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This is the perfect low-maintenance makeup look for an elegant dinner party (especially one you’re hosting!) because the eyes make the statement, while the lips are free to nosh and gab!

TIPS:  The key to this classic, elegant look is expertly applied liner.   The most common mistake with this look is going too neutral with the cheeks and lips.  While you really want the eyes to pop, you still need a touch of color on your cheeks and lips to avoid looking washed out.
TOOLS: Nvey Eco Eyeliner & Brow Brush #7, Nvey Eco High Definiton Cake Eyeliner, Vapour Organic Beauty Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation, Kjaer Weis Cream Blush Compact, RMS Beauty Lip Shine.

The Classic Vamp look will never go out of style and is always appropriate for black-tie formal affairs.

TIPS:  The key to getting  this look just right is finding the perfect hue and depth of lip color – not too dark, not too bright, and right for your skin tone.  Imagine Julianna here swapping lip shades with Julianne – not quite the same is it?!  You’ll also want to strike the perfect balance between the lips and the rest of the palette – too much eye and you’re more clown than gown.  Too little and your lips might wash out your face, making you look 5 years older.

TOOLS: For deep warm tones, try RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Rapture or Ilia Pure Lip Care in Arabian Nights.  For fair porcelain tones, try Vapour Organic Beauty Siren Lipstick in Ravish or Revolution Organics Freedom Lip Gloss in Freedom.  For light to medium olive tones, try Vapour Organic Beauty Aura Multi Use Stain in Impulse or Lure.

You don’t want to show up at the office party looking like a different person.  Make your co-workers jealous by looking like you just had a vacation instead!

TIPS:  The key to this sexy, understated look is great skin!  If you’re fortunate enough to be able, consider getting a professional microcurrent + oxygen facial (see: Ildi Pekar or Joanna Vargas in NYC) or DIY at home with the Tata Harper Skin Care Mini Facial Set.

TOOLS: Rose Marie Swift, the makeup magician behind RMS Beauty, is the queen of creating this glowy look so it should be no surprise you can get it using entirely RMS Beauty products. RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up – only as needed – let the skin glow, RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Muse, Promise or Smile, RMS Beauty Cream Eye Shadow in Lunar, and the Hallmark of natural radiance: RMS Beauty Living Luminizer.

If there’s ever a time to play with color, why not New Year’s Eve?!  Try something you’ve always wanted to but never had the guts – the experiment may even embolden you in the year ahead.

TIPS: You can be wild and still pretty but wild can go too far.  Pick one area to play with color (lips, cheeks or eyes), but leave the others in the natural realm.
TOOLS: For Jennifer Hudson’s look, try a metallic eye with Kjaer Weis Eye Shadow in Onyx and Divine or RMS Beauty Cream Eye Shadow in Magnetic and make the lips pop with Revolution Organics Freedom Glow Beauty Balm in Blushed.  For a look like Olivia’s, neutralize the lips with Kjaer Weis Lip Tint in Dream State or Nvey Eco Advanced Care Lip Colour in 356 and make the eyes come vividly alive with Alima Pure Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow in Aubergine and Amethyst and Vapour Organic Beauty Mezmerize Shimmer Eye Treatment in Lyric.  For a slightly down-played (unless you are getting an MTV Award) kaleidescopic eye like Katie’s, play with Vapour’s Vapour Organic Beauty Mezmerize Shimmer Eye Treatment in Dream, Stealth & Night.

For more custom color reccomendations, tips, tricks and advice, hit up one of our beauty-obsessed product specialists on Live Chat today!

One of the most frequently asked questions we get this time of year is “How do I find a winter moisturizer that will keep my hydrated but wont make me break out?” If you’re breakout-prone, like so many of us are now and then, the last thing you want to do is use a “heavier” moisturizer – but you also don’t want to be stuck all winter with parched, undernourished skin!  The solution is layering.

By layering a penetrating nourishing  face oil with a protective moisturizer, you don’t have to worry about using something that’s too heavy for your skin.  Face oils are the best way to hydrate the skin on a deeper level but alone can be leeched out of the skin in dry, cold environments.  Moisturizers larger molecules tend to treat on the skin rather than in, with natural waxes that stay put longer to prevent moisture evaporation.  Together, you get the best of both – a light breathable barrier and deep hydration -  without compromising on either, which could lead to breakouts or buildup.

Picking A Face Oil: Start with the right face oil for your skin type and texture.  If you’re also using a treatment serum, apply that first, then apply your face oil.  Some of our favorites:

 

 

Best for Acne Prone Skin: Kahina Giving Beauty 100% Organic Argan Oil Women all over the world swear that argan oil stops their skin from breaking out and even heals acne scars.

 

 

 

 

 

Best for Damaged Skin: Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Fruit & Seed Oil Blend Spend a little too much time in the sun this summer?  If your skin needs regenerating, this potent source of Vitamins A and E will get it done!  Important note: If you spend a lot of time outside, use this only at night as the ingredients are photosensitive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best for Dullnes: Ila Face Oil For Glowing Radiance Even the fairest skin should glow year-round!  Ila’s magical will give you a head-turning glow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best for Mature Skin: Amala Rejuvenate Treatment Oil Worth every penny if you want real results in reversing fine lines, wrinkles & dark spots, while deeply hydrating at the same time.  Amala products have an amazing way of being really potent but non-comedogenic.

 

 

 

 

Picking a Moisturizer: Your customized combination of face oil and moisturizer is the secret to perfectly clear winter skin.  Some of our bests:

 

 

 

Best for Adult Acne Prone: Amala Purifying Moisturizer Just enough moisture to keep you balanced.

 

 

 

 

 

Best for Sensitive, Reactive Skin: Pai Chamomile & Rosehip Organic Sensitive Skin Cream No one know sensitive skin like Pai does.  Finally something soothing that works.

 

 

 

 

Best Multi-Benefit for Combination Skin: Tata Harper Rebuilding Moisturizer All-day, lightweight matte moisture that plumps, hydrates, firms and protects.

 

 

 

 

Still wondering which combination is just right for you?  Give one of our specialists a buzz on Live Chat for a winter beauty consultation today!

Have you ever seen a beautiful bright , funky, shiny or sparkly makeup color and been too afraid to wear it? We asked Green Makeup Artist Rebecca Casciano to show us how this year’s hot, bright natural makeup colors can work in real-life, on real women, while looking glam and gorgeous, NOT kooky or clowny!  Real Model: Jenny Sansouci, Health Coach www.healthycrush.com Real Colors: Face: Vapour Organic Beauty Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation in 130 Eyes: Nvey Eco Eyeshadow in 161 Cheeks: Nvey Eco Blush in 957 Mascara: Nvey Eco Mascara in Black Lip: Nvey Eco Organic Lipstick in 360 Real Model: Wendy Hope, Photographer www.wendyhopephotography.com Real Colors: Face: Nvey Creme Deluxe Foundation Eyes: RMS Beauty Cream Eye Shadow in Seduce and Alima Pure Eyeshadow in Venus Mascara: Nvey Eco Moisturizing Mascara in Black Cheeks+ Lips: Revolution Organics Freedom Glow Beauty Balm in Blushed Real Model: Betsaida Velez, Educator Real Color: Face: Vapour Organic Beauty Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation in 135 & Nvey Eco Erase Concealer in Deep Beige Eyes: RMS Beauty Cream Eyeshadow in Spark Mascara: Nvey Eco Moisturizing Mascara in Black Cheeks + Lips: RMS Beauty Lip 2 Cheek in Smile

Real Model: Christina Pearce, Yoga Teacher Real Color: Face: Nvey Creme Deluxe Foundation in 871 Brows: Alima Pure in Java Eyes: Nvey Eco Eyeshadows in 156 + 160 Mascara: Nvey Black Cheeks: Nvey Eco Bronzer & Blush in 957 Lips: Nvey Lipstick 355

 

Aren’t they beautiful!? The next time you see a color you’re drawn to but afraid to wear, just do it! For more brilliant makeup tips and tricks, or to book a consultation and green beauty makeover with Rebecca in NYC, go to:

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Are you a voyeur like I am?  I love to peek inside the medicine cabinet.  As a beauty boutique owner, I’m asked all the time what I really use.  I know I’d love to look in your shower so here’s a look in mine.

Here in NYC, bathrooms and kitchens run small, tiny, but luckily I have one to myself in my apartment, that I can keep stocked with my favorite stuff, not for visitors or boyfriends.  I’d like to have an entire beauty boutique at hand’s reach when I shower and bathe, but critical cutbacks must be made. Here’s what makes the cut in my shower this summer.

Did you know that water quality can have an effect on how your products perform?  Since natural products don’t tend to be as lathery as conventional ones, I use a Crystal Quest shower filter and Oxygenics Elite SkinCare Showerhead.  The filter removes some of the chorine/chloramine from the water.  I’ve been using the Crystal Quest filters for years now and whenever I use another shower without one, I swear I can feel the unfiltered water drying out my skin.  The showerhead makes the shower feel more invigorating despite it’s being low-flow, and it adds oxygen to the water so that rinsing and sudsing works better.

One thing anyone can tell by peeking in my shower is that I’m nuts about exfoliating – always have been.  Just below the hangers where I keep my Hydrea London Body Brushes for dry brushing, is the first tray.  I alternate face cleansing between my two ALL TIME favorite facial cleansers, natural or not, which are the Kahina Giving Beauty Facial Cleanser and Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser.  The Kahina cleanser exfoliates with enzymes so I use it when I feel like my pores are getting congested, sometimes with my Face Brush.  The Tata cleanser is my everyday, gentle surface exfoliant.  The third I alternate in sometimes is the Patyka Masque Gommant which I use when I’m in the bath.  I don’t usually recommend mixing up your skin care too much but I know my skin really well and can handle the changes without irritation.

You also see my nail brush here.  I used to always pick under my nails with a card or whatever was handy until my manicurist told me that actually pulls the nail away from the nail bed, making a dirt trap.  Now I only use a nail brush.

Then there’s my pink dental floss from Dr. Tung’s – the best dental floss on the planet!  Floss with something else and then floss with Dr. Tung’s immediately after – you’ll be shocked how much was left behind!  This is an area where more natural alternatives just don’t cut it (yet).

For body cleansing right now I’m using Pangea Organics Geranium Shower Gel with the sponge seen in the bottom tray.

On the second tray, right now I keep my summer hair stuff: Yarok Feed Your Volume Shampoo and Condiitoner and Ctonics Core which I use when I’ve been sweating alot or have a lot of product buildup.  It’s the only clarifying shampoo that doesn’t strip moisture.  My favorite summer scrubs are the Skinnyskinny Organic Black Coffee Body Scrub (especially in the morning) and Because Body Scrub which smells like pineapple and makes my legs looks super silky and glowy.  Oh and there’s my mustard bottle for mixing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the bottom tray,  I have my Sea Sponge, my Daily Shower Cleaner, and my top 3 night-of-pampering supplies (which of course involves exfoliating!) : Carbonized Bamboo Gloves, Ila Body Scrub For A Blissful Experience and Ila Bath Salts For Inner Peace.  I used ti make my own shower cleaner but have been too busy and this was the greenest available, although it does contain phthalate-free synthetic fragrance and  I’d prefer it didn’t.

I’ve shown you mine, now show us your shower supplies on our Facebook page!

 

 

 

 

Face serums are becoming increasingly popular but many of us are still wondering…

What Are They? Just like an antioxidant rich diet is great for your skin and health, topical antioxidants too are incredibly beneficial in preventing and reversing signs of aging and dullness. These extracts and oils are most potent when they are undiluted and applied directly to clean, dry skin. Many of the ingredients in moisturizers that are meant to hydrate and protect your skin, can dilute or buffer the effectiveness of the active ingredients. That is why many dermatologists now recommend that we apply antioxidant concentrates, known as serums, before putting on makeup, moisturizer or sunscreen.

Why Organic? Using a natural face serum versus a conventional synthetic serum is like eating fruit and vegetables instead of popping a vitamin. Your body loves the real thing! We beleive that real vitamins and nutrients from plant life are better absorbed and synthesised by the skin than synthetic ones. Many serums on the market today are silicone based. Silicones are plastic-based polymers that basically form a plastic film over your skin, making it appear and feel temporarily smoother. Over time, with this invisible waterproof film over the skin cells, your skin begins to suffocate and may become inflamed, dehydrated and congested which ironically, may trick you into using even more product to get a better result.  Spirit Beauty Lounge beleives that organic facial serums are the safest way to deliver the most bio-available nutrients to your skin.

Which One is Best For My Skin? We’ve included Face Oils, Gels and more “serum-like” serums. We put them all in the serum category because they are concentrates of active ingredients which are meant to be applied drectly to the skin, before anything else.

Best for Giving Dull Skin Glow: Ila Face Oil for Rejuvenating Radiance.
Key Actives: Argan oil and Rosehip Seed oil which are high in anti-oxidants and fatty acids to fight wrinkles and help skin cells regenerate. Damascena Rose Otto which is regenerative and nourishing to the skin’s cells.
Why We Love It: This is a product that literally makes your skin glow. People will notice and comment on your skin when you’re using Ila Face Oil!

Best on a Budget: Acure Organic Seriously Firming Face Serum
Key Actives: Argan Oil restores moisture to the skin’s lipid layer. Borage Oil soothes inflammation and Cranberry works to neutralize free radicals.
Why We Love It: A certified organic anti-aging concentrate for under $25.  What’s not to love?!

Best for Mature Skin: Amala Rejuvenating Serum
Key Actives: Vitamin C-rich Acerola, brightening Sea Algae and wrinkle-fighting Cocoa Bean naturally repair skin.
Why We Love It: We love facts & stats – in independent clinical trials, after just four weeks, 100% of users reported reduced fine lines, restored firmness.  Real, noticeable results from a natural product! That’s what we live for.
Also See: For extra dry mature skin, layer or alternate with Amala Rejuvenating Treatment Oil.

Best Aging Prevention: Intelligent Nutrients Organic Anti-Aging Serum
Key Actives: Antioxidant Acai, Pomegranate, Cranberry, Raspberry & Pumpkin seed oils
Why We Love It: They say that 25 is the age at which you should start your preventative anti-aging skin care regimen.  This serum makes your skin feel and look great and is just the right price and potency for the average 25-35 year old woman.

Best for  Dry and Best for Acne-Scarred Skin: Kahina Giving Beauty Serum
Key Actives: Balancing Argan Oil and Sea Buckhorn oil for accelerated skin healing.
Why We Love It: Acneic and acne-scarred skin needs love too!  Too often it’s over-treated with harsh acne products which leave the skin in a ravaged state.  This serum will speed up healing, balancing and resurfacing.

Best for Oily/Active Skin: Dr. Alkaitis Soothing Gel
Key Actives: Anti-inflammatory, calming Aloe Vera Gel and essential fatty acid and nutrient-rich seaweed and herbs.
Why We Love It: Natural serums are usually oil-based, this aloe & witch hazel based gel delivers all of the nutrients skin needs, without the unneeded oil.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Fruit & Seed Oil Blend
Key Actives: Regenerative Co2 extracted Rosehip Fruit Oil
Why We Love It: If you have reactive, sensitive skin, you know that the more active ingredients there are in a serum, the higher your chances are of having a reaction to one of them!  Pai uses just one super-potent and effective yet non-irritating source active ingredient in this gem of a serum.

Best Multi-Purpose: Patyka Huile Absolue Serum
Key Actives: Silky, luxurious Squalane and Vitamin C rich Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Why We Love It: The incredibly silky texture of this serum is perfect for softening, smoothing and rejuvenating not just the face, but the hair, body too!  We’d also name this serum: Best for Uneven Skin Texture

Best for Prematurely Aging Skin: Ila Rainforest Renew Face Serum
Key Actives: Acmella Extract – a fast acting fine line and wrinkle reducer, and skin brightening Brazilian Ginseng
Why We Love It: If you’re 25-35 and already seeing creeping crows feet, new “freckles” that won’t fade, forehead wrinkles or enlarged pores, but don’t feel you’re ready for a mature skin regimen, this serum will erase the premature (and mature) signs of aging without causing an imbalance in younger skin.

Best for Skin Discoloration/Melasma: Organic Apoteke Rasayana Rejuvenating Serum
Key Actives: Vitamin B, C, D, E and beta-carotene-rich Carrot Seed Oil.
Why We Love It: Most effective actives that can break up melanin are also highly toxic.  This potent serum proves you can do it naturally, while nourishing the skin.

Best All Around: Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum
Key Actives: There are 29 actives in this serum, including anti-aging Narcissus Bulb Extract and Date Extract
Why We Love It: Tata Harper pulls out all the stops, sparing no luxury in this hero product. It smells amazing, feels succulent, absorbs easily, and within only a week gets results: brighter, softer, smoother and more toned skin.