Here at My Beauty Bunny, we can’t get enough Aveda! Jen and I are always happy to share our love of this cruelty-free brand, and it’s my pleasure to announce my latest favorite: Aveda’s must-have shine spray is indeed brilliant.  Congrats to our first hair-care award winner!

What do I love most about this petite miracle-in-a-bottle?  I could wax ecstatic about  the wonderful ingredients or the pleasant aroma, but neither would be worth mentioning if Brilliant wasn’t so…brilliant.  When used as directed, this spray leaves even my razzle-dazzle ‘do looking glossy (not greasy).  A fine line exists between shellac and a smooth, sleek finish; fortunately Aveda knows how to keep from crossing it.

Additional benefits include:

• elimination of static and fly-aways (a common problem for us Asians)
• taming of frizz (we’re not exempt from this issue, either)

For additional techniques or advice, be sure to watch Aveda’s How to Make Any Hair Straight.  Those of you who are spatially gifted will appreciate it most–guess that means my sister shall have to act as my unofficial stylist again.  Sarah, you certainly have a flair for the flat-iron; want to work that magic again, after I return from the Big Apple?!

Jen#2

Product image and info courtesy of Aveda.com.

Cruelty-free – Widely used by cosmetic companies to let consumers know that they do not directly use animal testing in the making of their products. While this does not always include the ingredients that are bought to be used in the products, it’s usually a good sign that the manufacturer has a positive preference towards the rights of animals as companies is not currently required to state whether or not their products are cruelty-free.

Editor’s Note – check out PETA’s iphone app to find cruelty free products on the go:

PETA's iphone app

Green – Technically, to “be green” means to not have any sort of negative impact on the environment at any stage of production. This includes what it’s made of, how it got there and where it lays to rest. Cosmetic companies such as Nothing Nasty use reusable and recyclable containers and even offer a refilling service of products at a 20% discount.

Natural – While the word “natural” looks so fresh and alluring on a package of salty chips, what exactly makes it so “natural?” A good frame of reference is that the farther food is from its original source the less natural it has become. The processing, doctoring up with chemicals, dyes, fragrances, preservatives and synthetic ingredients is what gradually makes a product less natural. This can be applied to cosmetics. A more natural cosmetic product will have things listed in the ingredients such as “cocoa butter” or “beeswax” such as Burt’s Bees, rather than long chemicals you can’t pronounce.

Organic – The term “organic” is commonly intertwined with the term “natural” but the big difference is that anything labeled “organic” is closely watched by the USDA and indicates the regulation of additives and processes to a product. Organic Wear Make Up by cruelty-free brand Physician’s Formula promises that their cosmetics are 100% free of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and even have a cute compact made of paper that is “93% less plastic than a traditional compact.”

Although it may seem daunting with all the products available, making one small product change at a time can add up to living a life that is healthy as well as conscientious about animal welfare and the environment in which we live. Start by trying out one new organic and cruelty-free product at a time. Maybe start with a more natural chapstick, then try an organic shampoo or skin cleanser. Always make sure to check the ingredients on the label. Try out different brands to see what you like and check out caringconsumer.com or leapingbunny.org to make sure a beauty company is cruelty-free!

Lauren Warner

Before Earth Day is over, be sure to say Happy Birthday to Jen. My Beauty Bunny was launched last year, and thanks to her innovation and creativity, we have developed into a world-wide presence–and we’re still growing!  We also are grateful to you, dear readers: without you, we wouldn’t be the feel-good, cruelty-free blog that we are today…

I’m sure I speak for our entire staff when I say, Here’s to you, Jen; thanks for everything–what else?! Hope you had an awesome day, you certainly deserve it!

Cheers,

Acqua di Gio helps needy kids and communities get clean water…and you can help!

Factio Magazine checks out the Karl Lagerfeld salad. That’s right the German fashion designer is no longer only a fashion icon, but an entrée as well!

Guiltless & Glamorous takes a quick look at the Kardashian sisters’ bebe collection.

Posh Swaps is really excited to announce Posh Swaps blog goes carbon neutral found how you can make your blog carbon neutral too!

Runway To Retail checks out steal deals… Today save 50% on J DE L’O ORGANICS at Editors’ Closet! Our favorites include the Leaf Soap Pure Vegetable, Organic Liquid Soap and the Rejuvenating Mask.

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Factio Magazine

Runway to Retail loves to recycle! Check out this clutch designed out of legos!

The Fashionable Gal is giving away Pampers Dry Max Diapers and a Liz Lange bag ($50 value!). New Pampers diapers are more eco-friendly and have a decreased environmental impact. We are seeing a 12% reduction in solid waste and an 8% reduction in total energy demand!

The Fashionable Housewife shoes us how to reuse and recycle with Fun DIY Fashion: Splatter Paint for Spring!

Fashion Pulse Daily will be checking out the holiday festivities, style advice, and makeovers at Topshop this week!

Looking Sharp! suggests using eco-friendly bags instead of wrapping paper this holiday season!

Looking for a way to Green Your Christmas? Karissa at Prissy Green gives several easy tips!

Runway To Retail checks out Actress Blake Lively wearing Dana Rebecca Designs’ Courtney Lauren earrings on Gossip Girl.

Everyday we bombard our body with chemicals. From shower gel to toothpaste, deodorant to foundation, lipstick to perfume. Traces of all these chemicals and carcinogens enter our body and bloodstream and no one knows what lasting damage they can cause. The realization that these preservatives and parabens can build up in our system over time is persuasive enough to mean more people than ever are seeking out eco-friendly beauty products.

The benefits of using organic environmentally friendly beauty products are clear – they are kinder to your skin, contain fewer (or no) chemicals, they are kinder to the environment, animal friendly and they are better for your body. So, now we know why we want them, what are they and where can we find them? What exactly are the top must-have eco-friendly beauty and skin care products/companies available on the market today? And, are they any good? Lets look at examples of leading companies and see what they have to offer.

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You cannot talk about must have organic and Eco-friendly skin and beauty products without mentioning The Body Shop. Founded by Dame Anita Roderick, The Body Shop took an ethos and built an empire. Its range of beauty and skin products are carefully selected and produced to contain natural, sustainable, environmentally, organically and animal-friendly ingredients.

Among their leading products are The Body Shop Aloe Gentle Shower Cream, which is suitable for even the most sensitive of skin, The Body Shop Amlika Leave-In Conditioner, which will leave your hair soft and shiny the natural way and, The Body Shop Peppermint Soothing Foot Scrub, which harnesses the power of volcanic rock to smooth away foot problems.

With over twenty five years experience under their belt, the next must-have organic and eco-friendly products come from a company that also put their beliefs into their products. Kiss My Face beauty and skin care products are made from natural ingredients that are as kind to the environment as they are to your skin. Kiss My Face has a proven track record and a brand that exudes consumer confidence.

Some of their top selling products include Kiss My Face Olive Oil Bar Soaps, which are rich in vitamin E and beta carotene and are some of the purest soaps you can buy, and Kiss My Face Active Enzyme Fragrance Free deodorants sticks, made from baking soda and clay, this deodorant is aluminum and paraben free, and Kiss My Face Peach and Crème Face and Neck 8% alpha hydroxy moisturizer.

Organic and eco-friendly products are becoming more and more popular and you will find that practically all companies, from shoe makers, food retailers to clothing stores, are also getting in on the organic action. For example, companies like Stone Island, whose ranges include Stone Island designer jackets, use “earth dyes,” among their many innovative eco-friendly design techniques.

Environmentally friendly products can be found everywhere for those who are conscious of the impact of eco-friendly products, upon themselves and our planet.

Guest blog post by British retailer, Blue X Clothing, seller of designer clothing at clearance prices.

Most soap contains palm oil which is a binding agent and responsible for all that lather you get on your shower poof. However, all that lather comes at an enormous price. Each year, acres of rainforests are destroyed and cut down in order to make room for more palm oil production. This not only negatively affects our ecosystem, but it has forced indigenous people off their land and has pushed orangutans to the point of extinction.

For three years, LUSH Cometics spent time developing a palm oil-free soap which attributes to 36.3 acres of saved rainforest a year! That’s a lot of happy orangutans. Now almost all of LUSH soap products have become palm oil-free. LUSH is also offering a one year’s supply of soap to any company that agrees to “wash their hands” of palm oil in their products.

For a limited time, LUSH is selling Jungle, a tree-shaped, palm oil-free soap in honor of the rainforests. One hundred percent of these Jungle soap proceeds will be donated to the Rainforest Foundation. Now that’s soap you can feel clean about!

(Editor’s Note: Many LUSH soaps are also vegan. The Fig and Leaves soap is my fave – it smells amazing!)

Guest Blog Post by Lauren Warner, a writer, animal lover, massage therapist and all-around girly-girl!