Glowology

Think of it as a summer school subject, for those who spent their hours in biology dreaming about vacation. Glowology is kind of like a science. The science of looking beautiful, revealing great skin and keeping up with Eco-Friendly status.

The only supplies needed are amazing products and skin that is seeking out nurture! Everyone gets and A+

After sampling a few goodies, it is clear that The Balm is a new staple in my life.

My knees will never quit thanking me. The Balm is enriched with organic Shea Butter and other lovely ingredients such as Lemon and Orange, Sunflower Oil, Salicylic Acid to soften rough areas and Bilberry - a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that helps ward off pre-mature aging. Applying is over night to feet is the perfect in-between pedicure treatment. I like applying it to my knees after the shower.

Glowology's Heavenly Honey Wash and Sugar Mama Scrub compliment each other as well. 

The wash is formulated to gently clean sensitive skin and the Scrub somehow magically exfoliates sans the feeling of sand paper that seems to be the status-quo these days.

Basically, all you need to do to pass this class is Mama Scrub you legs, shave, Balm up your knees and head to the nearest beach!

Glowology can be found at www.Glowologyskincare.com

MyChelle

MyChelle Dermaceuticals is a combination of founder Myra Michelle Eby's name (pronounced "My Shell"). What it is not, is a combination of harmful chemicals or parabens. In fact MyChelle products are all 100% natural, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free!

I jumped at the chance to try three NEW products from her line. And all of them are three products you always here me raving about! Serums, Mists, and Eye care, Oh My!

Pumpkin Hydrating Mist - You know I love a good mist when I travel. The Pumpkin Hydrating Mist has a light pumpkin scent that is just enough. No worries. You will not go around smelling like thanksgiving dinner. It can be applied over makeup as well - this is why I like it for traveling on the driest bird in the sky.
With pumpkin juice and poppy extract leading the list of bio-available ingredients, it is no surprise that this mist provided the moisture my skin was needing on the plane, and through out the days since I started using it.

G2 Instant Firming Serum - Collagen boosting. I'm sold. But wait! This serum with a military sounding moniker is so much more. Goji berry fruit aids in instant firming and is combined with Argireline (safe muscle relaxer) and pomegranate to help inflamation. With long term use, this army of ingredients battle fine lines and wrinkles from future invasion.

Magnolia Fresh Eyes - Some of my favorite eye creams have done me wrong. Like getting in my eye and turning it red and itchy. Not Magnolia. Non-toxic Daisy Flower and Green Coffee work together to ward of puffiness and black circles safely!

MyChelle Dermaceuticals can be found at your nearest Whole Foods. For more information visit www.mychelle.com

Summer

Eminence handmade organic skin care has been around for a while. There Summer Lovin' collection however, is new. Their products are all environmentally responsible and hand made in Hungary. I tried the following three from the new line:
Hibiscus Calendula Recovery Masque - This mask is meant to calm and soothe tired and dry skin. Ingredients such as Hibiscus and Calendula provide the healing power. It's a must have for a weekend beach retreat. That is exactly where I tested it out. After all that salt water gets all up in your business drying out your skin, this comes in handy. Hydration and healthy feeling skin were indeed present, but it was the light scent and airy texture are what impressed me the most.

Aloe Mint Hydrating Cream Gel for face - When you hear of a product for the face with the word "Gel" in it, then it's bound to be a winner. Once again the whipped airy texutre was beyond refreshing. I applied it to my face after many hours lounging in the sand. It absorbed evenly without leaving any grease behind.

Tropical Vanilla Sun Cream SPF 32 - I blocked out those nasty UV-U-Know-What's, with the Vanailla cream and received several compliments on how great I smelled in the process! If I didn't know any better, I'd almost think these products were creamy fat free dips, with how great they look and smell! For more information on Eminence visit www.eminenceorganics.com

Hangover not included

There are times when I call in the troops to help me review a product. By troops, I mean two friends of different heritage (a sweet African and vivacious Italian). Both have curly hair that is hard to manage, I have very course hair (not dry) that needs extra attention sometimes, although it is straight.

The product - Curls Organic hair care for multi-ethnic women and girls. Curls brings you to the flirty moments of happy hour with the scent of each product, right down to the design. And flirting became easy for our United Nations of Coiffures once we felt our healthy hair parading around town. Cocktails for your hair!

Curls is created with certified organic ingredients and exotic oils that are hand pressed in Bali - and contain an exclusive blend of natural oils, and other yummy ingredients that your follicles will be drunkenly blissful over: aloe leaf juice, panthenol, mango, shea and murmur butter.

What's a cocktail with out a shot? Curls has a new patent pending ingredient that is a derivative of the lipids found on the hairs surface - that protects from environmental stress.



Curls offers Shampoo, conditioner, moisturizers, and styling products.


We tried the Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream and the Curl Ecstasy Conditioner. The girls with the curls in their hair loved both products and both commented separately that they had a little more body then usual with out using any extra products. The highlight was the Curl Ecstasy conditioner - that gave the right amount of nourishment to their tresses with out weighing it down.

After comparing notes, I stated the same thing! I usually only use conditioner once a week since I find it to be a little heavy. My hair was not weighed down either and I was able to style it with my usual regimin. I also loved the Cleansing Cream but it was the Curl Ecstacy that I'll be buying the next round for.

Curls can be found in salons or you can visit www.curls.biz to purchase as well.

a piece of pai

In our modern days of endless allergies - to what used to be normal food and product intake, our skin suffers in the aftermath. I've been one to gear towards sensitive detergents and facial moisturizers for this very reason. Pai Skin Care has the same frame of mind. Recently I was fortunate to have used their Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream.

Soothing chamomile and healing rosehip were absorbed into my skin leaving it soft (no grease) and still felt clean for the remainder of the day. Pai list's ALL their ingredients for their products and this one included: Purified water, chamomile water*, apricot kernel oil*, corn-based emulsifier, jojoba oil*, rosehip oil*, thistle oil*, shea butter*, vegetable-based glycerine, vitamin e, vitamin a, chamomile extract*, rosehip seed extract, manuka oil*, rosemary antioxidant*, lavender*, neroli*, rose geranium*

Pai products are certified organic and do not contain nasty parabens, mineral oils, sulfates..... you know all the icky stuff that gets into our blood stream via the grand enterance of our skin. You can reserve entrance to through your skin for VIP guests, and Pai Skincare will definitely get passed the red rope.

Knowing each product is hand mixed is a plus and Pai products are so fresh that they have a sell by date just like food, that was my favorite part to be honest, not to mention how the bottles are the perfect size for traveling ala Ziploc bag.

Currently, I'm not sure if these lovely UK products are sold in the states, however you can purchase Pai products online by visiting www.paiskincare.com.

Norma Kamali traveled into my suitcase

From winning countless awards...ahem...the CFDA being one of them, to her innovative Wellness Cafe OMO in NYC, Norma Kamali stands her ground in design. Her talents, along with her Spanish and Lebanese ancestry led Norma to create a line of Natural and Organic products revolving around Olive Oil.

I was not only fortunate enough to take a recent trip, but was also blessed with one of her travel kits. A seemingly endless supply of treats sent me into a whirlwind of jubilation. Seriously. The one that was most impressive didn't come in topical form. I was caught off guard with the Olive Oil & Honey Seven Day Vitamin Pack...

Texture...very much like a salt water taffy. Taste...very much like just the right amount of oily sweetness one craves with their morning coffee. Too bad my trip is longer then the seven day supply.


Face Cream, Olive massage oil and Only olives soap left my skin clean, smooth and luminescent as I unknowingly prepared my skin for what I can only describe as the universe working in funny ways. The day I tried the aforementioned products, I also accidentally fell asleep in the sun. I rarely burn, but when you are asleep, it's kind of difficult to remember to apply sunblock. But not to worry!!!

The Norma Kamali Deluxe Travel Kit came complete with Olive Calcium Liniment for burns and rashes (Ha! and here I was speculating when I'd actually use it). I put it in the fridge and applied to my pitiful shoulders. In case you're concerned, my olive skin takes 24 hours to morph it into a tan. So no worries there. I'm back to normal with the help of Olive Calcium.
We know that Olive Oil is great for our heart, but in topical form it's almost magical. Olive Oil is unique by allowing skin to breathe unlike synthetic moisturizers. It also goes above other natural oils because its chemical structure is small enough to penetrate pores and hold moisture with out clogging them. Our skin and olive oil both contain squalane, an ingredient that helps feed cells oxygen and reveals fresh skin more quickly!
Norma Kamali offers a variety of products and travel kits containing that magical olive oil, available by visiting www.normakamalicollection.com

Sanskrit isn't just for yoga

Once in a while there's an entire skin care line that greets us with ultimate grace. I'd like to introduce you to Amala. A full skin care line for the face and body.
Aesthetically speaking, Amala's appearance alone, creates a spa-like feeling. In this case beauty is not just skin deep. The spirit of Amala will effect yours as well.

What's it all about?
Amala purifies, rejuvenates, hydrates, and detoxifys. Amala meaning "most pure" in Sanskrit previously only sold over seas, has recently stamped it's passport into the U.S.

"Most pure" ingredients include: Certified organic 100% whole plants and no preservatives or parabens what so ever. They participate in fair trade and do not test on animals.

What's your skin all about after you submerge it in Amala?

A natural state of bliss. And of course I have a favorite. Narrowing down a fav was quite the task. Did I mostly want to rejuvenate or purify...hmm?

The verdict is that the hydrating yogurt mask won my heart. With Jasmine, macadamia nuts and wild rose, the mask promotes cell renewal with a glow attached. I like that you can either do a traditional 10 minute treatment or it can be left in over night as a leave in treatment if you skin has been "through it" recently.

For more information and to purchase Amala visit www.amalabeauty.com
Amala products are also available at Barneys!

For the latest info on what's happening in fashion click here

Hempy Easter!

Being of Greek descent my Easter is this coming Sunday. Some of my family members are going to be delighted with their Easter baskets. After trying out Merry Hempsters products I wanted to share the news with them, you, my clients, and the world. The people at Merry Hempsters must know a thing or two about me. Not only are all their products 100% USDA organic and vegan, the treats such as Hemp Bump & Bruise salve, mirror my lifestyle of minor injuries.....Let's just say sometimes I slip off the yoga mat. Well not any more, thanks to this product.
With the usual lip balm and muscle rubs aside, they also have a product for puppy scrapes. Weather you're trying to ease the pain of a new tatoo or your cat just scratched you, there is a salve for everyone. For more information visit www.merryhempsters.com

Olive that and more

Yet another breakthrough in finding natural products for sensitive skin!

Mount Of Olives Soap, a Michigan based company is responsible for some very down to earth products; price wise and their ingredients as well. Most of Mount of olives soap's products are made with vegan oils, vitamins, extracts, herbs, and pure essential oils. None of their products contain rendered animal fats (tallow, lard, suet, etc.). The do use beeswax, honey, and lanolin. They don’t use any petroleum by-products like mineral oil or petroleum jelly, either.

What I've been searching for was a good toner. And boy did they deliver. My skin gets bright red and sometimes itchy with most toners. But with Mount of olives soaps face toners, I had great results and it will now become a staple in my Kaboodle.

The most impressive product for me, had to be the Glory shampoo and conditioner. With Coconut oil listed as one of the main ingredients it frightened me a bit (i'm not into oil on the hair and face). Much to my surprise it did not weigh down my hair at all and I was able to style it as usual with out any set backs (gals I know u know what I'm talking about when new products come into play).
A couple of my other favorites were the oil tree body cream and carrot vitamin soap. You can purchase all the natural and lovely items and learn more about Mout of olives soap at
www.mountofolivessoap.com

This makes sense

Gina, at Veda Sun has a few things to say about our senses:

Use your senses to awaken your spirit.

Your senses perceptions are a pathway to the NOW.

Your senses help you connect to your body’s healing powers.

In other words, it's not only what we put in/on our bodies, it is how it makes us feel as well. When we feel good from with in, it radiates through our skin! What better way to feel great from within then Veda Sun products and their blissful aroma? The senses begin with the eyes, as the products come in a visually pleasing package.

The rose mud had to be my favorite. With a subtle scent and simple ingredients of: Maris limus (dead sea mud) & rosa damascena distillate water, my at home facial proved rewarding. The face serum and mango face exfoliator are tied at second. For more information visit www.VedaSun.com

Master Of my eyes

Rye. Rice. Spirulina. My grocery shopping list? Not so much my friends. Every once in a while I think I have a favorite product. Then it's just like Big Papi himself knocks it out of the park and in enters a new one. "New one" being John Master Organics firming eye gel. The above mentioned ingredients are just a few of the key ingredients that make this product the "it girl" of my medicine cabinet. It hydrates, firms, and protects against environmental damage and is made with certified organic ingredients. It's also not too heavy so you can use through out the day. I was elated to have it with me during my last flight. When I arrived at my destination my eyes were bright with no puff. For more info on John Masters Organics click here.

Yum on the run

I just received some samples of Cheff Roberts fruit leathers. Sometimes if I know I can't get a meal for a few hours I like to take a snack with me. The best part about Cheff Roberts fruit is that they are tiny enough to fit in your purse and they pack all the nutrients you need from a whole fruit. They get an A++ in my book.

The leathers come in six flavors that are either banana based or mango based. I've tried them all and they are ALL delicious. My favorite being the mango.

Chef Roberts uses organic and non-organic fruit purees, organic fruit flavors, organic spices and semi-sweet chocolate (evaporated cane juice, chocolate liquor and non-dairy cocoa butter). Certified Vegan and Kosher.

For more info visit Chef Roberts.com

My new favorite Yoga Pants

The lovely ladies of Beckons Organic were nice enough to let me try out their Strength Cami and Strength pant.

I've been wearing my happy organic outfit to yoga and around town doing my errands. They are shaped in a way that not only are they comfortable to practice asanas in and walk around, but they are also void of that - I just finished doing yoga and I didn't have time to change- look. I threw over a sweater and hopped into ballet flats, voila! Right after my class I was running to the post office.

I especially loved that I didn't have to hem them as I usually have to do with yoga pants.

Everything is 100% organic cotton. They also have a little black dress available to boot!

For more info visit www.beckonsorganic.com

Curb

Curb, a company based in the UK, is the first and only agency in the world to offer advertising using solely natural earth elements.

They provide eco-advertising services and have a green team of creative experts to execute projects.

Curb is able to promote brands with amazing natural solutions that directly hit their target market but with no impact on the environment!

Curb has worked with numerous well known companies and have assisted in advertising, product launches, national campaigns, you name it! Adidas photos above are from their site and they are my favorite. One thing I would like to add (of course my opinion is present in this post) for those folks thinking that some companies are not trying, this is a good example of how a company such as Adidas may not have completely gone organic in their products but they are seeking alternate ways for advertising and that is a great beginning. This bears repeating DON'T DO NOTHING JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T DO EVERYTHING These companies are great role models for doing the best they can at this time in their eco journey.

Another adorable farm Blog. Click on the photo.......

Certified Organic

Spotted:
A certified organic sticker parade. Each region has their own. And each country has their own specific guidelines. Be on the look out for these babies when traveling.

And Did you know?
In some countries, organic standards are formulated and overseen by the government. The U.S.A, the E.U and Japan have comprehensive organic legislation, and the term "organic" may be used only by certified producers.
Being able to put the word "organic" on a food product is a valuable marketing advantage in today's consumer market. Certification is intended to protect consumers from misuse of the term, and make buying organics easy. However, the organic labeling made possible by certification itself usually requires explanation. In countries without organic laws, government guidelines may or may not exist, while certification is handled by non-profit organizations and private companies.














































I've become accustomed to seeing this one in Greece. It looks the same but usually reads Bio Hellas.