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.

Can you imagine not shampooing your hair for over a month? As someone who washes every day, I can tell you my immediate answer would be a blaring NO WAY! But consider this: would you do it if the light at the end of the tunnel came in the form of a thicker, smoother, more lustrous and healthier head of hair? Jessica Simpson, Robert Pattinson, Prince Harry and many hair gurus including renowned hairstylist Guido Palau (whose father never washes his hair) are making waves in a growing movement called: The No Poo Movement.

Why? See, your body naturally produces oil to condition your hair and keep it healthy, which is why your hair gets greasy after a while. Using shampoo daily gets rid of the grease, but it shampoo strips the hair of sebum and nutrients needed to give us that healthy head of hair, and upsets the natural balance and causing you to produce more oil than necessary to compensate.

Also, some No Poo testers have taken on the challenge as a fight for the environment. With little incentive to recycle in America, billions of plastic shampoo bottles pile up as mountains of waste.

The No Poo Movement has picked up momentum slowly over the past couple of years, starting with this Glamour blog post about a recent NPR story, but it caught my attention the other day when I read about 50-year old W Magazine writer Christa D’Souza, who survived six weeks without shampoo. Dedicated to finishing the unbearable, in an effort to cover up what she describes as the ‘itchiness, greasiness, and matte halo of frizz’  she resorted to adopting two huge Pippi Longstocking-style braids as her everyday hairstyle. Through Bikram Yoga and world-traveling her experiment carried on—read her post for the full account and the various conclusions that washed up in the end.

Christa D'Souza after 6 weeks of No Poo

In true Spa Week Daily fashion, what sort of blogger would I be if I didn’t try this myself? I’m not thrilled about it whatsoever, but Candace has guilted me, saying I would be a cheater to blog this and NOT do it. So fine. Makeup Free Mondays did “change my life”, and after live-streaming everything from Vajazzling to Botox and lip plumping, this should be a breeze, right? I’m going to join the No Poo movement for one week, starting Monday. If things go well, I’ll hold out a little longer. Maybe 6 weeks, but don’t get your hopes up.

Who’s with me? I dare you! Comment below if you want to join me… it’ll be fun! I think.

READ THE ONE WEEK RECAP HERE!

The Little Luxury: Palmer’s Olive Oil Formula Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner

Relationship status: Curious George turned Popeye’s girlfriend

Like oil and water no more: I must admit I was a bit apprehensive of this product at first. In the past, I haven’t thought twice about putting avocado or tea tree oil (among other things) in my hair, but olive oil? To my surprise, the first thing I noticed was that the shampoo smelled great and the texture was perfect for getting my lather on.

Trifecta in action: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Hair Keratin Amino Acids and Vitamin E are the perfect trifecta for replenishing moisture and giving your scalp that squeaky clean feeling.

The bottle keeps its promise: Always leaves my hair soft, silky and shiny. For real.

Razor-friendly: Many shampoos are a good sub-in when you run out of shaving cream, but this one is especially good. So good you could probably just skip out on buying the shaving cream altogether.

Need to know: They don’t call it olive oil for nothing. If you normally wash your hair every day, there’s no problem. If you’re used to not washing your hair every day like me (I have thin brown hair), prepare to double up on your dry shampoo on your off days, as this tends to leave a somewhat heavy build up.

The price is right: They’re just $5.75 a piece. Feeling ready to dig for some oil? Visit Palmers.com for more information and where to buy.

Hot Stone Scale: 5 out of 6

This Little Luxury Report was brought to you by: Kelly Verdi

disclosure

It’s arguably the most beautiful time of year—illuminated homes, festive dining room tables, party attire to the nines, and holiday smiles everywhere to match. It’s a time when we look forward to the year that lies ahead, but also when everyone looks back on the memories and moments that defined the year that’s transpired.

It’s been quite a year for bloggers, gaining exponential editorial turf in every direction, quite notably in the realm of beauty. To celebrate, Spa Week Daily has teamed with Spa Boutique to create a high-value beauty and skin care gift basket to give away to the winner of this weekend’s contest.

TO ENTER: In the comments section below, tell us…

What was your favorite beauty blog post of 2009?

- Write the name of the blog

- Provide a link to the specific blog post

- Tell us why you loved it in 25 words or less.

THE PRIZE:

Dermalogica Limited Edition Body Therapy Favorites: A beautiful set with Dermalogica’s Conditioning Body Wash and Body Hydrating Cream. The rich, skin conditioning botanical cleanser for the entire body leaves skin soft and supple. The advanced body cream has hydroxy acids and essential plant oils to smooth and condition skin. Both smell wonderfully fresh. (retail cost $52.00, value of buying them individually $130)

Jane Iredale Limited Edition Sweet 15 Kit: To celebrate jane iredale’s 15th Anniversary, they released the Limited Edition Sweet 15 Kit that houses 15 PurePressed Eye Shadows, including seven new eye shadow shades, three PurePressed Blush and three Juts Kissed Lip Plumpers! (retail cost $89.00, value of buying the items individually $369)

Guinot Gift Bag: A beautiful, sparkling clutch full of Deluxe sample sizes of Guinot products: Age Logic Cellulaire (15ml), Longue Vie Vital Lip (5ml), Guinot Anti-Wrinkle Mask (15ml), Vital Body Care (30ml), Cleansing Water (100ml) ($125 value, the Guinot clutch is a gift that cannot be purchased)

Total gift basket value = $624.00

Winner will be chosen based on the blog post WE like the most, and we will inevitably take into consideration your reasons for loving it. As a bonus, the writer of the winning blog post will get a prize too– Spa Boutique will put together a custom little congratulatory package for blogger who’s post wins. Support your favorite beauty blogger!

You have until Sunday at 11:59 EST to submit your answers, winner will be announced Monday morning.

Spa Boutique in their own words: For the last 4 years Spa Boutique has been the online place for the best selection in quality, professional skin care brands. Carrying only the best such as Dermalogica, Guinot, YonKa, Jane Iredale, OPI, Zoya and more, you’ll never have to shop anywhere else for your beauty needs. Focusing on finding you the right products for your skin, they have many resources and ways to contact their fully trained staff. Gifts with Purchase and new brands are being added all the time so there’s always something new to see.

Want to win more more more? Don’t forget we’re giving away ALL 90 of THESE beauty products… and having the jane iredale ultimate guiltless pleasure Chocoholicks lip gloss sweeps… and Allure is giving away $260 of beauty products…  not to mention our Diamond Necklace sweeps… we’re just too nice. 

JACKPOT! This is one of our SPA WEEK® Monthly Giveaways. Who loves ya? (Keep reading…)

The Little Luxury: Redken’s new Body Full hair volumizing line

Relationship status: It’s only been official for two weeks.

Nickname: Bodylicious

I die: If you have hair as thin and frail as Rachel Zoe is, you’ll die too. My hair is thin, and this does the trick.

Line lowdown: The products are all programmed to give you volume, however too much product will definitely weigh you down. Pick and choose. The Volume Amplifier spray is better for when you’re scrunching, not blow drying. Beware of potential stiffness if you use too much. The shampoo and conditioner are both great because they give you volume without skimping on the moisture, and has both a shine and an Anti-Gravity Complex built in. For me, it’s all about the Weightlifter Root Lift Syling Treatment foam. It’s so light it doesn’t even feel like there is anything in your hair. Va va volume.

Does it do what it says it’ll do? For my baby fine hair, when used modestly, it gave me great volume and body without looking too overdone or feeling stiff.

Made to measure: Redken has always produced good results for my hair, but it’s like they designed a line just for me.

Advice for first time user: For the styling products, less is more. You don’t need more than a dollop to achieve results.

The cream of the crop foams to the top: The star product here is definitely the Weightlifter foam. No question.

Putting a price on it: About $50 for all 4 products– or less. Depending on how good of a Googler you are. Read about the full line at Redken.com

But I want it for FREE! What do you think we are, a fine-hair pity party? Okay FINE, you talked us into it. We’re giving away 10 sets this month! ENTER TO WIN

Hot Stone Scale: 5 out of 6

This Little Luxury Report was brought to you by: Kaitlin Stafford