Monday, August 25, 2014

Green Guy

Hey, guys. Today's post was inspired by my super sweet brother-in-law, Dan, who asked me my opinion on some green brands and products he was considering. Of course, I immediately thought, "Oh, cool! Maybe someone in blogland could use my thoughts, too." So, here we are!

I'm not an expert at any of this stuff. I'm clearly not a dude. (Um. Hopefully you knew that.) But, after reading reviews and doing some research, I'm pretty confident that these are some kickass products. Of course, it should be stated that not all products work the exact same way for everybody. Like, our current shampoo works great for Dave and "eh" for me, but I still think my poo-free days changed my hair's pH and I've lived with straw-like conditions ever since. But I digress.

Today's post is all about the guys. And, because I'm me, it's particularly about the eco-guys. You know who you are. The ones who are looking for ways to eliminate the earth-hurting crud from your daily grooming routine. Who still want to look good (and, ahem, smell yummy) without the tingling chemicals, drying foaming agents, and general nastiness that goes down the drain.

I've got your back. Since I'm unable to try these myself -- do you really have to ask why? -- I've decided to pick a couple of extra products (like two shampoos, etc). Check out the reviews for yourself and consider what will work for your needs. And, ladies, the next time you need a sweet little gift for your sweet, don't do the Axe. Seriously. Just put down the Axe.




1 -  Maple Holistics Sage Shampoo (for Heavy Dandruff), 100% Natural and Sulfate-Free - I selected two shampoos because everyone's head is different, and I thought it would be cool to give you guys some options. I know the bottle is purple and it may look a little feminine, but that's actually because this is a shampoo that could work for both men and women. It's so awesome that there are natural options out there for folks who have dry skin, dandruff, and dermatitis. (Are those all the same things? I don't know. Maybe.) Oh, and it's cool for color-treated hair. That's pretty cool.
2 - Every Man Jack's 2-in-1 Thickening Shampoo - Like I said, everyone's head is different, and some guys are fighting an issue with thinning. I know how much thinning can affect a guy's self esteem, so the fact that this phthalate-free option exists (and with a conditioning option) is awesome. Let's just say that I may ask Santa to bring this to our house this year.
3 - Baxter of California Chrome-Plated Safety Razor - The Dorky Daddy loves his safety razor, although he admits that it does take a time or two to get used to a newer, short-fast strokes method. Seriously, this thing is awesome, and you'll only need to buy the individual razor blades once in awhile. (Hint: If you dry off your razor well every time you use it, you'll hardly need to buy new ones.) Plus, if you buy one package of blades, they'll last FUH-RE-VER. Just try it. Oh, and this (along with a kit of the proper brush, a holder, and some soap in a cute bowl or mug) was his all-time favorite Christmas present. I kid you not.
4 - ManCave Natural Face Moisturizer - No parabens. No sulfates. No synthetic fragrances or dyes. No petrochemicals. No GMOs. No cruelty. No problem! Plus, it comes in super manly packaging. These companies are really catching on to what people want. Oh, and it helps firm your skin (thanks, caffeine), clear it up if you've got a bit of acne (thanks, borage oil), and has several anti-aging agents. Wonder if I could get away with using this...
5 - Kiss My Face Creamy Cleanser Clean for a Day - I wouldn't usually support a face cleanser, mostly because everyone's face is very much unique. As a teen, I had battles with moderate acne (wasn't that bad, but it tore my self esteem to shreds enough to matter), so I know something that works for one person won't work for another. However, the reviews were good enough for this one that I feel confident saying that maybe 8 out of 10 people will have success with this one. It's great for sensitive skin, has a light citrus scent that could work for ladies or gents, and full of everything we like and has NOTHING we don't like (vegan-friendly, not animal tested, etc etc)...yeah, I think I WILL be ordering this one myself.
6 - Moon Dance Soaps Refreshing Mint Lathering Shave Soap - This will work perfectly with #3 above! The reason I picked a mint soap is because it's such a refreshing scent that leaves your skin feeling tight and gives you a morning aromatherapy session that will rival your cup o' joe. I also hit up Etsy every year to put a different scent in the bottom of someone's stocking. It's always great to support a small business owner who supports the philosophies we live by. 
7 - Herban Cowboy Dusk Cologne - (How cute is that name?!) Here's some more super sexy packaging containing an even better product. It's another vegan product, produced completely in the US, and the Herban Cowboy series of products seem worth checking out. (Especially their deodorant, which people are saying "actually works for a truly stinky man." Good to know.) ***Please make sure that you purchase the true brand of this since, apparently, there are knock-offs going around. Since this made the below list, which means a lot to me, I'm still supporting it, but some of the online reviews are warning against some sellers.***
8 - Burt's Bees Cologne - If PETA thinks these colognes are great, I've gotta get behind that. We're a Burt's Bees family, so I decided to include this cologne because a) it's a natural, animal-friendly option and b) it seems to be a completely different scent from #7. It is TOUGH to buy a cologne online, so I should mention that most reviewers love it, although there are one or two that find it a bit too...shall we say...hippie-ish. But, if your guy's into that, awesome. That said, plenty of reviewers mention citrusy, Bergamot, Cyprus and Fir notes (which sounds pretty woodsy and manly to me).  


Do you have any earth-friendly products that you or your guy enjoy? Are you fans of a particular brand? Tell us all about it in the comments!

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy something (even if it's not on my list), you'll make my day AND help us pay some bills. Seriously. So much appreciation.

1 comment:

  1. I feel out of the loop - I've never heard of any of these brands except Burt's Bees (I want to smell their cologne!). Our favs are African Black soap, JR Liggett's solid shampoo, and coconut oil in place of lotion/cream. Hubby's still working his way through a giant cologne bottle, but I'm glad to know we have some PETA-recommended alternatives to try. Thanks!

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