It seems like Spring has been here for a while but that doest mean I can’t wait till Summer to rock some head scarves! Love it! Get all these looks with KEVIN.MURPHY products. Come by the salon for a product demo! Hope to see you soon!
Hi Friends, Clients, Neighbors and Pals,
It’s that time again! I would like to share with you my top five favorite beauty products of 2011 (in no particular order) and where you can buy them! In some way, whether a small or large impact, all of these companies are leading in the eco-conscious, vegan, cruelty free, organic or natural beauty product movement, which of course is really important to me as a Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist and as a consumer. Enjoy and let me know if you have any questions, I’m all ears….
My top five favorite beauty products of 2011
1. ZUZU Luxe Mascara in black – First off…best VEGAN mascara I have used to date and not too shabby of a natural ingredient list either. Love it! Goes on nice and black with no clumping. You can easily apply a couple coats for a more intense look. It has permanently replaced all my toxic mascaras and not just at home but in my professional makeup kit as well. So take that!
Where to buy: I buy mine at Whole Foods on North Avenue in Chicago or you can get it online here, http://www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=41
Product perks: VEGAN, definitely a fairly decent non-toxic ingredient list as far as mascaras go
2. KEVIN.MUPRHY HAIR.RESORT.SPRAY - one word…LOVE! This has been my #1 favorite product this year. Ever since it came out in the summer I have not been able to put it down. Basically, it just makes my hair look cool and it’s easy breezy to use. Literally, apply on towel dried hair or dry hair, lift your hair and spray all over with a strong focus on the crown area. If you’re like me and want a ton of fun, funky volume with a little texture but nothing that will weigh your hair down then HAIR.RESORT.SPRAY is what the doctor ordered. Comes highly recommended by Yours Truly. Stop by the salon for a complimentary demo. We carry the full line of KEVIN.MURPHY products.
More info on Kevin Murphy products: http://www.kevinmurphy.com.au/
Product perks: protects hair from heat up to 428 degrees fahrenheit, cruelty free, PETA approved
3. Loving Natural Clear Face Vegan Sunscreen -Finally, a natural vegan sunscreen designed for the face. If you have been on the same search for a product like this as I was…consider yourself, done. Love it!
Where to buy: http://loving-naturals-skin-care.webstorepowered.com/Loving-Naturals-Clear-Sunscreen-Non-Nano/dp/B0058F6EPC
Product perks: VEGAN, cruelty free, gluten free, 100% natural/organic ingredients, highly rated for safety by the EWG, check out their rating here, <a href=”http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/379465/Loving_Naturals_Clear_Face_Sunscreen%2C_SPF_30%2B/)”>http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/379465/Loving_Naturals_Clear_Face_Sunscreen%2C_SPF_30%2B/)
4. Herbs of Grace Vegan Lip Balm in Berry – Packed with organic jojoba oil and cocoa butter, this vegan lip balm is one of my favs! Love the berry shade. It has just the right amount of color to achieve that effortless natural beauty look with a touch of style. This balm is always in my coat pocket! BTW – love the company and everything they stand for and no, I am not on the payroll, just a tough natural beauty critic.
Where to buy: http://www.herbsofgrace.com/index.php?cPath=43&osCsid=3febacfd698abb9a67f6bed96f27f1c0
Product perks: 100% NATURAL, 100% vegan, no preservatives, no chemical additives, no artificial ingredients, no nano-particles
5. Coconut Oil - My new found all natural beauty product. I just love this as a body moisturizer right out of the shower. One of my awesome clients told me to keep a jar in the shower so the heat from the shower will warm it up. After the shower, apply on damp skin for a really light weight, all natural body moisturizer that smells yummy and keeps your skin hydrated. Thanks for the tip, Mica!
Where to buy: I get mine at Karyn’s Fresh Corner Cafe in Chicago, you can also order it online here, http://www.karynraw.com/food-and-grocery/Coconut-Oil/1736/
Product perks: vegan, 100% natural…enough said!
So that’s it. Hope to see you at the salon soon. I would love to give you a New Year makeover!
BTW – Happy New Year everyone!
As Head Stylist of Special Events at Karen Marie Salon, I headed up our team of awesome Hair Stylists to create the looks for the Vert Couture Eco Fashion Show 2011. I worked directly with the Executive Producers at Conscious Living TV.
My dear friend and Beauty Editor of Jealous Magazine, Christine Ingladson, covers the event and chats with me about how the looks were created and what eco beauty tricks we had up our sleeves.
Check out the article and get the backstage hair secrets!
Jealous Magazine: Natural Beauty at the Vert Couture Eco Fashion Show 2011 by CHRISTINE INGALDSON
Photography courtsey of Jealous Magazine.
This coming Monday, June 6th, David Glover presents Kevin Murphy Event. I am so excited to say I will be the Lead MUA for the event representing Karen Marie Salon. I will be working closely with David Glover and his team at Premier Beauty Supply to create all the makeup looks for the models and dancers. My makeup team consists of Mandy Schoenbein and Jaci Herrera, also from Karen Marie Salon.
Details:
Monday, June 6th
11am to 2pm
@ The Mercury Theater
This event is open to the public! Would love to see you there.
Hi Friends, Clients, Neighbors and Pals,
If you are like me you are dying for it to be Summer or for that matter at least Spring. So to get myself into the spirit I figured I would start scoping out what vegan beauty products are a must-have for this Summer season!
Here’s my word and “the word” on the street 
–
Top 5 Must-Have Vegan Beauty Products for the Summer!
1. Sun Rescue Cream by Max Green Alchemy – One word….”Awesome!” This super hydrating lotion rich with shea butter and herbal extracts relieves even the toughest sunburn. So if you go overboard trying to get your Vitamin D this Summer make sure you have some Sun Rescue Cream in your cute Summer tote!
Product Perks:
Certified Vegan
100% natural origin with no synthetic chemicals
Where to get it:
http://www.maxgreenalchemy.com/item–Sun-Rescue-Cream–MGASU.html
2. Sun Care After-Sun Hair Masque by Aveda - This awesome masque totally brings your dehydrated hair back to life. With the exception of the all natural coconut oil mask that I do on occasion, this Aveda Masque is by far my fav. It brings my natural waves back to life and my hair looks super refreshed and hydrated! <3 it!
Product Perks:
Your hair (especially parched curls) will be transformed into silky heaven
100% certified organic essences of neroli, ylang ylang and cistus, so it smells AH-Mazing!
Where to get it:
Karen Marie Salon – Come by and visit me, we carry the full line of Aveda Products. http://www.karenmariesalon.com/
3. SPF 30+ Sunscreen by Loving Naturals – I have said it before and I will say it again….this is probably the safest sunscreen on Earth. Love this product and the awesome ingredient list!
Product Perks:
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen products that actually work!
Strong enough for KIDS who are out in the Sun all day
Where to get it:
http://www.lovingnaturals.com/#!product
4. Natural Color Body Bronzer in Wild Ginger by Herbs of Grace – Body Bronzer/Shimmer….a natural beauty necessity all Summer long to maintain that healthy glow without baking in the Sun! 100% natural body bronzer…enough said.
Product Perks:
ALL NATURAL 100% Mineral
No nano-particles (Definition of a nano-particle: A nanoparticle (or nanopowder or nanocluster or nanocrystal) is a microscopic particle with at least one dimension less than 100 nm. In a nutshell, a particle so tiny that it can be easily absorbed into your skin. Especially not good, if the ingredients in your beauty products are toxic.)
Where to get it:
http://www.herbsofgrace.com/product_info.php?cPath=58&products_id=196
5. ZuZu Luxe Lip Gloss in Caliente – Bright vivid lips are totally in for Spring/Summer and I just love this perfectly popping red gloss! Use a lot for a bolder look or a touch for a nice transparent glossy red lip. <3 it!
Product Perks:
Gluten free
Lead free
Carmine free
You look super cute wearing this shade!
Where to get it:
Most Whole Foods carry ZuZu Luxe or online at
http://www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=43&ParentCat=20
So that's it, Pals.
Now who needs a new Spring/Summer look? Come visit me at Karen Marie Salon. I would love to jazz you up. Enjoy your Summer….I know I will!
Hi Friends and Clients!
We are celebrating Earth Day at the salon. Please come by and join us from 6pm to 10pm on April 22nd!
We will be selling raffle tickets all month long to win some great prizes in support of Aveda’s local water charity; The Alliance for the Great Lakes and a large portion will also go towards Water for Japan!
Art Prints by and for The Endangered Species Print Project
www.endangeredspeciesprintproject.com
Donations by:
Spa Soak www.spasoakchicago.com
Sterling Goss www.sterlinggoss.com
Bluebird www.bluebirdchicago.com
Irazu www.irazuchicago.com
Kevin Murphy www.kevinmurphy.com.au
Ipsento www.ipsento.com
CHEW Chicago www.chewchicago.com
Corepower Yoga www.corepoweryoga.com
Red & White Wines www.redandwhitechicago.com
Delicious Design League www.deliciousdesignleague.com
Karen Marie Salon… more to come!
My Husband is Djing! DJ Amplatone http://www.facebook.com/amplatone
Chair massage with licensed masseuse Dawn Perry
