Pencil Extender

So this Kohl-I-Noor pencil extender is a great product that I use in my art world all the time. It really helps extend an art budget by allowing more use from your colored pencils, pastel pencils, watercolor pencils, drawing pencils, you get the idea. Well, one day I was applying my eyeliner, being frustrated by the small size of the left over pencil (throw back to early post about trying to use as much of the product as possible to not be wasteful) and I had a 'doit' moment - it's a pencil - use the extender! Birds sang for a moment, a light shown down, okay, maybe not that dramatic, but it was easier. Yet another handy tool and this is great because it can be used for make-up and office/art/etc. Okay, this one is a bit rambling, I'll stop.

Make-Up Brushes

Continuing with the make-up theme: these are some make-up brushes I picked up at Target called Ecotools. The handles of the set are made with bamboo handles and cruelty free bristles. The metal portion is from recycled aluminum. The brush roll is a 55% hemp/ 45% cotton blend. The packaging it came in is listed as reusable. It took me awhile to figure out what I wanted to use it for because, well, not very attractive. So I finally realized I needed something to hold my hair ties and scrunchies in my gym bag. (Yes, I know, I still have scrunchies. In my defense, I only use them when I am exercising - waste not is the theme remember!) I love the quality of the brushes. The price is reasonable - around $14.00. If you need new brushes give them a try. (Remember, if you have brushes that are doing the work for you, the most eco friendly option is to keep using them rather than buying new.)

Excess Packaging

Truth be told I am not ready to give up make-up. I enjoy being a girl and looking the part. As I use up products, I am consciously trying to find more earth friendly products that have no animal testing. Peta's website has a helpful list for the animal testing part. I have been somewhat discouraged though as I try to use the rest of my current make up. There is so much extra product in tube products that I am sure many people throw away. I know that I am guilty of this in the past. I don't know how well this photo illustrates it, but this roll on foundation goes at least 3/4 of an inch beyond where it stops rolling. I am being diligent digging deeper to use all of the product, but I am disappointed in the company (which shall remain nameless at this point.) that markets this product.