Eco Chic.
That’s what I
wanted to call this blog. But the name
was already taken. The Natural Lady sounds more like an older woman, but I’m
frequently referred to as an “old soul” so I suppose it fits, huh?
Allow me to introduce myself. I’m the Natural Lady. Or with all of the talk of the royal baby this week, maybe I should go by Lady Natural. Anyway, I’m just a 27-year-old woman who works full time, attends grad school
part time, and cares deeply about her body (skin included) and the environment.
I started this blog with the intent of sharing my
experiences with “natural” personal care products (I used quotations because
there is no official definition of what “natural” actually is in the personal
care industry – but fear not! I will post descriptions of what I am referring
to when I deem a product “natural”, “organic”, or “eco-friendly”) because I
think the personal care industry can be a tricky one to navigate and so many
people just don’t realize what harmful ingredients they are slathering on their
bodies on a daily basis.
You may be wondering what authority I have to speak about
natural or organic cosmetics and skincare products. Officially…I don’t. My
bachelor’s degree is in psychology (and no, I won’t try to analyze you…bah dum tssss!
Yeah, can you tell I’ve heard that one a few times?), I’ve never worked for a
skincare formulating company, and I’m most definitely not an aesthetician or a
makeup artist. I did take coursework on environmental science as an undergrad,
though, so I’m very familiar with the impact of most of my purchasing decisions
on the environment, and I currently work for a company that is somewhat related
to the personal care industry. I won’t get into specifics, but I’ve picked up
bits and pieces over time and what I learn at work really sparks my interest to
do more research on my own, and my background in psychology has enabled me to
think critically about everything I read including “highly scientific studies”
and before I come to a conclusion about a product, I make sure I do some
research myself – not just accept what other people tell me. If you are ever
curious, I’ll gladly post my sources. I’ve also been wearing cosmetics since I
was probably 5 years old. Dance Moms? Toddlers and Tiaras? Pshhh. I’ve been
wearing eyeliner since before Mama June even thought up Anna, let alone Honey
Boo Boo. In all seriousness, I’m really just interested in taking this little
natural skincare/cosmetics obsession I have to the next level while I help
others to find their natural “holy grail” alternatives to skincare and
cosmetics products that may not necessarily have been good for them.
Okay so maybe I didn't have model head shots like this as a child, but I was pretty damn cute! I'll work on posting some photos in the future.
One last note, I don’t preach. Girlfriend (or boyfriend! Hey, I respect a guy who wants a healthy skincare regimen, too!) if you want to
moisturize with vasoline, tan with baby oil (though I wouldn’t recommend it as
that was likely a contributing factor to my mom’s squamous cell carcinoma) or
think silicones make your look like Jennifer Aniston’s: I’m not gonna judge you.
I don’t know if there is a product – natural or otherwise – that will make my
hair look that fabulous, but you can bet I’ll keep testing until I find it!
This lifestyle (and yes, it has become a lifestyle) works for me. It is in line
with my values and helps me to feel as though I am doing something good for my
body and for the environment. It may not be best for everyone and I understand
that and have nothing but the utmost respect for the decisions that all of my
readers make about their skincare routines. Nobody knows you better than you (except maybe your mom. Moms know everything!)
I am not suggesting that we all grab some plants and use only our own herbal skincare ;)
You can expect 1-2 posts a week from me (though if I stray from this
frequency at first, I apologize. I am in grad school year-round in addition to
working full time so at times I end up accomplishing less than I had hoped or
anticipated because I simply don’t have the time to do everything that I
thought I would) and I will highlight products that I’ve had the opportunity to
try. I will discuss packaging, ingredients, and any facts about the companies
that I think may be helpful to know. Oh, and I will most definitely discuss how
the products worked on my skin – pictures will be included as possible! Until
then…
Warm wishes for a healthy life,
The Natural Lady
