If you’re reading this blog, chances are you give a shit about what goes into your body – nothing very numinous about clogging your third chakra with dirty dairy, and all that sodium fluoride in the tap water calcifying your third eye. And so you’ll sometimes find us posting about natural, chemical-free beauty products. Because sometimes, it’s what’s on the outside that counts.
Rebecca Casciano is a professional make-up artist who specialises in educating people on natural beauty, and this week, along with holistic happiness coach Jennifer Kass and life-stylist and Numinous contributor Raquel Griffin, she’s hosting a Mind, Body, Beauty event in NYC to get into the fact that how we look and how we feel are totally interwoven.
By way of introduction, we got Rebecca to to give us the basics on what it means to green your beauty regime.
HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO ME BEING A SPIRITUAL BABE?
“Because it’s about making conscious choices about how we care for our body temple and the world we live in. Spirituality is holistic, and by adopting an eco-conscious lifestyle, you are honouring the Earth in a powerful way. If you believe everything is connected, then seeking to live in ways that are aligned with nature is a spiritual practice we can all benefit from.”
SO WHAT ARE THE MSG AND HFCS OF THE BEAUTY WORLD?
“Look out for parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben), ‘fragrance’ and sodium laureth sulfate (SLS). Parabens are a common preservative that have been found to disrupt estrogen levels and promote breast cancer. The word ‘fragrance’ usually denotes the use of hundreds of synthetic ingredients including pthalates, which have been linked to lung, reproductive and kidney damage. SLS (yeah, funny name for that hotel in Miami…) is a foaming agent that helps products such as shampoos and body washes suds up and break down oil and dirt. Unfortunately, it’s also a penetration enhancer, which means it can allow for more synthetic chemicals to be absorbed into the skin and bloodstream.”
WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH EVERYBODY KNEW ABOUT NATURAL BEAUTY?
“That we don’t have to compromise luxury, style or most importantly, our health, to be beautiful! I have discovered awesome brands that are really committed to making products that are gorgeous, safe and effective. As both a makeup artist and long-time makeup wearer, I can honestly say I am really happy with the alternatives I have found.”
Hmmm, not convinced? Now it’s time to put Rebecca’s theory to the test, and have her find chic, do-what-they-say-on-the-box alternatives to one real girl’s beauty product line up. Over to you, Rebecca…(and by the way, check out how the bottles you use on a daily basis stack up).
FOR FACE
Chantecaille Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser ($60) : Blissoma Fresh-Mild Rice Cleanser ($26.99) www.iriestar.com
Origins United State Balancing Toner : Blissoma Tone-Adaptive Energy Tonique ($21.99) www.iriestar.com
Chantecaille Magnolia, Jasmine and Lily Healing Emulsion (anti-redness moisturizer) ($120) : Pai Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream ($48, above) www.spiritbeautylounge.com
Neutrogena Oil-free Eye Makeup Remover ($7.99) : Tay Aloe Leaf Makeup Remover with Lavender ($25.50) www.tayskincare.com
FOR HAIR
Clairol Shimmer Lights shampoo and conditioner (blonde and silver) ($8.49 each) : Pravana Pure Light Brightening shampoo and conditioner (salon only) www.pravana.com
Batiste Dry Shampoo ($7.99) : LuLu Organics Hair Powder ($30, above) www.spiritbeautylounge.com
Bumble & Bumble Straight Blow Dry cream ($29) : Nuema Blow Dry Lotion (salon only) www.neumabeauty.com
Moroccanoil Treatment Light ($40) : John Masters Dry hair Nourishment & Defrizzer ($16) www.johnmasters.com
FOR BODY
Dr Bronners Magic Soap : “One of my all time favourite products!” says Rebecca. Phew. (from $2.99) www.drbronner.com
Mitchum Advanced Control anti-perspirant stick ($2.99) : Soapwalla Beauty Kitchen Deodorant ($14, above) www.spiritbeautylounge.com
Cowshed Gorgeous Cow Blissful Body Lotion (ylang ylang, rose, lavender and linden blossom) ($30) : CV Skinlabs Body Repair Lotion (add own essential oils – $36) www.cvskinlabs.com
St Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse ($32) : Chocolate Sun Cocoa Lite Sunless Enhancer ($40) www.spiritbeautylounge.com
MAKE-UP
bareMinerals matte foundation in Medium Beige ($27) : Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation in Shell ($25) www.spiritbeautylounge.com
Make-up Store Cover All Mix concealer ($37) : Nvey Eco
Erase Concealer **DISC ($15.50) www.spiritbeautylounge.com
L’Oreal Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner ($8.99) : Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eyeliner ($19) www.tarte.com
Benefit They’re Real mascara ($23) : Kjaer Weis Mascara ($38, above) www.spiritbeautylounge.com
Burberry cosmetics Misty Blush ($57.99) : Jane Iredale PurePressed Blush in Awake or Barely Rose ($27) www.janeiredale.com
Burberry cosmetics Sheer Eye Shadow in Trench ($29) : Jane Iredale PurePressed Eyeshadow in Bone ($19) www.janeiredale.com
Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid ($10) : CV Skinlabs Restorative Skin Balm (for lips) ($26) www.cvskinlabs.com
Burberry cosmetics Lip Cover in Union Red ($30) : Ilia Beauty Lipstick in Wild Child (£24, above) www.spiritbeautylounge.com
Cover Girl Lip Perfection lip liner in Passion ($6) : Bite Beauty Matte Lip Pencil in Pomegranate, Tart or Rose Berry ($24) www.sephora.com
Rebecca Casciano’s Mind, Body, Beauty event in NYC takes place this Thursday, July 18, from 6.30-9.30pm. For details and tickets go to www.mindbodybeauty.eventbrite.com
@RebeccaCasciano
