Tuesday evening I had the extreme pleasure of attending a glamorous, albeit steamy, party for the launch of Kate Hudson’s new eco hair care line, David Babaii for Wild Aid, in partnership with her long time hairstylist David Babaii. The collection launched at the fabulous emporium ABC Carpet & Home in New York City’s Flatiron District. For those not in the know, ABC could not have been a more perfect fit — as a retailer they are committed to offering products that serve communities and give back to causes having established ABC Home & Planet Foundation. (more…)

What can we say about Dads? If you were lucky enough to have a great one like I did - it’s pretty much a thankless job most of the time - dolling out funds, fending off creepy crawlies in the night and generally going, “Yes, dear…” while the game was on, but secretly hearing all. Well to thank Dad this Father’s Day, why not choose from some gift ideas that honor him, his passions and the environment? You may be thinking, “Green is my bag (more…)

In case you haven’t been to a Whole Foods recently I’ve got an update for you. Since Earth Day (April 22nd, 2008) Whole Foods stopped offering plastic bags to their customers. Only paper bags will be offered, or you can bring your own.

This is a great example of an authority figure nudging the public towards healthier living (more…)

In this last segment in our our 4-part Healthy Skin Care Series, where we’ve been reviewing various chemicals in skin care products, today beYOUmag.com looks this week at petroleum and petroleum derivatives and their impact in your skin care products while investigating some healthy alternatives.

What is petroleum?
Petroleum jelly - as it’s referred (more…)

Summer is approaching and all of a sudden the desire to expose arms and legs is upon us. Problem is: those limbs might not have seen the sun in months. The desire to “lay a base” for beach season or bronze-up pale body parts is strong now. However, try and resist the urge to “fake bake” or indulge in a tanning bed session. According to a piece on Mayo Clinic’s site all exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is damaging to the skin.

Alternatives: I know some people get a little disconcerted by sunless tanning products (more…)

Continuing our look at various chemicals in skin care products in our Healthy Skin Care Series, beYOUmag.com looks this week at propylene glycol and its impact in your skin care products and some healthy alternatives.

What is propylene glycol?
Propylene glycol is in the alcohol family and is a clear, viscous type compound used primarily in skin care products as a moisturizer, emulsifier, lubricant (as in personal care), and is one of the main ingredient in deodorants. (more…)

The term has been subtly creeping into the lexicon: greenwashing.

Now I’m hearing it all the time - and I understand why. According to the U.S.-based watchdog organization CorpWatch, greenwash is “the phenomena of socially and environmentally destructive corporations, attempting to preserve and expand their markets or power by posing as friends of the environment…” Wow. (more…)

Continuing our look at various chemicals in skin care products in our Healthy Skin Care Series, beYOUmag.com looks this week at sodium lauryl sulfates and their impact in your skin care products and some healthy alternatives.

What are Sodium Lauryl Sulfates:
Quite simply, sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS) are an inexpensive detergent commonly used in cosmetic cleansers, hair shampoos, bath and shower gels, bubble baths, etc. It’s what puts the suds in sudsy - it’s main goal is to create lather. (more…)

When I worked a serious corporate job, where I wore fitted suits and A-line skirts, dropping my expensive garments off to the dry cleaners was a normal part of my Saturday routine. I had wanted even then to try an organic dry cleaner, but you know what they say, location, location, location… Nothing worse than being told you have that unexpected early morning meeting and your organic dry cleaner is on the other side of town. However, I know when I was using a traditional dry cleaner, my clothes wore out faster, had that “chemically” smell and felt stiff. (more…)

I write often on natural and organic skin care, from healthy and realistic makeup to skin care free of fillers and harmful chemicals. The ingredient “no-nos” I always look for and religiously try to avoid are parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), propylene glycol and petroleum. Since one could write major reports on each of these chemicals and their harmful and potentially carcinogenic effects, beYOUmag.com will be bringing you a new Healthy Skin Series breaking down (more…)