Feelgood Style

One year ago, after watching her father lose his battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease and her 35-year-old friend receive a diagnosis of breast cancer for the third time, Christy decided it was time to make a change. Since early on in her career, she suspected the chemicals in the high-end makeup she used on her clients were potentially harmful; she had stopped wearing the stuff years ago. So she emptied her makeup kit and started over, this time filling it with nothing but natural cosmetics. If she was going to remain in the only career she had ever known or wanted, she could no longer use products containing the chemicals she suspected may have killed her father, or possibly contributed to the cancer haunting her friend. Read the rest of this entry »

Founder of Blades Natural Beauty, Jessa Blades is a natural makeup artist who works on photo shoots and fashion shows, helps brides looks their best on their big day and provides natural beauty consultation to a variety of clientele in New York City.  Last month she worked with celebrity makeup artist, Rose-Marie Swift at Fashion Week and is featured this month in Glamour magazine’s 70^th anniversary issue along with 69 other female eco-achievers.  She also works with Teens Turning Green and Project Green Prom. 

She believes we don’t have to sacrifice health for beauty and is intimately in-the-know about products that perform, yet won’t pollute our bodies.  “People are outraged when it comes to animal testing for cosmetics and I’m against it, but what about human testing?  Companies have been testing their products on women for years!!” 

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I have a confession to make: For the last 6 months, I was wearing mascara that I didn’t actually sell on my website or in my store. Although I had used all of them, and really liked several, I came across a natural mascara from France a while back that simply blew the others out of the water. I couldn’t go back; thus, when people would ask me which mascara I recommended, I had to a) give them my #2 and #3 choices whilst pretending I knew of nothing better (because the odds of there being a spa carrying the brand in your area were exceedingly slim, so why torture you); b) mumble something about wearing a natural mascara that I would be selling some day, or c) quickly change the subject.

No longer must I select from 3 unhappy options when asked about the best natural mascara. I bring you Couleur Caramel’s natural, eco-cert certified, how-long-oh-lord-how-long-have-I-waited-for-this mascara. Read the rest of this entry »

When you think of Kenneth Cole, timeless fashion, trendsetting shoes and stylish accessories likely leap to mind.  Their commitment to the environment and their eco-tote likely do not top your list.  But behind the well designed exterior lies a philanthropic soul, intent on sparking social change — and helping others do it, too.

Their recent launch of Awearness supports that mission, showcasing 25 years worth of philanthropy, and creating a place for consumers and businesses to get involved in championing the causes that are important to them.  From a blog to a book to a volunteer link up program, Kenneth Cole shows us it’s possible to look as good as you feel. 

Right down to its name, Awearness is the embodiment of Feelgood Style.

Being the slightly bold journalist that I am, I sought out an interview with this fashion icon to learn more about Awearness and uncover any other hidden gems lurking behind the finely stitched fabric of Kenneth Cole.  It started with some light stalking of their Twitter account, a couple of emails and a few [dozen] phone calls before I finally connected with Robert Genovese, Vice President of Marketing & Media at the West 50th Street headquarters in New York City.  Robert was gracious, responsive, and genuinely eager to share the details of the Awearness program, and happily indulged me in the laundry list of questions that I am thrilled to share with you now.

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A few weeks ago, Feelgoodstyle.com writer Stancie Wilson told you about Organic Beauty Magazine, the latest and greatest newsstand magazine featuring organic and natural beauty products, fashion finds, and advice on everything from choosing the best products to eco-friendly travel to creating your own at-home spa experience. I caught wind of the plans for this new magazine in the fall and, as you might imagine, I was thrilled beyond measure. About a month later, I had the extreme good fortune of meeting up with editor-in-chief Rona Berg to learn more about the magazine and her plans for its future (and what a smart, inspirational woman she is). The more I heard, the more excited I became, to say the very least. When my copy arrived right before the holidays, I tossed aside whatever I was working on at the time, giddily scanning every page and admiring every photograph, including Christy Coleman’s masterful artisty on the cover (featuring House actress Olivia Wildes). Read the rest of this entry »

One of the biggest challenges most people face is staying organized.  It’s also one of the biggest new year’s resolutions for those who resolve to start their new year off clutter-free.  But, for many, it’s an elusive process that either starts off strong and fizzles out, or seems so daunting a task that they don’t know where to begin.

Enter Krista Colvin, lifestyle expert, Founder of Organize in Style LLC and creator of The Shebang, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Doing It All, who sees your clutter as a canvas for crafting a well organized masterpiece that’s as eco-friendly as it is stylish.  Best of all, she offers practical solutions that are easy to implement — and maintain — and will save you precious hours to boot.  With Krista’s help, the only thing you’ll need to think about is what to do with all that extra time!

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The time has come.  The wait is over.  The brand-new, highly anticipated, hottest beauty glossy to hit newsstands is green and it’s gorgeous!

Natural and organic beauty is no longer a niche industry. It has and continues to flood conventional markets as consumers ask more questions than ever about product safety and purity. The rapid increase in organic beauty sales is due, in part, to consumer awareness of hazards in their synthetic and toxic counterparts. Higher standards have become prevalent even for the average consumer thanks to mainstream media spotlights on lead in lipstick, estrogen-mimicking parabens and BPA in plastics.

Though it may not seem like an ideal time to launch anything in our current economic state, there may not be a more perfect time than now for Organic Beauty.

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Many of you visit to find the latest, best and most effective natural and organic beauty brands amongst other things. Organic beauty is one of my favorite topics and one I’m passionate about.  And I don’t know about you, but I value honest recommendations from fellow consumers much more than I do when it comes from an owner or employee of a business.  And I know I’m not alone, otherwise Googling “review of X product” would not be the common pastime that it is.  So with that in mind, I’m bringing you the real deal about NatureOfBeauty.com. I’ll clue you in on which products I’m loving right now, the scoop on two hot brands they just launched, share my Christmas gift ideas and divulge how to get free shipping and 15% off your order.
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For all you ecoista out there, the new issue of Coco Eco Magazine has upped the ante with a slick new look and loads of content. Hot on the heels of the major glossies such as Elle, Allure, Harpers et al, Coco Eco is set to firmly plant their position in the world of magazines that combine style, with substance. While this is only the second issue, it’s clear the magazine has increasingly modern, forward thinking, savvy & current editorial content. In this latest issue they cover everything from fashion, in ‘Haute Holiday Looks’, to an ‘Eco Chic Gift Giving Guide’ with contributions from Zem Joaquim (of Ecofabulous fame), and Rachel Sarnoff (EcoStiletto Founder). Louise Roe, gorgeous & green journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in the US, is featured on the cover & profiled inside. The beauty section is full of ‘Party Looks’, ‘Winter Face Savers’ & some of the coolest beauty products plus where to buy them. Read the rest of this entry »

Going green isn’t as difficult as it used to be with the array of vegetarian delights and eco-friendly products available on the market today, and environmentally-conscious clothing is becoming as popular as the fashions themselves. But M641 takes it one step further with a philosophical approach to designing clothes that are living, breathing representations of the spirit, passion, and friendship that created them.  For Ina and Subu, earth-minded fashion is about a lifestyle — not a trend — and the result is a stunning experience in heart couture. 

I had an opportunity to talk with Ina, one of the founders of M641, and learned more about the designs, the philosophy and the friendship that foster feel good fashions and plaid with a pulse.

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