A quick review of the benefits of a mineral based cosmetic:

• It feels great. Light and airy allowing your skin to breathe.
• It blends in much nicer than a liquid eliminating that makeup line around the face.
• It doesn't smudge or leave a trail behind on your clothes (or anyone else's).
• Because it's mineral based, ingredients like alcohol, dyes, perfumes, talc, preservatives are eliminated.
• It can actually help your skin look better because it is not clogging up your pores.

 

 

 

New on the scene is Modern Minerals. All products are produced without any chemical preservatives and fillers and with real ingredients that are sourced from the earth. Below is a list of ingredients they avoid:

• Artificial Colors: Also known as aluminum lakes or dyes and can be recognized by letters FD&C.

• Artificial Fragrances: Some of the chemicals used to create synthetic fragrances are derived from petrol products. Phthalates have been found in some synthetic fragrances. Studies have linked phthalates to possible developmental & reproductive issues as well as asthma, liver and kidney issues. Phthalates, DBP, BBP, DEHP are now banned in Europe.

• Bismuth Oxychloride & Cornstarch: Can irritate skin, clog pores and show fine lines.

• Micronized Minerals & Nanoparticles: These smaller particles present a greater likelihood of inhalation for those concerned about respiratory issues.

• Synthetic Parabens: (Methyl, Propyl, Ethyl, Butyl): Often used as to extend the shelf life in cosmetics. Studies have linked parabens to health concerns.

• Petroleum Products & By-products: We prefer to omit them entirely and use natural ingredients that truly hydrate.

Now that's all fine but how does it perform? In order to give any loose mineral based makeup a real chance, you need to use a good brush. I found MM applied very nicely and with a soft glow that gives my skin an even healthier look. With a strong range of base shades and an earthy and elegant eyeshadow palate to choose from with yummy names like Godiva, Tiramisu, Haiku and Storm, Modern Minerals performs as well, if not better, than other brands I've used. I personally prefer a pressed version so was also glad to hear that they are introducing that option as well.

 

In terms of packaging, glass is preferred for their liquid based body products and the plastic containers for the make up is recyclable. And the price is very competitive with eye shadows at only $10. Visit Modern Hippie Mag for your chance to win five brand new full size eyeshadow colors for summer which include:

• Daydream - nude pink with flecks of gold
• Tiramisu - the ultimate neutral for everyday
• Haiku - rose gold shimmer
• Hera - bronze shimmer
• Godiva - soft & rich brown, perfect for or brows

Giveaway ends 12 midnight EST, on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. Winner will be announced on Wednesday, July 14, 2010.

Submitted by Jeanne Blaisdell of TheGreenSamaritan.com, a blog highlighting green living tips.

Jaszy McAllister is the woman behind the curtain of Modern Hippie Mag, an online resource dedicated to promoting hip, healthy conscious living and environmental sustainability. She is also the host for ModernHippieMag.com video and podcast interview profiles. She is a self-taught jewelry designer featuring her eco-conscious jewelry designs at www.Jaszy.com. Find her on Twitter, @msjaszy.

 

 

Natural Luxe is a Green America and GenGreen certified eco-boutique specializing in items that are natural, organic, recycled, sustainable or fair trade. They carry a large selection of eco-friendly jewelry, organic cotton t-shirts, natural body care, organic cotton baby clothes, recycled handbags, soy candles and other sustainable gifts.

Created by mom-preneur Jennifer Branham, Natural Luxe eco-chic gifts are "good to give, good for you and good for the environment." I had a chance to chat with with this busy lady to find out how Natural Luxe came to be and just how she's able to juggle it all!

And as promised we have a special surprise ending...Jennifer has generously offered to gift two lucky Modern Hippie Mag readers a $25 gift certificate for Natural Luxe! Giveaway ends 12 midnight EST on Monday, July 12th 2010. Winner will be announced on Tuesday, July 13th, 2010. Visit Modern Hippie Mag for giveaway details and to enter to WIN!

 

Don't want to wait or leave it to chance? Save 15% OFF your next purchase at NaturalLuxe.com with coupon code ECO15.

 

Jaszy McAllister is the woman behind the curtain of Modern Hippie Mag, an online resource dedicated to promoting hip, healthy conscious living and environmental sustainability. She is also the host for ModernHippieMag.com video and podcast interview profiles. She is a self-taught jewelry designer featuring her eco-conscious jewelry designs at www.Jaszy.com. Find her on Twitter, @msjaszy.

"On Saturday, February 13, 2010, the state of Florida was the site of a statewide gathering against offshore oil drilling. Thousands of Floridians representing 60 towns and cities and over 90 beaches joined hands to protest the efforts by the Florida Legislature and the US Congress to lift the ban on oil drilling in the near and off shores of Florida. Florida’s Hands Across The Sand event was the largest gathering in the history of Florida united against oil drilling. Thousands joined hands from Jacksonville to Miami Beach and Key West to Pensacola Beach, each against oil drilling in Florida’s waters."

After learning that the momentous event would be repeated with plenty of added steam from the BP disaster, Sarasota FL resident Gini Hyman signed on to coordinate the gathering on Siesta Key Beach. She partnered with several concerned citizens, environmental protection agencies, and county commissioners to organize a local Hands Across the Sand event that took place on June 26, 2010.

 

 

As reported by Tony Sasso, former Cocoa Beach City Commissioner and Hands Across the Sands coordinator for Florida, the June event spanned over 900 sites globally in 39 countries. In Florida alone the reach was nearly 200 sites representing approximately 20-30,000 people. For Gini's efforts, nearly 3,250 people lined up along the shoreline that extended for over 1.6 miles from Siesta Beach to Crescent Beach.

Hands Across The Sand is an organization committed to protecting our coastlines and waterways from near and off shore oil drilling. It is a movement made of people of all walks of life and crosses political affiliations. Visit www.handsacrossthesands.com for more information.

Jaszy McAllister is the woman behind the curtain of Modern Hippie Mag, an online resource dedicated to promoting hip, healthy conscious living and environmental sustainability. She is also the host for ModernHippieMag.com video and podcast interview profiles. Find her on Twitter, @msjaszy. Please VOTE for Jaszy to win her very own talk show in the Oprah OWN contest!

 

 

 

Recently I had the pleasure of chatting with ROSEL designer Juliane Camposano and learned a bit about her passion for fashion and the environment. Named for Camposano’s great-aunt, a fashion designer based in Berlin in the 1930s, ROSEL is a full-fashion knitwear line created with respect for the environment and for the comfort of women. ROSEL’s stylish wares are made with luxurious bamboo and cotton yarns that offer extraordinary comfort and natural wicking qualities, making them ideal for even sensitive skin. Both the bamboo and cotton derived yarns used in ROSEL are sourced from fibers cultivated using organic and sustainable practices, are free of any pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and are fair-trade certified.

 

Juliane was kind enough to offer one very lucky Modern Hippie Mag reader a chance to own one of her luxuriously fashionable shrugs (she's wearing it in the photo), valued at $325. This is our most valuable giveaway to date! You will also receive a signature ROSEL eco-tote made with 100% organic cotton.

 

Visit Modern Hippie Mag for details on how to enter to win!

 

Jaszy McAllister is the woman behind the curtain of Modern Hippie Mag, an online resource dedicated to promoting hip, healthy conscious living and environmental sustainability.  She is also the host for ModernHippieMag.com video and podcast interview profiles. She is a self-taught jewelry designer featuring her eco-conscious jewelry designs at www.Jaszy.com. Find her on Twitter, @msjaszy.

Please VOTE for Jaszy to win her very own talk show in the Oprah OWN contest!  

 

 

We all have to do it…gather up dirty “dry clean only” garments and head off to the neighborhood cleaners every week or so. To help you clean up your dry cleaning dilemma, here’s a hit list of things to consider:

• Perchloroethylene or PERC – While organic cleaners are not on every corner just yet, be aware of the associated risks with PERC, the major cleaning solvent which is now considered a “likely human carcinogen”.
• Process – Don’t be shy. Ask your cleaner about their process for cleaning. Do they use a wet or CO2 technology which is safer than PERC? Check this directory to see if you have an eco-friendly cleaner in your neighborhood.
• Hangers - Hang on to those hangers and return back to the cleaners.
• Plastic bags – Did you know that 300 million pounds of single-use plastic dry cleaning bags end up in the landfill every year? Did you also know they can be recycled along with the plastic shopping bags? Consider adding that to your recycle list.

 

Better yet, invest in your own dry clean garment bag to avoid the plastic mess altogether. The Green Garmento is a winner!

The bag fits nicely in the hamper to collect your clothes so all you need to do is pull out and you are bagged and ready to drop off. Then it converts to the garment bag upon pick up. There is a plastic sleeve on the front for an ID tag and I also have instructions on how to use the bag. What a relief not to have to unwrap and deal with the plastic.

 

For your chance to win a Green Garmento of your very own, check out the giveaway details at Modern Hippie Mag. You don't have to jump through hoops, it's really easy to enter!

 

Modern Hippie Mag is an online resource dedicated to promoting hip, healthy conscious living and environmental sustainability.