Relegated to L.L. Bean catalogs and beachwear, the tote bag was an accessory that was more about function than fashion. That is, until now. With the growing interest in environmentally sound products came the popularity of cotton, nylon and canvas bags used for toting groceries (instead of using the usual paper/plastic bags at the supermarket) and shopping. Soon, designers came on board with the trend, including Anya Hindmarch, whose seemingly everywhere “I am not a plastic bag” tote was a big hit, and Marc Jacobs who perennially turns out playful and inventive totes. Now, mass chain stores like Target, small boutiques and even J. Crew and the GAP are churning out the goods. The best part about these chic totes? Many are made from recycled materials and can be used as handbags as well, making them not only a fashionable purchase but an earth friendly one as well.

Here, my top picks for on trend totes that are also wonderfully kind to the earth… Who says you can’t be altruistic AND stylish?

From top to bottom: L.L. Bean, Vivienne Westwood, Marc Jacobs, J. Crew, Target and Target

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Has skin with large pores got you down? Big pores can leave your skin looking unhealthy, unclean, aged or much like the cratered skin of an orange and no one wants that. Although it is true that there is no treatment to permanently reduce pore size, there are things you can do to make the appearance of enlarged pores less noticeable.

The two main factors that effect pore size are age and genetics. Those with naturally thicker, oiler skin tend to have larger pores. As they get older, due to less skin elasticity and sun damage, the pores become dilated and start to collect dirt and bacteria, which causes them to stretch and expand even more. Pores aren’t all bad, however, as they keep facial skin moisturized as well.

The most basic and affordable thing you can do to prevent gaping pores is to simply wash your face regularly with a cleanser (or apply medication) with retinol or vitamin C. This will increase the elasticity of the skin and help get rid of the oil and dirt camping out in your pores, making them less visible.

Exfoliation is also helpful. A store-bought facial scrub is just fine for most people, but if you’d like to work on your skin a bit more, I recommend getting microdermabrasion (a facial that gently sloughs off the dead top layer of skin, revealing the softer, healthier skin underneath) done by a professional.

Pore minimizing cosmetics are also key to getting a fresher look for your skin. Primers smooth the look of skin, making you look healthier, younger, and your pores more invisible as it keeps foundation from seeping into pores and expanding them. Both of the primers from the Ron King Cosmetics line are ideal when starting your healthy skin makeup routine. The RK Primer is a lightweight product that will reduce the appearance of pore size and is oil-absorbing. This formula is also oil-free and will leave your skin looking smooth and virtually poreless all day long. The Retexturizing Face Primer contains vitamins A and E, which act as moisture-binding antioxidants. After primer application, your skin will be clean, fresh and nourished, as well as protected due to it’s SPF 20 properties.

I suggest using a a cream or cream to powder foundation next, as it will conceal pores more. Apply with a makeup sponge and then dust face with loose, translucent powder. Not only will large pores be less visible, your skin will be more even-toned.

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Who says you have to take a trip to sun-drenched Italy to experience a little bit of that Tuscan magic? When I was in New York last month, I picked up a cologne that is reminiscent of the Italian countryside. Tom Ford’s newest fragrance, Tuscan Leather, transported me to the Mediterranean with one whiff and has been on permanent scent rotation for me personally for a while now. Tuscan Leather is part of Ford’s Private Blend fragrance line and has notes of saffron, raspberry, thyme, and jasmine, making for a delicious and masculine scent with a twist. Leather, black suede and amberwood also add a rich muskiness to the cologne, for a unique take on the classic leather scent. The Private Blend line is made up of artisanal scents that begin with a singular extraction of a note around which other notes are wrapped, creating a complex and stimulating fragrance that smells even better the next day due to it’s slow development and is definitely worth it’s approximately $180 price tag.

Not only does Tuscan Leather smell great, it also looks pretty good sitting on your dresser thanks to it’s architectural, sleek bottle inspired by traditional apothecary bottles made of dark brown glass. Ford intended for the decanter to resemble a beautiful chess piece and he delivers. Check out Neiman Marcus to purchase.

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I heard about B. Witching Bath Co. from a friend and it is exactly the kind of company I like to support. Not only are their products formulated from mostly natural ingredients, they are truly a quality line of bath and beauty products. They use the finest fruits, herbs, natural ingredients, fragrances and minimal preservatives and their products are unique and creative, with fragrances that are refreshing and relaxing. They are also made batch by batch in limited quantities, ensuring that each finished product is up to snuff. At their three northern New Jersey corporate stores, as well as with  their thriving online and wholesale business, they are renowned for their friendly customer service. B. Witching Bath Co. additionally never tests on animals and donates a portion of their proceeds to the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT, making the company a socially conscious and natural addition to your bath and beauty product lineup.

With a celebrity fan base as diverse as screen legend Goldie Hawn and rapper LL Cool J, you’ll be sure to find a product and scent (I like the Sea Glass and Chamomile ones)  that matches your mood and personality. My personal favorite items from B. Witching are their Exfoliating Sugar Scrubs, which contain naturally exfoliating sugar, rich emollient oils, and delicate fragrance and are extremely gentle, and the hand and body lotion, which is made from shea butter, aloe vera, goat’s milk, natural herbs, floral extracts, and essential oils to smooth and soothe your skin. Check out their web site for more info!

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It used to be that nail polish remover was the pariah of green beauty products due to it’s essentially non-earth friendly properties. Karma Organic, based out of Ridgewood, New Jersey, is changing all that with their soy-based nail polish remover, featured in the April 2010 issue of Women’s Health magazine. Not only is the remover 100% biodegradable, it’s Lavender and Tea Tree essential oils (it also comes in unscented) will leave your hands smelling deliciously fresh. Unlike others of it’s kind, this nail polish remover actually works and is nourishing for your hands and nails as well as being non-toxic and non-carcinogenic. The product is derived from crops from American farms and is packaged in recycled glass bottles.

I am always on the lookout for green products that perform and smell great and Karma Organic delivers on all fronts. They also sell from their store/spa and web site, non-toxic nail polish (over 90 trendy and classic colors available), and organic lotions, scrubs and essential oils among other items. Opened in 2007, the spa itself was constructed using such materials as carbonized bamboo flooring and non-toxic paint, making your visit a truly eco-chic experience.

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While driving one day, I came across the fabulous W3LL People flagship store in downtown Austin. After getting intrigued by their high quality, environmentally friendly products, I met Shirley Pinkson, makeup artist and former NARS corporate leader, one of the three founders of W3LL People who was gracious enough to explain their philosophy to me. Their tagline,”Hippie Tested. Diva Approved.” manages to sum up their mission fairly well. W3LL People is a green company that produces natural products but doesn’t sacrifice being hip for being natural. Along with co-founders Renee Snyder and James Walker, their vision of a company that produces advanced performance products that are sustainable and contain Optimal Bioavailable ingredients was realized.

The trio set out to make skin care and beauty products void of toxic preservatives, cheap filler and other chemicals . Their products are beneficial, safe, eco-conscious and full of effective, natural ingredients that won’t contribute to the toxins each of us encounter every day. They also use newer technologies like airless packaging and their products are not tested on animals. Due to their growing fan base, W3LL People will soon be sold at Henri Bendel in Manhattan. Check out their website to buy or browse their cute blog, W3LL Said!

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Look at how rich the color is! I wish you could feel it, after a couple of applications INOA leaves hair feeling like it's never been processed!

Innovation means new. Groundbreaking. Cutting edge. Something that takes years to develop. My industry is used to new products and occasional breakthroughs, but I don’t think anyone knew how much L’Oreal Professional was going to absolutely revolutionize the hair color industry with their new permanent color line INOA.

Aptly named for combining the words for “innovation” and “no ammonia”, INOA is a color system that took over 100 years to create. You see, L’oreal developed the first hair color in the early 1900’s. Since then, all permanent hair color used ammonia in its formulation to open up hair fiber and allow dye into its molecular structure, thus changing it permanently and very often damaging it. For all those years, the hair color industry’s holy grail was creating a permanent color system without ammonia that can cover gray hair and last just as long as the original formula. And now it’s here with INOA.

The science behind INOA is so interesting, especially for me as a colorist. I won’t get into too many specifics but I do want to tell you its main point of difference. To get rid of all the ammonia, L’Oreal Professional developed a new delivery system called the ODS (oil delivery system). Their R&D department figured out that if they coat hair with another layer of oil while coloring it, the oil will act as a layer of protection to the hair and preserve its natural integrity. With the ODS, after nine applications of INOA, hair is restored to practically its virgin state.

I’m sure your first question is “What does no ammonia mean for me?” Well, it means several things. First, no nasty odors while the dye is on your head at the salon. It also means that  your scalp won’t itch or burn and it won’t damage your hair as much as traditional permanent color would. And, after several treatments with INOA, hair will feel like it has never even been colored. Amazing.

As you know, last weekend I was in Chicago for a beauty trade show. The place was buzzing… Industry celebs were there, behindthechair.com presented their beauty awards, everyone was networking. But the one word on everyone’s lips: INOA.

It’s quite the beauty breakthrough but it’s only previewing in 200 salons across the country. So call your salon and ask if they’re using INOA yet.

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We often take our health for granted until it’s too late and we are already sick, which is a definite don’t for someone with such a busy schedule as myself. Lately, however, I’ve been on a sort of sickness prevention kick. Kombucha,  a fermented tea drink used for medicinal purposes, is one of the preventative measures I use in order to regain health and balance.

In Russia, China, Korea, and Japan, the drink is popular however it is unclear where its origins lie. One thing that is known for sure is that the drink has been popular for centuries and is thought to have “magical powers”. Kombucha is also thought to detoxify the body and reenergize the mind, which is exactly what it’s done for me.

Although many people create their own kombucha at home by fermenting tea using a visible solid mass of microorganisms called a kombucha culture or mushroom, I lean towards buying one of the many equally helpful, commercially produced kombucha brews available at health stores. Usually, these kombucha drinks are in black or green tea form with a slightly bitter, pungent flavor. If making at home, the colony of bacteria and yeast is added to sugar and black/green tea to make the kombucha. The result is a liquid rife with vinegar, vitamin B, and other healthful chemical compounds.  

Furthermore, there are unsubstantiated claims that kombucha can help cure cancer, improve eyesight, better skin conditions, stimulate the immune system, and help your liver and digestive system. If you choose to make your own kombucha, please be sure to prepare and store it properly to prevent contamination. Make sure it is kept in a clean environment at the proper temperature with a low ph. Here’s a link to a kombucha recipe I found online, try it out and let me know how it turns out! I, on the other hand, am going to keep buying mine at Whole Foods!

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I love sharing new products and tips with you, that’s why I’m so excited to tell you about my favorite skin care line, Rhonda Allison.

Like hair styling, skin care is more than just a science. It’s also an art form. Rhonda Allison, the founder and CEO of Rhonda Allison Clinical Enterprises as well as a respected speaker and author with 30 years of experience as an aesthetician, knows this better than anyone. Her line of cosmeceutical products are the result of developing the science behind skin care as well as approaching the subject with reverence, understanding, and experience.

In 1992, Allison put out a video, “The Art of Skin Peeling” that revolutionized the industry. The popularity of chemical peels surged dramatically and Allison awed the skin care community again with the release of her instructional book, “Cooking with Acids”. The Rhonda Allison line has now expanded to a full DVD library featuring clinical skin treatments, superior professional and customized home care products. 

I personally use her products in my salons and am continually wowed by their quality and effectiveness. The inspiration of, and emphasis on, nature in Rhonda Allison’s work is also noteworthy. All products contain natural active ingredients blended with scientifically developed compounds to help you reach your skin’s optimum potential for health and beauty.  

Check out Rhonda Allison’s website for more info, for a list of locations, or to read her always informative blog!

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