Pantene launches natureFUSION line

Jumping on the eco-friendly bandwagon, haircare giant Pantene released its new natureFUSION Pro-V Moisture Balance and Smooth Vitality shampoos and conditioners with natural ingredients like aloe vera and cassia.

Though the products contain relatively low-level chemicals, there are still a few like methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone, both of which received a ranking of 6 out of 10 in toxicity by the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. 

The natural (or what's considered natural by industry standards) products are to help hair maintain shine and strength and protect against damage. 

Colorful assortment of Halloween shoes @ Goodwill

A photo montage dedicated to the lives of the creatively fascinating pairs of shoes living in their natural habitat inside the blue bins at the local Goodwill thrift store. These shoes translated into Halloween attire though we know we would wear them on the regular.

Bleaching creams still on store shelves

While visiting my sister in small-town Wisconsin where Wal-Mart reigns supreme in retail shopping, I found boxes of bleaching creams only in the section for beauty products for women of color.

Of course, we can go into the racial division of beauty products, but it really touches on the racial consumerism where women with darker pigmentation are told by companies the goal of lighter skin can be reached with the contents inside a little box that costs $5 or less.

Years ago, during my freshwoman year of college, I wrote an essay about black women and the chemical punishments of beauty which included bleaching creams. I guess after I wrote the essay I thought these types of harmful products, which contain dangerous chemicals such as hydroquinone and mercury, magically fell off shelves. 

It's simply devastating to see such products targeting specific women in the aisle of a friendly department store. Beauty should be taking care what you have instead of haphazardly metamorphosing your body.

Eco-fashion makes strides @ NYFW 2011

Model at Mara Hoffman Summer 2012
show at NYFW 2011 (Image:
ecouterre.com).

The leading eco-fashion online publication, Ecouterre, always has the best coverage on eco-fashion designers and trends at the annual New York Fashion Week 2011. 

Check out the latest news here.

Fashion's Night Out 2011 Sacramento

Attending the Fashion's Night Out event at Arden Fair Mall in Sacramento last night kicked off my weekend-long birthday festivities. 

The exclusive love fashion. give hope. show headlined the event with different looks for women, men, and children. Since me and my girl were broke, we stood on the sidelines with others, but we still got a peek of the fall fashions. 

In stores like Bebe and Express, deejays blasted the latest hits, models sashayed down the aisles, and overdressed employees served fruity drinks. 

It honestly seemed fancy for suburban standards, so we had fun with the extra injection of fashion on an average Thursday night at the local mall.

Lauren Conrad attends
FNO in Los Angeles
at Nordstrom
(Image: people.com).

Nicole Richie attends
FNO in Los Angeles at
Beverly Center Mall
(Image: people.com).

Fashion's Night Out tonight only!

FNO Tote Bag, $50,
fashionsnightout.com.

Celebrating its third year, Fashion's Night Out is an after-hours party at shopping centers around the world. Expect fall preview fashion shows, parties, and other treats at your local boutiques and shops.

Created in 2009, American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the city of New York wanted FNO to become a worldwide initiative to boost the economy, restore consumer confidence, and make shopping enjoyable again. 

At most locations, the hours will start at 6 p.m. For more info, head to the official website or follow on Twitter with #FNO.

Kardashian Kollection hits Sears stores

The Kardashian sisters officially launched their clothing line at Sears stores this week. 

Though it's not exactly eco-fashion, it gets an honorable mention due to its variety of using leopard print, which I absolutely love for every occasion.

Most of the attire is made from synthetic fabrics such as polyester and elastane, but some items have the leather look without the leather like these hot leggings. 

Save 30% on all items until Saturday online and in-store. 

CoverGirl NatureLuxe line contains parabens

Commercials of songstress Taylor Swift applying NatureLuxe mascara by CoverGirl have dominated the TV screen lately, but with the mention of natural ingredients, is it really natural?

From the ingredient list, the answer is no. It's a marketing tool to say keywords like "honey" and "beeswax" to convince consumers the product is natural therefore implying it's also eco-friendly and healthy. 

But a touch of honey and beeswax doesn't mask the parabens in the mascara. The product contains ethylparaben and methylparaben, both chemicals considered endocrine disruptors by the Environmental Working Group.

CoverGirl revealed other products such as foundation and gloss balm under the line which also contain natural ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil. The foundation doesn't contain harmful chemicals, but the lip gloss contains octinoxate, a low-level endocrine disruptor. The NatureLuxe Collection still ranks better than most mainstream cosmetics since it does contain various natural ingredients. 

Though the chemicals create a low risk, some women may experience major health issues depending on other factors such as lifestyle and genetics, and the problems usually start with their cosmetics.