How green can you glow?

For the silkiest skin around, try massaging a few drops of coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil or shea butter into your skin.

by Nonnie Knight and Lacey Grace — 

A green girl has got to know a few tips and tricks about beauty care and damage prevention during the frostbitten months to come. In order to have natural radiance, you need to think internally first. How green can you glow during this holiday season? Sometimes you need reminders about cleaning out those toxic products and guilty pleasures that can make a huge difference in our world. Cheers to the innovative world of nontoxic, clean living.

Begin by making sure you drink enough water. As the heat fades away, it is easy to forget to drink water, and this will be revealed in your skin. Your lips dry out quickly when you are dehydrated.

To make the most of the trend for vibrant lips this fall and winter, mix olive oil and sugar into a paste; gently massage your lips to remove any flakes and moisturize your perfect pout for that all important New Year’s kiss. Then make a bold statement by finding the right lipstick shade in a plum, red or deep berry. Check out Nvey Eco™ for a certified-organic line or Jane Iredale for a nontoxic line.

Most importantly, the skin is the largest organ of your body. It behaves like a sponge, absorbing toxins quickly. Product ingredients to avoid include ammonia, formaldehyde, parabens, sulfates and toluene. Nourish your skin with a nontoxic, inexpensive brand such as Giovanni, which is great for all skin types. Giovanni produces a detox system that extracts impurities and rejuvenates using the super antioxidants acai and goji berry.

You must prepare the night before if you want a flawless face. For the silkiest skin around, try massaging a few drops of coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil or shea butter into your skin. This benefits from head to toe, from fly-away hairs to calluses.

For a bombshell blowout, be sure your locks are lush by doing an at-home, organic, deep-conditioning treatment. Begin by warming olive oil or coconut oil and apply it to dry hair. In the shower, let the steam open the hair shaft, which allows the oil to penetrate. Then shampoo and condition your hair as usual. This will help reduce frizz and minimize tangles. Remember to visit an organic hairstylist to reshape and refresh your hairstyle every few weeks.

We do not know about you, but we always feel prettiest when we sparkle. If you have never heard of Zoya, then you have not lived. Zoya is a nontoxic, long-lasting nail polish. It offers a large assortment of colors containing absolutely no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl, phthalate or camphor. Try its latest sparkle kit with real 18-karat gold for New Year’s.

Viva la beauty sleep! Create a spa environment with an Epsom salt bath to detoxify and unwind from your day. Make yourself a hot cup of lavender and chamomile tea and take a few moments to just breathe and appreciate your day. Fill the bathtub with warm water, add two cups Epsom salt (check with your doctor first if you have any health issues) and a few drops of essential oils. Some of our favorites are lavender, peppermint and rosemary oils. They calm nerves, soothe sore muscles and stimulate blood flow with their anti-inflammatory properties.

Always remember that what makes you unique makes you beautiful. Look at that green girl glow!

Nonnie Knight is a hairstylist and makeup artist who helps clients discover their natural beauty without the use of chemicals. Lacey Grace specializes in styling curly hair and intricate updos. Experience organic, eco-chic treatments at Verde Salon-Organic Beauty in Chandler, Ariz. 480-786-1111 or www.verdesalonaz.com.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 31, Number 6, December 2012/January 2013.