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Green-eyed Girl: Perfectly Green Skin Care
By Tess Kurzeja

When it comes to glowing by day and night, keep makeup light and fresh with a thin layer of tinted moisturizer and foundation followed by a hit of Afterglow’s Organic Glow Bronzer ($18 at afterglowcosmetics.com). This loose bronzer lends a unique summer “glow” that enhances skin tone without the orange hue that other bronzers are known for. 

 

Eco Zen Boutique, a socially conscious, green fashion boutique announced the opening of its new online store at ecozenboutique.com. The eco-friendly shopping site offers eco chic clothing, organic cosmetics, recycled handbags, earth friendly jewelry and green gifts and goodies at competitive prices. In addition, Eco Zen Boutique is offsetting its carbon footprint through Carbonfund.org, one of the country’s leading carbon offset organizations.

Eco Zen Boutique focuses on balancing style and sustainability by handpicking each product line according to the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship. All products at ecozenboutique.com are organic, fair trade, recycled, reclaimed or otherwise sustainable providing a simplified shopping experience for a growing segment of fashion- and eco-conscious consumers.

“You don’t have to sacrifice style to make a difference. It takes each of us doing just a little more to make a big change collectively. If you have a choice, why not buy the product that causes the least harm to the environment, to the people who made it and to your own body?” said boutique owner Tandy Stepp. “It’s easy going green if you start small. The next time you need to replace your mascara, mineral foundation, eye shadow or lipstick, try one of our organic, paraben-free, non animal tested products by Afterglow Cosmetics. The flattering color palette is not only beautiful but does not contain harmful ingredients like most off the shelf make-up does today.”

 

It is said that the average woman ingests up to four pounds of lipstick or gloss in a lifetime. According to the Environmental Working Group, a partner of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, one-third of personal care products contain at least one chemical linked to cancer. With that in mind, I decided to begin looking for some safe alternatives, and I found a GREAT one with Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics’ Organic Love Lipsticks.

Depending on the shade, these lipsticks are made with approximately 70% to 82% certified organic ingredients. Some of the key ingredients include organic jojoba seed oil, Vitamin E, organic pomegranate seed extract, organic grape seed extract, and organic apricot kernel. The rest of the ingredients are iron oxides and micas, (for pigment) and titanium oxide (for opacity), which are all pharmaceutical grade inert minerals. Organic Love is free from petroleum, gluten, paraben, nuts and the entire line of cosmetics is cruelty and gluten free. These gals over there are on the ball!

Aside from all those benefits, the lipstick itself goes on light and smooth, not heavy and waxy. Your lips will feel fabulous, as though the nutrients were going to work to moisturize and condition instantaneously. For real!

I highly recommend this product, so go to their site, drop $22 bucks and eat all the lipstick you want.

Note: Visit the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics site, which has a ton of information about all beauty products and their ingredients. You will find it invaluable.

Posted by Kristine Livadas @ I Dream Of Greenie

Afterglow Cosmetics is the brainchild of safe cosmetics advocate, Kristin Adams, who says, “Many organic and natural cosmetics still include paraben preservatives, which are known to play a role in the development of breast cancers. We believe women deserve to use amazing cosmetics without risking their health.”As a luxury mineral makeup line, Afterglow Cosmetics is rated the top makeup line for safety by the Environmental Working Group. Afterglow Cosmetics contain no parabens, petroleum derived ingredients or synthetic dyes. “The product is comprised of pure inert minerals which allow us to keep them preservative free,” says

Adams, which also makes it perfect for those with sensitive skin or those allergic to other makeup lines. Additionally, the minerals serve as a natural sunscreen, blocking both UVA and UVB rays.

But what really sets Afterglow Cosmetics apart from other natural makeup lines is their color selection. Afterglow kicks it up a notch by offering a vibrant color palette in 21 intensely pigmented eye shadow shades. Having sensitive skin herself and tired of wearing “crunchy” colors like taupe,

Adams decided to launch her own full-line of natural mineral makeup. From delicate daytime iridescent pastels like “purr” to exotic shades like “detour” that can take you straight to the club, all have amazing staying power and a sexy shimmer thanks to ingredients that are naturally luminescent.

It’s the season for outdoor fun, but all that time in the sun comes with a scary risk:The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 1 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year alone, thanks to damage from UV rays. But it’s not all bad news. While the choices used to be accept pasty-white skin or turn to chemical laden self-tanners, now you can get a Malibu Barbie tan without dodgy preservatives or harsh synthetic fragrances. Today’s all-natural and organic bronzing products fall into two categories: wash off bronzers that require no commitment and are more like a head-to-toe tinted moisturizer; and skin-darkening self tanning lotions that contain dihydroxyacetone(DHA), a compound derived from sugar that triggers a reaction with the amino acids in your skin and causes it to “tan.” (DHA is the only FDA–approved ingredient in this category.)Either method will get you glowing without the damaging effects of UV rays.

New York- Afterglow Cosmetics -Lexus Hybrid Living, Ideal Bite, Good Magazine, Plenty Magazine, and a growing list of other cool green companies celebrated Earth Day Awareness Month.  “The focus of the event explored sustainable living and business, with an emphasis on the power and importance of “Buycotting” (rather than “Boycotting”) with consumer spending dollars.” Afterglow Cosmetics Founder and CEO Kristin Adams offered complimentary Beauty Mineral Makeup Makeovers at the mini-spa.

The mission of Nurture Nature Foundation (NNF) is to help in resolving what is possibly the most serious challenge the world faces today: the intensifying conflict between the indispensable goals of environmental protection and economic development. The keynote speaker for the evening  shown here is the  acclaimed environmentalist, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Paul Hawken.

 

Now we all know mineral makeup is uber big this year, but when people think of minerals they tend to think of foundation, yet there’s so much more than that available. Using mineral eyeshadow can be less irritating to the sensitive eye area, and the loose powder formulation creates a really gentle wash of colour. I’ve been testing out mineral eyeshadows, £16 from AfterGlow and really love the consistency on my skin. The product is certified organic the Environmental Working Group and is really gentle on my eyes. I wear contact lenses and there’s no discomfort with this product at all. The eyeshadows are bismuth oxychloride free, talc-free, chemical-free and dye-free, and come in an amazing selection of colours.

Organic Lip Love Lipsticks

In a lifetime, an average woman is said to ingest up to four pounds of lipstick or lip gloss. So why not use healthy, organic ingredients?

Organic Lip Loves – available in 15 shades - use organic oils to moisturize, condition and protect your lips and organic extracts and vitamins to nourish your lips as it soothes and repairs. Your lips will love the feel of Vitamin E – one of the most powerful antioxidants, without the feeling of petroleum. In addition, Organic Lip Loves lipsticks are gluten free, nut free, paraben free and they are all natural. 

Key Ingredients:

Organic Jojoba Seed Oil: a natural carrier of vitamin E, conditions lips, reduces inflammation, prevents flaking, helps nourish and hydrate the lips

Organic Aloe Leaf Gel: used to heal skin abrasions, nourishes and moisturizes the lips, dry skin and sunburn. In addition, Aloe vera contains 18 amino acids as well as Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, and E and sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus and magnesium, as well as traces of magnesium and zinc..

Organic Apricot Kernel: a great moisturizer known for softening, soothing and re-conditioning the skin.

Organic Vitamin E: a powerful antioxidant, moisturizes and conditions lips.

Organic Pomegranate Seed Extract: heals, protects, and moisturizes dry, cracked or irritated skin. Possesses anti-oxidant properties that fight free radicals and skin aging.

Organic Grape Seed Extract: contains high levels of free radical fighting anti-oxidants.

Retail price is $22.00. For more information or to purchase Organic Loves Lips Lipstick, visit www.afterglowcosmetics.com.