Keeping your lips smooth is easy.  The trick it to use a two-step lip care program. First, exfoliate. Second, moisturize and protect.

I usually use a moistened washcloth or toothbrush (no toothpaste, just use water) and I massage the rough skin off gently.  I follow with a lip balm that contains a mixture of almond oil (to smooth) and wax (to protect). 

Sometimes, unfortunately, that is not enough. If you’ve reached that point, then try something like the Fern Lily Girls Pear Kiwi Pod Exfoliating Lip Scrub. It’s made with healthy vegan ingredients like Candelilla Wax, Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Sugar (for exfoliating), Olive Oil, Safflower Oil, Mowrah Butter, Flavor Oil, and Organic Kiwi Seeds (for exfoliating).

The lip scrub is easy to use. Apply a small dab, gently work across lip surface, then rinse. Follow with Fern Girl Lip Conditioner.

The lip conditioners are available in a variety of scents/flavors. If you have a hard time narrowing down a favorite, you can chose 3 to try here. They are made with a combination of moisturizing, protective, vegan ingredients and pure essential oils.

Image credit: Fern Lily Girls at Etsy

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The products contain ingredients that help protect against premature aging. Polyphenols like those in the grape seed are powerful antioxidants that shield the skin from environmental eliminates – the sun, pollution, harsh weather. Perfect for protecting skin during the Winter.

My Caudalie Must Have Set
$68  ($121 value)

*1.6 oz Grape Water
*1.0 oz Beauty Elixir
*1.6 oz Instant Foaming Cleanser
*0.5 oz 1st Wrinkle Eye Cream
*0.33 oz Night Infusion Cream
*0.14 oz Lip Conditioner

All the products are made without any animal ingredients (vegan products), mineral oil, sodium laureth sulfate, parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, or phenoxyethanol.The Beauty Elixir and Grape Water are made without synthetic fragrances. The Beauty Elixir and Grape Water are made without Petro-Chemicals.

This kit ships free and users who tried it have rated it as worth 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Image credit: Sephora.com

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I was reading a column the other day where the author frowned on any use of faux fur. She felt that looking like you were wearing animal fur of any sort – even fake – was unsettling. I will admit that I am not a fan of certain types of faux fur.  I can’t explain exactly why, but wearing anything that is supposed to look like pony fur, for example, feels wrong to me personally. (Ponies? What’s next?  Faux puppy skin? Ick.).

Vegan, but not necessarily eco-friendly, faux fur is traditionally made from materials like acryllic or polyester.  At this point, I’d say the greenest way to go faux is to shop vintage. I’ll keep my eye out for more options to share in the future.  (If you know of eco-friendly faux fur choices, please share them with me!!) 

Here are a few cute vintage items that will add a warm, welcome boost to any cold weather blahs you may be experiencing.

60s Fabulous Faux Fur Coat
Found at Green Violet Vintage, Etsy
$80

Made of Lynx-look faux fur, this coat is lined with gold brocade and features a fancy, full-cut collar. It’s made by Russel Taylor and available in small, medium, and large. It’s noted as being in excellent condition.

Vintage Emanuel Ungaro Leopard Print Mini
Found at Stelma Designs
$40

Gorgeous couture mini in excellent vintage condition. What a fun piece to add to your wardrobe at only $40. Wow. It’s a size 8/42 petite.  Great choice to build a New Year’s Eve outfit around.

Take a look at Etsy and see what else you can find. I used “Faux Fur“, then “Vintage” as the keywords for my search.

Image credits: Green Violet Vintage and Stelma Designs at Etsy

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This year nails are worn a little longer and in a “squoval” shape. What is a “squoval”? It’s a square-ish nail with a rounded tip. It’s a more natural shape, it sort of mimics the tip of the finger. Go moderate in length to be most current – not too long, not too short.

Dashing Diva’s Manhattan Collection is a line of 3-Free nail enamels. That means that the enamel is free of Phthalate, Toluene, and Formaldehyde.

A new favorite of mine is the slate-colored, matte Astor Place. It’s a smooth gray color that looks great on short as well as long nails. Other colors of note include the matte green Grand Central Station, deepest crimson-colored Dark PR, another matte in a purple called City That Never Sleeps, or gold-flecked Golden Opportunity.

You can find Dashing Diva nail enamel online or at your local Dashing Diva nail salon.

Image credit: Dashing Diva

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Dahlia Boucle Ballet Flat
$24.99

Available in a purple wool-blend boucle. The upper is made of faux suede and the inside is soft jersey, with a recycled rubber bottom. There is also a matching handbag available.

Zoe&Zac Snapdragon Ballet Flat
$24.99

For those dreary days that leave you dreaming of Spring days….The Snapdragon Ballet Flat is lined with Organic cotton and has a recycled rubber bottom. Available in pink only.

Zac&Zoe Daisy Frayed Skimmer
$19.99

This one reminds me of a comfy flannel shirt, but it’s for your feet. Made with organic, recycled, and nickel-free materials.

Don’t forget Payless Shoe Sources’s popular BOGO sale. Buy one pair now and get the second pair for half price.

Image credit: Payless Shoe Source

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Chitin Dress
By Linda Loudermilk
$725

This dress is an onyx-black eco-silk, also known as “peace silk” chemise. I love the layered look and high neckline. With it’s beautiful sheen and sophisticated design, this dress is the perfect choice for any occasion that calls for a little black dress. It’s available in Misses sizes up to 16.

Wild Silk Wrap Dress
By Fin Oslo
$475

This wrap dress is made out of black wild hand-spun silk. I like the collar and the flutter sleeves. The full-skirt and soft draping make this a very flattering dress for many figure types. It’s available in sizes 34, 36, 28, 40, 42.

Sea Goddess Dress
By Chloe Angus
$279

I love this dress! I love the V-neckline, the high waistline, and the draping – very figure friendly. It’s made of Lyocell, which is derived from wood cellulose. It’s available in Ocean, Seagrass, or Slate in sizes up to 16. 

Image credit: Juno and Jove

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When you visit the Origins website, don’t forget to enter their Wake Up & Win Sweepstakes.

The grand prize includes:

*A 3-month supply of Origins New GinZing™ Refreshing eye cream to brighten and depuff
(A $29.50 suggested retail value)

* A $250 Origins gift certificate

* The illy Francis Francis X7 espresso machine and case of illy espresso capsules
(A $500 suggested retail value)

Nine additional winners will get 3 months worth of Origins New GinZing™ Refreshing eye cream, a $250 gift certificate, and illy coffee.

If you live near an Origins store, stop by for one of their free mini facials. Personalized treatments cover Age Preventing, Firming, Redness Relieving, Brightening, and Hydrating. Call your local location to secure your appointment.

Image credit: Origins

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Traditional haircolor contains ingredients like ammonia or PPD, which can damage hair (or possibly cause Cancer). Unlike Henna, which used to be the only choice in “natural” haircolor, it does not dull your hair.

ACT is safe for pregnant or nursing mothers, people who suffer from conditions like Lyme disease, or Cancer survivors.

It comes in a choice of 13 colors and you can find the haircolor at ACT Naturals and Whole Foods.

If you make a purchase between now and March 31, 2010, you can save 10% and a portion of the purchase price will go to The October Woman Foundation. Use the code OW10%OFF at checkout.

Imge credit: ACT Naturals

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The Fall Collection includes beautiful appliqued bags. Each piece an artist statement. Below you can find a few that I thought were especially cute. If you find something that you like, then use offer code DEAL25 at checkout to receive 25% off of your purchase price.

Autumn Leaves

The Autumn Leaves bag is available in two shoulder strap styles. One has a tote-bag look with a brown faux leather handle set in the middle of the bag. There’s also a bag that they are calling North South with a up and down rectangular shape and an additional zipper down the side. Both are made in a khaki canvas with a brown applique. 

Wavy Canvas

The Wavy Canvas bags are made of a quilted canvas. They are fully lined and the shoulder straps are made of PVC in either an orange or a dark brown. It comes in a tote or a large or small hobo bag. 

Image credit: Noah Hand Bags

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After much research, Alt found that the body absorbs 60% of what is placed upon the skin. She wanted to develop a healthier alternative to traditional skin care. RAW Essentials is the end result. The products are made with certified raw ingredients, they are vegan, and cruelty-free. They contain no petroleum, sulfates, detergents, parabens, synthetic preservatives, GMOs, artificial colors or fragrances.

RAW Essentials sent me a few of their items to sample for review. I tried the following products:

Raw-Juvenate Eye Recoup – Contains pure Aloe, Virgin Coconut Oil, Mushroom extract

Raw Vita Eye Serum- Contains pure Aloe, Tamanu Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil

Raw-Acivate Daily Revitaling Facial Moisturizer- Contains pure  Aloe, Tamanu Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, Citrus Oil

Raw-Finish Rigorous Face Scrub- Contains pure Aloe, Eucalyptus Leaf Oil, Sucrose Cocoate

Raw-Scue Night Restore Cream- Contains pure Aloe, Squalene, Virgin Coconut Oil, Licorice Root Extract

I liked all the products. I feel that they work well – gentle, but thorough. My favorite items would be the Eye Recoup and the Night Cream. The Eye Recoup felt cool on my skin, soothing.  I like that it can be used both under the eye and on the eyelid itself.  The Night Cream felt thick and moisturizing, but it was not greasy and my skin absorbed it completely.  I like that the RAW Essentials products are affordable and that they smell good.

The only problem that I had with the products is the packaging. The Eye Recoup dispenses too much at once, which can lead to waste. The Eye Serum has a metal ball and once you get it flowing, it works great, but you have to roll it over and over before any comes out.

You can learn more about RAW Essentials here.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

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