Green Options

It seems as though every day I get news of another ‘great new this’ or ‘fabulous new that’, and I’ll be the first to put my hand up & gleefully admit it makes me just as excited as the rest of you to be in the know, to hear of things first, and to be updated on the latest & greatest - however, there’s something to be said for the ancient, the stoic, the classic, the tried & tested. Known and used for thousands of years by island cultures, coconut oil is one such legendary ingredient that falls squarely in that category. Not only has it properties that make it a staple in most organic beauty products as well as most natural skin & haircare collections,

If you know anything at all about physics, you’ll know that every living thing is suffused with energy and each individual plant & animal resonates with its own unique vibrational pattern. These energy frequencies are said to contain healing elements that when harnessed in the right way and instilled in a carrier of some kind, can infuse their restorative effects into your skin. Much like the way Homeopathy works, this new skincare line from SKINAGAIN uses state-of-the-art computerized technology called Dermavibe, to capture over 300+ energy frequencies ranging from bach flowers to aloe vera to crystals, which are then transferred into a metallic conductor at the bottom of a healing serum.

Here’s the problem: 80,000 tons of flexible plastic packaging are manufactured each year in Indonesia and for every one ton of manufacturing, there’s thirty tons of waste. The average timespan of a single-use drink container packaged in flexible plastic is only 4 seconds. Because there are no safe disposal methods for flexible plastic, it may accumulate and then sit in a landfill forever. And because there are no traditional recycling techniques for this type of plastic it has little resale market value. Rather than allow this flexible plastic to become potential toxic waste by clogging landfills and waterways, The XSProject Foundation acquires the plastic from trash pickers before it piles up in toxic landfills.

Hardly as obssessive as the Japanese or Michael Jackson when it comes to lightening skin, I am definitely a sucker for anything that promises to ‘brighten’ and even the tone of my not bright, and definitely not even, skin tone.  It may sound like a genius marketing ploy but here’s where that old adage that ‘if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is’, actually doesn’t apply. Nature holds a vast treasure trove of spectacularly potent ingredients from plants & fruits that are being discovered and isolated every day. One of the newest to hit the market is the Amla Fruit in the form of a new Skin Brightening Lotion by Anokha.

It’s long been known that Alicia Silverstone is one of our most eco-savvy Hollywood Stars from her vegetarian stance to her green nuptials, so it comes as no surprise that her latest venture shows her walking the talk yet again. Inspired and designed by the natural beauty herself, Ecotools by Alicia Silverstone is a collection featuring environmentally-friendly makeup bags & brushes. The cosmetic bags are made with natural hemp and the floral designs on the bags are printed with non-toxic inks, as are the hangtags which are also printed on tree-free stone paper. The interior is made from a recycled PET lining and the brushes are compiled of earth-friendly materials such as bamboo, recycled plastic, soybean oil and crushed walnuts - with cruelty-free, non-animal bristles.

I’ve been shaving my legs from the millisecond my mother gave me permission to create the smooth, sleek pins I’d always wanted. I’m not divulging how long that is but let’s just say in my vast experience with razors and creams, mens razors are infinitely more well engineered and perform better than their female counterparts. This latest razor, called ‘Azor’ from the King Of Shaves, is no exception, but what I particularly like about it is the careful consideration for the environment in the manufacture & design. It not only uses less packaging but the plastic is made from 100% post consumer recycled plastic, the ‘one part’ design reduces energy and uses a tool that manufactures leaving no waste, the shape of the razor eliminates the need for secondary packaging, and organic inks are used in the printing process. The wishbone shape of the handle is such that you can clearly see where you’re going and what you’re doing - a huge bonus to anyone who regularly slashes themselves trying to go over knees & ankles (that’d be me).

I’ve sung the praises (and done the homework if you must know), on Yes Organic Personal Lubricants before, but the UK company have just turned your intimate forays into an easier slide & glide! With the launch of the new Yes Organic Personal Lubricant Applicator Pack, our favorite natural lubricant now comes in a box of six pre-filled applicators for single use, providing realistic lubrication that is almost nature identical. The discreet & convenient way to deliver deep lubrication and hydration in just the right amount, to the right place! With 70% market share dominated by petro-chem filled KY Jelly, Yes is the only sensible choice for between the sheets.

Call me a magpie if you must but I’m a big fan of shine & shimmer. Sure, I’ve long given up those eighties skintight silver leggings worn with a matching silver & gold headband (which I proudly - at the time - made), but whether it’s sequins, glitter or a simple sheen, I’m often overheard oooing and ahhhing over just about anything with luminosity. Kind of unusual then that I’m newly smitten with the new Matte Velvet Nail Polish from Zoya, but they seem just right for the winter/fall season ahead. All the color, none of the shine and a deep, velvet finish that’s completely new (and fashionable) - what’s not to love! We’ve featured Zoya Nail Polish here before but in case you haven’t heard, this non-toxic and natural nail polish allows you to go a little more green with your nail care products, without giving up your glam.

Are you an aspiring model? Do you know one? Want to be a green model? Enter Project Green Search! www.projectgreensearch.com. Project Green Search is looking for the next green “it girl”:  The woman who wants to take a stand, get noticed, and align her career endeavors with her personal beliefs, to be an advocate for the environment, animal welfare, fair trade, and human rights.  She’s a model, spokesperson, host, brand ambassador and all around green model citizen, for progressive, sustainable, ethical companies, from fashion & beauty to cars & computers.  Are you the one? Entry for the 2009 competition period will be open until Sunday, October 11th, 2009. Starting Monday, October 12th, the general public will be able to view entrants online and vote for their favorite ten candidates.  All search contestants will be required to donate a minimum 10 hours volunteer time to an environmental non-profit of their choice.

I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t enjoy summer & warmth, but while we’re soaking up the sunshine and relaxing there are some extra preventative measures that need to be taken to ensure our skin, hair & bodies are given the right TLC during these lazy, hazy days. Whether you’re at the beach or pool, UV Rays, salt, sun & chlorine all wreak havoc on skin & hair, but while most of us understand the need for sunscreen & moisturizers, almost all of us forget to take care of our tresses! Aveda have just launched a new hair care collection called the 16hr UV Defense & Recovery System that protects & restores for, well… up to 16hrs.