Beauty Trends for 2010

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I read this beauty trend forecast by Mintel Consulting; “Austerity chic” will make way for mood-enhancing make-up in 2010 alongside “naturally sourced” cosmetics and those enhanced by biochemistry and nano-technology advances.”

I love the idea that consumers are paying more attention to what they are buying. There’s an overall sophistication in beauty consumption. I will never forget pre-recession when I gave away a duffel bag of beauty products. That was then :)

Here are some beauty trends forecasted which are labeled “Mood Beauty”, “Nu Natural”, “Pro-Techt” and “Turbo Beauty 4G”. I know this might sound super scientific but in a nut shell “Mood Beauty” means we will be buying products that make us feel good or sleep better. That sounds good to me!

“Nu Natural” simply means that we will not only be satisfied with products being natural, but we will want to go further than that, preferring products that are organic. We will want to know of the products’ authenticity, provenance and local production.

“Pro-Techt” is a label coined that we want our beauty products to offer protection, not just from sun damage but also from physiological changes and man- made factors.

“Turbo Beauty 4 G” refers to the scientific advancement in biochemistry and nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is an idea I have been exploring. Basically, we are going to be drawn to products that work on a cellular level. I love this ideology. This is my 2010 mantra for Health, Diet and even fitness. I am improving my “Nano” :) There are certain foods that beautify on a cellular level; superfoods, coconut water, aloe vera, fresh fruit..

Overall, I love this forecast. I feel like it shows that we are evolving, we care what we buy and we have been heard. I hope that in 2010, every woman will be able to find her beauty fix. Happy New Year!!!

Madonna plants a Moringa tree in Africa

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It is absolutely wonderful that Madonna has built a science focused school in Malawi.  Girls in Malawi were previously  not allowed to study sciences to become Doctors and now here’s their chance.

I know first hand the issue of girls in Africa not being considered academically equal to boys.  I specialized in the sciences in high school and we were 4 girls in a class of 45.  The academia was 10% of my battle at school.  90%  of my time, I was trying to be viewed as an equal.
Planting a tree is a  symbol of new beginnings and the symbolism of planting the Moringa tree that has been called “Nature’s medicine cabinet” shows progression in the .  The huge gap between academia and tradition is closing and becoming the norm in our modern times.

The Moringa plant is a sustainable plant; it can grow from seeds and even from branch cuttings.  It grows with hardly any water and can grow upto 20ft  a season.  It is nature’s most nutritional rich plant known to man; is used as a food supplement and for medicinal purposes.  It can prevent desertification and its seeds are used in natural water purification.

So Yay to Madonna!!

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Moringa oil is an antipollutant- Decleor

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Moringa oil is an antipollutant. What is an antipollutant? This is an excerpt from Decleor’s description of their Hydra-Floral Masque:

“MORINGA SEED/(Mo-Rin-Ga Seed)/n./ 1. The seed of the Moringa oleifera tree, which is grown mainly in semi-arid tropical and subtropical areas and is native to southern India and northern Africa; /n./ 2. Used since ancient Egyptian times in skin preparations and ointments for its rich fatty acid content and high levels of vitamins A and C; /n./ 3. Possessing an ability to purify water and inhibit pollution particles from sticking to hair and skin, thus preventing damage, e.g., “Stay smog-free and keep your skin clear and your hair shiny with Moringa seed.”

Moringa oil is great for people living in highly polluted areas. What most people don’t realize is that pollution leaches minerals from the body and the skin. You know how people in the country always have such great skin than those of us that live in big cities. Well, you might want to know this little detail.

I read somewhere, that people that live in NYC must eat two green salads a day to combat the depleting effects of living in such a highly polluted area.  I am a huge advocate of adding “green foods” to the diet; be it salads, veggies or green superfoods like Algae, Spirulina and Moringa (0f course).

Estee Lauder night serum contains Moringa oil

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There’s always been the stigma in skin care that “oil clogs pores” especially for people with oily skin. That might be true for rancid oils but when using pure high grade oils, the skin is replenished revitalized and rejuvenated. This makes sense since the skin produces oils naturally. When someone with oily skin uses a great oil, the skin recognizes it and stops producing excess oil and this results in a balanced and normalized complexion.
When someone with normal to dry skin uses a facial oil, it replenishes what the skin is lacking.
We have been stripping our skin with so many products. That, in combination with other factors like diet, pollution, stress etc..has resulted in our skin’s dependency on chemicals that are unpronouncable.
Estee Lauder’s launch of more natural based products is a true affirmation that we can use good quality naturals to achieve beautiful skin.

Elemis uses Moringa oil

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elemis“Some of Elemis’ key ingredients include the padina pavonica – a brown, fan-shaped seaweed found off the coast of Malta. This mimics the skin’s function and triggers cell communication. There’s also moringa oil from Tanzania which has 1,700% more anti-oxidant power than any other cosmetic oil. Because of its high level of activity, no preservatives are needed,” he says.

Marie Claire does story on beauty Vitamins

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Marie Claire did a beauty vitamin study. They reviewed several products. The wonderful thing about the study is that they used MC employees and recorded results. They then compared their findings with that of experts.

Their findings were really interesting but over all, my take was that depending on the product, not only were their results on the skin but on the entire body, mood swings, sleep patterns. This further affirms my notion of “wholesome beauty” which not only includes the physical but mind and aura. Imagine trying to look beautiful with no sleep??

Anyway, I loved this study. Keep ‘em coming MC.

Sneak Peak! African Moringa Products!

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Moringa53My products are ready to go. After months of doing all the research, ordering the right supplies, sourcing all the help, touring packing facilities, I am done. Both products are packaged, labeled and sealed.

Choosing the right packaging was very important to me. I want back on forth on the decision between glass and plastic and finally settled on a  glass because most plastic leaches and seeing as I had such a pure Organic product, it made no sense to risk contamination with leaching plastic. I read about the biodegradable corn starch plastics but seeing most corn in the U.S is Genetically modified and the product being Non GMO, that wouldn’t work so glass it had to be

I decided on amber colored glass instead of clear, because chlorophyll, which is in all Green Foods (including Moringa powder) is light sensitive.  I added a food grade silica gel packet to keep the powder moisture free and fresh.

It is so liberating… I wasn’t even aware that I was anxious, until we had seen the last jar done and I felt a wave of relief come over me.
I have to say, I haven’t slept this deep and for so long in a very long time.
I am off to get some sun, lay by the pool and finish “The Omnivore’s Dilemma.”

The Coolest Kids

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I was asked to host a fashion show for about 10 kids. The event was organized as a fundraiser for the Non for profit Jewish Heart for Africa. They provide sustainable solar technology to underdeveloped schools and hospitals in communities in Africa. U-Cafe and Mish Mish Boutique were sponsors.

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It was such a fun event. The kids were so well behaved and very confident. I was gladly suprised. The youngest was 7 months (carried by her mum of course) all the way up to 10 years of age.

They walked the runway with ease. The announcer also told us a bit about each one e.g This is Johnny and he is cool or this is Lisa and she loves ballet. Of course, Johnny then threw a thumbs up and Lisa  couldn’t resist displaying her ballerina skills and so forth. Not a single tear was shed, just huge smiles. The coolest thing is that the kids understood why they were doing this, to benefit other kids that were thousands of miles away that were less fortunate. These are the coolest Kids I’ve ever met.

African Moringa's first Expo

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I got invited to Sheila Johnson’s Women’s Empowerment Conference Focusing on Africa in DC.
Expo3I definitely was not ready but I couldn’t let an opportunity like this pass. So in one week I had to have everything packaged, labeled, sealed, wrapped and boxed. I had to get a 30′x 80′ banner. Where do you even get this? Can it be done in a week? What the heck is telescopic??? aaargh

My artist Michelle was incredible. She worked tirelessly, cranking out an amazing banner, cards, brochures, the sun oven presentation etc… all at lightning speed.

It all came together and off to DC I rolled with a good friend helping me in tow. The event was amazing fun!! We started at 12pm and I didn’t stop talking, laughing, sharing my love for Moringa until about 9pm. I met so many people from all over the world and I have to say it was a great learning experience.

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