The PRODUCT Blog - Pure Ingredients for Gorgeous Hair

Big in Japan, Born in the USA

Welcome to 2012. 

With this new year comes a new and exciting development:  PRODUCT pomade for hair is now in beauty stores and salons in Tokyo, Japan.  The pop culture-loving metropolis has a long history of embracing Western style, and beauty editors from top magazines are loving this latest, all-natural import.  Here, January 2012 editions featuring PRODUCT:

BAILA & GLAMOROUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Safari Athlete (!) & Sotokoto

beauty + conscience = cruelty-free kit

Makeup artists are very particular about their kits.  Go through an artist's kit, and you'll find that everything in it is tested and reliable.  In the case of New York-based makeup artist Gayle Carbajal, it's also cruelty-free.

Compassion for our four-legged, feathered and furry friends motivated Ms. Carbajal to remove all animal-tested products from her working kit - and 'cruelty-free kit' was born.

After adding a jar of PRODUCT to her kinder, gentler selection of beauty tools, Gayle says, "I'm absolutely smitten with this pomade, and I can't reccommend it strongly enough!"  As far as we're concerned, PRODUCT is in good company.

Here's how Gayle put PRODUCT to use:

"Pop this little jar of pomade into your set bag, purse or backpack to texturize hair, smooth split ends, tame fly-aways and unruly eyebrows (I’m looking at you, men!).  PRODUCT leaves a healthy sheen, so this works perfectly to condition lips and skin ... The secret of PRODUCT’s multi-tasking genius lies in the simplicity of its pure formula."

five natural ingredients + one makeup pro = simply stunning

Deck the Halls, and Stuff Some Stockings

Happy holidays!  We're in the thick of gift-giving season and Ecobold has some "green" suggestions to shrink your shopping list's carbon footprint.  Welcome to the Ecobold Holiday Gift Guide ...

Steffany, Ecobold's fearless leader in planet-friendly commerce, gives a glimpse of seven clean, non-toxic gift ideas for the season - and even manages to mix in some eco-education!

Natural products are a nice way to show someone you care - about them and about important issues like resource conservation and sustainability ...

So check out Ecobold for today's special holiday offers, and give the gift that keeps on giving - a healthy planet!

 

 

 

Purity is in the Details

Specific information is often helpful, in life as in online beauty reviews. 

Example:  pure: a healthy makeup blog.  Reviews and recommendations found on pure are well-rounded and wonderfully specific - you will learn the best angle for application using a certain brush, and be able to view lip and eye colors in 'real life' in the photo "swatches." 

Being privy to these details can make the experience of using a product go much more smoothly.  After all, with makeup and styling you first need to know what look you're going for, and you then need to know how to get it.

Considering the thorough and unvarnished, tell-it-like-it-is tone of pure: a healthy makeup blog, it's rewarding to see that PRODUCT pomade for hair is at the top of the list of early fall favorites.  It's a diverse group, from bronzer to brow defining cream, and all of the selections are, of course, pure.  PRODUCT also got it's own, more detailed review on the blog - here, some excerpts:

"Its primary use is as a hair pomade.  You use it by taking a small amount, warming it between your fingers, and running it through your hair.  This will help smooth out any frizz.  What is really amazing is how much it softens and moisturizes." 

"Because all of the ingredients are natural and moisturizing, it can also be used as a lip balm ... it just melts right into the lips ... this is now my go-to balm and it comes with me pretty much everywhere.  It's so convenient to have one product for hair, lips, or even dry hands and cuticles."

You can check out the full review for more about why PRODUCT is one of pure blogger Mary's "all time favority beauty finds" - enjoy the clever opening!  And add some pure beauty into the mix this fall ...

photo:  Just chaos/Flickr

Well Seasoned

We're on the cusp of fall, when new styles are as plentiful as descending leaves.  Now is the time when a few smart choices can make for a good-looking season.

Some resources for the ladies: 

• Chictopia, an online "mecca for inspiration seekers and trendsetters," does not disappoint and is highly regarded by WWD & NYLON ...

• Atlantic-Pacific, created by emerging style icon Blair "Bee" Eadie, incorporates fashion sensibilities from both coasts into a unique mix.  See what interests her for the coming season.

• Get more from your summer maxi-dresses, with some styling tips from Refinery29. 

 

For the guys, this video from the Quoddy workshop demonstrates a high standard.  It's good to keep in mind that you deserve quality, and to admire it - though a pair of these would be an investment ...

video via the Free/Man Journal

 

And for parents, as well as young kids and teens, back to school shopping can be a, shall we say, tense experience.  It's no surprise that a recent survey found young people underestimate the cost of this annual autumn ritual.  Though it can't be avoided, school shopping can be embraced as a "teachable occasion" for money matters - see the survey results for specific suggestions ...

and savor these final days of summer!

 

Foreign Relations

Japanese specialty retailer kokobuy recently introduced PRODUCT to the Asian market.  To our delight, blog and magazine coverage followed ...

on model Takashi Sakurai's blog

on the Fruit Blog (love the bunny)

on Kirei Navi

in the pages of SODA Magazine's August issue

and in Mart Magazine

 

Not sure what any of it says, but it looks adorable.  Arigatou gozaimasu.

Portland Gets a Lucas

Nylon Magazine is the first to scoop the opening of Lucas Portland - before the new salon even has a phone number it's been included in the pages of the July Music Issue (on newstands now). 

The reason being:  Taylor Lucas, owner and stylist, has a gift for fostering good vibes that act as a magnet to creative types, musicians included.  Nylon mentions some notable ones as frequent guests at the  original Lucas, in L.A.'s Echo Park.  And as Lucas herself states, her mission with the Portland space is to make everyone feel at home.  "I just want it to be welcoming," she says, "Like come-in-and-take-a-nap welcoming." 

Amenities will include freshly brewed Stumptown coffee, and special events and curated shopping are in development.  We miss having Taylor all to ourselves here in L.A., but are thrilled to congratulate her on the opening of Lucas Portland. 

UPDATE:

Lucas Portland is officially open as of August!  You can find info online at http://lucas--lucas.com or call 503-894-8169. 

Happiness, and Mother's Day

 

What about the "happy" in Happy Mother's Day? Philosophers have pondered the nature and necessity of happiness for thousands of years now; and what constitutes human happiness has certainly changed in superficial ways over time.  But are there core beliefs or practices that foster happiness?

 

Nic Marks, "a recognized expert in the field of well-being research," developed the Happy Planet Index (HPI) at his "think-and-do tank," the New Economics Foundation.  In this TED Talk, Marks describes the HPI and poses the question, "What five positive actions can you do to improve well-being in your life?"  He and his collaborators narrowed it down to these:

1. Connect.  Marks says, "Your social relationships are the most important cornerstone of your life."  Invest the time and energy to strengthen your connection to others.
2. Be active.  Marks points out that getting active is the "fastest way out of a bad mood.  Step outside for a walk, turn on the radio and dance."  Generate some positive energy.
3. Take notice.  Marks asks, "How aware are you of things going on around the world, the seasons changing, people around you ...?"  Mindfulness keeps you present, aware and available to wonder.
4. Keep learning.  Marks stresses that the key is "learning throughout your whole life course," and that it need not be formal education.  Cultivate a lifetime habit of curiosity.
5. Give.  Marks jokes that this is "the most anti-economic of activities," but says, "Generosity, altruism and compassion are all hard-wired to the reward mechanism in our brain."  

It's worth a shot, right?  Happy Mother's Day to all ...

Image:  Constant Contact

Green and Bold

With fresh daily video reviews of natural and organic products, plus special pricing, Ecobold makes every day Earth Day.

Founded by Steffany Boldrini, who the Huffington Post writes, "...is a bit like a Rachael Ray or Martha Stewart of eco-friendly lifestyle," Ecobold is a one-stop online eco-shop that makes it easy to 'go green' with natural and organic products for home, health, beauty and more.  

See what Steffany has to say about PRODUCT, and tune in to Ecobold for the latest and greatest in 'green' living:

 

Opinion Pages

Customer reviews of PRODUCT pomade for hair on Urban Outfitters are proof positive that the styling butter, made entirely from organic & plant-derived components, is a natural wonder!  Five simple ingredients, blended beautifully, get fantastic results - here's a peek at what people are saying ...

"This is the best stuff ever!!  I use a pea size amount on my super tight brown curls when I get out of the shower.  I love it!  It leaves my hair feeling softened, with cuter curls, and bouncy ... and my frizz is gone!"  -- from ihearttimmy

"Smells really good in the jar but doesn't scent your hair, which I kind of like ...  I actually got this thinking about summer trips to the beach.  I have a feeling that salt water plus PRODUCT will make my hair really slammin'.  You can also use this as a lip balm and cuticle cream or to mix with an eyeshadow to make a smoky cream shadow.  Gotta love a multi-tasker."  -- from NoNose

"The packaging is adorable.  A little, tiny, clever jar.  The PRODUCT is interesting ... you just rub it in your hands and it turns into more of a light paste ...  It smells wonderful and made my hair look fabulous for some reason ...  Even if you don't want to use it on your entire head, just use a little bit and tame some pieces.  It works well and it won't make your hair greasy if you spread it out and work it in thoroughly ..."  -- from sparklebones, Top 100 Contributor

"My hair is pretty short and fine, but there is lots of it.  It took me a few tries to get the right amount of texture ... but now it's my favourite hair product!  It gives me a bit more definition and control while still looking natural."  -- hkat

Here's to a lovely spring!