I bicycle. I recycle. I take my own carrier bag to the supermarket. I’ve even looked up what carbon footprint means. And it has nothing to do with my shoe size, thank goodness.

Despite all of my earth-friendly actions, there are certain things I can’t honestly see myself giving up. Yves Saint Laurent mascara for example. Advanced beauty technology, deluxe packaging, and a product that gives me eyelashes that look unreasonably long.

However I may be about to become a really responsible consumer thanks to Elysambre, a French company that produces covetable cosmetics that are organic and beautifully packaged. Not only do their products use 100% organically grown, natural ingredients (which are not tested on any kind of cute creature), they are also refillable meaning you’re doubly kind to the environment.

You wouldn’t want to throw away the packaging anyway – products are seriously desirable and attractively designed in wood and metal with pretty floral motifs. They wouldn’t look out of place on the dressing table next to the rest of my YSL and Chanel paraphernalia.

And what about the makeup itself? Well don’t worry you don’t have to start wearing tie-dyed t-shirts or smocks – products are produced with the upwardly mobile girl-about-town in mind. The magnetic multiple-use palettes fit a combination of products that you choose, including foundation, blush, concealer, powder and eyeshadow. Perfect to pop in your (fairly-traded, non-leather) handbag!

We are huge fans of their apricot base cream which gives a fresh-faced spring glow, and their lipglosses taste delicious and give gorgeous, non-sticky shine. Furthermore their products are reasonably priced, so its not too much of a sacrifice to be nice to nature. Now about that carbon footprint….

http://elysambre.nat-cos.com/