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8 SepOdacité and Absolution – Bespoke Skincare
19 JulBespoke is the new black. Or, rather, bespoke skincare is the newest wisdom in product formulation for skincare products, especially in natural and organic based lines. We’ve come across two stellar lines this past year who are both formulating skincare product lines specific to personal and individual needs.
Odacité
The first, Odacité, is created by founder Romain Gaillard, a French native who makes his home currently in Southern California. For a novel approach and because it’s important to remember that our menfolk need TLC too, we tried out his line of products that were formulated specifically for an adult male whose lifestyle includes some sun exposure and late nights.
Before the products were formulated, senior Skincoach Nairi Khatchadourian sent along a detailed questionnaire to find out what sorts of skincare concerns our tester had. This is the response, along with the product types and explanations, that were received:
Dark Circles Under Eyes: The Odacité skincare includes a “great concentration of Tocopherols (natural Vitamin E) that is known to help with dark circles. It also includes bioavailable Vitamin C of rosehip oil that helps strengthen blood vessel walls, and tea extracts that work wonders at reducing dark circles.”
Dark circles can appear as a result of several factors: lifestyle, genetic, lack of sleep, aging.
Suntegrity sunscreen is their product to deflect the harmful effects of overexposure to the sun. It’s an effective product which is saying a lot for something that is so respectful of natural ingredients use. Sunscreens still are something of the Holy Grail for natural-based skincare products.
Cleanser. The cleanser includes Tamanu oil from the rain-forest of Madagascar which is a super healing oil. They get the wild-crafted oil from Madagascar because wild plants retain the highest potency. Tamanu oil is proven to aid in the elimination of waste material and toxins from the capillaries. The cleanser also comes with two sponges that encourage lymph circulation when used on the face.
Immortelle Toner.Toning helps shrink pores and restores healthy skin Ph balance. They suggest using the Toner as an after shave. Its base is Aloe Vera so it hydrates the skin and reduces puffiness.
The moisturizer is formulated with pure virgin coconut oil and organic aloe. These boost skin hydration by locking in moisture. The fresh organic aloe also heals. It is also, “Formulated with DMAE a natural skin firming agent. Long term use of DMAE has been clinically proven to greatly decrease the appearance of loose and sagging skin. DMAE also helps prevent and reduce age spots.”
Our Greening Beauty test subject felt a significant improvement in his skincare quality after using only these products for three weeks. Not any kind of a Metrosexual, it was difficult to convince him to use any kind of skincare. But after using Odacité Bespoke Skincare, we now have a firm believer in natural, crafted to order, skincare.
Absolution
The founder of this organic skincare line from France, Isabelle Carron, describes it as “the first unisex bespoke certified organic cosmetics brand.” She has created it from minerals, vitamins and wild plant extracts. The line is formulated with simplicity in mind. It is the founder’s goal to offer a few products that can answer a variety of your skin’s needs.
This she does with a truly original approach to “bespoke.” Basics of the line such as La Crème du Jour and La Solution + Energie are packaged by themselves but formulated to be sold together so that the client, themselves, can mix the ingredients according to their skin’s needs at that moment.
This approach earned Carron a Beyond Beauty Jury Award and a Wallpaper Magazine Design Award in 2010. The product line is also Eco Cert-ified. The Day Cream (recyclable)-plastic jar/pump is beveled inward at the top so that when you pump a bit of the cream out onto the little “bowl” it allows you to spritz a drop of the Energy Solution onto it so that you can mix it all up right there with your fingertips, just before applying. Other “La Solution” varieties are: Eclat (Clarifying/brightening), Anti-Age, and Controle.
The product philosophy emphasizes Listening. “Listen to Yourself…” it says, “Listen to your skin! Intimate connection, echo of your soul and body, your skin’s needs are like yours: constantly changing.
The ingredients are potent: Olive tree flavonoids, Aloe Vera, Borage oil whose anti-aging actions is combined with a mineral sunscreen (Mica) – all of this in the day cream. And in the booster you have Echinacea, Edelweiss and Extract of Thermus Thermophillus to name a few. [That last-named ingredient is particularly effective in protecting your skin from air pollution, UV ad electromagnetic radiations.
Read more on the new Absolution.me Blog.
Vinothérapie by Caudalie
14 AprBy Paige Donner
Caudalie is a wine term, in French, that refers to the length of time the taste of a wine lingers in the mouth. The longer the better. It is a measurement of a wine’s quality.
A spa and beauty care line based on patents derived from bio-research on the beauty benefits of the grape, Caudalie is a fitting name for this French line that originated in the heart of Bordeaux, in fact in the prestigious Graves appellation.
Mathilde Thomas is the Founder and Creator of Caudalie, a top-selling beauty line in French Pharmacies where so many of the best beauty brands in France are sold. Since a year or two, Ms. Thomas, now NYC-based, has launched her brand in the U.S.
But though this young beauty visionary may spend her day-to-day in NYC, it is in Bordeaux where her heart, and the base of Caudalie Vinothérapie products, remain firmly rooted.
Working with Dr. Vercauteren of Bordeaux’s University of Pharmaceuticals, Ms. Thomas was intrigued by a claim he made to her during the 1993 grape harvest on her parents esteemed Bordeaux vineyard, “Do you know that you are throwing away treasures?” he asked her when he saw the grape skins and grape seeds being discarded.
She quickly learned, by listening to Dr. Vercauteren’s explanations, that grapeseeds and grape skins hold extraordinary deposits of anti-oxidants, in the form of polyphenols. And this is where Ms. Thomas showed true entrepreneurial genius, because from that bio-detritus, she created the luxury “Cosm-ethics” beauty care line and brand, Caudalie.
Caudalie owns three patents that help slow the signs of skin-aging:
1) Polyphenols from Grape-Seeds
“The most powerful anti-oxidants occurring in the vegetable world. They stop free radicals, which are the main cause of cutaneous ageing. They are the best anti-ageing shield for the skin.
2) Resveratrol from Grapevine Stalks
It gives the skin back its youthfulness and firmness. Harvard’s Department of Medicine identified Resveratrol as the most effective active ingredient for prolonging cellular life.
3) Viniferine from Grapevine Sap
The sap from grapevine stalks was used in the past to diminish dark spots and clarify the complexion of young women. Viniferine protects against dark spots and leaves your complexion incredibly radiant.
The Caudalie researchers have come up with a few more grape treasures which are formulated into the beauty line such as “organic grape water,” grape-seed oil, and Vinolevure®.
“There’s no miracle cure for skin ageing, there is a patent!” – Mathilde Thomas, Founder-Creator, Caudalie, Skincare Line
You can rest assured you are making an ethically beautiful choice with these products, too. None of the formulas are tested on animals and they ask that their suppliers do the same. They use the maximum amount of natural ingredients, that are both biodegradable and respect the environment, in their product lines. Her coined term of “Cosm-ethics,” refers to the fact that no animal ingredients, parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalates, mineral oil, synthetic colorings or sodium laureth sulfate are used in any of the formulations or products.
There are also Caudalie Spas: In Bordeaux, France; NYC, New York; Versailles, France; and in Spain. Read the related article on Spa Caudalie in Greening Beauty.
Good Earth Body Care For Earth Month
23 Mar
Treat your entire body to a delicious and sumptuously organic and good for you treat this Earth Month. Good Earth Body Care is a homemade beauty product line that treats your inner wellbeing while also caring for your outer beauty.
Have you ever used an organic essential oil mister and wondered why you all of a sudden feel lifted and your emotions boosted after a small little spritz? It works like this:
The tiny molecules of essential oils easily penetrate the skin, and are picked up by the blood stream and spread through out the body. They also enter the body through sensitive cells that line the nose, and directly affect the limbic system of the brain –controller of emotions and the major functions of the body. – Cathy Moore, Founder of Good Earth Body Care
Cathy is from Ashland, Oregon where she sells her Organic Clear Release Mist, Lavendar Face Cream, Rose Face Cream, Healing Skin Salve and a range of other intoxicatingly natural products at the local markets.
She has spent her time researching the natural properties of the plants, flowers and essential oils that she uses in her line of treatments. For example, the Organic Clear Release Mist “Calms nervous system, releases negative emotions and clears subconscious stress.” All with a little spritz. And they come in handy purse-sized or desk-sized bottles so you can be ready with a dose of essential oils for those moments when your day gets a little cloudy.
Here are some of the ingredients Cathy uses in her products:
RAVENSARE ESSENTIAL OIL
Origin: Leaves and sometimes fruit and bark of the ravensare tree.
Benefits: Warming and revitalizing. Helps with flu, bronchitis, viruses and shingles.
Used in this Good Earth product: Cold &Flu Body & air Mist
ROSE OTTO ESSENTIAL OIL
Origin: Fresh petals of the rose.
Benefits: Soothing, comforting, anti-depressant, and a heart tonic. Helps with dry, mature skin, sensitive skin, wrinkles and stress.
Used in this Good Earth product: Rose Face Cream
SANDALWOOD ESSENTIAL OIL
Origin: Powdered, dried roots and heartwood of the sandalwood tree.
Benefits: Soothing, relaxing, grounding, purifying, and a sedative to the nervous system. Helps depression, nervous tension, and stress.
Used in this Good Earth product: Clear Release Body & Air Mist
TREE TEA ESSENTIAL OII
Origin: Leaves and twigs of the tea tree.
Benefits: Penetrating, stimulating, and refreshing. Helps with athlete’s foot, burns, cold sores, insect bites, oily skin, and rashes.
Used in this Good Earth product: Healing Skin Salve
THYME ESSENTIAL OIL
Origin: Leaves and flowers of the thyme herb.
Benefits: Stimulating, refreshing, and purifying. Helps with colds and flu.
Used in this Good Earth product: Cold & Flu Body & Air Mist
VETIVERT ESSENTIAL OIL
Origin: Roots of vetivert grass.
Benefits: Soothing, grounding, and sedating to nervous system. Helps with depression, nervous tension, and releasing deep fears.
Used in this Good Earth product: Clear Release Body & Air Mist
YLANG YLANG ESSENTIAL OIL
Origin: Fresh flowers of the ylang ylang tree.
Benefits: Soothing, calming, and sedating. Helps with acne, irritated, and oily skin.
Used in this Good Earth product: Lavender Face Cream
This Earth Month go ahead, pick some Good Earth products for yourself and for your Boss and maybe that co-worker too!
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Midnight In Paris Opens Cannes Film Festival
22 Mar
Woody Allen’s latest movie, Midnight in Paris, stars Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, Lea Seydoux, Adrien Brody, Gad Elmaleh and France’s First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
The film is a “love letter to Paris” and will screen opening night, May 11th, on the Croisette the same night that it opens on screens across France. Robert De Niro is presiding as judge over the Film Festival this year, its 64th, as part of a Franco-American celebration and the celebrating of De Niro’s Tribeca Film Festival’s 10th year.
Greening Hollywood was recently privileged to a conversation with co-producer of Midnight in Paris, Raphael Benoliel, who, theoretically, supports the notion of green film sets and eco-friendly film production. France is ramping up in a big way towards Eco Productions and green seems to be the talk of the town. Let’s see if we can add some green to the Cote d’Azur!
Image courtesy Eco Prod.com
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Greening Beauty Winter DIY Warm Ups
10 FebTry some of these DIY beauty recipes from our friends at Campaign For Safe Cosmetics. For more Tips and Recipes, click HERE.
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Six Senses Spa, Paris
7 Febby Paige Donner
The cocoons that Parisian architect Pierre David designed for the smallest of all the Six Senses spas are made from hand shaped light oak wood and are lined inside, like a Japanese lantern, by back lit paper. There are 4 single treatment cocoons and two for couples. There is no more ideal setting to receive a Paris Rooftop Honey Facial than inside one of these terrestrial cocoons.
The Living Wall is an important statement for Six Senses and goes well beyond a simple design choice. The entire philosophy of Six Senses spas are: SLOW LIFE. Sustainable Local Organic Wholesome. SLOW. Learning Inspiring Fun Experience. LIFE. The husband and wife team, Eva and Sonu Shivdasani who created Six Senses have embraced their service mantra, “Atithi Deva Bhava.” It means Guest is God in Sanskrit and they have scented their entire operation with that philosophy.
Hence, the Living Wall that is the first visual to greet you upon entry at rue Castiglione, Paris was chosen with the mindfulness that nature receives you into this oasis of wellbeing and healing. The Vertical Garden helps eliminate CO2 emissions and other toxic elements as well as being a refuge for biodiversity. On a subliminal level, the wall instantly signals to you that you are now in nature’s care and that more than just your physical beauty will be looked after.
Consumption; Water Consumption; Waste Production; Social Commitment; Paper Products; Pesticide Products; Cleaning Chemicals; per Treatment Hours... READ Complete Article on Bonjour Paris…
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DIY Winter Skin Spa
31 JanBy: Suki Kramer
Winter’s stale indoor heat, low humidity, cold temperatures and windy
conditions all take a toll on your skin. Dry, dead skin cells build up, oil
imbalances cause an increase of clogged pores and wrinkles seem all the more
pronounced.
Beat the winter beauty blues with these easy skin care recipes that use
common kitchen ingredients. Of course, try to buy organic and local whenever
possible!
Soup to Nuts Facial Scrub
* 12 cup chopped cucumber (do not peel)–soothing, natural exfoliant
* 1 teaspoon pineapple juice–toning, exfoliating
* 1 tablespoon baking soda–ph balancer, gentle cleanser
* 2 whole eggs–clears blemishes, tightens skin, helps with wrinkles
* 2 tablespoons yogurt–hydrating, probiotic treatment
* 2/3 cup ground almonds–natural exfoliant
Puree the cucumber until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and blend on
medium-low speed for 1 minute. Apply to moistened face in a gentle, circular
motion. Rinse thoroughly.
Nourishing Hydration Masque
* 12 avocado (peeled & pitted)–moisturizing. vitamin-rich
* 3 seedless grapes–tightening, toning, antioxidant
* 1 egg–tightening, hydrating and adds protein value
* 1 teaspoon mayonnaise–nourishing
* 1 teaspoon honey–anti-blemishes & anti-wrinkle
* 1 tablespoon baking soda–ph balancer, gentle cleanser
* 2 teaspoons apple juice–exfoliating
Puree the avocado and grapes until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and
blend on medium speed for 45 seconds. Apply evenly to face & leave on for
10-15 minutes.
Intense Hydrating Face/Body Lotion
* 1 teaspoon olive oil–great natural hydrator
* 1/3 teaspoon shea butter (found in natural food stores)–moisturizer
* 1 teaspoon apple juice–exfoliating
* 1 teaspoon lemon juice–tonic
* 1/3 teaspoon coconut oil–source of vitamins and rich nourishers
In a small saucepan, slowly heat ingredients together until warm. Remove
from heat and let cool. Note: oils and juices will separate. Pour into small
bottle and shake prior to use. Apply to face in circular massaging motion
until thoroughly absorbed.
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Design Your Own [Eco] Bridesmaids’ Dresses
16 Jan
The design-your-own trend is one we’ve seen brought to countless product categories already, including — on several occasions — dresses. What’s interesting about New York-based Coco Myles is that it brings the concept to bridesmaid dresses, allowing the bride to choose the colour scheme while the bridesmaids design their own styles.
Consumers can create a variety of types of dresses at Coco Myles, including those intended for special events such as weddings and proms. All dresses are custom-made to the customer’s specifications and then cut and sewn by hand by a team of professional dressmakers. That’s all well and good, but the company really caught our eye for its special services for brides and bridesmaids. Specifically, brides can use the site’s tailored interface to choose the color and other features of their bridesmaids’ attire while permitting the wearers to choose a style that is right for their own tastes, body type and comfort. Available in sizes 0 through 32 — including maternity designs — Coco Myles’ custom made-to-order dresses take only about five weeks to produce and cost approximately USD 150. A Bridal Fabric Reservation System even lets brides make sure that their bridesmaids’ dresses are all cut from the same bolt, no matter when they get ordered.
So Choose Eco! Choose Fair Trade Textiles!! Peace Silk!!
Website: www.cocomyles.com
Contact: customerservice@cocomyles.com by: Murtaza Patel