We all love our Instagram eye candy. Why not do yourself some good while getting your daily insta-fix? These pretty green beauty Instagram accounts are must-follows.

Instagram is a great source for the latest in, well, anything. And green beauty is no exception. Latest products, news, reviews, tips…it’s all there.

If you like your natural beauty inspo with eye catching appeal, and who doesn’t?, check out these Instagramers who know how to mix the good green stuff with some mad aesthetics.

9 Green Beauty Instagram Accounts to Follow Now

1 Abel Organics // There’s natural perfume, and then there’s natural perfume. This one made my list of top clean scent picks. And with good reason. It’s free from nasties and smells delightful. Perfume creation is not their only talent. These pics have that earthy feel down pat.

2 A Night for Green Beauty // Heard of ANFGB yet? It’s a hot, and getting hotter, annual green beauty event that brings top brands together for a night of meet ups, sampling, and fun. Event creators are the lovely ladies behind top organic beauty brand, La Bella Figura. Follow along for the latest on the event and some supreme connections.

3 Fig and Yarrow // Girly apothecary is what I’m calling this vibe. Fig + Yarrow makes fine natural beauty items, but their images alone will make you feel all kinds of pure.

4 Gressa Skin // This luxe natural beauty brand is not just expert in creating high quality skincare. Their account boasts the perfect mix of beauty tips, celeb spottings, and fem-power.

5 Lotus Wei // Flower power is behind the lovely products of this brand. So it makes sense that floral images abound on this account. A true beauty and another on my list of fave natural perfumes.

6 Lurk Beauty // It seems natural perfume makers also have a knack for creating beautiful images. Clean and bright, this account offers natural beauty info with equal parts happy living inspiration.

7 Mun Skincare // If you have yet to try Mun Skincare, do yourself a favor and get some now. Their facial oil is the bomb and celeb makeup artist, Kristen Arnett, agrees. Stop by this Instagram for product picks with sparkle and splendor.

8 Thoughtfully Magazine // We introduced you to Thoughtfully founder, Brandie Gilliam, earlier. Now I’d like to present her naturally perfect Instagram account. Stay abreast of anything Thoughtfully, plus some cool behind the scenes adventures. Let’s just say gorgeous pics are one reason Brandie now runs a mag.

9 Yuli Skincare // The labels on these fab natural skincare products were the first thing to catch my eye. But their Insta pics certainly don’t disappoint. Clean, modern, and totally unique, not unlike their product line up.

Don’t forget EcoSalon’s Instagram while you’re at it! Now go get your follow on.

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The post 9 Prettiest Green Beauty Instagram Accounts to Follow Now appeared first on EcoSalon.

We are excited to announce the first annual Ecosalon Beauty Awards, coming November 18th—23rd! We’ll be asking you, our beloved readers, to vote when we go live, but to narrow down the bounty of natural beauty goodness out there, we had to turn to our friends, some seriously accomplished women. 

To get you as excited as we are, meet our truly knowledgeable and esteemed panel of judges, who are the cream of the crop when it comes to the the green beauty world. 

Kristen Arnett, Makeup Artist, Editor, and Beauty Educator

Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, aka Mommy Greenest

Better known as Mommy Greenest, Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff is the former founder of EcoStiletto, CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World and was editor of Children magazine—before she had three of her own. Want less judgmental, more sustainable parenting advice? Follow her: @RachelLSarnoff, Facebook.com/MommyGreenest and Pinterest.com/RachelSarnoff. Because you shouldn’t have to be a scientist to raise healthy kids!

Brandie Gilliam, Founder of Organic Beauty Talk

Starre Vartan, Editor Fashion and Beauty, Travel & Shelter at Ecosalon

Starre Vartan is the editor of Fashion & Beauty, Travel, and Shelter at Ecosalon, and founder and editor-in-chief of Eco Chick and its sister site, Eco Chick Escapes, all about ethical travel and style. She’s the author of The Eco-Chick Guide to Life (St. Martin’s Press), and a problogger and oft-quoted green living expert who has been featured in the New York Times, Elle, Glamour and Self magazines. She has style-edited for magazines, styled (and reported on) eco fashion shows at New York Fashion Week, and currently contributes her writing on design to Metropolis magazine, lifestyle for MNN.com, and ethical destinations to LuxuryTravel.About.com. Starre has also consulted for American Express, Mavea, Neutrogena Naturals, and, currently, eBay Green.

Aysia Wright, Founder of Goodebox 

From non-profit work to retail; environmental law to public relations and marketing; Aysia’s eclectic career path has always been guided by a passion to  advocate for more sustainable living. While these endeavors were rewarding and served as a sort of “trial by fire” PhD in applied sustainability, she soon learned the efficacy of stepping off the soapbox and into the marketplace to get the message across and help effect change. Goodebox is her latest effort, helping conscious consumers find the best clean, responsible products that work for them. It’s a helping hand in navigating the confusing and overwhelming market of beauty products with the ultimate goal of helping consumers make the switch to better beauty and growing the market share of responsible brands.

The post Announcing The First Annual Ecosalon Beauty Awards (Meet Our Judges!) appeared first on EcoSalon.

On Earth Day, we hosted a Natural Beauty Chat on the EcoSalon Facebook page with celebrity green make-up artist and beauty expert, Kristen Arnett.

Kristen expertly fielded questions covering a wide range of beauty topics, from BB and CC creams to applying foundation, dealing with dark circles, to dry skin. In the event that  you missed it, we’ve got the recap here for you. After all, who can’t benefit from a little insider knowledge from an expert when it comes to cleaner, better beauty solutions?

Q: Laura: What do you recommend for morning puffy eyes?
A: Clairvoyant Beauty has a really nice Depuffing Cucumber & Cranberry Eye Gel that is quite soothing and helps. Otherwise, just about anything cool and a light facial massage.

Q: Robin: Are there any secret potions to lengthen and thicken eyelashes? I saw a YouTube video with a girl saying to put petroleum jelly on your eyelashes to make them grow–but WE know that’s not safe. Any suggestions?
A:  Let me get up off the floor laughing first about how someone could actually make a video saying how petroleum would help eyelashes grow. Now, there are some products on the market that are more natural and promote lash growth, BUT this all depends on much of a purist you want to be with it. It really takes a science lab kind of thing to do that.

Q: Megan: I have combination skin that breaks out easy, is there a foundation that will keep an even tone (not shiny on my t-zone) and won’t mess with my skin ?
A: In my experience, most traditional makeup these days won’t cause pimples, rather irritations. So are you getting pimples or irritations from your makeup do you think? Most foundation lines these days are going to leave skin glowy, because that’s the modern look, then you can use a setting powder in the t-zone to take away extra shine.

Q: Sarah: I’ve already learned so much from your site about safe SPFs and BB creams. Do you have any advice for the best BB creams on a budget? Thank you!
A: I am going to step on some toes with this answer, but I honestly think you are better off not buying a BB cream. Just get the right products that are good for your skin and put them on layer by layer.  I did write this article hoping to offer some good background information on the subject as well.

Q: Marcella: I’m pretty bad at putting on foundation but do you have any tips for dry skin types and using foundation? I also have to work around small bumps (from stubborn acne scars) that I want covered.
A: First let me ask you, is your skin dry because you dry it out to control the acne or has it become dry on its own since you had acne? The reason I ask is that your skin is the first thing to address so you don’t have to wear so much makeup – but it also helps me determine what texture of foundation might be right for you.
Reader response: Ooh that’s a great question! I’m in my 20s right now and I have noticed my skin has become noticeably dryer. At least compared to my oily/teen-acne filled skin in the not-so-good old days. But actually, I don’t use any products to dry my acne out out. I normally use a light facial oil and sometimes a Konjac sponge for gentle exfoliation.

Q: Tricia:  Is there a particular brand of green skincare you recommend for sensitive/reactive skin?
A: To me ALL skin is sensitive and reactive so I really think it’s about keeping things very simple and trying it out in sample size first. Shall I just plug the heck out of Goodebox now – that’s the beauty of it. Low commitment sampling. You can check out this article for some great ideas on caring for sensitive skin.

Q: Sharon: What clean shampoo do you recommend that won’t leave my hair looking limp or oily?
A: Regarding a shampoo, that’s tricky without knowing your hair and skin type. Limp and oily comes from using a shampoo that leaves behind residue. I’ve had good luck with Neuma, Giovanni and the brands listed here.
Reader comment: I LOVE NEUMA….fab shampoos, conditioners and the mousse is to die for! They also make a great argan treatment. I just discovered Andalou Naturals. LOVE their argan and sweet orange shampoo. It smells like candy!

Q: Beth: What is the difference between BB and CC creams?
A: The thing about BB and CC creams is that they are multitasking formulas. What I’ve found is that I prefer CC creams to BB Creams. The one from Juice Beauty is actually really nice. CC creams are lighter and not as thick/chalky. I find it’s a bit less pigment than a tinted moisturizer however. Both formulas offer SPF protection.

Q: Nathalia: What primer and foundation do you use during photo shoots?
A: I don’t always use a primer on shoots – I think they are 80 percent unnecessary. For foundations, I really dabble between a variety of brands such as rms beauty,Vapour Organic Beauty, Alima Pure, Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics and W3LL PEOPLE.

Q: Barbara: Is there anything I can do about the dark, dark “circles” under my eyes? Besides just try to conceal them (which doesn’t really work)?
A: Dark circles can be related to so many things. Here’s an article about dark cirles that may be helpful.

Q: Lauren: How can I whiten discoloration on the back caused by acne scarring?
A: Your question about lightening acne scars is a good one, but to be honest there’s very few things that are truly effective which are natural. Depending on how dark the scar is laser might be the only option. If they are lighter, then fruit acids could work. Generally all acne scars will fade on their own over time. Remember, don’t pick at the pimples!

Q: Veronica: What can we use for glowing skin, any cream or milk? What do you recommend for a natural lip gloss? Can you give us a moisture cream recipe to make at home ?
A: You have quite a few questions that actually can be answered by more articles on Green Beauty Team, so I’ll direct you there and tell you that I have quite a few favorite natural lip glosses. It’s actually the most common natural product to find in the beauty market. Primitive Makeup, Juice Beauty, BITE Beauty, Dr.Hauschka,  and about 100 more brands make great ones.

Q: Stacey:  I’m in my mid-40s and would love a recommendation for an all-natural wrinkle cream. Thanks!
A: It really depends on your skin type and a whole variety of conditions that are unique to you. Obviously we have some great natural skin brands represented here such as Clairvoyant Beauty and Juice Beauty. I’m also a big fan of Dr. Alkaitis Holistic Organic Skin Food.  Some people just use coconut oil and call it good.

Q: Maria: Is there a tinted moisturizer with SPF that you could recommend for hot/humid Miami weather?
A: I have been to Florida and will say that a tinted moisturizer sounds torturous to me! That humidity would just make me feel as if I were melting. My suggestion: put your SPF on, then concealer under the eyes, and do mineral powder like Alima Pure over the rest of the face.

Q: Heather: Do you have makeup free days or low makeup days? If you just throw on a few products instead of a full face of makeup, what products do you use? Do you suggest them for everyone?
A: I have makeup free days ALL the time! Sometimes I forget to put makeup on before leaving the house, then it’s a mad dash to put something on at the last second. I fully support that women do not need to fully cover their faces! When you really want to go for it, there’s truly a myriad of brands out there to use that depend on the finish you’d most prefer. I do a lot of makeup lessons (both virtually and in person) for women in every walk of life (actresses, singers, moms, business women, teens, brides) and there’s not one formula that I give out.

Q: Lillian: Any recommendations for treating dry skin?
A: Dry skin is often related to internal imbalance (as is acne and oily skin). So check out a few of our articles on the topic. Maybe you are deficient in potassium, or maybe you just naturally have dry skin, or maybe it’s the weather…  see where I’m going with this?

Q: Jade: Have any favorite facial oils?
A: I have SO many facial oils that I love. Current obsessions include Kahina Giving Beauty, there are 3 bottles in my bathroom right now. The blend of oils (not just the argan) is really luscious and nourishing. I also like the toner which isn’t drying  and is great for more arid climates.  Other favorites include Josh Rosebrook, Dr. Alkaitis, May Lindstrom SKIN, and MUN.

Q: Abbie: I have a question about blush…what do you like better, cream or powder?
A: I am a BIG fan of cream blush, but to be honest I often layer them. So I’ll use something like a hot pink from Revolution Organics and then go over it with a bit of shimmery bronze powder – ever so lightly – the Alima Pure in Belize is nice.

Q: Zerlyn: Do you have recommendations for lightening some sun spots? I have some under my eyes, and no serum (natural or not) works.
A: Yes, you are kind of reiterating a point I made earlier about acne scars. It’s really tough to find skin care that is both totally natural and will lighten those pigmentation areas effectively. Actually, as you get older those spots get darker…so what the natural brands can do for you is keep things at bay and protect you from them getting worse. I’ve done a lot of sun damage in my youth, but I actively prevent it from showing up on my face now and if I accidentally get too much sun – those spots come right out.

A few final words of natural beauty wisdom from Kristen:

1) Your makeup will only look good if your skin looks good
2) Your skin only looks good if your body is healthy
3) Your body is only going to be healthy if you care for it and you believe you are worth that kind of care (which YOU ARE!). For more tips from experts on all of these points, please keep up with us at Green Beauty Team!

The post Kristen Arnett’s Earth Day Natural Beauty Chat Roundup appeared first on EcoSalon.

Join us on Monday, April 22nd (Earth Day) on the EcoSalon Facebook page from 6-7 PST / 9-10 EST, for a Live Chat with Kristen Arnett, to learn everything you ever wanted to know about Green Beauty.

You want to clean up your beauty routine but you’re not sure where to start. Maybe you’re already a green beauty junkie and just want the latest colors and trends. Perhaps you’re trying to make the switch to clean and green but aren’t sure what the best clean counterpart to your beloved less-than-clean foundation is. Natural mascara that stays put? Concealor that covers? Hard to match skin tones?  Or maybe you don’t wear make-up but you do take care of your hair and skin, brush your teeth and try not to emit offensive odors. There’s room for improvement everywhere, and professional green make-up artist Kristen Arnett knows what to use, how to use it and why.

For Kristen, green isn’t just another shade in her pallet, nor is it a limiting factor in her work as one might expect, but rather, a defining one. Kristen is sought after first for her skills and talent, with the green, non-toxic element a beneficial bonus.

Kristen is well versed in what works in the world of green beauty because she has to be. Drying, irritating, ill-colored, or temperamental products don’t fly when it comes to doing make-up for celebrities, international glossies and runway shows. Kristen not only regularly works as a pro makeup artist in print, but also serves as a beauty educator and writer, appearing on television, hosting workshops, speaking at events and training people worldwide, from celebrities to fashionistas, models and everyday women looking for more sustainable, healthy beauty.

Join us on Monday, April 22nd (Earth Day) on the EcoSalon Facebook page from 6-7 PST / 9-10 EST, for a Live Chat with Kristen Arnett, to learn everything you ever wanted to know about green beauty. Participants can enter to win one of 15 prizes, including a sample Goodebox or products from some of Kristen’s favorite brands, including Juice Beauty, Alima Pure, Kahina Giving Beauty, Stark Skincare and Clairvoyant Beauty. You must participate in the Live Chat on EcoSalon’s Facebook page to be eligible to win. It’s easy. Just log in on April 22 at 6pm PST/ 9pm EST and post a question or two for Kristen to answer and refresh you browser every few minutes to see new questions and answers.

See you on Earth Day!

The post Live Earth Day Chat with Green Beauty Expert Kristen Arnett appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnWhether you buy it outright or make your own, tinted moisturizer is your cold weather must-have.

The one makeup product you need to make it through the dry seasons of fall and winter is tinted moisturizer. Skin becomes particularly parched as the air dries it out and indoor heating systems only exacerbate the problem. Hydrated skin makes us look fresh, younger and more vibrant and who doesn’t want that? Having a makeup product that can add needed moisture and even out skin tone is essential for every skin type. Yep, even you oily skin gals, listen up! There’s tips for you too.

One option is to buy a tinted moisturizer or a lightweight hydrating foundation. The other is to make your own with what you have on hand. The advantages of ready-made products are they save a little bit of time and mess while ensuring the ratio of foundation to moisturizer is just right.

A few of my eco favorites include:

Dr. Hauschka Translucent Make-up

Lavera Tinted Moisturizing Cream

Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Tinted Moisturizer

Making your own blend can save money while letting you receive the benefits of your favorite cream and getting the exact shade of foundation right, especially if a pre-made line just doesn’t seem to have the right one for you.

What you’ll need to make a custom tinted moisturizer:

A liquid foundation or mineral powder that matches your skin tone.

A hydrating moisturizer for the daytime that works well for your skin type.

You will have to experiment a bit to find the exact ratio that works to achieve the coverage you desire. The best ratio to begin with is a dime size amount of moisturizer and a nickel size dab of foundation.  On the palm of a clean hand mix them together. You’ll see there if you need more foundation or moisturizer, then you can add accordingly. If you are using a lightweight foundation already or want a heavier coverage out of your base, decrease the amount of moisturizer.

Using mineral powder with a face cream to create a tinted moisturizer works especially well for those concerned about shiny, oily skin. The ratio for using mineral powder mixed in with moisturizer in this case is much smaller. A very tiny bit of powder goes a long way with a lightweight cream. The combination will dry quite matte, so keep that in mind before you start mixing up a giant batch. I’ve done it successfully but it took a few tries to get it not looking like a gummy mess. Once I had the ratio down, then I had a shine-free face, that didn’t feel dry and lasted with coverage all day.

Now let’s hear about your experiments and favorite products for tinted moisturizers this season, and leave your comments below.

Editor’s note: Got a celebrity look you’d like to copy or a trend you’d like to see incorporating healthy, non-toxic makeup? Send your questions to High Definition columnist Kristen Arnett at beauty@ecosalon.com

New York City based Kristen Arnett is an internationally renowned makeup artist and founder of the Green Beauty Team, styling high profile celebrities and runway models as well as a sought after beauty expert, educator and teacher for other makeup artists.

Image: Aimaness  photography

The post High Definition: Tinted Moisturizer for the Dry Months appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnFall makeup trends are all about featuring one part of the face and letting the rest play supporting roles.

Leaves are changing colors all around us, which is a signal to start changing our own makeup too. Fall 2011 brings with it some rather bold statements where one feature gets center stage and the rest of the face acts quietly in the background.

I’ve picked out five of the most wearable makeup trends from the Fall 2011 runway collections that offer something fun for everyone.

Petal Pink Cheeks  (above)

The softest and most natural of this season’s trends is a rounded wash of pink blush on the cheeks.  In order to pull this off, you must make sure any areas of redness in the nose, forehead and chin are already properly concealed, or it could just look like you have a sunburn.  Once you have an even canvas use a big, fluffy brush to sweep on a petal pink shade over the apples of the cheeks rounding the edges towards the eye and a touch into the hollows of the cheekbones.

Mesmerizing Metallics

We women are usually hypnotized by anything sparkly, and thankfully fall 2011 doesn’t disappoint. Metallics are always in, but there was a definite reemergence of silver, which has typically been trumped by gold sparkles in many of the past seasons. Silver is a pretty harsh look for most people to pull off because of its cool grey undertones, so stick with this one for nighttime activities like parties and clubs.

Graphic Eyes

No new purchases necessary for this stand-alone statement.  All you need is thickening mascara, some black eyeliner and a steady hand and to create a heavy, angular stripe that marks this season’s graphic, yet simply elegant punctuation. Thickly coat both upper and lower lashes with black mascara and don’t bother separating them. The drama for this fall trend comes from their spikey look.

Bold Brows 

Bushy brows have been going strong for sometime now in fashion and over plucking is way out. So if you haven’t already, start letting those furry friends grow in. If you are in the growing back stages or naturally have sparse brows, this trend is still achievable with a bit of attention.

Choose a powder or pencil one shade lighter than your current hair color, but make sure to match the tone.  So if your hair is redder, find a color that has a touch of red in it to look as natural as possible. Using a pencil or a small angled brush with a dab of powder, fill in any “naked areas”; keeping the shape smooth and slightly squared at the front, tapering thinner towards the end. Always finish by blending with a brow brush so it doesn’t look too harsh.

Pucker Up Reds

Almost any color of red goes for fall 2011, from Bordeaux to cherry. Red is a statement in and of itself, so keep the rest of the face very neutral. Since I already wrote an article for EcoSalon called Red Lips For All, dedicated to choosing and using the right shade of red, I encourage you to revisit the information there and experiment with those suggestions as your guides.

Editor’s note: Got a celebrity look you’d like to copy or a trend you’d like to see incorporating healthy, non-toxic makeup? Send your questions to High Definition columnist Kristen Arnett at beauty@ecosalon.com

New York City based Kristen Arnett is an internationally renowned makeup artist and founder of the Green Beauty Team, styling high profile celebrities and runway models as well as a sought after beauty expert, educator and teacher for other makeup artists.

The post High Definition: Fall’s Boldest Statements appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnWhen it comes to makeup, figure out what the difference is between want and need.

During economic depressions and recessions, the one thing that doesn’t slow in sales very much is lipstick. It’s an easy purchase; a luxury item that is relatively cheap and can brighten your mood quick. If you are spending $8-$28 dollars every time you want to feel better on a shade that is similar to one you already have, maybe it’s time to rethink the purchase pattern.

I mean, have you ever asked yourself, “what am I doing with six of the same shades of lipstick?” In general, women like buying something new, but we fear too much change and often end up with variations on a theme in our makeup bag.

Every time I do a makeup bag review for someone I come across this habit of multiples which tends to be about the same for every woman, no matter what age. In the confusion of her makeup bag there’s a few eye shadows in a variety of browns, some color she’s barely touched like sparkly green, a shimmery white and sparkly gold. Then a few eye pencils in black and brown, maybe one outlandish color she never wears. Several lip glosses and lip colors ranging from pale rose to deep wine with some bronzers and blush to fill out the rest of the bag. All of these products come in various states of wear and tear, with the safest colors being the most worn and others just standing by because they never really looked good but their owner can’t seem to justify throwing them away.

My advice?

First, start by editing your makeup bag, box or cabinet the way you would your wardrobe. Find your classic staples, a few good accessory colors for fun and toss out anything that is ancient or never looked good in the first place.

Second, start asking yourself what you need vs. what you want.

We tend to buy makeup from these two mindsets and often get derailed in the “want” department. Beauty counter associates and marketing ploys are great at doing just that. The beauty industry is built on creating buzz around newness. They want you to get excited and feel the urge to buy.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t start unconsciously gravitating towards pretty packaging every time I enter a Sephora. So there’s nothing bad about this, but having been on the marketing side of cosmetics, I can tell you that it’s a very direct and intentional methodology to get you to buy out of want and perceived need.

The best way to not make double purchases is to go with your makeup to the store and swatch test the colors on your hand to make sure what you are buying is truly different. Then try the new color on your face, wear it around for a couple of hours and if it still sings sweetly to you, then buy it.

I would be remiss as the eco makeup expert if I said, “just go out and buy anything.” Instead, I have hopes that each of you will take the time to find more natural and organic makeup to put on your face. If you need some suggestions and motivation for swapping out your traditional products, watch this short video where I replaced common makeup items with “green” substitutes and gave startling statistics about the amount of chemicals women are exposing themselves to daily.

Editor’s note: Got a celebrity look you’d like to copy or a trend you’d like to see incorporating healthy, non-toxic makeup? Send your questions to High Definition columnist Kristen Arnett at beauty@ecosalon.com

New York City based Kristen Arnett is an internationally renowned makeup artist and founder of the Green Beauty Team, styling high profile celebrities and runway models as well as a sought after beauty expert, educator and teacher for other makeup artists.

Image: Flickr: Viviana_Love

The post High Definition: Curbing Makeup Repeats appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnSometimes your skin needs a break from the weight of cosmetics.

Inevitably whenever we’ve asked EcoSalon readers what they most want to hear about in this column, someone pipes up with “how we don’t need to wear any.” Ok, ok, I get it. So while this column is focused on makeup, I admit, even though I’m using natural products on my face, I still give my skin breaks from makeup.

Fashion Week in New York is just ended, but it’s the beginning of a month long, intensive series of the most important fashion weeks in the world. Virtually the same group of models, makeup artists, hair stylists and backstage photographers travel to London, Milan and Paris over a grueling four weeks. Right now I’m in Milan recovering from an eight hour plane ride and a six hour time difference and I haven’t put a stitch of makeup on in 48 hours. It feels good.

You think models have a “model” life but by the time New York fashion week is over, they cringe and begin to complain about getting their makeup done and some even hide from us! Taking into consideration we makeup artists coat every part of their skin that is showing once they are dressed, you understand why.  Last year I worked on a model who complained that her eyelashes hurt from all the makeup that was constantly put on and taken off during fashion month.

This season is the spring/summer 2012 runway collections, which translates into a lot of skin showing and therefore a lot of body makeup. Maybe you don’t feel the need to wear full body makeup in your swimwear, but there is makeup for that and women do buy it and it’s not a far cry from needing to wear makeup in a variety of situations where it’s best left undone.

Places it’s actually better for your skin to be sans makeup:

The Gym

Sweat plus makeup equals pimples, clogged pores and possibly irritation. If you are trying to meet that special someone at the gym, remember most people say they prefer seeing a woman look natural. It’s not cute to see makeup start to slide off creating raccoon eyes or cracking the surface of foundation. If you are desperate for something, just use a little concealer under the eyes, a tinted lip balm and curl your lashes.

Long Airplane Rides

Pay close attention to the skin of older flight attendants. It’s almost always very dehydrated looking without a dewy glow.  That’s because being inside a plane for so long is very drying to the skin.  If you plan on sleeping, mascara is just bound to end up in places you didn’t want it and will just make you look worse than had you gone without it.

When traveling, opt for lots of moisturizer and bring some extra to keep reapplying during the flight. A natural skin mist (not toner) can help rehydrate the skin before putting on moisture.

Water Sports

Unless you are a synchronized swimmer, you really don’t need to be in heavy waterproof makeup while you frolic around in the water. Put on a safe sunblock and let your smile be your standout feature.

A Quick Supermarket Run

Getting to know yourself without makeup is important.  Being comfortable going to the grocery store with just a glowy, naked face can be liberating for some and terrifying for others.

If this sounds terrifying to you, I suggest spending less time looking in the mirror. When you do get in front of a mirror, don’t get close up and stare at whatever imperfections you see. Look at yourself square in the eyes and say, “I am beautiful.” If something inside of you starts to yell about that not being true, repeat the phrase for 5 minutes while looking right into your eyes. It’s a very powerful exercise so be ready for it – accepting our own beauty is often harder than most people realize.

Image: CNBC

The post High Definition: A Temporary Breakup From Makeup appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnEcoSalon Beauty Columnist Kristen Arnett gets actress Katie O’Grady ready for her red carpet close-up.

Check out the Rid of Me trailer:

For her red carpet premiere in New York City, Katie wanted someone she could trust and she tracked me down through Katherine Ross, a mutual friend, makeup artist and a woman I considered to be my mentor in Portland, where I began my career.

The Lower East Side apartment Katie and James had rented out for the week was teeming with various friends and cast members with an energy of nervous anticipation and preparation. Katie was bustling around, hair and face freshly washed, while James was lying on the bed in almost a monk like state of what may have been meditation, or him just trying not to throw up.

We cleared off a small desk to lay out the makeup and utilized a window sill to hold the curling iron. I began to reassure Katie about the wonderful quality of natural products I would use on her. Like every woman I’ve encountered before her big moment in the spotlight, she seemed to not care if I used tar as long as she looked good when it was done. Shutting up about the whole thing, I wielded brushes, lashes, a curling iron and a lot of hair spray transforming her into a modern, sexy screen siren ready for her film’s premiere. We wondered if anyone would know she was the same plain-Jane woman from her movie.

Katie O’Grady in the movie, Rid Of Me.

One of the biggest thrills of my job is to see how makeup and hair can completely transform the presence of a woman.  I asked Katie how she felt about its importance in her work and life as an actress and producer.

“Makeup plays a huge role in any actor’s life. For Rid Of Me, it was important to keep my character, Meris, fresh and natural. She is a woman who believes that organic matters, that family matters, and that life is better when things come from the earth. When I shaped her look, it was from the outside in, because physically we look opposite from one another,” says O’Grady.

“It was so much fun to incorporate Meris’ same belief in an all-natural approach with my joy of dressing up for the red carpet, and that certainly included my makeup! We feel our best when we are honest with ourselves, our truth, and what goes in and on our body that is most connected to the earth. Staying grounded is a daily battle; it all begins with a fresh face,” she said.

Katie O’Grady shines thanks to Kristen Arnett’s experienced touch.

Since she asked and I’m sure you want to know, here’s a list of some the main products I used for Katie O’Grady’s red carpet look:

Youngblood Mineral Primer

Alima Pure Foundation

100% Pure Blush in Healthy

Youngblood Eyeshadow Quad in Starlet (appropriately  named!)

Image of Katie O’Grady at Tribeca Film Festival: Zimbio

Makeup: Kristen Arnett

The post High Definition: Organic Beauty with Indie Producer/Actress Katie O’Grady appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnNothing’s steamier than an eco sex writer channeling Brigitte Bardot’s makeup.

In the steamy, hot month of August I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Stefanie Iris Weiss, the author of Eco-Sex for the filming of a French documentary on American sex. Friends only through our interwoven virtual connections on Facebook, I’d never communicated with her until days before she stepped foot into my apartment to have her face made up in an early 70’s Bardot inspired look she so desperately desired. Stefanie, by the way, is pretty much a sex bomb in the womanliest sense with her full hips, incredible cleavage, and cascading blond hair.

An hour later, sprawled out on a red and white checkered blanket on the grass in Central Park, Stefanie looked perfectly poised and ready for a romantic encounter with a semi-traditional picnic basket containing a bottle of organic wine and of course, some snacks deemed to be aphrodisiacs. Suddenly Stefanie started whipping out condoms, lubricants and vibrators discussing their particular “eco-friendliness,” and me, with an unconscious nodding of my head started taking notes.

Maybe it was when she began extolling the wonders of using coconut oil as a lubricant that I felt a little more in my own groove since I work with the oil in many different ways and it’s not as foreign to me as perhaps vibrator talk. One thing we are on common ground with though is that makeup adds to a woman’s overall sexy factor.

When I asked Stefanie why she thinks makeup enhances a woman’s sexiness, she answered:

“Makeup gives us the ability to enhance our natural beauty and play up our assets, which is the way I like to wear it during the day. It brings confidence, boldness, and reminds you of the kind of power you have. It allows you to walk into any given room like you own it. At the same time, when you have a shoot, an event, or just a hot date, you can wear makeup the way you’d play dress-up as a little girl. It can be a game, a ritual, a way of starting foreplay before you’ve even got anyone else in the room with you. I always say that sex begins with our relationship to our own bodies, the moment we wake up in the morning and look in the mirror. And when you begin to dress your face, the real fun starts.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself. So, I will leave it at that.

Products used for the eco-sexy Bardot inspired look:

Jane Iredale Circle Delete Concealer #2

ZuZu Luxe Mineral Bronzer

ZuZu Luxe Brow Pencil in Flax

Couleur Caramel Lip Gloss in #802

Couleur Caramel Eye Shadow in Coppered Brown #52 and Light Taupe Brown #5

Youngblood Eye Liner in Black

Image of Stefanie: Jonathan Alpeyrie
Makeup: Kristen Arnett

The post High Definition: Eco Sexy Makeup with Author Stefanie Iris Weiss appeared first on EcoSalon.