Eco-Sexy Mineral Makeup: Stript Cosmetics

By Morgan Greenwald and Bianca Alexander


When it comes to wearing make-up, why be eco-friendly when you can be “eco-sexy?” This is the mantra of Gina Austin, founder and Creative Director of Stript Makeup, a line of vegan, paraben-free mineral cosmetics that is taking the concept of natural beauty and mineral make-up to another level.

Through a variety of environmentally conscious practices, Stript commits itself “to the individual, to the community and to the world.” Stript consists of talc-free natural minerals and natural preservatives such as Naticide (which is derived from almonds) and Japanese honeysuckle. In addition to abstaining from animal testing, Stript also sells vegan and animal fur-free applicator brushes, 10% of the proceeds from which are donated to ASPCA. Stript even excels when it comes to packaging: its cosmetics are sold in recyclable plastic containers and post-consumer unit cartons printed with soy ink. All packing materials are biodegradable. Even the brushes are eco-friendly: sustainably forested trees supply the wooden handles for all of Stript’s applicators.

With its range of vibrant, highly-pigmented colors, Stript stands out from the pack of dozens of mineral cosmetics lines currently in the marketplace. Stript’s crushed mineral eye shadows, which come in colors like Venus, a turquoise blue, and Skye, a dramatic metallic gray, can be applied either wet or dry to convey various tones and shades, and are perfect for darker-skinned complexions or those wanting the option of more coverage. Stript also has a one-of-a-kind lipstick liner crayon that does the work of both lipstick and liner and contains hints of vanilla extract and almond. Its marine-based mineral foundations are made with vitamins A, C, E, and B, and create an emphasis on light diffusion and flawless, adaptable coverage. Stript’s mineral blushes feature antioxidants and amino acids that moisturize, nourish, and protect the skin. Although make-up free is the only way to go completely "natural", with Stript cosmetics, your skin will be healthy, radiant, and flawless--keeping you, and the planet sexier than ever!

You can see Stript make-up in action on Conscious Living’s host, Bianca Alexander, at www.ConsciousLivingTV.com. To learn more about Stript or review or purchase their cosmetic line of products, visit www.striptmakeup.com. For more tips on natural beauty, style and cosmetics, visit the Conscious Living TV beauty page.

What's In Bianca's Make-Up Bag?

By Bianca Alexander

Ready to update your look? Then now is a perfect time to clean out your medicine cabinet and update your old, chemical-laden make-up bag with more natural cosmetics. Making the switch may require some effort, but it will keep harmful toxins away from your body and the environment. Here are a few favorite cosmetics from my make-up bag:

Foundation: Since denser make-up tends to clog pores, I skip heavier foundation for Dr. Hauschka’s Bronzing Fluid. www.DrHauschka.com. Mixing it with a few drops of their Rejuvenating Mask gives me flawless coverage (and a natural skin treatment) without the toxic build up I used to get from my old favorite, Laura Mercier. To freshen studio make-up when I’m on location: Jurlique Lavender Hydrating Mist, which replenishes moisture and calms my skin with biodynamic lavender and marshmallow. www.jurlique.com.

Eyes: Dr. Hauschka’s Eyeliner pencils are made with mineral pigments fused with natural quince wax so they glides on effortlessly, and botanical extracts that soothe the tender skin around the eyes. For defined lashes I use their Mascara Intermezzo made with soothing neem leaf extract. It conditions and strengthens my lashes so they actually grow longer and fuller! Dr. Hauschka’s entire line of decorative cosmetics—including blushes, eyeshadows and lipsticks--are so healing, you could even fall asleep wearing them without getting breakouts.

Lips: On days when I’m not on camera, I skip make-up altogether and go au naturale except for one thing I don’t leave the house without: lip balm. I picked up samples of Green By Nature’s Lip Butter in mint green tea and lip glaze in cherry mint last year at Natural Products Expo West and have been hooked ever since. Unlike most lip balms, all of their products are paraben, DEA, and sulfate-free. Their emollient lip butter protects against chapped lips, and their peppermint infused lip glaze gives great shine, while doing triple duty to cool and moisturize lips and freshen breath. www.greenbynaturebeauty.com.

For a matte finish: Jurlique’s Rose Silk Finishing Powder keeps me ready for my close-ups with the oil absorbing power of corn and rice starch combined with biodynamic essential oils that help balance skin. Best feature: this loose powder compact comes with a handy mirror and powder-puff for just the right amount of coverage. I also love Palladio’s purse-size rice paper blotting tissues. They’re made naturally from rice and control oil on two sides—a matte side that blots and absorbs excess oil, and a powdered side that comes in four skin tones to finish any look. www.palladiobeauty.com

To take it all off: After trying Comodyne’s 100% natural make-up remover cloths just once, I tossed my old Pond’s cold cream for good. Since they don’t contain harsh chemicals, they’re ideal for dry and sensitive skin but gently remove even the most stubborn eye make-up. www.comodynes.net.

Sustainable Make-Up Bag. I keep all of my fave cosmetics at my fingertips with a funky black and gold vintage Fendi purse I discovered when Feng Shui-ing my parent’s house this spring. It also doubles as a retro accessory. For great eco-friendly make-up bags, check out www.ecoist.com.

Stay beautiful!

For more tips on sustainable living, watch www.ConsciousLivingTV.com.

Give Yourself a Green Spring Makeover

by Bianca Alexander

Ready to update your look? The new season is a perfect time to clean out your medicine cabinet and swap out that old, chemical-laden make-up bag for some of the hottest natural cosmetics on the market. Making the switch may require some effort (after all, it may be hard giving up formaldehyde in your nail polish) but it will keep your skin, hair, nails and the planet looking and feeling great! Here are a few tips to get started:

Healthy Hair How-Tos. There’s nothing like an updated color and style to make you feel brand new, but chemical processing and heat can wreak havoc on your hair and body. Take better care of your hair by booking an appointment with a professional coiffeur like Johnathan Gale at the John Frieda salon in L.A., who uses organic hair color and conditioning treatments on his celebrity clientele. Or, care for your hair at home with Dr. Hauschka’s organic and biodynamic shampoos and conditioners. Their world-famous Neem Hail Oil is perfect for protecting, conditioning and actually strengthening hair before and after coloring or relaxing. And to keep your color from fading between visits, avoid shampoos with hair stripping chemicals like sodium lauryl sulphate. Pureology and Lanza are SLS-free and have botanicals that help color last up to 107% longer. Worried about thinning hair? Chemicals in shampoos can worsen the condition, so try Your Crown and Glory For Thinning Hair shampoo and conditioner, which is SLS and paraben-free.

Sustainable Skin. Any make-up artist will tell you that flawless skin is the first step to creating beautiful make-up, so take care of the skin you’re in by eliminating toxic chemicals from your daily regimen. For all skin types, try Jurlique, whose biodynamically grown herb-based cleansers and tonics work with your body’s natural rhythms to heal and balance the skin. Bonus: All of their products come in eco-friendly packaging. For a more gentle alternative to damaging acid peels and dermabrasion, try Sophyto’s new line of organic skin treatments made with powerful deep-exfoliating fruit enzymes. And to clean up both your body and the planet, try Save Your Body’s new line of organic yerba maté and aloe vera infused bath and body products. Each tropical-smelling shower gel, shampoo and lotion sold saves one acre of rainforest for an entire year!

Natural Nails. Allow your nails to emerge from a blistery winter with Sparitual’s sophisticated line of vegan, eco-friendly nail polishes. Unlike most nail polishes, which contain formaldehyde, toluene and DBP (a.k.a. dibutyl phthalate, a plasticizing agent and reproductive toxin linked to birth defects that’s currently banned from cosmetics in Europe), Sparitual’s polishes and chakra-specific spa treatments are made from wildcrafted and organic plant essences, and free of toxins and synthetic dyes. And even though their products are so darn conscious, there’s no need to sacrifice color: with hundreds of perfect shades for every color palette, you’ll still be able to stop traffic this spring with your favorite flirty shade of red, apricot or pink. Bonus: Sales of their new spring color, Aware (a vibrant coral), will benefit the Go Green Initiative, an environmental stewardship program for schools. Other lines to try: OPI, whose nail lacquers are all formaldehyde, DBP, and toluene free.

Mineral-Based Make-Up. Let your natural beauty shine this season with Rituals new line of make-up made with pure silk leaves and precious stones that have absorbed the earth's energy over millions of years. Their products include eye shadows, lipsticks and foundations made from gemstones like amethyst, and are free of animal testing and added fragrances with little to no preservatives. My favorite: Their Super Shine Lip Gloss enriched with sparkling ruby, which provides will-power and stimulates blood circulation for a healthy glow and a perfect pout.

And with Dr. Hauschka, there’s no need to sacrifice healthy skin to look your best. They offer a complete line of all-natural cosmetics made from pure mineral pigments and nurturing botanicals that actually improve the quality of your skin. My favorite: The Mascara Intermezzo made with soothing Neem leaf extract, which conditions the lashes so they grow longer and stronger.

De-Tox for Beauty Inside and Out. Over time, your body stores environmental toxins that prevent it from functioning properly, which can lead to low energy, headaches, mental fogginess and disease. According to traditional medicine practices, proper diet alone is not enough to eliminate these stored toxins which accumulate in our digestive systems. Spring is a perfect time to give your inner body a boost with a whole-body cleanse, which will clean, nourish and support your digestive system for good health. Try Symmetry’s BotanaCleansePlus, a two-week cleansing system that detoxifies your entire body. When taken properly, it can even help your lose weight or clear up problem skin! Tip: Consult your naturopathic doctor before beginning any cleansing regimen, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water to aid the detoxing process.

And if you’re looking to detox your mind this season, try Emmet Fox’s 7-Day Mental Diet. Even one day on this positive thinking regime could do wonders for your outlook on life.

For more tips on eco-friendly living, watch www.ConsciousLivingTV.com.