Green Options

UK based Amarya is a spectacular eco spa that also shines as a stunning example of international organic beauty shops today. At Amarya they only sell organic and natural beauty products that are 100% free from chemicals and all have been certified the Soil Association, Ecocert and BDIH.

All Amarya’s organic product offerings are online, yet if you live in the UK, go check out their in store organic lines and book a session if you have the time. They offer an exotic array of treatments at their exclusive eco spa.

You may not immediately see the effects of overexposure to the sun. According to scientific studies, the skin actually keeps burning long after your sun exposure has ceased, and in case you forget to cover up and apply sunscreen, the resulting sunburn can be painful as well as dangerous. It may actually take up to 24 hours before the full damage is visible but first-degree sunburns cause redness and will heal, [...]

Terri Bly, president of The Nature of Beauty (www.natureofbeauty.com), announces the arrival of Intelligent Nutrients’ new USDA certified organic anti-aging skin care line, as well as Natureofbeauty.com’s special offer of $30 off the entire line when pre-ordered by April 5.

Oh the excitement of prom season! Selecting the dress, practicing makeup techniques, reserving a corsage, hiring a limo with your GF’s, mani/pedi… who doesn’t want to be princess for a day! With so many choices to make, thinking about the environment & being healthy amongst all the distraction might not automatically be a high priority, but Teens Turning Green & Whole Foods are joining forces to prove just how easy (and stylish), it is to make thoughtful, earth friendly decisions around prom season. The program, called Project Green Prom, is launching with a fun, online video contest for high school juniors & seniors. All you have to do is post your most creative & fabulous three-minute video that answers the question, “How would you green your prom?” Submit between now & March 30th via

Looking for the perfect green gift for Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or perhaps an upcoming anniversary? The eco-goddess in your life may love Shea Terra’s Pomegranate and Chocolate Love Kit. This delightful in the pink love kit contains three bath and body products containing organic shea butter, pomegranate oil, and fair trade African herbs and oils and  scented with the sweet fragrance of natural pink guava. To play into every girl’s chocolate cravings the kit also contains a box of fair trade dark chocolate or milk chocolate hearts. Hmmm…yummy. And the whole kit is packaged in a pretty pink handmade sinamay bag that can be reused.

Terri Bly announces a special offer from The Nature of Beauty. Through the month of January, they are giving away a free one-year subscription to Organic Beauty magazine with any purchase over $99.

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 [...]

It seems Germany has always been ahead of us in terms of placing value on the natural and the pure. Its not a fad, phase or new concept for them its simply their way of life. So it comes as no surprise that some of the great organic skin care geniuses have come from Germany and I’m genuinely excited to introduce you to yet another.

Amala (ah-mah-la) translates to “most pure” in Sanskrit, “revered mother” in Tibetan and “love her” in Spanish. This exclusive collection is for those seeking an intersection of luxury and purity. Ute Leube, creator and founder behind this pampering brand knows her ingredients, inside and out, backwards, forwards, up and down and has strong convictions about what is “responsible skin care”. She and business partner, Kurt L. Nübling are some of the world’s experts in the cultivation of organic botanicals and have been for the past 20+ years. Up until now, they’ve been known for their extensive and popular organic essential oil line (and anti-aging skin care), Primavera Life; which can be found throughout Europe in most drugstores and health food markets and scarcely available online in the U.S. This past May, Amala made its world debut in Singapore with great success and is currently only available in America in select upscale spas and online.

As if to outdo themselves, the already fabulous Suki skincare line has just turned it up a notch.  Launched at ISPA this past weekend and online today, the brand-new bioengineered cosmeceutical grade skin prescriptions “spa line” boasts the culmination of breakthrough scientific advancements with pure organic botanicals, creating a high-powered line of potent & pure skin care.  After years of research & development, Suki Kramer continues to challenge industry standards of purity and efficacy.  Designed to target some of the most stubborn of skin issues with high doses of cutting edge actives, this line will combine the same philosophy of suki advanced. organic. science.™ with even more advanced cutting edge ingredients.  The six new sukispa™ products include:

While eco-fashion is becoming more mainstream with an increasing number of environmentally conscious designers serving up sustainable styles and earth-friendly frocks, the runways are typically reserved for regaling the glitz and glam of overly indulgent attire.

But this week, Vancouver turns the spotlight on sustainability with its first ever eco-focused fashion night, Friday, November 7th, 2008.

Vancouver Fashion Week, a hotbed of haute couture and leading west coast designers, is one of the premier purveyors of popular pageantry, unveiling some of the world’s most sought after styles and trends.  This year, VFW is showing its support for the environment with a dedicated evening for designers to promote their leading edge sustainable artistry and eco-conscious craftmanship.  From eco luxury, showcasing the art of organic handmade silk, to the unique beauty of recycled fabrics like cashmere and wool, an impressive range of techniques and designs will be featured.

Recently featured on MSNBC, model and student of art & cosmetology, Spirit Demerson has long been concerned about the environment and interested in beauty.  She used to concoct her own natural fragrances, lotions & scrubs in her kitchen and she’s been the “go-to” beauty girl in her circle of friends, family & colleagues for years.  Frusterated about having to send them in a dozen different directions, she decided to open up shop online.  After years of research (and obsession) her dream of opening her very own “beauty lounge” came to fruition last month.