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One thing I love about Sparklehearts is they give full disclosure of their ingredients (they have not been evaluated by the Environmental Working Group yet), as well as actual percentages of organic and natural ingredients. The hair detangler, which really works by the way, is 99.6% organic and is paraben, phthalate, and sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate free!

Like many of the companies we feature on Eco Child’s Play, Sparklehearts was started by moms searching for safer products for their children:

Most girls would wince in disgust if you told them their favorite body wash contained a chemical that is produced by boiling bugs (called carmine.) And, most parents would wince in disgust if you told them their daughter’s body lotion contained sulfates, phthalates and dozens of toxins and chemicals. Enter Sparklehearts, a line of natural, safe and fun beauty products that are girl- and parent-approved.

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Clary Sage Organics has been having blast this year! We loved their Spring offers and now for Summer the CSO team encourages us to: “Delight in spa and health treatments such as chair massage, rolfing, reflexology and more while shopping the wonderful assortment of organic clothing and taking part in our raffle.”

If you are interested in these special treats, please read on for details…

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Last night, as I was digging through my basket of samples and forgotten purchases I stumbled across a clay mask I was sent a few months ago, and figured “why not?”.  After rinsing the mask off and peering at my fresh, glowing skin in the mirror, I remembered why I used to make time for these things.

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We are thinking about our skin now more than ever, with sleeveless tops, shorts and (shudder) bathing suits on the horizon.  There are many things you can do to get the bod summer-ready.  Starting with, of course, a healthier diet and picking up where we left that exercise program last fall.  As for the skin, a little self tanner goes a long way, evening out skin tone and giving you a nice glow.

To have truly healthy skin from the inside out you absolutely have to think about what you are feeding it.   Be sure you are using skin care and cosmetic products that are safe (free from harmful ingredients) and right for your skin type.  But don’t stop there, your diet definitely shows up in your complexion.

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As we continue on our quest for the purest skin care products, Skin has to be at the top of the list.  Founder Stephanie Simkins, nutrition consultant and herbalist, has combined holistic healing with pure organic oils and botanicals to create products that nourish the skin, as well as the body and mind.  All chemical and additive free.

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If you have yet to try Argan oil, the beauty secret of Moroccan women, here is the scoop.

Argan oil is produced from the kernels of the argan tree which grows only in southwestern Morocco where it has been used by the women there for centuries.  It is valued for its nutritive, cosmetic and medicinal properties and holds anti-aging benefits when used as skin care.  This is because Argan oil is rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids and contains high levels of vitamin E.

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Crazy Rumors, creators of luscious coffee and tea flavored lip balms, have added a little color to their collection.  HibisKiss™ - All Natural & Vegan Gourmet Lip Colors combine the moisturizing goodness of the lip balms with a hint of all natural mineral color for gorgeously hydrated lips.

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I do just love trying a new (to me, I realize Nude has been around for a while) line of nontoxic skin care and the customer service at Nude was speedy and courteous.  My samples were sent out right away and I had them in my hot little hands no more than a few days after my initial contact.

Three products arrived for review; Miracle Mask, Age Defence Moisturiser and Replenishing Night Oil.  The Miracle Mask warned those of us with sensitive skin that it was not suitable for our type.  Being the skin care guinea pig that I so willingly am, and after a quick inspection of the ingredients label for any common triggers, I gave it a whirl anyway but avoided the five minute leave-on directions and went for a mere one minute, maybe.  Designed to brighten and smooth skin, the mask contains natural AHAs and I noticed the scent of fruit acids right away.  My skin did look rosy afterward, as if I had exfoliated with a mild scrub.

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With several different products to choose from, including those for body and Classic Lavere, you are sure to find the perfect items to satisfy your particular skin care needs.  All Lavere anti-aging products are designed to soothe and strengthen the skin and contain cell stimulating and collagen production increasing ingredients, like chicory root extract, algae, and biodynes.

The products I tried are from the Intensive skin care line for dry and sensitive skin types.  I will say that Lavere products have always been a favorite and these are no exception.

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But does the rocker know about the importance of safety in cosmetics?  He has been spotted of late wearing a healthy dose of the black stuff on the covers of Rolling Stone, SPIN, Q Magazine and at the Grammys and the Brits. 

Well, Bono, if you have yet to discover the health benefits of using nontoxic makeup and skin care, let me point you in the right direction.

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Loofah-Art® products are completely eco-friendly, 100% bio-degradable and fabricated from a sustanable agricultural crop. Natural scrubbers for your natural home. Delightful designs for your kitchen and bath. Did you know that Loofah is a plant? The loofah used in all of these whimsically designed scrubbers has been naturally grown and processed.

At only $3.99 for a pair of ECOBAGS® loofah scrubbers, these cuties are affordable.  Loofah is great for both the kitchen and personal care.  In the kitchen, loofah scrubbers clean stubborn pots and pans, but they are gentle enough to wash fruits and vegetables.  In the bathroom, loofah scrubbers exfoliate and encourage new cell growth.

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Believe it or not you can get too much of a good thing and we may be overdoing it without even realizing it.  Most of us use too many beauty products. Not only that, but we tend to use too much of each product at one time.

Only a handful of safe and effective items are really needed in our beauty arsenal to keep our skin happy and healthy.  A nontoxic cleanser, a toner for those with oily or acne prone skin, one good moisturizer for the season, an eye cream you can use in the morning and at night, a treatment and a product for exfoliating your skin.  Pair these items up with mineral makeup and blush, nontoxic mascara and your favorite lip color and you are good to go most days.

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Valvelta is a wrinkle treatment available in the UK that is derived from the foreskins of babies.

That’s right:  THE FORESKINS OF BABY PENISES.

At birth, we chose not to circumcise our son, but not all boys are so lucky.  What should doctors do with all those leftover foreskins from circumcisions? Treat the aging population’s wrinkles, of course!  According to Scientific American, Vavelta uses fibroblasts, cells that produce the skin-firming protein collagen and make elastin.  The source of the fibrolasts:  baby foreskins.

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Apple Cider Vinegar dates back to over 10,000 years ago. Not everyone knows that apple cider vinegar can be used in variety. It’s not just for your salad or for pickling. Apple cider vinegar is an old folk remedy known as a cure all for many types of ailments. Not only does it promote health but it is used for home cleaning and beauty enhancement.

Apple cider vinegar is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic. It’s a germ and bacteria fighter. It’s also great for balancing your body’s pH levels. A daily dose of apple cider vinegar is equated to having “your apple a day…” It’s rich in enzymes and potassium.  ACV will help your body absorb calcium and magnesium. A teaspoon of ACV added to an 8 oz. glass of water, can offer a numerous benefits to your health. It can increase energy for one and fight off a cold for two.  At the first sign of a cold add one teaspoon of ACV to a four ounce glass and drink several cups throughout the day. It’s great for adding to a Neti Pot or humidifier for stuffed up nose, sniffles and allergies.

The many wonders of apple cider vinegar are endless. For home cleaning you can add it to your dishwasher where the rinse aid would normally go.  It will cleanse your dishes better and help remove hard water spots. Works great in conjuction with an eco friendly dishwashing detergent! In the laundry, you can forgo bleach for good. Use it to brighten your whites, keep clothes from fading, as a stain remover and it rinses clothes more throughly from any lingering detergent. If you’re worried about the smell, don’t be. ACV will not leave a smell on your laundry. Apple cider vinegar is a great disfectant. Simply use it to wipe off counter tops and even areas that tend to collect germs such as your door-knobs, phones, computer, lightswitches, etc. You’ll want to dilute it in water using a 50/50 mix.

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Peacekeeper: in Paint me intuitive, and Paint me content ($14, drugstore.com).

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Tea is one of those things that unites people.  The experience of sharing a cup with friends, or that momentary feeling of steamy relief with the sip of a chamomile blend when you’re sick or a bedtime ritual that soothingly lulls you into slumber.

It also comes with other healing and beauty benefits that Tracy Stern, founder of Salon Tea, has harnessed in her commitment to making green living fashionable through tea.

As part of our Behind the Burner series, I got the amazing chance to chat with this fabulous lady whose sense of style is instantly captivating from her Vogue-worthy wardrobe to her recyclable tea tins.

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Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

Eco Child’s Play has a Twitter account, and although we have found many green moms and dads already, we would like to follow more!

Therefore, we have created the definitive list of green parents on Twitter to make it easier for our readers to find each other.

Of course, we have unintentionally omitted a few names, so we hope you will leave a comment with your Twitter details if you are not on our list.  Furthermore, we are hosting a contest for all of our new followers (details following the list).

Eco Child’s Play writers on Twitter:

• Eco Child’s Play
• mcmilker
• JollyGreenGirl
• reenymal
• polkadotmommy
• birdladymom
• derekmarkham
• JessicaGottlieb
• everythinggreen

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