About

Hi, everyone!  Welcome to Earth Friendly Beauty!

Since you’re here, you most likely were searching for something like this, and I hope you won’t be disappointed.  I started this blog out of my own frustration.  You might have noticed that trying to find reviews for eco-friendly products can be difficult:  sites are either selling products or have reviews scattered everywhere.  I don’t mind either format, and I love researching what’s out there, but I thought it would be nice to have something in one place.  I think you’ll agree, as I hope to make both of our lives easier through this venture.

My name is Stephanie.  I’m married, a mother of one, and a Christian.  In 2010, I received a master’s degree in environmental communication and stewardship; this blog is a culmination of that degree.  I became an environmentalist in 2006 in what I would truly describe as an act of God, because I really think only God can move our hearts in the way that mine was moved.  First, I became a vegetarian (pescetarian, technically, though I try to keep my fish consumption to a minimum).  Then I started recycling.  Next, I started school to get that mouthful MA.  I translated what I learned in school to my actions and started to (1) reduce my consumption of almost everything and (2) reuse items that could be reused.  And finally – and this is the process part – I switched as many products as I could to environmentally friendly products.  It’s a process because one can’t just do that overnight.

I’ve always found beauty product reviews helpful when I know something about the reviewer’s skin and hair type.  Then I know that Missy and Melissa both have oily skin, and this product didn’t break them out, or that Clara has a sensitive scalp so she has to use milder products, or that Brooke has healthy, thick, curly hair, and that really thin conditioner just didn’t cut it for her.  Details like this cut some of the experimentation down, and I hope that by reading these reviews I can help you cut your experimentation down as well.  It’s fun, sure, but it gets expensive.   I have a normal to oily scalp and normal to dry hair, which is long.  It’s also naturally curly, and I blow dry it straight most days.  My face is slightly oily and I get a few blemishes each month.  My skin isn’t particularly sensitive, though I have discovered that it doesn’t really like microdermabrasion or retin-a.  I have excema from the neck down which isn’t usually a problem, but stress, allergies, and cold, dry winters can trigger an outbreak.

Let me tell you what I use right now for comparison’s sake:

I like a shampoo that gets my hair clean.  I don’t need volume or color protection or anything that’s going to leave my hair feeling less than clean.  I want something basic that I can use everyday, and by the way, do you know how hard that is to find?  Right now I’m using Beauty Without Cruelty’s Daily Benefits shampoo.

I want a really moisturizing conditioner.  My hair is naturally slightly dry, and I blow dry almost every day.  I don’t use a heat protectant, and rarely use a flat iron.  For the past year, my go-to conditioner has been John Master’s Organics Lavendar and Avocado Conditioner (cooler months) or John Master’s Organics Citrus and Neroli Detangler (warmer months) and I adore both.

I like a foaming cleanser for my face, but haven’t found one yet that I’ve wanted to repurchase.  Right now, I’m using the Beauty Without Cruelty shampoo and still searching for the perfect cleanser.

My toner of choice is Aubrey Organics Vegecol (cooler months) or Natural Herbal facial astringent (warmer months).

When I have a breakout, I use Kiss My Face’s Breakout Botanical Acne Gel or Aubrey Organics Amino Derm Gel under my moisturizer, which happens to be Pangea Organics’ French Chamomile and Orange Blossom cream.

I don’t use moisturizer all over my body (I can hear you gasping right now, ha). I’ve also been using the Beauty Without Cruelty shampoo as a shower gel.

Texture and fragrance are big issues with me.  I like shampoos and shower gels that foam up and thick lotions and conditioners.  I love smells, but am very sensitive to fragrances.  You know how pregnant women are really sensitive to fragrances?  Well, that’s me when I’m not pregnant.  It might be the best product in the world, but if I can’t get past the scent, I won’t buy it.

I think that’s it!  Thanks for reading, enjoy, and I hope this helps you be a better environmental steward.  Let’s do the journey together beautifully.

Blessings,

Steph