Archive for the ‘beauty care’ Category

Pur~lisse is pure~magic!

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

purlisseWithin the last few months I’ve been receiving compliments on my “great looking skin.” Something that really threw me, as I never thought I did, or heard other people think it. So I began to wonder, what the hell am I doing right? Such a nice alternative to the usual question. … And then it dawned on me. It’s my new skin care products! *enter hallelujah music here*

I’ve always been on the lookout for the perfect skin care line. One that doesn’t contain parabens, petrochemicals, or synthetic fragrances, and definitely not tested on animals. I first tried Dr. Hauschka’s line, which aside from being pretty pricey, was great in terms of desired ingredients. However I didn’t like smelling like a botanical garden. I then sampled lesser no-name products that seemed to fit the bill, but the quality seemed to lack. So when I stumbled upon Pur~lisse, I knew I found something special.

Not only are their products free of parabens, petrochemicals, propylene-glycol, synthetic colors and fragrances, but they actually work! The cleanser despite being gentle, managed to remove ALL my eye make-up, the skin moisturizer is sooo soft and silky, and the petroleum-free lip moisturizer manages to keep my dry lips well… moist! Now instead of fluffing off my morning facial care regimine I look forward to it. Thank you Pur~lisse!

Brooke

PS. Dear Santa,

I’ve been good this year. Can you please drop some pur~delicate, pur~moist, and pur~lip comfort down my chimney? Thank yooou.

I heart Moroccan Oil!

Friday, November 20th, 2009

MoroccanOil

Normally I’m not one to push products on people. Maybe my favorite chocolate bar to my closest friends …Vosges Goji Bar (found at Whole Foods) but never products. I always feared I’d come across as some pushy Avon lady. But I’m sorry, I cannot hold back any longer. Ladies and hair care savvy gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to my newest friend, Moroccan Oil. Oooo. Aaaaah.

Before Moroccan Oil and I met, I was washing my hair every two or three days. Since most shampoos would strip my hair with harsh hard to pronounce chemicals – some of which have been proven to be carcinogenic, I tried to wash my hair as least as possible without looking (and smelling) like it. Now with Moroccan Oil however, I look forward to washing my hair. Not only is it sulfate, phosphate and paraben free, but it has the most amaaazing exotic scent.

I can’t stop smelling myself!

Brooke

h|b <3’s Danny Seo

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

SeoAromaShowerI recently caught the flu of all flus. Not the N1H1, but it sure did feel like it was something serious. And though I did score the sexy man voice, I also got a horrible cough that still won’t go away. One thing that seemed to help were hot showers. And while taking one last night I remembered a genius tip from environmental lifestyle expert Danny Seo. He said to hang a bundle of eucalyptus leaves (sold at craft stores and flower shops) from your shower curtain rod or door. The heat and steam help to activate the herb’s essential oils, which can ease congestion. And believe it or not, but it worked! Can we say cheap sauna? Next I plan to get creative and use other herbs and flowers for fun … like french lavender. Mmm.

Tip: Hang your bundle with natural garden twine, which is more moisture-resistant than cotton twine.

brooke

White is the new black

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

chanelwhiteAccording to fashionista and stylist extraordinaire Rachel Zoe, white is the new black for nail polish color during this transitory season between summer and fall. Well actually it’s more like a classic ivory color. And although her favorite pick was a Chanel number called Intermezzo, like most nail polish brands, it contains yucky chemicals like formaldehyde, DBP, and toluene.

Formaldehyde, which is a neuro-toxin, has been proven to be carcinogenic in lab rats, can cause insomnia, coughing, nosebleeds and rashes. People with long term exposure to formaldehyde, like manicurists, have a higher-than-average rate of brain cancer. DBP or Dibutyl Phthalate, makes nail polish flexible but has adverse effects on the development of the reproductive tract in males, and is already banned in Europe. And toluene, which gives nail polish its fluid quality and improves drying time, is absorbed easily through the skin or through inhalation. It’s also a chemical found in crude oil and is produced during the manufacture of gasoline. It can affect the nervous system, causing depression, headaches, and nausea, says Judy Vance, author of Beauty to Die For: The Cosmetic Consequence.

So how do you wear the hot color of the season without suffering like a lab rat?  You use eco/body-friendly brands like Priti, found at our favorite eco-chic boutique Vert. Or look online for brands like Ulta. (check out their version of Intermezzo called Snow White)

brooke