Best Fake Tan Ever!
I have finally found the most fantastic fake-tan. It is made by the organic skincare company, Lavera. Made with organic soy extracts, it is very creamy so spreads on very easily, so much so, you don’t need to mix it with moisturizer. The best thing is that it doesn’t have that awful smell that every single other self-tanner has, so it just feels although you a slathering yourself in a luxurious body creme. You need to wait a few hours for your tan to appear, but it will and without a streak in sight. Love Lavera!
www.lavera-usa.com
April 14th, 2008 at 3:42 am
I have not had the opportunity to try the Lavera fake-tan but I have fallen in love with the Aveda Sun Sourch self tanner.
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:29 am
Lavera is an awesome company. Their self tanner is amazing as are all of their skincare products. They also have a full men’s line and baby. Everything is 100% natural and organic. Their sunscreens are amazing, they do not cause breakouts. I use the basis line for sensitive skin. The makeup line is also flawless, try the transparent tinted moisturiser. It evens out your skin tones and leaves a light glow. The SPF 20 is a daily moisturiser as well as a sunscreen. The lipglosses are so light in color and the blue mascara is so cool with the grey blue eyeshadow. The colors are all very subtle and most are vegan products! I’m hooked.
April 26th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Lavera is quite a quality company. Their self-tanner is the same qaulity as Sisley in terms of creaminess and color–and without cehmicals.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:11 am
As a cancer survivor, and after my Mom died of cancer at age 56, after working for Revlon cosmetics for 20 years putting chemicals on women across the US, I researched the chemicals in everyday products and found out the dangers. I became involved with the Cancer PRevention Coalition, and give seminars to the public on awareness of avoidable risks of cancer from daily used environmental products. I hope to team up with you to help share this information. I found a 20 year old manufacturer of safe products called Neways Int., endorsed by the Cancer PRevention Coalition an Dr. Samuel S. Epstein
April 29th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
I tried to find the list of ingredients in the lavera line, going on their website, and emailing them directly. I have yet to receive a reply. Don’t you want to know what you are putting on your body beforehand? www.publicsright2know.org
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:33 pm
What have you all heard about the beauty line LUSH? They say they offer organic products but I am interested in what they are all about since they are in my Macy’s department store.
May 4th, 2008 at 12:29 am
HellO! I went to the lavera website, and I could not find the self tanner anywhere, am I missing it?
thanks! Where can I order it?
May 5th, 2008 at 12:05 am
I am investigating Lavera to find out if they still carry their self-tanner. I’ll let you all know as soon as possible. Fingers crossed as I haven’t found a better one!
May 6th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
We are currently out of stock of the Lavera Self Tanner. We will be back in stock next Tuesday. I will make it available on the website when it comes back in. You can also call me to check on status or for any ingredient questions you may have 1-877-528-3727 x707. Thanks so much to Sophie for the support!! Love your work!
May 9th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Lavera is a wonderful company. I have Celiac Disease plus many other allergies. They were wonderful about letting me know the ingredients in their products. You just have to call them. They will e-mail you the ingredient list the same day. If they are not busy, most likely it will be in minutes. I can’t say enough about this company. All of their products are exceptional. Their customer service is tops. When you speak to them it is a learning experience. I have not found one product I have not liked.
Thanks for your book and your website Sophie. I’m learning alot.
May 11th, 2008 at 1:46 am
I have still not heard back from Lavera on the list of all the inredients in their products, but they do have PEGS (no nos) and an explanation as to why they use them, but will be taking them out of the products. wondering why they have not been taken out already, many other companies do not have them in their lines. They are extremely expensive products and not for mainstream consumers. I will be going to the event on Tuesday in Beverly Hills, and hopefully will get more answers. They also will be demonstrating nail polish and I cannot understand how an acrylic ingredient is claimed to be non toxic.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Love the book and the website Sophie. I have been researching non-toxic deodorants and it is hard to find one that is effective. I am excited to try some of your favs. Question about the Tom’s of Maine deodorant, its my husbands fav too but the main ingredient is Propolyne Glycol so I have been trying to get him to switch…any thoughts from anyone? This can’t be a Gorgeously Green product with that nasty litte ingredient, right?
Keep up the great work!
May 15th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Lush is awesome, Megan, and lots of fun, but there are lots of SLSs and other yucky chemicals- despite their handcraftedness.
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I was also wondering about Lush. Which of their products have chemicals in it? Or do they not tell you? I bought a face bar and a moisturizing bar from them. Both contained nothing but natural oils and butters as far as I’m aware. I even steered clear of anything with glycerine in it because it can be so drying to my skin. Is there any tips on navigating through their product line so that I can find what is best for me?
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:40 am
I’ve found out that all the ingredients in Lavera products are shown on their british website (http://www.lavera.co.uk ). All you have to do is just find and check what you need. I hope it helps :).
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I’m 37 years old and just had my first child a little over a year ago. I’ve been trying to find a good firming body lotion that I could use on my thighs and tummy to give me a little extra confidence when I put on a swimsuit for the first time this year. When I searched for “body firming lotion” on the Lavera website, Body Lotion Peach Apricot comes up. Has anyone tried it? or does anyone know of another product that would be suitable/moderately priced for this kind of everyday use? I am also looking for recommendations on something to keep my mild adult onset acne under control if anyone has found anything safe that works. Thanks!
June 4th, 2008 at 1:27 am
propylene glycol is derived from propylene oxide, usually a petroleum product. On the US Dept. of Toxicology Reports on Carcinogens it is listed as a known carcinogen. Why put anti freeze on your skin when you know it is a known carcinogen. Polyethylene glycol still in many of the Lavera products. I finally read the list of ingredients, and although they are better than most on the market, they are expensive, and certainly not the best. I have been using Neways Int products for over 10 years and highly recommend them. Safe, healthy and affordable: www.ineways.com/positivehealthyliving
June 4th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
A note on deoderants - I’ve use Tom’s deoderant for a long time and just recently discovered that it has Propylene Glycol in it, which I didn’t know was unhealthy (before reading Gorgeously Green) so I’m going to see if Dr. Hauschka’s deoderant is safer. I’ve heard that Dr. Haushka has a body lotion that tones,(I think it’s the lemon one) so it might help with Dianne’s question on firming lotions. I don’t know for sure but it might be a place to start. I’ve tried their daily face care kit and love it. The St. Johns wort foot lotion doesn’t seem to be doing a lot of good for me though. However I have tried their Apricot and Sea Buckthorn shampoo and am getting great results! So far it has not turned my hair into a “haystack”. Thanks for the wealth of knowledge!
June 10th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
The Skin Deep website has been a great tool for me. If you’re trying to find out which deoderant is the safest, you can simply click on that category from their drop-down menus at the top of the page and then sort the list according to hazard ratings. I usually print off the pages for the 0-2 risk products (on recycled paper, of course)and then take this list shopping with me. I live in Memphis, TN and our choices here are extremely limited. I never know which product I’ll be able to find, so having the list with me helps me know what to look for. I’m trying a new line of products called HUGO Naturals. Their Vanilla & Sweet Orange Shampoo & Conditioner for Normal Hair smells so yummy and doesn’t dry my hair out at all. Jennifer, thank you for the tip on the Dr. Haushka lotion. I’m going to look into it.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I am half way through the book and I am horrified to learn so harmful chemicals are in the products I have used everyday for a long time. I also feel a little frustrated, I don’t want to spend tons of money trying to find the right face cream, hand lotion, shampoo and conditioner all over again. Plus my wonderful husband of 9 months has put us on a tight budget in order to save money for things like a down payment on a house or when we start having kids. Anyway needless to say it is not in the budget to purchase all new cosmetics and the like… Purchasing on line, through greener take s along time and can be even more expensive when you add shipping and handling to Canada. I want to to what is best for me and the planet Help!
June 12th, 2008 at 12:33 am
I have been trying to find a facial skin care product that is safe to use. But every one I have tried has made me break out, or maybe I’m breaking out and it’s not doing the trick. Does anyone know of any skin care line that can help with this?
June 12th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I tryed the self tanner and it worked great I love it so much thank you so much for the tip on that
June 19th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I receive by mail Isabella, a mail order catalog and they have lots of Lavera products. The email is IsabellaCatalog.com.
June 22nd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
For products that are safe and healthy and do not cause skin irritations, www.ineways.com/positivehealthyliving
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Does anyone know anything about Arbonne skin care products? They are expensive and claim to be “green” but I am not sure.
Thanks
June 25th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Arbonne products are expensive, many restrictions on how you advertise and do the business, no listing of ingredients, very difficult to get information. To learn more about chemicals in products you use daily visit, www.publicsright2know.org For free website, free signup and affordable products visit www.inewayws.com/positivehealthyliving,
July 9th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Arbonne has wonderful products. My family and I have been faithful users for 2 years. The products actually aren’t expensive when you get them at wholesale, and now you can even earn them at 80% off, which I have done several times. Arbonne also lists every ingredient of every product. If you have an ID and Pin number then you can get that info. It’s been my experience that Arbonne is a wonderful company that offers safe products.
July 26th, 2008 at 3:04 am
Melissa - One thing. One day. Start small, it will dominoe eventually. I find that in the winter I can wear true organic deodorant, but in the summer I go back to Degree. I will be trying Dr. Hauschka’s next week when I get a chance. I don’t feel bad as I know my head is in the right place and my one step will lend a foot and teh giant leap. last year I bought a Camry Hybrid. I recently purchased a compost for ourtisde but will be upgrading to the one on naturemill.com. I put a zucchini plant out front but still buy my salad from SAMs. I do the best I can for now and you can to. CHIN UP!
July 26th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
I just read the ingredients for Lavera Sunless Tan and Dihydroxy acetone is listed as one of the ingredients. I too noticed that the Tom’s of Main deodorant had Polyethylene Glycol. While I am enjoying reading Gorgeously Green, it just points out how difficult it is to get correct information and listing products to use that have ingredients the author is saying not to use, makes it all the more frustrating. The bottom line is read the ingredients yourself.
August 27th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Summer is arriving with a vengence in Africa - can anyone recommend a strong (ie High SPF) sunscreen that doesn’t contain a wholelot of nasties????
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:47 am
Sunbrero, by Neways is the best and safest sunscreen on the market. You can only buy it in Europe,that has stricter standards than the US does. I get it here in the US through my sponsor. It has none the nasties and all of the good, helthcom@aol.com
Its $25 a tube, 4oz, lasts a long time. Email if you are interested.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:50 am
Please read the labels on your Arbonne soaps, shampoos, masacara, other products- look for the ingredients cocoamide DEA, diethanolamine, TEA, triethanoline, polyethylene glycol peg, pg, propylene glycol, parabens, diazonol urea. Arbonne products are expensive even with the discount. www.publicsright2know.org
October 30th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Melissa - I totally understand your concern to find environmentally safe beauty products… I struggled with my skin (and finding safe products) for years until a couple of dermatologists told me that pure olive oil is one of the few things that have small enough molecules to truly penetrate deep into the skin… so, for the past few years this is what I have been using with great results:
Extra-virgin organic olive oil as moisturizer (I buy a big bottle from the grocery store and store it in the bathroom cabinet where it’s cool. (I usually add a drop of lavender or other essential oil in my hand before applying it to my face and neck). After 15 min or so I gently dab a tissue to absorb excess oil.
If you want to use a sunscreen, apply that on top). You can search a non-toxic one on Skin Deep - Cosmetic Database web-site or go to a local health store and read the ingredients.
If I want to use make-up, I use Afterglow minerals, but maybe you can find something non-toxic that is a bit less expensive (it’s not that bad, though..)
At night I remove makeup with olive oil and wipe with a cotton ball. Then I gently exfoliate with a clean, wet, warm face cloth all over my face and neck. Makes your skin glow!
Then I apply olive oil with essential oil again for the night.
Of course you can use other oils too, like apricot kernal, jojoba, etc, but it will be more expensive..
Once a week I do the AHA home treatment that Sophie writes in her book.
My skin is in better shape than ever and I’m in my early 30’s. Non-toxic skin care doesn’t have to be expensive! You just have to do your research, be creative and know that the truly non-toxic and most inexpensive products are often right in your kitchen cabinet!
As far as deodorant goes, I have been using deodorant crystals the past ten years. They work great and last forever…
Hope that helps!
Sofia
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I forgot… as a toner I use organic apple cider vinegar (a tablespoon or so) mixed with 10 tablespoons water. I wipe this mixture with a cotton ball over my face and store the rest of it in the refrigerator. It is PH-balancing and great for your skin (and hair too!)
Sofia