Okay, Earth Day was yesterday, but I again had internet issues that prevented me from posting. In honor of the recent holiday, I thought I would list some of my favorite eco-friendly products. The past few years, I’ve made an effort to replace all my household cleaners and cosmetics with natural, non-toxic, and/ or organic products. People “go green” for a myriad of reasons; for me, the main concern is toxic–or potentially toxic–chemicals in my environment. Understanding all the claims on products can be confusing. The best advice I can give is this: Do not trust what it says on the package! Instead, do some pre-emptive research. The Cosmetics Database and The Good Guide are reliable sources.
The goodies below are items that I actually use and enjoy. As a complete girly-girl, I assure you that I do not sacrifice effectiveness for the sake of “greeness.” I’ve searched for products that work just as well, if not better, than my old favorites. There may be greener alternatives to my choices, but, from my own experience, these are some of the best at striking that balance between being truly effective, quality products and using non-toxic, eco-friendly ingredients.
Nahla Beauty Forest Mint Gentle Foaming Milk Formerly Talulah Skincare, Nahla Beauty has a line of gentle, organic skincare products. I like everything I’ve tried from them, but this is my favorite.
Alima Pure Satin Matte Blush Alima Pure is another company that I would buy any product from. Their blushes and eyeshadows are wonderfully pigmented, and the range of colors is impressive. If you like powder foundation, try their mineral foundation.
Nature’s Gate Herbal Daily Shampoo The most difficult part of “greening” my beauty routine has been finding effective hair products. I don’t care how organic, non-toxic, or otherwise healthful a product is; if it doesn’t work, I will not use it. Other shampoos have left my hair either too oily or too stripped, but this leaves it soft and manageable.
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara Mascara is a must in my life. Even if I leave the house with a bare face, my lashes will be coated with mascara. It wakes up a face like nothing else. I was hesitant to try green mascaras because I assumed I would never find one that could hold up. This was my first attempt, and I’m sold. I don’t have a single complaint about this product.
Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo What was my life like before dry shampoo? I don’t care to remember. It provides texture and volume and often saves me the thirty minutes it would take to wash and dry my hair every single day. Wherever I go, my dry shampoo goes with me. I’ve tried almost all the options available at Sephora as well as some cheaper options, and this original is my hands-down-without-question favorite.
Does anyone have eco-friendly product suggestions? Have you found it difficult to “green” your routine?
somewhere southern 