Sustainable Hair Care/ Cuidado de Cabello Sustentable

A question I received a lot revolves around my hair. What products I like, how I style it, how to be more eco-responsible.

Styling our hair & sustainability no longer have to evade each other!

The secret ingredient hides in taking more eco-responsible actions at home, and supporting the brands that are redesigning the beauty industry for the better.

When it comes to hair, I’ve pretty much tried it all!

🌱Shampoo bars, sadly, left my hair too dry.

🌱The conditioner refill I bought at our zero-waste store left my hair too oily.

🌱I struggled finding nontoxic hair products that didn’t come in plastic bottles… until now…

♻️This brand Eva Hair NYC is not only vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free and harsh chemicals-free but the brand also made the switch from plastic bottles to ALUMINUM bottles! This means we can recycle the containers an INFINITE amount of times, while plastic can only be recycled 2-3 times before becoming obsolete!

And the pumps, you may wonder? They established a partnership with TerraCycle in order for us to send the pumps (please collect many before shipping!) to TerraCycle free of cost by printing the shipping label from TerraCycle’s website.

TerraCycle then transforms these pumps into new long-lasting products like benches or even playgrounds!

The products I’ve been using and loving are part of the “Mane Magic 10-in-1” line. They have ingredients such plant protein and argan oil meant to revitalize, nourish and strengthen hair; and Freesia, Jasmine, Bourbon Vanilla for a natural and divine aroma!

Also, feel free to use discount code EVAFOREVER for 10% off!

(Paid partnership with Eva NYC)

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Una pregunta que me hacen a menudo es la de mi cabello: cómo lo estilo, que productos uso y como ser más eco responsable.

♻️Darle estilo a nuestro cabello y la sustentabilidad no tienen por qué eludirse 🧖🏽‍♀️

El ingrediente secreto se esconde en tomar acciones más eco-responsables en el hogar y apoyar a las marcas que están rediseñando la industria de la belleza para mejor.

Cuando se trata de cabello, ¡prácticamente lo he probado todo!

🌱Las barras de shampoo, lamentablemente, dejaron mi cabello demasiado seco.

🌱El refill de acondicionador que compré en nuestra tienda de desperdicio cero me dejó el cabello demasiado grasoso.

🌱Tuve problemas para encontrar productos para el cabello no tóxicos que no venían en botellas de plástico ... hasta ahora ...

♻️Esta marca Eva NYC no solo es vegana, libre de crueldad animal, sin parabenos, sin ftalatos, sin sulfatos y sin productos químicos agresivos, ¡sino que la marca también hizo el cambio de botellas de plástico a botellas de ALUMINIO! Esto significa que podemos reciclar los envases INFINITAS veces, mientras que el plástico solo se puede reciclar 2-3 veces antes de volverse obsoleto.

Y las tapas, te preguntarás? Establecieron una asociación con TerraCycle para que enviáramos las bombas y tapas (¡coleccionen varias antes del envío!) a TerraCycle sin costo alguno imprimiendo la etiqueta de envío desde el sitio web de TerraCycle.

Luego, TerraCycle transforma estas tapas en nuevos productos duraderos como sillas o incluso parques infantiles.

Los productos que he estado usando y adorando son parte de la línea "Mane Magic 10-in-1". Tienen ingredientes como la proteína vegetal y el aceite de argán destinados a revitalizar, nutrir y fortalecer el cabello; y Fresia, Jazmín, Vainilla Bourbon para un aroma natural y divino.

Si ya están interesados, pueden usar el código EVAFOREVER para un 10% de descuento!

Let's talk Periods! Nontoxic & Zero Waste.

This post is dedicated to every woman out there. Teenager, mom, cousin, friend, sister, girlfriend. This is information you might want to share with every female soul in your life. Most of us avoid having a discussion about something as natural and regularly-occurring as our period. Our moon cycle. Some feel disgusted by the topic, others ashamed of it, and then there’s a huge chunk that has no idea what goes behind the feminine product industry, which is worth over $23Billion worldwide, and ruled by companies that produce tampons and pads that carry chemicals, plastic, petroleum, bleach, odor repellents and other life-threatening and cancer-inducing ingredients. These are ingredients we, women, are putting inside our bodies without the slightest inch of hesitation. We trust companies too blindly! Then we wonder why people we love keep getting sick. Insane isn’t it?  Want to hear another mind-blowing fact? In our lifetimes, will use 16,800+ tampons and pads. These are toxic and non-biodegradable products that always find their way into our oceans or landfills. Yes, there’s the option of buying organic feminine products but, once used, they will also find their way into nature and contaminate it. A life-changing alternative are menstrual cups. I began using mine last year and absolutely love it! It did not only make it easy for me to travel without having to carry boxes of tampons and pads with me, but it also reduced my menstrual cramps (blood flows naturally without clogging with tampons), the amount of waste I create, and my negative impact on our planet. The only issue I had with the last one I used was the color. It was transparent and, like we all know, blood stains. After a few months the color changed no matter how many natural soaps I used to clean it. And then, I found Dot! A fair-trade menstrual cup made of medical-grade silicone that is black in color and designed by a brand that donates one cup to a girl or woman in need per cup sold. An immediate no-brainer! By purchasing a necessity, we are helping and empowering thousands of women and girls in developing countries who miss about 60 days of school or work each year during their periods because of the lack of access to feminine products. There’s nothing more world-changing than that!

I know some of you have complained about the prices of menstrual cups but you have to have in mind that we only have to buy one cup which will last for YEARS! Up to 10 years to be exact. Saving you a lot of Benjamin Franklins in the future! These Dot cups also come in the most beautiful hand-sewn canvas pouch!

And last but not least, I’ve partnered with Dot to host a giveaway for Earth Month! We’ll announce it in the next few days so stay tuned. In the meantime, head to Dot to find more about their mission or how to use the cups. You won’t regret it. Believe me! If you are ready to get yours, use code “WaterThruSkin” for $5 off.

*Sponsored by DotCup

Simple & Natural Beauty Rituals!

Here is a simple and non-toxic beauty ritual I want to share with you. I apply this clay mask 1 to 2 times per week, and the other beauty products (melt and oil) every single day. Morning and night!

I know I’ve talked about natural beauty many times before but, in short, the reason why we should all choose organic, vegan and non-toxic products is because whatever we put on our skins gets absorbed by our bodies and transported into our bloodstream. What does this mean exactly? Very simple. Just like our diet, products can poison us or heal us. For that reason, you should always perform your research, read labels and choose brands consciously! Here are a few I recommend:

1)   Detox: Bentonite Clay mask. In case you haven’t read about bentonite clay, here is a link to powerful info that will make your jaw drop! Betonite clay has many health benefits and, when used as a mask, helps detoxify your skin and heal wounds or any skin diseases. I decided to give this brand a try and, so far, I love it! You can get it at Whole Foods!

Ritual:

            -Add 1 tbsp of clay, 2 tbsps of water, 1 drop of your favorite essential oil. I used wild orange this time but normally use Lavender.

            -Apply on your face with a brush

            -Let it dry for 10 minutes and wash it off with warm water

2)   Hydrate: To hydtrate, I use two products I ADORE!

a.   LXMI Nilotica Melt: vegan, no-animal testing, organic, fair-trade (LXMI pays 3 times the local wages to African harvesters) and has only ONE ingredient: Nilotica (a rare relative of Shea butter). This melt nourishes and hydrates your skin, removing wrinkles and little pimples.

                                               i.     I apply a thick amount of it at night  (like a melt mask) and a pearl size of it in the morning, especially around delicate areas like my eyes and forehead.

                                              ii.     Ps: you can get it at Sephora! And they also have a travel size!

b.     OSEA hydrating oil: this little roll-on does not only smell DELICIOUS but is also the perfect travel-buddy to carry in your bag. I carry mine 24/7 and apply it every time my skin asks for nourishment. It is natural, vegan, cruelty-free and made with essential oils.

Easy and convenient baby steps to a better, healthier and wiser you! I hope you enjoy them! Xo

Natural non-toxic Beauty & a major SALE!

Natural and nontoxic beauty. Good for the planet and your health! You have heard me talk about this topic dozens of times before. That’s how important it is! As consumers we tend to trust all beauty brands blindly without analyzing what exactly goes behind those bottles. We forget that our bodies absorb whatever we put on/in them. Hair, skin, teeth, lips. Whatever product we put on them will be absorbed by our body and will go directly into our bloodstream. If these products contain harmful and toxic ingredients (like petroleum, parabens, etc), they will poison our cells slowly. The solution? Become a wiser consumer, perform our research, READ labels, and choose brands consciously! A place that makes shopping easier for me because of their strict mission-driven focus on selling brands that are natural, non-toxic, fair-trade and cruelty-free (no animal testing) is WholeFoods. I shop there for my veggies, fruits, superfoods, AND beauty and hygienge products! I’ve partnered with them to give you guys an intro to natural beauty and show you some of the new products I’ve chosen to try this month based on your recommendations! Another tip? WholeFoods is having a Beauty SALE Oct 6-8! You can save 25% on all body care, hair care, deodorants, facial lotions, cosmetics, soaps, and oils!! Don't miss this chance to stock up on your favorite brands!

Acure: Acure's products are made from plants, essential oils and other natural and organic ingredients without the use of parabens, artificial colors, sulfates, and harmful preservatives. They are vegan and not tested on animals! I love their chlorella cell stimulating facial mask and use it once per week. 

Primal Pit Paste Deodorant: We all know how difficult it is to find a natural and nontoxic deodorant that actually works! I've tried over ten different brands already and haven't been able to find one I truly adore. This month, I'm giving Primal Pit a try. It is made with pure ingredients. Please note it is not 100% vegan since it contains beeswax. 

Juice Beauty: I've heard about this brand a lot in the past few months and have finally decided to give it a try. All products are made with natural, organic, plant-based ingredients and without Parabens, petroleum, pesticides, propylene or butylene glycols, phthalates, sulfates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, GMO, silicones, gluten, artificial dyes, or synthetic fragrances. They are also cruelty-free (no animal testing). I've been using the SPF 30 Oil Free Moisturizer every morning for the past week and love it so far. 

You can read more about Whole Foods beauty care values and quality standards by clicking here.