ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Bug Spray for Beautiful Skin

For the first time in my life, I’m experiencing the wrath of the Berkshire mosquitos. I had heard the tales, but they are more savage than I could have ever imagined. After a relaxing weekend running on mountain trails, reading poolside, and making vegan s’mores by a fire pit, my skin was not displaying signs of the sexy, natural tan, but several itchy bites. I must have squealed of joy when I saw this incredible find in my new W magazine: a certified organic Intelligent Nutrients Bug Repellent Perfume Spray! My order is in. 

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Organic Perfume Review #3

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Organic Perfume Review #2

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Organic Perfumes

I have gone all-natural for a few months now after chucking my synthetic perfumes (I recycled them to friends), and have been looking everywhere for a new Signature Scent. I wanted a certified organic fragrance that would feel and smell so good, that sometimes I might want to go to bed wearing just that (way better for your skin than Channel No 5). For the next three days, I’ll post review videos of my Top Three finds.

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Urtekram Lavender Shampoo & Conditioner

Urtekram must be the most natural hair care line I have ever come across. I bought it at a European health food store because of the lavender, but was wondering how this could ever work: the ingredients include nothing but water, aloe vera, coconut & corn sugar soap, vegetable glycerin, lavender flower extract, citric acid and essential lavender oil. 

But it does! It’s perfect for the everyday all-natural wash and your hair will smell amazing afterwards (especially after you have taken a dip in the pool - with some chlorine - in the country). However, as it’s no frills it doesn’t do any special tricks to your mane. 

This Danish beauty brand is certified organic (by Ecocert), Leaping Bunny certified, and you can even find out the specifics of their production cycle on their website. You can find a distributor in your area here.

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ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Anne Lind Natural Wellness Moisturizer

I picked my first Anne Lind moisturizer last fall from a natural skin care store in Barcelona. I adore this Lemon Grass scent. So pure and perfect for summer! 

And it has no synthetic fragrances or colorants, preservatives, mineral oils, or silicones. It’s produced according to the BDIH guidelines for natural cosmetics and you can order it from pretty much any country.

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ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: The EO Keratin Treatment

I have wanted to try the EO line for a long time and finally grabbed both the shampoo and conditioner at Guido’s Fresh Marketplace in the Berkshires (on sale!). As I recently colored my hair, the Keratin protein seemed attractive: it adds a protective coating to each strand’s outer layer, till the next wash, making color-treated hair more bouncy and shiny. (So Keratin is not bad, but toxic treatments mixed with the protein, like Brazilian Keratin Hair Straightening, are.) The EO I’m loving.

What’s also to love is EO’s lengthy creds: besides being certified organic by USDA and cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny etc., it’s also certified vegan and manufactured by a family owned and operated Certified Organic Manufacturer.

PS. I also bought the body wash which has the gentlest scent so good it could even be stronger.   

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: All-Natural Anti-Aging Serum

Who needs Botox? We so often fight wrinkles with toxins and ironically toxins (and sun and stress) are what cause wrinkles in the first place! Cue in all-natural anti-aging treatments that actually fight the free radicals like superman fights the bad guys and keep your fine lines smooth by giving your skin antioxidants to keep the wrinkles at bay. In the video, I chat about my anti-aging secrets and my current favorite serum which I found from Lavera. 

I love it so much (it’s vegan, mostly organic and not tested on animals - how could I not?), I asked if I could get a discount code for you too for 10% off. And yay, here it is! You can also use this for anything else you might want to get like the most amazing self-tanner on the planet, in my opinion, or the awesome black mascara. 

Step 1: Shop at Lavera.com

Step 2: At check out, enter the code “EthicalBella10” (excludes clearance items & kits) 

Step 3: Enjoy! 

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Karma Organic Nail Polish

I love these spring colors from Karma Organic Spa so much I have been swapping my polish every few days (even though these actually last a lot longer)! Mysterious plums, blues, lavenders and greys look amazing in the spring sunshine. From left to right: Metallic Blue (a must!), Crushed Velvet, Pelican Peak Purple,  Not Your “Hum Drum” Plum, Don’t Teal My Heart Away, Chainmail Charm, Matte Smoke. All non-toxic, chemical free (no Toluene, Formaldehyde or DBP) and cruelty-free. 

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: How to Cure Super Dry Hands - Naturally!

Even the prettiest polish doesn’t help when your hands are as dry as the Patagonian desert (puma is one of the few animals surviving there!).  

So after trying oodles of moisturizers, I saw this cool cure (the two products are available here and here) at the Ecco Bella email newsletter and asked them to send me a sample to try. Finally, an innovative trick that doesn’t rely just on a moisturizer so we can look well-manicured again!   

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: Organic Finds in Marie Claire 3/2011 

Inspired by this piece, I for one can’t wait to try some new organic beauty treats. Besides the featured rejuvenating serum, Tata Harper eco-luxe skin care line has a great starter kit that’s perfect for traveling (so you carry on every product you could possibly want!) and Infusion Organic has beautiful little rollerballs you can easily carry in your (non-leather) purse to ensure a lasting scent.

As for a pretty perfume in your boudoir, White Magic by A Perfume Organic (or their other USDA certified & PETA cruelty-free certified organic scents) seems like a natural fit.    

PS. I love how organic beauty paired with the Punk/Rocker Chic style. Inspired by my love’s recent motorcycle purchase, I have been adding rebel-ish items to my wardrobe - a total first for me! More to come:-)

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: TIGI Love, Peace & The Planet

My dear sister is the only one I let cut and highlight my hair  (she’s that good!) unless I’m having a complete mane meltdown and she’s not available. She also likes to gift me cool eco-friendly and cruelty-free styling products (how awesome is she?).

Thanks to her, I’m now trying out TIGI Love, Peace & The Planet line’s “Freak of Nature” Lavender Citrus Eucalyptus Volumizer & Thickener that adds some much-needed oomph to my hair and “Let It Be” Cherry Almond Leave-in Conditioner that helps a lot as many eco-friendly conditioners don’t give my strands enough nourishment or shine.

Both products include no animal by products (except sometimes beeswax - I know, I’d prefer it without too!), parabens, laurel or laureth sulfates, artificial colors or synthetic fragrances. 80+ % of the content is USDA certified organic, 50% of the bottles are made of recycled material and the labels are made of recycled or FSC paper and soy or water based ink. According to TIGI, the line is cruelty-free. Oh and TIGI is also pledging that this is only the beginning of their sustainable, eco-conscious journey. Let’s whip our hair to that!

Check out discount promo packages of the Love, Peace & The Planet line here or individual products here. 

ETHICALBELLA BEAUTY: SANOFLORE

Another European find! Sold in pharmacies from Paris to Rome, this French organic skin care pioneer makes face wash (Mousse Nettoyante Florale) that truly gets rid of makeup, a toner (Acqua Floreale Lavanda Bio) that you can just spray on to feel all refreshed, and a face cream (Miel Nourricier Regenerant) that keeps you feeling moisturized even on the driest day. 

The most exciting part? SANOFLORE has the EcoCert certification for each organic ingredient that come from its own farm and distillery and the Cosmebio certification (for Organic and Ecological Cosmetics in Europe) for each formula. The line is free of silicones, mineral oils, coloring agents, synthetic fragrances and chemical preservatives unauthorized by EcoCert and it’s approved by OneVoice, the Euro organization that fights to end animal testing.  

Could this truly be the line that has it all? I, for one, like my new skincare routine so much, I scoured the web to find the one single store that delivers these treats to the U.S. You too can find it here: LeGuideSante.com. 

HOTTEST HOLIDAY ECO MAKEUP: Best Brands & Looks

How to create the hottest holiday looks with eco-friendly, non-toxic and cruelty-free makeup? I’ll guide you through every step to get you oh-so-sexy and glam for any party!

HOT HOLIDAY ECO MAKEUP: Smoky Brown Eyes - Be the Bronze Goddess!

… these shades available on eccobella.com