Baubles that give back!

Sustainable jewelry designer Melissa Joy Manning is Anthropologie‘s freshest recruit for designing a spectacular collection of one-of-a-kind jewelry. Crafted from purely recycled metals and organic stones, Manning’s jewelry will take your breath away.

Available as of April 1st, this is certainly a collection worthy of admiration. Top off any ensemble with the dangling Stalactite and Silver Drops ($868), pictured above. If the hefty price points intimidate, praise from afar the new ways to explore our earth’s natural beauty.

-Alana Quagliariello

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[image via Cosmopolitan.com]

With Earth Day approaching on April 22nd, 2012, we are glad to say that “going green” has never looked so good.

H&M Red Carpet Conscious Collection

Yes, they already have an awesome range of organic cotton, but now H&M has created a Conscious Red Carpet Collection. We applaud this fast fashion chain for its effort to blump up the fashion quotient on eco-friendly fashion! Complete with feminine frocks and dramatic gowns, the line is manufactured with organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester.

Celebrities like Amanda Seyfried, Michelle Williams (seen above), and Viola Davis have already been seen in these earthy ensembles! We hope to see other brands jump aboard the sustainable ship soon because being conscious is always cool. Prices range from about $30 for a top and $299 for a limited edition evening dress.

The line is available at 100 H&M’s stores nationwide with select styles online at hm.com.

[The Body Shop's Earth Lovers Pear & Lemongrass Shower Gel, $10]

The Body Shop

The Body Shop’s Community Fair Trade Program works to create sustainable relationships with disadvantaged communities worldwide providing an income to more than 25,000 people. Let’s help support the Body Shop by exploring their fantastic line of products.

Some highlights include the Shower Gels for Earth Lovers (above, $10), a 100% biodegradable shower gel featuring herbs and fruit extracts from the Community Fair Trade program. Also, dive into the Limited Edition Summer Fragrance Collection ($25), launching April 30th, with each scent designed to capture that heightened summer divinity. Again, each fragrance contains 50% Community Fair Trade alcohol from Ecuador.

[Image via www.LPsalons.com]

L’OREAL PROFESSIONNEL

L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Nature collection, is the first eco-friendly hair care collection, including all natural ingredients, fragrances, and packaging. Available at www.LPsalons.com, the line of high performance products includes:

For all hair types: Pureté Naturelle shampoo and masque, for dry hair: Source de Richesse, sulfate-free shampoo and masque, for rebellious, unruly hair: Douceur d’Huiles, shampoo and masque, and for fine hair: Abondance de Cacao shampoo and masque.The Série Nature Shampoo retails for $23 and the Série Nature Masque retails for $33.

[Image via AlternativeApparel.com]

Alternative Apparel: Buy a Tee, Plant a Tree

It’s cute, catchy, and too simple to pass up. For every Alternative Earth item sold on the website or in their flagship Abbot Kinney store from now until April 22, they will plant a tree. Make a difference in sustainable style!

John Masters

If you want to pamper yourself this Earth Day (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), why not indulge with the John Masters Cacao and Cupuacu Hand & Body Butter ($32)? It is deliciously intensive and works to hydrate even the driest of skins, anywhere on the body. Ingredients like cranberry seed oil function as a powerful anti-oxidant, while cacao butter will help fade blemishes and stretch marks. Available at www.johnmasters.com along with a multitude of other green beauty products.

-Alana Quagliariello

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Since 1980, Repêchage has been on the beauty scene with the mission to include the best, most pure, natural ingredients to address a variety of skin concerns. Today, the company has grown to a large manufacturing facility and lab in nearby Secaucus, NJ, and continues to live up to it’s mission with an expanded line of offerings that include makeup, body, and facial care.

A very verbal lover of all things olive oil-related, I tested Rêpechage’s Hydra 4 Day Protection Cream, $38, which includes Olive Oil and Olive Leaf Extracts, Quinoa Oil, Carrageenan, amongst other ingredients, to deliver moisture and protection from free radical damage, as well as to soothe, regenerate and oxygenates cells. Nice! I liked the way it lightly went onto the skin and was absorbed, yet seemed to quell my sensitive, reactive skin without any issue.

I also ditched my usual face wash for the brand’s T-Zone Balance Cleansing Complex, $27, which includes St. John’s Wort and Green Tea Extract for purifying, soothing and toning properties alongside anti-inflammatory benefits. Practically as gentle as my Cetaphil, it adds a few extra nourishing skin components to my usual regimen.

Paraben-free and not tested on animals, I can really get behind the Kanshi line of products, a brand started by Rêpechage, based on traditional African ingredients that are as wonderfully aromatic as they are effective. I tested the Kanshi Deep Cleansing Cucumber Facial Masque with Peppermint, $25, made of cucumber oil, sea silt, kaolin clay, and peppermint, for a rejuvenating and relaxing skin treatment that resulted in a luminous, oil-free complexion.

Although the masque was certainly my favorite, I also tried the Kanshi Instantly Refreshing Foot Spray, $10, post-soak, and found it to hit the spot! It soothed my tied feet with its Triple Mint without making my feet too tingly, while the Horse Chestnut ingredients works to  improve circulation, and the Lemon Myrtle finishes the job for natural anti-microbial effects.

Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Astringent, $4.99, might be something you remember from seeing in your childhood or bathroom cabinet (I sure do); it’s one of those products that you can pretty much use to treat anything and everything. The Dickinson’s brand, which was established in the late 19th century, brings the dilution of the witch-hazel shrub to cleanse, treat, tone, and refresh skin. Deep clean your skin, remove excess oils residue, and feel great without overly drying yourself out, and avoid bad chemmies and ingredients that can cause an adverse reaction. The brand also has a Foaming Face Wash, which has the witch-hazel to cleanse and regulate skin in a non-irritating fashion, makeup it great for all skin types.

With this particular blend, it is composed of avintsara leaf oil, myrrh resin oil, eucalyptus  leaf oil and black pepper dried fruit oil to get rid of congestion and help reduce fever (yes, you can also use this blend for a bad cold). It’s applied to the front and back of your neck to enforce blood flow and aid with absorption into your Lymphatic system. Best part? It’s not oily, nor does it have an overly powerful aroma, so you can go about your daily business without smelling like Icy Hot or Tiger Balm.

-Julia DiNardo

Note: even if you don’t live in NYC, you can shop VMV Hypoallergenics 24/7 online!

Skin the Bluff Concealer (pictured), $20, available in four shades (three skin tone and one yellow shade), this little fabulous pot o’ magic gets rid of blemishes, shadows, discoloration, and dark circles while preventing acne and darkening. It includes USA-certified virgin coconut oil, with anti-oxidants, sun protectors, and is 100% fragrance free, dye, phthalate, paraben, and other preservative -free.

Red Better Flare-Up Balm, $50, is a steroid-free salve that is amazingly gentle, yet effective when it comes to calming down inflammation such as rosacea, allergic reactions, bites, infections, eczema, rashes, you name it! This is non-comedogenic, has been usage, patch and clinically tested, and per usual for VMV, it is 100% fragrance free, dye, phthalate, paraben, and other preservative -free.

Red Better Spot Corrector, $25-$40, is a non-drying acne balm that helps deal with rosacea-related acne gently by killing the micro-organisms causing acne and redness, give anti-inflammatory, soothing relief, and provides hydration.

Essence: Clark Wash, $28, is named after Superman, Clark Kent, as it is an incredibly gentle wash that is non-pore clogging, hydrating, and safe for sensitive areas. It is meant to compliment the brand’s existing line of body shampoos.

I can gladly announce that the search has ended. The search, that is, for a natural deodorant that really really works – really! Courtesy of the brand, I tested the Lavanila Healthy Deodorant, a 100% natural product, in the Vanilla Lavender scent, (also available in Vanilla Grapefruit, Vanilla Coconut and Vanilla Passion Fruit).  So what makes it so great? Well for one, it doesn’t include any bad chemmies, and it works well to mask wetness and odor while nourishing the skin! It’s free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, petro-chemicals, and phthalates,  aluminum and mineral oils. What it DOES have are essential oils and anti-oxidants, including aloe, seaweed, yeast beta glucan, and Goji berry.  The scent is light, yet present, and the packaging is the nicest I’ve ever seen from a deodorant!

Lavanila Health Deodorant is available in a variety of scents, PLUS in the essential travel size, mini deodorant .9o oz option at Sephora, ranging in price from $10-$18.

-Julia DiNardo

Long dark lashes have always been considered a mark of feminine beauty. Do you need a little extra help in this department? The new Physician’s Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Lash Boosting Mascara is a safe and highly effective enhancing mascara which provides thicker, longer and more lush lashes. Besides, you know how we feel about 100% natural beauty products.

Lash enhancement is a huge trend right now, but the non-prescription lash enhancers could result in harsh side effects. For this reason, Physician’s Formula has created a lash-boosting mascara using a “proprietary complex of BioActive Minerals derived from zinc, iron, silicon, copper and magnesium to nourish and strengthen lashes, along with yogurt-derived ProBiotic Protein to help keep lashes in tip top health.”

While it may sound science-intense, the result is easy to comprehend: an enhanced eyelash appearance. No chemicals, no synthetic preservatives, no parabens, no GMO’s, and no synthetic colors or fragrances. According to Physician’s Formula, 92% of customers saw extended and fuller looking lashes after four weeks.

We tested this product, courtesy of Physician’s Formula, which comes in a rather unique shaped tube (better for gripping, we believe), and were very pleased with the immediate result. The 100% recyclable (how awesome is that?!) boosting brush delivered mascara to the base of the lashes in an extremely soft coat. While it didn’t give the most dramatic Cleopatra lash effect, it certainly left lashes looking gorgeous! There was no need for any other eye makeup, which is the effect we hope all mascaras can aspire to. What’s more, removing it at night was a breeze! No clumps, no flakes, and no black residue under the eyes.

The NEW Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Lash Boosting Mascara ($9.95) is available at fine drug and mass-market stores nationwide in two shades, Ultra Black and Black. In the case of this mascara, less is absolutely more.

-Alana Quagliariello

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From totally affordable to mucho moneyz, designer to artisan, organic to socially responsible, here are 5 things I discovered this week that I’m  IN LOVE WITH.

1. Mustache Scarf Cowl, $39, Pip Robins via Etsy; 2. Polka Dot Sweater, £350, Chinti and Parker; 3. Seething Jealousy Polish, $11.99, Scotch Naturals; 4. Fair Isle Long Socks, £20, People Tree; 5. Melissa Oxfords, $74, Raffaelo

Clarins Feed 25 Bag, $90

Fashion gives back in each and every one of the following charitable design initiatives. Take a second to reflect and be grateful, and disseminate good. Join in the spirit of giving and add one of these to your gift list this holiday season!

Clarins and FEED

In collaboration with Lauren Bush, the co-founder of FEED Projects, Clarins has created the Feed 25 Bag aiming to provide 1 million meals to underprivileged children through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The bag’s stenciled number 25 represents that the sale of one bag brings 25 nutritious meals.

The Clarins Feed 25 Bag ($90, but a value of $150+) includes four full-sized versions of Beauty Flash Balm, One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, Moisture Rich Body Lotion and Smoothing Body Scrub for a New Skin, four of Clarins’ most loved products. Not to mention, you’re getting a fantastic, functional tote.

The bag is available at Bloomingdale’s. Clarins has always aimed to create a more beautiful future, and to destroy the struggle of daily hunger may create the most beautiful future of all.

[picture via the Talenthouse Art&Sole Facebook tab]

UGG Australia Art & Sole

Who doesn’t love a little DIY? UGG Australia is hosting a DIY contest allowing users to virtually design their own UGG Australia boots. The winning design will be produced and sold online and in stores across America and a portion of proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Club of America.  The winner of course gets recognition too! He/She will receive $5,000, a complimentary pair of their boots and a bag, not to mention global exposure!

The interactive application is available on the Talenthouse.com website, and the Art & Sole Facebook tab. Submit creations now through Dec. 26th and/or vote for your favorite Dec. 27-Jan. 5. Simply download the template, design boots and upload!

Nicole Miller

Hand crafted, brightly colored accessories make up the fantastic Indego Africa line to empower women in Rwanda. The enticing color-popping bangles have already made headway, but the wrap skirts and shorts (both $65) are new, fun tributes to this global friendly initative. Nicole Miller visited Rwanda herself to teach sewing, draping and tailoring techniques. While Rwandan women gain confidence, power and skills, let’s work to multiply the impact.

[image via Vogue.co.uk]

Isabel Marant for Gap

French designer Isabel Marant and Gap have used fashion to make the world a better place in their recent t-shirt design collaboration. Gap’s classic boyish heather grey tee (£24.50, $38.50) is printed with a splotched paint pattern, available online at gap.eu, to help support World Aids Day. 50% of the proceeds go to the Global Fund to help eliminate Aids in Africa.

Large Fabric Bag, $75

M. Missoni for Orphanaid Africa

Margherita Missoni’s capsule collection for M. Missoni was created specifically to benefit the vulnerable children and their families of Ghana, West Africa. The cheerful collection of dresses ($165), t-shirts ($125), a skirt ($105), belted coat ($255) ballerinas ($195), pouch ($80) and a hobo bag ($75) in the signature zig-zag pattern are trendy and fun in red and pink. Proceeds from each purchase go to Orphanaid Africa as they fight poverty, hunger and disease.

Let’s follow the company ambassador and become global ambassadors ourselves by helping a country in need! Shop now at yoox.com.

U.S. Fund for Unicef

With one of the worst humanitarian crises occurring at present in the Horn of Africa, Threadless, BBH New York and the U.S. Fund for Unicef have united in their efforts to launch GOOD SHIRTS, a unique clothing line to support the drought and famine in Africa. 100% of the donations will go to the U.S. Fund for Unicef holiday initiative. Each t-shirt design, shown here, pictures a much-needed aid item.

Depending on donation amount, each design mirrors the product those in the Horn of Africa will benefit from. For example, for a donation of $18.57, the cost of three insecticide treated mosquito nets, supporters receive a t-shirt featuring a mosquito. For a donation of $500, the cost of a community water pump, supporters receive a t-shirt featuring a water pump.

Schick Quattro for Women

Help Schick Quattro for Women in their partnership with Feeding America, the #1 hunger-relief charity! Give a loved one, or pamper yourself, with this high-performance razor. Visit www.facebook.com/schickquattroforwomen to download a $2.00-off coupon for any of the brand’s razors or refills. In return, they’ll donate 50 cents per coupon download to Feeding America. A coupon that gives thanks – two in one goodness!

Talbots Quotable Tote

Tote around your support or give as a gift the Talbots Quotable Tote, $20, with 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of this tote benefit the Talbots Scholarship Program, which gives assistance to women pursuing a college education later in life. The tote features inspirational words by women who have challenged themselves by heading back to school. The totes are available in-store, at Talbots.

Each gift mentioned above is guaranteed to put a smile on more than the face of the receiver.

-Alana Quagliariello

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There’s been a lot of questions regarding what parabens are, and why they should be avoided, so we decided to pull together some definitions and products to help to shed light on the subject. When’s the last time you looked at the ingredients in your face soap or moisturizer? Maybe it’s time to start paying attention and deciding what you want and don’t want on your body.

What are parabens? A paraben is any of a group of compounds used as preservatives in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and the food industry (dictionary.com).

What products have parabens? Shampoos, moisturizers, lipstick, foundation, concealer, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving and cleansing gels to name a few. Without parabens, bacteria would begin to develop in the product, potentially harming users.

Why should we avoid parabens? Recently, health concerns are popping up as we are being told to steer clear of paraben products. They are being linked to cancer and/or hormonal disruptions. Whether or not they are incredibly harmful remains in question, but for those who wish to err on the side of safety, we’ve found plenty of products that do not contain parabens.

1. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion: A lightweight moisturizer designed to leave a balanced appearance, priced at $24.50.

2. Neutrogena Naturals is a line devoted to pure, natural skincare. Prices range from a $2.99 lip balm to a $7.49 cleanser.

3. Tarte 24.7 Natural Lip Sheer, SPF 15 gives lips a “treat-mint” with vitamin E and a breath freshening burst, all for $16. Available in 5 shades at Ulta.com.

4. bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation, $25, gives flawless coverage without any harmful substances. Made from only pure, crushed minerals, this powder feels like a cream. Check out the entire Bare Escentuals line available at Sephora.com

5. Laura Geller Sugar Free Blush and Brighten Boysenberry, $29.50 The matte finish of this blush provides a warm, natural-looking flush to the skin, while the color palette is just exquisite to look at.

The preservatives may help shelf life, but these paraben-free products are more concerned with real life. If the results are real, why not take a natural approach to skincare? To find a range of products and brands specifically paraben free and/or made mainly of natural ingredients, most beauty e-tailers now offer sections dedicated just to that classification at places like Sephora, ULTA, and Drugstore.com.

-Alana Quagliariello

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