greenliving
Sustainable Beauty
Pamper Yourself—and the Planet— with an Eco-Friendly Routine by Sally Farhat Kassab
this? Can I find a different product with more natural ingredients and less packaging to recycle? How can I beautify myself without dirtying the planet? Try these 12 simple tips to green your daily routine.
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and most of it goes right down the drain—flushing detergents, foaming agents, artificial oils, colors and scents into the ecosystem. An easy way to use less water is to skip
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USE LESS WATER: We each use about 100 gallons of water a day,
efore slathering or spraying a product on your body, it’s worth asking yourself: Do I really need
a daily shampoo; for most hair types, every other day is fine and for curly hair, once a week is plenty. In-between shampoos, try a dry shampoo or hair powder to reduce the amount of grease. Limit yourself to a three- to seven-minute shower (a kitchen timer can help you keep track), and save both shaving and brushing your teeth for outside the shower.
“Reduce drying time and conserve energy by drying at the roots only, using a round brush and nozzle,” advises Amanda Freeman, founder of Vital
JuiceDaily.com, an eco-friendly wellness e-newsletter. “Let the ends air-dry and prevent
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DRY SMARTER: Air-dry your hair or use an eco-friendly blow dryer.
flyaways by using a [nontoxic] anti-frizz serum.”
colors, counsels Stuart Gavert, of Gavert Atelier Salon, in Beverly Hills, who uses non-ammonia color treatments, never lets excess color go down the sink, and recycles the aluminum foils used during highlighting.
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come in aerosol spray cans contain volatile organic compounds that hurt the environment and can negatively affect health. The vapors can cause diarrhea and earaches in infants, and headaches and depression in mothers, according to a study published in the Archives of Environmental Health. Plus, the cans can be difficult to recycle.
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of 12 products they keep in their vanity, according to an O.B. Tampons survey. Use up the products you have before buying more, and if you aren’t going to use one, recycle or reuse the container.
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solvents, flammables or petroleum count as hazardous waste, including nail polish remover, nail polish, hair color and aerosol hair spray. Most counties in the United States have regular collections or specific locations to drop off hazardous waste; search the local company online to find lists of what they will accept. Better yet, buy products from companies that don’t use toxic chemicals in the first place, to protect your health and that of the planet (
CosmeticsDatabase.com is a good place to start).
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more forthcoming they are about sourcing and processes, the better. Then, support those that behave in an ecologically and socially responsible manner; some companies even gift a percentage of their profits to environmental organizations.
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RESEARCH THE COMPANY: Check the manufacturer’s website—the
DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY: Any beauty products that contain
FINISH WHAT YOU BUY: Most women use only six of the average
SKIP AEROSOLS: Hair sprays, shaving creams and deodorants that
COLOR SAFER: At home and at the salon, look for ammonia-free hair
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