HIGH GLOSS

I was in middle school when I got my first lipstick. It was Black Honey by Clinique and technically wasn’t a lipstick, it was an “Almost Lipstick.” It was a deep dark shade in the tube but glossy and sheer upon application. In the years since, I have worn my fair share of lipsticks, from matte red shades from MAC to petal pinks from Stila, but I have always loved a sheer glossy look. My favorite was Asher by the now defunct Delux Beauty, and once I found it was impossible to track down I decided it was time to look for an eco-alternative.

I love that Labello has gone Stateside under their Nivea label and I hoard their paraben-free cherry colored lip balm. It is serious hydration, great color and reminds me of the days when I was little and would pretend Cherry Chapstick was lipstick.

For a more traditional gloss, I really like
Bare Escentuals 100% Natural Lip Gloss.
First off, the “worst offenders” are nowhere to be seen: zero parabens, petro-chemicals, phalates, sulfates, or synthetic fragrance. On average we ingest about four pounds of lipstick in a lifetime. The less chemicals the better, don’t you think?

With a lip brush tip instead of the usual fuzzy applicator the gloss goes on smoothly and it’s super moisturizing with its mix of oils and Cupuacu Butter. I love the neutral Rose shade which looks deceptively dark in the tube but is a subtle barely there pink with a slight shimmer when applied. It’s fabulous for day or night. With over a dozen shades in the collection, I think I’ll be heading back for a few more. xo a.

HAPPY EARTH DAY

Organic products are just so much more environmentally friendly. Like driving a hybrid (I do!) and conserving energy (turn off those lights, computers and plug-in vibrators!), companies that pay considerable attention to the environment while still making beauty products that consumer's can enjoy, are companies worth celebrating!

So, today, on Earth Day, lets take a moment to reflect on some of our favorite eco-friendly products!


Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick with Eco-Harvest Tea Tree Oil: A blemish touch stick for those retchid lil pimples... All natural tea tree oil, rosemary, lavender and thyme help to make this product a must-have zit zapper! Can be applied to blemish up to 6 times a day. With it's roll on applicator, it makes it easy to use on the go. I LOVE this product... I take it with me everywhere!


Soy candle - White Flower Lei: Handmade soy candles with fragrances meant to destress and aid in meditation. The candles are vegan, kosher and organic! The wax can also be used as a perfume is applied directly to pulse points! This candle is so yummy!


bareMinerals 2-piece Powder Foundation & Brush w/SPF 15: A cult favorite, Bare Minerals loose powder foundation does not contain additives, binders, preservatives, or fragrances. It is literally made of crushed minerals. And it helps to control shine and fight acne, all the while giving your skin a flawless glow. My sister is OBSESSED with this product as I'm sure many of you are too!


The Body Shop's Satsuma Shimmer Lip Balm: This lip gloss combines shimmer with a burst of color to create the perfect pout. It uses organic beeswax, more specifically, Community Trade beeswax from Zambia. What does this mean to YOU? Well, as the Body Shop puts it, "Community Trade Information Beeswax is a Community Trade ingredient from the remote tropical forests of North West Zambia, where the extra income helps more than 3,000 beekeepers preserve their traditional way of life." In other words, sustainable beauty! Giving back... we heart the body shop!


Smooth Synergy Organic Tan: Okay, so I've never ACTUALLY had this done as I am in LA and the spa is in NY, but I received an email about this incredible service... just in time for earth day! If you're in the nyc area, give them a call and tell me what you think!
What they say: "Smooth Synergy’s Organic Sunless Spray Tan offers a unique combination of mineral salt bronzers and the approved cosmetic tanning agent DHA20 to produce a natural looking tan. The UV-less tanning product contains no alcohol, oils, perfumes or potentially harmful chemicals or preservatives. This vegetable-derived product can even be sprayed over makeup. The Smooth Synergy UV-Less Tan lasts 5-7 days depending on your skin type and preparation."

Wow. Organics R Us! Tell beauty banter what organic products you just DIE over!!! Leave a comment or email us at beautybanter@gmail.com

Happy Earth Day!!!

British Vogue Reviewed

Fellow beauty whore, Alexandra, has once again offered her keen beauty insight to review January's British Vogue's spring/ summer make-up must-haves from the mouths of the beauty trend-setters themselves!!!

Alex and her Vogue

"I am without shame something of a magazine whore subscribing to almost two dozen publications. As a writer I explain this away as "research" but only a small portion are literary or political. Sadly they don't smell good and rarely look pretty. Hence the pile of fashion and style tomes spilling across my floor. The grande dame is British Vogue which arrives each month wrapped in black wrap like some secret dossier. The layouts are fantastic, the writing the best I have come across and the beauty always less unexpected than what you find in US mags. The January issue includes top makeup artists sharing products needed to create the spring/summer catwalk looks which were all about a nude face, which as anyone knows is always a tricky one to pull off. Take note....

GUCCI WESTMAN, Creative Director for Lancome (Catwalk shows: Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Peter Som, Rag & Bone)
BareMinerals SPF15 Foundation (left). "My Must have. I use it as a base and apply foundation on top."
Clinique Pore Minimizer "Kate Winslet got me hooked...put a bit on under make-up for a noticeably smoother surface. After foundation, skin really glows."

VAL GARLAND (Catwalk shows: Giorgio Armani, Nicole Farhi)
Shu Umera Flare Eyelashes "The eyelashes of the moment...add fierceness to the season's natural look."
MAC Fan Brush in 184 (right) "It's for applying powder but I use it for cream or powder blush --- this season a pale or barely-there nude is essential."

CHARLOTTE TILBURY, Creative Director Helena Rubenstein (Catwalk shows: DKNY, Zac Posen, Bottega Veneta, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Biba)
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder (left). "Can't live with it - it brightens under eye bags and wakes up dull skin."
MAC Paint in Architecture "This dries matte, giving a lovely fresh contour to the eyes without looking obvious."

Let us know if you agree or disagree with these celebrity make-up artists!!!