Green and Glam

Archive for the ‘Face’ Category

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Wedding Beauty Bag Unpacked: 3 Products You Need Now

Friday, June 29th, 2012

Cut the cake and cue the reception band – time for wedding season! Whether you’re exchanging vows, getting fitted for a bridesmaid’s dress, or just remembering to mail in your RSVPs, we’ve pulled together a few products to say “I do” to before you hit the summer wedding circuit.

Tone, Def
Want a beauty-full way to calm your nuptial nerves? We love Kimberly Sayer’s Organic Lavender Toner ($28). The formula, comprised exclusively of purified water-steamed lavender flowers, is totally free of skin irritating chemicals. Try a quick hit of this relaxing and revitalizing product before applying your bridal “face” – it’s the scentsible thing to do!

Tan Slam
Mastering the right shade of bronze as to appear gorgeously glowing without looking over-baked is an art. We can’t get enough of 100% Pure’s Cocoa Pigmented Bronzer ($25). Natural ingredients (read: cocoa, tomato, coffee, and berry) combine to create the most spot-on shade of sun-kissed.

Mint Condition
Between final fittings and attending to last minute details, squeezing in some much-desired tub time may seem as unrealistic as expecting to control the wedding day weather. To help sway you into some serious de-stressing, we suggest Priti’s Deep Rosemary and Mint Organic Bath Soak ($24). The invigorating blend soothes muscles and provides deep aromatherapy to boot.

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Tint Condition: 5 New Ways To Love Tinted Moisturizer, Plus 2 To Try

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

From our house to our closet, we all want to lighten up for spring. Our make-up bags are no exception to the rule. One of the easiest adjustments to make is swapping out heavy foundation in favor of a lighter formula. Tinted moisturizer is destined to become your new favorite all-purpose product. Yes, it provides sheer and natural coverage in the summer, but it also works wonders to transform all your old beauty products.

Here are 5 of our favorite ways to use the product, plus new amazing new formulas to try.

1. Blend with your favorite highlighter or face shimmer. Apply to apples of your cheeks, collarbones, legs, or any place you want a little glow.

2. Apply under your brow bone and on lids before applying shadow.

3. Mix with your favorite lip balm for a natural lip-plumping primer or use to temper down a dark lipstick.

4. Blend with your favorite eye cream. We love 100% Pure’s Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream. Dab 3 dots under the eyes and lightly blend to fake a great night’s sleep.

5.  If you’re looking for a little more coverage, mix your own perfect foundation by blending your concealer with a little tinted moisturizer.

TRY:

100% Pure’s Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer ($32) Super easy-to-blend and available in 5 shades, this entirely eco-friendly formula smells as good as you’ll look.

Living Nature Tinted Moisturiser ($37) Chic packaging makes this product entirely portable (key in the busy summer months).  Mega-moisturizing manuka honey and macadamia seed oil nourish and protect.

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Exfoliation: Best Organic Facial Scrubs

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the outer surface of the body. Exfoliating allows for more silky and radiant skin to be visible as tired, dull, dead skin is sloughed away. As with most things, too much of a good thing can be actually bad for you. Overexfoliation can cause skin sensitivities and inflammation.

Exfoliation can be done in two ways by either physical or chemical exfoliation.

  • Physical exfoliation involves using pumice stone, loofah sponge or a naturally abrasive ingredient like jojoba beads, almond meal, or raspberry seeds that will buff away dead skin cells. It is necessary to physically or mechanically exfoliate the skin by using a circular upward motion to remove the dead skin cells.

 

  • A chemical exfoliant uses acids or enzymes (AHA, or BHA) to remove dead skin cells that are on the skin. Glycolic, Lactic and Salicylic  acids are examples of chemical exfoliants used in skincare to remove dead skin cells.

 

Generally people in their 30’s and older would see the greatest benefits of regular exfoliation. Teens and those in their twenties who have good skin do not need to exfoliate as often. Since their skin is rapidly rejuvenating, it is likely that they would not see the benefits of regular exfoliation.

It is best to exfoliate at least once a week. If you have particularly oily or congested skin, you may need to bump up your regimen to twice a week. If ever your skin becomes overly dry or irritated, discontinue use or exfoliate less frequently. Always remember to pile on the sunscreen after you exfoliate. Newly exposed skin is more sensitive to the sun and chemical exfoliatants such as AHA and BHA’s increase your likelihood for sunburn. As always…read your labels before you slough away

Here, a few of our favorites: 

Kimberly Sayer’s Gentle Almond & Lavender Face Scrub

Sweet Almond oil and grains, luxurious jojoba beads and organic French lavender oil provide gentle cleansing and exfoliation. Skin is left feeling silky smooth and radiantly vibrant. A must have for the most sensitive skin.  

Red Flower’s Bioactive Berry White Peat Exfoliate

Rich mineral sea salts, soothing aloe vera and coconut oil  and bioactive white peat moss create a delicious treat for the skin. Skin will feel rejuvenated.

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Beauty Resolutions for the New Year

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

2012 brings a New Year and a new list of resolutions that many of us try to keep for at least a few months. This year, choose beauty resolutions that will keep your skin looking its best! We asked some of our loyal customers to give us their best beauty resolutions for the New Year:

  • Increase your water intake. Everyone knows that water is necessary for healthy skin metabolism. By adding just a few extra glasses a day, tissues will get more of the precious fluid they need to function more properly. Your glowing skin will thank you!
  • Wear SPF Every Day! Yes rain or shine, slather on the SPF, since UVA and UVB rays cause damage every day, it is necessary to protect the skin on a daily basis. A quick way to cheat is to pick a moisturizer with natural SPF. One of our favorites is Kimberly Sayer’s Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer with SPF. This light crème applies a veil of moisture while providing essential protection from the elements.
  • Wash your face before going to bed!!! This seems to be one of the hardest resolutions to keep all year long…especially after a long day. We recommend Red Flower’s Lymphatic Phytopower Sea Cleanser. Nourishing sea plants and aloe vera soothe the skin while mushroom extract and white peat revitalize. Your skin will look forward to this daily treat!
  • Toss out that old makeup!!! Old makeup can be loaded with bacteria which can clog pores and cause breakouts. Make sure to throw out old makeup especially natural or organic eye makeup that is over 6 -12 months old. Ditch the old tube and replace it with 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara. Using only natural pigments from black tea and conditioning vitamin E, this mascara lengthens and thickens lashes using only natural ingredients.

 Did we miss any top resolutions that you have? Let us know!

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Dirt on Cleansing Clays

Monday, December 19th, 2011

Does the thought of a soaking in mud, or smearing colored clays on your face typify the image of health and beauty? It should!! Clays and muds have been used for thousands of years dating back to ancient Egyptians, Romans & Greeks. It was long believed that mud and clays found in certain locations contained specific healing powers. These properties are now thought to be due to the rich mineral content and plant substances dissolved in the clay and mud sediments of certain areas. Some of these treasured clays are still considered the most therapeutic and used today:

White Clay or Kaolin clay is one of the most versatile clays and is often used in skincare due to it soft fluffy texture and gentleness. It easily draws impurities from the skin while effectively exfoliating and can be used on all skin types. White Clay can be found in SkinnySkinny Organic Rose & Black Pepper Dry Shampoo. The white clay absorbs extra oils from the hair and scalp and hair is left feeling refreshed and smelling great.

French Green Clay is a very absorbent clay and is considered to be one of the most detoxifying. The clay contains trace minerals such as silica, aluminum, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, such selenium, cobalt, manganese, and silicon. In addition to its anti-inflammatory benefits, it stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation while removing impurities. Try Kimberly Sayer’s Deep Cleansing French Clay Mask. With detoxifying montmorillonite clay and essential oils, skin will be smooth, clear, and radiant.

Red Clay- A mineral rich clay that is often called Moroccan clay, since it was originally found in the Atlas Mountains near Morocco. It contains a high mineral content therefore it acts as a good astringent and effectively unclogs pores. This clay is best suited for oily and congested skin. Miessence’s Soothing Mineral Mask contains rich red clay and soothing Chamomile extract to renew the skin surface.

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Green Stocking Stuffers

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

The stockings were hung on the chimney with care with the hopes that their contents wouldn’t poison the air …..
Ok perhaps we’re being dramatic but how much do we think about the items we put into our stockings? We manage to incorporate being green in our daily lives but how bout when Jolly Old St. Nick comes to town? Take a look at the average stocker stuffer item: overly packaged, artificial color & flavor and made in who knows where??? This year, choose products that are made in the USA with the finest organic ingredients. Most importantly, choose items that have been sustainably made and support small businesses that make these wonderful products. It’s a win win for everyone involved. Your loved one will get a stocking stuffer that they will actually use and you won’t pollute the planet in the process.

Here are some of my favorite stocking stuffers this year.

Badger Balm- Winter Wonder Balm.
This is my go-to remedy for colds & flu symptoms all year long. Made with cooling eucalyptus, tea tree, rosemary and peppermint, this organic balm with soothe all of your aches and stop your sniffles.

100% Pure Lip Gloss-
We love these natural lip glosses made with only fruit & plant pigments. Rich vibrant colors, delicious flavors, and soothing ingredients such as shea butter and vitamin E.

Green Girl Candles Simply Lemongrass
These soy based candles use only therapeutic essential oils and no sickening artificial fragrance. I love the cleansing purifying scent of lemongrass. It is one of the few scents that can be used anywhere from bathroom to bedroom and it makes a great small gift.

Posted in Bath & Body, Face, Fragrance, Hair, Mom & Baby | No Comments »

Teen Skin Care

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

We all have those days when we feel as if we are losing the battle in the war for good skin. A pimple or blemish will appear, and we instantly become self conscious and less confident. For teenagers, this experience is particularly difficult. During puberty and adolescence, hormones go into overdrive often causing the skin to produce more sebum. An accumulation of sebum clogs pores and creates blemishes and acne. As a result, acne ridden teens often spend an enormous amount of money of dangerously toxic products to rid themselves of embarrassing acne. The remedy is simple. Use organic and naturally derived skin care products to establish a proper skin care routine early and you minimize breakouts and blemishes.
Abrasive toxic cleansers, oily moisturizers loaded with petrochemicals only create more of a disturbance to delicate skin. Feed your skin proper nourishment and it will reward you will healthy skin in return. Here are some of my favorite products that are great for teens:

Blemish Wash from Good for You Girls
This is a great natural alternative to the harmful anti acne cleansers you find in the drug store. Suited for teens that have problem skin or acne, it contains jojoba beads and fruit enzymes from papaya to gently exfoliate the skin.

Willowbark Exfoliating Anti-Acne Toner by Artisan Naturals
An alcohol free toner that is a teen’s best friend!! Made with organic lavender water and owhyee to sooth inflamed blemished skin. Willowbark contains natural salicylic acid which exfoliates dead skin cells. Cinnamon bark extract is a natural antiseptic and produces a calming effect on the skin.

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Coffee and Chocolate

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

COFFEE & CHOCOLATE DELICIOUS INDULGES FOR THE SKIN

Next time you crave that strong espresso, or luscious piece of dark chocolate…go for it and consider it part of your beauty ritual. After decades of deprivation and guilt, scientists are now discovering that these delicious treats actually have incredible benefits to the skin.

Most of us love our cup of Joe in the morning but did you also know that caffeine is the first line of defense against swollen eyes and cellulite? When used topically, caffeine works to constrict blood vessels, reduce inflammation and decrease the appearance of dark circles under the eye or the appearance of cellulite. Caffeic acid is a polyphenol or antioxidant that is found in caffeine. This acid scavenges all of those nasty free radicals which cause damage and premature aging. For a java jolt to your skin, try SkinnySkinny Organic Black Coffee Scrub. Exfoliating sugar and organic coffee will leave your skin smooth and radiant.

Chocolate is truly a gift from the gods. Not only does it taste incredible but also does miraculous things for your skin. Chocolate contains high amounts of cocoa butter which is the rich emollient fat found within the cocoa bean. The moisturizing benefits of cocoa butter are well known which makes it the go to skin softener during pregnancy. Chocolate also contains flavanoids, an antioxidant that prevents cellular damage and acts as a skin protectant. A recently published study demonstrated that those who consume high flavanol cocoa (like dark chocolate) displayed a decrease in skin roughness and scaling as well as thicker and more hydrated skin by the end of the study. For a truly decadent treat, try the Dark Chocolate Truffle Body Scrub by Chocolate Sun. Pure dark chocolate and Dead Sea Salts invigorate and exfoliate.

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Vegan Beauty Products

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

BEAUTY PRODUCTS FOR VEGANS

Many of us have chosen to say NO to toxic chemicals and synthetic ingredients in our beauty products. As a result, we scrupulously examine labels to ensure that we are buying the best products for ourselves and our families.
For vegans this task is daunting. Not only, must the product be natural and not contain synthetic ingredients, but it also cannot have any ingredients derived from animals. Believe or not, many natural products contain animal ingredients including lanoli, beeswax, honey, milk, or collagen. Finding a lip balm that does not contain beeswax is a tougher challenge than one might expect. Luckily, we’re here to guide you through the ingredient maze and tell you about some of our favorite vegan products:

Green Girl Lip Butter
Our favorite vegan lip balm!! This nourishing balm contains candellia wax instead of beeswax, organic shea butter, and avocado oil. The result is a soothing moisturizing balm that is perfect for everyday use.

Dr Alkaitis Organic Soothing Gel
Made with a base of calming organic aloe vera gel, this cleanser gently removes all dirt and grime as it refreshing and soothes with nettle, chamomile, and lavender.

Kimberly Sayer’s Restore Anti Aging Crème
Hawaiian sea algae extract hydrates the skin while soothing oat beta glucan restores skin’s vitality and health.

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Foaming and Cream Cleansers

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Cleansing the skin is one of the most important aspects in proper skincare. Traditional cleansers can be loaded with cheap petrochemicals, artificial fragrances, and toxic chemicals that strip the skin of precious oils wreaking havoc on your skin. Using a cleanser that is too rich or drying doesn’t allow your skin to create a healthy metabolism.
The key to an effective skincare regime is finding the right type of organic or natural cleanser to fit your individual needs. Many people prefer foaming cleansers which create rich foam as you apply to the face. Foaming cleansers contain “surfactants” which is a fancy technical term for an ingredient that creates foam or bubbles as it cleanses. Natural foaming cleansers contain ingredients that are often derived from coconut or palm oil to provide generous foam yet maintain gentle cleansing. Foaming cleansers are usually best suited for people with normal or oily skin.
Many people can’t live without their favorite crème cleanser. Crème cleansers provide gentle and thorough cleansing and provide a bit more moisture than foaming cleansers. Nourishing oils such as sunflower, apricot, and almond oil are often found in crème cleansers. Crème cleansers are best suited for normal, dry, and mature skin types. Be sure to check out some of our favorites:

Calming Crème Cleanser by Artisan Naturals. With luxurious ingredients such as calming rosewater, roman chamomile, and lavender oil, your skin with soothed and nourished as you cleanse away impurities.

Ecoface Deep Purifying Cleanser by Madara. Natural foaming ingredients from coconut provide rich foam that purifies and cleanses the skin. Yarrow and Calendula extracts calm inflamed skin and skin retains its youthful glow.

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