The choices you make in our daily lives can bring long lasting wellness and joy. This starts by being good to yourself, because you deserve it! Preen in green and find that ‘natural’ side of your life
An Organic Makeover
Fill your makeup bags with an organic makeover! Here’s a little list to get you started using some of the safest and most stylish products around.
Lips
Who doesn't love a good lip balm or a sexy lipstick? But many lip products are petroleum-based, which depletes a non-renewable resource, and petrolatum can cause allergic reactions. Avoid potentially hormone-disrupting benzophenone compounds in lip products with SPF, and watch out for phenol, a common lip-balm ingredient that can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness and kidney and liver damage when absorbed or ingested in high concentrations. Instead, try creating a safe—and sexy—pout with these:
Perfect Organics Super Moisturizing Shea Butter Balm and Vegan Lip and Cheek Shimmers www.perfectorganics.com
Among the problematic ingredients in foundations, concealers, powders and blushes are paraben and formaldehyde-based preservatives. Both have been shown to irritate skin, and the known carcinogen formaldehyde, present in small amounts in preservatives such as DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium-15, can evaporate from liquid products. Here are some safer products you might like to try:
Your eyes are one of your most sensitive body parts, so eye cosmetics, full of potentially irritating substances like talc, can be especially problematic. Some mascaras, especially lash-building ones, have been found to contain the mercury-based preservative thimerasol, which may cause allergic reactions and is a known neurotoxin. Here are a few safe alternatives:
Cosmetic brushes are made with real animal hair or synthetic materials, the most common of which is a trademarked polyester fiber called Taklon. Unfortunately, neither comes without a cost. In addition to animal humanity, animal fibers undergo chemical processing for sterilization, while synthetics are derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Organic cotton pads, cotton balls and swabs, when suitable, are a more eco-friendly choice. You can choose products with eco attributes, such as animal cruelty certifications and recycled content.
Finally, makeup bags made with polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, can leach hormone-disrupting phthalates and brain-damaging lead onto your brushes and products within. These stylish cosmetic cases can house all your cosmetics and save the earth, too:
AnandaK's Organic Cotton Makeup Bag www.organicselections.comwww.greenhome.com
Global Girlfriend's Lace Cosmetic Bag made by a women's cooperative in India www.globalgirlfriend.com
Her Design's "Ever Green" organic cotton cosmetic bag www.her-design.com
We’re lucky to live in the Bay Area where so many stores and Spa’s give us the choice to choose natural and organic beauty products. Here’s a few to check out:
Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy with locations in Berkeley, Mill Valley, Novato and San Francisco www.pharmaca.com
Or look for natural and organic products in many grocery stores including: Whole Foods Market, Good Earth Natural and Organic Foods, Real Food Company, Woodlands Market, Mollie Stone’s, Paradise Foods, Rainbow Grocery or Thom’s Natural Foods
The Green Shave
Hey guys, stop getting irritated with razor burns and bumps. Green your shave with products that are easy on the environment and your skin. Most of the leading brands of shaving creams contain triethanolamine (TEA) or diethanolamine (DEA). Both act as an emulsifier, preservative and foaming agent and both have been linked to liver and kidney tumors. They also can irritate the skin and hair. A healthier alternative is to choose shaving creams with natural ingredients.
Experts agree that the number one secret to a great shave is the pre-shave. Get your skin ready by wrapping your face in a damp, warm towel (just like the barber does) or by taking a shower.
Dr. Hauschka (www.drhauschka.com) sells cleansing milk made with grain extracts that leaves the skin hydrated and the beard supple. The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil has aromatherapy oils like lavender for softening the beard and preparing the skin. If you are using an electric razor then some kind of pre-shave oil is highly recommended.
Shaving creams retain water and make for a smoother shave while shaving gels give a closer shave. Avoid products with alcohol combined with synthetic substances since these can actually stiffen the beard. Aveda offers a shave cream with an aloe extract, coconut-derived glycerin, lavender and peppermint extract that gives a close, smooth shave and helps prevents nicks. Aubrey Organics has a new Men's Stock line with shaving creams made with organic avocado oil, wheat germ oil and witch hazel with fresh scents of pine, cedar, sandalwood and bergamot.
Greenest Shave of All
Many dermatologists recommend using a shaving brush and shaving soap since the brush works the soap into the hair bristles, making the shave closer and less irritating. This is also the most enviro-friendly shave since the shaving brush never gets thrown away and the soap, which lasts more months, comes in a reusable bowl or mug.
A badger hair shaving brush is considered de rigueur for a comfortable wet shave since badger hair holds onto water and can evenly distribute the lather over your beard
The key to a good shaving soap is one without a strong fragrance. A Wild Soap Bar sells Sassafras Shaving Soap made with cold pressed olive oil and aloe juice for a rich creamy lather. Probably the most luxurious soap comes from one of London's oldest pharmacies, the 200-year-old D R Harris & Co Ltd. The majority of their products are still handmade using traditional methods. Their delicious lavender or almond shaving soap comes in an elegant beech or mahogany bowl and lasts for months. You can shop online for both Harris and Bond products at The Trafalgar Shop.
Shaving – The Final Step
Your skin will need some help to recover so an aftershave treatment is important. Lotions containing alcohol should be avoided since they irritate and dry out the skin. Instead go with an aftershave from Herban Cowboy with conditioning carrot, cucumber and collagen. Aveda, Nancy Boy and Aubrey Organics also have soothing aftershave balms.
Going green with your shave will make your skin healthier. You may even start to enjoy shaving!
Green Clothing – It’s Beautiful Being Green
Find your green style! Designers are going green, and that means green more in than ever! And we think here to stay. You’ll find that wearing green feels good and looks good. And you’ll still find hot fashions, one-of-a-kind clothing, unique bags and smart accessories. Preserve the earth’s beauty as well as your own. Discover that green is elegant!
