I may want summer to be here, but the truth is that it just isn’t.  Posting about sunscreen and stubbornly wearing skirts won’t change that.

I’ve noticed that I have unwittingly fallen into a winter beauty routine: I wake up, get ready for work, hop on the bus and immediately put lotion on my hands.

I get to work, wash my hands (busses are gross) and put more lotion on my hands.

…I have two bottles of lotion in my office, a travel-size container in my purse, and two more bottles at home: one on my nightstand and one by the bathroom sink.

It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again.

No matter how much water I drink, winter destroys my hands.  They’ve have gotten drier as I’ve gotten older, too, and I’m easily able to go through an entire eight-ounce container of lotion before it goes bad or I get bored.  As long a lotion is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates and synthetic fragrances, I’ll make use of it.

Since my pot of Karma Kream is almost out, I’ve started looking for new lotions again.  Though I love the lotions I have, I’m not a brand loyalist (yet), so I’m really excited to try something new!

I see lotions scented with citrus, rose and lavender all the time, but almost never jasmine – and never, ever just jasmine. It’s one of my favorite scents, and finding a jasmine lotion created by eco-friendly Jurlique (price: $38) is huge. (I’d probably toss their Love Bomb, a salve that’s good for lips, fingertips and other small areas, in my purse.)

Out of Africa works with women’s co-operatives in Benin, West Africa to create raw, natural shea butter products that are vegan and eco-friendly, and uses the proceeds of their natural shea butters to support School Children Unite, giving kids in the same area better education opportunities. Their natural shea butters come in unscented, lavender and verbena, and they’re only $8.99 each.

I cannot believe that Hugo Naturals All Over Body Lotion is gluten-free, paraben-free, SLS-free, petroleum-free, vegan, only $9.99 and comes in all of these scents:

• Sea Fennel and Passionflower;
• Spearmint;
• Grapefruit;
• Lemon Verbena and Bergamot;
• Unscented;
• Vanilla and Sweet Orange;
• French Lavender; and
• Shea Butter and Oatmeal.

Lemon verbena and bergamot?  Sea fennel and passionflower?  I’ve died.  This is heaven.  Thanks, God.  Two moisturized thumbs way, way up.

Dr. Andrew Weil, the founder of integrative medicine, partnered with Origins to create a line of natural products. As a physician, he promotes integrating alternative and traditional medical techniques to achieve optimal health. He’s a big believe in stress reduction and is against the war on drugs. I dig him a whole lot, but even if I didn’t, I independently dig the idea of a Matcha-based lotion. Energizing!

I just received a sample of this hand cream and am really excited to try it. At first I thought, “Ew, cherry? Cherry princess? What is this?” Then I dabbed a little on my fingers, rubbed it in, and sniffed. It’s intoxicating: a blend of cherries and floral notes that is really unexpected, but not as “LOOK AT WHAT A GIRL I AM” as I thought it would be. I can’t wait to see how it wears throughout the day…and if I love it, I may even pick up the Cherry Princess Solid Perfume as an in-purse pick me up.

hemp

Along with a GoGoGirlfriend subscription (a monthly sample box – see Lindsay’s review of GoGoGirlfriend for more information), I just signed up for regular deliveries of samples through MyGlam, and it seems I managed to do so in time to get their January box…which had a “back to nature” theme!

Image via MyGlam…and since they only open up membership every so often, if you want in I recommend following them on Facebook!

While I love my box as a whole, I’m a little uncertain about one of the products I received: Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner.

But before I go on, did anyone else hear “Wen” and immediately think of the original definition of the word?  You know, an abnormal growth or a cyst that typically protrudes from the face?  Not sexy, Wen.  Not sexy.

Here’s what MyGlam says about Wen (the cleansing conditioner, not the cyst on your face):

“Wen is a single step Cleansing Conditioner with natural ingredients. The most important thing about Wen is actually what it’s NOT. It’s not a shampoo.

“Wen avoids sodium laurel sulfate and other damaging detergents usually found in shampoos, so it won’t strip hair and scalp of natural oils. The astringent and antibacterial properties found in the Cleansing Conditioner thoroughly cleanse the hair without lather or harsh ingredients. It’s designed to add sheen, luster, moister, manageability and helps enhance color retention.

“Wen is the creation of the celebrity stylist, Chaz Dean, and is the must have hair product for stars such as Alyssa Milano. It can be used for straight, wavy, curly, color treated or ethnic hair!”

I’m…skeptical.  I’ve heard some great reviews of Wen, but most of them have been from people that have only been using it for a few days or those that don’t really pay attention to what’s in their shampoo.  (Wen doesn’t use sodium laurel sulfate, but it does use potentially harmful chemicals, including fragrance and PEG-60, so it’s only sort of eco-friendly.)  I’ve also read bad reviews of Wen, criticizing everything from how oily it made their hair to automatic billing issues after ordering.

Guys, I’m nervous!  Before I open this package, I am hoping someone reading this will come forward and tell me about their experience with Wen.  Did you love it?  Hate it?  Get billed a million dollars for it?

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I love being pale.

No, really!  It’s great to know that, unlike my mother (whose generation didn’t know how bad constant tanning could be), I likely won’t get skin cancer, and that as I age, my skin won’t lose elasticity as quickly.  I’m a fan of summer sunscreen, avoiding tanning beds, and slathering on moisturizer after any unexpected burns…but I realize that it’s not enough.  If I really want to keep my skin from getting sun damaged, I’ve got to wear sunscreen all over, all year.

Even…on…my hands?  Huh.  Okay.

The immaculate pale beauty, Dita Von Teese, is also an eco-icon due to her love of vintage!

When I first mentioned this post to Lindsay, she revealed that she was also looking to be paler in 2012.

“I want to have like 0% sun damage on my skin.”

Twinsies!

I have to admit, there’s an aesthetic component for me, too: I want my arms to be the same color as my legs.  My legs could flag down airplanes, they’re so bright white.  They also don’t want to get any color, so I figure it’s best to just give in and enjoy their blinding beauty.

How are there people with so few blemishes on their skin?  I thought I saw a mole, then realized I just need to clean my computer screen.

My first step in the journey to be pale was to research sunscreen and other SPF-related products.  The Environmental Working Group puts out a comprehensive list of the best sunscreens for the eco-conscious, as well as information on which sunscreens are crap, which use too many chemicals, and which sunscreens are best for the environment.

 Best Beach & Sport Sunscreen

“Our top-rated sunscreens all contain the minerals zinc or titanium. They are the right choice for people who are looking for the best UVA protection without any sunscreen chemical considered to be a potential hormone disruptor. None of the products contain oxybenzone or vitamin A and none are sprayed or powdered.”

Confidential to EWG: I’m sort of developing a crush on you.  Keep talking like that and I’ll buy you dinner.

There are so many sunscreens on EWG’s list that I’ve decided to feature only a few of the brands I’m most familiar with.  For the whole list, click here.

Alba Botanica Mineral Sunblock, Fragrance Free SPF 30

Coppertone Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

SPF Fifty! And it’s Coppertone, so you know it works.

LaVanila The Healthy Sunscreen SPF 40 Face Cream

The thought of using this face cream makes my rosacea stand up and take notice…but it’s worth a shot.

Speaking of rosacea, I guess I could use sunscreen on my body and makeup with SPF on my face…is that splitting hairs?

Jane Iredale PurePressed Base

Organic Wear Liquid Foundation SPF 15

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation

Aaaaand I just realized that I can get almost all of these products – the eco-friendly makeup with SPF and the eco-friendly sunscreens – at the drugstore. Score.

If I want to go really crazy, I could pair some of this makeup with an eco-moisturizer with SPF. You can really layer this stuff on! (Don’t go too crazy, though: there are fewer chemicals in the products listed here and on EWG’s website, but it’s still best to use an amount of SPF protection that corresponds with the amount of time you’ll be in the sun.)

Now for the obvious question: If it’s so easy, why haven’t I been wearing sunscreen all along?

Image credits: Dita Von Teese, Evan Rachel Wood, Natalie Portman.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Lindsay and I both look like we’ve been in a fight.  The cold, busy holidays gave Lindsay a one-two punch, splitting her lip, and I…well, I managed to stab myself in the face with a fork on New Years Eve, creating a nasty cut that still hasn’t healed.  I have to admit: when we walk down the street together I wonder if people think we might beat them up.

Probably not.

I’m actually surprised that winter hasn’t taken a worse toll on my skin, hair and nails: they’re dry, but not nearly as torn apart as they could be.  Am I finally drinking enough water and taking care of myself?  Nah, it can’t be!

You may have already seen our list of face masks by skin type.  I often come back to that list when I feel the need for a mini spa treatment, but it doesn’t take into account which in-season ingredients are best for an in-season DIY beauty treatment.  And after seeing a million packages of blueberries at the grocery store this past weekend, I was inspired to create a set of DIY winter beauty treatments, ranging from head to toe.

My only requirement: you must do these in order.  Get the ingredients in advance, kick out your roommates/partner/kids, then let yourself enjoy an entire at-home spa day.  I promise, it will be worth it.

DIY Buttermilk Deep Conditioner

Are you ready for your spa day?

Ingredients:

• ½ cup organic buttermilk
• 1 cup plain organic yogurt
• 1 organic egg yolk
• 1 tsp raw coconut oil (sub almond or avocado oil if necessary)

Winter is the perfect time to use a heavy, thick, creamy conditioner.  Run a hot bath, work this into your hair, and grab a trashy magazine.  Relax for a half hour before rinsing…and then relax a little longer.  (Why not?)

DIY Blueberry Hydrating Face Mask

You can buy this bathtub caddy on Etsy – just click the image!

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup local organic blueberries
• 1 tbsp raw organic honey
• 1 tbsp organic olive oil (sub almond oil if necessary)
• A blender

The next five minutes of your bath should include this blueberry face mask. Blend these ingredients before you get in the tub, and layer it onto your face like you would any other mask.  In the following five minutes your skin will be infused with the vitamin E and C found in the blueberries, and the olive oil and honey will seal it in.  Remove the mixture gently using a damp cloth.

But wait! Your bath isn’t finished yet!

DIY Homemade Foot Scrub

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (white or brown) sugar
• ¼ cup sweet almond, olive, avocado or unrefined coconut oil
• 6 drops orange essential oil
• 1 drop ginger essential oil
• 1 teaspoon powdered cayenne pepper

Your feet have been soaking, which means they’re ready to be exfoliated.  Sugar and sea salt are the perfect bases for any homemade foot scrub, because they’ll dissolve once they go down the drain.  (Fish don’t need to exfoliate.)  Mix the sugar and almond oil first, add the other oils, then add the pepper.

If you’re not into ginger, you can replace it (and any of the other scented oils) with any essential oil you want.  A few of my winter favorites are listed at the bottom of this post.  For tea-flavored scents, brew a triple-strong single cup and blend it into your sugar.  (You may have to add a little extra sugar to get the consistency right.)

Now it’s time to rinse off, get out of the bath and moisturize!

DIY Full Body Lotion

Ingredients:

• 1 cup filtered water or cold brewed tea
• ¾ cup oil (olive, almond, unrefined coconut, or avocado)
• 3 tablespoons grated beeswax
• A few drops of essential oil (optional)
• A blender, pretty bottles and some cheesecloth

Don’t be afraid of the beeswax: you can get it from any farmer’s market.  (This is also where you should be getting your honey.)  And don’t be afraid of this long-winded recipe.  It’s not as scary as it looks.

First, make sure your blender is set up. You can store your cup of water or tea inside the blender – you’ll get back to it in a bit.  While that sits, grab a Pyrex measuring cup (or something else that can get hot without melting) and place the oil and beeswax inside.  Then create a DIY double boiler by placing the cup in a small pot of water.  (The water should come to about halfway up the cup.)  Bring the water to a gentle boil (don’t boil on high) and heat that cup until the beeswax melts and melds with the oil.  Once it’s melted, remove the cup from the heat and let it sit for two minutes.

You know how blenders have a soft plastic lid, with a hard clear plastic piece in the middle?  DIY dumb girl alert: you can take that center piece out and pour stuff in while it’s blending!  How cool is that?!  So turn on that blender, get it going at about medium speed, then remove the center stopper.  Pour the oil/beeswax mixture into the blender and watch the magic: as the mixture blends you’ll see it start to emulsify, which looks really, really cool. Keep blending until there’s no more water on the surface of your mixture, and turn up the speed if you can’t get it mixed at medium.  If you’re going to add essential oil (and you certainly don’t have to), do it now; blend it in.

Last step: transfer that hot mess to glass jars.  Make them as pretty as you want, but don’t close them up just yet.  Until they’ve cooled, you must cover the jars with cheesecloth.  This will keep condensation from forming, which will keep bacteria from forming, which will keep you from saying, “Ew.”

Your full-body custom lotion is the last step: you’re officially DIY Winterized!

Jen’s Favorite Winter Scents: vanilla, bergamot, rose and black tea.

Lindsay’s Favorite Winter Scents: cinnamon, pine, burnt sugar and pomegranate.

The lovely images in this post were all found using Pinterest, which I am addicted to.  Find my favorite pins here, and click each image for its source.

Some information and inspiration provided by ReadyMade and Planet Green.  Check out their other DIY projects!

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As we round the bend into 2012, the US election buzz is officially underway and I am nonplussed.  It’s no secret that Lindsay and I are liberals – I mean, obviously, since we want to save the earth and let gay people have rights and stuff – so it should also be no secret that even contemplating the potential Republican nominees for the 2012 election makes me want to stab something. I mean, Rick Santorum? Really?

So we’re not going to talk about it.

Instead, we’re going to talk about how cool it is that lots of glamorous beauty brands give back to their local community and the world with charitable donations and products.

All of MAC’s Viva Glam products support the MAC AIDS Fund, including a brand new lip color and lipglass from Gaga herself (which, hi, I love).

My mom and sister both want a clarisonic so badly right now.  I’m still a little suspicious of it.  We’ve been washing our own faces forever.  Why do we need a machine?

My sister is graduating with a degree in wildlife conservation this year, actually, and one of our often-discussed dreams is to travel to Africa together to study and help rehabilitate wild cats that have been rescued from circuses, zoos and other captive facilities.  Chantecaille, a family-owned cosmetics company based in New York, creates beautiful makeup palettes each year that not only help raise awareness about endangered species, but also donate to causes that support those species.

PeaceKeeper has been donated portions of its proceeds since its inception, and has given over $55,000 in cash, along with $30,000 in product, to women-focused non-profits. The list is long and impressive, and the products themselves are high quality (and eco-friendly!).

If you have a favorite charity-supporting brand, please let me know so I can feature them!

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From L to R, top:
Zoya “Shay”
Zoya “Laney”
Zoya “Cynthia”

From L to R, bottom:
Butter London “British Racing Green”
Butter London “The Full Monty”
Butter London “Chancer”

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I don’t wear much makeup day to day – just some mineral powder and the occasional slip of mascara – but I love wearing it during the holiday season. This lady wants to embody that Christmas spirit, you know?

It’s one of the reasons I love the annual gift sets that cosmetic companies create: those little samples are the perfect holiday size, and even if I don’t use them throughout the year I don’t feel like they’re wasted. This year, I’m excited to see that an ethical cosmetic company, tarte cosmetics, has pulled together a few holiday sets for me to choose from.

Shining Stars Limited Edition Best Sellers Collection: $25

Everything from tarte cosmetics is both vegan and cruelty-free, so you can be certain that not a single animal was intentionally harmed in the process of creating or testing their products. I love cheek and lip tint, so I’m really, really excited about this set.

Puttin’ on the Glitz: $48

This set, on the other hand, is too rich for my blood. If I was even halfway decent at applying shadow, however, I’d snap it up in a heartbeat. It comes with three interchangeable palettes so you can go from day to night to…later that night? (I love how the bag shimmers.)

Intro to Tarte: $25

If you’ve never tried tarte, you should pick up their Intro to Tarte set. It contains all of their best sellers in cute travel sizes, so you don’t have to make a serious investment just to try them out.

Speaking of holiday beauty, have you signed up for the Ethical Rag yet? The first 200 people to sign up are entered into a giveaway to win a gift set of brushes by EcoTools, pigments by Radiant Cosmetics and an eco beauty book!

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