Inside the Box

Companies are thinking outside of the box to develop innovative ideas that benefit the environment at all stage of lifecycle … including inside the box. By finding such alternatives, companies can make a difference behind the scenes, with little consumer education or influence. Available sustainable packaging materials for shipping are 100 percent bio-based, including bamboo, rice, palm, and sugarcane. They are inexpensive and reduce energy and water use as well.

Ecovative, for example, offers molded pulp from mushroom fibers—grown on a farm—for protective packaging in lieu of plastic foam. The company is able to upcycle very low value waste products into renewable and home compostable packaging.

Mushroom Packaging is made from agricultural byproducts bonded together with mushroom “roots” called mycelium. “This technology is a radical departure from traditional bioplastics,” according to environmental director Sam Harrington.

Designers will customize Mushroom Packaging for individual applications. “Mushroom technology is a great way to protect glass bottles and cosmetic gift sets,” explained Harrington. “It’s an alternative that performs just as well, is cost-competitive, and provides a beautiful natural material that can be home-composted.”

Such sustainable packaging options deliver both tangible benefits and emotional rewards, allowing consumers to contribute without forcing them to step outside their comfort zone. 

But not everyone needs to make radical modifications to make a difference. “Everyone has the ability to shift in the direction of eco-innovation by starting small and building over time,” said cosmetics entrepreneur Kari Gran. From material to manufacture and from distribution to disposal or recycling, brands have opportunities to reduce their products’ impact on the environment one step at a time.

Sustainable packaging isn’t a destination, it’s a journey.

Read more about eco opportunities for product packaging in the June 2013 issue of GCI Magazine.

March Madness Redux

The 8 mile leap

Unless you are Bill Murray, you probably haven’t had the chance for a tried-and-true redo. Me either. But I got about as close as possible with this past weekend’s March Madness Half Marathon (unfortunately renamed March O’Madness by the Hillstriders Running Club in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day and accompanied by an obnoxiously green hoodie, which I will wear with pride). I had the opportunity to do what I had hoped to do in last year’s event, in which I completely bonked. Instead, I felt great! I held back throughout the first half so that I wouldn’t go out too fast. I had side aches occasionally to keep me in check. By mile 8, I was ready to start racing. I probably could have picked it up more but those hills started hitting and I wanted to be sure to have some left. And I did almost twist my ankle on that jump when my friend Brandi took the picture. That was a close one, I was so thankful I hadn’t.

By mile 11, I shouted to my friend on the sideline, “Check out all the people in front of my that I am going to pass soon!” (Unfortunately, she heard that I had to go to the bathroom–also not entirely untrue.) But I did start picking off runners in front of me and finished strong, my last mile at 7:51, despite the hills.

Throughout the race, I probably could have gone a little faster. But I did what I needed to do to have a better feel for what I could do and feel strong all the way to the finish, tackling each hill and finishing the second half faster than the first.

The weather also couldn’t have been more different from last year. It was perfectly cool at 28 degrees, in contrast to last year’s 60s, with hardly any wind. Even though my face was frozen and numb, the rest of my body felt great.

In the end, my goal was 1:50 (well, as close to that as I could, I knew an actual 1:50 was pushing my limits :) and I finished 1:52:36 so I was happy with that. It was a good day.

I finished 29th (of 80) in my age group, 152 of the women and 521 overall.

Splits: 8:44, 8:35, 8:30, 8:50, 8:49, 8:54, 8:54, 8:35, 8:16, 8:40, 8:33, 8:19, 7:51, :56

Ask the right question

God did not send Jesus to live on the earth and die on the cross for the purpose of your redemption. At least not the way I used to think. It is clearly written in His Word, in Romans, that God sent Jesus not to save us, but to show His righteousness. For His glory. In the process, we were redeemed, but we were not the purpose. It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s not about us.

Reflecting on this truth recently, while in turmoil about finding a new home for our family, I realized I was asking the wrong questions. It’s not: “Will we fit in?” “What best satisfies the needs of our family?” “How can we get the best value for our dollar?”

Instead, the question we should be asking is how can we honor God with our decision. What will glorify Him?

We don’t know the answer to that either yet but I feel certain that if we seek after Him first, we will be right where God wants us. By setting my heart to desire His will and not the “thing” I’m looking to fulfill my desires, He will meet our needs better than I ever could imagine.

“For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.  It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:22b-26

Free to fail

As a perfectionist, failure is not an option. I am afraid of failure. As a mom, a writer, a wife, a friend, a coach, a mentor. Even though I fail–continuously, I don’t acknowledge or admit it very often. But what I have come to learn is that failure is not optional … because it’s required.

To reach perfection, you must fail. To do anything otherwise is to come close maybe, but yet be so far. Because it’s just not possible to be perfect. At least not on my own.

If fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, failure is the beginning of perfection. Because failure is how we come to know and experience and rely on God. In the midst of failure, we see God because we are not distracted by our own “glorious” self. Failure, according to Webster’s, is “to fade or die away, to be inadequate, lack, to leave undone … a defect in character or ability.” Call it what it is: failure is the inability to accomplish on my own. If I can be perfect–or think that I can–I don’t need God. When I fail, I know I need Help (yes, that’s Help with a capital “H”).

When I recognize myself as the failure I am, only then can God accomplish perfection for me. Jesus was perfect so I don’t have to be. Free to fail.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9

Celebrity Makeup Artists’ Must-Haves for Spring

Makeup and Hair: Jo Candelaria
Photographer: George Favios
Model Sophie Warner / Vivian’s Sydney

The must-have products for the spring look, according to celebrity makeup artists KJ Bennett, two time Emmy® award winner for “Outstanding Achievement in Makeup;” Emily Katz; and Rachel Wood. Read more about spring makeup trends in the March 2013 issue of Skin Inc. magazine.

CoverFX
Total Cover Cream
“Let’s face it, some days you need a little extra help, some days you don’t. Having a really great combination foundation/concealer will get you through both.” KJ Bennett

Whip Hand Cosmétiques
Set the Stage Makeup Primer
“The silica physically builds in fine lines that levels texture and diffuses light so you don’t need as much foundation or concealer.” KJ Bennett

Illamasqua
Satin Primer
“Use stand alone or under foundation to create fresh, dewy skin for spring.” Rachel Wood

Becca Cosmetics
Shimmering Skin Perfector
“Everyone wants to have radiant skin. This perfecter gives all the gorgeous glow … without the gawdy glitter.” KJ Bennett

Estée Lauder
Midnight Blue Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil
“The Monaco blue type tone has a bit of shimmer.” Emily Katz

Sephora
Jumbo Liner 12HR Wear Waterproof
“A very light shimmered Linen-like color that is great on eyelids. Draw it thicker than a liner, smudge it up toward crease, use with a black liner winged out at the corner or with a matte deeper taupe shadow in crease and under eye.” Emily Katz

Chanel
Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Cream Shadow in Blazing Gold
“You can apply it with your fingers and it has the most beautiful shimmer for a softer take on winter’s metallic smoky eye. Great for a night out.” Rachel Wood

Chanel
Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Cream Shadow in Tiger Lily
“A rich shimmered nectarine color that works alone or as an accent.” Emily Katz

Benefit
BADgal Lash Mascara
“Creates thick, flirty lashes which are always in season.” Rachel Wood

Senna Cosmetics
Face Sculpting Kit
“Contouring and highlighting your face has become a huge trend … and this kit comes with everything you need to do it like the pros (including a brush and instructions).” KJ Bennett

Nars
Orgasm Blush
“A warm but soft coral, pink shimmery blush that works on most complexions and as a highlight blush on darker skin.” Emily Katz

Aquaphor or Vaseline
Moisturizer
“Massage into damp lips with a baby toothbrush to condition and exfoliate before applying balm.” KJ Bennett

Makeup Forever Professional
Aqua Lip in 01C, 03C, 07C
“Whatever the skin complexion color is, these nude colors help perfect the lip. These three look great on everyone and stay in place because they are waterproof.” KJ Bennett

Tom Ford Beauty
Lip Color, Pink Dusk
“Subtle, sex kitten flesh tone lips with a soft tone of matte pink is a great finish to a natural everyday makeup look.” Rachel Wood

Revolution Organics
All-Over Body Balm
“This lip and body balm has more than 22 uses!” KJ Bennett

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
Lip Tars
“Just a tiny dab of these insanely pigmented creams create the ultimate long-lasting, demi-matte lip color … and they’re vegan.” KJ Bennett

Around the Globe

Well-performing brands enjoy strong awareness among consumers and opinion leaders. Brands such as Neydharting Moor Skin & Body Care draw attention from sophisticated beauty aficionados, and loyal customers laud it with equal enthusiasm because it delivers on its promise for high-end, efficacious skin care. This type of recognition enables brands to rapidly establish credibility in new markets.

From its beginnings, the Neydharting Moor’s mud has been sought after for its perceived healing powers. Formed at the base of an Austrian valley, one of Europe’s most fertile, the mud came to be prized as a beauty therapy, and European nobility built villas and spas on the moor’s shores. “Other moors exist, but nothing compares to the geophysical phenomenon known as the Neydharting Moor,” says founder Dennis Johnson, PhD, of Botanika Research Labs.

The botanically rich body of water was formed out of nonporous glacial rock and was protected from outside influences, creating an unusual environment filled with hundreds of herbs, botanicals and flowers.

Johnson worked for years with the Neydharting Moor clinic and the family that owns it, developing a relationship before beginning a business partnership for sole exclusive rights when nobody else had been able to. “Their vision is one of healing,” says Johnson. “With our brand, we can spread the effect and benefit of what they do.”

With exclusive rights to a unique habitat with a rare mixture of active plant properties, Neydharting Moor Skin & Body Care has a definite hook for its brand identity. But the success comes from the product’s proven results. “Our best clients are sophisticated—beauty and brains,” says Johnson. “They recognize the efficacy immediately. That’s how our brand grows.”

The Neydharting Moor peat and water contain more than 1,000 naturally sourced botanicals, herbs and nutrients—300 of which have been shown to have anti-aging properties. “The peat is composed of naturally occurring antioxidants, enzymes, herbs, botanicals and humic substances, all blended by nature, with a low molecular weight,” says Johnson. “It’s so pure, it can be consumed internally.”

Formulated in Austria right at the moor, the brand includes face and body lines, with the core of every product being the Neydharting Moor peat and water, forming the “mud.”

Research has shown the effects go beyond the peat itself, helping to heighten the efficacy of the other ingredients within the formulations. Combining naturally occurring botanicals with scientifically advanced peptides that activate collagen synthesis, the products provide relaxation of wrinkles without irritating the skin. They also calm, soothe, balance and clarify the skin. “Each product is naturally composed from a blend of bio-minerals, trace elements, herbs and phytonutrients that can’t be duplicated by technology,” says Johnson. “We put unique, propriety ingredients perfected by nature in a form that people can use.”

As a leading European spa skin care brand, Neydharting Moor Skin & Body Care is no secret. Rooms at the Moorbad Neydharting Healing Clinic in Austria, where the products are used, are booked more than two years in advance. “If you had to sum it up in one word, it’s ‘results’, ” says Johnson. “All we have to do is put the product in the hands of consumers and we’ve already won them over.”

The brand began retailing in Austria and South Africa at top spas, as well as online, and made its U.S. debut summer 2012. In fact, announcements are expected to come soon about partnerships with prestige U.S. luxury retailers. Next, the brand plans to expand further into both North America and South America.

Read more about ingredients with a global flair, in the March 2013 issue of GCI Magazine.

Sold.

SOLD.

No word could be quite so exciting … or scary.

As soon as we received an offer on our house, which felt sudden even though it has been on the market 9 months, I went into almost complete panic mode. Was this what we wanted? What are we doing? WHY? Are we really going to do this? Suddenly what seemed a difficult decision before became even harder. I trust you, Lord.

The offer was low so it felt like we were having to give up the home that we loved for next to nothing, especially with all the blood, sweat and tears—and, oh yeah, money—that we put into it. I trust you, Lord.

God reminded me about Abraham and his sacrifice of Isaac. Similarly, God had asked us to let go. Yes, our home is of value to us. But God has a different plan for us and we are being obedient by not holding back. We believe God’s command to let go of our home and believe God would be faithful to His promise to provide for us. I trust you, Lord.

We waited a day—one long, nerve-wrecking, emotional, tear-filled day. Then we countered, giving our realtor the power to negotiate. And then we waited. I trust you, Lord.

Praise God the buyers accepted the first counter offer by the next evening, which was only $2,500 below our asking price and meant that we would not have to bring money to closing. It was bittersweet. We weren’t sure whether to celebrate or mourn. We are sad to leave our home and community but also excited for how God was working in our lives and what He has planned for us next—and hoping that He reveals that plan sooner rather than later!

I trust you, Lord.

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10