Affordable Natural Face Scrub

As the weather gets cooler, skin exfoliation is specially important to prevent dullness and bring back that natural skin glow. When I ran out of my face scrub, I decided to look in my pantry and found a very simple ingredient I could use as a scrub.... Sugar in the Raw. A sugar scrub helps to brighten your skin by buffing away dried skin, sweat and dirt. Sugar cane is a great natural source of glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that's widely used in skin care products for its resurfacing properties. It helps reduce fine lines and acne by promoting cellular turnover.

I simply mix a packet of sugar in the raw with a small dab of my favorite cleanser Juice Beauty Organic Facial Wash, gently scrub my face for about a minute or so and rinse. After I rinse my skin feels incredibly smooth and fresh. It's a really amazing scrub and super-affordable! You can also use Raw Sugar mixed with Jojoba Oil (I like Dessert Essence Jojoba Oil) to scrub and beautify your body and feet. Although raw sugar in not harsh or toxic, make sure you don't over scrub. Use no more than twice a week. Try it with your favorite cleanser or mix of oil, you will love the results!

You can purchase Sugar in the Raw at www.sugarintheraw.com and in-store at Whole Foods.

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 Organics 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

New Fall 2009 Arrivals at Loomstate!

What's not to love about Loomstate, it is one of my favorite brands because they are proof of how ec0-friendly can be trendy. Since 2004, Loomstate has produced high quality clothing for both men and women that specializes in 100% organic fabrics with a commitment to helping the environment by using sustainable production methods. Most of their cuts and styles are created in neutral colors making it even easier to pair with pieces you already have in you closet.

Loomstate collection get better and better each season as they continue to offer even greater style and quality. I happen to love their dresses, tops, skinny jeans and pants like the Indian Slim Chinos for women(shown above), which comes in 2 different washes. I also adore their Lucy Dress (shown above) which is fabulous for day and night, it can easily be transformed with the addition of your favorite accessories and shoes. For this time of year, I also love pieces that are easy to wear like the Christina Top for women(shown above) and pieces that keep me cozy and warm like the Bail Sweater(shown above) which comes in 2 different colors.

Men fall head over heels for their comfy styles as well. This season they have amazing button-down shirts for men like the Steve Shirt a button front flannel shirt with raglan sleeves shown in black but also comes in Sky and Deep Blue. My favorite piece for men has to be their hoodies which are super-comfortable like their Never-With-Out Hoodie, which even has a hidden cellphone packet. Definitely great pieces to Act Natural!

Purchase Loomstate’s pieces on their website or at Barneys.com. Loomstate also has a great blog to keep you in the know on Loomstate’s latest news, special promotions, and their green initiatives.

Let me know what you think of Loomstate Fall 2009 Collection?

Photo credit: Loomstate