or of course, UNICEF’s program.
  21. Start small and build your confidence. Start simply by having (and using) a recycle bin at your party or by going bottled water-free. You can green up each of your next celebrations a little bit at a time until celebrating green-style becomes old hat.
  22. Plan ahead to avoid costly impulse buying. You’re less likely to invade the local super party store at the eleventh-hour when you make food, gift, décor and activity decisions in advance.
  23. Get the family involved. Ask your kids to come up with three ways to give Halloween a green makeover. Write all of the viable ideas down on paper, toss them in a bowl and select three to try this year.
  24. Don’t drive to trick or treat. Encourage your neighbors to go green and then go door-to-door near you. It’s good for you and the planet and builds community.
  25. Learn more. For more great tips and tricks sign up for the e-newsletters from www.GreenHalloween.org and www.celebrategreen.net. And don’t forget to buy a copy of Celebrate Green! It features ideas, recipes, crafts, gift suggestions and more.
Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.