luxe & organic: Vapour Organic Beauty

hello beauties!

as another month is coming to a close {yikes, this month flew by!} and the spring season slowly blooms, i'm excited to share some gorgeous products from Vapour Organic Beauty i've been using over the past several weeks.

lovely and luxe, each of these products not only make you look good, but are also made with organic ingredients so they're good for you!

oh, and just as a little pop culture/celeb side note, Jessica Alba recently gushed over a few of these products...

the first product i have to share is Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation {swatched below with and without a flash}. the shade sent to me for this review is a tad too dark, but worked gorgeously as a liquid bronzer thanks to its natural skin luminizers. the finish is dewy and pretty, the formula feels light, and {when used as a foundation} is buildable so you can add more product to places that you may require more coverage.

creating flawless skin typically requires a concealer, and for this the Beauty Illusionist is fabulous. it easily covers imperfections, blending away dark spots and blemishes and is housed in a sleek tube, making it purse and travel-friendly.

Luxe Organic Lip Conditioner treats lips with jojoba seed, beeswax and coconut oils. one of my new lip-loving faves, i like to apply this when i begin my makeup application. by the end of it, my lips are soft and ready for whatever lip color i choose to apply. one to try...Siren Lipstick.

another lippie standout is the Elixer Plumping Gloss. of course, let's be honest, my lips aren't in need of plumping, but i simply j'adore this gloss! the non-stinging formula contains antioxidants, lip-loving skin-hydrators and has a gorgeously glossy, not-too-sticky finish. the shade pictured is called Vivid, a stunning fuchsia with silver flecks.

let's not forget the eyes! Vapour Organic Beauty's Mesmerize Eyeliner & Smoky Eye Tool applies and blends beautifully. whether i used it to create a defined cat-eye or {with help from the built-in smudger} a glamorous, smoked-out finish, the result lasted for hours and never irritated my eyes.

be sure to visit Vapour Organic Beauty's website for more info on these products. find them on facebook & follow the brand on twitter!

products sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

green beauty: 100% Pure Color Cosmetics

there's nothing i love better than knowing products i use are natural and good for my skin. while i realize that my fondness obsession love of beauty products means i won't always be using natural ingredients, i am always thrilled when i either find and purchase or am given the opportunity to try new green beauty goodies {in this case, the brand sent me products}.

the items i refer to are from 100% Pure, and let me say darlings, they are yummy, yummy.

i have reviewed the Tinted Moisturizer in the past, and this time i was able to try all the gorgeousness that came along with the luminous primer, fruit pigmented pot rouge {Rosy}, satin eye shadow {Halo} and flawless skin foundation {Toffee}.

by now, you've probably guessed that i am loving these products...

truly, it amazes me that these products are so incredibly pigmented and work as well, if not even better than a lot of chemical-filled products. i love that the primer left my skin feeling silky soft and the foundation is buildable, providing the coverage i wanted, where i wanted it. the shadow is as soft as satin, just at the name suggests and the pot rouge {isn't that such a fabulous, classic word? rouge...love it!} gave my cheeks the perfect flush of color right where i applied it.

another fabulous thing about 100% Pure products is that they're loaded with antioxidants and skin-loving ingredients {fruits, teas, vitamins} that help skin on a deeper level, hence the smile on my face! ;)

visit their website, 100percentpure.com, and discover for yourself these, and many other {like their body lotions!!} gems...

pics taken by me :)

green beauty: EcoTools Bamboo 6-Piece Eye Brush Set & Bronzer Brush

if you're looking to be more green when it comes to your beauty routine, you may want to add some eco-friendly makeup brushes to your collection. i've shared previously how you can achieve runway-inspired looks using the EcoTools line of brushes but didn't have any experience with them. when i was given the opportunity to try them firsthand, i had some pretty high expectations.

turns out these brushes are just as good as i had hoped! with handles made from sustainable bamboo, the bristles are luxuriously soft (so soft!) and apply and blend product beautifully. the big, fluffy Bronzing Brush is perfect for applying shimmering powder to shoulders and decollete (which i love to do, especially in the summer), as well as bronzer to my face.




each brush in the 6-Piece Eye Brush Set is marked, so there's no need to wonder what you should use it for (perfect for newbies and for when you're new to the brand). i also love the little case it comes with-- makes keeping my brushes together when i travel so easy!

another plus to these brushes is that they are high-quality and affordable (wow, not only "green", but they help you save some $green$, too). if you haven't already tried EcoTools, run don't walk, to your local mass retailer or drugstore and do it already (seriously, you won't be sorry)!

visit parispresents.com for more info.


xo
products featured were sent to me for review consideration.

Green Beauty: LUSH Naked Kit

earth day is just around the corner (april 22nd, if you didn't already know), and to celebrate, LUSH will be launching their Naked Kit. true to its name, this limited edition kit houses six of LUSH's most popular solid, unpackaged and preservative-free offerings in a biodegradable box.

here's a sneak peek at what's inside...

•Mini Squeaky Green Shampoo Bar-- this shampoo lasts 60 washes and will revitalize and stimulate the scalp. consider this: if the entire population of North America used a solid shampoo bar (equivalent to three 8 oz. bottles), then it would save 122 million plastic bottles from being produced and ending up in the landfill.

•Mini Buffy Body Butter-– packed with natural butters to moisturize, and sand to exfoliate, this bar will save time, money, and the planet.

•Mini Therapy Massage Bar-– soothe your body and your conscience with this 100% certified organic massage bar, a true LUSH invention made with natural oils and absolutely no preservatives.

•Sexy Peel Soap-– with uplifting lemon and lime, this soap (along with all of LUSH soaps) is made with a palm-free base. a first of its kind, this revolutionary soap base has saved 133,000 pounds of palm oil from being produced, helping to save rainforests, indigenous people and orangutans in southeast asia.

•Choice of Toner Tab-– steam your face with these LUSH inventions. choose from: T-Tree (oily skin), Vitamin C (aging skin), Vitamin E (all skin types), and Q10 (skin soothing).

•Cleanser: Fresh Farmacy or Coalface-– LUSH uses the finest ingredients when creating our solid face cleansers. choose from: Fresh Farmacy (for troublesome skin) or Coalface (for oily skin).



to further increase LUSH's eco-friendly initiatives, they're eliminating in-store gift wrap service and introducing the Knot Wrap (pictured above). this furoshiki-inspired technique uses scarves (made from recyclable materials or organic fabrics) to wrap your products in a way that is kinder to the earth-- fabulous, don't you think?

LUSH's The Naked Kit is only available for a limited time, so visit lushusa.com to find out more info and to place your order.

xo
source: beautypress.com

WWD: Kiehl’s to Launch Açaí Organic Skin Care Line

Kiehl's is set to launch its first ever organic skin care collection, reports Women's Wear Daily. the four-item line up contains the brazilian açaí berry, because of its "superior antioxidant properties," says Chris Salgardo, president of Kiehl's USA. this superberry is also known for combating environmental aggressors and stimulating the skin's natural renewal process. the products are due out in mid-September and will be available at over 250 specialty stores in the u.s.,including 33 free standing Kiehl's stores.

while many people assume Kiehl’s products are 100 percent organic, this line is the brand’s first organic skin care line. "since our inception, we have always been known for our service and for creating efficacious products," said Salgardo, noting that everyone asks for "green" products, but still demand high performance. "we heard that our customers wanted organics, that they wanted paraben-free, that they wanted natural— and they wanted to focus on the first signs of aging. we went to the lab to do all that. the result: our new Açaí line."

continue reading the article here

xo

green beauty: RAWSkincare Ambiaty Concetrated Serum

RAW Natural Beauty is a line of green products specializing in purely natural, high-performance products. each product is carefully formulated from innovative plant complexes grown in regions across the world that offer multiple skin-enhancing benefits. their RAWSkincare line produces one of my favorite serums--Ambiaty Concentrated Serum.

Ambiaty Concentrated Serum is a serum that not only that targets lines and deep wrinkles, but it helps prevent further skin aging by supporting healthy collagen production. infused with natural botanicals, it has a smooth, silky texture that always leaves me loving the way my skin not only looks, but feels. antioxidants help protect my skin from free radical damage and premature aging (woo-hoo!), and my keeps skin looking healthy and fabulously radiant.

visit rawnaturalbeauty.com to discover more about this luxurious line of green beauty products.

xo

green beauty: Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter

on a recent trip to Sephora, i discovered a new "green" product to add to my hair product collection: Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter. i knew as soon as i tried a little bit in my hair that i had to take some home with me-- with no hesitation, the jar went in my basket!

this amazing product contains fabulous hair-friendly ingredients like essential oils of lavender and rosemary; it softens hair, minimizes breakage, and conditions with nourishing shea butter, almond oil, and cocoa butter. it's suitable for all hair types looking to add moisture or prevent damage, and also great as a little moisture pick up for the skin-- i always rub any excess left on my hands into my skin after using it, and it soaks it up.

Healthy Hair Butter is formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances or dyes, so you can be happy knowing you're being a little bit more green, and of course your thirsty hair will love you for using it!

find Healthy Hair Butter at sephora.com

xo

Beauty Girl TV: PlantLove Eyeshadows & Eye Liners

since earth day is wednesday, this Beauty Girl TV episode features PlantLove, the eco-fabulous makeup line from Cargo. i am in love with these highly-pigmented, long lasting shadows and amazing eye liners-- if you love natural products that are good for the planet, you'll definitely want to give these a try.



PlantLove is found in Sephora stores and online at sephora.com

xo

green beauty: Smashbox Mother Earth Palette

a fabulous "green" palette, the Smashbox Mother Earth Palette houses four certified-organic eyeshadows and a blush inside a compact and sleeve made from sustainable materials (when you're done with it, be sure to recycle it!). as with all Smashbox products, the formulas in this palette are paraben and fragrance free.

the peach-tone blush can be used to give your cheeks a natural-looking flush or used as a highlight to a darker shade; be creative with the shadows-- blend them together, wear them alone-- and have fun being gorgeously green! all of the colors are great and wear fabulously.

you'll also be happy to know that with each purchase, a tree will be planted by Trees for the Future, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating sustainable environments through forestation throughout the world.

find Smashbox Mother Earth Palette at sephora.com

xo

my favorite drugstore beauty buys 4.17.09

happy friday all! how are things? i was going to film a trip to the drugstore, but i didn't get to it this week-- hopefully next week...

in any case, i've got some fun "green" goodies to share this week...enjoy!



Burt's Bees Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil
this new balm is fabulous because unlike the minty stuff Burt's usually makes, this is sweet. in addition, it smells good and leaves my lips feeling buttery smooth. love that!




Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara uses rice proteins to thicken lashes-- and bonus, the tube is completely recyclable! i can't find this for sale online, but you can find it at a drugstore near you.



Avalon Organics Perfecting Facial Toner with CoQ10 is formulated for all skin types, and really helps keep my oily skin balanced. it contains organic lavender, white tea and arnica-- these ingredients fight against bacteria, hydrate, restore and balance skin-- leaving my skin feeling clean without over-drying.


do you have any favorite "green" beauty goodies? share them with us in the comments!

hope you have a great weekend!

xo

green beauty: Samy Esencia

Samy is making it easier to be green on a budget with his new line of eco-friendly, natural products. check out this new line form Samy called e-sen-cia. the entire line is comprised of 100% vegan, natural and organic shampoos, conditioners and styling products designed to indulge your tresses and senses.

i have yet to try these myself, but i have and still do use Samy products and love them! if these work just as well as the ones i've tried, it would be a great incentive to switch to the more eco-friendly version, don't you think?

here are the details...





shampoo:

White Lotus Hydrating Shampoo with Barley and Nettle
gently cleanses while barley and nettle infuse moisture into each strand, making hair soft, silky and manageable. hydrating botanical extracts smooth and calm frizz.

Mandarin Citrus Volumizing Shampoo with Horsetail and Wheat
gently cleanses while horsetail extracts strengthen and thicken fine hair; wheat proteins infuse weightless texture for extra body, fullness and bounce.


condition:

White Lotus Hydrating Conditioner with Barley and Nettle
barley and nettle gently moisturize and replenish hair by smoothing and sealing the cuticle, producing brilliant shine and a high gloss finish.

Mandarin Citrus Volumizing Conditioner with Horsetail and Wheat
horsetail extracts strengthen and protect fine, fragile hair from damage by increasing elasticity while wheat proteins provide weightless volume and body.

Coconut Conditioning Treatment with Shea and Sweet Almond
the ultimate intense conditioning treatment that works instantly on the hair and scalp; shea butter nourishes and moisturizes while sweet almond oils strengthen and smooth leaving locks silky and shiny.




style:

Rosemary Natural Hairspray with Flax Seed and Jojoba
a hairspray that creates flexibility without stiffness, for all hair types; features breakthrough technology with pine resin and flax seed for lasting hold, jojoba for healing and moisturizing, and rosemary extract for workable hold and high shine.

Pomegranate Styling Mousse with M­­arshmallow and Yarrow
a non-aerosol foaming mousse, formulated with pomegranate fruit extract containing several highly antioxidant properties, marshmallow for conditioning, and yarrow for volume; protects hair and transform lifeless locks while strengthening and increasing elasticity.

Vanilla Styling Creme with Macadamia and Sunflower
macadamia nut and sunflower seed oils nourish and moisturize hair and provide style, control and texture; ideal for dry and damaged hair.

Sandalwood Liquid Pomade with Aloe and Avocado
medium to strong hold pomade formulated with aloe to moisturize the hair and scalp and avocado to condition and shine for a flake-free finish.


don't these sound delish? i am so excited to try these. you can find them now at your local Walgreens and Rite Aid stores. and be sure to visit e-sen-cia.com for even more detailed info about each product, right down to the percentage of natural ingredients used.

xo

green beauty: Sustainable Youth Revitalizing Serum

when it comes to skincare products, serums are great because they are more concentrated and really get into skin's deeper layers. my new favorite? Sustainable Youth Revitalizing Serum. this weightless facial treatment contains an immune-stimulating, patent-pending blend called Alasta that absorbs quickly and has really made my skin look amazing.

this serum gave my skin a fabulous vibrancy that even i was surprised to see. as you know, i test out many products, and i've been pretty happy with the way my skin was looking, but after using this for the last four weeks, this has proven that there's always room for improvement- ha!

Sustainable Youth Revitalizing Serum also helps improve skin's elasticity and firmness for the appearance of younger-looking skin-- something i don't mind, since i'm not getting any younger (LOL). in addition, this serum is green and made with:

* organic active ingredients,
* ingredients that are organic, natural and green
* no petrochemicals or parabens
* all natural and organic essential oils
* no genetically modified ingredients
* no animal derived ingredients or animal testing
* packaging made and manufactured using sustainable materials and practices

this green product is oh-so good! visit sustainableyouthproducts.com for more info.

xo

green beauty: Josie Maran Argan Oil

an incredible skincare miracle known for being one of the richest natural sources of vitamin E with 80% essential fatty acids, argan oil has been a beauty secret of moroccan women for centuries. it can be dually used on skin and in hair for its high level of antioxidants and ability to replenish hair and skin's natural moisture.

Josie Maran's Argan Oil is a moisturizing and uber-fabulous multi-tasking product that can actually be used on everything from hair to skin to nails, and i love it! with only a few drops this oil treats my cuticles, the thirsty ends of my hair, and my dry post-winter skin. i haven't tried it on my face, but i have read that it works beautifully on all skin types.


find Josie Maran Argan Oil at sephora.com

xo