Filed under: 1 | Tags: beauty recipes, Clean Body Book, eco-beauty, Jolene Hart, Michael Dejong, organic beauty view, www.organicbeautyview.com, Zen Cleansing
As a beauty writer, I move at a rapid-fire pace from one new product to the next, testing everything that comes my way. My bathroom cabinet is usually a dizzying array of jars, tubs and spray bottles (though I’m not complaining.) But when I heard about Michael DeJong’s new book Clean Body, I was intrigued by the concept. Take five edible, eco-friendly ingredients: lemon, salt, olive oil, baking soda and white vinegar, and substitute them for all of the shampoos, conditioners, body washes, shave creams, facial cleansers, soaps and scrubs that line our showers. Clean Body catalogues dozens of recipes, covering cleansing needs from the top of your head (olive oil deep conditioner) to the tip of your toes (salt and vinegar foot tonic). The result? Reduced waste, fewer beauty expenses and a simplified cleansing experience that author Michael DeJong calls ‘zen cleansing.’ For anyone suffering allergies, product overload or just plain disappointed by the ingredients in their personal care products, Clean Body is a great reference. And even if you’re not about to surrender your must-have shampoo, Clean Body will get you thinking creatively about natural beauty and maybe even come in handy next time you run out of a product. For me, the minimalist beauty recipes in Clean Body are therapeutic. And I wouldn’t be surprised if this natural, green, back-to-basics movement starts getting noticed in the beauty industry! Writer :: Jolene Hart
Filed under: 1 | Tags: eco-friendly hair care, futurenatural, natural conditioner, natural hair care, natural hair products, natural shampoo, organic beauty products, organic beauty view, organic hair care, Rare El'ements, Rare Elements hair care, www.futurenatural.com
I most often think of anti-aging products as related to skincare and I’m fastidious about taking care of my skin, but how many of us remember that hair suffers from the same aging process – and hands up who treats their hair as well as their face? C’mon, be honest! Having recently tried Rare El’ements and experiencing glossy, healthy, strong, shiny hair in place of my usual frizzy, slightly dry, fine locks, I’m a new convert to the world of anti-aging hair care. Rare El’ements set out to revolutionize the mainstream hair care industry by creating products that combine natural luxury with the same performance that salon professionals depend on, and in my opinion, they succeeded. This breakout collection is tailored to replenish and repair the damage caused by everyday styling & chemical services, pampering each hair strand with pure botanicals, moisture drenching rainforest butters, nutrient-rich nut oils and the energy giving aroma of essential oil fragrances. Rare El’ements searched the world for opulent, raw resources that would encourage the hair to mend naturally, offering a fresh and effective perspective on luxury hair care. Using 100% natural & naturally derived ingredients, there are no harmful synthetics, artificial fragrances, parabens, sulphates or other suspected toxins – just revolutionary products that are luxurious, chic, eco-friendly and socially responsible. Writer :: Emma Pezzack – www.futurenatural.com: the best organic beauty products in the world.
Filed under: 1 | Tags: #1 natural sunscreen, futurenatural, natural suncare, natural sunscreen, organic beauty products, organic beauty view, organic suncare, soleo at futurenatural, soleo organics, Soleo Sunscreen, www.futurenatural.com
With Memorial Day signalling the official start to Summer, it’s time to start thinking SPF. If you’re still housing old tubes from last year or god forbid, the year before, now’s the time to throw it out and get yourself a fresh batch. Before you hit the stores for a new stash though, know this… Out of more than a thousand sunscreens analyzed by EWG (Environmental Working Group) for safety & effectiveness, stability in sunlight, broad-spectrum protection against UVB + UVA radiation, and containing few if any ingredients with significant or known health hazards – only a measly 15% measured up. Further, many sunscreen ingredients break down in the sun, in a matter of minutes or hours, then let UV radiation through to the skin. Zinc Oxide & Titanium dioxide are unanimously recognized as being the most effective sunscreens due to their stability in formulations, the fact that they repel both types of radiation, and they don’t allow harmful rays to be absorbed – they reflect the suns rays before they can do any damage. Gone are the days when using a zinc oxide or titanium dioxide based sunscreen meant you resembled Casper the Ghost – not a good look when you’re going for sexy, bronze & gorgeous! New technology allows the mineral particles to be micronized (or pulverized if you will), into tiny pieces that more readily disperse. The barrier against UVA + UVB is still there but the pasty white look isn’t. In case you’re wondering which is the best on the market, Soleo Sunscreen has been declared the #1 sunscreen by Skin Deep. Writer :: Emma Pezzack – www.futurenatural.com: the best organic beauty products in the world.
Filed under: 1 | Tags: healthy deodorant, Jolene Hart, Lavanila, Lavanila's healthy deodorant, natural beauty products, natural deodorant, organic beauty view
I’m sure you’ll agree that the hardest part about making healthy beauty choices is sticking to your guns and letting go of favorite products that have packed your makeup bag for years- in favor of natural products that mark rather uncharted territory. I’ve tried natural products that turn out to be disastrous, but I’ve also found enough natural winners that my old toxic standbys are now a thing of the past. And those new treasures make the hunt worthwhile (and fun if you’re a beauty editor)! Into the disastrous category fall many of the natural deodorants I’ve tried, those with herbal scents like tea tree and patchouli that I can’t seem to stomach after years of baby powder and shower fresh deodorant applications. I guess I’ve trained my nose to have a rather specific standard for ‘fresh.’ And so far few natural brands have met that mark. But I made an exciting discovery this week with Lavanila’s new The Healthy Deodorant that should interest anyone searching for a natural deodorant. Because Lavanila does natural vanilla scents so well, I went into my trial with full confidence in the fragrance. My choice, Vanilla Coconut, was soft, powdery and a pleasure to wear. And to my delight it also dried quickly without the stickiness or build-up that I’m used to. All this from a natural deodorant without aluminum, parabens, propylene glycol, phthalates, triclosan or talc! And while it’s a deodorant, not an anti-perspirant/deodorant duo, I haven’t experienced any noticeable sweating. (more…)
Filed under: 1 | Tags: eco-friendly room freshener, infusion organique, natural room fragrance, natural room freshner, natural room scent, organic beauty products, organic beauty view, organic reed diffuser, organic room scent, scent diffusers, www.futurenatural.com
I’ve always considered scents pour la maison a bit of a waste of money – you spray them around a room, on your linens, on your furniture, et voila… 15mins later you can’t smell a thing! I’ve never really liked the look of them nor thought they were particularly effective, but I was recently sent a sample of the new Buddha’s Fig Scent Diffuser from Infusion Organique and I’m a convert. From the beautiful, robust box the bottle comes in, to the heavy glass bottle with a stopper that reminds me of something from an old apothecary, to the gorgeously conceived graphics that will work in most interiors, and the fragrances themselves… Infusion Organique is something really special. The passionate brainchild of beauty industry veterans Ron Chavers and Carole Vialars, and brought to visual life under the astute art direction of Carole’s sister Gladys, the project grew from a collaboration between the three; a cosmetic and fragrance manufacturer, cosmetic chemist and graphic artist, respectively. Made entirely from organic & natural ingredients, the fragrances are based on unique & inspired olfactory memories such as Buddha’s Fig, Indochine or Sands of Morroco. Add one to your environment and be transported! Writer :: Emma Pezzack – www.futurenatural.com: the best organic beauty products in the world.
Filed under: 1 | Tags: eco-friendly scented candles, james boyce scented candles, Jolene Hart, natural scented candles, organic beauty view, voluspa, voluspa candles
In years past I’ve been a fragrant candle devotee in cold weather only, but I’ve just found a reason to keep those wicks burning all summer long. An intriguing new line of gourmand candles from Voluspa, called the James Boyce Collection, is going to be a mainstay in my apartment from now on! Voluspa collaborated with five-star chef James Boyce on this new line, comprised of four odor-removing cuisine-inspired scents to be burned in the kitchen and two very unique wine-scented blends to be burned while cooking or dining as an aromatic accompaniment to the flavors in your meal. These fragrances are far more subtle- and more savory- than a typical floral candle, making them season-less and refreshing. I love Herb Garden, a blend of black chanterelle (mushroom) and cardamom flower, and Chef’s Special, of heirloom tomato, celery and fennel bulb, burned in the kitchen or even outdoors after grilling. But I’m most excited about Vintage, a blend of Brut Champagne, Almonds and Oak, and Sommelier, of Ruby Port, Mission Fig and Star Anise, two candles that treat the palette while dining. They play the role of a wine pairing for your sense of smell- just one more way to savor your meal. All of the candles in this collection are made of a new organic wax extracted from the seeds of apricots. The result is a creamy wax candle that burns for 50 hours. And, to fit my latest ‘repurposing’ efforts, I’ll be holding on to the beautiful wine crate-inspired Palownia wood box that my candle arrived in! Writer :: Jolene Hart
Filed under: 1 | Tags: Aveda, aveda beauty, cradle to cradle, eco-friendly beauty, green beauty, Jolene Hart, Kiehls, Method, natural beauty products, organic beauty view
Aveda’s Smooth Infusion and Dry Remedy shampoos and conditioners aren’t news for you organic beauty lovers who already rely on them for gorgeous, healthy hair. But I thought you’d want to hear just how fabulous these products have proven to be, in an industry that is outwardly striving for the highest standards in its products from start to finish, or ‘cradle to cradle.’ Aveda’s Smooth Infusion, Dry Remedy and Pure-Formance shampoos and conditioners, along with the brand’s Green Science Firming Face Crème, were just awarded a Cradle to Cradle certification by the design firm MBDC. This award recognizes Aveda’s use of environmentally-friendly ingredients, recyclable packaging, renewable energy, efficient use of water and overall social responsibility in every step of production. All products recognized by the Cradle to Cradle award are assessed for both human and environmental impact. Aveda is truly raising standards, as 90% of the essential oils used in the brand’s products are now certified organic, and a ‘soil to the bottle’ documentation program for its ingredients has been implemented. (more…)
Filed under: 1 | Tags: ACORELLE, Acorelle Organic fragrance, eco-friendly perfume, futurenatural, natural fragrance, natural perfume, organic beauty products, organic beauty view, organic perfume, www.futurenatural.com
Going through the day without being enveloped in a beautiful fragrance is as unthinkable as having no music, no coffee and god forbid… no food – that’s how seriously we take our obsession with scent here at OBV. Smell is one of the most powerful of the senses and has the ability to directly impact your mood & emotional wellbeing, stimulating our emotions and awakening our senses. Once in a blue moon, a new brand comes along that blows me away with sophistication, effectiveness, a great price point, fantastic brand philosophy and overall sheer beauty. Acorelle Organic Eau de Parfum is one such line and it’s fast becoming a new addiction. Made by a French fragrance house who know what a fine fragrance is, there isn’t a single note lavender, patchouli or rose among this gorgeous collection. Instead what you’ll find are scents that have depth, flair, unique personality, and that meld into your skin for an olfactory experience that’s simply blissful and beautiful – not to mention good for you & good for the planet. Free of synthetic fixatives and contaminants, they do not build up on the skin but rather form a unique bouquet on the skin that radiates its aroma for hours to create a mingling of scents that is uniquely you. Over 90% certified organic & 100% natural, the only thing left to consider… which one are you? Futurenatural are launching this incredible fragrance with a special offer for this week only: Purchase any of the six scents and receive 20% off plus a free sample set so you can try everything! No code required – the discount will be applied during processing. Writer :: Emma Pezzack – www.futurenatural.com: the best organic beauty products in the world.
Filed under: 1 | Tags: eco-friendly beauty, Jolene Hart, natural beauty products, natural skincare, organic beauty products, organic beauty view, organic skincare, Terralina, terralina skincare
I’d love to be more creative in my reuse of packaging, but I’m just so quick to toss a bottle into the recycling bin and call it a day. I used to be frustrated by the empty jam and olive jars that my roommate would wash, dry and collect, but sure enough they’d find a purpose storing cotton swabs or safety pins or buttons when I least expected it. The lesson here? Sometimes re-using is the best recycling. The founders of Terralina, Gina Garrubbo and Patricia Bazán, definitely fall into that category of creative recyclers. And they may just convert me yet. See, when you purchase a pot of Terralina’s Facial Moisturizer, an immensely-hydrating cream that contains lupine protein to inhibit the breakdown of collagen, you also receive a soy wax tealight candle. The connection? When you’ve used all of your moisturizer, the tealight tucks perfectly into the frosted glass jar and makes a pretty votive. (more…)
Filed under: 1 | Tags: ashley ford, burts bees, burts bees sunscreen, chemical-free sunscreen, natural sunscreen, organic beauty products, organic beauty view, safe sunscreen, www.futurenatural.com
In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to remind ourselves to take the necessary precautions to protect our skin. What exactly does that involve? Most of us already know to stay away from tanning beds and to see a doctor every year for a professional skin exam, but one of the most important things you can do is to wear sunscreen everyday, regardless of whether you’re playing in the sun or working in an office. Sunscreen has received flack in the past for being chemical-laden and full of harmful ingredients like benzophenone, octinoxate, octylmethoxycinnamate, and oxybenzone, but, thankfully, we natural girls have alternative choices that allow us to be safe and protected from UV rays. Burt’s Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen is my go-to beauty product to enjoy all of the benefits of sunscreen, without the harmful chemicals. This sunscreen’s primary ingredient is titanium dioxide, a natural mineral that blocks the sun as soon as you put it on, unlike most sunscreens that need at least 30 minutes to activate. Complete with a fresh, non-sunscreen scent, it’s light enough to wear under make-up without causing breakouts and completely non-greasy. Plus, it isn’t just safe for you but for your whole family – even children can safely be slathered in this formula. Apply a generous amount daily to protect your health and your future. Writer: Ashley Ford – www.futurenatural.com: the best organic beauty products in the world.
