Christopher Drummond: Very Vegan Beauty

We’re still gearing up for Earth Day on April 22 and we’re embracing all the shades of green (not grey…) in the spa industry, taking initiatives to take care of us and our planet. We recently featured some of Spa Week’s eco-spas and organic $50 spa treatments, but now we want to put the spotlight on a man who is saving the planet, one face at a time.

Mine included.

Celebrity makeup artist Christopher Drummond showcased his earth-friendly products and camera-friendly talents at our media party last week, so before I go on to tell you how vegan and tree-hugglingly awesome he is, let me tell you this: This man is exceptionally good at makeup. He did my makeup before I went on camera that night, and our producer said it looked more natural on camera than any of the past events! And I’ve gotten my makeup done every time.

Christopher Drummond developed an organic-based, all natural, vegan-approved, paraben-free make-up line. That’s a lot to say, but it says a lot about Christopher. There are a growing number of cosmetic companies with a vegan philosophy. Helping your skin without harming the environment is Christopher’s beauty mission. The makeup line is an alternative to traditional mineral makeup and will give you flawless looking skin that will actually improve your skin. It is non-drying, natural looking, and goes on gorgeous. Healthful ingredients such Brazilian acai, essential oils, cocoa butter and the mineral Zinc oxide are anti-aging, fight acne, and help improve dry skin. These natural ingredients make the products function not just as makeup, but also as treatment products.

In addition to his organic makeup, Christopher even created vegan approved, cruelty free makeup tools and professional brushes that are some of the best in the industry. The brushes are the perfect vehicle for his makeup and are sure to make anyone apply makeup like an expert. These brushes won’t have you wondering if there’s a squirrel in your make up bag.

Christopher Drummond's most popular brush: The Flat Brush

You may have also seen CDB featured recently on Dr. Oz, where health guru Kathy Freston shared her 10-minute all-natural beauty routine that will help you look 10 years younger. CDB is one of Kathy Freston’s “favorite makeup lines,” and she goes to the CDB Sol Bronzer to help her naturally look a decade younger. Kathy bronzed up Dr. Oz and we must say, you are simply glowing doctor. Click here to see the full segment.

Christopher loves being hands on – not just with makeup, but with his company, including marketing, PR and social media. “I don’t trust anyone!” he told me. He tweets himself and has a very personal edge when it comes to promoting himself and brand.

Another reason to love CDB?

Christopher Drummond Beauty is Giving Away $500 Worth of Cosmetics on spaweek.com!

April is Earth Spa-wareness Month

In anticipation of Earth Day on April 22, we want to pay even more tribute to our earth-friendly spas. We gave you Spa Week’s 7 Eco-Spas Keeping It Green, but there are plenty more of our spas doing good for the earth while they do good for you. Earth Day falls on the last day of the Spring Spa Week event, so what better way to take care of yourself and the earth than by planning yourself an Earth Spa Day!

Many of our spas offer organic products and treatments that utilize the purest ingredients to get you naturally beautiful. Certified organic products are made with ingredients that are grown free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified organisms. Organic products are especially good for those with sensitive skin, allergies, and for women who are pregnant. Additionally, while organic products are looking out for your health, they’re also not hurting our fragile ecosystem.

Check out just some of the organic $50 Earth Day-approved treatments our spas are offering next week, and see more here. After all, just like every week should be Spa Week (we hear ya!), every day should be Earth Day.

Urban Bliss Day Spa La Palma, CA

Urban Bliss is offering a 50 Min Emience Organic European Facial so you can relax in a dream like peaceful retreat for your mind, body, and spirit without a worry in the world.

The Raven Spa Los Angeles, CA

The Raven Spa wants to take you far, far away with a 50 Min Organic Facial with Hydrating Masque and Eye Creme Application in their atmosphere inspired by travels through the northern most jungles of Thailand, a journey through the Moroccan Desert, and the antiquated streets of Istanbul. Organic meets exotic luxury.

El Leon Spa Los Angeles CA

Designed to remove you from the complexities of modern life, El Leon Spa is a quick trip to the sands of Morocco. Let the 50 Min Organic Facial with Hydrating Masque and Eye Creme Application take you to a far away place. Voted Best Exotic Treatment Los Angeles Magazine.

Vered Salon Los Angeles CA

Vered Salon is a boutique style salon with personal flare. They are offering an Organic Color Root Touch Up with Haircut and Facial Threading get you ready to take on the world (without hurting it).

Carabella Cosmetics & Skin Care Chatsworth CA

Carabella is a luxury semi-private Eco Skin Salon, providing a complete line of both state of the art & organic/preservative-free skin care and facial treatments, body treatments, award-winning bikini and body waxing services, customized makeup lessons, lash services and even teeth whitening! Carabella’s 50 Min Organic Full Body Polish, Body Wrap and Facial Massage will make you feel comfortable, nurtured, pampered and best of all, see real results.

Daryl Christopher Waltham, MA

An Award Winning established Wellness Salon and Day Spa offering services with natural and organic products. Winner of “Best Facials,” “Best Day Spa,”"Best Colorists,” and “Best Stylists” awards from Boston Magazine.

  • 50 Min Swedish Relaxation Body Massage
  • 50 Min DC Signature Facial with the Award Winning Team from Newbury Street
  • Custom Single Process Hair Color with Selected Stylists

Albina’Spa New York, NY


Private, cozy spa located on the Upper East Side designed for you to slip into tranquil relaxation. Our teams of licensed professionals are trained in Russia, Europe and The United States and will provide you with expert services. They use organic products for treatments. At Albina’Spa you will not only rid yourself of the strains of the day, you will leave armed with the knowledge of how to better care for yourself.

  • 55 Min Massage of Choice with Aromatherapy
  • 55 Min European Deep Pore Cleansing Facial or Microdermabrasion with Anti-Aging Collagen Mask
  • Eyelash Extensions or Laser Pain-free Permanent Hair Reduction for Underarms

2nd Annual Earth Day Beauty Awards by HLS

Our Friday column writers over at Healing Lifestyles & Spas have awarded a brand new batch of eco-friendly, planet-approved products for their Second Annual Earth Day Beauty Awards.

The best in hair, face, body and cosmetics have been scrupulously examined. Only products that meet the highest standards (free of Parabens, phthalates, triclosan, or formaldehyde) make top marks. Make a change, look hot, save the planet—I’m sold. And hey, most of the products are AFFORDABLE! I know, we were pleasantly surprised, too.

And the 2011 winners are…

Best Shampoo: Desert Essence Organics Green Apple Ginger Shampoo


Best Facial Scrub: Collective Wellbeing Honey Buff (5.1 oz; $15)

Best Body Lotion: Acure Organics Cocoa Butter and CoQ10 Unscented Lotion (7 oz; $9.99)

Best Mascara: 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara in Black Tea ($18)

Continue on to see the full list of award-winning products HERE.

Linklove: Go Green with 10 Ways to Win an iPad

The iPad has not only revolutionized homes and businesses—it has helped revolutionize the way they go green. This recent Mashable article highlights iPad apps people and companies are using to manage energy usage and conduct environmental auditing, as well as reduce paper usage. Featured above is the Lutron Home Control+ iPad app, $19.99. For those of you who have an iPad or other type of tablet, how are you using it to live a more sustainable life?

In honor of Earth Day, step up to the environmental plate and treat yourself to that iPad you are coveting. If not for you, for Mother Earth. If it’s not quite in the budget right now, here are 10 (more) easy ways to win one.

1. Win an iPad on EForCity

2. Win 1 of 2 iPads from Scribendi

3. Win an iPad from I Could Use a Deal

4. Win an iPad2 from Dagmar Momsense

5. Like the PTS Multimedia Facebook Page and comment to win an iPad

6. Win an iPad2 from The Washington Examiner

7. Win an iPad2 on Blogelina

8. Win an iPad2 from 11 Alive Atlanta

9. Enter Discovery’s Deadliest Catch Giveaway for a chance to win an iPad

10. Enter the Fast Five Giveaway for a chance to win an iPad

Image via Mashable

Fight Pollution: Adopt a Super Plant

If you’re like me, Earth Day always reminds you of all the horrible things you are doing to the planet. I always feel so guilty when this beloved holiday comes around. I know I should be putting more effort into conservation. Isn’t there an easy way to make up for all of the paper I’ve wasted and Styrofoam cups I’ve tossed? Can I cancel out pollution?

Thanks to StumbleUpon, I learned you can cancel out (mollify) some airborne toxins by adopting a plant!  There are 3 toxins that are commonly found in the air we breathe everyday: Trichloroethylene, Formaldehyde and Benzene. Over a dozen different plants have the ability to combat these harmful gasses. Find out where these gaseous pollutants come from and which plant is best equipped to naturally fight for your health!

Trichloroethylene:

Side Effects: Can cause affects similar to alcohol poisoning: headache and dizziness, with long-term damage to the liver and kidneys. Common Sources: Varnishes (6), Inks (4), Paints (19), Lacquers (1), Dry Cleaning (5), Adhesives (1). If you ever find yourself pouring varnish and paint on your ex-boyfriend’s dry cleaning while you write him a break-up letter in fancy ink and glue it to his suit; your ex may not be the only thing affecting your brain and liver.

Super Plant: Werneckei (6), Chrysanthemum (4), Peace Lily (19), Marginata (1), Gerbera Daisy (5)

Formaldehyde:

Side Effects: A very common indoor pollutant; can cause headaches, watery eyes, and difficulty breathing and is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the EPA2; aka cancer causing!
Common Sources: Plywood (8), Clothes (9), Carpet (10), Particle Board (11), Paper Goods (12), Furniture (13), Foam Insulation (14), Water Repellent (15) and Household Cleaners (4). Basically, avoid elementary schools at all costs.

Super Plant: Dieffenbachia (8), Spider Plant (9), Golden Pathos (10), Philodendron (11), Corn Plant (12), Bamboo Palm (13), Azalea (14), Poinsettia (15) Chrysanthemum (4).

Benzene:

Side Effects: Can cause drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting and unconsciousness; has a pleasant smell, which is why it used to be a common ingredient in aftershave.3
Common Sources: Gasoline (1), Synthetic Fibers (2), Detergents (3), Plastics (4), Tobacco Smoke (7), and Oils (6). Heading over to Grandpa’s?  Make sure he puts out his pipe, stops doing the laundry full of ugly poly-blend Christmas sweaters and move the recycling in the garage with his collection of oil cans. (Anyone else’s Grand Pop a hoarder?)

Super Plant: Peace Lily (3), Jenny Craig (2), Chrysanthemum (4), Werneckei (6), English Ivy (7), and Marginata (1).

I don’t have a green thumb, but I’m pretty inspired by these 15 clever plants taking on some heavy duty poisons. Look for these plants next time you visit the spa/salon. Many products found in hair salons can contain traces of formaldehyde or benzene (like the popular Brazilian Blowout and other frizz eliminating treatments). Traditionally, spas aren’t known for harmful airborne chemicals, but they do use lots of paper goods like gauze and treatment table covers to stay sanitary between clients. Spas are also known for their beautiful decoration, like synthetic fabric curtains and drapes, fancy rugs and elegant furniture. Be aware of potential hazards. Don’t feel hopeless if you don’t see any green at your favorite spa or salon; make a suggestion to the owner to spruce up the place (pun intended).  Share your newly learned plant knowledge and I’m sure they will thank you for the suggestion. Happy Earth Day!


Sources 1, 2, 3 and plant guide courtesy of www.good.is.