fun in the sun...

When the sun is high and the weather is hot a good sunscreen is needed. Korres is great as I mentioned before. My latest favorite, as mentioned by Angelina as well, is Dr. Hauschka mineral sunscreen. Mineral sunscreen sits on the top of the skin instead of being absorbed which many believe can be harmful because of all the chemicals in sunscreen. Available in a range of SPF and as a spray as well. Order here are receive two free Dr. Hauschka trial sizes. Offer available until June 30th.

the luxury of Jatamansi...

If you asked me what is my most desired product of the moment, I would have to say anything from the organic Jatamansi line by L'Artisan Parfumeur. While searching for products in Paris I came across the L'Artisan Parfumeur, a wonderful candle/perfume shop. On the shelf I noticed this wonderfully simple and beautiful glass bottle of expensive bath oil. I took one sniff and was sold, although honestly they had me at the packaging. Come to find out the line is organic and is available in body lotion, body oil and perfume. Available in the US at Bergdorf Goodman...for a price.

An Interview with Lulu Organics creative, Linda Aldredge...

Today's post is a great interview that I think many of you will find very inspiring. Linda Aldredge, founder of Lulu Organics shares with us her creative side, tips for living a healthy life and her motivation behind Lulu Organics. Lulu Organics are the makers of the beautifully packaged Talc-free hair powder.

FB: Can you tell me a little bit about your creative side and that amazing treehouse I saw featured in Domino Magazine?
Linda A.: A little about me... I grew up all over. I've worked as a graphic designer and illustrator for close to 15 years. Most of my inspiration comes from my family and friends. And music. Music is everything to me and I'm a big nerd about it.
I spend a lot of time in upstate New York where I have a treehouse that I built with two friends. It's a tiny, sustainable house that sits 15ft up in a tree. My ideal evening would be a handful of friends, a warm still night upstate, a dinner we cooked over the fire made with only things we grew or bought in town, a bottle of wine and a great tune playing on my makeshift sound system. Simple is best.

FB: What influenced and or inspired you to start Lulu Organics?
Linda A.:It's funny how I came into this venture. Clearly, I was a graphics person by day so the packaging aspect was a no brainer, I've always loved an antiquated boudoir aesthetic. But by night I was starting to get really into herbs and herbal healing. I was raised in a home where holistic and nutritional healing is important. I woke up one day with the notion that I would teach myself how to make every single thing I used in my home [product-wise]. Some things were a disaster [laundry detergent] but most things came out amazing and I was completely hooked. I started to make things for friends as gifts and eventually I decided to sell something. Hence our first product, the hair powder. I love powders—body and hair—and I had never seen a really nice smelling one that didn't have talc—an ingredient I like to avoid—so I thought, why not?

FB: Can you talk a little bit about your philosophy behind your company?
Linda A.: Thus far just simplicity. I don't like things when they get too tricky. I like single notes, I like products that have simple yet healing properties. Ingredients that harken back to a time where things were simpler and we were more connected to all the things we used, grew, ate, etc.

FB: What are a few of your favorite beauty products of choice?
Linda A.: My beauty regiment is really simple as I have one of those complexions that can't tolerate anything. I probably couldn't live with out rose-hip oil, which I apply to fine lines on my skin before bed. And lip balm. And funnily enough—black eyeliner. Try finding that organic! I use the Korres brand currently though I'd like the come up with one of my own.

FB: Do you have any beauty tips or secrets that you are willing to share with flawless beauty readers?
Linda A.: Just one. And it might sound strange. I hate using 'regular' deodorant because of aluminum, anti-perspirants, etc. Buuuut I'm sicilian and I don't, after a long sweaty day, smell like an angelic pile of rose petals. And natural deodorants, while they mean well, don't always work. My friend Marc once shared with me a little tip that to this day totally saves me! If you cut a small sliver of fresh lemon and rub it under the arms, voila! I know it sounds crazy, but seriously... it REALLY works.

FB: Starting your own company and dealing with the day to day duties takes a lot of energy I'm sure. What do you do to insure your body and mind receives the attention needed to maintain a healthy and creative lifestyle?
Linda A.: I typically heal through food and herbs. If I'm feeling run down I take herbs for vitality and I'll eat really well. If I feel bloated I'll try and incorporate at high percentage of raw into my diet for the day, it also helps the mid-day sluggishness. And if I'm at the top of my game, I'll wake to a morning shake of berries, banana, kale or spinach with udo oil, hemp seed and spirilina. Hormonally, I try to keep the caffeine to a minimum and regulate with vitex [chaste berry]. I find that if my hormones are balanced the rest tends to fall in line.

Where to buy? Online: US www.luluorganicsnyc.com, UK www.puresha.com
Visit luluorganicsnyc.com for a full list of retailers.

Treehouse in upstate New York, via Domino Magazine.

lovely brows...

Threading is a technique that I have used for years as an alternative to waxing or tweezing. Threading is done with an actual spool of sewing thread pulling hair out one follicle at a time therefore leaving you with a beautiful natural looking eyebrows. Waxing can be less forgiving and forms eyebrows that aren't always well suited for your face. Tweezing can be a little tedious and lets face it, somethings are best left to the experts! My favorite eyebrow experts in New York City are the women at Madhu's Eyebrows. They charge 6$ and there is never more than a ten to fifteen minute wait. If you have really sensitive skin don't forget your sunglasses...you may be a little red afterwards.

Mandu's Eyebrows
3 Greenwich Ave
NYC
Mon-Sun 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM

almost summer...

I thought I'd change things up today and do an inspirational post. Here are some fabulous beauty shoot images from Vogue Beauty Italia. I love the mood in these shots, it reminds me that my favorite season summer, is just around the corner! Not to mention, how cute are all the dresses!? Also, I just had a great weekend upstate New York which reminded me of the scenery and the leisurely attitude in these photos as well...via foto decadent.

full of shine...

I've been doing a lot of haircare posts in search of the perfect all natural shampoo. Well, I think I've finally found it! Yogurt shampoo from the French brand Cattier. My hair is soft and full on shine! This shampoo works well for frequent hair washers also. Another fun fact, Cattier is know for making fabulous baby products. Available exclusively in the US on Beautorium.com. For conditioning I used my favorite Dr. Hauschka conditioner, available on Beautorium.com as well. Cattier products are available at Naturalia stores in France.

a new skin solution for the new year...

Saaf pure organic skincare is a wonderful new product line founded by Dr. Mah Hussain-Gambles, a qualified homeopath and pharmacologist.

Using rare, organic, cold pressed botanicals and finest quality, steam distilled organic essential oils with scientifically proven healing and anti-ageing properties, Saaf Pure Skincare has been certified by the Soil Association. It qualifies, too, for Halal accreditations, by employing a policy of no alcohol, no GMO's and no irradiation. Further accreditations make it vegetarian and vegan approved as well as being cruelty free and Naturewatch certified. Available in select locations. I will try to update all flawless beauty readers when Saaf becomes available online or in the U.S.. I can't wait to try these products by Saaf, the skin serums sound amazing!

a mask that exfoliates....

A fabulous mask from Aubrey Organics. Jojoba Meal & Oatmeal with Rose Mosqueta. Each time I use this mask, it leaves my face fresh and glowing. Although it is labeled for dry skin, I find it works great for normal skin as well. I am curious what someone with oily or sensitive skin would have to say about it.....

Traditionally, Rosa Mosqueta oil is obtained from rose hips from rose bushes that grow wild in the south of Chile. Seeds are collected and carefully processed to obtain a high concentration of essential fatty acids (77%) which provide remarkable tissue-regenerating and rejuvenating effects.

In fact, Rosa Mosqueta oil has been collected from the Andes mountains and used by South Americans for generations to treat dry skin, help reduce signs of premature ageing and fade off blemishes such as pigmentation spots, stretch marks, acne scars and sun spots. It has also proven to be particularly effective in the treatment of scars and burns by improving skin quality, color and texture.