STELLA!!!

As a city dweller, I have had to accept many harsh realities of this lifestyle: fun usually equals expensive, anything goes with weekend subway schedules, and they can really screw you at those “mix-your-own salad” places. But one of the more disturbing reality pills to swallow is that I cannot avoid walking around in a constant cloud of microscopic airborne city grime. Perhaps I am more aware of this than most people, but I know that we all feel the effects: dullness, tired eyes, and, oh yes, generally angry skin. Unfortunately for us, designer medical face masks failed to take off after SARS, so we must look for alternative ways to protect and revive our faces.

One remarkable product in this area is the 5 Benefits Moisturizing Cream from the eco-friendly line, CARE by Stella McCartney. With an all-star organic ingredient list that includes white mallow extract (to increase moisture levels) and the vitamin E-rich team of green tea and soybean oil, this luxury moisturizer elevates your skin to unknown levels of bliss. After applying a dollop of this light lotion over my tired, unwashed face, I felt like I had just deep-cleansed without touching a drop of water. The subtle floral-aloe scent instantly lifted tension out my face and cooling mint woke up my tired eyes. This and the rest of the CARE line have 50-100% organic formulas and are Ecocert-certified

Reality Nugget #4,756: luxury organic skin care does not come cheap. This moisturizer is sold for a steep $76—quite pricey. However, girls and guys, it doesn’t cost a thing to try. The next time you’re passing a Sephora in your treks, take a mini-break and try this 5 Benefits Cream on your poor, bombarded face. Welcome back, refreshment!

available at Sephora.com

MakeUp not War

Makeup, not war; MakeUp not War. Makeup. Not War. Anyway you look at it, makeup rocks. It makes us feel good about ourselves, more attractive, presentable, more human. And its a great alternative to war. On a good hair day, we take charge. On a good skin day, nothing's impossible. And so, we're starting this blog to pay tribute to the almighty lipstick, the omnipotent mousse--with a twist.

As styles change, so has our approach to beauty and what we put on our bodies. Long gone are the days of taking "pains for beauty." No offense Joan Crawford, but being gorgeous doesn't have to hurt (unless you're into that). Think about it, Eve (you know, that chiqua in the Garden of Eden) was one hot mama and all she had were a couple of ribs and an apple.

And yet. And yet, just like there are good witches and bad witches in Oz, there's good makeup and bad makeup, good packaging and ingredients and well...you get the idea. In this great US of A, the FDA doesn't regulate the cosmetics industry. It regulates itself. Didn't know that, huh? While the beauty industry has taken the charge to improve many naughty practices (I haven't seen a bunny wearing blush in years), too many still remain. But as we become more mindful of what we put on and into our bodies and what we put out into the earth (ever think about what happens to your empty tube of lipstick after it goes to makeup heaven?) we can become better savvier consumers.

So before you start arming yourselves with eyeliner to combat terrorism or global warming, or even just a bad day at work, have a little think--WWED? What Would Eve Do?

MakeUp not War.