5 Stylish Earth Day Finds

Happy Earth Day my loves! Being a fashion and beauty fan isn’t always the most eco-friendly attitude. Frankly, it shouldn’t be Earth Day, but an on-going approach to your sartorial choices.

Here are my favorite Earth Day Fashion and Beauty finds:

1. The Bamboo Shirt
I was introduced to P3 Bamboo shirts through the team at designer Zang Toi. Bamboo is a sustainable fiber. It is hardy, doesn’t need pesticides, a little water, and little space to grow.  It isn’t just the fiber itself that makes it eco-friendly. The breathability and anti-microbial qualities mean it needs to be washed less. Less laundry saves water and potential toxic cleaning ingredients from that water as well.

There is a good selection of basic silhouette tops and colors. They are super soft so I can totally see why fans (like myself) are happy to wear these every day as my basic shirt. I was pleasantly surprised at their affordability too.

2. Health Gel Manicures
My girlfriend loved getting gel manicures. Since becoming a conscientious Mom, she has shied away from nail lacquers because of all the toxic ingredients involved when you put it on AND when you remove them. I was just introduced to Bio Seaweed Gel polish. It doesn’t have any of the “big 5” (no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, BHA, solvents, etc.) It doesn’t need a special lamp; you just cure your nails in natural sunlight.  This is the healthier option of gel nails, and they hail from my childhood suburb of Scarborough, Ontario. The brand has a gorgeous range of trendy colors and sparkly shades. Your mani doesn’t chip for two weeks like your traditional gel manicure, but unlike the traditional job, it only takes 5 minutes to take it off.

3. Alkemie Reclaimed Jewelry

Love artisanal jewelry? One of the best ways to be green is to upcycle gold. The husband-and-wife makers behind Alkemie Jewelry used reclaimed metals and manufactured locally in Los Angeles. They make sure each piece is lead and nickel free and are committed to running a sustainable design company. They cast pieces like this stunning Gingko leaf bracelet through the traditional lost-wax process.

4. Angela Roi Gives Back

How cute is the handbag? One of my fellow Twitter #stylechat buddies introduced me to Angela and Roi. They were entrepreneurs who met in college and had mutual interests in fashion and philanthropy. The created a stylish handbag brand that is affordable (almost all styles were $150 or under) well made and vegan. But not only that, each bag and color also corresponds to a cause that they contribute to. It makes you feel good to shop stylish and know you are helping a worthy cause as well. 

5. Come Visit Olsenhaus

Striped heels for spring? Yes, please. Olsenhaus makes these fab shoes from cotton, cork, and composite rubber. Founded by a vocal advocate on behalf of animal rights, Elizabeth Olsen created the company to provide stylish options made with healthy vegan materials and ethical manufacturing. 

So now you see that you can be a fashionista and care about your planet. Go ahead and check out my guide for 10 ways to green your wardrobe for sustaining Earth Day style all year. Now go hug a tree or something. 

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Earth Day Beauty Guide

Happy Earth Day my loves! We all enjoy dolling ourselves up, but if you love the planet, what are the best Earth-friendly beauty fixes?

Ingredients and packaging are your first clue.  Does your product use organic, natural ingredients? Avoid ingredients like parabens, petroleum, SLS, and phthalates.  Brands like L'Occitaine and Tarte Cosmetics strive for organic and natural ingredients.

Is the packaging recycled?  Does your favorite brand offer refilling programs when you bring your old bottles back in?  (Kiehl's boutique does, as do many local, independent boutiques).   About half of Burt's Bees products are 100% natural and the company is committed to post-consumer packaging and fair working conditions.

Next step, how does your favorite beauty brand manufacture?  Do they follow fair trade practices?  The Body Shop is a big promoter of fair trade practices with cultures around the world.  Aveda and Origins cosmetics use wind power (as opposed to electricity) and certified organic ingredients in their production.  Beauty brand Korres uses a steam generator to power manufacturing instead of electric or gas.

Does your beauty brand give back to the community?  Tarte Cosmetics also donates a percentage of proceeds to Winetowater.org.  The Body Shop's own foundation funds smaller organizations against human trafficking and environmental protection.

If you're going to look your best, make sure the world is around long enough to appreciate it!

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Designers For Earth Day - Fashion Showing Love for our Planet

Is it an oxymoron for fashion houses to get involved in Earth Day? It may seem like an industry that promotes consumption and capitalism wouldn't put it high on their priority list, but that is simply not true. Major fashion designers, luxury, trendy and sporty are using their cachet and merchandising skills to help our dear planet.

Designers like Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler, Vivienne Westwood and Gucci have contributed items for Christie's Bid to Save the Earth auction. The proceeds of which benefit charities that focus on environmental causes. Prizes include lunch with Vera Wang and tickets to the Vanity Fair Oscar party.

Uber-chic department store Barney's has partnered with Loomstate label to create a series of organic cotton inspired by NBC's peacock logo. A percentage of proceeds will benefit the oganization 1% for the Planet as well as the charities involved with the Christie's auction.

Louis Vuitton will celebrate the 40th anniverwary of Earth Day by donating 10% of the day's online purchases to Global Green. The non-profit works with the Green Schools initiative in major cities.

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