Showing posts with label cosmetics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cosmetics. Show all posts

02 March 2009

swallow it down

Many of you know that there was a day in the not-so-distant past when I put a ton of time and energy into starting a business. A retail business focusing on natural and organic bath, body and cosmetics. However, due to many contributing factors, that business never came to be. I have, however, harbored a lot of passion and attraction for this type of business. I really wish I could have done it three years back!

Which is why I'm both SUPER excited and not just a little jealous to tell others about a new retailer on the prowl. Housed in the still relatively new Ecotique on Grand Ave (right by the Lexington-end Caribou Coffee and the cutest little shoe shop called Shu), the Nature of Beauty has recently opened its doors. They're featuring cosmetics, skin care, hair care, baby and a number of other categories of product culled together with a firm adherence to some simple values: no bad for you ingredients, no animal testing, and a wonderful operational policy that keeps them greener than green. Primarily an e-tailer, they have an outpost in Ecotique - a great concept that allows for some physical presence without having to staff or stock an entire store. I won't say I didn't consider that very idea myself! It's a great way for a startup particularly to get going, economically and greenly (hmm, now I'm making up words too). I think it makes such sense for retailers to combine efforts when they can. Collaboration is my middle name!

I share this with you for a couple of reasons. One, I have a undying love for entrepreneurs, particularly women, and want to support their efforts. Sure, there are other places to buy these types of products but why not support the our local chicks if we can? Two, I can't help but support the foray into green business. This is the wave of our future and I'm BIG on it. Three, I'm all about providing information...and if that information just happens to intersect with someone getting their hands on a great new lipgloss, well, that is the burden I must carry.

Speaking of, I am dying to try this product: Lip Delivery Nutritional from Intelligent Nutrients. You remember our friend Horst? After divesting himself of the salons and the Aveda brand, he's still busy making fantastic products right here in MN. This one looks particularly num and, as the site alludes, when you think about how much lippie we consume (ick-worthy, yes, but where on earth did you think your lipgloss was running off to?), it makes an awful lot of sense to ensure it's made of things that won't do harm.

If that's not enough, there are a ton of resources to be found within their site. Check out the Press page, and blog. Thanks NOB! Can't wait to give this fresh sprout the ol' college try.

14 February 2009

pucker up

In honor of the holiday and, again, because of my feverish quest for all things springy, I had to mention the luscious lipgloss I scooped up recently.

To set the background on this, a few years ago I set out to put together a little retail shop featuring primarily organic and natural beauty, bath and similar girliesque products. And I road tested a LOT of stuff. One of my favorite finds at the time was a beautiful little pot of lipgloss from Lucy B. Cosmetics. Lucy B. specializes in using yummy botanicals and essential oils in the creation of a very well-edited line.

My first experience was Nudie, a most perfect pinky-brown gloss that smells like a sugary confection. I was in love. Then, just a week or so ago I snagged a little Lucy B. threesome with a fresh pot of Nudie, the clear and lovely Stung Lips Lemon Myrtle Lemonade Balm, and finally - the answer to my cabin fever - Pink Bikini. This is a very cheeky chicky pink balm, sheer but with just enough pink color to make me feel like I should be on a beach sipping something with an umbrella in it. So delicious. With a generous dose of my M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish (mine's called Petticoat; think shimmery pearly bronzer), I almost feel like I've had that sunny mid-winter break that I so desperately need. Shhhh...don't ruin my daydream.

Happy Valentine's Day. Mwwwwaaah!