The PRODUCT Blog - Pure Ingredients for Gorgeous Hair

Keep it Beautiful

Earth Day is here again - 43 years and counting of celebration and activism to honor and protect the planet we call home. 

Did you know? ...

Earth travels through space at 66,700 miles per hour.  Its orbit around the sun is nearly 600,000,000 miles.  (So, we travel that distance, too, as passengers!)

In its orbit, the earth is tipped at 23.4 degrees; this axis is responsible for our seasons. 

Earth is the only planet in the solar system with plate tectonics. 

Breeze carries about 100 milllion tons of sand particles around the earth yearly. 

About two-thirds of the earth's surface is beneath the ocean. And Google is setting out to map it ...

PRODUCT is keeping it beautiful this Earth Day with a discount in the PRODUCT store - save 22% on any order by using promo code OURPLANET (ends 5/15/12).

HAPPY EARTH DAY 2012!

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!

 

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

Powerful Flowers

Photo:  flickrPrince/Flickr

Spring is set to bloom.  Here, we shine a light on three floral powerhouses, and their health and beauty benefits!

Roses symbolize love, youth and beauty - and who doesn't want to experience all of the above?  Some ways to incorporate rosewater into your routine:

• Refresh hair between washings with a rosewater spritz, or lightly mist bed sheets and linens for a scent that is both restorative and soothing.
• Use rosewater as a skin toner for face and body post-bathing - its neutral pH level supports moisture balance.

Chamomile flowers are known to promote gentle healing, inside and out.

• Fill a cheesecloth 'tea' bag with chamomile blossoms and float it in your bath.  Inhaling the flower-infused steam can ease respiratory ailments and sore throats, as well as calm frayed nerves.
• Highlight your mane naturally with a chamomile hair rinse.  Simply brew a tea, using two cups water to 1/4 cup fresh or dried flowers, and let cool.  After cleansing, but before conditioning, rinse hair with the solution and experience brighter, softer locks.

Hibiscus flowers, with their deep red hue and high antioxidant content, are part of the mallow family.  Hair treatments made with hibiscus should only be used by those with darker locks, to avoid staining (sorry, blondes!).

• Hibiscus oil treatments promote a healthy scalp, which leads to a gorgeous head of hair.  Add hibiscus leaves and flowers to oil (coconut, grapeseed, jojoba) and heat slightly.  After cooling, strain the leaves and flowers, apply the infused oil to your scalp and leave it on for an hour or so.  Follow with a cleanse and condition.
• Give yourself an invigorating, tart and fruity boost with Hibiscus iced tea, which is bursting with Vitamin C.

What are your favorite floral and herbal beauty remedies?

 

Cheers!

Here's to the start of a new year, and a new decade! 

May many wishes be realized in 2011 ...

Photo:  aussiegall/Flickr

Sock It to Me

Photo: Urban Outfitters

Just a friendly reminder, PRODUCT 100% natural pomade makes a perfect stocking stuffer or holiday gift basket addition. 

Not only does PRODUCT work as a unisex hair styling aid, it multi-tasks as a lip balm, cuticle conditioner and skin softener - superb for this time of year, when dry, chapped skin can be an issue ...

Wishing you a green and happy holiday season!

Holidays, from A to Zen

As we head into the holiday season, of course we're thinking about looking stunning at all those soirees and gatherings.  Sometimes, though, what's going on inside your head can have more of an impact on your appearance than any external condition.  It's the ultimate irony that sharing "tidings of comfort and joy" can lead to stress and frustration.

So, in the interest of avoiding a holiday meltdown, take a look at some thoughts on simple living from Zen Habits.  The complete list is longer, but here are five essentials that might help you through the coming weeks (and beyond) ...

• Make a list of your top 5 most important things.  What's most important to you?  What do you value most?  What do you most want to do in your life?  Simplicity starts with these priorities, as you make more room in your life for what matters to you.

• Evaluate your commitments.  Look at everything you’ve got going on in your life. Everything, from work to home to civic to kids’ activities to hobbies to side businesses to other projects.  Think about which of these really gives you value, which ones you love doing.  Which of these are in line with the "most important" things you listed above?  Consider cutting out those that don't fit with your priorities. 

• Evaluate your time.  How do you spend your hours?  What things do you do, from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep?  Make a list, and evaluate whether your activities are in line with your priorities.  If not, think about how you can redesign your day.

• Learn to say no.  This is actually one of the key habits for those trying to simplify their lives.  If you can’t say no, you will take on too much.  Remember, you can say no nicely!

• Learn what “enough” is.  Sometimes it seems as though our culture today is about getting more and more, with no end in sight.  Sure, you can get the latest gadget, and more clothes and shoes.  More stuff.  But when will you have enough?  Most people don’t know, and thus they keep buying more. It’s a neverending cycle.  Get off the cycle by figuring out how much is enough.  And then stop when you get there.

Wishing you a peaceful holiday season, full of satisfaction, delight and a little Zen!   You can kick it all off with a discount* in the PRODUCT store this weekend - just enter promo code GOBBLE at checkout, and thanks for stopping by! 

*20% discount, valid 11/25/10-11/28/10.

Photo:  WTLphotos/Flickr

2010 - The Year of Safe Cosmetics?

Southern California public radio show AirTalk hosted a debate last week (click here to listen) on the merits of proposed legislation to increase transparency in the cosmetics and personal care industry - The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010. 

For many years now, advocates for public safety and health have questioned the level of regulation and testing that commonly used personal products like lotions, cosmetics, hair dyes, nail polish and more are subject to.

Environmental Working Group has created an ingredient information database for mass market brands, called  the 'Skin Deep' Cosmetic Safety Database, which is aimed at arming the public with details about what's in our most commonly used personal care products. The hope of legislators introducing the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 is to lift the veil (some would say close the loophole) that allows beauty industry manufacturers to omit trace or inactive ingredients from labeling. In addition, the legislation would require personal care products to be tested for contamination, and to verify accuracy of ingredients disclosure and efficacy claims.

Last week's on-air discussion of the cosmetics regulation issue involved Stacy Malkan, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and author. Her beauty guide, Not Just A Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry, was recommended on the Today Show's web site as one of six 'green reads' along with heavy environmental hitters like The Lazy Environmentalist and Cradle to Cradle. 

Malkan responded to callers' questions about ingredients like sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate, and their curiosity about whether more expensive products are actually more effective. In her opinion, many of high-end brands' effectiveness claims are just so much smoke and mirrors - in reality the benefits across price points are pretty much stable. Malkan suggested choosing products with simple formulations to limit exposure to unknowns and 'unlisteds' like mercury, lead, coal tar and the myriad of chemicals in the ingredient generically listed as 'fragrance.'

Malkan's sparring partner on the subject of HR 5786 was John E. Bailey, Ph.D., who is currently, after a more than decade-long stint at the EPA, Chief Scientist for the Personal Care Products Council. PCPC is lobbying hard against the proposed cosmetics legislation and arguing that its passage would be damaging to small business and to innovation in the industry.

Take a listen to what Malkan and Bailey had to say, and see what you think ...  When state and local representatives head back to Washington this fall, we'll be watching for developments on this potentially eye-opening legislation.

(Photo: House Of Sims/Flickr)