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!

 

 

 

 

If you want a safe, simple way to look tan without the sun, bronzer can be a great addition to your beauty routine. It’s easy to apply, to remove, and can be used to sculpt features and rejuvenate the look of the face. This is the best time of year to get into bronzed, glowing skin so have fun with it!  On our fair beauty, Glenda, we show you the top 3 reasons why bronzer is a summer staple:

1) It “warms” up your face instantly by adding a sun-kissed glow with color and luminosity. For a natural glow, choose a bronzer about 2 shades deeper than your natural skin tone. Matte will give a more subtle look, as seen here on Glenda, but shimmer bronzer can be gorgeous too, especially in the evening.

2) You can fake a tan by adding bronzer to the high points of the face, where the sun would normally hit first: think forehead, cheekbones, and top of nose. If you wear sunscreen on your face but get a bit of color on your body, bronzer helps to match the face to the body. You can also add it to the neck and chest with a big, fluffy brush like Nvey Eco’s Powder Brush #3.

3) Bronzer can be used to contour the face. Contour adds a dimension that is especially flattering in photograph or video, but can also be worn everyday. Choose a matte (no shimmer) powder bronzer, 2-3 shades deeper than your skin tone. Use Alima’s Blush Brush #17 to apply product to the cheekbone, forehead and jawline, if desired. To contour eyes and nose, use a smaller brush, such as Alima’s Large Shadow Brush #39 and Blending Brush #37. Apply powder bronzer/contour sparingly with a soft, fluffy brush and remember to blend well!

 

What we used:
On Face: Vapour Soft Focus Foundation in 110, RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up #22, Nvey Eco Bronzer in Natural Bronze to contour and Alima Satin Matte Bronzer in Mauna Loa for allover glow.
On Eyes: Alima Pure Satin Matte Eyeshadow in Java
On Brows: Nvey Eco Mascara in Black
On Lips: Vapour Plumping Lip Gloss in Vivid.

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To schedule a pro makeup lesson or green beauty consultation with Rebecca, visit her site www.RebeccaCasciano.com or email beauty@rebeccacasciano.com.

As we know, the skin is the largest elimination organ of our bodies, responsible for 1/4 of our bodies daily detoxification. Generally, toxins and waste are released through our skin’s pores during perspiration. However, there is a simple and effective way to greatly assist the process, called dry brushing. Used for centuries by Russians and Scandinavians, dry brushing helps by removing dead skin cells so that the skin can properly eliminate waste. This technique has a myriad of other benefits and can be done daily from the comfort of your home!

For the deets, we caught up with New York City detox expert, Tracy Piper, a well known Acupuncturist, Massage and Colon Therapist, to get the goods on how dry brushing really works. Tracy explained that the skin is known as the ‘third kidney’ and as a person’s body becomes toxic, one of the first places it will show up, is in the skin.  However, “The skin is the last organ to receive nutrients from the body. With dry brushing, you are able to open the pores and allow the release of toxic material.” In addition, gently brushing the skin stimulates the lymphatic system, encouraging blood circulation and cell regeneration.

The skin is the last organ to receive nutrients from the body. With dry brushing, you’re able to open the pores and allow the release of toxic material.

-Tracy Piper

 

Not only is dry brushing great for your health, but it also has plenty of beauty benefits. Regular brushing tightens your skin by increasing blood flow, stimulating nerve endings and removing the dead skin cells, making way for smoother skin to surface. It is also one of the only (if not the only) effective treatments for reducing cellulite.

Along with daily dry brushing, Piper recommends drinking two liters of water with lemon each day. The lemon water helps activate the liver to liquefy fat trapped within the connective tissue, which is the cause of cellulite. For a real beauty boost Tracy adds, “Pay attention to good alkaline water, wholesome organic food and getting chlorophyll in the diet.”

Okay, now that you’re convinced that dry brushing should be introduced in your daily routine, let’s talk about how to dry brush! First, you will need to pick up one of these lovely Hydrea London FSC Certified Body Brushes. Dry brushing should take place once a day, before you get into the shower, so that you can wash away the impurities from the skin. Piper emphasizes the importance of following specific techniques, as haphazard brushing could actually do more harm than good.  But don’t be alarmed, just remember the general rule is to brush from the extremities towards the core of the body.

How To Dry Brush:

- Begin with your feet and brush in circular motions

- Continue brushing up your legs

- Proceed to your hands and arm, towards armpit

- Brush your entire back and abdomen area, moving towards the heart

- Use circular counter-clockwise strokes on the abdomen

- Lightly brush the breast

- Brush upwards on the back and down from the neck

 

At first, your skin may feel sensitive to the brush, but as you get used to it, you will find it very invigorating and enjoyable. Remember to start off gently, especially around sensitive areas, and increase pressure with time and practice. This amazingly beneficial technique should only take about 3-5 minutes of your time, although you may want to spend 5-10 extra minutes on cellulite areas.

If you would like to learn dry brushing from a pro, we recommend Tracy Piper’s 30 Minute Skin Brushing, offered at M.A.R.C. Holistic Center in Soho. Enjoy the multitude of beauty and health benefits from this simple, yet powerful practice!