I really like Tarte Cosmetics, especially their Cheek Stains, so I am happy to report this company is now listed as Cruelty Free, according to PETA, and many of their products are vegan. This is goode news since I've been making the switch to using mostly organic and/or natural make-up. This is neither cheap nor easy to find at the big department stores. So it's nice to see some companies are actually making the effort.
Following up on the post below I decided to look into the Origins Organics Line. It is a full scale line offering everything from face wash to lip balm, to body moisturizers to hair care. The unique thing about this mass market line is that it proudly boasts the USDA Organic label.
Their motto "You are what your skin eats" is true. The skin is a living organ that absorbs much of what it comes in contact with, so I can't stress how important it is to be fully aware of the ingredients in lotions and such.
I haven't tried the line yet, and am still deciding if I want to. I really like the stuff that I use now, but just for curiosity sake I may buy the cleanser or lip balm just to see how I like it. I hear the smell is very medicinal, which actually doesn't bother me, I have an aversion to that overly flowery scent in other products.
If you are truly interested in it now, here's a blog written by a beauty scientist who gives her take on the Origins Organics line. She didn't seem to like it nor did some of her readers. Here's a blogger who actually liked it.
Whatever your choice may be I am very happy to see organic beaute going mainstream!
Technorati Tags: Origins Organics skincare
Here is a great story I came across in the Wall Street Journal. It's about a small town farmer who was approached by cosmetic giant Estee Lauder to develop an ingredient for a new line of organic beauty products.
When Mark Schuett mentioned to his wife that Estée Lauder Cos. wanted to work with him to develop an ingredient for a new line of beauty products, she took him to the nearest mall -- an hour's drive away in Sioux City -- to prove how important this potential new client was.
"I'd never heard of them before," says Mr. Schuett. "I thought it was spelled 'S.T. Lawder." (click here for the full story)
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From the Splendicity community, comes the most splendid of the week.
Beauty and Fashion Tech has Eight New Year's Resolutions. CelebLOOK asks who looked better: Carrie Underwood or Miley Cyrus? Beauty Secrets Revealed Is Giving Away 2 Wonderful Spa Kits. Viva Woman finds out why glass storage is better for natural skincare products. NY $pender shares her New Year's Resolutions. All That & a wonders about the lengths women go to be skinny. Indie Style File puts the spotlight on designer Ohne Titel. Her Accessories has picked her favorites from 2007 and her not-so-favorites. Shopalicious scores a dress with both casual and party flair, from Brooklyn fave, Bird Boutique. Style...a work in progress makes her style resolutions for the upcoming year as she ponders the words of Benjamin Franklin, “How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them”. Temptalia shares a tutorial to get cat eyes using liquid liner, plus the easy neutral eye. Petite Fashionista tells us how to mix the high and low. Shoe Blitz says, Feeling Blue? Try these Emilio Pucci Peep-Toe Pumps. Have a splendid week!
Did you know the skin absorbs more chlorine from a ten minute shower than from drinking eight glasses of chlorinated water!
Chlorine is bad, bad, bad!!!!
Thank the gods for shower filters --and there are some really goode ones out on the market. If I had to endorse one it would probably be the Aquasana Shower Filter. Shower with one and tell me if you don't notice the difference in softer hair and skin, plus the sheer fact of knowing you are not absorbing synthetic chemicals, THMs, and VOCs.
I have noticed that the Aquasana is exactly like the one Beverly Hills hairstylist Jonathan Antin sells on QVC. So who came first? My research shows me Aquasana came first and it's cheaper than Jonathan's. But I know people are quick to buy celebrity endorsed products, which is why Antin's does so well (I'm going to guess Antin probably licenses his name to the Aquasana product, so basically you're paying more money just for his name)
Jonathan Antin's shower filter, is actually called Jonathan Product Beauty Water(tm) Shower Purification System. As a hairstylist he used to require his celebrity clients to shower using spring water the night before a big photo shoot. This inspired him to create a system that gave you purified water everyday, besides think of all the plastic water bottles you would have to go through for a shower (what a waste)! If you want to hear his full spiel catch him sometime on QVC.
Even if you don't use the filter system at least his hair care products are vegan and sulfate free and that's always a goode thing!
Technorati Tags: aquasana shower filter Jonathan Antin chlorine beauty water
I typically don't like men who refer to themselves as natural and organic, that usually translates into haven't showered in days! But alas there is a beauty site out there trying to change this perception!
More often than not, organic beauty sites target women, actually beauty sites in general cater to women and forget about men, but someone has come up with a site for men and men only! It's called Male Organics and they are your one stop shop for all your male grooming needs.
While perusing the UK based site I see they have a goode selection of items from reputable brands and it's organized quite well. The one category "Little Horrors" perplexed me until I saw it's for the little guys (how cute). Ladies now you can stop shopping for your man and tell him to go to Male Organics for his own soap and shampoo, and while you're at it introduce him to the wonders of hair conditioner. I am shocked at how many men don't use it! I know guys that wash their hair with the same bar of deodorant soap they use on their bodies. If you have such a guy (or are such a guy) then please click on their grooming tips too.
Now when we say our man is au naturale that doesn't mean stinky!
Technorati Tags: male organics grooming men
How cute is this, Co-founder Burt Shavitz of Burt's Bee, the natural skin care line (and very Bee-friendly) is setting up a campaign to help its friends the Bees! We have been hearing for sometime now about the disappearnce of bees called Colony Collaspe Disorder, and its affect on our honey bees!
Burt's Bees will partner with the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign to raise awareness through PSAs tying in with the new "BEE MOVIE" and online efforts. The PSAs will highlight that every third bite of food we eat depends on bees for pollination. It is important for us to support our local organic farmer, plant a seed, and make a healthy place for bees to live. You can do this by visiting Burt's Bees to sign up to receive a packet of seeds to grow bee-friendly flowers!
Burt's Bees already attains their beeswax and honey in a completely bee-friendly technique, but the company believes they can do more. One of the many suspected challenges to honeybees is the use of pesticides. Consequently, Burt's Bees does not use pesticides nor support their use. The source of beeswax for our products is wild bees that are not exposed to pesticides as they pollinate wildflowers [CSRWire]
I really like Burt's Bees products, I swear by their apricot baby oil and and lemon butter cuticle creme, so I will definitely bee doing my part to help our friends!
Technorati Tags Burt's Bees bees skincare Burt Shavitz
Perfume is one of the last bastions to turn over a leaf to green, and I mean that literally as well as metaphorically (I understand that it's hard to make organic perfume that doesn't smell like wet dirt, but some are working on it, anyways....); there seems to be one Perfumer who is at least trying to do something!
Bond No. 9 is accepting all perfume bottles, yes I mean all - their brand bottles and others - to be recycled. Bring the bottles to any Bond store or Saks Fifth Avenue store and they'll recycle the bottle for you and give you a refillable pocket spray for being so responsible! [Elle]
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To enter today's contest:
*Visit 3 Splendid Member blogs, post a comment on their latest post that is not a contest post. Read the post, and make it a real comment about the post. You can also view the Splendicity member list right at the homepage: Splendicity.com . *Go back to Splendicity.com and report the Splendid Member blogs that you commented on in today’s Splendicity blog contest post. All readers that complete the process are entered into the drawing to win today's prize. 
Today's prize: Alterna's TEN Shampoo and TEN Hair Masque, with a value of $115. Alterna brings you The Science of Ten™, the perfect fusion of ten key elements from around the globe to transform any hair from ordinary to extraordinary. Inspired by Enzymetherapy® ~ The Science of Skincare for Hair™, Ten sets new standards in the field of advanced formulation and product performance. Ten Hair Masque, a concentrated treatment, penetrates quickly to renew and repair all hair types of unprecedented results. Infused with African Cacao Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Caviar Age-Control complex™, Photozyme Complex™ with Color Hold™, White Truffle Oil, Champagne Grape Seed Oil, Bulgarian Evening Primrose, Arabian Frankincense, Moroccan Quillaia Bark and Arnica Flower, Ten fulfills Alterna's commitment to create products that deliver results and not promises.
Thank you to Alterna for sponsoring today's contest. Alterna products can be purchased online through beauty.com and blissworld.com.
Technorati Tags: Alterna Haircare Splendicity
To enter today's contest:
*Guess the Celeb: Post your answer in the comments section of today's Splendicity contest post. *All commenters to answer correctly, with the full first and last name of the celebrity in the picture below, will be entered into a drawing to win!
Please read the contest rules before entering. Thank You! 
The prize for winning today's splendid contest: A splendid set of Skin Care products from Renee Rouleau, worth $121.50. 
The set includes: Calming Chamomile Cleanser - This lightweight cleansing lotion is formulated with calming Chamomile and Vitamins A and E to soothe skin while gently cleansing the skin. Bioflavanoid Toner - This mild astringent toner controls sensitive complexions plagued by red, spider-like veins while leaving skin feeling calm and refreshed. Toning Cloths - The must-have toner companion to make sure the toner stays on the skin and not on the pad. Anti-Cyst Treatment - This serum specifically formulated with Lactic Acid, combined with a special carrier molecule that gets absorbed deep into the skin that works to break up and disperse the acne lump itself. Sheer Moisture - An ultra lightweight and greaseless cream that contains balancing ingredients to normalize combination skin, while providing the skin with age-fighting, stabilized antioxidants.
Thank you so much to Renee Rouleau for sponsoring today's contest. To learn more about Renee Rouleau or to purchase her skin care products, visit ReneeRouleau.com
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