Lauren Conrad Eco-Friendly Cosmetics for BlueAvocado

Hi Folks, Lauren Conrad Aka "LC" and former MTV reality show darling has moved forward to the socially-responsible venture world by now partnering up with  BlueAvocado, a women-founded sustainable lifestyle products company, on a green collection of home, travel, and cosmetic accessories. LC said: "The BlueAvocado partnership represents a synergy of things I love to do—design great products, enable women to realize their dreams, and inspire thoughtful action.... Once you realize the responsibility we have to improve our environment in our lifetime, you feel compelled to act with urgency. BlueAvocado provides a canvas for me to invite change."  LC's first eco-collection won't officially launch until this summer. You can be the first to hear about exclusive updates by clicking right here!
What do you think? Would you try her cosmetics? Let us know!

Eco-Friendly Beauty: Hair Curling the Green Way! (VIDEO)

I found this really cute and interesting video which shows an old fashion way of curling your hair. Back in the day  when we didn't have hair dryers or curling irons, the women curled their hair using rags and rollers.  This method is not only healthy for your hair because you're not using heat, but you're using less energy and using reusable materials to curl your hair. Don't throw your rags away, you can keep them. Wash and dry and reuse them!

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

10 Eco-Glam Beauty Products

These eco-friendly beauty products are must-haves in every beauty girl's collection. Plus, you can rest easy knowing that you're not only helping your skin (no harmful chemicals) but also helping the environment.

So, while you should still take it upon yourself to recycle whenever you can, and skimp on waste,  you can spoil yourself with the products below:

1. Ahava Mineral Botanic Grape & Avocado Body Wash
Ahava's latest release in body washes' smell spectacular, and this particular scent meant for normal to dry skin has the added bonus of being extremely moisturizing. And unlike those liquid body washes that dry your skin out, this one actually helps out parched skin. It's of course paraben-free, and contains five essential vitamins to help with healthy skin regeneration. For those of you with sensitive skin, there are also two available scents to cater to you. $21.50 at ahavaus.com

2. Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum
Argan Oil is the latest and greatest of exotic skin care, because it's an amazing source of antioxidants, vitamin E and it prevents dehydration. Taking this magical serum and applying it to your hair, is well, genius. The serum gives your hair instant shine and moisturizes each strand sealing split ends.  $30 at sephora.com

3. Korres Showergel in Guava
This all-natural showergel is enriched with active aloe that stimulates collagen and elastin to reduce the natural signs of aging as well as vitamins E, C and zinc to boost the skin's immune system. $19.50 at korresusa.com

4. Tarte Cheek Stain
Tarte's cheek stain gives you a great natural flush, and is a water-based, oil-free stain so it doesn't clog pores. Tarte is of course all-natural, and eco-friendly, but they've also parterned with Sambazon on an intiative to conserve the rainforest. $30 at sephora.com

5. Bamboo Wear Bamboo Refillable Compact
Even your local drugstore is going green these days. Physicians Formula's spring line includes bamboo materials, like this bamboo refillable compact. It's a naturally sustainable, durable compact that's also reusable. Plus, you can purchase refillable foundation and bronzer compacts to replenish your stock without incurring unnecessary waste. $6.99, ulta.com

6. Ole Henriksen Fresh Lips SPF 15
With a combination of cocoa butter, menthol, vitamin E and salicylic acid, this lip balm not only heals chapped lips but also sloughs off dead skin cells while protecting and conditioning the skin. The multi-tasker also features SPF 15. $15, olehenriksen.com

7. Caudalie Gentle Cleanser
This gentle cleanser made with grapeseed polyphenols, shea butter and jojoba oils, leaves the skin feeling silky, soft and smooth. The cleanser smells softly of lavender and works well with sensitive skin. $26, caudalie-usa.com

8. Fresh Sugar Lychee Eau de Parfum
Come spring, we're thinking fresh and fruity scents. One of Fresh's latest fragrances is the sweet and airy Sugar Lychee. Featuring the lychee fruit, the eau de parfum is also balanced with citrusy grapefruit and lotus flower notes. A tinge of amber undertones adds a bit of warm sophistication. $32, fresh.com

9. Weleda Skin Food
Weleda's Skin Food is a beauty insider's favorite for curing dry skin. The intensive moisture cream heals rough, cracked skin by deeply hydrating rough skin, perfect for elbows and knees. But did you know the cream is packed with organic ingredients too? Organic pansy and soothing rosemary form the backbone of this soothing moisturizer. $17.50, usa.weleda.com

10. Alima Pure Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow
Alima Pure's mineral makeup uses high-quality pigments for its shadows, and this luminous purple shade is perfect for spring. If you're not keen on purple, there are plenty of other colors to choose from. Commitment-phobes can try out the sample sizes for just $1 a pop. $9, alimapure.com

What are your favorite natural and eco-friendly beauty products?

Photos and article by: Stylecaster

Gisele Bundchen Launches Eco-friendly Skincare Line

Brazilian beauty and earth-loving model and new mom Gisele Bundchen is here to help us and the environment by sharing the secrets to beautiful natural skin with her new beauty line launching on March 15 People magazine reports. Bundchen, who is a UN ambassador for environmental issues, is launching an eco-friendly line of products called Seeja Pure Skincare.

Gisele decided upon the brand's name as a play on the word seja, meaning "to be" in Portuguese, her first language. The extra "a" was added at the end because "words have a vibration, and aaah! is an exhalation, what you feel when you let go," she told Vogue Magazine.


The line is promises to deliver all-natural ingredients, “thoughtful” packaging and recycled paper;
as a result a revolutionary skincare line that protects and supports your skin's natural radiance, while also protecting the health and beauty of our environment.

The three-product line, which is sold solely on the brand's website, consists of a Day Cream, Night Cream ($70), and Mud Mask ($56). It also features a Pure Skincare Kit ($120), which includes a two-ounce jar of each product, a spa towel, and a mud applicator.

This isn’t the supermodel’s only new project, she also shot ads this winter for Brazilian fashion line Coccli and also Supermodel and husband Tom Brady have recently shown their support for WWF’s Earth Hour by filming two videos that encourage people around the world to join them in turning off their lights for Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27th at 8:30 pm.

Watch these videos and learn more about it!





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Photo credit: Patrick Demarchelier