The PRODUCT Blog - Pure Ingredients for Gorgeous Hair

At the Corner of www & (dot)com

  Photo: www.abesmarket.com/abe-story

A visit to Abe's Market is a bit like strolling down a virtual boulevard that's populated with lively storefronts, unique wares and friendly shopkeepers.  A family-oriented e-commerce hub, Abe's brings a local feel to the worldwide Web by highlighting the people behind the goods.  If you're a thoughtful shopper searching for natural products, this online corner store is right up your alley. Folks at CNN, NBC, Good Housekeeping and the New York Times have all discovered an abundance of eco-friendly offerings at Abe's Market.  Some highlights:

• PRODUCT pomade, naturally.
• Adorable onesies and organic cotton clothing for babies & toddlers.
• At last count, 71 natural deodorants (stick, cream, spray, crystal, even towelettes), plus over 100 dental products.
• And a personal favorite:  Quinn Popcorn.  A word to the wise - it sells out quickly.

From PRODUCT & Abe's - Welcome to the neighborhood!

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

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?

 

Simplify your Style

 
Public awareness of the potentially unhealthy ingredients found in an alarmingly high proportion of personal care and beauty products is growing by leaps and bounds ...

One way to limit exposure is to minimize layering of products, or in other words, reduce the total number of products you use.  We gathered some helpful guidance for paring down your grooming arsenal, and some hints for making the most of what survives the cut.  (While purging synthetics from your beauty lineup, it might be helpful to refer to former beauty queen Susan Jeske's list of "The Toxic 12" beauty ingredients, or to have a copy of No More Dirty Looks on hand ...)

 

 

 

 

We'll start with the 'low-hanging fruit' - items that dermatologist Harold Lancer told Total Beauty are non-essentials.  You can feel free to skip any of the following:

• Separate creams for face, neck and chest.  Skin care products you use on your face work for your neck and decollete as well.
• Super expensive skin care products.  Costly doesn't necessarily mean better, says Dr. Lancer, and exotic and highly concentrated ingredients can cause allergic reactions.  (That said, there is some truth to the adage, "you get what you pay for.")
• Total waste of money:  body firming products.  Sad, but true - there are no 'miracle cream' shortcuts to fitness.
• Superfluous SPF.  In Dr. Lancer's opinion, anything above 30 is redundant.  He claims that with SPF 15 about 95% of UVA/UVB rays are blocked, and that with SPF 30 your shield is at virtually 100%.
• Fun, but "fluffy":  facial masks.  These are only beneficial to use after facial procedures to soothe sensitive skin.

The basics that you DO need, according to Dr. Lancer, are a good face and body wash and moisturizing sunblock.  He is ambivalent about a few other popular beauty rituals:

• The skinny on toner:  It's generally best for people with enlarged pores and excessive oil production, and for those with Rosacea-prone skin.  But GENTLE.
• The scoop on hydrating serum:  It can help seal the skin after an invasive procedure, and is useful post-treatment.  And if you have sensitive, reactive skin all of the time, then using serum will soothe it. 

Another way to cut out medicine cabinet or makeup kit clutter is to utilize multitaskers.  Products that are multi-purpose are your BFF's.  Tinted moisturizer with SPF, anyone?  Pot rouge for both cheek and lip color is tres simple.  Or how about a hair styling pomade that also works as a lip blam, cuticle conditioner and more?

Lastly, stylist Adam Markarian's vinegar cleanse could help reduce the number of hair products you use:

1. Mix one part vinegar with five parts water in a spray bottle and apply to scalp.
2. Rub mixture in until it gets fizzy, then rinse with cool water.
3. Follow with light conditioner.
4. Enjoy your newly soft and shiny locks!

So now may be the perfect time for a pre-Spring cleaning, personal care 'greening.'  Best of luck!

 Photo:  odonata98/Flickr

Teen Evolution = Green Revolution

One of the earliest organizations PRODUCT hooked up with for special events was a group called Teens for Safe Cosmetics.  Founder Erin Schrode formed TSC in 2005, with the intent to increase public awareness, especially among young adults, about the astounding array of chemicals - many of them potentially harmful - that we apply to ourselves daily as part of our personal care and grooming routines.

Since then, Schrode's organization has blossomed, and is now known as Teens Turning Green.  TTG has new chapters forming all across the US and internationally, all participants united in the goal to inform and encourage lifestyle choices that protect human and environmental health. 

Just a few of TTG's campaigns for change:

• Lips Against Lead - A bill introduced in the California state legislature to ban the use of lead in lipstick
• Green School conferences - Working with school administrators to develop more eco-friendly janitorial practices
• Nail Salon Partnership - Cal Nail Collaborative is joining with TTG to ensure a safe, non-toxic environment for nail salon employees

The Teens are starting off 2011 with an Environmental Summit in Los Angeles next month, which will include discussions with ambitious young advocates for change Jordan Howard, a leader with the Green Ambassador Program, and Anna Cummins, co-founder of 5 Gyres. 

Kudos to Teens Turning Green, and to their parents and partners for supporting them in their efforts to create a better, 'greener' future for our planet and the people on it - one responsible choice at a time ...

Fresh Hair

I'd like to take a moment to introduce PRODUCT's newest retailer, Enza's Organic Salon:

Located in Salisbury, Maryland, Enza's is founded on owner and stylist Zina Brechbill's commitment to creating a non-toxic, healthy environment for herself, her employees and her clients.  Enza's specialty is ammonia-free hair color, which makes for a fresh-air environment in the salon.

After nearly 30 years in the hair styling biz, Ms. Brechbill began to investigate alternatives to the harmful chemicals commonly used in the hair styling process.  In 2007, Enza's opened its doors:  the first organic salon on Maryland's Eastern Shore.  As part of her commitment to 'go green,' she carries only top-quality, eco-conscious hair care and styling lines - which makes Enza's and PRODUCT a perfect fit!

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