Wellness
10 Ways to Live a Little Greener
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Power an eco-friendly practice.
Investing in a sustainable yoga mat was an immediate change I made to be more eco-friendly. My yoga mat is the foundation for my fitness routine and by investing in a mat that is not only good for me, but for the environment makes a huge difference all around. Brands like Manduka and Jade Yoga offer beautiful, high-performance nontoxic mats made out of sustainably harvested tree rubber. It’s a win-win for Mother Earth—and my workout.
—Natalie, Manager | Project Management
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Power an eco-friendly practice.
Investing in a sustainable yoga mat was an immediate change I made to be more eco-friendly. My yoga mat is the foundation for my fitness routine and by investing in a mat that is not only good for me, but for the environment makes a huge difference all around. Brands like Manduka and Jade Yoga offer beautiful, high-performance nontoxic mats made out of sustainably harvested tree rubber. It’s a win-win for Mother Earth—and my workout.
—Natalie, Manager | Project Management
Don't be afraid to eat ugly.
I use Imperfect Produce to get all my fresh fruit and veggies. It allows me to purchase produce that has imperfections (think “odd” shapes, extra leaves) which would have previously been thrown away and uneaten. They help to reduce food waste, which is really harming our planet.
—Lauren, Product Manager
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Don't be afraid to eat ugly.
I use Imperfect Produce to get all my fresh fruit and veggies. It allows me to purchase produce that has imperfections (think “odd” shapes, extra leaves) which would have previously been thrown away and uneaten. They help to reduce food waste, which is really harming our planet.
—Lauren, Product Manager
Educate yourself.
I recently read "The Uninhabitable Earth" by David Wallace-Wells. This book is mind-blowing and eye-opening. It paints a vivid picture of the all-encompassing consequences that will touch every part of our lives, not just our children's or grandchildren's lives. Highly recommend!
—Ryan, Business Insights Analyst
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Educate yourself.
I recently read "The Uninhabitable Earth" by David Wallace-Wells. This book is mind-blowing and eye-opening. It paints a vivid picture of the all-encompassing consequences that will touch every part of our lives, not just our children's or grandchildren's lives. Highly recommend!
—Ryan, Business Insights Analyst
Switch your beauty products.
I love all things makeup, but what I didn’t understand was how harmful my (now old) beauty routine was on the environment… and myself. Single-use plastic waste, animal testing, hundreds of chemicals—me being “beautiful” was detrimental to Mother Earth. At least California has the right idea by trying to ban toxic chemicals in makeup! I started reading my high-end labels, researching and purchasing organic and sustainable beauty products, like MILK Makeup, and started adopting easy, eco-friendly changes to my routine. I still look fierce, but I am not harming my body—or my planet.
—Brittany, Team Lead | Content Marketing
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Switch your beauty products.
I love all things makeup, but what I didn’t understand was how harmful my (now old) beauty routine was on the environment… and myself. Single-use plastic waste, animal testing, hundreds of chemicals—me being “beautiful” was detrimental to Mother Earth. At least California has the right idea by trying to ban toxic chemicals in makeup! I started reading my high-end labels, researching and purchasing organic and sustainable beauty products, like MILK Makeup, and started adopting easy, eco-friendly changes to my routine. I still look fierce, but I am not harming my body—or my planet.
—Brittany, Team Lead | Content Marketing
Recycle and reuse.
I try to avoid single-use plastics when I can. I purchased a fancy Tupperware FlatOut Container that I bring to restaurants to take home leftovers. I also prefer buying beverages (mainly beer) in aluminum cans instead of bottles. Cans don't shatter and are actually more economical to recycle.
—Barry, Software Engineer III
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Recycle and reuse.
I try to avoid single-use plastics when I can. I purchased a fancy Tupperware FlatOut Container that I bring to restaurants to take home leftovers. I also prefer buying beverages (mainly beer) in aluminum cans instead of bottles. Cans don't shatter and are actually more economical to recycle.
—Barry, Software Engineer III
Use what you've got.
It’s simple and straightforward, but the most eco-friendly thing to do is keep using whatever you already have!
—Megan, Lead Acquisition Program Manager
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Use what you've got.
It’s simple and straightforward, but the most eco-friendly thing to do is keep using whatever you already have!
—Megan, Lead Acquisition Program Manager
Commute consciously.
I try to take the train to work every day, and walk or ride a bike if I'm traveling a short distance and don’t have to carry anything heavy. It's good for both the Earth and my health. Planning your day around mass transit or human-powered transit is also a really fun way to get to know your city!
—Kyle, Senior Copywriter
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Commute consciously.
I try to take the train to work every day, and walk or ride a bike if I'm traveling a short distance and don’t have to carry anything heavy. It's good for both the Earth and my health. Planning your day around mass transit or human-powered transit is also a really fun way to get to know your city!
—Kyle, Senior Copywriter
Sunscreen smarter.
I’m a Hawaiian beach girl so whenever I’m at the ocean, I always make sure to use reef-safe sunscreen. Coral bleaching is a terrible epidemic happening across our planet, so anything we can do as humans to protect this vital part to our living ocean (Moana in Hawaiian) is important. Some of my favorite reef-safe brands include Raw Elements, Ao Organics, and Coola. If you want to learn more, Chasing Coral is a great resource for taking action and helping our beautiful oceans!
—Keana, Lifecycle Program Manager
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Sunscreen smarter.
I’m a Hawaiian beach girl so whenever I’m at the ocean, I always make sure to use reef-safe sunscreen. Coral bleaching is a terrible epidemic happening across our planet, so anything we can do as humans to protect this vital part to our living ocean (Moana in Hawaiian) is important. Some of my favorite reef-safe brands include Raw Elements, Ao Organics, and Coola. If you want to learn more, Chasing Coral is a great resource for taking action and helping our beautiful oceans!
—Keana, Lifecycle Program Manager
Bring your own bag.
When I make my Sunday afternoon trips to the grocery store, I always try to remember a reusable tote bag instead of buying or using a plastic bag. It's something small, but I've made a habit out of it—baby steps!
—Erica, Copywriter
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Bring your own bag.
When I make my Sunday afternoon trips to the grocery store, I always try to remember a reusable tote bag instead of buying or using a plastic bag. It's something small, but I've made a habit out of it—baby steps!
—Erica, Copywriter
Invest in your H2O (and your look).
This may seem like a no-brainer, but I always use a reusable water bottle. Replacing plastic water bottles can help reduce single-use plastic consumption worldwide. Brands like Hydro Flask and Swell have bottles that are long-lasting—and have cool designs. I also try to always support brands that are made from recyclable materials, especially when it comes to my clothes. Fast fashion companies, like H&M, have a detrimental effect on our environment, so I have chosen to shop more sustainably. Brands like Reformation and Girlfriend Collective offer super cute and stylish remanufactured clothes that are perfect for every occasion.
—Devin, Consumer Marketing Communications Specialist
Whether you’re implementing small changes into your daily routine to help the environment or updating your wellness to be more eco-friendly, we encourage you to make every day a little bit greener!
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Invest in your H2O (and your look).
This may seem like a no-brainer, but I always use a reusable water bottle. Replacing plastic water bottles can help reduce single-use plastic consumption worldwide. Brands like Hydro Flask and Swell have bottles that are long-lasting—and have cool designs. I also try to always support brands that are made from recyclable materials, especially when it comes to my clothes. Fast fashion companies, like H&M, have a detrimental effect on our environment, so I have chosen to shop more sustainably. Brands like Reformation and Girlfriend Collective offer super cute and stylish remanufactured clothes that are perfect for every occasion.
—Devin, Consumer Marketing Communications Specialist
Whether you’re implementing small changes into your daily routine to help the environment or updating your wellness to be more eco-friendly, we encourage you to make every day a little bit greener!
Beauty
Black-owned Beauty and Wellness Businesses to Know
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February is Black History Month—a celebration of the achievements and contributions of African Americans in society. As the beauty and wellness industry becomes a more welcoming and inclusive space for all, we are taking this opportunity to continue to shine a light on the gap of inclusivity and diversity in our industry, and take action to promote, empower, and honor the Black community that shapes and grows wellness.
While the beauty industry is making improvements—it's important to showcase and support Black businesses and the creatives in this space every day. To honor them, we're shouting out some of our favorite Black-owned beauty and wellness businesses to support.
1. Beauty Bin
Beauty Bin is a full-service day spa and dry bar located in Asheville, NC. With a focus on inclusivity for people of all backgrounds, genders, and races, their MO is to match the outer beauty of every client to their inner beauty. From eyelash extensions and hydrafacials to waxing and massage, Beauty Bin is a one-stop-shop for all the spa services.
2. KIKA Stretch Studio
The KIKA Method® is a gentle assisted stretching process that loosens up tight muscles freeing your body from pain and stress. By practicing this method, clients can experience decreased muscle tension, increased energy, enhanced flexibility, a substantial reduction in stress, improved posture and relaxation, and increased mental clarity. While its headquarters is located in Las Vegas, NV, they have multiple locations sprinkled throughout the US, including Atlanta, New York City, and Dallas—just to name a few.
3. Kimberly Coleman Salon
At Kimberly Coleman Salon, their philosophy begins with promoting healthy tresses, elegant sets, unique accouterments, perfect pampering of hands and feet, and precision cuts. Known for working with models and celebrities, they fully appreciate and celebrate the diversity of their clientele which also includes super moms and warrior dads.
4. Pressed Roots
Pressed Roots was developed with the simple concept in mind—that everyone deserves access to easy, and quality hair care. What started as a single pop-up shop in Boston, grew to a multi-city pop-up tour, and is now slated to be the largest national hair salon franchise specializing in the care and styling of highly textured hair, they launched their first flagship location in Dallas, TX.
5. SW3AT
Jersey City resident, Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez started SW3AT. The company began as a fitness apparel line in 2015 but evolved into a sanctuary catered to health and wellness now known as SW3AT Sauna Studio—the first infrared sauna studio in Jersey City. The healing power of infrared heat therapy is a phenomenal option for holistic health proven to strengthen the immune system and provide relief from joint stiffness and muscle pain. It is also supportive of any fitness program as it aids in weight loss (you can torch up to 900 calories in a 45-minute session) while also detoxifying your body from some of the most harmful toxins.
6. The TEN Nail Bar
Kelli Coleman and Anika Jackson opened The TEN Nail Bar in Detroit to address a void in their city. They saw a need for a quality, modern nail bar that could also serve as a fun social space for Detroit’s residents and professionals. They designed the TEN to provide their clients with a #Perfect10 experience—where you can relax, enjoy music, a drink, your friends, a clean and precise manicure, and a much-needed break from all your hectic days.
7. Bettye O Day Spa
Located in the beautiful downtown Hyde Park Chicago area, Bettye O Day Spa specializes in first-class treatments. They aim to nurture and relax each of their clients with individualized and innovative therapeutic techniques. From body wraps and massages to facials and hydrotherapy, this day spa promises to be a safe place for healing to occur.
Looking for more businesses to support? ClassPass has also created a list of Black-owned business to check out all year-round. While both of these lists are a great start to get you familiar with many of the Black-owned businesses either in your neighborhood or around the globe, we have only scratched the surface. We'd love to keep these lists growing.If you have any businesses you'd like to see on this list, click here to submit a Black-owned business we should be highlighting as well!
