alex's eco-chic summer picks

I’m melting. At least that’s how it’s felt the last few days. And so, with summer in full swing, I've switched up some of my daily hair, skin, and makeup choices to work with the intense heat.

With wavy hair, combination skin, and an inability to leave my house without mascara, it’s all about finding the best products to make me feel put together when I’d rather be in the pool cooling off. And, as always, trying to do it all without parabens, petrochemicals, or synthetics.

Everyone knows by now that my love of green beauty knows no end, but I must say that when it comes to SPF, I don’t care if you go eco or not, just be sure to slather on a sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection. (Lecture over.) Personally, I opt for Burt’s Bees SPF 30 and, if I'm staying in the sun, a hat to offer extra protection.

While I like the idea of facial moisturizers with an SPF in them, I swear by Dr. Hauschka’s Normalizing Day Oil ($42.95), which is SPF-less. So post-Dr. H, I use California Baby’s SPF 30 Stick ($14.99). For a bit of color, I’ll add a few drops of Dr. H’s Translucent Bronze Concentrate ($39.95) as I blend the sunscreen to cheeks, nose, and chin. (You can pick all of this up at Whole Foods, too.)

My tan is of the faux sort, and one of the best ways to extend its life is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Year-round I adore Korres body butters, but I now add Shea Moisture’s Organic Raw Shea Chamomile ArganOil Baby Lotion ($9.99). The lotion, which has the consistency of Vaseline minus the petro chems, melts into the skin.

Most of my makeup favorites are by tarte - their waterproof and longwearing products stand up to 95 degree weather, like multiplEYE mascara ($24), park ave princess bronzer ($29), and Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in tipsy ($25) – which I’ll sometimes mix with dollface cheek stain ($30). I want to try their new clay concealer, but for now I still think Physicians Formula mineral line ($8.95) does the trick. For lips, I love KORRES lip butters ($12) and highly recommend picking up this great set which gives you three for $19. 

 

In this heat, I tend to keep my hair up (OK, I always seem to have my hair up), and so Goody Spin Pins ($6.29) are my go to. I’ll often throw on an elastic headband or pin back my shorter layers with barrettes by France Luxe ($9) - you can pick these up at J. Crew, too - or petite bobby pins from Goody ($2.99). For ponytails, I love the snag-free elastics from Sephora ($3.50), and the matchbook-like case that keeps them organized. If I wear it down, I spray on California Baby detangler ($11.49), and put it in a bun until it’s dry.

I switch purses often, but this summer, I’m never without a set of Spin Pins, Mrs Meyers Baby Blossom Stick ($6.99), a travel-sized tube of Korres Rice Bran mascara ($18), Revlon Superlustrous gloss in Firecracker with SPF 15 ($6.99),* and the limited edition tarte True Blood lip tint ($24). Both the gloss and lip tint can go from everyday to evening depending on how much you apply. The True Blood lip tint is my new favorite for a pop of bright color - and it also works well as a quick bit of cheek color, too. From day to evening, I’m covered!

For now, I’m off to sit outside and work by the pool - I suppose summer isn’t all bad. xo a.

*I know the Revlon isn’t an eco-pick but I am trying to find good SPF lip glosses. The search goes on.

GET SMART: Eco-Beauty with EarthSmart's Kim Carlson

I love sharing my eco-beauty finds and helping people understand why it’s so important to green your beauty routine. But I am definitely not alone in this and continue to be inspired by those who were championing the cause way before me, like Sophie Uliano over at Gorgeously Green and Kim Carlson of EarthSmart Consumer. Kim founded five green companies, has a national radio show “Livin The Green Life” and is NBC’s “EarthSmart Expert.”

At EarthSmartConsumer.com you can learn more about eco-conscious living and, if you like quizzes like I do, take her Green Quiz to find out how green your lifestyle is. And remember, going green doesn't mean sacrificing your sense of style. Kim “has one foot in earth-friendly idealism and the other in style-conscious living. And she’s wearing stiletto heels.” She shared her favorite beauty picks with Beauty Banter for morning and night.

Kim’s morning routine:

- Tom’s of Maine Whole Care Toothpaste
- Kiss My Face bar soap for the shower (because bar soap have little to no packaging)
- Belegenza shampoo and condition (free of parabens and sodium lauryl sulfates)
- Alba Very Emollient Body Lotion
- Makeup by Dr. Hauschka, including eye shadow (containing black tea leaf which is rich in antioxidants and skin soothing), Dr. H’s mascara (with anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory Neem leaf) and Dr. H’s lipstick (with Rose Hip Fruit extract to protect and soothe chapped lips).

Kim’s bedtime ritual:

-Remove makeup with an Aveda Shammy Cloth and water
-Soak in Avalon Organics Lavender Bath & Shower Gel
-Replenish moisture to face and hands with Organic Shea Butter from L’Occitane

Kim believes, “one thing at a time is the best way to green your beauty routine.” And I agree. Same goes for clothing (Kim’s eco-friendly picks include jeans by Karmel & Alden and earth-friendly frocks like the Chitin dress by Linda Loudermilk). What I love about Kim’s philosophy is that she knows that a) change is hard, and b) you don’t have to suffer to look and feel good. With that in mind, her advice is “starting with small changes can make a big difference and impact.” Switch out one or two beauty products with eco-friendly counterparts and you’re on your way! Kim’s new book Green Your Work: Boost Your Bottom Line While Reducing Your Eco-Footprint, is in stores now. And check out her website for great articles and videos as well. I love all the recipes for homemade scrubs and masks. xo alex.

ECO-nomics

It’s ironic that when we talk about green it refers to both ecology and the economy. And since we’re all more aware of where we spend our money these days, greening your beauty routine might seem an expensive proposition. I can’t even begin (or want) to add up the amount of money I’ve spent on beauty products I didn’t like over the years. Fortunately, a few of my favorite eco-brands offer travel sized kits and value sets that make it easy to try something without any financial burden. Here’s to going green while saving some green.

Dr. Hauschka offers Daily Face Care kits for normal and oily skin that are filled with a number of samples to suit your skin including cleansing cream, toners, Normalizing Day Oil (my desert island pick) and their famous Rose and Quince moisturizers. They also offer a Body Care Kit that includes several body washes, lavender bath oil, and both Quince and Rose body creams. The kits are all packaged in reusable tin boxes for about $25.00 (you can pick these up at Whole Foods, too).

The fabulous Greek company Korres has created a boxed set of their best selling products, the Best of Korres, in miniature sizes, including Guava body butter, Basil Lemon and Vanilla Cinnamon shower gels, Evening Primrose eye cream and Wild Rose moisturizer. If eco-makeup is what you’re curious about, Korres Color line has a number of “Value Sets,” like the Color Discovery combo which includes mascara, eye shadow, lip gloss and two eye pencils in a reusable makeup bag (an $82 value for $35). I’ve yet to try their bronzers and think their Bronze and Protect set is the perfect way. You get the SPF 30 tinted moisturizer, bronzing powder and their 99% Natural Primer, $66 of product for just $28. For skincare, try the Regimen Kits for normal or oily complexions. They run about $40 each but include over $75 worth of products.

I have long been addicted to the German brand Weleda’s Skin Food cream for dry skin. I always keep a tiny metal tube of it in my purse (it looks just like the original in Shrinky Dink size). Travel tubes of Skin Food, Almond Cleansing Lotion and other Weleda staples are available for about $2-3 apiece online and in stores like Whole Foods and Target. The Wild Rose skin care range including cleanser, lotion, night cream and toner, can be found in a wonderful trial sized pack for just $15 online. And full sized Wild Rose products are available at the stores above.

Several years ago I decided to try the Dr. Hauschka skin line by purchasing a Daily Face Care Kit. I’d known of Dr. H. because my sister was a devotee of the famous Rose Day Cream. But I wasn’t sure if I would be as thrilled with their other products (even organic products can disagree with some skin). After a week of using the cute little bottles and jars, I went back and bought the products I fell in love with in their full sizes. And now when I travel, I just throw a kit in my bag and go. xo a.