ON DUTY CITIZEN
HELEN HENDERSON
1) What are a few things you do to stay environmentally friendly?
To stay environmentally friendly I bring my food scraps to my local GrowNYC compost drop-off every week, carry a reusable water bottle with me in my bag, and sometimes bring a reusable coffee cup as well. To conserve energy I dry my clothes on a rack instead of in the dryer, keep lights off when I’m not in the room, and I’ve been trying to turn down the heat and opt for a sweater instead. I clean with eco friendly products like vinegar, baking soda, borax and tea tree oil. And I’m all about reusing and recycling. Most of the furniture in my apartment is second hand, I wear a lot of second hand clothes, and I’m careful about recycling properly at home. -So many incredible things you're doing Helen! I especially love the idea of cleaning with homemade products like vinegar and baking soda...you've inspired me! :)
2) Do you have any favorite sustainable or ethical clothing lines?
Last winter a friend of mine lent me a Patagonia vest that he wasn’t using, and I wore it under my regular coat every day. I really loved it, so I think I’m going to buy a Patagonia coat this winter. My sister bought one in 2012, and after 5 years of use it was a little worn and torn, so she brought it into the store to see if they could repair it. Because of their ‘ironclad guarantee’ they ended up giving her store credit to buy a new coat, and recycled her old coat for use elsewhere. I think it’s great that they put an emphasis on making clothes last as long as possible. I also love my pair of baby pink Vejas, and I buy a lot of second hand clothes at Buffalo Exchange, Crossroads, Beacon’s Closet and thrift stores.
3) What are some of your favorite organic beauty products?
I’m a big fan of an organic Austrian haircare line called “Less is More,” but I don’t know if the products are available in the United States! My roommate is Austrian, and every time he and his girlfriend go to Vienna they stock up on Cajeput Pure Balance shampoo/conditioner, and Tangerine Curl Balm. I also love Amberlight Beauty’s facial serum- it’s the best.
4) On a day off, you’re heading to your favorite coffee shop. What are you wearing?
I usually wear black skinny jeans, a black tee and heeled boots when I’m going to castings or I’m working, but on days off I wear a little more color and comfy shoes. I might wear an Everlane t-shirt dress with my white Birkenstock flip flops.
5) Tell me about something you’re doing simultaneously with modeling that motivates you. Another job? A project? Volunteering? A hobby?
For the last six months I’ve been working on a project with my sister where we document our efforts to ‘go green’ in a humorous and real way. It’s called ‘HEGG’ (Helen and Emma Go Green) :p We just launched on New Years day, and I’m excited about getting the project out there! We’re just on instagram for now (@greenheggandglam) but we’re working on a website too.
Also I studied film in University, and along with modeling I’ve been working on a documentary for a few years now. I think that documentaries can be very moving and have the power to spur people into action. -I absolutely love the Instagram account and can't wait to see what you have in store for your documentary!!!
6) In addition to modeling, what else may you be doing in your future, say 5 years from now?
I’ve been passionate about film for a while, and definitey want to keep on exploring how documentary and other forms of the medium can affect change. So in five years I hope to be working in film in one way or another!
