Summer Locks

With the hot summer weather comes humidity, and the reminder that long hair can be a little difficult to deal with during this time. But I love my long hair - and hot weather, for that matter - and I am not about to give it up just so I can keep a little cooler in the summer. Instead, I've been researching different hairstyles that I'll be sure to try in the next few months to keep my hair looking its best. The ones that I'm going for are simple, heat- and product-free, and look polished without requiring a lot of work or skill; though this sounds like a long list, I actually didn't have a problem finding quite a few of these styles already. Between them and these makeup looks, this is bound to be a summer filled with natural beauty - in my book, the best kind there is.

Ponytail secured with a bow* via Young Sophisticates.
Twisted ponytail via Everything Fab

Pinned back bangs* via A Beautiful Mess
Twisted tendrils via Everything Fab

Messy French bun via A Cup Of Jo
Bow bun via Running on Happiness

*These looks involve using a curling iron, but I would skip this step to keep it natural and heat-free.

Natural Glow

I mentioned before how I'm practically clueless when it comes to makeup. Because of this, I very rarely wear it, and even then it's limited to a little bit of blush, maybe some eyeliner, and more often lipgloss. However, these days, I have a strong desire to get better at applying it - I must be growing up, because I also want to wear more dresses, and generally put more thought and effort into my looks. In the last week, I have come across two makeup looks that really stand out to me: I find them to be quite natural, and I think that they enhance the girls' natural beauty, rather than cover it up - a big fear of mine when it comes to makeup - so I'll work on emulating them all spring and summer long.

Images via: From Me To You & Lauren Conrad (to see more of what inspires me these days, take a look at my Tumblr)

With this inspiration in mind, I have searched the web and put together a list of some basic green, natural cosmetics that I think will help me achieve these looks:

1. Living Nature Tinted Moisturizer, CAD$40.70 (longtime want - I mentioned it here too)
2. 100% Pure Black Tea Pigmented Gel Eyeliner, CAD$23 
3. 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara, CAD$23
4. Everyday Minerals Everyday Bronzer, $9.99
5. 100% Pure Perfect Naked Pink Creamstick, CAD$20
6. Ilia Beauty Wild Child Lipstick, $24
7. Ilia Beauty Neon Angel Lipstick, $24

For rosy cheeks, I really want to try Victoria's tip about using beets. I was so impressed with the idea when I read about it on her blog that I will definitely give it a try this summer.

Do you have any other recommendations of eco-friendly cosmetics that I could use for a similar look? I'd love to know!

Colourful Tips

It's no secret that I'm a complete rookie when it comes to applying makeup. No matter how much I try I cannot create a natural look with staying power, which is how I'd like to use makeup. That is why I often withdraw into the land of nail polish, where there are so many options that it's nearly impossible to misstep. In my transition to a greener lifestyle, I've switched to less harmful, 3-free nail polishes, and so far my slowly growing collection of Zoya's and Priti NYC's little bottles has been my trusty companion. Lately, beyond just switching colours, I've been more adventurous with my polish choices by using 2 different ones at a time; these are some of the combinations that I fell in love with.

• Zoya Barbie + Zoya Malia on alternating fingers •

• *Priti NYC Fireglow on ring finger + Priti NYC St. Catherine's Lace on all other fingers •

• *Priti NYC Oleaster on index finger + Priti NYC Bluestar on all other fingers •

* The last 2 combinations both have Priti NYC 2 in 1 Top & Base Coat underneath.

Coco-Nutty

My love for coconut started over the summer when I bought a bag of roasted coconut flakes and since then, it hasn't subsided much. However, since I tend to think of it as more of a summer treat and have already indulged my taste buds plenty in the past few months, I decided that the best way to keep the love alive during the cold season would be with some all-natural, coconut-scented beauty products.

1. Pangea Organics Tunisian Olive Oil & Coconut Soap, CAD$8

2. Badger Vanilla Coconut Everyday Moisturizer, CAD$19.95

3. Hurraw! Coconut Lip Balm, $3.79

4. Balm Balm Super Light Coconut Cleanser 100mL, £13.25

5. RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Cream, $18

6. Rocky Mountain Soap Coconut Lip Butter, CAD$4.49

7. Wembe Coconut Exfoliating Blend Soap, $7.50

8. Dr. Bronner's Lavender Coconut Lotion, CAD$9.91

9. 100% Pure Honey Coconut Milk Shampoo, CAD$20

10. 100% Pure Honey Coconut Milk Conditioner, CAD$20

I am looking forward to trying at least one of these products in the coming winter, and would gladly consider any other recommendations!

A Dash Of Color

This past week-end I had planned an entire week of exciting posts. However, the seemingly never-ending streak of dark and rainy days has played a number on my morale and has kept me sleepy and unmotivated. In an effort to shake this bad mood off, I realized that I needed to add a little colour to my life. Since incorporating bright clothing (like this) is not always feasible for me, one foolproof way to brighten my day - and my mood - is with nail polish. So I put together an array of eco-friendy nail polishes that I would love to add to my collection, especially for days like this, when I'm in desperate need of a colourful pick-me-up.

1. Priti NYC Nail Polish in Cherry Ripe, $12.50 - deep cherry red
2. Zoya Nail Polish in Breezi, $8 - opaque soft, dusty, medium cerulean blue
3. Priti NYC Nail Polish in Dorothy Palm, $12.50 - matted light blue
4. Scotch Naturals Watercolor in Leprechaun Lynch, $14.99 - cool, mint creme
5. Priti NYC Nail Polish in Lampshade Poppy, $12.50 $10.50 - opaque orange yellow
6. Sheswai Lacquer in So Cute, $16 - soft, peachy coral
7. Scotch Naturals Watercolour in Highland Fling, $14.99 - vibrant coral creme
8. Zoya Matte Nail Polish in Lolly, $8 - bold, saturated medium magenta pink cream 
9. Priti NYC Nail Polish in Crown of Thorns $12.50 $10.50 - opaque light pastel blue
10. Priti NYC Nail Polish in Marble Queen, $12.50 $9.99 - chocolate chip mint green
11. Priti NYC Nail Polish in White Ballet Dahlia, $12.50 $10.50 - perfect for french manicure tip

Water Colors

I am still coveting Zoya nail polish just as much as I did a few month ago (when I posted about it here and here) - in fact, I am constantly wearing different shades of it on my nails. However, I recently discovered another green brand, Scotch Naturals. This is a rather recent line of nail polishes that stemmed from the children's line, Hopscotch Kids. The product is water-based (rather than solvent-based), non-toxic, and it comes in 13 different stunningly beautiful shades that make a girl forget about their heftier price of $14.99 per bottle.

I absolutely love the brand's idea of a customizable trio, but with so many beautiful shades to choose from, my mind goes into overdrive trying to pick the perfect one:

• the classic trio •

• the vibrant trio •

• the soft trio •

Beauty Wish List

In keeping with last-minute gift ideas, I've put together a list of beauty products that I would love to find under the tree myself. I browsed the Saffron Rouge website - an incredible online store filled with green beauty products - entirely too long but in the end, I managed to settle on these as my most favourite and, in some cases, most needed products - considering my seriously lacking hair and make-up skills.

1. Living Nature Tinted Moisturizer, CA$40.70 - Since I have never used foundation before, I think this would be a great first step in that direction, and the limited 3-colour selection doesn't require much guesswork. It also gets bonus points for being a 2-in-1 product, especially those mornings when I have to run out the door at a very early hour.
2. Revolution Organics All-Over Body Balm, CA$33.95 - I am truly intrigued by this product that claims it can be used in 22 different ways, and extremely happy looking at the short and sweet ingredients list.
3. Intelligent Nutrients Organic Spray-On Detangler, CA$31.95 - Seeing as every winter my hair often gets into a big, tangled knot at the nape of my neck, this is one of those products that I desperately need to get my hands on.
4. John Masters Organics Shine On, CA$37 - I have been wishing for anything from this company ever since I discovered it more than a year ago. While I find the shampoos and conditioners a little too expensive for my budget, I would be more than willing to try this strengthening treatment for my weak and breakage-prone hair.
5. NVEY ECO Erase Corrective Makeup, CA$35.95 - Another multitasking product, this will help me cover those ever-present dark circles, and also act as a makeup base for those days when I feel adventurous enough to play with eyeshadows.
6. Erbaviva Sniffles Chest Balm, CA$13.95 - With a few more months of winter left, I am hoping that this will keep me in top shape if I were to feel a nasty cold coming.
7. Dr. Hauschka Deodorant Fresh, CA23.95 - Shamefully, I have yet to switch out my aluminum-based antiperspirant for a natural product that really works, so I'm hoping that this product is in keeping with the German company's great reputation.
8. Moom Lavender Organic Hair Removal Kit, CA$16.95 - Hair removal being my absolute least favourite beauty process, I am willing to try anything that will not irritate my skin like a razor does and that will not hurt as much as an epilator does.
9. Badger Sleep Balm, CA$8.95 - Although I wasn't a big fan of lavender the first time I smelled it, I have come to enjoy this scent a great deal and I find it quite soothing, so this product could prove essential for those nights when I'm tossing and turning and just can't fall asleep.

The Beauty Pantry: Pore Strips

A few months ago, I found a pore strip included inside a magazine that I bought. I had never used pore strips before, and it took me a while to try this one but once I did, I vowed that I would buy more. Luckily, not long after, one of my favorite Youtube beauty gurus (and one of the most subscribed-to Youtubers) Michelle Phan posted a video with a natural alternative: pore strips made from milk and gelatin.

In her video, she walks viewers through the entire process and explains every single step in detail. It is such an easy tutorial that I have already tried it a couple of times and, just like Michelle, I am at once disgusted and excited about what came out of my pores.

•  The few things you need for this beauty DIY  •

(all images via amazon)

Check out her video for step-by-step instructions:

For more of Michelle's green beauty tips, see how to curl your hair with no heat in one of her latest videos!

Basic Principles

At over 8 minutes, I realize that this is quite a long video to watch about the dangers of the beauty industry. However, those 8 minutes won't be wasted since, in the video, Annie Leonard uncovers all that is wrong with traditional cosmetics and she does it in a very convincing yet entertaining way - through animations.



The animations are indeed exaggerated, but they are meant to open our eyes and teach us to look beyond the pretty packaging and smart advertising, and focus on what really matters: the ingredients.

I Am...Eco-Beautiful

Although Julie Gabriel's The Green Beauty Guide is still very much my "bible" for everything beauty-related, I'm constantly looking for new sources on the subject. A while ago, I fell upon Lina Hanson's book, Eco-Beautiful: The Natural Guide to Beauty and Wellness and while it was the beautiful picture that attracted me to it in the first place, its table of contents proved that beautiful photography is not all that it has to offer.

Apart from being written on the same subject as Julie Gabriel's work, there aren't many similarities between the two books. That isn't to say however, that I didn't enjoy this latest find. In fact, it has made its way in my favourites list, and for a number of reasons. Most importantly, I like that the author emphasizes on the idea that beauty comes from within and that what we put in our bodies is just as important as - if not more so than - what we put on our bodies. In addition to that, the makeup looks that she demonstrates are easy enough for even a rookie like me to master. Last but not least, she doesn't forget the boys, dedicating an entire chapter to their grooming needs. And yes, the photography inside the covers is just as beautiful.

Falling for Colour

Although we've had a few very warm days this week, fall is no doubt on its way. One of my favourite ways to brighten the otherwise grey and moody weather that comes along with it is with nail polish. I love Zoya Nail Polish (I raved about my summer picks here) for the impressive selection of colours, the quality of the product (I can easily go a week with no base/top coat and with few barely-there chips) as well as the small price. While looking through all of the beautiful colours, I have found a few that I can't wait to wear in the coming months:

Ironically, my top 3 favourites came out in the same collection, the Zoya Twist Nail Polish Collection: Moxie is a deep berry shade that I have been craving to have on my fingernails ever since I laid eyes on it more than a year ago; Harley works well for those days when you decide to embrace the fall weather rather than fight it; Jo is a darker shade of one of my summer favourites, Yummy, perfect for the darker days of fall.

Cleaning Up

When I started reading about green beauty and using green beauty products, my first goal was to change my skincare and haircare products to all-natural ones. Since I find makeup quite challenging and therefore, don't wear much of it, I decided that it was a step that could come later on. Besides, I needed a clear complexion before I could start playing with colors.

Recently, I realized that I have been using an all-natural array of products for a while now. While I did like my former products and seemed to have an affinity for the Garnier Fructis line, reading about the dangers posed by their ingredients - namely sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate, parabens, ethoxylated compounds (those containing "eth" in their name) and many others - made me change my mind. Therefore, I switched to affordable eco-friendly choices from Burt's Bees and Best Bath Store (that I have talked about here) and, not surprisingly, I'm much happier with the results.

All the Best

I sometimes discover brands that offer natural choices for my skincare, and I spend hours swooning over some of their products and making a list in my mind with what I'd like to buy. Many of these products though are cut off from my list when I glance at their price. Unfortunately, most times a green beauty product requires shelling out a few times the amount needed for a regular one that can be found at the drugstore. While I do realize that traditional beauty products are more widely available specifically due to the cocktail of cheap chemicals inside them, I am not necessarily happy with the situation.

For that reason, I am always happy when I find a green alternative without the significant price difference. One such alternative is Best Bath Store. I found out about this online store more than a year ago while looking at a review of some of their products posted on Youtube by beauty guru Blair. Not long after, I put in my first order, which consisted mostly of free samples. Since then I have made a few orders, and tried many of their samples, all with positive results. While I still have some unopened samples and some more products to try, I do have a few favorites among the ones that I've been using.

My top 3 consists of the following:

                 
1. Acne Facial Bar, $4.95 & 2. Acne Treatment Gel, $16.95. I use both of these every morning on my face, and while they don't miraculously get rid of zits overnight, in the long term, they keep my complexion clear, so that huge zits  - you know the ones that always come out at the most inconvenient times and in the most obvious places on your face - are nowhere to be found.

3. Chocolate Lip Balm, $2.95. Being a lip balm/lipgloss junkie, I had to try some of their lip care products, and this one is my favourite. Its chocolate flavour makes me want to eat it, but I constrain myself to just putting it on my lips at night and falling asleep in the midst of its yummy aroma.

Pretty Polly

Green beauty doesn’t always offer as much variety as traditional, chemical-filled products. Nail polish is one such example. With ingredients like formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and toluene, not many beauty products are as toxic as nail polish. It is, after all, paint.

However, more and more companies seem to take these 3 most harmful ingredients out of their formulas. One such brand is Zoya Nail Polish. With over 300 colours available and more coming out every year in the form of 4 seasonal collections, the sky is the limit when it comes to choosing a favorite. Add to that the long lasting formula that, in my personal experience, held more than a week with almost no chips, all while skipping the base and top coats.

These 3 colors have me excited for summer: Malia is a bright and cheerful version of one of my favorite colours, Lulu is the perfect soft peach shade when I’m in the mood for something subtle, and Yummy is a bright blue that reminds me of the clear, sunny, summer sky.

The one downside of this product is the fact that online orders can only be delivered to addresses in the continental USA, which seems very unfair for us Canadian residents and the rest of the world. But with such a winning combination of lovely shades and long lasting power, all at an accessible price (7$ for a bottle), I think a visit to see family in the States is completely justified in order to get a hold of a few of these bottles.

The Bible

Green beauty is not easy to navigate. With so many skincare products that promise a perfect complexion and makeup in hundreds of beautifully tempting shades, it is very easy to ignore their harmful effects on both our own health and that of the environment. Complicated ingredient lists, marketing tricks and accessible prices make it even easier for us consumers to overlook the all-natural branch of this industry. However, we do this at the expense of our well-being and of the world we live in.

Julie Gabriel is very much aware of these facts and in her book, The Green Beauty Guide, she clearly explains why green beauty is the way to go – with lots of scientific documentation that is very well put together and shocking enough to make us think twice about our choices. With the numerous warnings, tips, safe choices and recipes that she provides, she ensures a smoother sailing. Her book is truly a go-to resource for all of us who decide not to fall prey to the cosmetic giants anymore and take charge of what goes onto our skin.