Green and Gorgeous Valentines Gift Ideas –For Him & Her

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by treating yourself and your sweetie to great green gifts.  Here are a few hand-picked items that we think will make this special day, just a little more special! Plus for a limited time only, get Free Gift Wrapping + Free Shipping (no minimums) and save up to 15% on these fabulous green and gorgeous gifts.

Code SC Shaving Set: From our newest brand addition – Code SC – a natural skin care line for men. Get all three shaving products in our exclusive set. Let your special someone experience the joy of pre-shaving with Code SC organic pre-shave oil infused with organic grapeseed, jojoba, and arnica oils to stop shaving irritation and those painful bumps. Then move on to the main event with Code SC aerosol-free shaving cream made with Lavender, Blue Lotus, and Yucca to give you a smooth, even shave. Lastly, is the post-shave balm made with Avocado, Mint, and Sage to help guard against environmental toxins.  At this price, you can’t afford not to try it out. Introductory Price: $39.95 (a $49 value, an 18% savings.)

100% Pure Cocoa Lip Palette Perfect to give or receive. This cocoa lip set will get you hooked with its intoxicating chocolate aroma, and gorgeously rich color. Luxurious lip cream comes in a base of lip softening avocado and cocoa butters and colored with natural, antioxidant rich pigments of chocolate and fruit. 100% natural formulas do not contain synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, synthetic colorants, petro-chemicals or preservatives. (Sale Price: $32.50, a 15% savings)

Patyka Absolis Huile Absolue Face & Body Serum. Patyka Huile Absolue Serum for face and body is a multi-tasking wonder! Use it to tame hair and split ends, to moisturize dry skin, or to soothe damaged nails and cuticles. This golden serum is rich in organic plant extracts and boasts a unique blend of 12 plant oils and extracts that help boost skin’s ability to heal, regenerate, hydrate and protect itself. It helps smooth fine lines and gives skin a luminous, youthful glow.  Limited Time Offer: get 4 Patyka samples with purchase of the face and body serum. ($69.95)

Kahina Giving Beauty Limited Edition Argan Oil Gift Set. Give. Nurture. Empower. The Kahina Gift Set is the product of a unique collaboration with NEST to help women around the world. Nest is an organization that gives micro-loans to women in developing countries to help them achieve economic independence. This beautifully designed block-printed cotton makeup bag is hand-stitched by formerly trafficked women in India. It includes Kahina Argan Oil and a handmade argan oil bar soap. Special: $51 (a $60 value, 15% savings.)

Aromatherapy Personals – Aphrodisiac Multi-Nutritive Oil for Body, Bath & Hair & Roll-on. Indulge in the luxurious fragrance of this all natural multi-nutrient enriched oil blend of Pomegranate, Passionfruit and Sea Buckthorn seed oils. Made to help smooth, hydrate and protect skin and hair with anti-oxidant vitamins A, B, C + E.  This innovative multi-tasker functions as an all over body moisturizer, luxurious hair and scalp treatment, nourishing bath oil and…instant sensory remedy! Aphrodisiac Multi- Nutrient blend delivers a rich source of omegas-3, 6, + 9 for soft, luminous skin and hair.  Rare omega-7 fatty acid helps with collagen production and creates the perfect barrier to moisturize, rejuvenate, repair and protect.  ($33.50 for oil, $16.95 for roll-on)

Essence of Vali – Passion Gift Set. Enhance romantic moments with orange zest, ylang/ylang petals, patchouli leaves and ginger root known for their aphrodisiac effect. Essence of Vali’s spicy, sweet, earthy blend was created to inspire romantic moments. Treat your partner to an aromatic massage or share a bath and be enveloped by the intoxicating aroma and the richness of Jojoba. Set contains: 2 oz. Love Mist and 2 oz. Passion Massage & Bath Oil, both packaged for gift-giving in a red organza pouch. (A great value: $14.95)

Intelligent Nutrients Survival Trio Gift Set. Share calm in all forms with Intelligent Nutrients’ complete Destress Express System designed to deliver immediate stress relief through functional aromatic experience, therapeutic acupressure treatment and hair, scalp and body massage. Take care of those you love with a complete certified organic nutritional chemistry trio, which softens the aches, warms a cold, clears the head and banishes stress. Destress Express is a unique therapeutic blend of certified organic essential oils like peppermint, spearmint, ravintsara, cardamom, cinnamon, chamomile, lime, and vanilla and red raspberry flavors. Unique combination helps stimulate, strengthen, relieve tension, uplift, calm, and provide antiseptic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Each set includes: Certified Organic Destress Express Hair & Body Treatment Oil – 1.7 fl oz/ 45 ml; Certified Organic Destress Express – Pure Essence Elixir – .3 fl oz/ 9 ml; Certified Organic Destress Express – Spirit Essence – 1.7 fl oz/ 45 ml.  Specially Priced: $80 (A $122 Retail Value – 34% Savings!)

(Use code: VALENTINE at checkout for free shipping offer. For free gift wrapping, simple note “Free Gift Wrap” in order comments section. Note: offer expires Feb. 11, 2011 and cannot be combined with other promotions, specials and other discounts.)

Multi-Tasking Super Star: Kahina-Giving Beauty Anti-oxidant Facial Mask

Want to give your skin a nourishing, purifying and exfoliating pick-me-up, but don’t have the time for a day-spa facial?  What to do?  Pick up a jar of Kahina Giving Beauty Anti-oxidant Facial Mask and get on your way to beautiful, glowing skin in no time.

Packed with good-for-you anti-oxidants and nourishing essential oils and vitamins, Kahina Facial Mask is the one go-to treatment for girls-on-the-go. Case in point: I recently slathered it on, hopped in the shower and let it do its thing. Five minutes later I rinsed it off, massaging my face in a circular motion to gently exfoliate.  My skin was incredibly smooth, hydrated and glowing! All in less than 10 minutes.

Formulated with 59% organic content, this unique facial mask combines Moroccan Rhassoul clay with powerful, antioxidant rich argan oil to tone, condition and remove toxins and impurities from skin, while delivering supreme moisture and antioxidants.

Kahina-Giving Beauty Anti-oxidant Facial Mask exfoliates and provides antioxidant benefits through a blend of natural and organic ingredients including:

·   Argan Oil –Argan oil has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, strengthen elasticity and improve your skin’s overall health and vitality.  Extremely rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants, argan oil fights free radicals, helps reduce inflammation, and assists in protecting the skin from environmental damage.

·   Rhassoul Clay – Its high levels of silica have been shown to stimulate collagen production to improve skin elasticity. Its unique absorption ability and high ion content allow it to draw out impurities from deeper levels of skin while depositing nourishing trace minerals such as calcium, potassium, and iron. Dry, flaky skin is left smoother and more supple.

·   Acai and Pomegranate Extract – A duo of supremely effective antioxidants that prevent and even reverse signs of aging as they rebuild the outer wall of skin cells, combat cellular deformation, and help protect skin from damaging free radicals, oxidation, and overexposure to the sun.

·   Geranium, Peppermint, and Rosemary Oils – Natural oils with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to thoroughly cleanse and calm skin.

Kahina Facial Mask is a multi-tasking super star, designed to deep cleanse, exfoliate, treat and hydrate all in one. It is ideal for all skin types as an integral part of a weekly regimen. The mask should be applied for 5-7 minutes 2-3 times per week after cleansing with Kahina Facial Cleanser.

For an at-home spa experience, follow mask application with Kahina Argan Oil or Kahina Serum, and finish with Kahina Facial Lotion.

Review: Kahina Giving Beauty Eye Cream – 100% Organic Argan Oil Skincare

When Kahina Giving Beauty founder Katharine L’Heureux told me about her new product and offered to send me a sample she said, “I feel confident you’ll love it!”

At first I was a little hesitant to start trying it, as my facial skin was acting up.  I had breakouts of red, dry patches all over.  I still don’t know what the cause was—whether it was sensitivities or allergies (I have very, very sensitive skin) or just plain passage of time and fluctuating hormone levels.  I even saw a dermatologist who told me it was normal (for someone my age—whatever that means!) and recommended that I use prescription steroids as that was the only thing she thought would give me relief.  Instead, I cut back on moisturizing skincare products (to try to isolate the cause), but tried the Kahina Giving Beauty Eye Cream as I was really curious about it.

I must admit I have loved the Kahina organic argan oil skincare brand since it was launched last year. Our site was among the very first to carry it, sing its praises and alert others to its quality and effectiveness.  But we also do not carry any product until we’ve first tried it ourselves and it has proven its purity (no questionable ingredients), quality, effectiveness and value.

Well, the verdict is in.  I have used the Kahina eye cream exclusively for about two weeks and can say that it is truly an amazing product.  It is for those who want a luxuriously rich, hydrating cream. It glides on smoothly and has a very light, fresh ocean-like scent.  It works best over the Kahina eye serum or the facial serum.  I use it at night and it locks in moisture, leaving my eye area brighter and plumper.  The skin around my eyes is noticeably smoother and firmer.  And it got rid of the dry, scaly patches around my eyebrows!

The Kahina eye cream is formulated with 79% organic content, along with its 100% organic argan oil base.  It contains a unique blend of gentle botanicals combined with collagen-boosting peptides, and calming sea fennel extract.

Plus it’s packed with a powerhouse of naturally based active ingredients:

Organic White and Green Tea Extracts: Studies have shown these anti-oxidant substances restore and build skin’s immune response at the cellular level, protecting skin from sun damage, wrinkling and discoloration.

Sea Fennel Extract: Sourced from the North Atlantic rocky coastal cliffs, this hydrating and vitamin rich ingredient calms and protects skin with powerful antiseptic properties.

Organic Acerola Extract: This potent, natural source of vitamin C inhibits melanin production, effectively brightening skin.

Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract: This legendary Siberian herb has been linked with longevity and shown to reduce fat deposits, stimulate and boost cell metabolism.

Maritime Pine Extract: This Mediterranean tree’s bark provides a natural defense system, protecting skin from oxidative damage, fighting the degenerative process of aging.

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract: This yeast strain increases cellular oxygen consumption and energizes skin. Combined with Rhodiola Root Extract, it reduces the appearance of puffiness, strengthens and firms the skin and improves microcirculation.

Argan Oil: Argan oil is extremely rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants, shown to fight free radicals, reduce inflammation, minimize the appearance of wrinkles and protect the skin from environmental factors.

About Kahina: Kahina sources its argan oil directly from the women’s cooperatives of Morocco to obtain the highest quality 100% pure organic argan oil and ensure the fair and proper treatment of the women who work to extract the oil.  Kahina Giving Beauty uses no artificial fragrances or animal byproducts, is paraben free and never tests on animals. Package art is created from actual signatures and marks of the Berber women of the cooperative. In addition, Kahina Giving Beauty donates 25% of profits to the Berber women of Morocco who hand extract the oil using centuries old techniques passed down through generations. Money raised will be dedicated literacy education and women’s rights programs.

Kahina Giving Beauty Eye Cream: $65 (15 ml/.50 fl oz)  (Availability: after May 25, 2010.)

Green Multi-Tasking Beauty Products

Although it is tempting to spring for the newest lotions and potions specialized for each and every body part, sometimes simplicity is the best policy.   Save time (less time to get ready), money (less products to purchase) and space (less clutter!), with these fabulous green multi-tasking beauty products.  You’ll also help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint by using fewer products and packaging.

Here are a few of our perennial faves:

Perfect Organics Ultimate 3-in-1 Body Wash – This outstanding body wash, with softening botanical extracts, vitamin-rich plant oils, and invigorating and refreshing citrus essential oils, is a true green multi-tasking superstar!  I can be used as: (1) a gentle, cleansing shower gel, (2) a nourishing bath soak, and (3) as a smoothing and moisturizing shaving gel. All this without artificial fragrance, artificial color, sodium lauryl sulfates, or parabens.

Organic Shea Butter: Extracted from the nut of the karite tree found in west and central Africa, this amazing, naturally vitamin-rich butter is one of the most healing, nourishing, and protective emollients available. Shea Butter is an all-in-one wonder and can be used for dry skin, sunburns, dermatitis, and stretch marks.  Try Perfect Organics Shea Butter, or Woodsprite Organic Body Whipped Shea Body Butter.

Organic Argan Oil: Extremely rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, organic argan oil can be used as a facial treatment to help neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. It can also be used to moisturize the skin, especially after a bath or shower, and can be used to smooth cuticles and condition dry, damaged hair.  Try Kahina-Giving Beauty 100% organic Argan Oil.

Perfect Organics Lip & Cheek Shimmer:  This organic, vegan lip and cheek shimmers come in 7 stunning shades. Made with certified organic ingredients, including: organic argan oil, organic shea butter, organic macadamia nut oil, and organic aloe vera. Naturally scented, these multi-tasking beauties are super smooth with amazingly glossy color that gives an instant glow for both lips and cheeks.  Try it in Santiago, a light, sheer peachy color.

5 Tips to Get that Movie Star Glow

With awards show season in full-swing, we’re seeing stars on the red carpet with dewy, luminously perfect complexions.  Want to get that movie star glow?  It’s easier than you think.  First, think about getting a professional treatment or facial if your time and budget allow.  But if you are like many of us who are on a budget, the good news is there are also things you can do for yourself, that are relatively inexpensive and easy.

Here are some tips to keep skin in tip-top shape and help give yourself that screen star glow:

Exfoliate: Using a mild, non-irritating scrub can work wonders for dull, lifeless skin.  Exfoliating the top layer of dry skin helps your skin drink in moisture, as well as any revitalizing creams and treatments that you use to nourish your skin.  But make sure you don’t overdo it, especially during the winter time. Dr. John Wolf, chairman of the Dermatology Department at Baylor College of Medicine, said in an interview with the Houston Chronicle that too much exfoliating can make matters worse.  “Dry skin is a huge problem right now,” he said. “It can go from mild dry skin to inflamed dry skin, which we call the winter itch, or eczema. So you should exfoliate with caution during the winter and avoid it altogether if your skin is irritated.”  (Try Sophtyo Dual Action Exfoliating Treament paired with either Sophyto Tone & Balance Super Bioactive or Sophyto Purify & Energise Bioactive.)

Use a Mask: Apply a mask after exfoliating.  Masks are quick and easy to do at home.  The best ones are those with soothing herbals, vitamins and moisturizing oils will help tighten pores, revitalize skin by giving it a smoother appearance, and help heal blemishes.  (I recommend the Dr. Alkaitis line:  Dr. Alkaitis Organic Cellular Repair Mask, Dr. Alkaitis Organic Universal Mask, or Sophyto Purifying Active Mask.)

Moisturize: Make sure your skin has the proper amount of moisture.  Lack of moisture robs your skin of vitality and suppleness.  Also it is important to make sure your cleanser does not strip or over-dry your skin as this can cause your skin to produce excess sebum, which can contribute to breakouts.  The key to healthy winter skin, according to Dr. Wolf in the Houston Chronicle, “is to put water back into the skin” by moisturizing.  (Try Kahina-Giving Beauty Organic Argan Oil.  Just a drop or two is all it takes!  For those of you who like a creamier, more traditional moisturizer, try Sophyto Normalising Day Face Moisturizer, or Sophyto Mega Omegas Day Face Moisturizer.)

Eat Right: Your skin reflects your general state of health and well-being.  Nourish your body and eat wholesome food and drink (preferably organic) with plenty of anti-oxidants and good fats like fish oil.  The benefits aren’t limited just to healthy looking skin.  A study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who ate about one serving of fish six times a month (or every five days) had a 28 percent decrease in actinic keratoses, or precancerous growths due to sun damage.  Also avoid excess sugar, salt, caffeine or processed foods, which may contribute to skin problems as well as puffiness.

Get Plenty of Sleep: Sleep is one thing you shouldn’t skimp on.  Lack of sleep can contribute to dull, lifeless-looking skin, not to mention breakouts that may result from stress and lack of rest.  Try to get enough shut-eye each night with the natural way with pure essential oils like lavender and sandalwood.  I highly recommend Essence of Vali Sleep Concentrate , Essence of Vali Sleep Soothing Mist or Nectar Essences Organic Sleep Spray.

Smart Skin Care

This month’s Organic Spa Magazine rings in the New Year with a heavy emphasis on one of our top organic skin care favorites:  the Kahina-Giving Beauty organic argan oil skin care line.

The Kahina-Giving Beauty Travel Basics Kit ($64) was featured in the magazine’s Smart Travels section under “Editor’s Picks.”  Organic Spa had this to say about the kit:  “The all-purpose, 100-percent organic argan oil moisturizer is as effective in moisturizing a dry face as it is softening rough elbows and calloused feet.”

The magazine also did a full-page feature on the relatively-new Kahina-Giving Beauty line, which features as its central ingredient, organic argan oil, a centuries-old Moroccan beauty remedy. It emphasized Kahina-Giving Beauty’s benefits for “the body, the environment, and [the Berber] women” who help extract the argan oil.  The Organic Spa Magazine article focused on Kahina-Giving Beauty’s commitment to the women in Moroccan cooperatives who labor to produce the organic argan oil that is the foundation of the New York-based beauty brand.  It also praised the argan oil skin care line for its eco-friendly approach to packaging (recycled paper boxes and beautiful dark violet recyclable glass bottles).

Here’s to great beginnings with this new beauty brand!

Guilt-Free Gift Guide

For those still on the lookout for this season’s Gotta-Have-It Goodies, we’ve compiled a green, guilt-free selection for everyone on your holiday list.

Kahina-Giving Beauty Travel Kit:

Perfect for guys and gals, this natural and organic argan oil skin care system is just what your parched winter skin is craving.  Full of anti-oxidants and Vitamins A and E, and nourishing moisturizing argan oil, this skin care treat is sure to banish the winter blues.  (1 oz travel sizes: Organic Argan Oil, Facial Lotion and Facial Cleanser: $64.95.)

Dr. Alkaitis Organic Travel Kit:

For those purists on your list, this skin care regimen has to be one of the purest and greenest out there.  Indeed it has a devoted celebrity following including supermodel Gisele Bundchen who counts Dr. Alkaitis Organic Eye Crème as one of her favorities.  Made with only organic and wild crafted ingredients such as Aloe Vera gel, French Lavender, Roman Chamomile flowers and Andean Mountain Rose Hip seed and Borage oils, these holistic skin care products  are edible and easy absorbed by the skin.

(Eight travel size items: Day Creme 7ml; Night Creme 7ml; Eye Crème 5ml; Purifying Facial Cleanser 30ml; Nourishing Treatment Oil 30ml; Soothing Gel 30ml; Herbal Toner 30ml; and
1 Mask: $45.)

Essence of Vali Aromatherapy Gift Sets:  Give the gift of peace and relaxation this season with stress-soothing scents that help you wind down from a busy day or hectic holiday schedule.

Gift of Peaceful Sleep: This set is beautifully packaged for gift giving!  Made with a base of  100% pure golden jojoba oil, it soothes with essential oils of lavender flowers, cedar wood, marjoram leaves and ylang ylang petals.  (Price: $16.) Kit contains: 1 oz Sleep Massage and Bath Oil; 1 oz Sleep Soothing Mist and .02 oz of Sleep Concentrate.

Essence of Vali Sleep Travel Kit: This set contains Essence of Vali’s award-winning sleep blend in a convenient gift set, consisting of sleep soothing mist, sleep bedtime balm & 2 mini size sleep concentrates.  Each item can be used at bedtime for relaxation.  (Price: $17.)

Essence of Vali Relief Gift Set: A thoughtful gift that provides comfort and soothing relief with the scent of lavender flowers, peppermint leaves and birch bark.  Packaged in a light blue organza pouch with a matching satin ribbon ideal for gift-giving, this set includes a 2 oz bottle of Relief Massage and Bath Oil & Relief balm. (Price: $19.99.)

Nectar Essences Sleep/Awake Set: Nectar Essences aromatherapy sprays are made with certified organic and wild-crafted essential oils of grapefruit, lavender and citrus, organic grape alcohol, and Nectar’s proprietary blend of flower essences including jasmine and white chestnut.  The Awake formula is uplifting and stimulating, soothing and revitalizing.  The Sleep spray helps calm and relax.  These sprays come packaged in elegant blue paper tubes with silver end caps. They are gift wrapped and ready to make someone’s day and night! 1.69 fl oz each (Price: $50 for the set.)

Woodsprite Organic Body Gift Sets: Soak, Scrub, Smooth, Soap and Soften with this fresh and fragrant organic spa kit.  Woodsprite Organic Body Spa Sampler Gift Boxes feature five of its most popular body care products, each designed to pamper and nourish from the outside in.  Each Gift Box Contains: 2 oz. Organic Soap, 4 oz. Spa Salts Packet, 2 oz. Sea Salt Glow, 1 oz. Organic Massage & Body Oil and a 16-hour Soy Aromatherapy Votive Candle.  Box measures approximately 6 x 4.5 x 4.5″, and is made from recycled paper, with recyclable paper fill. Available in Ginger Glow, Grapefruit Mint and Lavender.  (Price: $36.)

Stocking Stuffers:

Aromatherapy Personals Organic Aromatherapy: A quick and easy way to enjoy the benefits of pure, natural and organic aromatherapy. The pulse-point roller provides for smooth and gentle application. Made with naturally active plant seed and essential oils, Aromatherapy Personals offers eleven synergistic blends in a Vitamin E enriched certified organic Jojoba base. The products are made with more than 90% certified organic ingredients including Lavender, Chamomile, Sweet Orange, and Peppermint. 9.6 ml each $16.99

Essence of Vali Balms:  Sleep and Uplift Balms: Indulge in natural plant essences. A convenient and luxurious way to benefit from the uplift synergy blend of lavender flowers, spruce needles, bergamot peel & litsea cubeba in a beeswax base. Bedtime Balm has soothing essences of lavender flowers, cedar wood, marjoram leaves and ylang/ylang petals. $8 each

Woodsprite Organic Body Organic Soap Sampler Set: These lovely little bundles of soaps are a great way to try a selection of the most popular scents! All-Star: Grapefruit-Mint, Old Fashioned Oatmeal, Ginger Glow & Lavender.  4 oz $10

In the Spotlight: Kahina Giving Beauty – Organic Argan Oil Skin Care

California Style Magazine

This month’s California Style Magazine includes a very nice mention about Kahina Giving Beauty—the newest addition to our eco-friendly beauty brands.  This organic argan oil skin care line has received some of the best buzz around, not just from the national press—Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, Women’s Wear Daily, Real Simple, just to name a few—but also from green blogs and elsewhere in the Internet ecosphere.

We had no doubt the Kahina brand would be an instant hit.  Our customers are raving about this popular organic skin care line, and its wonderful effects on their skin.  Even men—yes, men—who try this product are amazed by its soothing effects on dehydrated skin, eczema and acne, as well as its seeming ability to soften the wrinkles.  I count my husband (who has never adhered to a skin care regimen in his life) as one of Kahina Giving Beauty’s top fans!

The secret of this brand’s success is in its main ingredient—argan oil, Morocco’s liquid gold, known for being rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, which keep the skin hydrated and happy.  Research has also shown that argan oil helps restore skin elasticity and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.  Added pluses are Kahina Giving Beauty’s pledge to give a percentage of its profits to help the Berber women who produce the product, and the product line’s elegant packaging in recyclable glass bottles.

Here’s some more good news for those of you who are curious about the brand.  Bella Floria is now offering for purchase individual travel-size products—the cleanser, argan oil and lotion—for those of you who want to try it out without investing in the full-size versions.

What’s more is that Kahina Founder Katharine L’Heureux may be expanding the product line in the future.  So stay tuned.

Introducing Kahina Giving Beauty – Organic Argan Oil Skin Care

Kahina Giving Beauty Argan Oil Skin Care

We are thrilled to offer this new and luxurious organic argan oil skin care line from Kahina Giving Beauty, a natural skin care company based in New York and Morocco.  Not only does Kahina – Giving Beauty share our passion for pure skin care but also our eco-conscious and socially responsible values.  So you can rest assured that when you purchase a Kahina – Giving Beauty product, you are not just helping revitalize your skin, but also helping the environment and the women who help produce this wonderful product.

The core of this unique product line centers on argan oil, derived from nut of the resilient argan tree, which grows almost exclusively in Morocco.  Argan oil has been used by Moroccan women in their beauty ritual for centuries, and is extremely rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids and Vitamin E.  What’s more argan oil has been shown in research studies to restore skin elasticity and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as help treat acne and eczema naturally.

We spoke recently with Kahina Giving Beauty Founder Katharine Phillips L’Heureux.  She has received a lot of national press lately—most recently on the pages of Vanity Fair magazine.  She traveled the world in her quest for an effective, but pure skin care solution.  Her search led her to ancient cities in Morocco where she discovered first-hand, the effectiveness of pure organic argan oil.  She visited government-established cooperatives in the country’s southwest region, home of the Berbers.  By law, only Berber women are allowed to extract the argan oil.  It is a laborious process, but one that helps support the women’s families and provides a measure of financial independence.  “I am always astonished at how generous these women are, although they have so little and how happy they are given their difficult circumstances,” L’Heureux said.  “The women have taught me to find and embrace our similarities instead of our differences.”

L’Heureux uses certified organic argan oil and she receives a chemical analysis of every batch of oil she purchases. Kahina products are manufactured in a carbon neutral facility and its packaging and glass bottles are made from recycled materials.  What’s more, Kahina Giving Beauty donates 25 percent of the company’s profits to literacy and women’s rights programs that help the Berber women in the cooperatives.  (Stay tuned for our full interview with Katharine to be published soon.)

The Kahina – Giving Beauty offered at Bella Floria consists of:

Kahina – Giving Beauty Organic Facial Cleanser:  This lightly scented cream cleanser lathers mildly and works thoroughly to remove makeup and dirt, yet it is gentle enough not to dry out skin.

Kahina – Giving Beauty Facial Serum: This lightweight formula has a very delicate aroma.  My skin absorbed it quickly and retained no oily residue.  Its base is pure organic argan oil blended with anti-aging carrot seed oil and rejuvenating sea buckthorn oil.  Just a drop or two is all you need on problem areas and you’re good to go.  (I usually dab a drop around the cheek and eye areas.)  At this rate, a bottle can last at least several months.

Kahina – Giving Beauty 100% Organic Argan Oil: This argan oil is nearly scent-free and it goes on smoothly without any oily residue.  Packed with Vitamin E and anti-oxidants, this pure organic argan oil is one of my all-time multi-tasking favorites.  It makes my skin glow, my hair shine and keeps my cuticles neat.  I also use it on rough patches–on elbows, knees and feet.   It is an especially wonderful treat after a bath or shower.  It melts onto moist skin and keeps it hydrated all day long.    It is especially great to use during the cold winter months.

Kahina – Giving Beauty Facial Lotion:

This soothing, lightly scented lotion is perfect for winter.   It is very light-weight and doesn’t leave any oily residue.  All that is needed is a single pump.  You can use this lotion in combination with the argan oil or facial serum if you have extremely dry skin.

Kahina – Giving Beauty Travel Kit:

This set was named a travel favorite by California Magazine, and what’s not to like.  You can try out nearly the entire Kahina – Giving Beauty organic skin care line.  The kit consists of three travel size Kahina Giving Beauty products: facial cleanser, facial lotion and argan oil.  Each is 1 fl oz. so it is 3-1-1 airport compliant.

Bella Floria also offers Kahina – Giving Beauty – 1 oz. individual travel size products (the facial cleanser, facial lotion and argan oil) for those of you who are curious about the line and want to try it before shelling out for the full-size products.

Here’s to an amazing skin care line and a wonderful company dedicated to giving back and making the world a better place!