Please tell us about yourself, Taylor…
I live with my boyfriend Kyle in California. I have a rabbit named Louie and a dog named Buster. I’m currently a full time student and work part time. I’m working on my master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in applied behavior analysis. I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in child development in May 2012. I’ll graduate in December 2013 and I can’t wait to have a break from studying all the time! I also work part time with children and adults with special needs such as autism. I love my work and find it really rewarding to support people. I love trying new natural beauty products and making my own products and recipes. I also like cooking, baking, and crocheting.
How long have you been on your all-natural path, and what inspired you to be on it?
I have always read the ingredients label of the products that I used and most of the ingredients were unknown to me. I had heard different things about certain ingredients during my first year of college and did some more research on them. Some were true and some weren’t. This definitely opened my eyes to the harmful ingredients that are in so many widely available health and beauty products. A few years ago, I switched to all natural beauty and health products and never looked back.
I love all the products I use now and don’t have issues with skin sensitivity to products anymore. I also love essential oils and the scent of natural products. It’s noticeable, yet subtle and doesn’t smell so strong that I get a headache. Using natural beauty products has also made me realize that these same ingredients are in foods and other products that are available to everyone with no warnings! It’s definitely scary.
What makes you choose ‘the ANB’ and what do you like about it?
I love the information and products that All Natural Beauty provides! My first experience with the ANB was when I purchased a sampler. I purchased my first sampler because I was interested in a specific product and it would’ve been more expensive to buy the product on its own. I wasn’t really expecting to find products that would become my absolute favorites, but I did! It’s an amazing deal, too! I’ve purchased every sampler since then and look forward to each one that comes out. I love the themed tissue paper, packaging, and wrapping that it comes in; it’s like buying a gift for yourself. It gives me the chance to try great new products at a great price and value. I’ve found a few favorites that I’ve incorporated into my normal beauty routine and if a product isn’t for me, I can let a family member or friend try it out.
Which products and/or DIY recipes have you tried from our sites and what are your favorites and why?
My favorite vendors from ANB would have to be Grateful Body, Evan’s Garden, and Rosa y Fruta although I love products from all the vendors that I have tried. I love facial serums, masks, and other facial products. The Grateful Body and Rosa y Fruta facial products that have been included in the samplers are amazing! I love the facial serums from Grateful Body and the Rosa y Fruta products have an amazing rose scent! I love most products that are rose scented! Evan’s Garden Hand and Body Lotion in Rose is one of my favorites from a sampler!
I recently won some makeup products from Evan’s Garden in an ANB giveaway and I am obsessed with the Shea Butter Cheek Tint! I use it on both my lips and cheeks. It’s a really flattering color and blends really well into my skin. I love stain products and haven’t been able to find a good substitute since I’ve switched over to natural products. I’m still looking for a liquid stain that lasts and is natural. I’ve tried some DIY recipes and tips from ANB as well. Before I found ANB, I’d found recipes for lip balm, soaps, and candles to try. I still use these recipes and they are awesome! I can personalize my products with whatever essential oils or extra ingredients and I love doing this!
What would you tell a friend about choosing all-natural beauty products?
I would encourage people to use all natural beauty products. I started making the switch slowly with the products that I used daily first. After that, I slowly added in other products that I don’t use as often and within not too long, I’d replaced everything. I also feel like any skin issues that I had before haven’t been as much of an issue. I used to have oily, acne-prone that was very sensitive to products. Once I started using natural products, my skin was less prone to acne and less oily. My skin was oily because traditional products stripped away all the natural moisture. I also have never had an issue with any natural facial product drying out my skin. I didn’t have reactions to any products either.
I’m not scared to use oils on my skin and jojoba oil is one of my favorite moisturizers with a few drops of lavender essential oil mixed in. It’s not oily at all and is super moisturizing! I think that the benefits of going all natural are the best part. It’s great to know that I am doing something good for my skin.
The switch to all natural beauty and health products has also prompted me to eat better and make better, more natural choices in all parts of my life. I think that even small changes can help and that it’s important to be informed about the choice of products you use on, in, and around your body, especially since so many products can be included in a daily beauty regimen!
