The Desert Island Challenge—Join Us! There’s a Prize!
In case you are too young to recognize what’s going on in the picture up top, that’s a still from Gilligan’s Island, a TV show about a sort of annoying guy with the best luck in the world: He got stranded on a desert island with these two foxes, who were really nice and improbably touchy with him for reasons never made clear. Consider Ginger and Mary-Ann (and, fine, Gilligan) your muses for the next two weeks, because we want you to pretend you’re a castaway…
…and you’re stuck there with just five products to your name, trying to feel and look your best while you do it.
We gave you a little tip off in advance and your comments are inspiring! Many of you are optimistic it will be easy, which we love because we were kind of panicking about having to do it too.
So why do it at all? Many products create the need for more products, and this is especially true when you’re talking about conventionals. You get stuck with skin so dried out from your soap that it feels like it could snap if you don’t moisturize, and if your moisturizer isn’t right for your skin it gives you spots, and then you need acne potions. This is so dumb!
But even devotes of clean probably use and buy more than we need.
People like to say women use 12 products a day on average, and men use 7. We know from counting on our fingers and canvassing our friends that most of us use way more—even people who think of themselves as unfussy.
Variety is nice, but as with anything in life—your work, your personal life, your diet, your sense of your own beauty—something kind of amazing can happen when you limit your options and figure out what works best for you. We were talking last week about what it takes for you to feel your best, and I was the first to admit I don’t always stick with it. Life gets in the way, sh*t gets hectic, we get it. I do this with my skin and hair, too. But consider this an exercise in picking—and sticking with—what you know works.
So let’s do this thing. Choose carefully. Have fun. And remember you have two weeks to pull it off, so if you mess up, you do have time to try, try again.
Some rules: Don’t lie. Don’t cheat. Don’t steal.
Instructions: For three consecutive days, use only five of the same products. That includes all personal care products—hair stuff, leave-ins, shaving cream, face potions, makeup, perfume, cologne, mists, body lotions and scrubs, you get the picture—except toothpaste and deodorant. Then write us an email at nomoredirtylooks (at) gmail (dot) com with DESERT in the subject line, and include your first name and location, written thusly “Sally, Boise, Idaho” and a brief description of how it went. Send this to us by the end of the day Wednesday, February 15th. Pro tip: Don’t wait until the end if you actually care about Valentine’s Day and want to get gussied up for it.
Prize: We will pick three winners at random and winners will get a sweet gift certificate from one of our favorite brands or retailers. We’ll tell you who in a couple of days, but regulars will know: Our prizes are always good!
Special favor: Help us make sure this awesome. Tell your friends on Twitter, Facebook, at the gym or at the bar. Friend us, follow us, and then RT us, or whatever. Spread the word!
The reason for the challenge: Well, there are a few. One, see above: We buy more than we need! And two, naturals often cost more than conventionals, which is why we always advocate quality over quantity. Finally, challenges are FUN.
Who’s in?
Was Gilligan the worst or what? Via
I’m in! Though sadly one of my five main products is not 100% clean. Anyone have suggestions for a clean lotion/moisturizer that I can use on face and body that isn’t in oil form? Oil blends tend to give me some very terrible dermatitis.
OH MY GOSH THIS IS SUCH A GOOD IDEA.
i feel like i use too many products these days – something i do not like.
great challenge to see if i can cut back!
and great motivation at that. (:
I already am using less products as it is expensive to keep up with University costs and my personal products (only organic). This challenge is so fun and exciting, can’t wait yaaayyyy. Good luck everyone :D
1: RMS “Un” Cover-Up
2: RMS L-2-C in Smile
3: Avocado oil–for washing my face, moisturizing body
4: Kahina Giving Beauty argan oil
5: 100% Pure Mascara
….here we go!
I am really excited about this!! Cleaning up my products and minimizing use was my New Year’s resolution and this challenge is perfectly timed to keep me on track. Thanks! Can’t wait to report back!
Me! Also, Kari – I use the Bubble and Bee Organic face ‘butter’. I have their body butter too. It’s WONDERFUL.
This is awesome, I keep trying to simplify things because I’m usually racing out the door in the morning!
I’m in – as usual, quite timely as I’m constantly battling the urge to stockpile way more products than I need and right now I’ve been more-than-tempted to go on a spending spree which is unnecessary and not in keeping with my budget. Oh, but I’m changing two of my products in the original list of five I posted yesterday. One: you say we can exclude toothpaste; and two: Dr Bronner’s is a better multi-tasker (shampoo, body wash, face wash).
@Kari – how about trying a California Baby lotion? I’ve started using some of their stuff and so far I’m impressed. They do the cutest little trial kits.
Totally in. I am product obsessed and often shop as a way to relieve stress (bad coping mechanism for the win..). I think this will be a great way to focus on what I have, rather than what I don’t!
@Kari – I am absolutely in LOVE with Devita’s Body Brulee, for face and body. It’s the best moisturizer I’ve tried and I’ve tried them all…including California’s Baby, which another commenter suggested. :)
This seems like a fun challenge!!! I’m not so confident if I’ll be able to use only five products but I’m sure it will be worth the agony of looking like a zombie without makeup for the next few days.. lol
LOL, maybe I shouldn’t qualify. I only use 6 products usually.
1. Shampoo
2. conditioner
3. body soap
4. foundation
5. body lotion
6. underarm deodorant
So eliminate 1 and I am good to go. Probably the conditioner – my hair behaves well :-)
I am kinda low maintenance. I haven’t brushed or combed my hair in years – is that weird? I run my fingers through it and it is done.
I can do this!
1. soap
2. lotion
3. hair goo
4. tinted lip balm
5. mascara
Will start this tomorrow and then perhaps again next week.
@Avigayil – deodorant is a free pass.
I’m totally in! And I have my five must-haves already.
1. Dr. Bronner’s castile soap (multi-use product, yay!)
2. Vapour Beauty Lux Organic Lip Conditioner
3. Josie Maran Argan Oil Daily Moisturizer, SPF 40 (we’re on a desert island, afterall)
4. Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel
5. Kahina Argan Oil (gotta keep moisturized)
1. dr. bronner’s
2. marie veronique spf
3. coconut oil
4. large bottle apple cider vinegar
5. muslin cloth
Fun! I’m in!
Question: Do things such as hair brush, body brush, or eyelash curler count?
I’d LOVE to know the 5 that each of you gals chose to use!
If I was literally on a desert island (or even just at home) I might be able do it. But at work I have to be at the center of attention of too many people to be comfortable with only 5 products. Bummer.
Ugh. I started this today and it was harder than I thought!
1. Dr. Bronner’s (face and body soap, shampoo)
2. Coconut oil (conditioner, face moisturizer, lip balm, ‘mascara’, body moisturizer)
3. Dr. Hauschka translucent make-up
4. Tarte Cheek Stain
5. Laura Mercier loose powder
My hair looks and feels horrible :(
Ha, I do this every time I travel, since I refuse to pay $25-$50 for checked baggage and you can only fit so many products in those quart-sized bags (and I hate that they’re plastic).
I usually take a Chagrin Valley moisturizing shampoo bar that doubles as face and body wash, Everyday Minerals foundation, kohl eyeliner, Weleda Skin Food, and a very dirty Retin-A.
I think I’ve got it narrowed down to these:
1. Honey (for cleansing face)
2. Argan oil (face, hair, wherever else)
3. Rahua shampoo (I usually go without much hair washing, but a little of this on my roots every few days does wonders)
4. RMS “un”-cover up (curse you random pink patches)
5. Nvey Eco eyeshadow in 155 (I can wet a brush and use it as liner too!)
If deodorant had to be included, I’d trade out my Rahua for baking soda (my deodorant) because I can use it on hair as well…. But I’m glad that isn’t necessary. :)
Started tonight, and I’m already feeling sort of liberated by my simplified bedtime routine.
Thanks for the suggestions, Kate, Naomi, and Helen!
My beloved would laugh at me for trying to pare my list down. It is under 10 already, but his is under 5 INCLUDING deodorant and toothpaste….
1-any herbal blend or tea for washing hair and skin with, preferably chamomile with rosemary,
2-baking soda or sugar for exfoliating skin,
3-eyeliner (preferable clean, such as vapour or lavera)
4-vapour foundation stick,
5-scented (with essential oil, naturally) body oil, such as coconut or almond.
Oh, easy.
1. Tinted moisturizer with SPF 45+
2. Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm in rose (I just got it and it’s great, like clean moisturizing Benetint!)
3.Body Oil (coconut is my favorite, but I haven’t any right now, so sweet almond or argan will have to do)
4. Baking Soda
5. Black liquid eyeliner
This is going to be tough, but I’m excited to try it! Count me in!
Is this contest open internationally?
I’m in!
Songhai Black Soap, made of palm flowers and palm kernel oil– amazing for breakouts!
Margarite Zinc Cream– relatively clean and the best for healing and concealing any of the above
Vapour Organic Beauty Plumping Lip Gloss– love!
Mascara– not perfectly clean, unfortunately. I am having a hard time giving this up, but will just pick one from stash
Elique Organics Whipped Cream– this is the absolute best moisturizer! Good for dry skin but doesn’t irritate
Yikes!! This is harder than I thought it would be… I use 6 different products just on my FACE each day, not counting makeup! I think this is what I’ve got it down to:
1. Dr. Bronner’s
2. Simply Divine Botanicals Black Velvet Face Wash
3. Simply Divine Botanicals Gypsy Rose Tea Astringent
4. Sprout Skincare Cream
5. 100% Pure Mascara
I am feeling a mix of fear and excitement! But it’s only 3 days… right?