SEEING GREEN

I never leave the house without mascara. Ever. Even to go to the gym (okay, on the occasion I go to the gym). One coat applied and I instantly feel like I got a better night’s sleep. Finding an eco-mascara has remained on my to-do list for some time. It’s not that I haven’t tried but so far I’ve haven’t liked the consistencies or found brushes awkward. And as a photographer, it has to stand up to hours behind the lens without leaving me with raccoon eyes.

I’ve been a fan of tarte cosmetics since their first cheek stain almost a decade ago and was thrilled when they created their eco-cheek collection. Recently, I decided it was time to give their new mascara a whirl. Why did I wait so long?

All tarte cosmetics are paraben, petro-chemical, phalate, sulfate and synthetic fragrance free. And tarte Lash Hugger mascara is the perfect example of eco-beauty inside and out. Even the tubes are created using recyclable and post-consumer recycled material. This eco-friendly mascara also cuts out GMOs, gluten, talc and dyes. So, what is in it? The company calls them skinvigoratingTM ingredients like carnauba and rice bran waxes, mineral pigments and olive esters. Perfect for both eco-conscious and sensitive skins.

I love the brush. It creates volume and define lashes. Though I generally choose a brown mascara for day, Lash Hugger is only available in black. But it's actually quite light and fine for am or pm. In the evening, I’d probably start with a smoky liner and add an extra coat or two. The non-waterproof formula was put to the test this week during a long photo shoot in 90 degree temps. After hours in the sun I was exhausted but not a flake or smudge.

Lash Hugger is available in stores or on the tarte website. xo a.

How To: The Messy Summer Bob

Last year it was the Gwyneth bob - a sleek and sophisticated overgrown bob - this year it's the...

Choppy bob with bleached ends. We're gonna call it the Alexa Chung.

You may be asking yourself, who the heck is Alexa Chung? You'll know her name soon enough. She's the host of MTV's daily show, "It's On With Alexa Chung." Basically, she's MTV's resident hipster chick.

Jen Atkin, hair extraordianaire over at the Andy Lecompte Salon dishes on the cut of the season.

The Style: Think Lou Dillon (fashion muse); Alexa Chung.

* Baliage ends (a way of painting on highlights to hair) on a blunt long bob - "Shorter than a Gwynie bob, this is more like Katie Holmes and Gwyneth Paltrow had a baby."

* When to bang - "Bangs are good for heartshaped and oval faces look great with bangs. Overgrown bangs work well for rounder faces or square jaw and wide cheek bones."

* Call back to 90's grunge - "Think Empire Records and Reality Bites. It's a bit of old-school Winona Ryder."

* "You want to make it look like you cut the 'do yourself, so have your stylist ravor out your edges."

How To Style:

Let hair naturally dry (for flat, thin hair, do a few random waves with 1 inch curling iron). Add a dime size amount of Osmo Clay Wax - without the shine - to grease up the ends for a messy vibe. Use Moroccan Oil to tame frizzies. To add texture, try Joico Texture Spray. It's all about creating a strategic mess.

Sabon Goes Organic

I am a fanatic for Sabon body products. The souffle body cream may just be one of my favorite body treats of all time.

While beauty addicts everywhere are realizing the importance of organic skincare, Sabon has finally launched their organic line... and it's pretty spectacular - and affordable. Given the coveted Ecocert Seal Of Approval ( 98.75% of the total ingredients are of natural origin), Sabon Organics are a must for eco-conscious bodies.

I tried the organic day cream and while I was a bit skeptical at first, my skeptism quickly turned into bliss when my face had that reinvigorated glow. The cream is heavy and while I'm not a fan of thick for my face, I found this particular moisturizer to completely penetrate, not leaving a thick layer or oily residue, and hydrate. Made with macadamia nut oil, the day cream smells and feels deliciously healthy and soothing. I've been using it every day and thus far, my skin has yet to have any sort of negative reaction (sigh!).

A word (or several...) from the company:
"The cream contains many fine organic ingredients such as macadamia nut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, shea butter, and aloe vera, as well as other medicinal plants.These medicinal plants significantly slow down skin aging, help reduce wrinkles, contribute to the skin's elasticity and vitality, and aid in tension reduction. Similarly, they protect against skin oxidation processes and allergic reactions. Their special abilities increase protection against UV-rays, and soothe irritable skin."

If you're super oily, I'd stay to steer clear, but if you have sensitive, combination or even dryer skin, this cream is for you. And the pretty, homemade packaging is a bonus.

Other organic products from the brand include a body scrub, body cream, face serum and hand and foot cream. For more info, click here.

PRICE TAG: $39.00

Jouer Summer + Expert Tips

Jouer is one of my favorite color lines (and vastly underrated). Their summer collection is incredible - coral and browns for the eyes, shimmering nudes and golds for the lips. I'm not a big lipstick wearer - I actually prefer gloss on the daily - but I am obsessed with Kiki (pictured), a shimmering goldish pink lippy that actually moisturizes while adding a sparkling splash of color.

I asked Julie Morgan, Makeup Artist for Giada De Laurentiis and Ricki Lake, how to create the perfect summer Jouer face.

Pay attention, ladies, Julie is spilling her expert secrets and product must-haves exclusively for Beauty Banter:

Skin:
Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint is lightweight, SPF 20. Hypoallergenic, Oil-free, Water resistent (nicer way of saying sweat-proof!) perfect for summer! It offers a beautiful luminous finish to the complexion. I also double up the Luminizing Moisture Tint as an under eye brightener.

Jouer Matte Touch is a great product to use if you get a little too much sun. It serves as an alternative to blotting paper, this mattifier can help balance the skin.

Cheeks:
Jouer Blush in Blossom offers a natural glow and looks absolutely beautiful with a little tan. To get that "pop" of color, try Jouer Blush in Peony. It looks bright, but is very sheer when applied to apples of the cheeks. All of the Jouer Powder Blushes are oil-free and loaded with antioxidants to help protect the skin. So they are great for the summer months.

Jouer's new Suntan Bronzer is matte and warms up the skin, giving a natural bronzed effect. Dust all over face or use on forehead, cheeks and decollote, where sun would naturally hit.

Eyes:
I love the summer shades of soft pinks and peaches, which makes me think of the delicious sorbets of the season. Try Jouer's powder eyeshadows in Peach, Soufflé or Pink Champagne. Apply soft shade all over lid. For a little deeper color, add an accent of Amaretto Powder Eyeshadow, a shimmering deep plum shade, which reminds me of a Hamptons' vineyard. The beautiful bronze of Amaretto catches light and
brightens any eye.

Lips:
Noisette Lip Definer paired with Julie Lipstick. For that extra pop during the summer, layer on Mimosa Lip gloss on top. The combination is beautiful!

Jouer Lip Enhancer, loaded with vitamins and botanicals which keep lips moisturized, supple and soft, is a true summer essential!

Bathing Beauty: Ali Kay

Ali Kay, New York implant, fiance to Alex von Furstenberg (yes, that von Furstenberg, as in Diane's son) and owner of the fabulously chic line, Keep Me, spends her time sorting through the most cozy fabrics and designing deliciously comfortable loungewear (pants, tanks, henleys, bralettes and undies) for her new beach lifestyle. A current Malibu resident, Ali knows a thing or two about keeping things simple. Her skin and makeup routine is quick and efficient while still managing to score major points on the beauty front.


Here, Ali dishes on the need for organics and her must-have products:

What are your top 5, can't-live-without products?
1. Tracie Martyn face wash - so lightweight and doesn't dry out my face.
2. Tracie Martyn facial moisturizing gel - it's lightweight and natural.
3. Jason Natural Deodorant- because I think that anti-perspirant is unhealthy.
4. Tricia Sawyer Beauty's Eye Slept- the tiniest bit goes such a long way for a fresh, awake look.
5. Of course, my Keep Me loungewear to be cute and cozy around the house!! I am pretty much never relaxing around the house without a Keep Me outfit on- and everything is sooooo comfortable that I can't live without it now!

What is your all-time favorite product?
Tracie Martyn face wash because it is very light and doesn't dry out my face.

What product do you buy in bulk?
Vita Coco Coconut Water. I exercise and play sports a lot so keeping hydrated is essential.

You moisturize your face with...
Tracie Martyn facial moisturizing gel, and when I run out I substitute with Alba Hawaiian Moisture Cream, Jasmine & Vitamin E.

Favorite body product?
Tracie Martyn body lotion, and when I run out I substitute with Avalon Organics Lemon Hand & Body Lotion.

Favorite beauty secret you've picked up along the way?
Less is more

Beauty icon you admire?
Diane von Furstenberg

Weekly Web Tour: Beauty and Fashion

Read about The Informed Makeup Maven's Patent Pink Heel workout. Sculpt those sexy pins and improve your stamina in heels.

My Makeup Blog is holding its third giveaway with fabulous products that are perfect for traveling.

The Beauty Couch reviews Les Garçonnes, the just-released, roaring 20s-inspired fragrance collection by Crazylibellule and the Poppies.

Alison of the Advice Sisters has an easy suggestions for fun nails this SummerKiss EverLasting French Manicure Limited Edition in Neon Brights. Easy, inexpensive, and cute!

Beauty Anonymous brings you Jill Stuart fall 2009 makeup collection.

More Than a Pretty Face concludes her interview with makeup artist extraordinaire Sam Fine. Tips from the master included! Also, keep visiting our blog for the latest in promotions!

Roni at Neon Bible hates Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Foundation! Shock!.

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings reviews the new MAC Naked Honey Skin Salve and features the limited-edition Naked Honey collection.

MissWhoever You Are is celebrating her TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY and wants you in on the fun! Check out the AMAZING giveaway happening right now worth over $100!!!

Visit Lipgloss Break and Enter to Win Two Great Giveaways for this Week: Huge Lips Skinny Lips Gloss and SripTeas!

Head on over to The Makeup Divas and enter to win a 2fl oz bottle of Perricone MD Advanced Face Firming Activator, valued at $120!

Beauty Banter uncovers the must-have coral products for summer!

Combination skin?Glossypink has found an awesome, all-natural, botanical cleanser to brighten things up!

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life have another fab giveaway this week! Click here to enter to win a month's supply of NutriSystem!

Hot Beauty Health discusses Beyonce Sasha Fierce line as well as more summer beauty tips.

HELLO SUNSHINE!

Based on the number of beach pics showing up in my Facebook feed, summer has definitely arrived. But before you slather on your sunscreen, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released their annual findings for 2009. The information is extensive (they tested 1,599 name brand sunscreen products) and here are the key facts you need to know, along with some of their top picks from drugstore to department store.

The EWG found that 3 out of 5 sunscreen products (that includes hybrid sunscreen-moisturizers, lip balms, etc.) did not provide adequate sun protection and/or contained ingredients with “significant safety concerns.” Amongst the newer broad spectrum UVA/UVB brands now on the shelves, the EWG found only 5% were actually effective.

Is there any good news in this? Yes. Out of almost 1,600 tested, the EWG found 85 safe, effective sunscreen products they endorse. Here are a few of their top picks at every price point:

SUNSCREENS

California Baby SPF 30+ Everyday/Year-Round Sunscreen Lotion

Jason Natural Products Sunbrellas Chemical Free Sun Block

Mustela High Protection Sun Lotion SPF 50

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 60


SUNSCREENS with MOISTURIZERS

Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Uv Defense Regenerating Lotion Spf 50

Juice Beauty SPF 30 Mineral Light Moisturizer

Stila Tinted Moisturizer Sheer Color SPF 15

Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion, SPF 30

Ole Henriksen Sun-Light Protection Creme With Green Tea SPF 30


LIPBALMS with SPF

Bare Escentuals I.d. Lip Guard Spf 15

Alba Botanica TerraTints SPF 18

Nivea A Kiss of Protection Sun Protection Lip Care with SPF 30

Md Skincare Powerful Sun Protection Lip Balm, Spf 25

Vincent Longo Cushion Lips SPF 20

You can access the entire list of products along with the EWG annual report here. xo a.

PRIME TIME

I think face primers are absolutely genius. Most days I wear little more than a tinted moisturizer with SPF but adding a primer means the color goes on smoothly, reduces appearance of pores and lasts all day. I’ve found several brands that make a great product but most contained less than eco-friendly ingredients. So, when KORRES created a face primer, I was intrigued. I love, love, love the KORRES brand but could a silicone-free primer still do the job?

Absolutely. It was lighter than anything I’d ever used, closer to the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer than Smashbox Photo Finish. With a light, citrusy scent (probably the grapefruit peel oil), I applied the same amount I would with a heavier primer. I added Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20, some mascara and check tint and faced the heat of LA summer. My skin looked great all day. I am hooked.

What amazes me is how much it does while leaving out so much. No parabens, silicone, synthetic fragrance, sulfates, phalates, GMOs, mineral oils, synthetic dyes or phalates. All things our bodies and the environment do not need. While it isn’t oil free, my combination skin has had no problems. Personally, I’ve often found that what causes skin breakouts and irritations are the synthetics and petrolatum based ingredients in products.

Ninety-nine percent natural with 11.19 % organically farmed ingredients, and dermatologically tested, KORRES Face Primer carries the coveted seal of ECOCERT. While it prides itself on “skin soothing botanicals and Vitamin E that refine skin texture, minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce pore size,” you can be assured it also passed the highest international standards for ecology around. That’s beauty inside and out.