Green Options

It’s obviously not because the people in Brooklyn are a particularly dirty bunch, but you have to admit with the Organic Beauty View post on Brooklyn soap makers and now The Bubble Roome coming to my attention, it’s hard not to wonder what’s up?! One thing’s for sure, there’s no shortage of verdant creative energy and dynamic spirit in this NYC enclave, and The Bubble Roome bath & body products are yet another example of why I love Brooklyn. David E. Johnston is a self-confessed ‘Purveyor of goodness and product junkie’ who began The Bubble Roome by making soaps as gifts for friends - needless to say those friends loved them so much, he has now expanded his skills & product lines to include such skin-tasty treats as Brown Sugar Scrubs, Triple Butter Creams and 100% Goodness Bars.

It used to be that the powerful and heady scent of the rose was something only the extremely wealthy could afford, not surprising given that it takes anywhere between 1,500 to 10,000 pounds of rose petals to make only one ounce of oil. There are more than 300 compounds that can be found in a rose but the key flavor compounds that contribute to the distinctive scent of rose oil, are beta-damascenone, beta-damascone, beta-ionone, and rose oxide. Even though these compounds exist in less than 1% quantity of rose oil, they make up for slightly more than 90% of the odor content. Inspired while on a trip to India by founder Marla Steuer, The Duchess Marden skincare collection harnesses the calming & curative essence of the rose in a suite of products designed to engage all the senses in a state of well-being, while impacting the skin to soothe, restore and revitalize.

Life is full of guilty pleasures depending on your choice of vices and though I’ve never been a chocolate kinda gal, I do have a penchant for delicious, ridiculously luxurious organic bath + body products. Shamelessly self-indulgent when it comes to self-pampering rituals, I’m a major fan of anything that beautifies my day whether it’s spraying my sheets at night with a sleep inducing, instantly relaxing organic mist, or using an organic shower gel in the morning that kick starts my day with more stimulation than a double espresso! We all know that plants do more than just smell pretty and the new line of premier Body Care from Because Skincare is a fine example of a carefully conceived, beautifully formulated collection of body products - Because good skincare is not just for your face!

I’m a self-confessed organic glamazon (in fact, that’s my blogging alias) and I looooove all things beauty, but I’m also a trained makeup artist who has used practically every cosmetic brand you can think of over the years, organic & not. As a discerning makeup user I’m extremely picky about quality, efficacy and application, so it was with a wary kind of excitement that I tried the new Organic Glam makeup collection from The Organic Pharmacy. The glossy black packaging is indeed glam (though I can’t help be a little disappointed that it isn’t more environmentally sensitive), and the makeup… let’s just say ‘impressive’ is a word that springs to mind.

Going through the day without being enveloped in a beautiful fragrance is as unthinkable as having no music, no coffee and god forbid… no food – that’s how seriously I take my obsession with scent. Smell is one of the most powerful of the senses and has the ability to directly impact your mood & emotional wellbeing, stimulating our emotions and awakening our senses. Once in a blue moon, a new brand comes along that blows me away with sophistication, effectiveness, a great price point, fantastic brand philosophy and overall sheer beauty. Acorelle Organic Eau de Parfum is one such line. Made by a French fragrance house who know what a fine fragrance is, there isn’t a single note lavender, patchouli or rose among this gorgeous collection. Instead what you’ll find are scents that have depth, flair, unique personality, and that meld into your skin for an olfactory experience that’s simply blissful and beautiful – not to mention good for you & good for the planet.

Terri Bly, founder of Natureofbeauty.com, conducts an investigation into just how “eco-friendly” Josie Maran’s cosmetics line actually is. Her results will surprise you. They certainly surprised Ms. Bly.

Hankettes began in 1996 as a small home business in the founders’ attic, making simple handkerchiefs out of organic cotton.  Today, they make and sell some of the greatest in reusable “green” products out there.  And there’s now much more than just handkerchiefs!

What makes Hankettes so great?  There isn’t a single aspect of “green” production that they’ve missed. All their products are hand-sewn.  The cloth is all organically-grown cotton.  Coloured fabrics are either colour-grown or hand-dyed with fiber reactive dyes.  Production is all local, along the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia, Canada.  It’s still at heart a small family business.  Their practices are transparent.  Their website links to “green” information, resources, and even competitors.  And the family itself is a homesteading, homeschooling, compost toileting role model, that truly walks the walk.  They are proof positive that sustainable and ethical business practices can be successful.

Our business truly reflects our lives and enhances the lives of our environmentally conscious customers around the world who purchase our natural based products.

Reading forums about the evolution and revolution of organic and natural cosmetics is absolutely mind boggling. Think of revamping the FDA for insight! By necessity, the proposed standards are written for those who know chemistry.

The good news is that this daunting task for harmony is getting done. International collaboration between six European certification bodies: ICEA (Italy), BDIH (Germany), Bioforum (Belgium), Cosmebio/Ecocert (France) and Soil Association (UK) is in process now. Combined they aim to clarify requirements and definitions for organic and/or natural cosmetics to appease formulators and consumers alike.

For girls who love makeup, the perfect red lipstick is as essential as air, water, fashion. Red has graced some of the sexiest lips around and it’s actually a very forgiving color for anyone to wear if you find the right shade. Gwen Stefani always rocks the perfect pout. Problem is, if you’ve ever mounted a search to find what should be a ubiquitous item - you’ll know as well [...]

Many of you visit to find the latest, best and most effective natural and organic beauty brands amongst other things. Organic beauty is one of my favorite topics and one I’m passionate about.  And I don’t know about you, but I value honest recommendations from fellow consumers much more than I do when it comes from an owner or employee of a business.  And I know I’m not alone, otherwise Googling “review of X product” would not be the common pastime that it is.  So with that in mind, I’m bringing you the real deal about NatureOfBeauty.com. I’ll clue you in on which products I’m loving right now, the scoop on two hot brands they just launched, share my Christmas gift ideas and divulge how to get free shipping and 15% off your order.

I recently watched a video on Ecostiletto featuring Rachel Sarnoff & Josie Maran dishing on this mascara - in fact, not just chatting about its accolades but actually giving it the onion test. That’s right… the onion test. Translation: taking an everyday onion and chopping it with your eyes wide open. Unless you’re wearing safety goggles or have your eyes shut, this will usually produce streaming tears in the most hardened among us. The conventional mascara was a washout. Josie Maran’s mascara… not a smidge of mascara anywhere except on her lashes!