GreenerGirl

Natural Products Expo

I'm fortunate enough to be at the Natural Products Expo, where I'm seeing (and eating) a lot of great new products as well as meeting some of the lovely people behind some of my favorite brands. A couple of highlights before I dash off to see even more!

One of my top 5 can't-live-without products is Jane Carter Solution Hair Nourishing Serum. If you have fine hair that lacks shine for whatever reason (I won't go into MY reasons. ahem.) this is magic. Two drops run through dry hair and you've got crazy shine and you smell like heaven. I met Jane yesterday and she's as wonderful as her products. If you haven't tried them, DO.

Another tried-and-true favorite is HugoNaturals. They make uplifting, beautifully-scented skin products of all types for indulgent pampering. I'm a huge fan of their shower gels, body butters and bath salts, and now one of the founders of the brand, Debra Saavedra. She glows and it shows in everything she's done - the brand is beautiful to behold AND to use.

I could write more but time to put this coffee to use and RUN. There are some new friends I'm dying to talk to (and about).

Finally summer and finally a review

It's been a VERY long time since I posted anything. New job, a move to Vermont, loads of travel and a wildly long winter. These are my excuses.

I got a really nice suprise this spring when Juice Beauty offered to send me a couple of their organic skin care products to try. I love checking out something new. I was a little taken aback by the name of the product - Stem Cellular Repair - but checked out their site and found that this is a plant-based line full of yummy-sounding ingredients so no freaky laboratory involved! They sent on their moisturizer and eye cream and I took them for a 90-day spin.

Lovely. Really. And not because they were gratis. The eye cream is packaged so that you are never touching the cream. Instead it has a cool, strangely soothing little "wand" that helps you smooth it on the eye area. The texture is great - not oily so my mascara didn't end up all over me within an hour. And it worked - I'm doing pretty good in the eye department but I'm a little crepe-y and this really smoothed everything out and made me look awake (a huge plus, no?).

I loooved the moisturizer. Innovative packaging (no sticking your hands in a jar), with a very fresh, un-perfumey citrus scent that made me dream of smoothies. Texture - like in the eye cream - was non-greasy but beautifully hydrating, and I actually noticed a change in my skin - most notably, my neck (also crepe-y-ish). I loved these products and am now a true fan. They are clean, green and a joy for the senses and the skin. I'll happily buy my next batch!!

L'uvalla Love

I've posted about L'uvalla products before (see Spring!). They are all-natural and they work like a dream, with the most incredible naturally-derived, addictive scents and rare, rich ingredients.

Good news for you - they've recently developed a great fan page on Facebook and have been offering a really significant discount on their products (expires 10/31).  Visit them, become a fan, and take advantage of the offer to try skin care that you'll want to use forever.  Lucky me - they sent me samples of their (vegan) Milk Cleanser (a product I usually shun because they never seem to take off makeup and I ruin a lot of towels!) and their Lip & Eye Cream, which I hadn't tried before.  I shouldn't be suprised at this point - they are both delightful and I just placed my 2nd order of the week!

Olsen Haus on Bravo's The Fashion Show

I'm a big fan of Elizabeth Olsen (she's as sweet as she looks) and am mad about her vegan shoes.  So is Bravo - she is featured on The Fashion Show!  Take a look and tune in.

Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone

Olsen Haus: Animal & Fashion-Friendly Footwear

Times have certainly changed when it comes to making kind choices.  Think vegan shoes, and you may picture something substantially less than "hot".  The fact is that you CAN have your cake and eat it too when it comes to being conscientious and looking fabulous.  Leading the charge is Elizabeth Olsen of Olsen Haus.  Her shoes look runway, but are strictly animal-free - an anomaly in high-end fashion.  I've snagged three pairs and get stunned appreciation when I tell people that they are not, in fact, made of leather.

Check out this great interview with Elizabeth by Joshua Katcher and Chloe Jo Berman of The Discerning Brute and Girlie Girl Army, respectively.  Elizabeth spells out that leather isn't necessarily the most natural or eco-friendly choice, and shows off some gorgeous goods modeled by Chloe.

Suki Tinted Active Moisturizer

I've whined about the nightmare of finding natural hair care products (John Masters - I heart you. A LOT.) Now that I've got that issue squared away, I'm after the Holy Grail - non-lethal foundation.  Being a healthy girl, I should be able to go naked (facially!) and look spectacular - right?  Uh-uh - I've got the most reactive, dry, splotchy pink skin around.  I need camoflauge my rosy Irish fire, and the world is full of "solutions", most of which are chemical nightmares.  I've tried all of the mineral makeup, and have followed all the rules regarding application (swishingtappingswirlingdustingblahblahblah) and oh... so bad.  What I HAVE found is something that is THISCLOSE to being perfect - Suki Tinted Active Moisturizer. 

The finish is great - it's moisturizing but not greasy, sheer but definitely provides some coverage, it has natural SPF, the ingredients (primarly white willow bark and rose) are anti-inflammatory, natural and safe.  It's lovely and soothing.  Expensive, but lordy what isn't?  It would be perfect, BUT... it only comes in 2 shades, and if you are on the pinkish-white side like me, even the lighter of the two can look a little off.  It's just too dark.  Suki advises sheering it out with moisturizer (she makes lovely ones) but for me, that defeats the purpose and I lose that perfect coverage.  Now, if you are a bit more sun-kissed than I am - and most people are - definitely try it.  And Suki, if you are listening, just a wee bit lighter?  I would heart you.

Victoria's Secret Pink Body line is really Green

Victoria's Secret, far better known for skimpy unmentionables and even skimpier models, has launched a "natural, organic and 100% vegan" line of body and lip products.  Who knew?  The body washes and lotions come in 3 "vibes" (my term, not theirs) - Energizing, Soothing and Nourishing, and who doesn't need all of those?  I haven't had a chance to try them yet, but it's a great sign when big players get their green on and make healthy, cruelty-free products available to a young, mainstream audience at really decent prices ($12-15 for most items).  I wish they listed ingredients on their site, but applaud their effort and will surely scoop up some things to try - right now, Energizing is in order.  Check out the line here.

Spring!!!

Well, it is 26 degrees right now but it is sunny, and my backyard is filled with robins and squirrels (probably because I feed the little sweeties and have made little "homes" for them to take shelter in)  Spring is, technically, around the corner.  Which means it is time to switch it up - heavy, protective creams aren't going to do your skin any favors once the weather is warmer and more humid.  Some of my spring favorites:

Luvalla: Luvalla's products are 100% Natural, no less than 95% Organic, VEGAN, and COSMEBIO-certified. All winter long, their Age-Defying line keeps me soothed and comforted against winter dryness.  Their Age-Defying Day Cream, formulated with extracts of Calendula, Sage, Rosemary, Ylang Ylang flower, Thyme, Lavender, and Lotus, actually smells like Roses, and not fake perfume rose - this is heaven for the senses.  For Spring, I'll switch to their Balancing line.  The Balancing Day Cream is formulated with Sunflower, Lemon, Cypress, Hazelnut, Cinnamon, Lavender, and Lotus Extract and smells so refreshing and springy - definitely lifts the spirits.  My Whole Foods carries the line (and I had the opportunity to meet the president of Luvalla there - what a passionate and inspiring woman), but if you can't find it you can buy online.  And you should!

John Masters Organics: I talk about this line so much you would think I work for them (hmm.. dream job)  John makes the most fabulous, natural, nasty-chemical and cruelty-free hair, skin, body and pet products.  My baby-fine, long and dry/damaged hair is transformed by Evening Primrose shampoo and Lavendar Avocado Intensive Conditioner.  Come Spring, I will use Lavender Rosemary shampoo and Citrus Neroli Detangler (much more conditioning than you would think) and say goodbye to my blow-dryer and use their Sea Mist Sea Salt Spray with Lavender to get natural wild waves that hold all day (and smell great).  Another product that I love in the warmer months - well, actually any time - is Blood Orange Vanilla Body Wash - it smells so delicious but not at all overpowering.  And get your favorite pooch outside for a bath under the sun with John's Eucalyptus and Tea Tree Dogpoo (not a typo) - you'll both have a blast. 

Juicing: Beauty from the inside out

OK - I've become obsessed. I may be addicted to juicing - and it's better than any serum or cream I've ever bought (and my oh my I have bought a lot). 

I'm a born skeptic, so when lovely people like Natalia Rose and Sarma Melngailis extol the virtues of juicing, I think "um yeah, but you are almost UN-naturally gorgeous".  Well, I'm not in their league, and will never be, but I've got to say that it's not hype.  Starting the day with fresh living goodness has made me feel, and look, better.  For the price of a tub of LaMer, get thee to Williams-Sonoma or any number of online retailers and get a decent juicer.  Mine cost about $299, and has brought MUCH joy.  Carrot-strawberry-orange juice will get you glowing.  Kale-granny smith-lemon will wake you right up.  And you'll feel a lot better than if you had some claggy omelet or greasy sugar-bomb.  Or LaMer!

Buyer Beware

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) in conjunction with Dr. Bronner's is targeting brands that you may think are truly safe because you'll find them in your favorite health food store.  They have taken legal action, alleging that many popular brands, including Avalon, Nature's Gate and JASON, carry quantities of a known carcinogen, 1,4 Dioxane.  Read about the campaign here, and as always, question everything and read those labels!