Have you ever wondered why you don’t think the “gross stuff” your partner does isn’t gross? Or why you love to grab your person’s gut after they’ve eaten? It’s probably because you’re evolved and realize that unsexy bodies — aka all of our bodies — are, in fact, sexy.

I can always tell how forward-thinking my significant other is if he thinks I’m attractive when I’m at my worst. For example, my fiance is still able to find the “cuteness” in me when I’m sweating out a bad fever, and have a snotty nose.

Now, it’s not like I go out of my way to look unattractive or unsexy, but most of the time, I just feel comfortable looking normal around him. I don’t have to suck in my gut for him to think I’m pretty, and that’s a pretty good sign that our relationship is solid, I think.

Over the past few years, visual artists have turned their lenses on themselves to experiment with their normal, unposed bodies. And guess what? A lot of these photos are incredibly erotic.

One such artist is Lauren Crow. Crow’s subject is considered “shocking” because she often focuses on people, such as herself, who don’t have Hollywood-ready, thin bodies.

In early 2016, Crow released a series of photos that feature her nude body in untypical nude poses. “Her nudity is neither a battle cry nor submissive, simply a state of being that we rarely see from larger people without needing an accompanying hashtag or campaign,” Dazed Digital reports. “The agency isn’t to prove anything with her work but rather simply to exist.”

Crow plans to up the ante this spring when she releases a new series of images that will examine the various types of intimate relationships the artist has in her life.

While all of us enlightened people know that every body is sexy, all of us also know that there are plenty of people who would like folks who have hairy bodies, larger bodies, out of shape bodies, etc. to cover up.

Crow’s work probably won’t make everyone swoon with joy, nor will it make body bullies change their tune, but her photos do help continue the “what is sexy isn’t always ‘sexy’” conversation.

Related on EcoSalon

On Slut-Shaming, Sexual Politics, and Barbie: #NowWhat

Gird Your Nipples, Ladies: A New Hampshire Politician Wants to Pinch ‘em: #NowWhat

How to Orgasm Every Single Time

Image via Lauren Crow’s Tumblr

The post All of Our Unsexy Bodies are, in Fact, Sexy appeared first on EcoSalon.

Sex sells. And Sprout Pharmaceuticals just scored the diamond ring with the FDA approval of its previously rejected female Viagra drug Flibanserin. But is it just selling us the image of desire or can it authentically fix our female libido problems? 

This libido issue has been recognized as a “medical” problem, initially termed hypoactive sexual desire (H.S.D.D. ) with its own diagnostic code until 2013 when it was renamed female sexual interest/arousal disorder (F.S.I.A.D.).  The name change, as silly as it sounds, is important because it indicates a new and more accurate understanding of a more realistic sexual response cycle for women. The idea that this new pink Viagra treats a disorder that isn’t even still in the books only adds insult to injury when you consider both the significant side effects, including fainting and low blood pressure from Flibasnserin (a failed antidepressant), and the almost non-existent increase in sexual response.   

Only two days after the approval of Flibanserin, Sprout Pharmaceuticals, a company of less than 40 employees, was sold for $1 billion, easily covering the $100 million dollar initial investment, spent mostly on an elaborate social media campaign equating a dubious drug approval to equal rights for women. The one good thing that has come from the FDA drug approval and even the bogus PR movement “Even the Score” developed to persuade the FDA to cave on the drug, is that now we can speak freely and honestly about female libido- and the fact that most women want more of it, but often have no idea how to get it. 

How about we begin instead with some basic sex education and dispel a few persistent myths about how libido works as well as how it changes. The persistent and harmful belief that sexual desire is or should be spontaneous is where the trouble starts. We all remember those initial early stirrings of sexual hunger, when it was some odd animal unleashed in us, just by being near the crush of the month, or even the frenzied, rip-your-clothes off feelings in the biologically driven stage of falling in love. Who doesn’t love that kind of spontaneous eruption of desire? It’s like surfing a giant wave, or dancing around a bonfire. So yes, there are times- rare and beautiful as they are- when our libido spontaneously takes us on a fantastic ride, sometimes resulting in an over the top orgasm.   

And then there is life: children, bills, figuring out the Feng Shui of correct furniture placement, dealing with in-laws, trying to progress in careers, cars breaking down, and you know… getting to an exercise class. Somehow, spontaneous sexual desire doesn’t usually mix in this list. This is where we have to start working for a new and more reliable form of libido. As adults, this is the moment when we have to both want and learn how to generate our capacity for desire. And this is where the libido story falls apart for most women. Study participants stated, “Once I started, it wasn’t an issue. It was getting me started.” And “I hate having to ‘wind myself up’ to do it,” said another participant. “It makes me feel broken.”  These comments reflect the real problem with female libido, that most women don’t understand: what makes desire work over the long-term is being willing to own and cultivate our erotic selves.   

It is a big leap to take responsibility for our own erotic impulses. It is much easier to let them lie dormant under a giant stack of old guilt or wounds of  being sexual, emotional disconnection from our partner, silent shame about our body image, or just having no idea about how to access a fantasy life. It is grown-up business that requires both curiosity and commitment to our erotic soul for it to flourish. And most women equate that work with being broken. We know now that desire is not usually the leader- just waking up our capacity to be aroused is enough to kick desire awake. And arousal is available through any of our senses if we go looking for it.

Giving up the longing for spontaneous desire to take you over and leaning towards getting good at cultivating responsive desire is the only pill you need to take.  Not only will you avoid the pain and embarrassment of frequent fainting spells, which will not help your libido, but you will invent exciting new pathways in your brain to actually get to the passion we all truly want.

Stay tuned in the next weeks for real ideas on how to make your own desire cure.

Related on EcoSalon

John Oliver: Sex Ed Teacher of the Year [Video]

Other Appropriate Reactions to Totally Sexist Questions and Comments

3 Companies that Make Sustainable Sex Sexy

Image licensed via Shutterstock

The post Female Viagra: Selling Desire, Not Fixing the Female Libido Problem appeared first on EcoSalon.

From edgy sheer black knits to sweet and feminine strapless silk, these sexy summer dresses by eco-friendly designers are perfect for sweltering nights on the town.

If you don’t have a dress in your closet that screams, ‘It’s ninety degrees, but I look and feel amazing,’ you need to go shopping. Stat. I’m not an advocate of thoughtless, voracious consumerism, and I definitely don’t recommend running out to your nearest fast fashion store full of dirt cheap, pesticide-laden garments made by slave labor. But a sexy summer dress is a wardrobe essential, and the right one will be a staple for warm-weather dates and events for years to come.

These five gorgeous garments were handmade in America using environmentally friendly processes and materials, and include a couple options in extended sizes.

Asymmetrical Organic Cotton Dress by Brook There

Slinky organic cotton and bamboo with a touch of spandex make this casual summer dress by Brook There cool and versatile with a comfy yet body-hugging fit that will effortlessly transition from day to night. Available in over a dozen colors, this dress features an asymmetric neckline and side slit, giving it a modern edge. Each piece by Brook There Organic Clothing is hand-made to order in Portland, Maine.

Medewi Leopard Silk Tube Mini Dress by Gypsy05

The Medewi Leopard Silk Tube Mini Dress by Gypsy05 is sweet and summery in three pastel prints, but still shoulder-baring sexy. It’s lined with silk fabric in a matching color and features an adjustable elastic tie waistband. Gypsy05 garments are made using organic fabrics, soy softeners, low-impact dyes and seaweed extract printing. This small lifestyle brand’s headquarters were the first completely solar-powered dyeing, printing and manufacturing facility in Los Angeles, California.

Ran Dress by Morph Knitwear for Sisters of the Black Moon

This sheer hand-knitted cotton and bamboo dress with an asymmetrical hemline looks amazing over a bandeau and hot pants, a swimsuit or a basic tank dress. Stick with edgy all-black or mix it up with colors and prints underneath. Each Morph Knitwear piece is made to order by designer Angela Thompson in Portland, Oregon using materials that are almost exclusively locally sourced. Thompson cites “the mythological, the powerful feminine, history, and a good dose of heavy metal” among her influences.

Puya Organic Cotton Dress by Elroy Clothing

A cowl neck and a little bit of subtle ruching make Elroy Clothing’s Puya Dress flattering for virtually every figure. It comes in purple, red or turquoise, and it’s made of 95% organic cotton. Elroy supports fair trade markets in areas of low income and unemployment, including Indonesia, where the company founder began a sustainable employment project in 2009.

The Belladonna Dress by HerbanDevi

We all need a couple sexy summer dresses that make us feel bold and confident, and the organic cotton Belladonna Dress by HerbanDevi couldn’t be more perfect for dancing. It’s got shoulder ties for an adjustable fit, and a flounce skirt. Handmade to order in San Mateo, California, this dress comes in a wide range of colors, and sizes XX-small (00) through XX-large (22-24).

Related on Ecosalon: 

In the Mood for Sexy Summer Dresses

Robot Made Eco Fashion: Natalia Allen’s Capsule Collection for the Future

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What makes lips sexy?  Is it the size, shape, color, or placement on the face?  

Lips represent how we communicate. We use them for kissing, affection, and to express our sexuality. Well moisturized lips in a naturally flushed color say healthy, and healthy is sexy.  Don’t have Scarlett Johansson’s naturally full, pink & pouty pair? Don’t stress. Most of us don’t. Make the most of what you’ve got using these five steps.

1.  Keep them healthy.  No one wants to have shriveled looking, flaky, peeling lips, so take steps to keep them healthy. Exfoliate to remove dead skin and use a good lip balm to seal in moisture.  You can use just about any face or body scrub on your lips too, however, The Natural Lip Scrub is a delicious options formulated specifically for your kisser. Remember to drink lots of water too – it shows in the lips first when you’re dehydrated.

2.  Define their shape.  Use a high quality lip pencil to outline your shape.  You can match the tone to your lipstick or pick one close to the natural color of your lips for a more subtle effect. Wearing a deep hue?  Give your natural shape and size a boost by running the pencil just outside your natural borders to create a fuller lip, but keep  close in. No clown faces here. Primitive Makeup’s super creamy Lip Pencils offer a range of flattering shades for lining lips or providing all over colors.

3.  Plump them up.  While not a permanent solution, there are a variety of natural lip plumpers to add a little more volume to your pout.  Look for products that use hyaluronic acid to attract and bind moisture to the lips. Eve Organics Lip Plumper is a good natural option that does double duty as a high shine gloss. It also contains cinnamon which will cause the lips to swell slightly (if only for a little while) for a bit of a bee stung look.

4.  Be an illusionist.  A trick to adding the appearance of fullness is to dab a highlighter on your lower lip.  Choose a pale pink or pearly white shade (nothing blue). Vapour Organic Beauty’s Trick Stick Highlighter in Luster or Star are good options. Apply to nude lips or over color, just a dab in the center of your lower lip, right where it starts to turn out will give the illusion of fullness.

5.  Add some color.  Whether it’s siren red or a naturally flushed pink or peach, choose a color that’s at least a couple shades darker than  your skin.  No white, super light pastels or frosted shades, blue, green or black. It’s just not flattering and lips simply don’t turn that color naturally unless your frost bitten or channeling a zombie.  W3LL People’s Nudist Colorbalm Stick provides flattering shades in a sheer formula along with amazing shine and long lasting moisture–everything you want in a single stick. Looking for a deeper shade?  Line then color in lips for lasting color and layer over with your favorite gloss, plumper or a Nudist shade that’s complementary.

Want to try healthier beauty products to find what works for you?  Check out Goodebox, a members only discovery and trial service for healthy beauty and natural wellness products.

Image: socialspice

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Every day is better with a new track. 

blah blah blah. (denitia and sene.) by denitiaodigie

Every day we bring you one track for a little musical inspiration. Have a track you want to submit? Email us at contact@ecosalon.com.

Image: Denitia Odigie

The post Daily Track: Blah Blah Blah – Denitia Odigie appeared first on EcoSalon.

Every day is better with a new track. 

PillowTalk – The Real Thing by PillowTalk Music

Every day we bring you one track for a little musical inspiration. Have a track you want to submit? Email us at contact@ecosalon.com.

Image: Pillow Talk Music

The post Daily Track: The Real Thing (PillowTalk Remix) – Marvin Gaye appeared first on EcoSalon.

An exclusive EcoSalon playlist for setting the mood.

We normally do 10 songs for your weekend playlist, but we figured with the purpose of this musical compilation you might need an additional dose of luck, so we went ahead and made it 11.

Check out the music videos for some of the songs below, or instead of clicking play every time one music video ends and you need to start the next, go even further ahead and listen to all of them nonstop on our The Lucky 11 Songs to Seduce Someone To playlist on 8tracks.

1. Here, My Dear – Marvin Gaye

2. A Funky Space Reincarnation – Marvin Gaye

3. Physical Love – Eddie Hazel

4. Feel Like Makin’ Love – D’Angelo

5. La Ritournelle – Sébastien Tellier

6. I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More, Baby – Barry White

7. International Lover – Prince

8. Feeling Without Touching (Instrumental) – Glass Candy

9. Physical Motion – Jimmy Edgar

10. Feel It All Around (Toro Y Moi Remix) – Washed Out

11. Divina – Toro y Moi

Like this playlist? There’s more where that came from. Check out our full 10 Songs series.

Photo Credit: Pensiero

The post The Lucky 11: Songs to Seduce Someone To appeared first on EcoSalon.

Because knitting should have a lot more sexy dialogue.

Ask a knitter if they think using their hands to create is only for crazy cat ladies and they just might stab you with a poison needle. These fiber shape shifters are actually at the forefront of something very liberating, sexy, counter-culture and inspiring which is why we think pick up lines to try outside of the confines of the underground knitting circle, craft fair or feminist yarnfest is in order.

Whether you’re a seasoned knitter who likes to meditate with the craft or you’re a renegade hipster feverishly yarn bombing community landmarks, these 20 pick up lines just might make your hobby a whole lot sexier.

1. Your yarn is sooooo soft. Touch mine.

2. You’re so cute I’d give you my pattern for free.

3. There’s nothing quite like a new ball of yarn in the hand, don’t you agree?

4. I want to frog you.

5. I’ve been looking across the room at you all night and I think it’s high time we purl the two of us together.

6. Let’s repeat.

7. You do that like you’ve been slip stitching your whole life.

8. Let’s finish off this dinner then try some back-looping.

9.  Your needle tips are so cold, let me warm them for you.

10. I soooo want to handle your hank.

11. Are you left-handed or right?

12. Do you like your yarn forward or back?

13. You’re loose like chenille.

14. I like my men like my balls of yarn, manageable.

15. What will it take to convert you to come home with me?

16. Ooooh, a blocker playing hard to get!

17. You like working with naturally dyed yarns? That’s so raw.

18. What I wouldn’t give for some of your purls of wisdom.

19. (kiss me) many times.

20. You make me so hot I want to cast off.

ALSO CHECK OUT:

Foodie Underground: 50 Pick-up Lines for Scoring a Foodie

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An exclusive EcoSalon playlist that will help you feel good and get your love on.

If there was ever a month to feel sexy, it’s February, and what better way to get you feeling good than a sexy playlist?

Check out the music videos below, or instead of clicking play every time one music video ends and you need to start the next, go even further ahead and listen to all of them nonstop on our 10 Songs to Make You Feel Sexy playlist on 8tracks.

1. Orange Blossom – Gardens & Villa

2. Sticky Like Glue – Prince

3. Don’t You Evah – Spoon

4. Feeling Without Touching – Glass Candy

5. Bad Girls – Blood Orange

6. Lofticries – Purity Ring

7. Infinity – The xx

8. Wolf Like Me – TV on the Radio

9. The Hearts Filthy Lesson – David Bowie

10. Red House – Jimi Hendrix

Image: Flavia Mariana

The post 10 Songs to Make You Feel Sexy appeared first on EcoSalon.

I hate Hallmark holidays, I hate Hallmark holidays, I hate Hallmark holidays…

Let’s have a little chat, my Valentine’s Day hater. I can hear the protests now: Don’t you know every day can be Valentine’s Day if you want it to be? Don’t you know you can tell people any day that they are loved and buy them lush bouquets of flowers or heart-shaped jewelry? Don’t you know you can have hot sex day or night, with or without champagne, and with or without sexy organic lingerie?

For Pete’s sake.

I get it, I do. But is a little Valentine’s day bliss really so bad? Heart-shaped corn syrup candies may not warm the cockles of your heart, but I’m willing to bet someone you love sure likes to know they’re appreciated this time of year. (I’m saying this as much for myself as anyone.) For all of us pink-tinged Scrooges and red-hued Grinches, today we make it easy: copy, paste, click, done.

This scarf by Vivien Pollack Design for $36 comes in all the lovely colors of spring and can be used in many ways on both Valentine’s Day as well as after: A pretty neck tie on a plain blouse, a belt on a high-waisted skirt or dress, a trendy turban, a tie for the bed post, a foreplay mask.

For a cute spin on jewelry, suggest this to someone and have them put a lock of hair, a love note or fortune cookie message referring to love eternal. Available at Beklina, these French enameled lockets for $98 come in fun candy colors much more delicious than a box of See’s.

Nothing says sex me up more than a silk teddy – and one from an eco-friendly catalog? Perfectly sinful from VivaTerra – we like their style (and it’s on sale for $39!).

Valentine’s Day is the best time to give or receive a pretty bottle of fragrance from the one you love and D.S. & Durga is at the top of the best scented list. Experiencing a perfume like The Orchid Drinkers or Five Step Waltz is pure sensory bliss. $86

The grand dame of all the gifts on February 14th is the eternal symbol of love (cue the fast-bowing violins), gasp, the ring. Here’s the most unusual one I’ve discovered, and if you give or get it this Valentine’s Day, send us a picture of you wearing it.

I love the description of the snake ring, or “ouroboros,” a snake biting its own tail: “An ouroboros is an ancient symbol of eternity and rebirth. To wit: Inscribed in hieroglyphics on an Egyptian wall was ‘the male serpent is bitten by the female serpent, the female serpent is bitten by the male serpent, Heaven is enchanted, earth is enchanted, the male behind mankind is enchanted.'”

St. Kilda, $1,292

Top Image From Rainbow Photos

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