Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty: Gwen Richards of Fable Naturals

Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty is a semi-regular column that highlights organic and natural beauty and skincare brands founded in our fair city.

When I think "perfect hostess gift," I think Fable Naturals. This up-and-coming, Vancouver-based beauty label combines cheerful packaging with fair-trade ingredients and all-natural ingredients. The result? Skincare, handcrafted soaps, and yummy-flavoured lip balms (in biodegradable tubes, no less) that will please anyone and fit into any beauty regime. What's more, whether you're buying it for yourself or for others, Fable Naturals does the community as much good as it does your skin. I caught up with Fable Naturals co-founder Gwen Richards to find out more.

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Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty: Warren Brander of Thera Wise

Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty is a semi-regular column that highlights organic and natural beauty and skincare brands founded in our fair city.

So you've greened up your beauty and skincare routines, replacing as many conventional products as possible with natural and organic versions (hooray!), but what about the ointments in your medicine cabinet? Founded in 2003, Vancouver-based Thera Wise believes you can have all-natural medicinal ointments that are just as effective as Preparation H, Vick's Vapor Rub, Lanacane, and so on.

Skeptical that Thera Wise products would measure up, I've been using Ac+ Acne Ointment (which has 0.5% salicylic acid) to control and prevent breakouts, and Dpr Natural Baby Diaper Ointment (which combines soothing calendula, chamomile, and aloe) to relieve itchy bug bites all summer. Conclusion? This stuff really works! Come fall/winter, I'll probably be relying on the Vpr Vaporizing Ointment to combat congestion during cold and flu season.

I caught up with Warren Brander, co-founder of Thera Wise, to learn more about his background and the range of ointments.

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Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty: Wing Yu of Green & Pure

Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty is a semi-regular column that highlights organic and natural beauty and skincare brands founded in our fair city.

Quick, think of all your favourite natural beauty emporiums. Bet most of them are in the middle of the city, aren't they? Luckily, newcomer Green & Pure is making it easier for Metro Vancouver's suburban populations to replenish their fave green products through its Richmond-based brick-and-mortar store and comprehensive website. Familiar brands like ILIA, Clarisonic, and Tata Harper share physical and digital shelf space with less common ones like JINSOON and Evie. I caught up with owner Wing Yu about the benefits of going all-natural and what sets Green & Pure apart from its competitors.

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Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty: Melissa Nkomo of Savile Beauty

Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty is a semi-regular column that highlights organic and natural beauty and skincare brands founded in our fair city.

Imagine the luxury of custom work applied to the world of beauty, and combine it with a holistic green approach to cosmetics and skincare. That pretty much sums up Savile Beauty, where the possibilities are brilliant and bewildering.

Need makeup that won't irritate your sensitive skin? Craving an all-natural version of a lipstick shade you spotted in stores? Used up your limited edition lip gloss and simply must have a replacement? Founder and self-proclaimed "skinthusiast" Melissa Nkomo can answer your prayers, one hand-crafted product at a time. I caught up with her to learn more about the business of bespoke beauty.

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Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty: Lisa McGregor of Whistler Naturals

Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty is a semi-regular column that highlights organic and natural beauty and skincare brands founded in our fair city.

Whistler Naturals is out to prove you don't have to sacrifice your whole paycheck for natural skincare that's high-quality and effective. Bio-active and anti-aging ingredients abound in its cleansers, moisturizers, and bath and body products. For discerning consumers, the list of what's not in the products is just as impressive: parabens, synthetic preservatives, artificial fragrances and colours, and animal products.

The best part? Individual products retail in the $15-30 range and can be found at your local grocery store. I caught up with one of Whistler Naturals's founders, Lisa McGregor, for the inside scoop.

What inspired you to create Whistler Naturals?

I worked in the natural health products industry in early 2000 and started learning about toxic chemicals in cosmetics. There were hundreds of companies creating natural skincare products for high-end customers and enjoying mark-ups of upwards of 600+%. At the opposite end of the spectrum, there were the “granola” skin care companies selling cheaper products at farmers markets and health food stores. But there was nobody in the middle selling quality skincare to the mainstream retail market. So I set out to create the high-end products I wanted to use, but at the prices I wanted to pay, and Whistler Naturals was born.

Do you have a background in the beauty industry?

I have a background in business and accounting and my business partner, Christie Angeloni, has a background in cosmetology and worked for years with Clinique among other beauty suppliers and spas.

Naturally Clear Skin Gift Set ($49.98)

What were some of the challenges you encountered getting the line off the ground?

Initially, the biggest challenge was finding a natural preservative that worked. Many skincare manufacturers told us there was no such thing as a “natural” preservative and the only options were the toxic ones, or they claimed to be using things like Vitamin E as their preservative, which we quickly found out doesn’t work. After tons of research, experimenting, and testing, we discovered a probiotic that is highly effective at preserving the final product and also really good for your skin. Currently, we are working with a laboratory in the US for rigorous product testing (no animals are used) and continue to run random batch tests of all of our products.

What are your favourite Whistler Naturals products?

Our Vanilla Silk Sugar Body Scrub and Buttercream Icing Body Butter have always been huge favourites for both of us. I have to stop myself from using the scrub every day. I am also in love with our new Naked Apricot Lily Body Butter. Our most popular products are the Carrot Soy Cleansing Lotion and Triple Berry CoQ10 Crème Moisturizer, which are perfect for dry skin and also have natural anti-aging ingredients.

Vanilla Silk Sugar Body Scrub ($17.96)

How did you get your product into Save On Foods, Nesters, and IGA?

I had experience in the natural health industry as the Canadian regional sales manager for retail accounts and we brought a number of products to market in Canada. I brought my experience with me to Whistler Naturals and it gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to approach these accounts, along with a few others.

What's next for Whistler's Naturals?

We have a couple of big projects up our sleeves, but first we are moving to a bigger location as we have quickly outgrown our current space. A 100% Natural Sunscreen lotion, in addition to a ski/bike face protector are close to being ready for launch, and we are also working on a baby product line. We are also really excited to be auditioning for Dragon’s Den this spring, so keep an eye out for us – this is going to be a really exciting year!

Whistler Naturals products are available online and through these BC retailers.

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Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty: Éminence Organics

You may remember a blog miniseries I did in September, Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty, which highlighted the natural and organic beauty brands founded right here in our fair city. Little did I know then what a positive reaction it would receive. Readers emailed me eager to share their favourite local and organic or all-natural skincare labels, leading to a few more installments in the miniseries. Enjoy!

The limited edition Vanilla Almond Gift Set contains a travel-size Hand & Cuticle Cream and Shimmer Body Lotion. The vanilla and sweet almond oil-scented hand lotion is the perfect pick-me-up all day long, while the shimmery body lotion adds a bit of radiance along the collarbone and decolletage during the festive season.

Éminence Organics counts Grace Coddington and Gucci Westman as fans and is beloved in spas and resorts around the world. In other words, this organic label (founded in 1958 and based on old world skincare remedies) is doing something right. Éminence Organics makes its products in Hungary using ingredients from European farms, and combines a holistic old world approach with the best of cutting-edge beauty science. However, the company is headquartered in Vancouver, where Hungarian-born founder Boldijarre Koronczay settled in 1998 and decided to build his life and his company. (You may have spotted the head office's sign on the corner of Cambie and Broadway.)

The Detox Kit is a facial-in-a-tube that will help undo the effects of holiday overindulgence, re-hydrate, and restore radiance to the skin.

As brand representative Elisa Kosonen tells the story, when Koronczay began his business, cosmetics companies made bold claims and ineffective but expensive products full of synthetics. Koronczay--a firm believer in the power of natural remedies--concocted some samples based on old Hungarian recipes and showed them to spas. Aestheticians scoffed at the little pots of jelly-like substances, but the proof was in the pudding (or rather, the jelly): the products boasted wonderful results and clients loved them. Today, the full 180-odd product range is still available exclusively through spas and resorts. (Check the website for a retail location near you.)

Impressive results aside, Éminence Organics has quite the green pedigree. Products are made in small batches to coincide with when ingredients are at their peak of freshness. What's more, Éminence Organics farms practice biodynamic farming, a holistic approach to agriculture that goes a step beyond organic farming. Biodynamic farming seeks to replenish the land of lost nutrients through natural solutions and gives crops the best growing conditions possible, sans pesticides or chemicals.

Navigating through the site's selection can be a bit daunting. So many botanicals, so many products, addressing a bewildering variety of skin concerns. I'll be taking the plunge test-driving a few of their products in the coming weeks (including the ones pictured here). Stay tuned.

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Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty: Tata Harper

Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty is a blog miniseries running during the month of September, and highlighting the great organic and natural beauty and skincare labels founded right here in our fair city. Although Tata Harper technically isn't a Vancouver-based skincare label, the fact that Harper was in town recently and her products are available at BeautyMark merited an addendum to the miniseries.

Organic makeup and moisturizers are becoming more common, but the search for effective and all-natural anti-aging skincare remains a challenge. Enter Tata Harper.

Harper--who holds an engineering degree and comes from a long line of beauty-product-loving Colombian women--was prompted to create her eponymous skincare line after her stepfather was diagnosed with cancer. Women, she reasoned, shouldn't have to expose themselves to the harmful chemicals in beauty products when the products themsevles aren't very effective in the first place. Her epiphany took her on a five-year-long journey as she traveled the globe sourcing and researching ingredients for her new line.

But that journey was well worth it. Today, Tata Harper skincare is made on Harper's 1200-acre Vermont farm using ingredients from around the world. Her products have been earning raves and accolades since the line's launch. Organic, all-natural, chock full of active ingredients, and clinically proven results. No wonder celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Christy Turlington, and Julianne Moore are fans.

The products Tata used on me

I got to see exactly what all the fuss was about when I met Harper herself and she gave me a facial using her skincare line. While we chatted about Latin music pop stars, Harper washed off my makeup using Regenerating Cleanser ($82.50) and applied the Resurfacing Mask ($60.50). She told me about the gentle enzyme-based exfoliants, hyaluronic acid (a humectant and skin plumper), and active botanicals in her products. She then inquired about my anti-aging skincare regimen as she spritzed Hydrating Floral Essence ($71.50) on my face, and then applied Rejuvenating Serum ($165) and Repairative Moisturizer($110). When I sheepishly admitted I didn't have a regimen and I'd be turning 28 soon, she exclaimed, "Girl, you better get on that!" The facial ended with the application of Restorative Eye Creme ($99) and a spot of aromatherapy. As she worked, I kept exclaiming how good all the products smelled; Harper explained that their sweet scent comes from all the natural ingredients and flowers in the formulas, not artificial fragrance.

The proof is in the pudding--or in this case, the post-facial complexion. I was absolutely glowing. My skin felt smooth, hydrated, and plump to the touch, and I had the sort of rosy yet even-toned complexion I can't achieve without a bit of concealer and blush. An hour with Tata Harper, and I was a believer.

Tata Harper skincare is available at BeautyMark in Yaletown.

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Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty: Daniela Belmondo of Belmondo Skincare

Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty is a blog miniseries running during the month of September, and highlighting the great organic and natural beauty and skincare labels founded right here in our fair city.

Daniela Belmondo of Belmondo Skincare believes in being kind to the earth as well as your skin. (After all, "Belmondo" is a play on the Italian words for "beautiful world.") Her line of organic olive oil-based skincare products is infused with calendula, chamomile, lavender, and rosehip to gently cleanse, protect, and nourish skin. Carefully considered details like eco-friendly glass packaging, distinctive white-on-black labels, and fair trade ingredients make Belmondo a winner. I got a chance to talk to Daniela about Belmondo, whether she'll ever do organic makeup, and her desert island essentials.

What inspired you to create Belmondo?

A true desire to share the natural benefits of olive oil for your skin. I grew up in Italy with my grandmother who used olive oil for everything so it was natural to create this line to share with everyone.

Many of Belmondo's products are made using organic olive oil. What are the benefits of using olive oil on your skin?

The wonderful benefits of using olive oil on your skin are plentiful and have been know for centuries. Olives, being a fruit that grows on trees, are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, three components your skin needs for optimum health, beauty, and well-being. I've written a great article on this and you can learn more of the benefits here.

Your products are sold through Anthropologie (congrats, that's huge!). How did that partnership come about?

We had a dream to be in Anthropologie and just went after it. We put together a lovely package of our collection and sent it to them. They loved the line and and our vision and they accepted us as a vendor. It was a pretty exciting day!

Have you ever thought about branching out from organic skincare into makeup?

It's been thought about and so have hair products and sunscreen...these are all requests from our loyal and current customer and we're only willing to develop what our customers ask for. Otherwise we can create new products all the time and this is great, but it takes away from what we do best and our obsession with customer service. For the time being there are many amazing makeup lines and sunscreens I gladly recommend to everyone.

What are the Belmondo products you use on a daily basis?

I love After the Rain Face Toner, it's so much more than a toner and I love this product. I also use The Cloud Face Cream and weekly I exfoliate my skin with The Dunes Face Exfoliator and use The Rain Face Cleanser, especially when my skin tends to feel congested.

What's next for you, personally and professionally?

Professionally, I'm continuing to build my brand by growing and getting exposure in more cities in Canada and the US. Personally, I have a dream to live in NYC with my man, and it will happen when the timing is right. In the meantime Im looking forward to moving to a new area in the city (currently in Vancouver) and exploring new hidden gems.

If you were stuck on a desert island, which 5 essentials would you take with you?

My boyfriend, olive oil, food, laptop, tea.

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Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty: Darcey Diehl of Lippy Girl

Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty is a blog miniseries running during the month of September, and highlighting the great organic and natural beauty and skincare labels founded right here in our fair city.

Organic makeup label Lippy Girl first came to my attention when I attended an event at Wishlist Boutique. With vibrant colours like 'Sassy Ass' (a neon pink, super-moisturizing lipstick which builds in intensity with every coat), fun names, a growing range of products, and cruelty-free USDA-certified organic formulas, Lippy Girl is a noteworthy beauty newcomer. I had the chance to talk to founder Darcey Diehl about the origins of Lippy Girl, balancing two careers with a bustling family life, and what's coming next.

Lippy Girl is a pretty new organic makeup line. What inspired you to create it?

Lippy Girl launched in October 2011. The idea hatched in my brain in March 2011 and I began experimenting and developing it soon after! I was pregnant with my second child, Olivia, and seeking hip, organic, natural makeup without lanolin, lactates, and other animal products as ingredents. Then I saw a famous quote that inspired me by Lily Tomlin: “I said 'Somebody should do something about that.' Then I realized I am somebody.” So I started making makeup.

What readers may not know is that you started this line as a chemistry teacher with zero background in the beauty industry. What were some of the obstacles you encountered in trying to get Lippy Girl off the ground?

I definetely had no experience in the makeup-making industry. I had modelled in my younger years, so I have a strong sense of what I want in a makeup product and a need to wear colours that are pigmented, vibrant, and fun. I spent hours reading blogs on makeup-making and watching Youtube videos, and then even more time in my lab and kitchen developing recipes. The biggest obstacle was finding manufacturers who wanted to work with a high school chemistry teacher starting a makeup line with her meager savings. Several times I wanted to give up, and rejection became a normal occurrence. Thank goodness my husband was always there to keep me going.

Is it hard balancing all these facets of your life--beauty entrepreneur, teaching, family life?

Incredibly hard sometimes, and blissful other times. Sometimes they all seem to co-exist happily, and other times all the areas of my life seem to be in crisis. I get up early and go to bed late, but everything I do is highly rewarding. My children, my students, and my makeup all grow and mature and make me proud of all the work I put into them.

What are your personal can't-live-without favourites from the Lippy Girl line?

I use Lip Love lip conditioner constantly! I love that it keeps my lips so soft and smooth. I wear 'Bewildered' Bronze blush everday, and 'Nonplussed' lipstick most often.

Are there any new products in the works?

I have just received Sha-Zam, a tinted lip shimmer made with organic ingredients. Still waiting for the labels to be printed and then they will be available. Extra Virgin Vegan Lip Gloss is USDA-certified organic and is due to be launched. Vegocentric Vegan lipstick is a mineral-coloured, organic lipstick line that is due to arrive this winter. And finally Lippy Girl is in pre-production with lipliners which have a tentative timeline of next spring. So lots to look forward to!

What's next for you, personally and professionally?

Personally I look forward to my son turning 4 and my daughter turning 1 in September! My son is busy planning his party and designing his cake already. Professionally, I look forward to growing and developing Lippy Girl; the plan next year is to expand into the USA.

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Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty: Sasha Plavsic of ILIA Beauty

Vancouver Loves Natural Beauty is a blog miniseries running during the month of September, and highlighting the great organic and natural beauty and skincare labels founded right here in our fair city.

ILIA Beauty has come a long way since its founder, Sasha Plavsic, first launched a collection of tinted lip conditioners. Now ILIA has expanded to include high-pigment lipsticks and face products, with even more offerings coming soon. With each new addition to her growing line, Plavsic still manages to stay true to her original vision: cosmetics with 85% or more organic content that are as effective as their mainstream counterparts. I had a chance to talk with Plavsic about all of her successes in the past year and ask what she has planned for the future.

A lot has changed for ILIA in the last year. Can you give readers a quick rundown of the newest products and developments?

Yes, we are launching six lip glosses, four mascaras and two new limited edition shades later this fall. It's been steady growth and we've had many requests for the two new products that are entering the collection soon. Colour will remain a focus for the time being and eventually we will make it to foundations, which is a different ball game altogether, but an important one to consider.

Organic makeup gets a lot of flack for having boring colours. How do you achieve bright and on-trend shades like 'Neon Angel' and 'Voila' while keeping the organic content percentage high?

The organic content stays high due to the percentage of organic ingredients, such as beeswax, and the various oils we use in the product. The color is such a small percentage and in order to achieve the bright shades we mix natural iron oxide mineral dyes with mild food grade dyes. Not all of our shades contain food grade; some are 100% natural. Yet we find the combination of the two to be the most successful for achieving on trend colors and good consistency.

ILIA is carried at Colette (congrats, that's huge!). How did this partnership come about?

A little luck and good timing. When ILIA launched last spring, I sent a package to Colette in the mail with a really nice handwritten note. I think handwritten pieces go a long way today and can have a much stronger impact than just sending an email off into cyberspace. Luckily, the product was well received and a relationship to grow ILIA in Paris with Colette worked out for the best.

What are the ILIA products you've been using regularly all summer, and which ones do you see yourself using well into fall?

This summer, I've been on the road a lot! Every morning calls for a little 'Sway' on the eyelids followed by a blend of 'I Put A Spell On You', 'Sway', and 'Polka Dots & Moonbeams' along the cheek bones. For lips, I've been using 'Crimson & Clover' and 'In Paradise' a lot. With fall around the corner, I will move to deeper richer shades like 'Cheek to Cheek' and 'Femme Fatale'.

Finish the end of this sentence: "When I'm not working, I can be found..."

...sitting on the couch in London with my friend who is pregnant and talking about how crazy life is! Well, that's today at least, tomorrow will bring new things!

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