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.

Community Village Building: Blacks in Green

With global warming, access to fresh, healthy food and economic disempowerment ravaging our communities, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the problems that face us. Thankfully, organizations like Blacks in Green (B.I.G.), a Chicago-based community education and trade organization founded by Naomi Davis, are digging deep for lasting solutions that will save our planet and our neighborhoods.

Born in Chicago on Earth Day 2007, B.I.G. aims to empower the African American community by incorporating green job skills into its education program in order to expand employment opportunities for this historically marginalized community. Through this education program, Blacks In Green seeks to create and sustain environmentally conscious neighbor-owned businesses in black communities throughout the country, and inspire these communities towards social, psychological and economic empowerment through the burgeoning green economy.

In order to create these “self-sustaining African diaspora communities,” B.I.G. sets forth eight founding principles for building green villages. First, each village should have its own measures, exchanges, and sources of wealth. Second, each village must locally produce energy for personal and public uses. Next, basic goods and services are supplied and recycled within the village. Each village will also provide low-income housing and green gardens that produce high quality food. Within the village, neighbors will celebrate their shared heritage through both news and entertainment. Each village will have interdependent local ties and perceptible borders. Village hubs will be epicenters for green training, development, and lifestyle transformation. Lastly, neighbor-owned businesses invent, invest, manufacture, and merchandise locally in order to circulate wealth throughout the community.

B.I.G. founder Naomi Davis cites her own childhood in the sixties and her legacy as the granddaughter of Mississippi sharecroppers as sources of inspiration for Blacks In Green. For Davis, the notion of green villages is a modern twist on the family farm. Rather than leaving land stewardship as a figment of the past, Davis sees green villages as a way to push the African American community forward.

To keep the community connected and informed, B.I.G. hosts numerous educational and networking events throughout the year. The third Friday of each month on the traditionally African-American South side of Chicago, it holds Environmental Education Afternoon Workshops and Evening Programs for both youth and adult members. Each Third Friday program features a different environmental theme, such as water use, renewable energy, green media, and environmental legislation. Blacks In Green’s next Third Friday event will be held on August 21, 2009, and will address green communication media and introduce the organization’s weekly media roundtable.

To learn more about Blacks In Green, check out their website and events page at www.blacksingreen.org.