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Showing posts with label Kimberly Parry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kimberly Parry. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Beauty Roundup: 3 Green Body Care Products

Good-for-you beauty products help your natural beauty shine through.
(Photo © istockphoto/iconogenic)


As the saying goes, “You are what you eat.” But what about the products you put on your body?

While I was working as the Senior Editor of Spa magazine, a beauty expert turned me on to The Garlic Experiment: Peel a clove of garlic, crush it up, and put it between your toes. Then wait about 30 minutes. You should be able to taste the garlic in your mouth. Pretty crazy, huh?

The first time I tried the experiment, it really got me thinking about what I put on my skin. After all, if my skin could absorb garlic after one 30-minute test, just think about all of the other things it’s absorbing on a daily basis—makeup, lotion, facial cleanser, toner, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner … the list goes on.

I revamped my beauty closet shortly after that, and I've been extra conscious about checking labels ever since. (The Dirty Dozen list of cosmetic chemicals to avoid from the David Suzuki Foundation is a great guide if you’re not sure what to look for.) Below are three earth- and people-friendly beauty essentials I can’t live without:




Kimberly Parry Organics Learn to Love It Kit: If you’re the type of person that likes the simplicity of the Clinique 3-step regimen, then you will appreciate this Clean, Tone, and Moisturize kit. Parry’s products are all made to order and carry the USDA Organic seal.


Red Flower Cleansing Body Wash: All Red Flower purifying body washes are created from essential oils and botanicals, but my favorite is Italian Blood Orange. The citrusy scent is uplifting, and I can rest assured knowing that I’m being kind to my body (and the environment) with each preservative-free wash!



Lotus Wei Balancing Serum: This serum is made for the face and is steeped in regenerative calendula flowers, but I highly recommend it as a body oil to soothe your skin and your spirit. My go-to “mood” is Inner Peace, though the point is to pick the one you’re most attracted to. A bonus tip: Massage Inner Peace Serum on your ankles and feet before going to bed for an extra relaxing sleep.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

3 Beauty Products You Can Eat

Kimberly Parry and me at Montage Laguna Beach, where she created seasonal spa treatments.
(Photo © Maria Wakem)

Kimberly Parry is widely recognized in the spa and organic beauty world for her namesake line of natural, preservative-free, made-to-order face, bath, and body products. (I personally can’t live without her Learn to Love It Kit, which cleared my post-pubescent pimples for good.)

While Parry is oh-so-passionate about her products, perhaps what I love most about her is that she’s equally passionate about things you can use even if you don’t buy her products. Here are 3 great tips she shared with me on how to swap everyday beauty essentials with edible ingredients from your kitchen:

Beauty Essential: Makeup Remover  
Natural Substitute: Organic Olive Oil         
Beauty Bonus: Olive oil gets rid of makeup and doesn’t clog your pores.

Beauty Essential: Facial Serum
Natural Substitute: 1/2 Fresh Orange (Squeeze it into 1 cup of cool water.)
Beauty Bonus: Orange is a great exfoliant with the added benefit of Vitamin C.

Beauty Essential: Hydrating Masque
Natural Substitute: Organic Honey
Beauty Bonus: Just slather it on your face and leave on for 20 minutes. It’s a little messy, but it smells (and tastes) better than packaged masques.