5 fabulous uses for rose & grape serum

Rose & Grape Serum-

this is the one product I really cannot live without,
and the main reason is it's variety of marvelous uses.

1. anti-aging treatment
First and foremost, it is a 100% natural anti aging treatment. Rich in the red wine polyphenols found in our grape seed extract & oil, it's combined with these antioxidant powerhouses: jojoba, rose & rosehip cold exepller pressed oils. This extraction method retains the highest content of natural vitamins and antioxidants in the botanicals. Add a potent blend of wild harvested essential oils that are known to aid in sun damage and wrinkles that smells amazing, is light but extremely nourishing, and absorbs quickly into the skin. On top of being 100% natural, the Rose & Grape Serum contains over 80% certified organic ingredients. Why doesn't it need preservatives? Simple answer: there is no water in the formula. Water causes bacteria growth, and is a cheap, filler ingredient. Every single ingredient is in there for a skin beneficial reason.

2. sensitive skin
It is great to target sensitive areas that are prone to signs of aging like the around the eyes, mouth and neck. You can layer it below moisturizer or use alone.

3. hand & cuticle treatment
I like to use a little extra and rub it into my hands (including the cuticles and nails) after applying to my face. The skin on your hands and face are the first areas to show signs of aging, and are constantly exposed to the elements.

4. facial moisturizer
I use the Rose & Grape Serum on my entire face twice a day. I started experimenting on myself with this product during the formulation phase a few years back. I rarely wear makeup on my skin because I don't have to anymore. This was not always the case- and, I do still love makeup! But it's mascara for my pale lashes and lip products now, which is pretty awesome and simple. I use to feel like I couldn't leave the house without layering on the mineral make-up to look like I had a decent complexion. The Rose & Grape Serum really does bring out your natural glow.

5. helps heal burns, scrapes & skin irritations
My final can't live without use is to apply it to burns, scrapes or skin irritations. I even have applied it to bug bites! It speeds the healing process and keeps my skin from scarring.

Our reviews on the website also tout it's amazing performance on a bald head, taking 10 years off the face and protecting against wind burn!

Have you tried it?
What's your favorite way to use it?

press: from grape seeds come beauty and a business

Last week, The Grapeseed Co. was featured on Osmosis Online. Jeremy Nisen so eloquently captured the roots of The Grapeseed Company with these kinds words:

"It’s a business that seems to encapsulate both the
green zeitgeist and aspirational beauty
of this mid-sized, coastal city"

Check out the full feature here and a shot of me in action in our eco-beauty kitchen below.

photo by: Matt Graves

green living: cashmere gets a 2nd life

Sometimes I muse beyond eco-beauty, healthy living & green skincare. I've been on a kick to further my household reduce ~ reuse~ recycle efforts and am constantly dreaming up ways to live greener; I think this one is a "green beauty" as well....

As I was getting out my winter clothes this year (yes, we do have winter in Santa Barbara) I was bummed to find my favorite sweater was beyond repair. Being that it was also the first cashmere sweater I ever bought on my own, I could not bring myself to cut it up and throw it in the rag pile. So, I busted out the sewing machine this weekend and came up with a fun, quick way to
recycle it,
enjoy it daily,
and give it a second life

I decided to cover and existing pillow that had spent one too many days with the sun beating down on it. I measured the pillow and lay the sweater out to cut around the holes and tears in the cashmere.

I was able to make the cover using an existing seam. I sewed the 2 other seams inside-out and inserted the pillow form. I wanted to use the waistband with a decorative stitch to tie the color scheme in with my living room, so I selected a cute zigzag stitch (common on most machines) and thicker chocolate brown thread to give it some pizazz.

Now we've been enjoying it in the living room. The cashmere is super snugly to curl up to at the end of the day with a good book. A fabulous, eco-luxury that didn't cost a penny!
Mom would be proud :)

FREE gift & Valentine's Delivery!

Hey all, just a quick note to let you know we're giving a little Valentine's gift to you lovelies! Place your order by 10:30 AM PST tomorrow and we'll include these full size product gifts, free of charge, no matter what you order from dirty dog organics to our gift sets! We have lots of new eco-gift baskets that would make great Valentine's gifts.

A GIFT WITH EVERY ORDER
FOR 24 HOURS
if your order total is up to $29.99
sweet lips balm

if your order total is $30+
one violet soy & grapeseed candle
in Vanilla Almond Cinnamon

click to shop

~valid for retail orders only placed between 10:30 AM PST 2/9/10 to 10:30 AM PST 2/10/10
~no code necessary, we will include your gift with the order!
~orders will be delivered by 2/13

new release: 3 vinotherapy spa gift baskets under $30

These adorable, sustainable bamboo gift baskets are packed with organic vinotherapy beauty treasures waiting to be discovered. Check out the new releases perfect for gifting or maybe a pampering treat for yourself... you deserve it.

coco cabernet vinotherapy facial basket |$28
Who doesn’t love wine and chocolate? This indulgent set comes complete with a custom vinotherapy coco cabernet mask for over 8 facials, a professional application fan brush, plus 5 samples of our skincare line: green tea & grapes cleanser, lavender rose toner, 100% pure grapeseed oil, chamomile grapefruit moisturizer and rose & grape serum.

sweet getaway basket | $25
An adorable getaway kit, complete with our signature scent 100% pure grapeseed & soy logo candle, 2 oz bath & massage oil and sweet lips.

massage trio basket | $26
A trio of massage samplings to enjoy. Your choice of two 2oz organic bath & massage oils plus a travel tin massage candle and bonus sweet lips balm (not pictured)

I'm loving...passionately pink

Passionately Pink | $70
Santa Barbara Gift Baskets

I just wanted to share with you all the adorable Passionately Pink Gift Basket the creative folks over at Santa Barbara Gift Baskets put together incorporating 2 of my favorite Grapeseed Co. products: The Pink Champagne Wine Bar Soap and our Logo Soy & Grapeseed Candle. Not to mention the delicious looking locally baked goods, champagne, chocolate and a bunch more goodies that will make her swoon.

Check out more Valentine basket creations over at their blog
www.begifted.wordpress.com

Beauty Foods: Creamy Tomato Bisque

Fresh From Your Kitchen, my features on green DIY spa recipes you can easily whip up right at home, put GreenSkincareBlog.com on the map & gained popularity for it's usefulness, educational value and results. Beauty Foods is a spin off on Fresh From Your Kitchen, bringing you the same format to delicious food recipes that will lead to glowing, healthy skin from the inside out!

Beauty Foods: CREAMY TOMATO BISQUE
This is a recipe I adapted that my friend Patti gave to me a few years back. I absolutely adore the creamy, rich texture the tofu and rice brings to the bisque without the heaviness of a cream, plus the added protein that makes it a real meal.

ingredients
2T EVOO
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and diced
20 oz free range/organic chicken broth (veggies can use veggie broth instead)
2 C water
2 x 28 oz can crushed or diced organic tomatoes- roasted ones give it a fabulous flavor
1/2 softer texture organic tofu, cubed
1/4 C basmati rice
1 T rice vinegar

directions
Heat oil in large soup pan or dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions, garlic and stir about 3-5 min.
Stir in broth, water and rice, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, stir occasionally until rice is tender 15-20 min.
stir in tomatoes, tofu & vinegar. Remove from heat and puree in batches in blender. Be careful pureeing hot liquids, do not overfill!
Return soup to pot and reheat over medium high- season with salt & pepper if desired.

I like to top mine off with a wholegrain crostini and melted mozzarella or Parmesan

Why it's healthy for your skin and body
Tomatoes are a powerful superfood that contain cancer fighting lycopene. Garlic is packed with antioxidants like Vitamin E and coenzyme Q10, which help halt damaging effects of free radicals. Tofu provides protein and is important to look for organic or non-GMO tofu... it's worth the extra $0.40-.50! Here's a list of non-GMO soy product companies

A healthy complexion isn't rocket science. It comes from a combination of what you put in your body and what you put on your body. Check out the most recent Fresh From Your Kitchen: DIY Spa Recipes feature here.