Fashion, Evolved

Clairvoyant Beauty has something no other line of organic skincare has:  a pedigree.

Founder Lexie Masterson’s grandmother, a renowned southern beauty taught her everything she needed to know about keeping her face healthy and glowing for a lifetime.  At an early age, Masterson knew her grandmother’s all-natural secrets for taking care of her prized skin.

But her mother had her own type of  influence on Masterson:

“My mother back in the early 1970′s was one of the founding members of a group called Consumer Action Now in NYC – they were an organization that was there to draw attention to the evils of what is in all of our products.  Things like pollution, toxic chemicals in products in our bodies and food.  No one else was doing this at the time.  My brother and sister and I woke up one day and found wheat bread on the table and were shocked.  I remember my mother dragging me around to post fliers at grocery stores with warnings about products.  It basically started then when I was seven, and it’s been that way ever since.  Way before the “green movement” started.  I’m thrilled that more people are becoming aware of what they are eating and putting into their bodies.”

As she set out to create Clairvoyant Beauty products, Masterson designed her line to make the most of each woman’s potential, accentuating the beauty nature has given her rather than to ‘cover up’ any perceived flaws.

“I think some people may have a feeling that if it’s natural it’s not going to work.  They don’t realize that these herbs and flowers and fruits have amazing properties that heal.  People have been using these for thousands of years.  It helps your body heal itself, rather than just slopping some chemical on your face to treat the symptoms.  Our products go under your skin from the deepest layers and heal from the inside.  And because they’re all plant-based they are not harsh.  They work with your body’s natural processes.”

Indeed, Clairvoyant Beauty boasts an impressive line which is as effective as any high-end department store brand.  They combine all the luxury of a European-style apothecary with the goodness of organic, natural ingredients.

Additionally, Masterson donates a portion of her proceeds to The Rainforest Alliance, an organization near and dear to her heart.

Find Clairvoyant Beauty at their online store, or visit their Facebook Page to stay up on the company’s latest offerings.  The Clairvoyant team is extremely responsive and will be happy to answer any questions you have about their company or products.

My favorite Clairvoyant product?  Try the Depuffing Cucumber & Cranberry Eye Gel.   Particularly if you spend a lot of time on the computer like I do.

It feels like HEAVEN in a jar, people:

1. Beau Zen by Beau Soleil – $295

100% bamboo

2. Beat by Matt & Nat – $90

Black vegan leather wallet with 100% recycled brown nylon lining, tone on tone stitching and antique brass hardware. The Beat features zip around closure and comes with chain wristlet.

3.  Hannah Assymetric Sandal by Cride Coeur – $280

While maintaining a sexy and sleek fashion stance, they are constructed from an earth- and animal-friendly ultrasuede (made from recycled plastic), which makes any move in these sandals a step in a positive direction. Recycled ultra-suede upper, man-made sole.  Made in Portugal.

4.  Sukicolor Luscious Lips Berry Cream Trio- $28

The set includes two gorgeous shades that work on just about anyone (wineberry kiss + sugarberry pout), and multitask on both lips & cheeks; also added is a super emollient lip repair butter. The colors are full of natural pigment so you can use as little or as much as you like to get the look you want whether it’s a natural or dramatic flush for cheeks, or a slight stain, or full lip color.

5.  Spike by Hovey Lee - $32

Simple and stylish spiky textured brass earrings. A perfect balance of elegance and edginess. Made with reclaimed brass metal. Approx. 2″ long.

When most women can’t find a product that works for them, they embark on an endless search for the perfect solution by trying product after product which inevitably go to waste.  But Dannette Evans isn’t most women.  She decided that if she couldn’t find products that worked right, she’d just make her own–and Danni Davis Skin was born.

With a full line of natural, organic products for face, lips, body, feet and mind Danni David Skin is designed specifically to help a woman’s skin remain elastic, soft and youthful.  The company’s motto is:  Soft Skin is…beautiful, sexy & ageless.  But physical beauty is so much greater when it’s built on a foundation of good, and Dannette has made every effort to keep green practices in both her business and manufacturing including sourcing her ingredients as close to home as possible, using biodegradable packaging, and a recycling program for the glass containers and bottles her products come in.

Even better, Danni Davis Skin gives a portion of the proceeds of her sales to Kiva.org and Women For Women International.

Find out more about this exquisite line of beauty products on DanniDavisSkin.com.  You can also follow the company’s success on Twitter and Facebook.

Some of the most popular products include…

Gently buff your body with the fruits of pineapple, papaya, watermelon, lemon and orange. Benefit from the exfoliating effects of papain and bromelain. Pineapple contains the fruit enzyme ‘bromelain’ which is effective in exfoliating dead cells on the surface of the skin and also hydrolyze proteins. Papaya contains Vitamin A, a property that benefits skin repair through increasing the rate of new cell formation. Vitamin C is also an anti-oxidant with wonderful proteins for smoother, softer skin. The Watermelon extract, rich in Vitamin C and naturally occurring carbohydrates and amino acids. It supports the UV-stressed immune system of the skin and can be used to prevent photo-aging. This extract also helps to protect the skin from every day toxins and promotes cell-renewal.

Fashion used to be an art.  It used to be about detail, design and workmanship instead of just labels and marketing.  But in a race to make money and satiate stockholders, even the most sacred houses of high fashion have sold out.  Now, thanks to a valiant band of independent, earth-conscious designers the true spirit of fashion is being revived and celebrated around the world.

Amy DuFault knows eco-fashion.  She’s been the Fashion Editor at EcoSalon.com for almost two years.  At the same time, she started doing sample sales and trunk sales, taking collections from her designer friends on the road and selling in restaurants, galleries, yoga studios–almost anywhere she could get to buyers who had both a passion for the planet and a sweet miniskirt.  The response was phenomenal.  But last summer she and her friend Amanda Converse fell in love with a small retail space in Cape Cod. Four months later, Shift Boutique was born.

“I’m still wondering what I was thinking,” DuFault laughingly told me in an interview.  “We opened at the worst time ever.  Not only was the economy in bad shape but we live in a tourist destination and after summer the town gets really quiet.”

But DuFault is no shrinking organic violet.  “You cannot start a business and not understand that you’re going to work  your ass off,” she said determinedly.  “I refuse to hang my head and just ‘take it’ this winter.  We’re going to go back out on the road for trunk shows and work on building up our local business during the quiet months.”

Shift Boutique was born out of a spirit of collaboration.   At the grand opening more than 150 people showed up, including local musicians, artists, designers and retailers who love what these ladies are bringing to Cape Cod and work with them for events and shows to make Shift a true destination shop.   “The more you collaborate with people, the stronger you are,” DuFault told me, “That element of collaboration will always be a part of our business.”

Shopping for clothing at Shift is not like shopping in a big box store or a snooty department store.  It’s about meeting like-minded people, discovering beautiful garments that were designed with love, and investing in a lifestyle that is both stylish and conscious.

“I think Shift is a really cool place,” DuFault told me with pride in her voice, “Really interesting people walk through the door every single day.  Not only to they feel a connection to the clothes, they feel a connection to our space.  Amanda and I have carefully crafted our store and have picked only items we truly love to share with our customers.”

Experience Shift Boutique for yourself.  Visit their store at 535 South Street Hyannis, MA 02601, or shop their online offerings at www.ShiftBoutique.com.  You can also follow the news of Shift Boutique at their official Twitter account and via their Facebook Group.

Support the Planet.  Support the Passion.  Support the People who and sell eco-conscious clothing and accessories.

Photos compliments of Meaghann Kenney.

Factory Pant by Bahar Shahpar – $214

Rock your summer in these great linen pants. The oversized coconut button allows for wearing the pants rouched up on the side or you can go classic and leave the tab unbuttoned and the button is still visible.  Available in charcoal grey. 100% Linen, pockets lined with 100% Organic Cotton. Made in NY, USA of imported fabric.

Mali Amaryllis top by Ideo – $54

Summer top with beaded straps crossed on back. Banded waist for a blousy effect. 100% organic jersey cotton. Beads embroidered around neck and straps. AZO free dyes. 100% organic cotton, machine washable. Designed in Paris; ethically made in India.

Estelle by Bourgeois Boheme – $117

Loaded with pigment, these shimmer eye shadows give your eyes a gorgeous ‘pop’ without being over the top. With naturally occurring sunscreen, anti-inflammatory properties and a silky, weightless finish that’s perfect for day or night. Contains nothing but 100% pure, BDIH certified, luxurious mineral pigments.

NS1237 by Natalie Sergeant – $39

Earrings made of recycled brass, aluminum and bone.