Amaze Magazine» Style

Zia Natural Skincare’s Essential Eye Gel

Amaze Magazine — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 12:00:08 +0000

Your eyes can say a lot about you and how you are feeling! They can say; I only got 4 hours of sleep last night, I am completely overworked or I had too many drinks last night! They can also enhance your fine lines and wrinkles, making you look older, and nobody wants that! Take control of your eye area, so no matter what you’re feeling on the inside, people will only see your radiant, bright eyes on the outside.

Zia Natural Skincare’s Essential Eye Gel utilizes all natural calming ingredients in an innovative soothing gel formula gentle enough for the most sensitive eye area. Don’t let dryness, puffiness, dark circles or fine lines take over your eyes.

Butchers Broom Extract combined with clinically proven peptide reduces under eye puffiness, Ivy Extract and Gotu Kola promote circulation, leaving the eye area looking awake and refreshed. Cornflower Flower Water, high in Allantoin and Vitamin K reduce inflammation and dark circles. Green Tea fights cell damage and aids skin repair. Organic cucumber and aloe soothe and nourish the delicate under eye skin.

This fresh, soothing gel costs $21.95 and is all natural and paraben free. Zia products are available at Whole Foods and other health food stores nationwide and online at www.zianatural.com.

Anti-Redness Serum from First Aid Beauty Fights the Rosacea Red

Amaze Magazine — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:49:16 +0000

Rosacea effects over 14 million Americans suffer from this skin condition and many don’t even know it. Check out Anti-Redness Serum from First Aid Beauty for clear, healthy skin that helps get the red out! This serum is an intense treatment that diminishes visible redness, calms skin and helps to prevent flare ups associated with rosacea as well as other skin conditions.

Facial redness can be attributed to a number of conditions, ranging from rosacea to irritancy to dryness. Rather than hiding red skin with cakey powders, concealers or foundations, banish it for good! Anti-Redness Serum offers powerful therapy for skin that is prone to flushing – colloidal sulfur works to combat the root cause of facial redness while aloe soothes inflamed, irritated skin. Caffeine works to quickly diminish visible skin redness and shrink the blood vessels leaving skin with a clear complexion. This April, skin can finally fight back…good bye red skin!

Available at Amazon.com

Get A Sea Inspired Glow This Summer With Zia!

Amaze Magazine — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:42:36 +0000

Seaweed may be unpleasant to eat, but it does wonders for your skin! Seaweed Extracts and Sea Algae can make your skin moister, firmer, and healthier – giving your skin a sea inspired glow. Feel the effects of the sea without having to travel to the beach with Zia’s Sea Inspired Products.

The Fresh Cleansing Gel ($17.95) refreshes and purifies skin with mineral-rich Sea Algae. Combined with natural sugars, this formula removes excess oil and makeup without taking away from your skin’s moisture content. Fresh Cleansing Gel is excellent for sensitive skin and also works as a shaving gel.

The Sea Tonic Aloe Toner ($14.95) refreshes and balances skin with this blend of Seaweed Extracts and Aloe Vera. Sea Tonic Aloe Toner hydrates and soothes while protecting skin from environmental stress. This light mist diminishes redness, sooths skin after shaving, and helps your skin absorb moisture more easily.

Fight gravity with The Seaweed Life Serum ($36.96). An intensive blend of Sea Algae Extracts and vitamins softens, hydrates, and detoxifies skin while improving elasticity and texture. It also fights environmental damage to minimize signs of aging.

All Zia Natural Skincare products are available at ZiaNatural.com and Whole Food Markets, nationwide.

Silky, 100% Vegan and 100% Natural Silky Cosmetics

Amaze Magazine — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:31:19 +0000

Introducing Silky Cosmetics, a fresh and fun bath and body product line.

“Our products have a Youthful Sophistication” says founder Shari Eddington. “We created a product line that gives women the best of both worlds, healthier products with safer ingredients that are fun and smell great!”

Check out the100% Vegan and 100% Natural Body Products including:

Hydrating Body Wash
Quench thirsty skin with this, sulfate-free,
hydrating body wash. Aloe Vera juice, chamomile
and lavender are used as the product base to ensure
that your skin is hydrated, soothed and toned.
8.5 oz.
$13.00
Scents: Bliss, Sorbet, Charm & Sweet Mint
NO Parabens, Synthetic Preservatives, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Petroleum and Mineral Oils

Buttery Body Crème
With our buttery body crème you get tons of butter without the calories! A little goes a long way with this luxurious moisturizer containing a skin loving combination of Shea, Cocoa and Mango butters to condition, strengthen and add nutrients to the skin.
8 oz
$25.00
Scents: Bliss, Sorbet, Charm & Sweet Mint
100% Vegan NO Parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Petroleum and Mineral Oils

Whipped Sugar Polish
Want Silky smooth skin? Exfoliate and moisturize at the same time with this gentle scrub. The blend of Shea butter, coconut oil and soybean oil leave your skin touch ably soft without the greasy feeling and as an added bonus you’ll smell yummy
8 oz.
$18.00

Scents: Bliss,Sorbet,Charm & Sweet Mint
100% Vegan and 100% Natural
NO Parabens, Synthetic Preservatives, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Petroleum and Mineral Oils

Refresh Bath Salts
Need a pick me up? In these salts grapefruit and bergamot create the perfect combination to make you feel relaxed and refreshed all in one bath.
Serenity Bath Salts
These salts are a perfect way to end the day. The
combination of lavender and peppermint sooth your body while melting away fatigue
16 oz.
$18.00

100% Vegan and 100% Natural
NO Parabens, Synthetic Preservatives,
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Petroleum
and Mineral Oils

Available online at www.silkycos.com

Card Cache Organizer Has Amaze Hooked!

Valery Amador — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:41:23 +0000

One look at the Card Cache Organizer and it will have you saying, “Why didn’t anyone think of this sooner?!?” If you are anything like me, with cards overflowing from my wallet to the point that I usually forget I even have them, the Card Cache put me on the track to painless purse organization in the work of a few moments…

Basically, the Card Cache is a stylish keychain for your cards. Simply hole punch the corners (from credit cards, to grocery discount cards, gift cards or even discount punch cards) and then string the stylish Card Cache through – that’s it. Now your cards are available and easy to find/access. You can even purchase picture holders/protectors, a compact calendar or even a mini sharpie- and your Card Cache will have everything you need all in one convenient spot! Don’t have a hold punch on hand; you can buy that from Card Cache too!

Makes THE perfect gift! Available online at www.TheCardCache.com

Lily Lolo Best Kept Makeup Secrets

Amaze Magazine — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:52:07 +0000

Flawless Matte

Have you ever used a finishing powder only to find that it changes the color of your perfectly mixed foundation? Well, Lily Lolo Flawless Matte Finishing Powder is the solution that addresses the issue. This colorless powder blends with all skin tones and is a must have to set any shade in order to retain color. Use the Lily Lolo Flawless Matte Finishing Powder to even out skin tone and mask the natural reflection that occurs throughout the course of the day. Although white in appearance, this is a makeup pro secret because it blends in with any skin tone from light to the dark. Apply by dusting the entire face and the bald area of the head using the kabuki brush with the finishing powder. Lily Lolo’s special formula controls perspiration, making this perfect makeup tool for high-energy days and hot weather. Retail Price $22.00 www.lilylolo.us

PeepO

When looking for an acne cover up, beware of too much oil in coversticks and concealers because they can cause bigger issues. Oil adds to the problem and actually causes clogging, making acne worse. Award Winning PeepO Lily Lolo Mineral Concealer contains yellow tones that diminish the purple tones that are associated with acne breakouts. Lily Lolo blends away blemishes, covering and controlling breakouts with a matte finish. It encompasses natural healing properties and can be built in layers to achieve perfect coverage. As an acne treatment, Lily Lolo mineral makeup has the known acne fighting ingredient titanium oxide in the formula. This ingredient works to regulate the sebum levels on the skin surface preventing inflammation and future breakouts. Retail Price $18.00 www.lilylolo.us

Blush Away

Lily Lolo Blush Away Cover Up (Correctors Shade) is a matte green concealer, which helps to disguise the redness of rosacea, sunburn, and spots. Rosacea, a chronic condition characterized by facial erythema. The green in the powder counteracts the redness, as it’s the harmonizing color on the traditional color wheel. Award Winning Lily Lolo Mineral Concealer blends away blemishes and dark circles. It encompasses natural healing properties and can be built in layers to achieve perfect coverage. Apply Green concealer sparingly to red areas underneath mineral foundation with a small powder brush or flocked sponge. Retail Price $18.00 www.lilylolo.us

Get to Know Marie Veronique Nadeau Founder of Marie Veronique Organics

Amaze Magazine — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:00:43 +0000

Recognizing a need in the market for natural, safe, effective beauty products, Marie Veronique Nadeau started what is now Marie Veronique Organics from her kitchen in 2003. Combining her experiences as a chemistry teacher and her desire to age gracefully, she created a line of ecologically-responsible, natural, and transformative anti-aging products completely devoid of any toxins. To assure that she is integrating the best of science and nature, Marie regularly consults with her daughter Dr. Jay Nadeau, Professor of Physics at McGill University. Marie Veronique Organics has grown steadily and boasts a following of devoted users around the world. At the age of 62, Marie’s own smooth, soft skin bears testament to her research.

Marie is uncompromising in maintaining the highest standards of ingredients and in conducting diligent scientific research, aided by Dr. Jay Nadeau, which has led to several important innovations in the beauty industry. When asked what separates her line from other organic beauty brands, Marie cites the development of an extremely effective form of kojic acid which inhibits melanin production, unparalleled lipid products for repairing barrier function, and the use of hyaluronic acid precursors to replenish hyaluronic acid in the dermis.

Adds Marie: “We have a deep understanding of the processes that cause aging, and our results stem from the effect of our products on these aging processes. Most importantly, we use the safest and highest quality natural ingredients.”

Visit online at www.mvorganics.com

Eco Fashion: Body Politic Clothing and Accessories

Amaze Magazine — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 12:00:30 +0000

Body Politic Clothing and Accessories… Breathing new life into the bordered white walls of fashion’s boutiques, body politic is giving the green light to a new breed of shopping philosophy

Situated in the newest trendy neighborhood of South Main in Vancouver, sustainable style shop, body politic, is engineering a greener future in shopping. Destination shopping has come full circle. Not only does body politic carry the hottest independent eco and sustainable labels from coast to coast, but the true reason to travel to South Main is the urban design oriented aesthetic …

Owner Nicole Ritchie-Oseen edits her showcased collections to include a fresh mix of LA’s most well known green designers, like Stewart + Brown and Perfectly Imperfect, to the upcoming fresh faces of Vancouver’s eco scene, including Elroy and Noir bonbon. One thing is for sure, at body politic shoppers know they are not only making a conscious ecological choice to support local North American manufacturing, but also have confidence that all their purchases represent the sustainable, limitless design philosophy her shop was built upon. When asked why Nicole was inspired to start body politic, she says, “I did really want to be able to indulge my love of fashion but I couldn’t be naive about the potential impact. I knew of the brutal consequences “fast fashion” has on our environment as well as the social costs of unethical production and manufacturing.” It’s clear that she has created a movement.

Eco elements were added to the entire space while still maintaining much of the space’s design integrity; from the energy efficient lighting to the repurposed antique furniture pieces housing some of the boutiques accessories and adornments. The raw concrete walls help to balance out the vibrant light shining through the stores huge windows, while the neutral color fabrics and dark Mahogany wood help to subdue the vibrant colors and designs of the Spring/Summer 2010 collections.

Here’s an insider secret- take a trip down Main away from the over crowed shops to body politic for the personalized shopping and warm boutique atmosphere found nowhere else in the city. You will walk away from the experience with not only a eco friendly shopping bag full of fashionable finds (some exclusive to body politic), but just ask the owner what her best kept secret is….A few of her designers carried make pieces specifically for body politic (if you love a piece that you didn’t think came in an eco fabric alternative …think again, body politic may just have it). She has this special sort of relationship where many of her designers make green pieces specifically for her store to keep with the sound philosophy of its owner.

body politic is proving that green boutiques don’t have to be full of uninspired casual athletic wear, but can assert itself a major player in fashion’s big league. Owner Nicole Ritchie-Oseen says, “At body politic we began with the belief that sustainable and eco-friendly clothing didn’t mean sacrificing style. The goal was to fuel our absolute love of fashion and distinct style without compromising our environment, our community, or ourselves!”

body politic is located at 208 E 12 Ave (SE corner of 12th & Main) in Vancouver, BC. Visit online at www.bodypolitic.ca

Earth Creations Clay-Dyed Apparel Offers Alternative to Conventional Clothing Dyes

Amaze Magazine — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:05:47 +0000

In 1992, Joy Maples set out on a serendipitous mountain bike ride that would eventually lead the way to her livelihood.

Hitting the trail post-storm, she ended up covered in red clay, and despite multiple wears and washes of her shirt, socks and shoes, the clothing remained permanently mud-stained. Her future husband and business partner, Martin Ledvina, a chemical engineer with a curious nature, became intrigued with the strength of the clay and began experimenting with purposefully dyeing clothing with dirt.

In 1996, Joy and Martin introduced the first Earth Creations clay-dyed T-shirts. Today, the Bessemer, AL-based brand offers an extensive line of imprinted sportswear for men, women and children and is the only company offering a complete collection of clay-dyed women’s casual wear.

Still using the original clay-dyeing process Martin initially developed, the company renders 12 rich, eco-safe colors on sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, hemp and bamboo to create its clothing lines.

Offering consumers an alternative to conventionally-produced dyes, which present environmental and personal health dangers, Earth Creations has borrowed the ancient clay-dyeing tradition from centuries past and made some key improvements to satisfy contemporary customer lifestyles.

“Dyeing with mud, clay and dirt goes back to the origins of textile use,” said Ledvina. “When developing our dyeing process, we have learned from these ancient techniques, but have taken it a step further in regard to washfastness, durability, application to knitted fabrics and the range of colors offered.”

Gentle to nature, Earth Creations’ improvements to the clay’s dye qualities are made with natural and biodegradable materials, a far cry from the toxic byproducts produced in the manufacture of synthetic dyes. And also unlike conventional practices, Earth Creations’ processes require no kitchen salt – a substance that causes irreversible harm to the ecosystems in rivers, lakes and other water sources when released from commercial dye houses.

The apparel is also gentle to the humans who wear it.

“We often get emails from people who have allergies to conventional dyestuffs, but can wear our clothing without any problems,” Ledvina said.

Although Joy’s initial clay-dyed clothing experience was accidental in nature, the Earth Creations process is now anything but. The company looks for clay sources that will yield consistent color so that it may be reproduced easily, with most “harvests” occurring in the southeastern United States. And while there are a finite number of clay colors available in nature, Earth Creations creates fresh new hues for its seasonal lines by developing unique clay blends and consistently seeking new clay sources.

“When we started the business, we always had a bucket and shovel in our car, in case we came across an interesting color of dirt,” Ledvina said.

Once harvested, the clay typically needs to be ground to create a uniform, reproducible color. Each dye load is created with a certain weight specific to the type of fabric and garment, and a biodegradable fixative is added to improve washfastness. At the end of the cycle, water is extracted from the garments and they head to gas dryers.

The finished apparel requires no special care – it can be machine washed and dried – and the clay’s natural affinity to fabric, in addition to the fixative added, makes fading minimal, much like a favorite pair of jeans.

Many Earth Creations fans can’t get enough of the clay-dyed color, and it’s not unusual for the company to receive samples from customers’ own backyards, hoping their dirt may be considered as the next new hue.

“We’ve received clay from a car salesman’s yard, local potters, and more,” Ledvina said. “It’s interesting how the idea of clay dye entices people.”

Earth Creations clothing can be found at more than 600 retailers nationwide, from Whole Foods to Dillard’s. To learn more about the company, locate a retailer or shop online, visit www.earthcreations.net.

Ten Eco-Friendly Tips from GREEN TEA LIVING by Toshimi A. Kayaki

Amaze Magazine — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:00:34 +0000

In Green Tea Living: A Japan-inspired guide to eco-friendly habits, health, and happiness, author Toshimi A. Kayaki brings timeless wisdom from her native Japanese culture through smart tips and sweet anecdotes.

Here are ten quirky tips from the book for everyday green living!

1) Create smoother, younger-looking skin with a green tea face pack. Grind up used green tea leaves into a powder, then mix with water and flour until it forms a paste. Wash your face, and then apply the pack for 10 minutes. Rinse off with water and follow up with your favorite lotion.

2) Drink green tea to lose weight. Drinking five cups of green tea a day can burn up to 80 extra calories!

3) Use wet green tea leaves to clean your house. Green tea is not only an eco-friendly cleaning option, but will leave your rooms sparkling and smelling fresh! Squeeze most of the water out of wet tea leaves, and then place on dirty floors or dusty surfaces. Brush the leaves back and forth in small strokes, allowing the tea leaves to pick up dust and dirt. Sweep everything into a dustpan when finished.

4) Use vinegar for even the most heavy-duty cleaning! Vinegar will shine up sinks and counters, as well as kill bacteria. Scrub the slime out of your bathtub, disinfect cutting boards; even combine 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar to wash your floors. Simple, cheap and most importantly, not harmful to the environment.

5) Mix your own vinegar conditioner for soft, shiny hair. In an empty plastic bottle combine 16 oz water, 4 tbsps white or rice vinegar, and 3 or 4 pieces of fresh rosemary or sage. Just as effective as expensive conditioner, but far more economical.

6) Make your sweaters look like new. Rub a sweater with the rough edge of a dry sponge to easily get rid of pilling fabric.

7) Repair dry or damaged skin with a soothing green tea bath. Steep one green tea bag in boiling water for 15 minutes, then pour the tea water into your bathwater. The vitamins and catechins in green tea will kill bacteria on your skin and smooth away imperfections, not to mention contribute to a relaxing bath!

8) Mix homemade sake lotion. This simple lotion and moisturizer only requires two ingredients and some time in the fridge. Mix 7 oz cold sake and 1-½ pints water, then allow the mixture to sit in the refrigerator for a few days. Dab onto skin with a cotton ball. (Make sure to test this out on your hands before applying it elsewhere!)

9) Drink vinegar and water for better health. Just sipping a little vinegar every day can improve your digestion and skin complexion. Combine 1 part rice or apple cider vinegar with 7 parts water.

10) Relieve chapped lips in the sweetest way. Forget chapstick—just spread honey on your cracked lips for a natural (and delicious!) cure.

Available at Amazon.com