10.19.2011

Eco-Friendly Products: Part One

Hoping to keep myself committed to blogging, the rest of this month I'll be devoting to my favorite green and organic products. I've done my fair share of research and testing on everything claiming to be eco-friendly and effective. From face wash to dish detergent, I hope to share my knowledge and maybe encourage some of you to switch brands for a healthier lifestyle and planet.

As a stylist, the most important products I use daily are hair products. Shampoos, conditioners and stylers are all absorbed into your hair, skin and body, so you should be careful about what ingredients they contain. Synthetic components such as petroleum, talc, parabens, sulfates, DEA (Diethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolmine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), Sodium Chloride, and SLS (Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate) are harmful ingredients; shown in studies to be irritants, possible carcinogens and linked to various diseases. And all of these ingredients can be found in most hair care products. Read your current product labels, it's a scary revelation!

So to avoid all these harmful silicones - which will coat your hair and damage it and possibly you- here are some of my favorite environmentally friendly, professional hair care lines:

UNITE - All color-safe products in this collection are free of parabens, sulfates, gluten, DEA and MEA, and all ingredients are 100% vegan. http://www.uniteeurotherapy.com/

Eufora - Starting with a certified organic aloe vera base, this entire line is free of synthetic fragrances, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, and carcinogenic or suspected carcinogenic ingredients. http://www.eufora.net/

Kevin.Murphy - Theses products are made from renewable and sustainable resources whenever possible, using pure essential oils, plant extracts and natural antioxidants; all are sulfate and paraben free. http://www.kevinmurphy.com.au/

For all Eufora and UNITE products, please visit my salon - Evolve Salon,  http://www.thesalonevolve.com/.
And you can find the Kevin.Murphy line at Steele Salon, http://www.steelehairsalon.com/.

10.16.2011

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Hello fellow bloggers! Please forgive me for not writing these past 3 months. My life is always crazy busy, and I find that sitting down to type out a post does not come easily to me. So starting tomorrow, I'm preparing a week long blogging event that will hopefully keep me on a regular posting schedule. Stay tuned for that...

On another note entirely, I wanted to share this great new website I discovered: www.vivaterra.com. Viva Terra translates to living earth, and that is exactly what this company supports. They feature designers and artisans who work to make a difference in the world. These products are crafted from sustainable materials, and in my opinion are a great value. Here's what I'm currently stalking for our house:



Using a local grass, njodax, and plastic strips recycled from used prayer mats, women in Senegal, West Africa create these storage baskets and hampers. They merge modern materials with traditional weaving techniques that have been passed down from mother to daughter for generations. These functional works of art help support their families in poor rural communities. Stylish, eco-friendly and globaly beneficial!