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Eco Chick's Totally Unofficial and Entirely Subjective Earth Day Fashion and Beauty Awards

Everyone’s doing awards these days (Treehugger’s Best of Green, The Daily Green’s Heart of Green), and most of the sites include some kind of public participation and voting of some sort.

Well, I wanted to do awards for some of my favorite things from the past year, and the only voter was ME! I’ve been doing the green thing for quite some time and I like to think I know a little something, after all! (Really I wasn’t organized enough to get a post up last week and didn’t know how to tabulate votes and stuff).

Without further ado, here are some of my favorite fabulously green things from the past year:

Best Eco Fashion and Beauty Coverage from a Mainstream Publication

1st Place: Lucky Magazine wins this one hands down! The last year has featured not one, but TWO beautiful, entirely ecofashion spreads, and at least four natural beauty articles (including one with the fantastic Summer Rayne Oakes). Their support of eco fashion designers and boutiques is unsurpassed, and in their inexplicable (and totally enviable) way, they make everything look extra fabulous and totally easy to incorporate into one’s own life. Check their online eco sourcebooks (including beauty, denim, shoes and more) for ideas and brands that have been covered in the mag. Thanks Lucky!

2nd Place: Elle Magazine has done some serious work this past year covering eco friendly designers, in the always ahead-of-the-trends way that only Elle does. Elle gets special mention for digging up lots of amazing jewelry designers who use recycled metals, unusual materials (ancient walrus tusks anyone?) and Earth-friendly processes in their designs.

Honorable Mention: Shape Magazine isn’t a fashion mag- I read it for the strength training tips because I’ve become an obsessive gym rat in the last six months (it’s the BEST way for dealing with stress and makes your legs way more sculpted than a vodka martini). Shape gets kudos not only for their kick-butt strategies and healthy-eating tips (though more veg recipies would be nice!) AND their love-your-real-body stories, but sprinkled throughout each and every issue are small ways to go green (from products to new foods and drinks to actions and new companies), indicated with a little green leaf. Their April environment issue featured several great eco articles; thanks to the (no-doubt superfit) women at Shape for connecting the dots between women’s health and the health of the planet.

Best New Beauty Product Trend

1st Place: Oil! We spent the nineties and aughts banishing fats and oil from our diets and from our skin care routines (and from our skin). Well, turns out, our bodies need (good) fat and our skin definitely need oil- in fact, as Eco Chick beauty writer Stephanie Rogers pointed out, one of the best ways to a less-oily complexion is to use some good oils on your skin, since the skin overproduces oil when it’s lacking it- so organic facial oils actually cut down on shine. I swear by Saaf facial oil- it is completely organic, smells amazing, and both Stephanie (oily combo skin) and I (dry/very dry skin) use it with great results. I also use facial oil for my decolletage and neck before I go to bed.

2nd Place: Getting Beautiful from the Inside Out- One of the simplest ways to get great skin and hair, prevent aging, and reduce acne is a healthy diet filled with lots of high-antioxidant fruits and veggies, healthy fats from sources like nuts (especially coconut), green tea rather than coffee, and of course, plenty of filtered tap water. I’ve been supplementing my pretty damn healthy (except for the aforementioned martinis) vegetarian diet with aloe supplements and Murad’s Pure Skin Clarifying vitamins , which have worked wonders on my skin by providing a boost of yellow dock, burdock, Vitamin E, and Zinc.

Honorable Mention: DIY Hair and Face Masks- I’ve been using the inside skin of papayas and mangos as a natural fruit acid treatment, and avocado and honey hair masks for the last couple of years, but lately I’ve seen quite a few mainstream pubs pushing this old-school hippie idea. Probably because it’s super-affordable with so many women are looking for less-expensive alternatives to high-priced treatments, this one is way low-impact on the planet too (no packaging!).

Best New Ecofashion Trend

Talla Cuteness

1st Place: Attention to Dyes- never before have there been so many natural or low-impact dyes been available (well, since the Industrial Revolution anyway; before that ALL dyes were pretty ecofriendly). And none too soon! Heavy metal pollution from dyes is a serious concern in Third-world Countries where our clothes are colored-up. From Virginia Johnson’s graphic printed scarves, to Talla’s bright floral patterns on silk, there are tons of eco designers working to find more sustainable dyes. While natural colors still tend to dominate (see Barney’s house line by Philip Lim and John Patrick Organic’s dreamy prairie visions) as a color-lover I never have any problem finding fun, bright colored outfits from my fave eco fashion designers. In fact, I’m wearing a fun Mediterranean-blue organic linen dress by NaturevsFuture right now!

2nd Place: HOT Shoes- This year saw ecofriendly shoes go from ‘cute and totally wearable’ to ‘Damn!!’ Cri de Coeur doesn’t seem to make an unsexy shoe (even their boots scream ‘yank me off and do me!’ – or maybe that’s just me) to Olsen Haus’ sharp yet kicky vegan stilettos and Charmone’s yummy pumps.

Best Tech to Green Up Your Life on the Go

1st Place: iPhone Applications- So Apple is hardly the greenest computer company on the planet (far from it, and shame on you Apple!) but I have an iPhone and despite the fact that I’ve broken one and had one stolen, I keep going back- the applications are awesome! From HopStop, that helps me navigate the ever-confusing isle of Manhattan (I’ve saved money and gas NOT hopping in cabs because I get such good directions from HopStop instead) to Craigsmobilelist, there are just lots of ways you can use your phone to cut down on energy use, and shop smarter. How great that one can find local green businesses (restos, dry cleaners, green salons, and more) at Greenopia.com (there will be an iPhone application coming in the next month, for now you can search using the web browser). Power of information, for the planet!

2nd Place: Proliferation of Laptops as Primary Computer- They use 90% less electricity than a desktop, and these puppies are powerful, as well as portable- what could be better? I’ve been using a Macbook as my only computer for about a year now and I’ve been able to do everything I need to do, and I’m on a computer all day, every day as a blogger, writer and editor.

awards, Eco-Chick, ecofashion, Natural Beauty

Starre Vartan and Eco-chick.com Featured in Glamour's 70th Anniversary Issue!

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by Starre Vartan · 03/11/09

I am so honored to have been invited to take part in Glamour Magazine’s 70th Anniversary issue, out this month (look for Katie Holmes on the cover of the April issue). To celebrate, they brought together 70 of the most influential women in green, including me! Standing next to me are Jill Fehrenbacher, design blogger extraordinaire (Inhabitat and Inhabitots), and Laurie David (Larry David’s wife, and more importantly, founder of Stopglobalwarming.org). I also got to chat with Christie Brinkley, Alicia Silverstone and Summer Rayne Oakes who were featured too.

We had our picture taken as a group in Central Park and it’s featured over a three-page spread (along with a great article about how far we have come in terms of environmental awareness, and how important women have been in that area.)

Thanks Glamour, for recognizing all these great green women! Check out Ecorazzi’s coverage here, with behind the scenes photos!

Look for the article in this issue!

Eco-Chick, Glamour, magazines, media, Starre Vartan

Style, Naturally by Summer Rayne Oakes Debuts!

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by Starre Vartan · 02/03/09

Watch Summer describe her new book, Style Naturally, and the motivations behind its content and design.

I’m excited to announce that Eco Chick’s favorite eco model, Summer Rayne Oakes, has just debuted her first book, Style, Naturally! Congratulations Summer!

I can’t WAIT to take a look (I haven’t gotten my hands on a copy yet), but from hearing Summer talk about it over the last year as she put it together (and from checking out the video above), I’m sure it’s going to be absolutely fabulous. Tons of green designers that we’ve featured here over the years are included, as well as beauty tips and tons of fresh info about accessories (bags, shoes, and jewelry) which I predict will be my favorite part.

In Summer’s own words:

It’s 350 pages and 500+ color images with personal vignettes, product reviews, girl-on-the-street style profiles, designer/beauty profiles, and tips of the trade. As mentioned, it looks, feels and reads like a style guide, but is covertly about something much deeper – like solution-based approaches to deforestation, chemicals in personal care products, organics, fair trade, etc – and written in an upbeat, informative tone.
The book is on recycled paper, vegetable-based ink and it is 1% for the Planet to ENERGY ACTION, which is a group near and dear to me.

I’ll include a longer review as soon as I’ve checked it out!

accessories, Eco-Chick, ecofashion, Fashion

Soy's Eco Creds

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by Courtney Tenz · 01/30/09

Last month, when Starre asked us all for our New Year’s resolutions, I didn’t have to think twice about them because I’ve been thinking so much about these goals over the last year. But I just put all my eco goals for the year out there for the world to see without elucidating and that raised this question:

Why is soy considered “not necessarily doing better for the environment”? I thought that tofu was a good nonmeat protein alternative.

Here’s my attempt at answering that question, but bear with me: there’s a big debate about soy so there’s a lot of nonsense out there and I don’t want to rumor-monger. And along those lines, I won’t get into the health issue regarding soy (I know one dietitian who says it’s good for you and another who says only in moderation and though I trust both of them, the truth seems to be a few years away yet).

So the closest thing I have for an answer is to say, as I said in that previous New Year’s post, that I try to lead a one-earth life as it is so the things that I’m working on are pretty specific to me and what I think I can handle doing. I mean, it would be silly for me to say I’ll cut back on driving when the only time I get in a car is when I visit my ‘rents in the US which doesn’t happen all that many days in the year. And so, for me, the next step my vegan lifestyle has to take is less processed food and that means removing soy from my diet and eating more veggies and beans. Of course, eating tofu is not as much of an eco-sin as eating meat. As Starre said in her recent post to the new Pres:

Meat production is the most energy- and water-intensive food you can eat. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Department reports that 18% of greenhouse gases come from meat and dairy production. Go veg at least half-time Mr. President, and you will save your heart, your colon, and the planet.

Going local while veg is the next best thing you can do for you and the planet. Soy, however, doesn’t grow here in Germany and it’s not always easy in the US, either, to get locally-grown and processed tofu (especially that made from soy that hasn’t been genetically engineered, which is a huge enviro no-no in my book, and which accounts for 85% of US grown soy). In some of the countries that export soy to the US, it has become such a viable crop due to biofuels and its use as a cattlefeed that eco havoc is being wreaked in some places, and I don’t want to get behind that anymore by buying beans from Brazil. Or from anywhere else. So if I can swap a mushroom burger for a tofu burger, I will. At least, that’s what I’m resolving to do. But for everyone else, well, that’s up to you.

agriculture, Amazon, book, Brazil, car, driving, eating, Eco-Chick, Energy, epa, fall, Food, gas, Germany, Greensolutions, health, local, meat, New Year, New Year's, Obama, processed food, rum, solutions, soy, style, vegan, water

Eco-Beauty Consultant Jessa Blade's Recommendations for Dry Winter Skin

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by Danelle Brown · 01/28/09

jessablades

During Eco-Chick’s 3rd birthday party last month, I had the chance to meet eco-beauty consultant and make-up artist, Jessa Blades.

Jessa is the founder of Blades Natural Beauty and is a vessel of information regarding all things organic beauty and skincare. Shortly after learning about the breast cancer and body lotion connection, I had noticed I was almost out of face moisturizer. I had been sampling various brands over the last few months, and since old man winter has stepped up his game, I realized I needed to try a different moisture rich face cream. I contacted Jessa to ask for her expert opinion on the best eco & body friendly facial moisturizers out there for the winter season. Here recommendations are a perfect follow up to my body lotion post last week.

Mod.Skin Créme Nutri-functional #1 $48.00

This rich and lightly scented cream can either be used during the day or night use. It leaves a moisturized glisten to the skin without feeling heavy. It can be used for all skin types.(Can purchase on-line, specialty beauty stores/section or pick it up at Whole Foods)

Dr. Hauschka Toned Day Cream $39.95

This is Jessa’s favorite. It is a tinted moisturizer that contains therapeutic oils which reduce the appearance of irritation and irregular skin tones for a variety of complexions. It is ideal for normal skin types, but can also be used over-top of a moisturizer in the winter for extra dry skin. Plus, it has a great scent. (Can purchase on-line, specialty beauty stores/section or pick it up at Whole Foods)

Aubrey Organics $16.28

These facial moisturizers come in 5 different varieties according to skin type. The products are available at a wide variety of stores and being that the company was founded in 1967, their heritage is respected within the industry. (Can purchase on-line, at major retailers or pick it up at Whole Foods)

Lip & Skin Balm by makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift $30

Another one of Jessa’s favorite is this dual balm. You can use it on your lips, face or apply it around the eyes at night time. The balm hydrates and protects the skin with food grade, biologically active ingredients and comes in either-Simply Vanilla or Simply Cacao.