We’ve all seen those colorful baskets of frothy looking mesh bath sponges, or poufs; but what are they and why should you be using one?  The bath pouf sometimes called a loofah or bath puff is a dense, mesh like material that’s perfect for creating a bubbly lather and exfoliating your skin (especially important in the winter and really dry weather) in the shower.  Yes, you could use a sponge, wash cloth, or just your hands, but using a bath pouf is gentler on your skin and allows you to use less product, which is better for your wallet and the environment!

For the best results, wet your EcoPouf, apply a quarter sized dollop (more or less if desired) of our Clean Skin, Greener World Creamy Body Wash, and work into the pouf with your hands until it starts to lather.  Your pouf will continue to work into frothy lather while you use it to gently exfoliate your arms, legs, shoulders, etc.  When you’re done, don’t forget to rinse it thoroughly and pop it into the washing machine every couple weeks to make sure it’s squeaky clean.  Then simply let it air dry on a towel or in the tub.

Our first of its kind Eco-Poufs are perfect for any bath routine and good for the environment too.  They’re created from 100% recycled plastic and are recyclable themselves, simply pop off the rope when your pouf is at the end of its life and toss it in with your recycling.   Another great idea for poufs literally at the end of their rope: Upcycle them.  Check out this blog post from Salihan Crafts for two great ways to reuse your bath puff.

So which pouf is right for you?  Check out our five different bath poufs:

EcoPouf Bath Sponge Our bestselling bath sponge was the first of its kind, 100% recycled plastic and recyclable.  It comes in green, orchid, and blue and creates an all over rich lather.  It’s perfect for gentle cleansing for the whole family.

Do the Green Thing brings our attention to a sad issue: the missing glove. Watch the video above about a lonely, single glove looking for his mate. This great video reminds us that even in times of glove loss we can be green. Do the environmentally responsible thing and wear two different gloves that are missing their mates together: help them find glove love again.

What if you don’t have an extra glove to make a pair? What else can we do with our single glove? Here are some cute projects to help you upcycle and give that lonely glove a second life. Why not make a little animal? Etsy.com shares instructions for how to make a chipmunk out of a glove.  He’d make the perfect gift for your favorite little kid or puppy. You can also make a barn themed puppet show from Babble.com or use your extra cotton glove to dust surfaces in your home. Simply wear, swipe for dust, and drop in the washing machine.

Have you lost any gloves this season? What did you do with that one lonely glove?

You ask, we answer!  We recently asked some of our Facebook fans for their beauty and makeup questions, and we’re here to answer them.  We’ve helped Belle with her mineral makeup brushes and Casey with environmentally friendly makeup for under eye circles.  This week, we’re answering Ambareen’s question:

What’s the best way to eradicate face pigmentation?

First, if you’re dealing with serious facial pigmentation or perpetual redness, check first with your dermatologist.  Redness and face pigmentation can affect anyone and can be an annoying problem.  If you don’t have problems with redness, brown spots, or uneven skin patches, make sure you stay that way by being smart in the sun.  The best offense is a smart defense, wear a sunscreen daily that protects you from harmful UV rays.  Stress, cold winds, and even spicy foods can cause rosacea flare-ups as well.  So make sure you’re aware of what makes your skin unhappy, and adjust accordingly.  Especially in the winter, make sure to bundle up in the wind and shield your face with a scarf.

If you’ve done all you can to prevent redness and brown spots, there are a few things you can try to help reduce their appearance.  According to Real Simple Magazine, more that 15% of women may be perpetually red from either rosacea or irritation.  They suggest using Rodan+Fields Soothe Sensitive Skin Treatment for its anti-inflammatory ingredients and light-diffusing pigments.

For pigmentation, a common skin disorder that results in dark spots on the face or body, you can try creating a daily facial with some fresh cream and lemon.  Simply mix a few drops of fresh lemon juice with some fresh cream and smooth onto your face.  Some other homemade remedies from Numaderm include applying dried orange peels and water, cucumber juice, or adding radishes into your diet.  See all of their suggestions here.  Daily Glow suggests a skin lightener.  If you’re discoloration is fairly recent, try an over-the-counter botanical skin lightener with ingredients like bearberry or coffeeberry extract, which can help fade recent hyperpigmentation.  There are also more intense options like lasers, peels, and retinoid creams to help treat long lasting pigmentation, so ask your dermatologist.

For a quick fix, look to your makeup: you’ll want to start with a makeup primer.  Primers come in different colors for different problems.  A green shade primer helps neutralize redness while an apricot colored primer can make darkened skin appear lighter.  Primers also help your makeup glide on more smoothly and can provide extra coverage against the sun.  A few primers to try: Smart Shade Perfect & Correct by Almay, Clean Slate Face Primer by Tarte bursting with fruit and plant derived extracts, or Physician’s Formula Talc-Free Mineral Correcting Primer.  For foundation you’ll want to opt for a liquid foundation or a mineral foundation.  Avoid powder formulas and try to stick with foundations that contain non-irritating ingredients like fragrance free and hypo-allergenic formulas.  If you only have a few trouble spots, you can opt for spot treatment with a concealer.  Start slowly and apply a thick, opaque concealer to your small, problem spots, and top with a dusting of loose mineral powder.  As with any makeup, one size does not fit all, so you’ll have to do a little experimenting to see what works for you.

Did any of these ideas work for you?  Do you have a burning beauty question you’d like us to answer?  Leave a comment and let us know!

Photo Credit: Natural Holistic Health 

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, there’s no better reason to start integrating costume jewelry into your everyday, special occasion, or gift-giving wardrobe.  Shows like Mad Men and Downton Abbey have made vintage chic again; and you can channel that look with retro jewelry!  Not only is wearing vintage or heirloom jewelry from your family a great way to honor loved ones, it also allows you to go green in a completely chic way.   According to Eco-Chick there is currently enough gold mined on Earth for jewelry makers to have all  the supplies they need for the next 20 years, according to one estimate.  There’s no need to contribute more gold mining when you can give an old piece new life.

If you need new jewelry, for yourself or for a gift, and you don’t have a jewelry box full of family heirlooms you can still think vintage.  Shop antique stores, estate sales, yard sales, and specialty shops first.  There were lots of gorgeous pieces made in the 1920s to 1980s, and often, those pieces are constructed better than the inexpensive, trendy jewelry of today.  We spoke with Beth Blanton of The Vintage Brides about how to find your own gorgeous vintage gems.  “There are lots of people out there that specialize in vintage jewelry. It’s very important that you know what you are buying.”  She suggests inspecting pieces closely before purchasing.  You want to avoid purchasing pieces that have cloudy stones, rust, tarnish, or are missing components.   Some brands of high quality jewelry to look for?  Weiss, Bogoff, Sarah Conventry, Trifari, and Ora.  Another thing to keep in mind?  Real Simple Magazine says “when in doubt, go with the best imposters: You’ll have the most luck with reproductions of turquoise, coral, abalone shell, black jet, and silver-tone metal.  Weigh your options: Jewelry that is heavier hangs better.”

Once you have your vintage jewelry, how do you wear it?  Beth suggests wearing brooches with your wool coats, sweaters, pashminas, or even as an accent on a wedding dress or bridal bouquet.  “Grandmother’s pearls would look fantastic with a little black dress or worn with a suit for work. “  Or “just adding some glitz worn with a pair of jeans and a nice top is simply fashionista in my book!”

So go ahead and bust out that vintage jewelry!  It’s a great way to live beautifully.  You’ll look chic and feel good for saving the planet.  What’s your favorite piece of vintage jewelry?

Photos from: The Vintage Brides on Etsy

Whether you’re single, married, or dating someone new, Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to look beautiful in reds and pinks.  We complied some of our favorite Valentine’s inspired makeup ideas, perfect for a romantic dinner out, sipping drinks with girlfriends, or snuggling at the movies.

Red or pink lips are a must on Valentine’s Day.  Make sure your pout is extra poppy with Tarte’s natural LipSurgence Lip Tint (3) in Charmed light pink or Lust red.  Top off your lips with a gloss for an extra layer of shimmer.  Try Pink Tulle from Bobbi Brown to bring out your inner ballerina (8).  We literally heart Physician’s Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush (5).  It’s hard not to feel happy and romantic when swirling your blush brush over these cute hearts.  For your eyes, pink is perfect.  We love that gorgeous eye from Temptalia (6) that you can create with the light and dark pinks in your makeup case, or try the Dance Party trio by Cover Girl (9).  If you prefer your eyes in neutral colors, punch up your look with a simple swipe of red eyeliner with the MAC Chromagraphic Pencil (7).

Once your face is all dolled up, don’t forget to include your nails!  Try a bright, fuchsia pink like Helena from the eco-friendly line Julep (4) or a sweet champagne, if you’re feeling neutral, from Megan Miller at Anthropologie (2).  For a finishing touch?  What better to top off your look than a pair of heart shaped earrings?  We love clear crystal earrings that go with everything (1)!

Happy Valentine’s Day!