Home begins within. These three simple yet poignant words shared by ABC Carpet and Home’s Creative Director and CEO Paulette Cole set the tone for their Day of Beauty, Wellness, and Wisdom. ABC gathered a conglomerate of experts from the forefront of the health, wellness, spirituality, and natural beauty movements for a day of education and inspiration. Read on for some highlights of who was there and how their messages can enhance your own beauty, wellness and wisdom…
Deepak Chopra and Paulette Cole
Deepak Chopra’s opening meditation set the intentions for the day on a collective and individual level. As someone who gets caught up in the fluster of life and is not as mindful and in the moment as she should be, his words were helpful, appreciated and necessary to hear. I will share them with you so you can set your own intentions and dance to them, as Deepak so eloquently said.
What’s my highest potential for expressing love and beauty?
What’s my highest potential for health and well being?
What’s my highest potential for healing myself and others?
Intelligent Nutrient’s Horst Rechelbacher
Intelligent Nutrient’s Horst Rechelbacher is a pioneer and innovator in plant-based personal care and one fascinating fellow. Horst piqued my interest months back when I watched a video of him drinking his brand’s hair spray. Prost! He founded Aveda in 1978 but eventually sold it to Estee Lauder. Intelligent Nutrients is Horst’s latest venture and what he intentioned Aveda to be: 100% food-based, safe, non-toxic, and certified organic. In addition to being a product formulator, Horst is a farmer (of 600 acres!), environmentalist, and quiet philanthropist. I could probably write for days about his talk but I will spare your eyesight and share a few of his most important points:
- I urge you to watch this short movie by the Story of Stuff Project. It sums up what is wrong with the cosmetics industry today and why we need increase our awareness and make educated choices in personal care. Horst showed it to the audience and you should show it to your friends and family.
- Why is there lead in cosmetics? Big Beauty didn’t intentionally dump it into your lipstick. Lead is one of the many toxic by-products that are produced when minerals and other ingredients are highly processed. This is yet another reason why using products with organic and food grade ingredients is vital for preserving your health.
- Given the polluted environment in which we live, detox should be a daily practice, not just a seasonal one. After all, our seasons have changed, haven’t they? Think about it as one season.
- Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) interfere with the natural code of nature. They penetrate us down to our cellular level. Seeds should belong to us, not to corporations. If you haven’t read up on Monsanto or signed any petitions, now is the time to do so. Go to http://justlabelit.org/.
- What is the future in 100% natural skincare? Plant stem cells, says Horst. They are absolutely pure, sustainable, and go above and beyond organic. IN is already using them in their Plant Stem Cell Skin Science Renewal Complex. Once again, Horst has managed to pique my curiosity.
The Tata Harper display, or, what I wish my vanity looked like.
Tata Harper herself took us on an eight product journey via her family’s farm in Vermont, where many of her products’ ingredients are grown and the formulations are produced. We cleansed, exfoliated, masked, toned, moisturized, and practiced aromatherapy. Tata Harper’s product line prides itself on providing true anti-aging benefits without the use of chemicals. The products are comprised of herb and flower-based actives and smell downright divine. The stand out products for me were the Resurfacing Mask and the combination of the Hydrating Floral Essence and Rejuvenating Serum Tata had us concoct. When I asked a well known yogi holding a box of the mask if she used and liked it, she responded with a “F*ck yeah.” Now that’s a product endorsement if I’ve ever heard one. What are Tata’s favorites? The Regenerating Cleanser and Rejuvenating Serum. Given her gorgeous skin, both are clearly working for her.
Tracie Martyn brought her Purple Palace to ABC Carpet & Home
Take a wild guess: which hand got the Tracie treatment?
Being a fan of the Amla Purifying Cleanser (recently reviewed here), I moseyed my freshly facial-ed self by Tracie Martyn to check out what was new in her land of luxe skincare. While I was there I watched her perform a mini facial on an attendee’s hand with her Amla Purifying Cleanser, Enzyme Exfoliant, and Firming Serum. According to Tracie, redness is a sign of inflammation, and inflammation is a precursor to aging skin. So, do take care with what you put on your skin, ladies. Were there any visible results from Tracie’s facial? See for yourself by checking out Esther’s hand.
That’s me in the chair discussing pigment with Rose-Marie Swift & team at RMS Beauty.
Over at RMS Beauty, brand founder and makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift applied a lippie on me that I never would have selected myself. Lip Shine in Sublime is shocking pink in the pot, but a subtle burst of color on the lips. It totally works and makes for the perfect spring pout (or better yet, smile). In terms of skincare, Rose-Marie eschews essential oils in favor of nourishing organic oils and butters. What tips did the highly sought after makeup artist share? Never apply your concealer underneath the entire under eye area. This just highlights the fact that you are trying to mask your circles. Instead, apply your concealer only to the inner eye area. Speaking of concealer, RMS “Un” Cover-up is a fab one as I detailed in this review. Also, Rose-Marie suggested to dot a lighter shade of eye shadow in the center of your lid to naturally reflect the light and brighten your eyes. What’s next for RMS? A mascara will make its debut in the near future. Could this be THE mascara all green beauties have been waiting for? My lashes are crossed…
OA’s Mellow LOVE: a far cry from the Mellow Yellow I drank in the 80’s.
While, yes, a great lip gloss may help you feel more beautiful, true beauty originates in part from what you feed your body. Organic Avenue’s Denise Mari and Doug Evans were on hand to share their fresh blends of organic vegetable and fruit juices, advice on wellness, and encouragement to follow your passion. Incidentally, whenever I am in NYC I hit up Organic Avenue for their hummus (addicted) and Mellow LOVE juice. Given I’m on an alkaline diet, Organic Avenue = my new Starbucks. If you told me five years back I’d actually make such a statement, I would have said poppycock. Indeed, it’s true and I highly recommend you skip the latte and give Organic Avenue a try.
Could I have finally found my owner’s manual after all this time?
FLO Living founder and author Alisa Vitti is on a mission to help women understand their bodies and become power sources. I am only a few pages into her new book Woman Code but I am already hooked. The book demystifies our bodies, providing answers as to why we have hormonal imbalances, energy lags, PMS, low libido, mood swings, pain, weight gain, infertility, pimples, you name it. Bottom line: if you have ovaries, you should have this book.
Jackie..just caught up on your latest info..soo informative and worth readinga, loved it! Looking foward to more!!