We should WANT to find better alternatives.
Since I first started my Beauty and Envi blog back in 2009, people would ask me: "Where do you come up with these amazing ideas? Oh Elle, you're such a genius!" (Okay, no one has ever called me a genius, but you get the idea.)
I just want to say that I am not a beauty expert at all. When it comes to my own appearance, I consider myself incredibly low maintenance and lazy. These little tips and tricks that I write about is information that I've personally collected over the years because I, myself, want to make better alternatives for the things I already do in my own lifestyle.
I'm a very frugal (but creative!) person, but regardless, I always believe there's going to be a more sustainable and affordable way of doing something. We all just need to take the initiative to look for them! I'll be honest - I don't believe that these small differences I'm making for myself will make a big difference to the world, but I do feel good about myself when I find I'm spending less money and producing less waste than I would otherwise.
Using my latest blog entry as an example, before I started "sugaring," I found I was spending too much money on expensive equipment and supplies that do the exact same task. Of course, it was often times more affordable than going to a salon regularly, but when I started thinking about all the waste I was creating, it made me a little uncomfortable. First, there was the plastic and cardboard packaging, then there was the electronic heater, the non-recyclable plastic tubes of wax, the non-recyclable plastic applicator, the wax made of who-knows-what, the cotton strips, the cotton strips covered in the wax made of who-knows-what, and then finally the eventual disposal of everything I've just bought, etc., repeat!
See how ridiculous that is? So one day I decided: "Okay, this is enough. There has to be a better way!" And thankfully, there was! And to my surprise, that "better way" turned out to be a lot more effective, affordable beyond what I'd ever imagine, easy for me to make and do at home, biodegradable, and a whole lot less wasteful. It was a very pleasant surprise indeed, and that's why I'm sharing these ideas with you. Hopefully this will encourage readers to discover their own sustainable alternatives in their lifestyles.
My blog entries aren't for everyone. I know there people here who are happy living minimalistic lives and don't put these beauty things high on their priority lists (which is okay!). But if you are someone who does (which is okay too!), just know that there will always be alternatives. You just have to go out and look for them!
On a completely different note, I recently bought a sewing machine from a thrift store. An employee told me that they tested it out in the back before putting it out on the floor. However, just the other day I noticed the presser foot was missing. Hopefully I'll be able to buy the missing part elsewhere because I've totally waited too long to return the machine now. Anyway, YouTube channels such as ThreadBanger, GiannyL and SecretLifeofaBioNerd have inspired me to try my hand at making my own clothing again. They make these projects look so easy and so much fun! Now every time I walk through a store, I also have a hard time buying new clothes because chances are, I could probably make my own with some practice. You should check those channels out.
Bahh, I think that's enough blogging for one day. I'll see you with a new blog entry on Thursday! Cheers!
I just want to say that I am not a beauty expert at all. When it comes to my own appearance, I consider myself incredibly low maintenance and lazy. These little tips and tricks that I write about is information that I've personally collected over the years because I, myself, want to make better alternatives for the things I already do in my own lifestyle.
I'm a very frugal (but creative!) person, but regardless, I always believe there's going to be a more sustainable and affordable way of doing something. We all just need to take the initiative to look for them! I'll be honest - I don't believe that these small differences I'm making for myself will make a big difference to the world, but I do feel good about myself when I find I'm spending less money and producing less waste than I would otherwise.
Using my latest blog entry as an example, before I started "sugaring," I found I was spending too much money on expensive equipment and supplies that do the exact same task. Of course, it was often times more affordable than going to a salon regularly, but when I started thinking about all the waste I was creating, it made me a little uncomfortable. First, there was the plastic and cardboard packaging, then there was the electronic heater, the non-recyclable plastic tubes of wax, the non-recyclable plastic applicator, the wax made of who-knows-what, the cotton strips, the cotton strips covered in the wax made of who-knows-what, and then finally the eventual disposal of everything I've just bought, etc., repeat!
See how ridiculous that is? So one day I decided: "Okay, this is enough. There has to be a better way!" And thankfully, there was! And to my surprise, that "better way" turned out to be a lot more effective, affordable beyond what I'd ever imagine, easy for me to make and do at home, biodegradable, and a whole lot less wasteful. It was a very pleasant surprise indeed, and that's why I'm sharing these ideas with you. Hopefully this will encourage readers to discover their own sustainable alternatives in their lifestyles.
My blog entries aren't for everyone. I know there people here who are happy living minimalistic lives and don't put these beauty things high on their priority lists (which is okay!). But if you are someone who does (which is okay too!), just know that there will always be alternatives. You just have to go out and look for them!
On a completely different note, I recently bought a sewing machine from a thrift store. An employee told me that they tested it out in the back before putting it out on the floor. However, just the other day I noticed the presser foot was missing. Hopefully I'll be able to buy the missing part elsewhere because I've totally waited too long to return the machine now. Anyway, YouTube channels such as ThreadBanger, GiannyL and SecretLifeofaBioNerd have inspired me to try my hand at making my own clothing again. They make these projects look so easy and so much fun! Now every time I walk through a store, I also have a hard time buying new clothes because chances are, I could probably make my own with some practice. You should check those channels out.
Bahh, I think that's enough blogging for one day. I'll see you with a new blog entry on Thursday! Cheers!
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