Livia Firth, film director, wife of actor Colin Firth and huge fan of all things ethical, organic and recycled, speaks of her delight of finding that Animal Tails beautiful and ethical Kids T-shirts are in the Oscar goody bags.

Visit Vogue’s website where Livia writes her ethical and green fashion blog to read more, and see pictures of Livia’s beautiful Oscar gown made entirely from recycled fabrics.

Animal Tails is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

In a bid to present the Oscars as environmentally and ethically concious; A-Lister gift bags will contain a high percentage of organic and ethical gifts.

With so many celebrities with young children, gifts for children feature highly and Animal Tails beautiful organic and ethical T-shirts have been selected as the T-shirts that encompass all the messages that the Oscars want to promote.

Visit Animal Tails to discover this new and exciting British brand.

Animal Tails is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Suvarna sell 100% natural hair dyes which give lovely natural colours.  They are much safer and healthier – for your body and the environment – than the standard commercial chemical dyes.

Logona Natural Hair Dyes contain henna and other natural plant ingredients such as indigo, hibiscus and walnut shells. They feel nice to use and don’t have a strong chemical smell. They give a subtle natural-looking tint to your hair whilst improving the condition of your hair, increasing volume and shine.

Aubrey Organics hair dyes are similar to Logona. They are based on henna and indigo and they also give a lovely condition to your hair.

Palette by Nature Hair Dyes contain 100% natural and 50% organic ingredients.  In general they are more potent than the Logona and Aubrey hair dyes and give stronger colours and better coverage on grey hair.

At Suvarna we offer advice on choosing the right hair dye for you – contact us here or call 01695 728286

The Hazards of Conventional Chemical Hair Dyes
Conventional chemical based hair dyes contain highly toxic ingredients which can have very severe reactions such as rashes, burning swelling of face and neck and some reactions can be so severe that it requires hospital treatment and steroids, injections etc.  A bad reaction to hair dyes can happen suddenly even after someone has been dying their hair for 20 years and not had any previous history of allergies.

 p-Phenylenediamine (PPD)
p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) is the most common ingredient in hair dyes to cause allergic reactionsIt is a sensitizer that can instigate immune system response that can include itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin. p-Phenylenediamine is a suspected carcinogen and mutagen.  PPD can also be known as phenylenediame, phenylenediame dihydrochloride or benzenediamine dihydrochloride or aminoaniline dihydrochloride.

Ammonia is used to open up the cuticle and allow the p-Phenylenediamine based dye to penetrate the hair shaft. In high enough concentration this can irritate the skin and damage your hair.

Other Toxic chemicals in hair dyes are Peroxide, Parabens, Resorcinol and Propylene glycol

BEWARE Of Some So-Called Natural Hair Dyes
Even some natural hair dyes which claim to be natural and are sold in health food shops or Asian shops can still contain chemicals such as PPD.  Before using a so-called natural hair dye always study the full ingredients list very carefully.

For more information visit our website http://www.suvarna.co.uk/natural-hair-dye.html

Suvarna is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Shockingly, make-up is most likely to contain at least one, or a combination, of these highly toxic, skin destroying chemicals; Mercury, Bismuth Oxychloride, Phthalates, Parabens, Carcinogens and even Carmine – crushed beetles! 

For flawless skin use Green People’s new certified organic mineral make-up.  A luxurious collection of nine natural make-up essentials that are like ‘organic food for your skin,’ feeding it the purest quality blend of mineral pigments, plant extracts and natural ingredients like Beeswax and Cupuaçu Butter to nourish, protect and energise your skin.  

Certified organic by Ecocert, you won’t find any chemical nasties in this pure, gentle collection which is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin and those prone to acne, eczema, psoriasis or rosacea.

Charlotte Vohtz, Founder, Green People says, “Our skin deals with up to 515 different chemicals every day – foundation alone can harbour 24 independent chemicals.  This toxic way of living can cause problems from skin irritations and allergies to fertility issues and links to cancer. Our new collection offers an organic alternative with all the added benefits from mineral make-up including non-pore clogging and full, natural coverage without the chemical cocktail!”

Nude Concealer, £12.99 – does not clog pores and made without Parabens, Petrochemicals, Phthalates and synthetic colourants to bring you the purest concealer nature can offer.   

 Pressed Mineral Powder, £19.99 – 3-in-1 foundation, powder and SPF 15 sunscreen seamlessly blends without clogging pores. Sits on the skin minimising pores, fine lines and wrinkles. Minerals reflect light for smoother, younger, flawless looking skin.  

Available in three shades: Honey, Caramel and Maple

Eco Eye Collection, £22.99 – crease-free and 100% gentle for delicate eye area. Four warm, neutral shades suit all skin tones.  Free of Propylene Glycol, Parabens, Petrochemicals or Phthalates.

Contains: Cream, Nutmeg, Fondant and Espresso colours

Volumising Mascara – Black, £13.99 – defines eyelashes with this fabulously rich, non-smudge black mascara. There’s no mercury, just shea butter and almond oil to condition lashes for a volumised effect that lasts all day. 

Eco Lipsticks, £10.99 – no crushed beetles, Formaldehyde or artificial colours in this organic lipstick made with natural colours from earth minerals and Fairly traded Cupuaçu Butter and Coconut oil to moisturise lips.

Available in three shades: CandyFloss, Cherry and Cinnamon

The essential ingredient for any make-up bag, these gorgeous products are the perfect organic choice.   The new mineral make-up range is available at www.greenpeople.co.uk or by phoning 01403 740350. 

Green People is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Loved ones will be delighted to receive a thoughtful gift that is as kind to the environment as it is to the body.  Gorgeous organic beauty treats and fragrances are a natural choice for treating that special person to a little well deserved pampering on Valentine’s Day.

www.lucyrose.biz offers a beautiful selection of Valentine’s gift packages, to suit every budget, and with free postage and packing on every UK order, there’s no excuse not to be prepared in time for this year’s celebration of St Valentine.  Just a few ideas include:

Inika organic mineral make up looks and feels great on the skin.  The Essentials Collection from Inika costs £29.50 and includes a foundation, kabuki brush and lip whip.

Jo Wood Organics ‘Amka’ Organic Eau de Toilette has a romantic heart of Iranian rose otto and Egyptian jasmine – Amka means ‘to wake’ in Swahili. Available for £36, this luxurious fragrance is certified by Ecocert.

Dr Wendy’s, the new 100% botanical skincare range from New Zealand, is made from 100% plant based ingredients which are in a concentrated form and produce excellent results.  An extra indulgent facial treat, the full range of cleanser, toner and moisturiser is available for £55.

Green People’s Ultimate Organic Spa Experience is the perfect treat for a romantic occasion.  Pamper and indulge the skin with pure, exotic blends of precious organic oils.  Price £20.50.

www.lucyrose.biz hosts a vast selection of organic beauty brands, so is a one-stop-shop for all organic beauty needs.  Postage and packing is free on all UK orders and there is a consultation and sample service if you need further support. 

Lucy Rose is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Within the UK, there is currently no existing government legislation or definition that states what natural and organic beauty is. So: time for a New Year and a New You. If you want to be your own organic beauty this year, then why not become symbol savvy so you can make an informed choice? Jen Marsden writes.

We are what we put on our skin and without certification, beauty brands can dupe us into thinking that products that have potentially harmful chemicals within them are in fact natural, animal and eco friendly.

The cosmetics industry has been known to be naughty telling us an ingredient is safe, only to remove it later when it realises that it has adverse health effects. That happened with certain phthalates – a group of chemicals used as solvents or fixatives in our nail polish and perfumes – recently. And, as our products eventually wash back into the land, organic and natural certification of beauty products not only protects us, but also the environment.

Ingredient lists on beauty products are confusing and tricky to comprehend with their Latin lingo: “parfum” could be a cocktail of over 100 chemicals. Existing bona-fide standards that certify our products do the hard work for us and act as a guarantee. Standards check that the product ingredients are what the brand says it is through regular audits and inspections, ensuring transparency from the raw materials that have been farmed and processed right through to the finished product. Certain considered permitted synthetic (manmade) ingredients are accepted in certification, to ensure that products are safe for use, but that is as long as they biodegrade quickly. However, petrochemical ingredients that make up the most of mainstream beauty products are never usually accepted in organic and natural certification as these are not environmentally considerate or beneficial to our skin. The more stringent standards support localisation too, ensuring fair practice within communities and preservation of local skill and expertise.

Look out for these logos below to ensure you buy a truly organic or natural beauty product. And beware of copycat logos!

Soil Association is one of the most stringent organic standards within the whole world. UK based, it focuses on the management of the soil that grows many of the ingredients within its certified beauty products, ensuring natural quality, best practice, and protection of the environment and wildlife. Brands which certify to this standard and are available at BigGreenSmile.com include Cowshed, Duchy Originals Organic, Bentley Organics, Natracare, Balm Balm and Hedgerow Herbals, all certify to this standard.

Biodynamic / Demeter is an organic standard association based on biodynamic agriculture systems founded by Rudolph Steiner. It focuses on natural rather than synthetic fertilisers, and crops are produced holistically with the help of traditional knowledge, time and astrological consideration. Weleda is one example brand that is certified by the Demeter symbol.

Ecocert  is an increasingly popular organic agriculture certifying organisation throughout 80 countries. France-based, it manages the auditing and regulation of ingredients to its standards. Evolve Beauty and Melvita are examples of Ecocert accredited brands.

USDA Organic is an American based and one of few actual government standards from the United States Department of Agriculture. It covers organic certification within cosmetics ingredients. Yes to Carrots is certified to USDA Organic standard.

ACO stands for the Australian Certified Organic and is recognised by the Bud logo and accredits organic operations, appearing on around 70% of all certified organic products in Australia, including exported products.

BDIH is a label from Germany from the Association of German Industries and Trading Firms who guarantee natural cosmetics standards. Weleda are an approved BDIH label.

Cosmebio is a French based not-for-profit association that represents natural and organic skin care manufacturers. 

While animal testing and cruelty has been banned in the UK and Europe since 1998, there are still an estimated 180 million animals that are used in experiments every year around the world. The following symbols protect the rights of animals and ensure that no animal derivatives are used within beauty products, whether they are organic, natural or not. Some brands may use both an animal and organic/natural standard as extra guarantee.

The BUAV is a UK based pro-animal rights organisation and the bunny logo is an international independent symbol for cruelty free products. Avalon Organics, Burt’s Bees and Jason Natural Cosmetics are example brands that wear the bunny logo.

The Vegan Society is a UK based membership organisation that allows that have vegan products and are cruelty free to carry its logo. Incognito is one brand example that is registered by the Vegan Society.

The Vegetarian Society is another UK based membership organisation that allows vegetarian approved products to carry its logo, including on beauty products. The male grooming brand Bulldog is Vegetarian Society approved.

Big Green Smile is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The Organic Gift Hamper Company have teamed up with Ethical Junction to provide an extensive range of Christmas hampers available for purchase on line from www.getethical.com and www.ooffoo.com The Organic Gift Hamper Company are offering a 10% discount for all online orders for Ethical Junction members. Please use code EJM9 at checkout.

Christmas hampers are an age old tradition, but more recently we are becoming more discernible when it comes to our food and drink, thinking more about where the food has been sourced and how it has been produced, as well as the effects on the environment and on our health. The Organic Gift Hamper Company has taken this philosophy to create a stunning range of gift hampers suitable for all occasions. At Christmas, it is always a pleasure to receive a gift hamper which has carefully sourced organic ingredients, and we at The Organic Gift Hamper Company have a large selection of Christmas hampers from which to choose.

If you are looking for something a little less traditional please see our website for more gifts including food hampers, Italian hampers and New Baby Hampers.

Giving an organic gift hamper enables you to present a gift that is luxuriously decadent whilst enabling the recipient to maintain an organic lifestyle.

The Organic Gift Hamper Company is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Living an organic way of life has shown an increase in popularity in recent times, as more and more people are realizing the plus sides of good living. There are many gift hampers available now which are made with the best in organic and natural ingredients and they are a perfect alternative to traditional gifts.

It is often seen as a popular belief that all forms of organic products or even the ingredients which are taken from these organic products are much safer to consume than the chemical alternatives. This is believed because while the chemical counterparts have particular characteristics which may cause damage, the herbal components are linked with safety.

Organic goods are also used because of their ability to avoid all kinds of side effects. This is often why organic gifts are high in demand. More often in recent times, after organic food goods have gathered enormous popularity. So it is a great idea to offer friends and family organic gifts.

They have immense health pluses and they are recommended highly by the medical profession for giving a healing and relaxing effect. They also work against problems like respiratory conditions and allergies. For that reason it is quite clear why giving organic gifts have increased in popularity over time.

Organic gifts like gift baskets are produced from different kinds of organic food of which a highly significant component are nuts. Different varieties of nuts like raw pistachios, walnuts, cashew nuts, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts are included in these gift packs and are enjoyed by a wide range of consumers.

While it is true that consuming too much chocolate may affect health, consumption within controlled proportions is considered to have a positive effect to the heart and the rest of the body apart from increasing mental levels as well. Hence chocolates and different types of chocolates like chocolate cakes, chocolate chips, alternative chocolate delicacies, milk chocolate nuts etc are ingredients that form a part of organic gifts. Brews like organic tea are also rather common.

It is seen that the most favoured in the tea variety are green tea, red bush tea, coffee etc. All these ingredients taken in appropriate proportions are shown to have beneficial effects on the wellbeing of the body. Sometimes seafood items are also included in these organic gift baskets. Fish can act as a preventive against all types of diseases and therefore aid in maintaining a healthy body. Quite often organic wine is also included in this basket.

Buying Organic gifts is a healthier and more environmentally friendly way to give a gift. Why not send organic gift hampers or food hampers to your friends in the future?

Ethical Junction members enjoy a 10% discount at ‘The Organic Gift Hamper Company’. Please enter code EJM9 at checkout.

You can now follow us on twitter (username: organichampers)

For further information please visit our website www.theorganicgifthampercompany.co.uk or call 01253 701518.

The Organic Gift Hamper Company is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The most important business resource you have is people! Whether you are a huge corporation, small business or somewhere in between, you value your employees, customers and suppliers. Often in the hustle and bustle of the daily enterprise you overlook the gestures of thoughtfulness that will make all the difference in your economic success. Corporate hampers can express a simple thank you, job well done, thinking of you at the holidays, or congratulations.

Not all corporate hampers are created equal! By choosing Organic items you are also sending a message of health and vitality for the planet. Your business can stand as a representative of sustainability and environmental consciousness by purchasing and giving Organic hampers. All of our suppliers abide by the highest standards of The Soil Association, European law and Fairtrade policies in the commitment to Organic products. The recipient will be impressed that you have placed these values among your corporate priorities. We are all invested in the long-term health of the planet, and your gift will communicate the importance of this value.

The Organic Gift Hamper Company is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Our NEW 100% organic lip balms are now cosseted in FSC and Carbon Neutral packaging. 

We are chuffed with this and have moved some of our other lines into the same friendly card and soon – all will be this way.

Ask or email us for moire information. You can see the new lip balms on our revamped website at www.balmbalm.com

Balm Balm Ltd is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more