Lauren Rabbitt, a co-founder of TheEcoLuxeLife sat down with us to talk about how she became an ecopreneur, her must have eco-friendly beauty products, and why you should care if a product is green or not.

1. Tell us a little about TheEcoLuxeLife.
TheEcoLuxeLife is most easily described as an online eco-superstore.  With so much buzz about green, my business partners and I were amazed that there was no one-stop shop where the best of the eco-market could come together and launch mainstream on a national basis across almost every consumer category.

There are so many myths out there about the green lifestyle: it’s expensive, it’s ineffective, it’s only for political activists or hippies.  Well, green isn’t just for tree huggers anymore. It can be fabulous, accessible, luxurious and available at all price points. From our consumer products, to our educational materials, to our consumer forum (which allows our guests to share ideas and opinions), we’ll show you ways you can help the environment and improve your health, without somehow miraculously transforming into a wholly different person!

2. Have you always been a green girl? When/why did that change?
I always wanted to be an entrepreneur, but I never thought in a million years I’d end up being an ecopreneur!  Anyone who knows me will tell you that I’m a surprising convert. I did start using eco-makeup two and a half years ago, and have eaten a largely flexitarian diet for about five years.  But outside of some basic household and beauty items, my former practices were actually quite the antithesis of green! My partners and I started this business as three different women, in all different age groups, taking you on our green journey.

Along the way we’ve met some amazing people who have each inspired us to live sustainably in very different ways (we truly believe there’s not one “right” way to do it). We’re not perfect, nor are we expecting you to be.  But if everyone changes at least one thing they do to be more eco-friendly, a huge difference would be made.

3. Ok, let’s talk beauty and skincare. What are your five “can’t live without” products?
In the beauty context, the rule is simple: If something is going on you, it’s actually going in you, which is exactly why it needs to be green! Product choice is so subjective, but these are my favorites:

• Ambre Blends Perfume: It’s made from essential oils and contains no alcohol or petroleum based fillers. The smell is so good I even roll it in my hair!
• Tarte Lip Gloss: DC’s own Environmental Working Group has said that a typical woman will ingest 9 lbs. of lipstick over her lifetime! So it better be good for you! This has no parabens, no pthalates and is vegan!
• Yes to Carrots Body Lotion: Contains organic carrot juice, organic pumpkin, organic sweet potato and organic melon…but somehow you do NOT end up smelling like food!
• Zoya Nail polish: Formaldehyde-free and non-toxic. Most importantly, does not chip!
• John Master’s Organics Shampoo: No Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or artificial color. Smell is divine!

4. Why should people care about whether a product is green or not?
We really believe that if people are presented with a better option, they will make a better choice. If you can easily buy quality, effective eco-products within the same price point as the commercialized counterpart you are currently using, why wouldn’t you? All the research heads in the same direction: green living is better for your health and better for the environment.  Ultimately, people go green for all different reasons. Some do it for health, others for the environment, others because it’s trendy. But no matter what’s behind your change, we welcome you aboard because we see the effect of your change as positive.

5. What have you done to be more green in the past few years?
My grandfather always told my mother, and my mother always told me: leave things better than you found them. And that’s exactly what I’m trying to do. As it relates to the products and food I buy, I try to make more conscious consumer decisions, and to vote with my wallet.

Being an informed consumer is important. I’m reading more books about how our food goes from the field to our fork. It’s astonishing. Of course, being eco invariably means finding creative ways to use what you have. This Winter I did a clothes swap with my business partner rather than buying new items. Everything felt new to me, but I didn’t spend a dime!

6. What’s your favorite green thing to do in DC?
Hands down, it’s running on the National Mall. I’ve been doing it for years, now I’m just less likely to trample on the grass.