Not Just for Australian Shepherds
Date: January 24, 2009 | Category: Beauty, Body Care, Featured, Hair Care, Pets, Skin Care, Stores & Resources
It’s tough to find a pet shampoo that doesn’t smell like, well, pet shampoo. With all the harsh insecticides that go into most of those bottles, it’s really no wonder that even the tastiest treats aren’t enough to lure your dog into the bathtub. But australianScent, a Brooklyn-based skincare company, has a wag-worthy solution. Their pet soap ($8), sold in bar form, is made up of a blend of eight essential oils, all of which repel fleas and mosquitoes the natural way. Combine that with the bar’s base of olive oil and cocoa butter, and you’ll have one happy – and soft – pup on your hands. (more…)
The Nature of Beauty
Date: December 15, 2008 | Category: Beauty, Body Care, Hair Care, Makeup, Resources, Skin Care
Here’s the truth about beauty: as glowing as our morals, character and values may be, a girl will always love her products – who can blame her for adoring that perfect red lipstick?
But for an ecofabulous devotee, it can be hard to sort through all the lines claiming to be “all-natural” and “eco-friendly,” only to find out that the product still contains a host of harmful chemicals, usually bearing unpronounceable names.
Earlier this year, The Nature of Beauty launched with the goal of becoming the premier source of natural and organic beauty, body and hair care in America. The Nature of Beauty has emerged as a sweet solution for concerned eco-cosmetic devotees everywhere. With a comprehensive inventory of eco-products – including those for the ladies as well as for the eco-man and mom & baby – The Nature of Beauty is the Sephora for eco-conscious consumers. (more…)
Naturally Hugo
Date: November 3, 2008 | Category: Beauty, Body Care, Hair Care
If your resistance to all-natural bath and beauty products originated with your high school guitar teacher, whose rhythmic strumming was all but obliterated by the cloud of Patchouli around him, you can (finally) take a deep breath.
More spa line than hippy potions, Hugo Naturals will set you straight about the state of natural bath options. The line of vegan, cruelty-free hair care products, soaps, lotions, scrubs and creams feels rich and indulgent, so much so that you won’t notice the missing parabens, alcohols, petroleum products, artificial colors or artificial fragrances. And the packaging, which can be recycled, is beautiful enough to make an impressive gift.
Deliciously scented with essential oils and plant essences, the smell wafting from your shower will recall visits to high-end spas, not poorly plucked attempts at “Scarborough Fair.”
Your Hair’s New BFF
Date: September 9, 2008 | Category: Beauty, Hair Care, Teens for Safe Cosmetics
Young ladies, a new line of haircare has just graced us with its royal birth, and they’re looking for the ultimate spokesgirl. The first face of Amourai Organique will represent a line of haircare fit for a young queen. The regal family of Natural Haircare, which includes the Silver Spoon Shampoo, Her Highness Conditioner and Knight in Shining Armour Treatment, are all made from natural (many of which are organic) ingredients without the harmful additions of things like parabens, sulfates and synthetic fragrances that irritate the skin and have been linked to cancer. (more…)
Clean to the Max
Date: September 1, 2008 | Category: Beauty, Body Care, Hair Care, Skin Care
When it comes to filling your shower caddy, the trick is avoiding bogus claims and sketchy ingredient lists when combing through eco-friendly hair care that works. One of the best options is to stop at your local Whole Foods, where there are also numerous options, many affordable, like Max Green Alchemy products. They are derived from plants and are free of synthetics and the typical “natural” cosmetic repeat offenders: parabens and sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate. Sourcing as many organic and wild-crafted ingredients as possible, Max Green’s line includes skin, lip, hand and foot care, as well as their acclaimed hair care products: Scalp Rescue Shampoo (a recent PETA Proggy Award winner), which combines essential oils including tea tree, lavender and geranium with ingredients such as solar sea salt to combat a panoply of scalp issues such as sensitive skin, dandruff and psoriasis. Many of the MGA products are available in travel sizes as well, so you can look great and be green on the go!
The Future’s So Bright, I Have to Wear Shades of Green
Date: August 25, 2008 | Category: Body Care, Featured, Hair Care, Makeup, Resources, Skin Care, Stores & Resources
If you’ve ever been frustrated trying to figure out what beauty products are as gentle on the planet as they are on your skin, futurenatural has come to your rescue. This online hub was founded by “Organic Glamazon” Emma Pezzak, an amazingly talented and qualified make-up artist who also believes that natural does not have to mean any sacrifices in quality or style… in fact - just the opposite. That’s why her site is stocked full of the best natural, organic, biodynamic, wild-harvested and artisan beauty products in the world, also providing full disclosure of ingredients, an onsite glossary and personal stories behind each brand. futurenatural only sells products from companies that have no petroleum derivatives, no parabens, no synthetic colors or fragrances, no formaldehyde or any other known harmful ingredient. And of course none of their products are ever tested on animals. So when you shop futurenatural, you’ve already got an eco leg up. What shade of green you want to go is then up to you! Live Well. Do Good. Look Gorgeous. - as they say.
Think Pink
Date: July 13, 2008 | Category: Beauty, Hair Care
We’re always excited when a trusted name in the green community comes out with an inspiring way to make our bodies and the earth more beautiful. Verikira Naturals introduced the Pink Grapefruit/Pink Ribbon Collection to help support breast cancer research and awareness. Naturally, we love the cause. But, we’ll be honest with you: Pink grapefruit reminded a few of us of breakfast. Then we brought home our shampoo and conditioner samples, and the verdict was unanimous: Ahhhhh.
The scent is a light citrus with a sultry undertone. The shampoo lathered just the right amount, leaving straight, wavy, curly and even processed hair clean without stripping out natural oils. The conditioner was enriching without being heavy. Verikira supports fair trade practices and cradle-to-cradle eco-consciousness. The vegans in the ecofabulous crew were happy to learn that all of Verikira’s products are animal-free. In sum, we wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful, eco-friendly line, which helps us live green and think pink.
Take the Bite out of Summer
Date: June 19, 2008 | Category: Beauty, Hair Care, Pets
No one told me how much work this dog thing was going to be? The other day my vet told me that I must use some flea repellent on a regular basis! Thankfully one of our writers discovered Animali Belli, Tutta Bella’s line of organic, non-toxic, and biodegradable animal products. They offer excellent alternatives to the typical chemical-based products. Animali Belli’s botanical goods, which come in recyclable packaging (hopefully they will soon improve this further), include a shampoo with insect-repelling citronella and raw, vitamin-rich shea butter (which even has some UV protection). If you don’t get the shampooing down, there is a First Aid Cream, designed for insect bites or skin irritations and contains delicious ingredients like mango butter and cranberry oil. It smells good, but if the air doesn’t, you can try the odor eliminator that uses an oxygen solution to clear the air safely and naturally.
Want Beautiful Hair? Widu!
Date: May 22, 2008 | Category: Beauty, Hair Care
After washing your locks with your favorite eco-friendly, organic products and then letting it air dry (saves energy!), make sure you choose brushes and combs that reflect the same standards. Designed by a hair stylist from Milan, Widu brushes and combs are made from FSC-certified wood. Native Italian artisans construct the brushes from a variety of wood, and the bristles are crafted from the hornbeam, which is known for its strength against breaking. Plus they come in a rainbow of colors, which should motivate even the most style-resistant, like my daughter, to brush!
Aveda Re-Cap
Date: April 3, 2008 | Category: Beauty, Hair Care
When you toss your empty bottles into the recycling bin you feel like you are doing your part, right? Unfortunately, plastic caps can’t be processed along with the rest of the bottle. So, often times, recycling plants just slice off the caps and throw them in the trash. To cut down on the amount of plastic bottle caps that wind up in landfills, oceans and the stomachs of animals, Aveda is collecting the culprits to do a little recycling of their own. The beauty company will use the plastic to make new caps for its Clove Shampoo bottles, which will hit shelves in time for Aveda’s 30th anniversary in September. Stop by an Aveda store (click here for locations) from now through May 10th and drop off your caps. If you hand over 25 or more, you’ll score a free sample from Aveda. Stuck in the middle of nowhere? Mail your caps to Aveda Re-Cap Program, ACA Waste Services, 40 EADS St., Babylon, NY 11704.
