Beauty

That bottle of celebrity-endorsed designer perfume you got at the department store may certainly smell sweet, but the fact that it’s full of synthetic petrochemicals kind of stinks. Yes, the fine art of perfumery has largely been taken over by cheaper-to-produce lab-faked fragrances, offering questionable chemical consequences with each aromatic inhalation.

Fortunately, there are still some natural perfumeries that create olfactory magic the old fashioned way, with distilled botanicals, essential oils, floral waters and other organic ingredients expertly blended into alluring potions. Extracting, infusing and combining essences from nature’s bounty is a complex, time consuming process but the end results can be divine – and certainly better than a nose full of coal tar.

To be fair, even natural perfumes can trigger sensitivities in some people as allergens can be found in the garden as well as the test tube. So have some common sense about the scents you choose, but with an array of organic options you’re bound to find a signature fragrance that speaks to you.

The scent you choose can be a subtle yet powerful part of your self-expression. It adds to your style, reflects your personality and enhances your sensuality. Your daytime fragrance might exude a light, fresh, confident air while a nighttime scent might convey a warm, spicy, sultry vibe. Some prefer feminine floral notes, while others are drawn to citrus or earthy tones. Perfume, eau de parfum, cologne and scented oil products come in different concentrations, price points and applications from spritz to roll-on.

Get a whiff of some of our favorite natural perfumes at Saffron Rouge.

One of our latest lines is Honoré des Près from Paris, where they know a thing or two about perfume. These enchanting ECOCERT certified organic scents were designed by the legendary Olivia Giacobetti, one of the world’s most respected fragrance composers committed to phthalate and cruelty-free practices. The I Love NY Eau de Parfum collection is a particularly eclectic marriage of refined Parisian couture and sassy New York attitude, served up in a quirky coffee cup package. Unexpected concoctions include sexy Vamp à NY which blends tuberose and rum, optimistic Love Coconut, which mixes coconut milk and coriander leaf, and joyful Love les Carottes, a delightfully unique orange, vanilla, iris and, yes, carrot-based fragrance. You have to smell it to believe it.

Another exotic natural perfume line we carry is red flower, which produces scented products and skin care based on the principles of world traditions, sustainable sourcing, well-being and aesthetics. The company procures unusual, preferably certified organic botanicals from around the world for their pure flower and herb distillations. Guaiac, named for the South American tree of life, is woodsy with citrus notes plus a touch of leather and tobacco. Champa is a fruity, floral, feminine fragrance. Ambrette is a sophisticated, spicy, earthy musk topped with a sprinkling of fresh herbs. These scents are available in perfume concentrates or handy no-spill roll-on bottles.

Tallulah Jane creates fun, sassy, whimsical fragrances with personality, artfully blended with botanical essences, wild-crafted oils and natural balsams in an organic jojoba or grape alcohol base. These vintage scents are hand poured in small batches the old fashioned way, but with a bold, modern sensibility. A line of body oil, perfume and eau de parfum options are available, including chic and sexy Gotham, elegant wild-flower infused Leotie and delicious signature blend Tallulah. These natural scents evolve over time on your skin, expressing different layers, notes and facets as mysteriously complex as you.

I’m going to be perfectly honest – my hair is a major factor in my daily self-esteem level. I could be decked out in a designer outfit and have my makeup applied by Bobbi Brown herself and still feel like hiding out at home thanks to frizzy hair. Because of this hair-dependence, I’ve become a master at making my style last for as long as possible. My secret weapon? A fantastic blow out.

Whether you’re practically a pro with a round brush and blow dryer in your bathroom, or you require regular visits to a true salon professional, a good blow out is an investment in time and money. It only makes sense to safeguard that investment. And by prolonging the time between blow outs, you’re eliminating the consistent stress and potential over-heating that daily styling can cause on your strands. Follow these quick tips to make the most of a good blow out.

Choose the Right Tools

Girl getting hair cut at a salonAn ionic hair dryer and a round natural bristle brush are essential in getting (and keeping) a great blow out. Ionic hair dryers are the gold standard in salons, and they’ve become more accessible and affordable for the rest of us.

What’s so great about ionic dryers? They don’t strip the hair of moisture during the drying process. Instead, ceramic heaters negatively charge to break down water molecules.

This technology allows you to dry your hair faster while maintaining its strength and shine. A natural bristle brush (like boar bristle) straightens and smoothes strands without snagging or tearing them.

Use as few products as possible (straightening lotion, sprays, etc) on your finished blow out. The more product you put into your hair, the more likely it is that your locks will attract dirt. You could end up with a very greasy scalp after just a day or two.

Hands Off

Avoid touching your hair and scalp. Every time you twirl, flip, or play with your hair, you’re drawing dirt from the air and natural oils from your fingertips right to your scalp.

You should also avoid pulling your hair back very tightly in either a headband or a ponytail holder. Doing so increases the likelihood of bumps, waves and lumps ocurring in your hair – not good come day two or three! Cut down on snarls while you sleep by resting your head on a satin pillowcase. A satin case has just enough “slip” to it to keep you from waking up with knots and frizz.

Touch Up As Needed

You may wake up the day or two after a blow out and need to do some minor touching up. The two spots that will most likely need a little maintenance are across the top layers of your hair and along your neckline.

Don’t worry if you have a little bit of frizz or if your part has fallen flat. Reach for your flat iron to set your hair straight where needed.

If you’ve got a touch of frizz, mist lightly with water and blow dry. If you notice a touch of greasiness along your scalp, hit it with a little bit of dry shampoo. There are lots of great formulas of dry shampoo on the market, both in aerosol and non-aerosol formulas.

Style Accordingly

The first and second days after a blow out are naturally the best times for you to wear your hair down and loose. On day three, try a half-up half down style. It’ll make the most of the straightness that a blow out can achieve while masking roots that may begin falling flat. On day four, make the most of the texture of your hair to create a sophisticated ponytail or a fun up-do

Besides fancy shoes and designer handbags, one of the best accessories a girl can have is chic and stylish hair. Whether it’s short or long, a hairstyle says a great deal about a woman and it’s one of the first features we notice when we first meet someone. Some women use their hair to make a statement while others simply just want to look good!

Short Hairstyles

The beauty of having a short haircut is that it can be sleek, sexy, professional, dressed up, or dressed down. Not to mention that it’s a huge timesaver because short hair doesn’t take very long to wash and style. Pictured to the left is Eva Longoria at the 2008 Emmy Awards with a slicked-back short hairstyle that probably took 15 minutes to create!

There once was a time when a short bob was just a cute hairstyle, but in recent years Victoria Beckham along with Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour, have turned the bob into their signature cut – and many women have followed suit. Katie Holmes has been seen sporting a jaw-length bob which makes her look very classic and chic. It’s is a very versatile hairstyle and is especially suited for women who don’t want to fuss around with their hair. It also looks best with straight hair, although it can look good when you add little curls with a curling iron.

The bob hairstyle looks especially stylish when your hair has volume and that extra bounce. Try putting your hair in big rollers to add some fullness. If your hair is a little wavy, you can blow-dry it straight or use a flat iron to tame any frizziness.

Another short hairstyle that will turn heads is the dramatic sleek and short hairstyle. This is one of those hairstyles that is very, very easy to wear. You could literally wake up, roll out of bed, and not even have to fix or comb your hair. Singer Rihanna (pictured above right) gives us the very sleek look with her short-short haircut while model Agyness Deyn (pictured above left) offers a tousled look during the Anna Sui Spring 2009 runway show.

You can create this sleek and short hairstyle on your own by applying a mousse or gel throughout the hair. Next, blow-dry the hair using a large round brush, pulling all the layers under and down. To add the extra smooth finish, run sections of bangs through a flat iron and finish off the look with hair spray.

Long Hairstyles

Although long hairstyles require more time and effort to maintain, there are so many styling options available for long hair. Long hairstyles can be worn as curls, waves, or different textures. You can wear long hair up in a ponytail, wear it wavy or curly, or get that luscious and glamorous Victoria’s Secret model hair that’s bouncy and full of volume!

A very classic look for long hair is the straight and layered look which we’ve seen on celebrity models like Kimora Lee Simmons (pictured to the left), Heidi Klum, and Gisele Bundchen. With or without bangs, this hairstyle can be worn casually with jeans and a t-shirt or with an evening dress for a night on the town. This is a type of long hairstyle that could look good on many facial shapes.

To keep long hair looking sleek and straight, use a ceramic flat iron throughout the hair. However, the beauty of a flat iron is that you can create different looks with it! Remember that when you do use a flat iron, always use products that contain thermal protection ingredients to help prevent heat damage.

Long, soft, and wavy hair is just as classic as the straight and layered hairstyle and gives off an aura of carefree sensibility perfect for those who enjoy that bohemian look. If your hair is naturally wavy you can accentuate it with gel or mousse so it doesn’t frizz out. If you have thick, course hair a wavy hairstyle can offer an alluring and sexy look.

To give your hair those sexy, beachy waves, first you’ll want to blowdry your hair straight. Next, separate your hair into 3-4 sections. With a wide-barrel curling iron, wrap each section. Then roll curl and bobby pin each section close to the scalp. Once the pinned curls have cooled, take them down and separate the curls using your fingers. To add shine you can spritz the curls with a serum and set them with hairspray.

No matter what length your hairstyle is, I’m sure we can all agree that taking care of your hair through the use of the right hair products and styling tools is very important!

If there’s one thing that makes us pout it’s dry, chapped lips. The cold winter air can really do a number on this thin, delicate skin causing it to be tight and flaky, and sometimes cracked to the point of bleeding. Of course, that unconscious compulsion to lick them moist only aggravates the problem.

But here’s something to smile about. Saffron Rouge carries a number of special balms, butters and treatments that can help your keep your kisser in smooch-worthy condition.

European line ilike makes some deliciously effective Lip Balms specially formulated to prevent and combat chap challenges. These nourishing, hydrating pots come in lemon, mint and cinnamon varieties and deliver a refreshing tingle along with a softening blend of shea butter, beeswax and herbal oils. The cinnamon one, in particular, gets the circulation going that you might notice a slight plumping effect on your lips as it warms, soothes and heals.

There are times when you might not want a hint of flavor or fragrance on your lips. In that case, Dr. Bronner’s Naked Lip Balm is the stick for you. This affordable balm is made from an organic blend of jojoba, avocado and hemp oils. It forms a protective barrier against the elements and infuses your lips with pure unscented softness.

Want a hint of color while taking care of your luscious lips? Try Alima Pure’s Nourishing Tinted Lip Balm which comes in a range of subtle shimmering shades like Acai, Rhubarb and Holly Berry. You’ll love how these organic lip tints deliver a tingly zing along with a surge of moisture, so it feels as good as it looks.

Here’s a versatile option combining balm and bling – Badger’s Lip Tint Shimmer Stick is like two products in one. The double-ended barrel has a pretty tint on one side and a subtle opal shimmer on the other, with both sides providing a moisturizing base of cocoa butter, aloe, rose hip and olive oil. This well-priced stick comes in four shades and is one of our most popular lip products.

If your lips are already passed the point where a layer of balm will smooth things over, you might want to try Suki’s Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser To-Go. This gentle granular scrub is primarily for the face and body, but is particularly beneficial for buffing away dry flakes of skin on the lips as well. Suki also makes a Lip Repair Butter that is formulated to help heal and protect lips. It has a rather waxy matte finish and may take a little getting used to if glossier lip slicks are your norm. Give it a try and see how the jojoba oil, vitamin E and chamomile reduce the chaffing.

Lip lickers should note that while the all-natural ingredients and mouthwatering flavors in these products are perfectly safe to ingest, make an effort to curb that drying, damaging habit.

When people first make the conscientious switch to natural shampoos, they often lament the lack of lather on their locks. After years of dousing hair in a fragrant froth of bubbles, they tend to equate suds with effectiveness – but actually foam is not an essential component to cleansing.

That lather we have grown to expect in our shampoos is usually produced by synthetic petrochemical agents such as sodium lauryl sulphate – the same nasty stuff used in commercial floor cleaners. The cumulative consequences of daily exposure to these chemicals are hard to quantify, but they can certainly enter the bloodstream through our porous scalps, cause irritations and allergic reactions and are pretty harsh substances to let flow down the drain.

But let’s not get on a soap box about the environmental/health hazards of these objectionable ingredients here. This post’s focus is more about the do than the don’t. While we all want to be kind to the earth, we would rather not have this noble philosophy doom us to perpetually bad hair days, right?

The awkward truth is, many natural and organic shampoo formulations do take a little getting used to. There’s often a short transition period where your hair might seem a bit flat, dull or lackluster as it weans off its familiar chemical bath. Some note their tresses seem a tad greasy during this adjustment phase. This is because conventional shampoos that work by stripping the sebaceous oil from your hair and scalp actually trigger your head to produce more oil, setting off a vicious circle. Years of striving for “squeaky clean” locks has actually been perpetuating the problem, so understandably it takes some time to break this pattern and get your body’s natural oil production in balance.

The botanical ingredients in natural shampoos wash away dirt, flakes and grease without this stripping, drying, damaging extreme. After all, a little oil is necessary to maintain shine, bounce, elasticity and manageability. Be patient as your hair adjusts to this new healthier approach to cleanliness.

On a related note, it often takes a few washes to breakdown and detoxify your hair from the residue left over from previous product usage. You might need a special clarifying rinse like John Master’s Herbal Cider Hair Rinse Clarifier to eliminate this buildup before the natural shampoo can begin to work effectively.

Some people use an excessive dose of natural shampoo in a mistaken attempt to generate that familiar halo of bubbles. Then they complain that they run out of the product too soon and balk that the “green” brands are too pricey. But if you stick to the recommended quarter-sized dollop (or whatever the label dictates) you should find a bottle lasts a long time and is actually good value on a cost per usage basis. The trick is to wet your hair thoroughly before applying the shampoo, then massage it into the scalp for a good minute or two, really working it in there. The agitation of your finger pads along with ingredients in the formula are what clean and nourish your hair, not the lather.

A second shampooing can really make a difference in the cleanliness and effectiveness of the wash, so if they say rinse and repeat, do so. Speaking of rinsing, hard water minerals coming out your taps is more often to blame for flat, lifeless hair than the shampoo you use. Try using purified or distilled water as a final splash, and cap off your shower with a blast of cold water to help seal your cuticles.

So go on and get over your misguided desire for soapy suds. Once you persevere through the first few washes, your crowning glory will start to adapt, benefit and thrive from the wonderful pure ingredients in these natural shampoos. Here are a few recommended products:

Nourishing Shampoo by Living Nature gets its gentle natural lathering action from kumerahou, a remarkable indigenous plant from New Zealand.

Organic Herbal Shampoo by Dr. Alkaitis blends aloe vera gel, coconut oil, grapefruit seed extract and other botanicals to stimulate the scalp and nourish the hair.

Rahua Voluminous Shampoo by Amazon Beauty smells as good as it works, combining potent ingredients from the South American rainforest along with lemongrass, lavender and green tea for a refreshing clean that thickens without drying.