Feelgood Style

I think I am inadvertently on the quest for the perfect soap because lately that’s what I have really been sampling and testing.

This round of sampling has me trying out Pomega5 Oil of Life Cleansing Bar which has changed names since I first receive the product for review and is now called the Lemongrass Clarifying Cleansing Bar.

Lemongrass makes more sense because it smells like lemon not pomegranate.

So far I like the scent and the way it foams. Read the rest of this entry »

I had the chance to sample Dr. Dobbs‘ Tomato Complexion Soap and I have to admit I was skeptical. I thought- Tomatoes? In soap? And this is supposed to do wonders for my skin? I don’t know about all that.

And then I tried it.

I am no longer skeptical. In fact I am ordering another bar…or two, right now. Read the rest of this entry »

Cellphones. My generation’s “must have” accessory. I have yet to jump on the iPhone bandwagon. In fact, I once dated a boy with a Blackberry and found myself resenting the phone for all it’s gadgets that consumed most of his time. (Don’t worry. I’ve since worked on my Blackberry resentment. In fact, I realized if he was more interested in his relationship with his phone he probably wasn’t much into me. Of course, I only figured this out after he dumped me. Uncomfortable silence.) I’ve always had a pretty measly cell phone with the mere basics, you know- the ability to talk to another human being. In the last couple years, I upgraded to a phone with a camera- huge milestone in my technology focused life.

So, when I realized I was up for another phone upgrade from Sprint, I got a wee bit excited, almost nervous. Dare I upgrade to a phone with Internet access? Oh me, oh my. While browsing through the possible choices my eyes gleamed, my mouth watered, the infinite possibilities of “cool” cell phones scrolled down the computer screen. Mixed feelings of taking a step to join the “hip technologically advanced kids” consumed my every thought.

“Samsung Reclaim,” an eco phone; immediately, I stopped browsing and clicked on the image of the green phone (literally) to read more. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m just gonna put it out there: I have always had really oily skin and large pores. Consequently, much of my brain space in high school was not so much occupied with how toxic the ingredients were in my oil controlling face powder as it was with whether the hot foreign exchange student would kiss me for the first time on an evening when I forgot to (re)apply the aforementioned powder because then he would get a close-up look at the oil and the pores and I would subsequently be subjected to an unsolicited lesson in how to say “My God woman what is wrong with your face?!” in Italian, thus forcing me into hiding for the next three years, with nothing to keep me company but Sassy magazine and my angst-ridden poetry about bad skin and why I hated Europeans.

Ahem. Moving on. Read the rest of this entry »

When considering whether to wade into the experimental waters of eco-friendlier makeup and skin care, consequently taking on the hassle and expense that always accompany such decisions, you’ll likely find yourself creating a mental list of pros and cons. To complicate matters, misinformation in the beauty industry abounds on both sides of the fence, making it hard for a glamour-lovin’ gal to know what to do. From…ahem…creative uses of the word “organic,” to beauty writers poo-pooing the idea that anything could be toxic enough to warrant ditching semi-permanent lipstick, it’s no surprise many would-be green beauty consumers are confused and conflicted.

To help you sort it all out, I have outlined and, I hope, dispelled three common green beauty myths. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve had the chance to review a lot of natural/green bath and beauty products over the past year but none of them have compared in the long run to Indigo Wild’s Zum Goat’s Milk Soap. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s obviously not because the people in Brooklyn are a particularly dirty bunch, but you have to admit with the Organic Beauty View post on Brooklyn soap makers and now The Bubble Roome coming to my attention, it’s hard not to wonder what’s up?! One thing’s for sure, there’s no shortage of verdant creative energy and dynamic spirit in this NYC enclave, and The Bubble Roome bath & body products are yet another example of why I love Brooklyn. David E. Johnston is a self-confessed ‘Purveyor of goodness and product junkie’ who began The Bubble Roome by making soaps as gifts for friends – needless to say those friends loved them so much, he has now expanded his skills & product lines to include such skin-tasty treats as Brown Sugar Scrubs, Triple Butter Creams and 100% Goodness Bars. Read the rest of this entry »

It used to be that the powerful and heady scent of the rose was something only the extremely wealthy could afford, not surprising given that it takes anywhere between 1,500 to 10,000 pounds of rose petals to make only one ounce of oil. There are more than 300 compounds that can be found in a rose but the key flavor compounds that contribute to the distinctive scent of rose oil, are beta-damascenone, beta-damascone, beta-ionone, and rose oxide. Even though these compounds exist in less than 1% quantity of rose oil, they make up for slightly more than 90% of the odor content. Inspired while on a trip to India by founder Marla Steuer, The Duchess Marden skincare collection harnesses the calming & curative essence of the rose in a suite of products designed to engage all the senses in a state of well-being, while impacting the skin to soothe, restore and revitalize. Read the rest of this entry »

Ecover all natural, eco-friendly laundry detergents can help keep your fashion stylish and green. They even have a special formula for your delicates that can be used when hand washing your more intimate apparel. Read the rest of this entry »

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) concluded this year that bamboo mills actually producing rayon or vicose were guilty of false advertising. The FTC action followed the Canadian Competition Bureau (CCB) in that the true rayon description be enforced. Read the rest of this entry »