Showing posts with label Organic Beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Organic Beauty. Show all posts

How Safe are Your Cosmetics?



We’ve all learned about the dangerous ingredients in skin care products. Unfortunately, all the same problems apply to cosmetics.

The FDA does not adequately regulate cosmetics, and in particular does not educate consumers on how unsafe the ingredients used in cosmetics by the cosmetics manufacturers are for human use. Scary isn't it?

Thankfully there are organizations such as Organic Consumers.org and Safe Cosmetics.org who are fight the proliferation of dangerous ingredients in cosmetics.

"Contrary to popular belief, the U.S. government doesn't regulate cosmetics for safety, long-term health impacts or environmental damage. Many common cosmetics ingredients are harmful to people and the environment. Consumers can avoid toxic ingredients by using USDA certified organic cosmetics. The trouble is, while the USDA allows cosmetics to be certified organic, it doesn't require it. That's why, as this new Story of Stuff Project video, The Story of Cosmetics, points out, "On cosmetics labels, words like 'herbal,' 'natural,' even 'organic', have no legal definition. That means that anybody can put anything in a bottle and call it 'natural.' And they do!" The Organic Consumers Association's Coming Clean Campaign has been working to stop this fraud since 2004. "

CONSUMERS TAKE ACTION: Ask the USDA National Organic Program to stop organic cosmetics fraud! Which local stores have Organic Cosmetics Integrity Policies? Ask retailers to adopt Organic Cosmetics Integrity Policies! Boycott fake "organic" brands! Buy USDA certified organic cosmetics!

RETAILERS TAKE ACTION: Are you ready to come clean? Adopt an Organic Cosmetics Integrity Policy.

So please, look at labels carefully and choose cosmetics that are healthy for you and the environment!



More information on the Coming Clean Campaign
Also check out: The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website

12 Holiday Gift Ideas for the Stylish Eco-Gal

Put more green into your holidays by choosing gifts that are made with durable, quality, non-toxic materials and that are made by people that care about our planet.

Looking for some stylish eco-friendly gift ideas this holiday 2009 season? Here's are some of my favorite green picks for the environmentally conscious glamourista in your life.



Quicksilver Je T'aime Tee ($48) 100% organic cotton jersey dip dye. 3% of each eco-friendly sale benefits Everyday People Initiating Change. Shop: www.quicksilver.com
Edun Ainsely Knit Dress ($170) Limited Edition 100% Organic Cotton sleek knit with a striking cobra print! 15% of proceeds benefit War Child. Shop: www.endunonline.com and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Azuri Organic Cotton Scarf ($29) Incredibly stylish everyday accessory. 100% Organic Cotton and can choose from 110 amazing colors! Shop: www. nimli.com


Molly M Designs Earrings ($46) Lasercut earrings inspired by botanical shapes from the designer's own garden. Crafted from sustainable light bamboo veneer and reclaimed suede in a soft, sea-foam green color. Shop www.mollymdesigns.com
Alex and Ani Beaded Bracelet Set ($118) Set of seven gleaming golden bangles, both smooth and textured, some with amber-colored glass cube beads in a unique expandable design.All metals used in Alex and Ani collections are recycled. Shop at Saks Fifth Avenue and www.alexandani.com
The Andean Collection Acai Necklace ($55) A bold, vibrant centerpiece made from Acai seeds by Ecuadorean artisans. All Natural materials. Perfect for day or evening. Shop: www.theandeancollection.com


Tarte Femme Naturale refillable natural eye palette ($44) Comes in a reusable purple case filled with 10 mineral-based eyeshadows, a double-ended brush with greatness eyeshadow brush and a double-ended eyeliner. The magnetic base allows you to pop out recyclable and refillable eyeshadow pans that help reduce environmental waste. Shop: www.tartecosmetics.com and Sephora online or in-store.
Jurlique Gift Set ($60) Enjoy the soothing benefits of of their most popular Lavender formulas this holiday season. Jurlique products do not contain Parabens, Mineral Oils, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Synthetic Emulsifiers, Artificial Colors or Fragrances. Shop: www.jurlique.com and in-store at Whole Foods Body.
Burt's Bees Polka Dot Mani Pedi Gift Set ($20) All the full-sized products and tools you need for a luxurious mani-pedi are wrapped up with an adorable polka dot carrier. All Burt's Bees products are made with all-natural ingredients and with the environment in mind. Shop: www.burtsbees.com and in-store at Whole Foods Body.



Organic Edun Tote Bag ($40) This tote is 100% Organic Cotton with a bold Africa "thumbprint" on one side and Edun logo on the other. Shop: www.edunonline.com
Hooded Velour Terry Robe
($88) Made with 100% Certified Organic cotton and low impact eco-friendly dye. This robe is free of artificial fertilizers, synthetic pesticides and insecticides. Shop: www.underthecanopy.com
Paddy Wax Soy Candles ($28) These candles smell amazing. The Re-Leaf Collection comes in six different fragrances. Paddywax will plant a tree for the purchase of every Re-Leaf candle through the American Forests Foundation. Shop: www.paddywax.com

Fabulous Eco-Friendly Fragrances (Product Review)


I've really come to appreciate organic and natural fragrances, not only they are good our health and the planet but will also have you smelling wonderful naturally. Most mass market scents use a combination of natural and synthetic fragrances and to save on costs they lean towards using more harmful synthetic chemicals. 95% of the chemicals found in fragrances are petroleum-based. The use and manufacture of synthetic fragrances pose a wide range of health issues, such as allergic reactions.

To maintain the purity of organic fragrances, manufacturers opt for plant-based ingredients. Also many companies that produce natural fragrances follow sustainable business practices, such as using recycled packaging and seeking out alternative forms of energy like wind power. There are several companies that produce natural and really nice-smelling fragrances are
also affordable. Here I share some of my favorite Eau de Green!

For Women:

Pacifica Fragrances
I love that Pacifica scents are fun and fresh-smelling. Their signature perfume blends are made with natural essential oils and pure grain alcohol(corn source and gluten-free). My favorite is the Hawaiian Ruby Guava(shown right). It has a sweet-sexy smell, is easy to wear and the blend of guava and coconut was inspired by Hawaii surf's paradise. It's packaged in simple, elegant glass bottles. Perfect to layer with their solid perfume for real staying power. Since 1996, Pacifica is proud of being a sustainable perfume and fragrance company. The company has been making scents in California that was started as home mixed scents with aromatherapy essential oils. Not only are all of their products free of paraben and propylene glycol, they are made from natural ingredients and essential oils and their packaging is made from recycled materials. Pacifica also makes wonderful body butters, candles, and natural soaps.

Aubrey Or
ganics Eau de Parfume
Aubrey Organics has been around since 1967 as one of the world’s leading natural body care manufacture and a prominent involvement in the natural cosmetics industry. This company makes fragrances in four different scents to choose from and are created from a minimum of 95% organic ingredients and essential oils. They are free of synthetics, preservatives and fixatives. The fragrances all come in a very chic frosted glass of two ounces and each have their own bright color and trademark design on them. I really like the Light Citrus Floral eau de parfum(shown left), it smells incredibly delicious, fresh, floral and lightly citrusy. It is also a very delicate and sophisticated scent; not overwhelming at all.

Nature's Gate Organic Fragrance
This 30 year old company created the first ever fragrance collection formulated with 100% certified organic alcohol. They have two fragrances to choose from Labrinto and Sicuro. I have tried them and both smell really great. It come sin a really nice Italian frosted-glass bottle. The cool thing is that these fragrances are unisex, so men an women can wear them. I like the Labrinto scent (shown right) which has a really clean, crisp scent of cucumber mixed with white freesia, violet and rose. I also recommend the Sicuro scent which has more of a zesty sunny scent of citrus and floral with a hint of a woodsy sensuality, but very still light and airy.

For Men:

Burt's Bees Natural Cologne for Men
Burt's Bee has been know for making some of the gentlest products around.
Burt's Bees Natural Men's Cologne is an all-natural blend of essential oils. In this cologne, fresh citrus oils of Lemon, Orange and Bergamot are blended in the warm, spicy depth of Cypress and Fir oils for a crisp woody scent. Bergamot is also a natural insect repellent, so that's a bonus. I even like this cologne for myself because is smells super-clean, modern, with a hint of sweetness and not overpowering. The bottle is also made of recycled glass! Truly brilliant and affordable.
Organic Grooming Dusk Blend Cologne for Men by Herban Cowboy
This is a vegan, organic and cruelty free fragrance. I found interesting that Herban Cowboy was started in a log cabin near a dirt road with no internet and I can see why the signature scent of the cologne has a very masculine, sporty, rugged scent to it. I like it's sort of foresty, man-in- the-woods scent. It's a bolder scent but yet not overpowering that smells great and is long-lasting as well! You can purchase Herban Cowboy at Vegan Essentials online store and other retailers.


All the mentioned fragrances are also available in-store at Whole Foods and other natural beauty retailers.


Hope you enjoy reading these reviews! I love to hear from you, let me know what you think!

Photo credit: Ehow.com/videos






For Naturally-Glowing Skin: DIY Home Spa Facial


One of the things I enjoy doing is pampering myself at home with beauty treatments using natural ingredients. These treatments are eco-friendly and will add nutrients and glow to any dull skin. I want to share with you my favorite home spa facial. Not only will it soften and purify your skin without all the additives and chemicals, but it can be done by everyday items that are bound to be in your kitchen for a fraction of the cost. So go ahead, raid your pantry and your fridge for an all out nature girl pamper session!

DIY Spa facial in 5 easy steps : Cleanse, Exfoliate, Mask and Moisturize


St
ep 1-Cleanse: Your first step will be to cleanse your face. Start by first removing all your makeup and follow with a cleanser. A simple cleanser can be made from 1/2 a cup of oatmeal or Cornmeal and yogurt, mix together until you form a paste, smooth over the entire face avoiding the eye area and wash off with warm water.

Step 2-Exfoliate
: If your skin is looking dull or dry, try a mask made of fresh fruit which contains alpha-hydroxy acids and work to remove the surface layer of dead skin revealing fresher skin beneath. A favorite of mine is a very simple Strawberry Scrub.

Strawberry Scrub
4-7 small to medium sized strawberries
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp milk powder, or 1 tsp whole milk
Blender, bowl and spoon, or food processor and timer

1. Mix the strawberries whole, you don't have to remove the
greens. The seeds and pulp will act as a natural scrub on the surface, while the natural alpha-hydroxy acid gets deeper.
2. Add lemon juice which also contains alpha-hydroxy acid.
3. Add milk which contains alpha-hydroxy acid but has fats that help this recipe soften and seal the skin as well.
4. Apply to face and neck by working in small circular motions, don't apply a lot of pressure, a soft, smooth and even pressure is best. The fruit and other ingredients will do all the work, so only massage lightly.
Beauty benefit: Strawberries, lemon juice and milk contain alpha-hydroxy acids, which helps remove dead cells which leaves you with fresh, new, younger looking skin cells.

Step 3- Steam: I love to steam. Steaming opens your pores, help detoxify the skin and is incredibly relaxing.

Herbal Steam


Steam your face over a bowl of hot water combined with a handful each of
fresh cilantro and basil leaves, steaming for about 10 minutes. Hold your face at least 12 inches above the water and tent your head and the bowl with a towel to prevent the steam from escaping. Pat your face dry and splash with tepid water to refresh the skin. Discard the herbs. To purify the rest of the body, run a hot shower to fill the room with steam, and relax in the steam for seven to 10 minutes.
Beauty Benefit: This is a great treatment to eliminate toxins.

Step 4- Mask: After steaming, I follow with a Banana and Avocado Face Mask that nourishes and adds nutrients to my skin.

Banana and Avocado Face Mask

1 small ripe banana 1 small ripe avocado 2
Tbl. plain natural yogurt
2 drops vitamin E oil (slice open the vitamin and squeeze out contents)

Mash the banana and avocado together to form a thick lime green-colored paste. Add the yogurt and vitamin E oil; mix well. Massage the mixture into your face and leave on for 15 minutes; then rinse. This mask can be left on for up to 25 minutes, though for sensitive skin, 10 minutes is enough.
Beauty Benefit: The potassium and natural oils in the banana and the high fat and protein (plus vitamins A, D, and E) in avocado moisturizes and refreshes dry or sun-damaged skin.

Step 5- Moisturize
Keep it simple. Aloe is an ideal ingredient in skin treatments because it provides light moisture and creates a wonderful soothing sensation. Massage your face with very good aloe vera gel to soften and refresh your skin and you are done!


Try these easy-to-follow recipes and enjoy a little pampering at home this weekend!

Let me know what you think? Share your favorite DIY treatments with us!

Green Picks for Beautiful and Natural Eye Makeup


I love makeup, especially the one that makes my eyes feel sexy and glamorous. Even on my worst day, I can just dab a little mascara and it can transform me in seconds into a goddess. When I first started becoming green, I worried that I would have to seriously compromise in the beauty department. Luckily, these days so many wonderful companies, from big-name brands to small independent dealers have developed eco-friendly product lines that offer much the same quality and value, but without all the added chemicals. Not only are they better for the environment, they can also be better for your skin. If you’re not sure how to start, I have put together a quick eye make buying guide to help you out featuring the best new products and new colors for Fall!

Shopping Tips
  • Whenever you purchase a new product, always read the ingredients list carefully and look for the third-party certifications such as USDA Certified Organic and Leaping Bunny. Stay away from lengthy ingredients lists and misleading labels.
  • Look for cosmetics that don't have any chemical emulsifiers, binders, synthetics, fillers or paraben preservatives and that use botanicals and minerals.
  • If nothing else, avoid cosmetics that contain ingredients included in The Green Guide's "Dirty Dozen." Of those twelve, the most commonly found in cosmetics are antibacterials, coal-tar dyes, 1,4-dioxane (a contaminant of "PEG," sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate and other -eth ingredients), formaldehyde, fragrance, mercury, nanoparticles, parabens and petroleum distillates.
  • Use products that contain no more than 10 ingredients. The fewer the ingredients, the less likely you are to be exposed to a potentially irritating or harmful chemical.
  • Powdered products generally require fewer potentially irritating ingredients.
Top Green Picks

These top picks for eco-friendly eye makeup will make a perfect addition to your natural makeup regimen:

BeingTRUE
Eye Shadows- offers twelve new shades for Fall 2009, BeingTRUE’s latest collection is inspired by gemstones. The shadows are rich, well-pigmented, and available in matte, natural and shimmer textures. They contain antioxidant complex of Vitamin E, Green Tea, White Tea, which helps shield the skin from the environment, UV damage and moisture lost. They are priced at $16 per pan and $5 for a refillable single compact.

Nvey ECO Organic Eye Shadow- This formula is enhanced with chamomile and vitamins and is milled with a base of corn silk and jojoba oil for an extra smooth feel. These eye shadows are ideal to use on sensitive and/or dry skin as the all-natural ingredients include plant oils and no irritants. They are available both as single units and as palettes of 5 shades. They are priced at $24 individually and $61 as a palette. Available in both shimmer and matte in a variety of colors, you are sure to find your perfect combination in this selection.

Honeybee Garden
s PowerColors Stackable Mineral Colors PowderColors are completely vegan as they are free of dyes, talc, petroleum and other additives. These versatile powders are a blend of pure mineral pigments in a striking range of colors. They can be used as eyeshadow and eyeliner. These are a great bargain at $4.99 per color.

Afterglow Organic Eyeliner Pencil made with 100% natural ingredients and nourishing organic oils such as organic sesame seed oil, organic castor seed oil and organic beeswax form a creamy, moisture-rich formula for smooth application. For $22, you can choose from 3 beautiful shades, Forest Green, Orbit Brown and Black Gravity. Afterglow Cosmetics focuses on offering natural color cosmetics, free of many of the synthetic preservatives, bismuth oxychloride, petro-chemicals, synthetic dyes and fillers found in traditional cosmetics.

LAVERA Voluminizing Mascara and Eyeliner At $28.50 for both, the simple black eyeliner is made from organic beeswax and palm oil and the voluminizing mascara from organic jojoba oil and rose. Lavera is one of the best-selling beauty lines in Germany and their natural formulations have the seal of approval from BDIH, which strictly regulates cosmetics. As with all LAVERA products, these items are certified 100% natural, paraben-free, cruelty-free and contain no heavy-metals or synthetic ingredients.

Josie Maran's Newest Mascara in Brown Brown mascara is a very easy, everyday makeup item. At $22, this mascara is a paraben and fragrance free formula that contains a handful of organic ingredients like Jojoba oil, Argan oil and Beeswax to condition and strengthen as it lengthens and defines.

Longona Eyebrow Pencil- We all love to keep our eyebrows nicely arched and what better than with this is a all- natural, gluten-free eyebrow pencil. Longona is Germany-based leading supplier of natural organic personal care products. You can snag this item for $10.99 at Natural Europe, a market place for European natural beauty products.

EcoTools 5 Piece Bamboo Brush Set

This EcoTools 5-Piece Brush Set includes a Blush Brush, Ey
e Shading Brush, Eyeliner Brush, Lash and Brow Groomer, Concealer Brush and Brush case made from recycled materials. EcoTools Brushes features sustainable bamboo handles, synthetic Taklon bristles and sleek ferule made with recycled aluminum. I love this set, it is a great steal at $16.99. You can find this item at Ulta.com.

Hope you enjoyed this quick guide! What other eco-friendly makeup products do you like to use? Please share your ideas and comments!

Photo credit: Mineral Magic at Flickr