This page is part of our archives and as such at least some of the information it contains is likely to be outdated
Our Cosmetics Group - Making your own cosmetics
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Our Project Worker Hilary Morrison ran this group from Aug-Dec 2016 at Valley Park Community Centre, Gilmerton on Wednesday evenings with the Girls' Group there after talking with some local girls and discovering they shared her concerns about the health, cost and ethical aspects of commercial cosmetics (more detail below).
A few more evenings with the Valley Park Girls may take place in 2017. We have now been given additional funding and plan to extend further groups to families as there was quite a few people interested in exploring our sleep and de-stressing remedies. Using the purest of ingredients and essential oils, the team made some of the finest lip balms – some tinted and sparkly (all natural!) and which would normally retail at up to £5+ - as well as sleep balms, bath potions, hand soaps and more… Best of all, the girls were in control, choosing their scents, designing their own packaging, and addressing the issues they cared about. And all the time having fun and learning. Lots. If you would like to attend a group then mail: [email protected] or call Hilary on 07511 530726 If you want to get involved in other ways then please Contact Us |
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Did you know that in one day, the average woman can be exposed to up 168 chemicals through cosmetics alone?
And that 80% of chemical intake is through the skin?
We were equally amazed to learn of the massive mark-ups in the cosmetic industry. For example, a skin cream that may cost approx £1.25 to make, can be retailed at £100+! Yet most products contain little more than wax and water with little else of benefit.
Expensive packaging can add to the price, but most of the markup can be accounted for by marketing and advertising. Fancy bottles, seductive names, and the fees of agencies who design them all add up. As do the salaries of those models who flog the line "Buy this and look like me". Big names cost ! However, cosmetic companies are also only too aware of the anxieties consumers have and are keen to exploit them.
After talking with some local girls, we learnt that they too had their worries – who doesn’t? But animal testing, stress, sleep issues were what headed their lists. All issues that often time-tested, natural remedies can best help with.
And that 80% of chemical intake is through the skin?
We were equally amazed to learn of the massive mark-ups in the cosmetic industry. For example, a skin cream that may cost approx £1.25 to make, can be retailed at £100+! Yet most products contain little more than wax and water with little else of benefit.
Expensive packaging can add to the price, but most of the markup can be accounted for by marketing and advertising. Fancy bottles, seductive names, and the fees of agencies who design them all add up. As do the salaries of those models who flog the line "Buy this and look like me". Big names cost ! However, cosmetic companies are also only too aware of the anxieties consumers have and are keen to exploit them.
After talking with some local girls, we learnt that they too had their worries – who doesn’t? But animal testing, stress, sleep issues were what headed their lists. All issues that often time-tested, natural remedies can best help with.
