Have you ever bought shampoo without (steel yourself) reading the label? Or have you ever gotten home from the gym, thought about washing your face, and then collapsed on the couch in front of the TV, maybe to watch bad reality television? If you’ve answered “yes” or “dear God woman, get out of my brain” to either of these questions, you have committed a green beauty sin.

And just what are the seven deadly (okay, not really) green beauty sins?

Not using Skin Deep to research our products.
Skin Deep is a lifesaver. The safety guide to cosmetics, brought to us by the Environmental Working Group, is the standard resource in what is non-toxic and safe in the cosmetics industry, traditional or green washed. Uncertain about the chemicals in a shampoo? Run it through their database. Shampoo not in the database? Take a look at its ingredients, pick the most “chemically-sounding” and run those through. What you learn will change your buying habits forever. (And want 15 green  beauty products under $15? Find em’ here.)

Not taking care of our skin.
I was once a young scamp, running through fields of sun with nary a sunscreen thought in my head. Now I won’t get the mail without using non-toxic sunscreen – like this! Be sure to wear sunscreen, but make sure it is non-toxic. Moisturize using organic products (Here’s a good one.) Use a scrub at least once a week. And be sure to washing your face after exercise or travel.

Not eating healthy foods.
Want acne? Like dull skin? Indulge in sugar and fried foods. Mary Sullivan is a nurse and nutritional expert. According to Sullivan, “There is a lot of important new research showing tremendous power of antioxidants in general, and in some specific nutrients in particular that can make an important difference in the way your skin looks and feels – and even in how well it ages.” Spinach, broccoli, blueberries – all good for your body and beauty!

Not exercising – outdoors.
Exercise gets the blood flowing and the toxins sweating out of our bodies. Exercising outdoors gives our minds an extra chance to unwind and take in some of the sights that don’t involve a TV screen with images we can’t control flashing across it. I have seen more True Hollywood Stories at the gym than I can count. Is it relaxing or healthy to see crime scenes from OJ Simpsons’ murder trial? Not for this runner.

Not taking cooler showers.
Some of us enjoy a hot shower. And by some of us, I mean people who recycle, drive hybrids, talk to the Greenpeace activists on the street corner, and may or may not write for green online publications. I know, we’re supposed to be conserving water (which we do) and keeping electricity bills down (which we do). But also think of this next time you’re ready to blast away the day with a steam – hot showers can strip away our skin protective oils, drying out our skin. Plus they are bad for the Earth.

Not washing our hands.
You would never NOT wash your hands after using a gas station bathroom, right? Well think about all the times your may or may not have washed your hands after going to the grocery store, holding the door for someone, or even using your own cell phone. Transferring germs and dirt to your face is easy when you touch your face without washing your hands. And consider giving your cell phone an anti-bacterial swipe while you are at it.

Not considering our inner beauty.
I know, this seems like a no-brainer. But stressing out, not getting enough sleep, sweating all the small stuff is going to reflect to the outside world. Meditate. Read. Go for a walk and dance when no one can see you. (Or do it when they can, just embrace the looks.) Act like a general goof. Know what? You’ll feel better – and will feel better about shortening that hot shower. (Setting my timer right now”¦.)

Image: Esparta

The post Oh Behave: The 7 Ultimate Beauty Sins appeared first on EcoSalon.

How many of you moisturize and exfoliate your neck? I don’t, and apparently I am as foolish as this surfer who recently decided to stalk two great white sharks. (Yes, the neck is this dramatic.) The neck never lies. Because in this day of injecting ourselves with Botox and fillers and probably strawberry jam if it worked, the only sure-fire way to tell a person’s age is by his or her neck.

Think about it – how many times have you looked at the baby-smooth cheeks of a society Grande Dame, just to notice her neck matches her Hermes alligator bag? And I know that many of you would as soon as inject your eyeballs with glue than put Botox in your face. But that doesn’t mean we should continue to neglect our sassy necks or sexy upper bosoms.

Here’s why. As we age, our skin gets loser and fine lines make their appearance. The skin on the neck is thin and blood isn’t circulating around it as well as other places. The neck doesn’t have any fat to plump it up. It is often as exposed to the elements as much as your face – as can be your upper bosoms. You’ve invested in that Nixxi Fringe Collar Wrap Dress, so you’re going to want to bring on the sass with your cleavage.

Here’s how. First, it is important to keep our necks and chests moisturized and toned. Strawberry Hedgehog has a fantastic moisturizer. They also offer a detoxifying facial mask that is great for the neck and upper chest area as well. Want to tone? Here’s a list of some toners on the organic and natural market. (Though be sure to still read the labels, as some still contain chemical ingredients as well as organic ones.)

You can also eat your way to a healthy neck. Consider consuming foods high in omega-3s like flax seed and salmon. Spinach contains skin-strengthening vitamin A. Berries are high in antioxidants and vitamin C, which are both fantastic for your epidermis. Also think about giving your neck a massage with organic sunflower oils, which are high in nourishing vitamin F.

Next, think about your posture. Walk around with a book on your head. This will train your neck muscles to lift and elongate. (Suggests the person who spends most of her time hunched over a laptop looking like a turtle.)

You can also consider hot and cool compresses. Sitting in an armchair, wrap a warm, wet towel around your neck and clavicle for fifteen minutes. Then follow with a cool towel for the same amount of time. This will moisturize your skin and help you relax.

And finally, want a really great recipe for a homemade neck and décolletage wash? Try a Creamy Yolk Wash from Narine Nikogosian’s Return to Beauty.

Take one teaspoon of sour cream, one egg yolk, and one teaspoon of lemon juice. In a small bowl, mix the sour cream, and egg yolk together, then add lemon juice. Wash your neck and then rinse with cold water.

Image: teresawer

The post The Neck and Décolletage – A Tale of Sexy appeared first on EcoSalon.