Posts Tagged ‘ homemade ’

A New Year’s Resolution of Sorts

Monday, December 28th, 2009

I remember very clearly the day that I became curious about the ingredients in the health and beauty products I use.  It happened after reading an internet news article about a girl dying as a result of using too much perfume. As to whether or not this article was bullshit, I really have no clue.  I read some really disturbing things about parabens, preservatives used in many cosmetics and toiletries, and sodium lauryl or laureth sulfates, which are cleaning agents. I felt overwhelmed, so I decided that I would try to avoid those two ingredients at least. I began buying burt’s bees, alba hawaiian, tom’s of maine, yes to carrots, and method products because they were paraben and SLS-free (aside from my toothpaste and my hand soap, because I could not find ANY without SLS). I never stopped to consider all the other chemicals that I was introducing my body to by using those products. My sister, disfordelicate, has always been ahead of the game.  A few days ago, she told me about a website (cosmeticsdatabase.com) where I could find out exactly how hazardous the products I use are to my health. The website rates products on a scale from one to ten (one being the least dangerous and ten being the most dangerous). I was beyond shocked and a little disgusted by the things that I discovered. The result? As I finish the products that I currently use (to avoid being wasteful), I will be replacing them with safer and more natural alternatives.  The rundown:

  • current facial cleanser- Burt’s Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing cream (rating-3)

    future facial cleanser- Karen’s Botanicals Rehydrating Olive Oil Cleanser (rating-0)

  • current deodorant- Tom’s of Maine Sensitive Deodorant, Fragrance Free (rating-2)

    future dedorant-  disfordelicate’s easy homemade deodorant

  • current lotion- Alba Botanica Hawaiian Cocoa Butter Hand and Body Lotion (rating-5)

    future lotion- Karen’s Botanicals Summer Sunflower Lotion (rating-0)

  • current facial moisturizers-

    Alba Botanica Hawaiian Aloe and Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer (rating-5)

    Burt’s Bees Radiance Day Creme with Royal Jelly (rating-6)

    Burt’s Bees Radiance Night Creme with Royal Jelly (product not found on site, but it would be reasonable to assume that it is somewhere close to the day creme)

    Burt’s Bees Radiance Eye Creme (rating-7)

    future facial moisturizers-

    Karen’s Botanicals Calendula Rose Facial Cream (rating-0)

    Skin’s Apricot Mango Eye Cream (rating-0)

  • current toothpaste- Tom’s of Maine Natural Whole Care Fluoride Peppermint Toothpaste (rating-3, and I’ve been meaning to stop using this for a while now since it has both SLS and fluoride in it)

    future toothpaste-  disfordelicate’s slightly modified toothpaste recipe

  • current shampoo- John Masters Lavender Rosemary Shampoo for normal hair (product not found on site, but other John Masters shampoos are rated 3)

    future shampoo- Dr. Bronner’s Magic 18-in-one Hemp Peppermint Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (rating-2: it’s not perfect, but it’s an improvement…and the health concerns are minimal)

  • current conditioner-

    John Masters Lavender and Avocado Intenstive Condtioner (product not found on site)

    Yes to Cucumbers Calm Cucumber Daily Makeover Conditioner (product not found on site)

    future conditioner- Opas Soap Palmarosa Conditioner (rating-0)

  • current hand soap- Method Gel Sweet Water Handwash (rating-4)

    future hand soap- Dr. Bronners Magic Peppermint Shikakai Pump Soap (rating- 2)

    • Tampons are for suckaz.

    Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

    DISCLAIMER: This entry discusses in detail the following- pads, tampons, my vagina, periods, period blood

    If any of these topics make you uncomfortable, then please read no further. Also, if you’re a girl, why are you uncomfortable with periods? They’re not going anywhere until you’re about fifty. Deal with it.

    I once was a huge fan of tampons.  Sanitary Napkins (or pads, if you’re not big into fancy talk) were basically diapers for adults in my eyes; I wanted no part of that.  Still, the idea of stuffing bleached cotton in my vagina did not sit well.  I eventually decided to make the switch to unbleached tampons, but I quickly realized that my job does not pay well enough to treat myself with such luxuries.  My only other option was to give the pad another chance. I started buying them, and discovered that bleached cotton resting upon the vagina feels just as wrong as bleached cotton inside the vagina. I went to my sister, Disfordelicate , for advice. She had a simple solution, as she always does. She gave me two homemade pads that she had sewn together out of old t-shirts. They are stuffed with flannel to make them extra absorbent, which is great because I can honestly and unashamedly say that I have a stupidly heavy flow.

    The verdict:

    I am sold. They’re comfortable, reusable (Just rinse them with cold water, and then wash them with your towels.) and more environmentally friendly than the dozens of pads/tampons that I easily go through in a year’s time. I will absolutely be making more when the next Crafternoon rolls around. I will also be posting pictures of the process, if anyone’s interested.