Green Options

It seems the moment cooler weather arrives our skin and hair feel the affects; dry, rough hands, tight skin and fly-aways.  Not to worry, there are remedies for these problems.  By adding a few products or ingredients to your existing regimen, you will be flake and fly-away free in no time.

I had the chance to sample some of the amazing products from Donah’s Passions, and while all the products are wonderful, my favorite by far is the Elemental Seaweed Body Scrub.

If you love a good body scrub this one is for you because not only will it make your skin look and feel glorious it will make you feel better inside as well.

Terri Bly, president of The Nature of Beauty, LTD, announces celebrity makeup artist Christy Coleman’s revised website, featuring a DIY guide to achieving runway glamour as well as everyday looks using nothing but natural and organic beauty products.

In celebration of their newly obtained organic certification, Bubble & Bee Organic is giving away a of couple fabulous (and brand new) products.  Get a free Rude Raspberry Lip Balm with any purchase.  Purchase over $35 worth of goodies and get a Lotion Stick as well.  Buy over $65 and they will even throw in free shipping.

So, most of us are waxing something these days.  Whether your eyebrows, bikini area or some other unmentionable, you may wax via a professional or even in your own home.

Admittedly, I did start with professional waxing (eyebrows are as far as I go) but after a few sketchy results, decided to take on this grooming ritual myself.  And I do not mind a bit.  It is easy to get the hang of, you can get the look you want without having to explain it to someone else, and can deal with the temporary redness while sleeping rather than walking around that way for a day.

That said, I was uncomfortable with the ingredients in the product I was using.  And then, along came MOOM.  Made with USDA certified 100% Organic and beneficial food-grade ingredients: Cane sugar, Lemon Juice, Chamomile Tea, and essential oils.  This hair remover has the consistency of honey and smells like something you could spread on toast.

These days there are all kinds of new products on the market claiming to be the new natural cure for all of your beauty issues. Before you spend your hard earned dollar on another new product promising to get rid of wrinkles or magically make the cellulite disappear from your backside, here’s the scoop on some natural ingredients that have been scientifically proven to work. Real Simple Magazine put together a list of some of the most useful and natural ingredients to look for in products in order to brighten up your skin and make your hair silky and shiny. Here are a few of them to be on the look out for.

Malie Organics Jasmine Rose Beautify Facial Tonic is so simple, yet feels so indulgent.  This pure floral water purifies skin for that extra clean feeling, while providing light hydration. 

Made from distilled flower hydrosols and pure spring water from the slopes of Hawaii’s Haleakala volcano, this refreshing tonic encourages cell growth and collagen production. Healing jasmine (often used as a mood elevator) and rose (a natural anti-inflammatory that helps to soothe and calm dry, sensitive skin) provide gentle moisture and balance to tired, irritated skin. 

Terri Bly, green beauty maven and president of The Nature of Beauty, offers some suggestions for prioritizing purchases when switching from commercial to non-toxic beauty products.

John Masters is quickly becoming one of my favorite organic beauty brands. I love the hair products and now I am really loving the green tea and rose hydrating facial serum. It keeps my skin smooth without feeling weighed down or greasy, which so many moisturizers do, even natural ones.

John Masters green tea and rose hydrating facial serum is very light weight, perfect for summer moisture. The scent reminds me of black licorice which is not an unpleasant aroma for me, sweet and a little heady but pleasant.

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.

Earthbody is an eco spa in San Francisco that believes their path is to provide truly holistic therapy in balance with the Earth for the benefit of the body. “Rooted in contemplative practice and inspired by ancient healing traditions, we offer restorative bodywork, organic skincare, and herbal rituals through ecologically responsible principles.”

Earthbody’s guiding principles are simple:

“The body cycles through a daily process of balance and imbalance. Tuning into where we store tension can be the beginning of awakening to our full potential. We work structurally to release habitual patterns deep in the body…EarthBody Therapists have a background in Eastern and Western philosophies namely Thai, Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Myofascial release, Trigger Point, and BodyMind Centering principles.”

Earthbody spa cares deeply about the body and the planet, believing that we can nurture both simultaneously.