May 2015
Editor’s Note
R
ecently I was asked to be the maid of honor in my good friend’s wedding. On the day of the ceremony, the bridal party indulged in gel manicures, which require many coats of gel and time under UV lights to dry. As I was sipping water from my “Maid of Honor” embossed tumbler and enjoying the moment, I noticed the skin around my nails was burning while my hands were under the glowing light. This concerned me, but I soon forgot about the pain and chalked it up to nothing. I later mentioned it to my friend, and she remembered feeling the same stinging sensation. I then thought, “Wait, we’re knowingly putting ourselves through this?” I looked up the ingredients in nail polish and nail treatments and was taken aback. I knew nail polish wasn’t natural, but I certainly didn’t think formaldehyde was in it. Gross! It’s shocking to realize that I routinely put myself through harsh treatments and willingly expose myself to chemicals in the name of beauty. May is Green Living’s Women’s issue, and considering that many women have the same affection for beautifying treatments and perhaps also the same conflicting feelings about wanting to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, I’m calling for a makeup overhaul. I’m not saying your nail polish is going to kill you, but if you’ve had an experience like the one I had, where your body is explicitly telling you it doesn’t like a product or practice, perhaps it’s time for a change. There are many non-toxic nail polishes available, including Scotch Naturals which is made locally in Phoenix, and they work beautifully (see page 15 for some eco-friendly beauty products). Chemical products such as hair dyes and treatments, nail polish and acetone, most cosmetics, and an endless list of products can all be replaced with less harmful versions. When it comes to your grooming routine, take a step back and think about the big picture: if almost everything you’re using contains harsh chemicals, and you’re applying them at least daily or sometimes more, the cost to your body can start to add up. Try switching out a few of these chemical-laden products for healthier ones – you can even make your own so you know exactly what’s going onto your body (visit page 7 for a list of DIY beauty recipes). You don’t have to make
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the switch all in one go, but when you run out of one product, research a better option and buy that from then on or make your own, if possible. This is something I’ve started doing, and it’s easier than dumping everything and starting from scratch (plus, that’s still wasteful). Caring about what goes into our bodies is important; we need to be careful about what we put on our bodies, too. In our May issue, we celebrate strong and inspirational women who are doing amazing things in terms of sustainability, including Arizona women leading water conservation campaigns and some local and national female leaders. We’d also like you to get to know Marci Zaroff – who graces this month’s cover – and her organic cotton clothing line Under the Canopy. You can thank Marci for coining the term ECOfashion and for the green strides she’s making in the fashion world. Also included is an article on shipping container apartments opening in downtown Phoenix; local yoga clothing company Stelari that makes its fabric from recycled materials; environmental summer camps; a roundup of multicultural Mother’s Day traditions and more. What goes on our bodies is as important as what goes in. I hope you’ll accept the challenge of a major beauty makeover and research smarter and better options. In the end, your health and the environment will be better for it.
Amanda Harvey Associate Editor
May 2015 | greenliving
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