Breaking Up (With Products) Can Suck
We’re the first to admit that it’s hard to bid farewell to some products. That’s not to say we don’t stand by our promise: Truly clean cosmetics offer better results than the chemical crap. Hands down. But there are certain items you’re just not going to find in the naturals category…
Like the waterproof mascara that leaves nary a smudge after a night on the town. Or the antiperspirant that actually stops you from sweating—which is generally a terrible idea, but incredibly appealing on a hot summer’s day or, you know, a date. Natural hair dye? It works for some women, but we can’t recommend it in good conscience—just read in the book about Siobhan’s unfortunate turn with natural highlights. How about a bewitching scent that lasts all day? Not likely, since you can thank hormone disrupting phthalates for that lasting power, and those are verboten in a real clean product. Nail polish does offer some better options, but nothing we’d put on our kids (if we had any).
So what’s a girl to do? Well, we subscribe to the 80-20 rule. That means some nights we whip out the waterproof mascara, or that old Degree stick we never brought ourselves to throw out. Not every day, or even every week, but certainly when the occasion calls for it.
Now you: What decidedly unnatural product or treatment could you never let go of? (And get ready, because next week’s challenge may involve one…)
Antiperspirant was hardest for me! And mascara. But funny thing is, I was also really bummed when I had to change my face products, even though none of them even worked! We just get these ideas that we need things we don’t right? I did anyway. But now if someone tried to take away my argan oil they’d have a big, big problem on their hands.
Perfume was the hardest! I’d been using the same scent since I was 14! i haven’t found a natural to replace it yet, but I’ve official lost the urge to spray the old stuff on…it’s lost its loveliness – now I only smell the chemicals :( Goodbye old friend…
Sioban, I’m with you with antiperspirant and mascara. I wear Soapwalla deodorant but keep a stick of Dove around.
I also can not live without my wax hair spray. I just can’t find a pomade that is light and won’t weigh down my baby fine hair. I still have all my eye shadows and will occasionally (maybe once a week for a date night with hubby) wear them and get all dressed up.
My neutrogena body wash :( it just had such an intoxicating, faintly masculine smell (not into the super floral stuff!) that I loved smelling in the morning…but cheap clean bars at WF do the same job! And I’m saving $$.
Oh, I don’t miss painting my nails. I feel like a weight has been lifted – one less thing I have to do! Just trim, file and buff!
Ummm, yes to deodorant. Trying! But I sweat so damn much!
And also curl gel — my waves veer towards shapeless without a little something. (Though I am digging the argan oil and totally going to try the aloe vera thing next and will happily adopt it if it works even half as well.)
But the chemical product you’ll be prying out of my cold dead hands is hands down, Retin-A. After the first 300 hours at Beauty U, my skin was a war zone (thank you endless facials and makeup applications with very not-awesome products) and it has brought me back to my blemish-free self. I’m going to work towards using it maybe only every other day and see how that works.
Wow, this is making me realize how very un-clean my beauty routine has become during my Beauty U time. Y’all may need to put me on some kind of detox program once I graduate…
I miss sulfates. In everything – shampoo, body wash, face wash. Ditto on the anti-perspirant.
I have very blonde eyelashes and eyebrows; to the point that it looks as though i have none when I don’t wear mascara/brow liner! As I deflate my beauty bag, I will very much miss dressing up my lashes! As for now, I only wear minimal make-up 3-5 days a week (sometimes at work, it seems a “made-up look” is more “professional”). When other’s my age (22), find this out, they say it’s ludacris! Other than mascara; though, I find a make up free life so wonderful! I have escaped the vicious cycle of my teens: acne, covered up with nasty foundation, which creates more acne, which “needed” more foundation, etc! I now use baking soda, water, and the occassional bit of hydrogen peroxide and clay masks on my face to keep acne at bay (as well as reducing stress and keeping my grubby paws off my chin). This has reduced the redness and acne I suffer to a substantially lower level. When it comes to hair care, I am still using a silly root thickener (baby fine hair here!) on occassion; once again when I feel the need to spruce up for work. Otherwise, I use Renpure Organics shampoo/conditioner from Walgreens**a product review from you guys would be great!!** or Aubrey organics, and that is it! I am buying a bottle of aloe vera ASAP, and someday I’ll have the funds to order some of that argan oil! I have tried baking soda as shampoo, and hated the way it made my hair feel…, though I do love a good vinegar rinse. I’d like to try a bar shampoo **reviews from you guys for these would also be greatly appreciated!** I also use coconut and EV olive oil for my hair, though I haven’t tried it on my skin (yet!). Some day I hope to be shampoo and conditioner free! I guess now that I’ve written a book, I’ll be done with my comments for now- so uber excited to have this amazing website at my finger tips (getting book soon!) Let me know if you need a writer! Haha- :)
Reese
Perfume.
Hairspray. I haven’t found a “natural’ hairspray that actually works. It’s the only thing I can’t seem to give up…
Suggestions?
Hair dye. I am 39 and went grey at 25 but not all over. I’m just ready to grow it out. I’m transitioning to other options for everything else as my budget allows. I’m good with clean facial cleansers, moisterizers, body cream, deodorant and some makeup (mascara, mineral powders). Going clean with my nails happens tomorrow (no more gels – I was in denial about them). Next up will be shampoo, hair spray (I’m a burlesque performer who likes sky high beehives – its going to be interesting!) Still, not colouring my hair is going to be last on my transition list.
An aside – I was at the cottage for 4 days and I didn’t doing anything but swim in the lake, put on clean spf, brush my teeth, wash my face and hands with clean WF type soap and put on argan oil. I also ate well (a few too many bagels though ) and slept lots. I look great even with a dozen mosquito bittes. So bright!
I keep trying to give up chemical deodorant – but everything natural I’ve tried doesn’t work and I’m sick of wasting the money only to smell like a pre-teen after gym class! (Ouch to the La Vanilla that didn’t work, I had such high hopes). I’ve given up dye (but wonder what I do when I have more grey hair) and other hair and body products, but I still need that evil deodorant!
I would have to say concealor. Since I’m darker skinned, as mentioned in the book, it’s difficult to get the right color online
I have recently found out that Cliniderm shampoo, conditioner and hairspray have been pulled from the shelves and no longer made. I have severe allergies with any formyldehyde chemicals and was wondering if anyone knows of another product available in Canada I might try??