What going green taught me

#NoBuyJanuary gives me the possibility to write less product reviews and reflect about the meaning of going green.

– Patience:  It truly is a virtue, do not expect immediate results when you transition to  green products and to a healthier lifestyle (well at least in my experience!).
Some people solely turn to conventional skincare because the results are quick, but it’s only temporary, because the toxins absorbed by your skin can ‘potentially’ have a negative effect. I still have spots or blemishes, but at least I’m not brutalizing my skin. My face has a healthy glow and the overall texture is clean.  I can’t say it looks phenomenal at the moment, but it’s a phase, with hormones kicking in, and the fact that skin renewal occurs after 27 days, there are good days and bad days.  The results of the products I use might not be immediately noticeable, but once they appear, the difference looks major.

– Not all that glitters is gold : Unlike some highly marketed brands you see everywhere in magazines or on TV, lots of green or eco brands are still underrated because they spend less money on advertising and put more emphasis on the quality of their product. Sometimes, you stumble accross great packaging, but the content turns out to be disappointing. I do happen to be attracted by new “it” beauty products once in a while, but then the craving goes swiftly away (especially once I get my hands on the ingredient list *gulp*).

– Samples, samples, samples are a green beauty blogger’s best friend. I made the mistake once to purchase a full-size cleanser and it turned out to wreak havoc on my skin.
I was so gutted as it wasn’t the cheapest product that I kept using it until my dad – YES my Dad – told me that my skin looked horrendous! So samples or travel size products are now my safety net.

– You get smarter :) Actually going green prompts you to develop your analytical and critical mind from checking every ingredient on the list. You are also less inclined to fall for everything ads are trying to make you believe. Do not trust – most of the times – words you can’t even pronounce, for instance: BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL (let’s do a spelling bee competition with all those words 😉 
Sometimes I find myself spending a good hour looking at all those crazy words and the nefastous effects they have on the environment and on us. Believe me, when you hear that some products are using hormonal disruptors, you don’t exactly feel ecstatic about putting them on your body. Through reading and discussions with fellow green enthusiasts, I’ve also expanded my biology and chemistry knowledge. Move over Walter White 😉
– Less is more:  It’s nice to let your skin breathe and consume less products. Hence why I’m taking part in the #NoBuyJanuary. Right now, I have enough products and I want to finish those up, instead of accumulating and potentially let some products go to waste. Being green is also linked to sustainability.

– The importance of internal well-being and good nutrition :  To me, this is the foundation! Controling your stress level (which is of course way easier to say than do…) is key to a better skin and an overall wellbeing. Having a healthier lifestyle will make a drastic difference: a regular physical activity ( it can be anything from walking to swimming…) and a balanced nutrition have a tremedous positive impact on your mental health.

– Sometimes you support local/family/small businesses that are little gems : In my quest for green and natural products, I stumble accross some little companies that make simple yet effective products.  It’s incredible to be able to talk directly to the founders and connect with them. You can’t exactly do that with l’Oréal, am I right ;-)?

And last but certainly not least…

– You grow in self-acceptance : I have friends who swear by their ‘conventional’ skin care products, have amazing skin, and won’t change their makeup habits. I have a different mind set, I’m not looking to”erase” those wrinkles or stretch marks, I’m looking to live better with or without them. Since going green, I rock what I’ve got 😉
I’m slowly learning to accept myself.  Every individual is unique (duh!) and is beautiful in its own way. I’m not obsessed with my appearance (despite what people might think of beauty bloggers) and I truly enjoy going bare-faced. I’m striving to treat my body right and feel mentally and physically better.
Here is one of my all-time favorite quotes from Roald Dahl:

           “A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good     

            thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

Overall, I feel happier, more educated and certainly more conscious of the people and the world around me. And to top it off, since starting this blog, I get to chat and connect with incredible people! What’s not to love?

How about you? To what extend has going green changed you?
Take care,
Liz