Natural Beauty

Body Oil
by Valerie Gladstone
For those who don't want to make their own body oil, there are certainly a number of good ones on the market. Here are some of my friends' favorites:...READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (9)

Learning Your Bad Skin Habits
by Valerie Gladstone
We've all found that cosmetics usually won't do the trick when our skin looks bad. But how many of us examine how we may be contributing to the problem? No...READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (4)

New Hair-Straightening Formula--Danger! Beware!
by Valerie Gladstone
Over the past year, a new hair-straightening product has been--excuse the pun--making waves across the country. Developed in Brazil, it promises glossy, sleek but voluminous hair, even for color- treated...READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (69)

Green Cosmetic Shopping at Whole Foods
by Valerie Gladstone
I didn't quite believe it when a friend referred to Whole Foods as the Sephora of natural beauty (actually Sephora is full of natural beauty products so....) because I thought,...READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (5)

Beauty Trends from the Fashion Runways of New York, Milan, and Paris
by Valerie Gladstone
Certainly not for everyone but hey, it's good to know what's out there:...READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (3)

Plastic Surgery: The New Makeover
by Valerie Gladstone
Plastic surgery has become the new makeover of choice for thousands of American women, rich and not so rich. In the past 5 years with the advent of reality shows...READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (3)

The Luxurious Medicure
by Valerie Gladstone
The French have done it again. While we have been spending our time irritated after discovering that soon after spending $25 or more for a pedicure our heels quickly peel...READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (1)

Laser Hair Removal
by Valerie Gladstone
A friend recently came to me asking about laser hair removal, discouraged by the ineffectiveness of waxing, shaving, and depilatories. I didn't know about it first hand but did some...READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (1)

Hair Therapy for Coarse Hair
by Valerie Gladstone
Ellin LaVar runs one of the top salons in New York, drawing clients the likes of Iman, Oprah Winfrey, and Serena Williams. And no wonder. Among her many talents, she...READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (1)

Eyebrow Threading (Not Knitting)
by Valerie Gladstone
I am perfectly happy with plucking my eyebrows, but more and more of my friends are having theirs threaded, a depilation technique that originated in India and is also widely...READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (1)

Choosing Products That Are Kind to Both You and the Earth
by Valerie Gladstone
Here's a list to start you off: Lips Many lip products are petroleum-based, which depletes a non-renewable resource, and petrolatum can cause allergic reactions. Avoid potentially hormone-disrupting benzophenone compounds in...READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (1)

Smoother Underarms
by Valerie Gladstone
After awhile, shaving under your arms can cause redness, inflammation, and itching. But now a new antiperspirant called Dove Pro Age ($4 at drugstores) has been developed that is just...READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (2)

Lip Balms
by Valerie Gladstone
I like lip balms year round--for the slight color they give my lips, their softening effects, and their wonderful scents. Though I'm a fan, I'd hardly call myself an addict,...READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (3)

Aromatherapy and Menstrual Cramps
by Valerie Gladstone
I've known sweet smells calmed and soothed me since I was a little girl. My grandmother wore wonderful scents that only increased the pleasure I got from being around her....READ MORE  |  COMMENTS (1)