So… we thought it would be fun for the Green With Glamour team to share their holiday gift lists and wish lists.  We’re an eclectic bunch, but all seriously value style, substance and sustainability.  This week we’re featuring our First Lady of Beauty, Sara Jones-Rust!

Sara Jones-Rust

Getting:

My husband and I have a five year plan to live in a city that lets us have a yard, and in that yard we want a big garden. This beginners canning kit will help us eat local all year round.

Dirty Librarian chains have got to be my favorite find of 2009 (thanks to Deana). It’s hard for me to narrow it down to just one, but I think the “Reference necklace” would suit me just fine.

I am a book worm at heart and would love nothing more than to amass an entire library. From the classics to the Twilight series, I love them all. But why buy new when the latest best sellers pop up in my local used book store in no time?

Since I am also a makeup junkie, my list would not be complete without some BEAUTY!   The Nvey Eco gift set is complete with blush, bronzer, gloss and shadow.  This kit has it all.

And what’s an eco-diva to do with all those fantastic, sustainable, beauty products when she wants to leave the house? Put them in the gorgeous Alicia Silverstone line of makeup bags for EcoTools, of course!  The hemp & recycled plastic train case seems to be about the perfect size for all my basics with room left over for those fancy holiday shades.

Giving:

My favorite thing to give and get, especially this time of year, is a donation to a charity. One of my favorites is Women for Women International which helps women in war torn countries rebuild their lives. Having sponsored and corresponded with a young woman from Kosovo, I can tell you it’s an incredible experience and better than any thing you can buy at a store.

This week Living GWG Beauty Editor, Sara Jones-Rust, traded lip gloss testing for wine tasting!

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of a private tasting at Foxen Winery in Santa Maria, CA. And by private, I mean while my husband and his crew were there shooting footage for their documentary before business hours, I was being thoroughly entertained by Foxen’s amazing staff and falling under the spell of their magical wines. Nothing like a 10 a.m. wine tasting!

Foxen is more than just a maker of fantastic wines, in August their main tasting room and winery became solar powered. A portion of their grapes are ‘dry farmed’ – which means they grow their grapes without irregation, hence saving water. I have lived in Southern CA for a little over two years now and I can say with certainty I’ve seen it rain about five times. So coming from Indiana where we grow a lot of things (ok, mostly corn) that is an amazing feat. Their main goal is to be sustainable in as many ways as they can and it shows in the way they produce their wine and the way they serve it. Plus the staff are such a fun bunch I want to go back every weekend to hang with them.

I can say that you will be happy buying anything from a Chenin Blanc to a Pinot Noir anywhere that Foxen distributes (Whole Foods seemed to be a popular place on their distributor list), but if you are in So. Cal you should absolutely treat yourself to a visit. Their new (solar powered) tasting room is lovely and dog friendly and The Shack – the second of their tasting rooms – is a quaint lovely stop. I could sit for hours on their patio sipping their marvelous wines.

After last week’s post about lip balm, I started thinking about lip color. Not just keeping them soft and kissable, but completing a look. After all, we need variety to shake things up.

For the last few weeks I’ve been trying out Sukicolor’s Pure Cream Stain in Dahlia. This has been great for everyday wear. It’s soft and creamy and it comes in a cute little pot that is easy to throw in my purse without worrying about the cap coming off. There are several colors in neutral shades and it’s great for hydrating dry lips, nice in this cooler weather. You can’t beat Suki’s business philosophy (you should read the whole About section on their site, I was very impressed) which is, “having honest, complete information, so we can arm ourselves with the knowledge to make the right decisions & find the right solutions in what we consume & absorb both inside & out.” Amen.

Neutral or au-natural lips are typically my style, but sometimes, I like to go red. I wondered if the Old Hollywood red lips, generally made of petroleum, aluminum, lanolin and a whole lot of other things we don’t want on or in our bodies would have to be a thing of the past. Not so! Gabriel Color Lipstick is brilliant. It comes in a ton of colors (pomegranate is the shade pictured), is made of natural waxes and is totally vegan. Hooray! My inner femme fatale can still come out and play.

Last spring my brother’s girlfriend gave me a beautiful journal for my wedding shower. In the bottom of the gift bag were two tubes of lip balm rolling around. She looked at me laughing saying she knew lip balm was a weird shower gift. I shrugged and noted that my love for soft lips was nearly equal to my love for writing, so the gift seemed perfect to me. But then she explained that this was no ordinary lip balm, this was the best. Lip balm. Ever. Seriously.

She was right. I’ve been using Yes To Carrots lip balm ever since. There are actually three “Yes To” product lines – the previously mentioned Yes To Carrots, for normal to dry skin; Yes To Tomatoes, for oily to combination skin; and Yes To Cucumbers, for Normal to Sensitive Skin. They are much more than just lip care, they have entire lines of body, hair and hand care products. And they are everything we love, cruelty and paraben free, made with organic veggies and the company is making efforts to reduce their carbon foot print. Plus the formulas contain lovely things that you’d actually want to put on your skin, like various teas, aloe and dead sea minerals.

My husband has since stolen my tube of Yes To Carrots lip balm and will not give it back. This is a man who will not use even the smallest amount of moisturizer on his face because he hates any “slimy” feeling on his skin. And by slimy he means, sticky, greasy, moist, or anything that alters the way his natural skin feels. This is how I know this is a truly superior product. Beauty editor tested, husband approved.

Check out the lovely Yes to Carrots Lip Tint too!

Last spring my brother’s girlfriend gave me a beautiful journal for my wedding shower. In the bottom of the gift bag were two tubes of lip balm rolling around. She looked at me laughing saying she knew lip balm was a weird shower gift. I shrugged and noted that my love for soft lips was nearly equal to my love for writing, so the gift seemed perfect to me. But then she explained that this was no ordinary lip balm, this was the best. Lip balm. Ever. Seriously.

She was right. I’ve been using Yes To Carrots lip balm ever since. There are actually three “Yes To” product lines – the previously mentioned Yes To Carrots, for normal to dry skin; Yes To Tomatoes, for oily to combination skin; and Yes To Cucumbers, for Normal to Sensitive Skin. They are much more than just lip care, they have entire lines of body, hair and hand care products. And they are everything we love, cruelty and paraben free, made with organic veggies and the company is making efforts to reduce their carbon foot print. Plus the formulas contain lovely things that you’d actually want to put on your skin, like various teas, aloe and dead sea minerals.

My husband has since stolen my tube of Yes To Carrots lip balm and will not give it back. This is a man who will not use even the smallest amount of moisturizer on his face because he hates any “slimy” feeling on his skin. And by slimy he means, sticky, greasy, moist, or anything that alters the way his natural skin feels. This is how I know this is a truly superior product. Beauty editor tested, husband approved.

Check out the lovely Yes to Carrots Lip Tint too!

Over the last year or two nail color has been creeping away from the boring pinks and french tips that seemed to be the norm for so long. I am happy to report (in case you weren’t paying attention) that this fall/winter season things have really exploded into fun and fresh territory. I have been having a blast experimenting with some of the seasons most fashionable colors and conveniently my two fav non-toxic, eco-friendly and very stylish brands are right on the cutting edge with their color selections.

In my opinion, black nails can be quite elegant when done correctly. (No Elivra Queen of the Damned claws, Ladies. Short and slightly rounded works best for this look.) Oh what’s that you say?  You did this look all last fall?  You love it, but…yawn. And to that I say, try a matte black. It’s the same lovely look without the high gloss. Try Zoya’s Dovima. It’s the everyday black polish.

Zoya’s Dovima

Okay, now let’s raise the stakes a little. How about blue? Picking the right shade for your skin tone is important here, but there are tons to choose from. Get a little royal with Zoya’s Ibiza or try something more subtle like, Butter London’s Big Smoke. The color I’ve been rocking all month is a racing stripe green. Check out Butter London’s Thames.

Zoya’s Ibiza

Butter London’s Thames

…and their Big Smoke

Just not the bright color type? Well you’re in luck. Neutrals are very in this season. More beige than pink, these are great for an understated look. Butter London has a great one called Crumpet.  For Butter London’s color page click here.

and the scrumptious Crumpet

And what about when it’s time to change it up? Kaia House Soy polish remover. That’s right! Soy Polish remover! No formaldehyde or other ickies.

Just grab an organic cotton ball and a few swipes of this barely scented remover and your on to your next experiment!

The hubs and I bought our holiday travel tickets this weekend and I’m already dreading the chaos that comes along with getting to and from our families. Carry-ons will be essential for the shorter trips and that got me thinking about travel size products. I do use refillable travel size bottles for some things, but I was curious to see what was on the market as far as travel size eco-beauty goes. That search lead me to our featured beauty retailer of the month – Upurea.com.  They have a huge selection of travel sized…well everything. I happen to be a sucker for a kit, preferably something that comes in it’s own carrying pouch, which I will, of course, re-purpose later.

This Mini Travel Set in Rosemary Mint (yum!) by Deep Steep caught my eye. With bubble bath, body butter and other fun products you can take a little indulgence on the road with you. Sneaking away from the holiday onslaught of relatives for a little R&R has never been easier.

I found shopping at Upurea to be a joy. They have bright symbols to indicate if products are organic, certified organic, vegan, etc… and most products have a complete list of ingredients below the description. They also have a points system so you stash some beauty bucks away for later every time you shop.
They also have a really nice selection of natural makeup (not to mention hair and skin care products, fragrances and bath & body products). I like the Vegan Cheek and Lip Shimmer from Perfect Organics. I’m not sure I’d use it on my cheeks, but the variety of colors will perk up any one’s pucker.

The last item in my online cart was a little something I’ve been needing to replace in my ongoing effort to green my makeup collection. Nvey Eco’s Organic Erase Concealer is the perfect thing to cover up those little things that aren’t so perfect. It’s certified organic and there are several shades to choose from.

Check out the variety for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.

What better time than fall to invest in a great sunscreen? Just because the summer heat isn’t constantly reminding us that we need to make sure our skin is protected from UV rays, doesn’t mean we can slack on our sunscreen application. Obviously all of you savvy readers use a moisturizer with an SPF in it, which is perfect for those days that you’re sitting at your desk for a good chunk of the day or just running from the car into the grocery store.

Sunday I walked to our local farmers market for a weeks worth of yummy fall veggies (I heart butternut squash), clearly this called for a bit more coverage. Coola Suncare is the perfect thing. They have an SPF 30 just for faces that I use instead of my normal moisturizer on days I’m playing outside. It’s not at all greasy and is unscented, which I love. The arms and legs get the Total Body formula, also in 30. Don’t think of it as having pale skin, think of it as preserving the skin tone nature intended for you.

The best part about this sunscreen is it’s free of the 3 nasty Ps – paba, paraben and petroleum. I also love their packaging which is minimal, with no infuriating jar inside a box, wrapped in plastic deal. Of course, as is all of Living GwG’s features, no animal testing. And all made in our good old US of A.

Protecting your skin is the number one trick to looking youthful. Keep the wrinkles away and keep them guessing!

What better time than fall to invest in a great sunscreen? Just because the summer heat isn’t constantly reminding us that we need to make sure our skin is protected from UV rays, doesn’t mean we can slack on our sunscreen application. Obviously all of you savvy readers use a moisturizer with an SPF in it, which is perfect for those days that you’re sitting at your desk for a good chunk of the day or just running from the car into the grocery store.

Sunday I walked to our local farmers market for a weeks worth of yummy fall veggies (I heart butternut squash), clearly this called for a bit more coverage. Coola Suncare is the perfect thing. They have an SPF 30 just for faces that I use instead of my normal moisturizer on days I’m playing outside. It’s not at all greasy and is unscented, which I love. The arms and legs get the Total Body formula, also in 30. Don’t think of it as having pale skin, think of it as preserving the skin tone nature intended for you.

The best part about this sunscreen is it’s free of the 3 nasty Ps – paba, paraben and petroleum. I also love their packaging which is minimal, with no infuriating jar inside a box, wrapped in plastic deal. Of course, as is all of Living GwG’s features, no animal testing. And all made in our good old US of A.

Protecting your skin is the number one trick to looking youthful. Keep the wrinkles away and keep them guessing!

Let’s face it, mani/pedi’s aren’t the healthiest or the best for the environment. The polishes are full of toxins, bad for you and bad for the land fill. And let’s not even talk about the harsh chemicals we need to remove the coveted color. It’s sad, but true. So it looks like we’ll all just have to get by with just a buff and a file.

Just kidding! I haven’t had bare toes since 1998. I don’t really want to start now. Thanks to the whole slew of new products popping up with less nasty chemicals and improved pigmentation, I don’t have to and neither do you.

I decided to conduct a little experiment, a Pepsi Challenge, if you will, and put a polish sans toxins up against a very popular brand of traditional polish, who shall remain nameless. The traditional polish’s contender is Butter London, a brand from Seattle (and recently featured in Vogue, In Style, People, Lucky – you name it.  They’re blowing up!).  They have a “3 Free” policy, which means none of their polishes or products contain Formaldehyde, Toluene (a soil contaminator that can effect the nervous system) or DBP (which has been linked to cancer and infertility). They have a no animal testing policy and their color selection is completely cutting edge and I pretty much want one of each.

Butter – blowing raspberries

Here are my findings:

Application: Both polishes went on smooth and even. I quickly realized why I pay $35 every three weeks to have a professional paint my toe nails. Apparently I have the painting skills of a four year old. Color: I used Butter’s “Blowing Raspberries” (reddish) and the traditional brand’s “Moonlight Over Moscow” (deep purple, almost black). That’s right, I’ve had two different colors on my toes for a week and a half and I live in LA where it’s still warm, so hullo! open toe. All for you, my Lovlies. Both colors were evenly and deeply pigmented. Drying: Here is where the most noticeable difference is. Butter’s polish took about 15 minutes longer to dry thoroughly than the traditional brand. Durability: It’s been 10 days and not a chip on either foot. Conclusion: Extra drying time is well worth kicking the toxins to the curb.

Let’s face it, mani/pedi’s aren’t the healthiest or the best for the environment. The polishes are full of toxins, bad for you and bad for the land fill. And let’s not even talk about the harsh chemicals we need to remove the coveted color. It’s sad, but true. So it looks like we’ll all just have to get by with just a buff and a file.

Just kidding! I haven’t had bare toes since 1998. I don’t really want to start now. Thanks to the whole slew of new products popping up with less nasty chemicals and improved pigmentation, I don’t have to and neither do you.

I decided to conduct a little experiment, a Pepsi Challenge, if you will, and put a polish sans toxins up against a very popular brand of traditional polish, who shall remain nameless. The traditional polish’s contender is Butter London, a brand from Seattle (and recently featured in Vogue, In Style, People, Lucky – you name it.  They’re blowing up!).  They have a “3 Free” policy, which means none of their polishes or products contain Formaldehyde, Toluene (a soil contaminator that can effect the nervous system) or DBP (which has been linked to cancer and infertility). They have a no animal testing policy and their color selection is completely cutting edge and I pretty much want one of each.

Butter – blowing raspberries

Here are my findings:

Application: Both polishes went on smooth and even. I quickly realized why I pay $35 every three weeks to have a professional paint my toe nails. Apparently I have the painting skills of a four year old. Color: I used Butter’s “Blowing Raspberries” (reddish) and the traditional brand’s “Moonlight Over Moscow” (deep purple, almost black). That’s right, I’ve had two different colors on my toes for a week and a half and I live in LA where it’s still warm, so hullo! open toe. All for you, my Lovlies. Both colors were evenly and deeply pigmented. Drying: Here is where the most noticeable difference is. Butter’s polish took about 15 minutes longer to dry thoroughly than the traditional brand. Durability: It’s been 10 days and not a chip on either foot. Conclusion: Extra drying time is well worth kicking the toxins to the curb.

Giving my beauty regiment an earth friendly face lift did not happen over night. There was no dramatic arm sweep of all my synthetic fragranced, sulfate filled products into a trash bag. Sending them all to the landfill would have been an eco-sin of the first degree. Besides, who can afford to replace every shampoo, face wash, powder and eye shadow all at once? Kudos to you, if that’s in your budgie, but I am taking a different approach. Every time something in my daily beauty routine needs replacing I do a little research and purchase a product that is eco-friendly, not to mention much healthier.

This week my mission was eyeliner…pronto. Somehow, I ended up with only a tiny little nub left and I shudder to think of a day without eyeliner. Of course, being the beauty connoisseur that I am, Sephora is not new to me. (Hello, who doesn’t love free samples?) But they just weren’t selling the type of product I have been in the market for ever since I’ve been greening my makeup collection. But low and behold, after a few minutes with Google, I was oh-so pleased to find that while I wasn’t paying attention, Sephora has started their very own natural beauty line (and No Animal Testing)!

Their Pure Eyeliner was just what I was in the market for and all I had to do was run over to my local Sephora to get it. Crisis averted. No waiting for ground shipping or paying more than the eyeliner cost in the first place for a rush delivery. And I was very happy to notice that my frequent buyer points were still on record. With their bamboo encased shadows and ten different shades of Pure Lipgloss, I have a feeling I’ll be wracking those points right up again.

Available in 9 colors!

Giving my beauty regiment an earth friendly face lift did not happen over night. There was no dramatic arm sweep of all my synthetic fragranced, sulfate filled products into a trash bag. Sending them all to the landfill would have been an eco-sin of the first degree. Besides, who can afford to replace every shampoo, face wash, powder and eye shadow all at once? Kudos to you, if that’s in your budgie, but I am taking a different approach. Every time something in my daily beauty routine needs replacing I do a little research and purchase a product that is eco-friendly, not to mention much healthier.

This week my mission was eyeliner…pronto. Somehow, I ended up with only a tiny little nub left and I shudder to think of a day without eyeliner. Of course, being the beauty connoisseur that I am, Sephora is not new to me. (Hello, who doesn’t love free samples?) But they just weren’t selling the type of product I have been in the market for ever since I’ve been greening my makeup collection. But low and behold, after a few minutes with Google, I was oh-so pleased to find that while I wasn’t paying attention, Sephora has started their very own natural beauty line (and No Animal Testing)!

Their Pure Eyeliner was just what I was in the market for and all I had to do was run over to my local Sephora to get it. Crisis averted. No waiting for ground shipping or paying more than the eyeliner cost in the first place for a rush delivery. And I was very happy to notice that my frequent buyer points were still on record. With their bamboo encased shadows and ten different shades of Pure Lipgloss, I have a feeling I’ll be wracking those points right up again.

Available in 9 colors!

It is about one bazillion degrees in Los Angeles at the moment. If you don’t live here, you may not realize that southern CA doesn’t generally get particularly hot. In the summer we get into the 80’s during the day and by night it’s cooled off into the lower 70’s. This means air conditioners are few and far between. So one way to get cool in these unseasonably high temps is to jump in a cold shower. I know, we need to conserve water, but sometimes you just need a little reprieve from the hot and sticky. Keep it quick, that’s my rule.

So I thought this week would be the perfect time to try John Masters organic shampoo and conditioner. I decided to go with the Zinc & Sage Shampoo purely for the smell. One sniff of the warm coconut scent is like a day on a tropical beach. I have to admit that at first I was leery. One dollop in my palm did not create a lather and in fact, neither did two more applications. But I decided to stay open minded, made sure I had worked the shampoo thoroughly in and rinsed. After all, I keep hearing we too often associate suds with cleaning power and shouldn’t. So here was my test.

The Zinc & Sage shampoo actually has a conditioner in it, but my hair is very long and thick (not the best situation in 100 degree heat) so I decided to use the Citrus & Neroli Detangler rinse before jumping out. I left the silky cream in for the recommended 2 minutes and rinsed it clean. The comb when through my hair like butter. Then, because blow drying would have been akin to stepping into an oven, I threw it up in a bun.

Six hours later, after air drying, I took my dry hair down to healthy, shiny, wonderfully scented hair that had me picking up strands all night and holding them to up to my nose. All this and the list of pros for this brand of organic, cruelty free, fair trade, biodegradable, hair care (they have many more formulas to choose from, not to mention skin care) is too long to even go into. Click here for the skinny.

You can find John Masters line of products at many beauty retailers, including our fav, Beautorium and your local Whole Foods.

One of my biggest challenges in keeping my daily beauty routine green is finding the best products. It is always so much harder than just popping into the local drug or department store. So once a month Living GwG is going to feature one of our favorite beauty retailers where you can purchase all of your earth and body friendly supplies. At the top of that list is Beautorium.  This online boutique takes the guess work out of your shopping. Each product, which runs the gambit from haircare to makeup, has a a full list of ingredients and handy little symbols that signify what’s most important to you, like if it’s certified organic or has not been tested on animals (hint: none of Beautorium’s products are).

I have fallen in love with their Exuberance line of facial care products. The Exuberance Radiance – Daily Green Tea Cleanser has won a place in my morning routine. I’m generally not a fan of cream cleansers, but this one rinses clean and leaves nothing but silky smooth skin behind it all day long. It’s fragrance free, contains no parabens, petrochemicals or sulphates and the packaging design, while minimal, is fun and bright. After all, no need to just be fabulous on the inside. Plus, it’s vegan!

Another of my fav products from Beautorium is the Logona Free Body Lotion. One of my criteria for anything I’m putting on my body these days, is that it’s fragrance free. I’m not anti-fragrance, but I have a perfume that I love and I don’t want my body lotion or my deodorant fighting for top billing. It’s also free of tons of other nasties you don’t want slathered all over your skin (petrochemicals, paraffin, parabens and silicone to name a few). It’s not at all greasy and goes on light, unlike some of the “natural” brands out there that feel like you’re covering yourself in petroleum jelly.

Beautorium loves the Living GwG readers as much as we love them. They are giving you 15% off your purchases at Beautorium.com! Just enter the promo code “livinggwg” at checkout. Amazing products and an excellent deal!

I can’t even express how thrilled I am to be a part of the Living GwG team. I am an admitted beauty product addict. In middle school I was the girl who bought every scent of Bath & Body Works lotion the company manufactured. I had 80 different shades of pink lip gloss and my bathroom cabinet drawer was so crammed with perfume bottles that they clinked like wind chimes whenever anyone walked across the floor. Luckily for my husband, who shares a small apartment with me, my tastes have matured since then and I’ve become much more discerning in the beauty purchases I make. But there is still a teenage beauty hoarder lurking inside of me and I am so excited to use her powers for good and share all of my most eco-fantastic finds with you, the lovely Living GwG readers.

Sara Jones-Rust

Before I was a contributor, of course, I was a reader. So I thought it would be fun to feature a product that has become part of my daily routine because of Deana and Living GwG. Back in May Deana featured the Bamboo Facial Cleansing Wipes by Kaia Naturals. I love convenience, but let’s face it, many times convenience and making sustainable choices do not go hand in hand. But to quote her article these handy little cloths are ”made from sustainable bamboo, cashmere soft, unbleached, biodegradable and recyclable.” Jackpot! I ordered them right away, even though I had no real plan as to what I would do with them.

Then in June I got married, which required flying from Los Angeles to Chicago and back. It’s a four hour flight that is just long enough to make you feel completely grimy. A quick swipe of the light citrus scented bamboo cloths over my neck and face (staying away from the eye make so it wouldn’t smudge) was enough to feel totally refreshed. And with that wedding came many parties, not to mention drinking for stress relief, then the honeymoon (10 days of decadence) and a summer filled with barbecues, patio cocktail hours, taco (aka margarita) Tuesdays, birthday parties and well you get the idea. I’ve been living like a sailor on shore leave for the last 3 months!

August is my month to get back to the gym, which is where the bamboo wipes have come in the most handy. I have an issue (compulsion?) about sweating in makeup. If I don’t take it off, I feel like there is a plastic dry cleaning bag sealed to my face. Plastic bottles of cleanser are clunky and leaky, but the wipes are perfect. They take off the day’s, bronzer, blush and eye make-up, which is no small feat because I’ve always been a fan of the classic black accent line on the top lid. So two minutes in front of my locker and I’m set to go. A trip over to the sink isn’t even necessary. Guilt free convenience. Love it!

Here’s the scoop… the Living GWG team has just been joined by wonderful writer & beauty connoisseur, Sara Jones-Rust  and we absolutely can’t wait to read her coverage of the greatest, “green” products, best beauty resources and fantastic herbal & eco finds!  However, I began research on the BEST anti-aging serums more than 2 months ago (& also, Sara has young, flawless skin – which makes me even more qualified to write this post)… so I shall write this post!

I have good skin.  It’s not great skin, but I’ve always been fine with it.  And I definitely don’t look my age.  In fact, I told a new friend my age last night – and she literally clutched her imaginary pearls and gasped, “NO!?!”.   But here’s the rub, for the first time, I’m noticing fine lines, wrinkles and what my mother calls “creping” – and it doesn’t matter if you notice these at 25 or 45… all of these things suck! So, I set out to find the absolute best way to fight time in a bottle – without damaging the environment, animals or my own skin.  I tested 6 products each for 10 days (the losers will remain nameless) and found 2 clear stand outs – so I’m declaring a tie.

Face Sculpt Serum Excalibur                   Firming Botanical Face Serum

          by Mod Skin Labs                                   by Kimberly Sayer

They are very different products, but they pack a similar punch!  The Face Sculpt Serum by Mod Skin Labs has the more immediate effect.  It’s got a light gel consistency and you apply it after cleansing and before moisturizing, twice a day.  The good people at Mod Skin suggest that you’ll notice a firming difference within 20 minutes of applying… and you actually kind of do.  Some days were more noticable, but as it should have been… those days were the ones where I needed the “firming” the most.  I strongly suggest that you read all about their brilliant products & practices here!

The Firming Botanical Face Serum by Kimberly Sayer has a light but supple touch to it.  It can be used in lieu of a moisturizer, but I found myself applying the serum – then adding moisturizer within a couple of minutes.  Where I really loved the firming effect of the Face Sculpt Serum (Mod Skin)…I equally loved the brightening, smoothing and soothing results I experienced with the Botanical Face Serum (Kimberly Sayer).  Check out the rest of Ms. Sayers’ delightful products here (and if you’re lucky enough to be in/pass through London… go in for a facial)!

It wasn’t at all my intent for the result to be as such, but I have to suggest that if you’re looking to lose some nasty lines or firm up that skin around your eyes… get them both.  Seriously, this week I’ve been doing Mod Skin in the morning (start the day with your face looking refreshed) and then using Kimberly Sayer at night- the subtle scent alone will sooth away the troubles of your day (and erase lines while you rest).

Take it away, Sara!

Here’s the scoop… the Living GWG team has just been joined by wonderful writer & beauty connoisseur, Sara Jones-Rust  and we absolutely can’t wait to read her coverage of the greatest, “green” products, best beauty resources and fantastic herbal & eco finds!  However, I began research on the BEST anti-aging serums more than 2 months ago (& also, Sara has young, flawless skin – which makes me even more qualified to write this post)… so I shall write this post!

I have good skin.  It’s not great skin, but I’ve always been fine with it.  And I definitely don’t look my age.  In fact, I told a new friend my age last night – and she literally clutched her imaginary pearls and gasped, “NO!?!”.   But here’s the rub, for the first time, I’m noticing fine lines, wrinkles and what my mother calls “creping” – and it doesn’t matter if you notice these at 25 or 45… all of these things suck! So, I set out to find the absolute best way to fight time in a bottle – without damaging the environment, animals or my own skin.  I tested 6 products each for 10 days (the losers will remain nameless) and found 2 clear stand outs – so I’m declaring a tie.

Face Sculpt Serum Excalibur                   Firming Botanical Face Serum

          by Mod Skin Labs                                   by Kimberly Sayer

They are very different products, but they pack a similar punch!  The Face Sculpt Serum by Mod Skin Labs has the more immediate effect.  It’s got a light gel consistency and you apply it after cleansing and before moisturizing, twice a day.  The good people at Mod Skin suggest that you’ll notice a firming difference within 20 minutes of applying… and you actually kind of do.  Some days were more noticable, but as it should have been… those days were the ones where I needed the “firming” the most.  I strongly suggest that you read all about their brilliant products & practices here!

The Firming Botanical Face Serum by Kimberly Sayer has a light but supple touch to it.  It can be used in lieu of a moisturizer, but I found myself applying the serum – then adding moisturizer within a couple of minutes.  Where I really loved the firming effect of the Face Sculpt Serum (Mod Skin)…I equally loved the brightening, smoothing and soothing results I experienced with the Botanical Face Serum (Kimberly Sayer).  Check out the rest of Ms. Sayers’ delightful products here (and if you’re lucky enough to be in/pass through London… go in for a facial)!

It wasn’t at all my intent for the result to be as such, but I have to suggest that if you’re looking to lose some nasty lines or firm up that skin around your eyes… get them both.  Seriously, this week I’ve been doing Mod Skin in the morning (start the day with your face looking refreshed) and then using Kimberly Sayer at night- the subtle scent alone will sooth away the troubles of your day (and erase lines while you rest).

Take it away, Sara!

I’ve recently watched a stylish & rather campy movie called How to Steal a Million (1966) starring Ms. Audrey Hepburn & Mr. Peter O’Toole… eye candy like you wouldn’t believe!

This move is SO style-driven that Givenchy & Cartier were listed in the opening credits! Anyway, Audrey Hepburn wore the most delicious shade of pink lippie that now… I’m obsessed.  So, I’ve found my 3 favorite pink lip colors for right now – and as always, they’re “eco”.

If you hadn’t noticed, it’s hot outside – and a full on lipstick might be a bit much for the daytime, so this gloss is perfect to do the trick!  100% Pure Fruit Pigment Lip Gloss in Shimmery White Peach ($13) is loaded with 83% Vitamin E from rice bran & shea butter to drench your lips with moisture, plus antioxidants, minerals and nutrients straight from fruit. No more worry about smearing your lips with petrochemicals – worse still, ingesting that toxicity. Delicious!

And if you’re looking for some even less maintenance than a lip gloss (I know… what’s lower maintenance than a lip gloss, right?), try the Apple Lip Dew by Rosie Jane ($18).  I personally love Rosie Jane Cosmetics!  I’ve been using them ever since I worked with Rosie on a TV show years ago.  They are definitely for the girl who just wants a little something without any fuss (me).

However, if it’s a nighttime look you’re after, go for C Naturals wineberry vegan lipstick ($14).  It’s in that lovely pink middle ground… feminine, not too bright and will work with most skintones.  Viva Audrey!

I’ve recently watched a stylish & rather campy movie called How to Steal a Million (1966) starring Ms. Audrey Hepburn & Mr. Peter O’Toole… eye candy like you wouldn’t believe!

This move is SO style-driven that Givenchy & Cartier were listed in the opening credits! Anyway, Audrey Hepburn wore the most delicious shade of pink lippie that now… I’m obsessed.  So, I’ve found my 3 favorite pink lip colors for right now – and as always, they’re “eco”.

If you hadn’t noticed, it’s hot outside – and a full on lipstick might be a bit much for the daytime, so this gloss is perfect to do the trick!  100% Pure Fruit Pigment Lip Gloss in Shimmery White Peach ($13) is loaded with 83% Vitamin E from rice bran & shea butter to drench your lips with moisture, plus antioxidants, minerals and nutrients straight from fruit. No more worry about smearing your lips with petrochemicals – worse still, ingesting that toxicity. Delicious!

And if you’re looking for some even less maintenance than a lip gloss (I know… what’s lower maintenance than a lip gloss, right?), try the Apple Lip Dew by Rosie Jane ($18).  I personally love Rosie Jane Cosmetics!  I’ve been using them ever since I worked with Rosie on a TV show years ago.  They are definitely for the girl who just wants a little something without any fuss (me).

However, if it’s a nighttime look you’re after, go for C Naturals wineberry vegan lipstick ($14).  It’s in that lovely pink middle ground… feminine, not too bright and will work with most skintones.  Viva Audrey!