Green Options

Recently, TotalBeauty.com readers rated commercially (non-salon) available shampoos, proving that you don’t need to pay salon prices for great hair. Topping the list:

• No. 1: Herbal Essences Hydralicious Reconditioning Shampoo, $3.99, rating: 9.7
• No. 2: Got2b Hottie Deep Repair Shampoo with Heat-Active Silk Proteins, $6.99, rating: 9.7
• No. 3: Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Frizz Control Shampoo, $5.99, rating: 9.5
• No. 4: Organix Nourishing

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I gained a lot of weight with both of my pregnancies, and one thing I did religiously was drink lots of water and apply essential oils to my belly. The result:  I have very few stretchmarks that are not noticeable. Belli Elasticity Belly Oil is the perfect natural product for preventing stretchmarks during pregnancy.

Belli Pregnancy is concerned about the products women put on their skin while pregnant.

Most pregnant women know that what they put - or don’t put - in their bodies is important to the health of their baby…Most of us slather on layers of lotions and creams every day, but we don’t think about what might be being absorbed into our bodies through our skin. With a growing baby in your belly, this is a necessary concern.  There are many considerations one should take into account for pregnancy skin care products…Some products may contain ingredients that can potentially cause birth defects or fetal abnormalities…Belli is the only company in the world to perform teratology screening of our ingredients to help guard against birth defects.

Terri Bly, president of The Nature of Beauty, discusses the results of a follow-up study conducted by the Organic Consumers Association to test for contamination of 1,4 Dioxane in popular natural beauty products.

Using nontoxic organic beauty products should be a no-brainer by now, as we all know that what you put on is as important as what you put in.  Today you can effectively swap out any conventionally produced, toxin-laden product for a safer version that looks and acts just like its synthetic loaded counter-part.

Yet, many still opt for simpler skincare and go homemade.  While this is an easy and cost-effective route, there are certain products that need to be created, manufactured and packaged by professionals to provide the results and safety we all want and need.  Whipping up an exfoliant or cleanser is do-able and even fun.  Hair products and makeup are a completely different ballgame.

Terri Bly introduces Arghand soaps, made by a co-op of Afghan farmers with the assistance of former NPR reporter, Sarah Chayes.

[Image credit: pfly at Flickr under a Creative Commons license]

Rather than taking steps to make palm oil production more sustainable, the industry is relying on marketing tactics to fool the public. They have been running a series of ads with the tagline “Sustainably Produced Since 1917.” The ads feature lush images of the very rain forests that palm oil production pollutes and destroys. The Malaysian Palm Oil Council touts the product’s value as a sustainable oil for producting biofuel, a source of vitamin E for skin products, and a healthy oil for cooking and baking. So what’s the truth about palm oil?

Just launched in February ‘08, Saaf Pure Skincare is a British beauty brand that’s scientifically-researched, carefully formulated and one of the most certified skincare ranges in the world.  Accreditations include organic certification from the Soil Association (one of the most stringest certification agencies in the world), certified 100% Vegetarian by the Vegetarian Society, Vegan Society registered, Halal certified (no GMOs, alcohol or irradition) and cruelty-free certified by Naturewatch.   From rave reviews of beauty editors and bloggers, to a ”Best Organic Facial Skincare Product“ nomination, to it’s founder honored for her work at Buckingham Palace; this line boasts pure cold-pressed ingredients from a company whose ethos is founded on integrity.

Organic Beauty View is a new style blog is brought to you by beauty experts with 20 years experience in fashion and beauty. It delivers beauty lovers the scoop on stylish products, interviews, trend alerts and savvy surveillance from the modern side of organic and natural beauty. Whether you are looking for face serums or the latest eco fashions to style your wardrobe, the blog offers plenty of material to keep you busy.

It could be that I’ve just returned from a holiday in the tropics but I LOVE these organic & natural Spray Lotion Mists from Ola Hawaii. The sweet, zingy, fresh smell of pineapple + lime is super delish but there are all kinds of scents to choose from if citrus isn’t your thing.

Keep it stashed in your bag during Summer heat to spritz

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Natural Soap?Myth: Beauty products sold as “natural” and “organic” at health food stores and coops are truly natural and organic.

Facts: Some natural, organic beauty products are exactly what they claim to be; however, many of the trusted brands featured in health food stores and coops contain harmful ingredients and/or are not 100% natural. Anyone can claim their product is natural and/or organic, as there are no

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