happy 5th birthday vapour

In what seemed like a lifelong search for the best and cleanest makeup, a connection was made in the Spring of 2011. Happily, sarimotley cosmetics found a beauty brand that walked the walk and talked the talk: Vapour Organic Beauty.

Vapour produces color cosmetics made from food-grade ingredients sustainably and honestly. With its unparalleled purity, Vapour Organic Beauty is about to celebrate five years of bringing the world a better, cleaner makeup made with organic ingredients. This brand is as much about being naturally gorgeous as it is about being green. I am delighted to celebrate bringing Vapour to you, to Houston, to a community of people who love the way it feels on their skin and how gorgeous they look when they wear it.

Happy Birthday Vapour!

the future of awesome

Over the last few years popular beauty brands have begun to evolve, with many making the shift to cleaner, greener products. Excitingly, what was once unthinkable is now commonplace.

Almost every major brand now offers products made with "natural" ingredients, has a “beauty oil” and might even be paraben-free or organic. Why? Because natural products are awesome, they feel good and work just as well as their mainstream counterparts made with benzones, color additives, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (what?), etc. The adaptation of conventional cosmetics into something cleaner, greener and healthier is not just a fad or for people who eat granola; it’s for everyone!

About ten years ago, sarimotley cosmetics launched a “pretty” pursuit to share clean, healthy, beautiful skincare and cosmetics. Most of our products were made from simple ingredients, many right from the kitchen. The collection included facial oils, castile-based cleansers and simple essential oil mists and tonics. Then cleaner color cosmetics emerged and were added to the collection.

As the beauty industry evolves, sarimotley cosmetics also evolves. You will see many products prevail and a few fizzle out. Rest assured knowing that if one of your favorite products is no longer available, something equally (if not more) amazing is right around the corner.

Some of our beauty brands available at sarimotley.com and studio:

BijaBody
A body care system designed around the four core pieces of true skincare: exfoliation, protection, regeneration and targeted treatments. Products are formulated using scientifically advanced ingredients infused with holistically nourishing goodness.

bkr
A trendsetting, luxe glass water bottle that will change the way you drink your water forever.

Coola Organic Suncare
Suncare actives (like zinc and titanium dioxide) in an organic ultra-moisturizing base, making spf super-nourishing and easier than ever.

One Love Organics
A natural, ethical and environmentally driven skin care company created by skilled cosmetic artisans, and handcrafted on St. Simons Island, a small barrier island off the coast of Georgia.

Vapour Organic Beauty
Where luxury performance cosmetics meets pure organic formulation.

Preserve Skincare
The perfect face cleansing pads developed by two experienced estheticians looking for an easy, effective way to get people to wash their faces and take care of their skin.

SariMotley Pressed Minerals 
Pressed mineral eye shadow, blush, powder and fun color.

Senna Cosmetics (select products)
Natural, wearable and innovative mineral and high-definition makeup and colors for everyone.

For information about sarimotley cosmetics and our beauty brands, please feel welcome to reach out and say hello. If you do not see your favorite product(s) on the website, do not hesitate to ask (sari@sarimotley.com). 

welcome one love organics

This post was intended for February (2014) and "celebrating love." It seemed to slip by getting posted here...

A warm welcome to One Love Organics. One Love Organics is a natural, ethical and environmentally driven skincare company created by skilled cosmetics artisans, and a perfect fit to pair with sarimotley cosmetics favorites. Their products are handcrafted on St. Simmons Island, a small barrier island off the coast of Georgia. Isn't that beautiful?

We are loving the brand for so many reasons, here are a few:

• One Love Organics embraces the simplicity and the knowledge that you can achieve more with less. 
• One Love Organics uses only the highest quality, most effective ingredients that directly benefit your skin.
• One Love Organics believes in the power of the beauty ritual to renew, relax and transform.
• One Love Organics beautiful philosphy: “... a simpler approach to beauty: a sensitive yet effective alternative to all those ubiquitous bottles and the mysterious stuff they contain. Our plant based formulas are designed to nourish and balance all skin types—so they’re perfect for everyone. Because beauty isn’t in the bottle. It’s in the heart."

beauty bottle

Water is the magical liquid that plumps skin, fills in fine lines and wrinkles, and boosts blah skin. So when you find yourself searching for this perfect beauty elixir, you now have the perfect receptacle from which to drink. 

Meet bkr (pronounced "beaker"), the perfect, most gorgeous way to stay hydrated and keep skin glowing and beautiful. Designed to make a statement against a disposable world and the chemicals we ingest via plastic bottles, bkr is an unfolding of loveliness from dirty plastic to clean, bubbly glass and soft silicone. 

Inspired by fashion, coolness, pretty things, tranquillity and the belief that you adore simple things that make life feel a little more beautiful and effortless; bkr

• is designed to hold the same amount of water as your typical plastic water bottle (500 ml/16 oz)
• has a similar mouth opening so you don't spill on yourself
• components are BPA-free and phthalate-free
• is dishwasher safe
• is lightweight, sturdy and easy to carry
• is made from glass, the ultimate green and clean material
• silicone sleeve is non-toxic, protects the glass, feels good in your hands and is clean, modern, minimal and cool. silicone is 100% recyclable
• each bkr collection is inspired by colors you love
• encourages you to drink more water
• means you drink better water
• gives back; a portion of all proceeds are donated to initiatives that combat the global water crisis

 Your best-loved bkr bottle is available at sarimotley cosmetics' studio. 

relaxed routine

When it’s hot and sticky outside, the last thing you want is to feel the weight of heavy products on your skin.

First thing, convert to something that feels like skin, yet still gives you the coverage you desire. Prep skin with products that do double duty, like tinted moisturizers with SPF (Coola Mineral Matte Tint with SPF 30 or Coola Mineral Rose Tint, SPF 20–both provide moisture, antioxidants, sun protection and a little sheer tint).

Also, using a primer will help even skin tone and texture without adding color (Stratus Instant Skin Perfector from Vapour Organic Beauty).

Find multi-taking products for adding color. This makes summer makeup extra-easy (Vapour’s Aura Multi-use Blush stick for cheeks, eyes and lips– favorite color picks for summer: crush, spark, courtesan and foxy).

Give eyes a sheer wash of color with fun in the sun shades that bloom, inspire, bronze and twinkle. Add a little mascara and have fun!

To find your relaxed routine and simple summer look, make an appointment to visit the studio (call 713-292-6711 or email sari@sarimotley.com.

summer color is blooming

The go-to color for summer 2014 is a combo of purple, fuchsia and pink that draws you in with beguiling charm; it’s called radiant orchid. If you have not seen this hue yet, you will soon. It has a magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination (pantone.com).

For starters, color is fun! It says “confidence” and offers a little something that makes you feel good.  You’ll find this color and shade variations for eyes, cheeks and lips popping up everywhere.

Pair your favorite variation of radiant orchid with yellow, gold, green, blue or pink. Add neutral tones to soften and make bright hues feel more wearable, or don’t, be bold.

happy summer!

way more than lotion

When BijaBody’s Daily Body Serum made its way to sarimotley cosmetics, “decadent” was the first word that came to mind. Days later, that word was “impressive”! This esthetician created collection is truly the first of its kind: a skincare system for your body. Yes, your body. You have rituals for your pretty face, now you can enjoy one for your beautiful body. The four-product collection follows simple concepts of exfoliation, protection, regeneration and targeted treatment that takes your skin to a whole new level of being cared for.

Daily Body Scrub - exfoliate

Exfoliation cleanses, smoothes and prepares your skin for other products. The Daily Body Scrub fuses a nourishing body wash with a brightening scrub for a silkiness like no other. Organic honey and botanical oils of rose, rice and carrot are blended with perfectly milled grape seeds and corn cob meal. Regular use will gently smooth skin and leave your body glowing.

Daily Body Serum - protect
Protecting your skin from environmental aggressors is essential, and now providing a veil of potent antioxidants and vitamins is a piece of cake with BijaBody’s Daily Body Serum. Tea extracts, lycopene and the BijaBody signature HoneyOil base will leave your skin immediately glowing, deeply nourished and delightfully scented.

Anti-Aging Body Treatment - regenerate
Your body will drink in and enjoy the skin-regenerating ingredients found in BijaBody’s Anti-Aging Body Treatment. This luxurious lotion improves texture, tone and skin’s resiliency. Slow down premature aging, decrease roughness and reduce wrinkling. Everyone enjoys a lotion, but this is so much more.

Bedside Manner - target
Reduce and prevent fine lines from lips, lip area, hands and anywhere else targeted anti-aging is desired. A rich, luscious organic honey and botanical oil base is infused with correct concentrations of the most researched and proven anti-aging ingredients available. “Our hands and lips are crucial for our communication with the world, but they also get the most wear and tear,” says BijaBody founder, Melissa Picoli. Bedside Manner Anti-Aging Lip + Hand Treatment is specially formulated for skin that needs extra attention.

To experience the BijaBody collection make and appointment to visit the studio (call 713-292-6711 or email sari@sarimotley.com). Spend some time to take care of your whole self, not just your pretty face.

repost: true skincare system for your gorgeous body

See the BijaBody blog post from founder Melissa. Read, experience and go "beyond moisture."

http://www.bijabody.com/blog/true-skincare-system-for-your-gorgeous-body-346.html

what's your skin's story?

Anti-aging body care coming soon to sarimotley cosmetics.

There is so much beautiful information to share here from BijaBody; it's going to be a multi post project. The founder, Melissa Picoli, has great story to tell (see link below). Reading her story about BijaBody and all that they encompass is a good feeling.

About Bijia Body

http://www.bijabody.com/about/about-us

colour theory by vapour organic beauty

Below is a repost of a great article from the Vapour blog. Give it a read:

http://www.vapourbeauty.com/blogs/The-Vapour-Theory-of-Colour.aspx

a little taste of fall 2013

While it still might feel like summer, the colors and styles of fall are here. 

A few tips when looking to refresh your makeup for this season: dewy, yet finished look for skin; light shimmer or matte plums for eyes and lips; simple black eyeliner to define lashes and barely-blushed faces. Pick a trend that suits you best, or wear them all. 

This image from Allure Magazine, October 2013 is a beautiful example.

ALLURE, October 2013

Need help finding something new or revamping what your have? I'm here to help.

repost from lindsy steinberg events

Lindsy visited the studio, see her post below:









http://lindsysteinberg.com/blog/vendor-spotlight-sari-motley-cosmetics

nude reinvented

Just when you thought your favorite lip pencil couldn't get any better...

Now the looks-good-on-nearly-everyones' lips sarimotley signature nude lip pencil is newly formulated (read: way more clean and natural), and in two new shades. So you can be "nude" (original pinky nude); go with "barely there" (peachy nude) or be totally "irresistible" (neutral mauve). It's easier than ever to find your perfect shade.

These lip liner pencils glide smoothly over your lips with a new, naturally creamy texture and great, spot-on precision. They will nourish your lips with super-hydrating shea and cocoa butter, moisturizing jojoba oil and antioxidant-rich green tea and grape seed extracts.

Aside from the newly reformulated, impressive ingredients, here are a few more reasons you'll want these lip liner pencil:

• helps lips appear fuller
• increases lipstick longevity
• prevents lip color and gloss from bleeding into fine lines

Get it here.

 

totally truffle

The long awaited launch of Vapour's Mesmerize Eyeliner, in its newest shade–Truffle, is finally here.

Truffle is a soft, taupey-brown, the perfect color for creating a softer (non-black) smokey look–a look that's easy on the eyes in more ways than one.

Mesmerize glides on without dragging or tugging on the skin. It's beautifully blendable, offering the softer looking side of smooth precision or sexy, smudgy.

Also, this extra-special eyeliner pencil is gluten free–like the rest of the Vapour collection–and does not contain the harsh adhesives found in traditional eye pencils.




Made with 70% organic ingredients, Mesmerize is a true treat for the eyes. Enjoy nourishing and moisturizing properties from organic coconut and sunflower oils, and soothing extracts of organic chamomile. Your eyes deserve Mesmerize!

glow on now

Vapour Organic Beauty is all a-glow, pure and simple.

Just in time for holiday splendor, you can add a little more dazzle to your look and feel good about it. Meet Halo Body Spotlight from Vapour Organic Beauty.

Halo adds sexy, subtle highlights to your shoulders, arms, décolletage and back, all-the-while delivering antioxidants and moisture to your beautiful skin. With Vapour's light reflective technology the appearance of younger, refreshed skin is yours. 

Like all Vapour products, Halo is made with 70% certified organic ingredients and 30% natural mineral pigments & vitamins. Infused with nourishing, antioxidant Acai berry & Green Tea, soothing Calendula flower, essential amino acid Lysine moisturizing Lotus Flower, anti-inflammatory Frankincense, antioxidant Tulsi and skin supportive silica, Halo will care for your skin radiantly.

In universally flattering shades, Halo imparts a sophisticated glow for all ages and skin tones. Available in Brilliance (24 karat gold) and Mystic (cool pink with blue iridescence). 

Finally, now you can have all the performance of a luxury highlighter with none of the chemicals!

Get glowing!

great to gorgeous

Step by step video from Vapour Organic Beauty.

when smoking looks cool

A classic smokey eye is so gorgeous and alluring. But it can look too dramatic for daytime, so try these softer versions with browns, greys, greens and mauves. They are perfect for day-to-day and equally as gorgeous in the evening with eye liner and a little extra mascara for more drama. Here are four easy-to-do steps:

1. Apply a shadow primer or a light shadow color over the whole lid from lash line to brow. Favorites are Senna Cosmetics Totally Transforming Eyeshadow Primer, mineral matte shadow in antique white or pink water or mineral shadow in alabaster or peach quartz.
2. With a shadow brush, press a medium color onto lower lid. Great medium tones: bronzite, cat's eye quartz, emerald mist and fading rose.
3. Then apply the darkest color close to lash line and smudge upward. Suggested darkest shades are twig, titanium, volcanic ash and olive slate.
4. Apply mascara.The best: Voluptulash from Senna Cosmetics. This products is not available on the website, but you can get it in the studio. 

For more color suggestions and ideas for your smokey-eye style, email sari@sarimotley.com. And do not smoke cigarettes, it's not pretty.

don't be a flake

As it gets colder (and it will, even if it’s just for two days), the air inside will be warmer and drier. This can lead to dry, itchy skin. But you can help prevent dry skin by using products that attract moisture. Here’s how:

Use a moisturizing cleansing pad like Preserve Skincare Cleansing Pad in Orange Blossom, with aloe and herbal extracts. Or try a creamy cleanser like easy-does-it with cucumber and shea butter.

At night, use mild, creamy cleansers sans the lather. Two to try: Vapour’s Clarity with jojoba and evening primrose oil, and sarimotley’s easy-does-it (as suggested above). 

Apply moisture while skin is still damp to help lock in moisture. Ingredients to look for: moisure-boosting hyaluronic acid (glow-getter), aloe (glow-getter) and shea butter (glow-getter, do-over, dollface). If skin feels tight, find a thicker, richer creme. Or skip creme and go for a hydrating and nourishing oil like Vapour’s Essence. 

To prevent dullness, try a gentle exfoliator like sarimotley’s polish microdermabrasion creme with aloe vera and shea butter. Or try something from your kitchen like a little coconut oil and organic sugar. 

If you have additional questions about your skin and how to hydrate during the the fall and winter, contact sari@sarimotley.com.

gorgeous green gadgets

The way we apply makeup has evolved since we smeared kohl across our eyelids with our fingers. In this century, we find that the proper "tools" are as essential as the makeup itself. There are many to choose from and each with a different material and function. Makeup brushes are made using either animal hair or synthetic bristles. Both come in various densities, textures and shapes. Both have their admirers, but synthetic makeup brushes have become increasingly popular with the “green” scene because they offer eco-friendly, non-allergenic and cruelty-free advantages.

Because of the great advantages of sythetics', I decided these were a great place to begin my search for the best makeup brushes. And, over a year later, I found them. Meet Bdellium Tools (pronounced “del-ee-uhm, -yuhm," with a silent "b"), which are among the best of the best. Their cutting edge technology is unique and innovative, and their brushes are handmade by skilled artisans ensuring quality and integrity every time.

Bdellium Tools Green Bamboo collection is made with eco-friendly bamboo handles, anodized aluminum ferrules and all vegan synthetic bristles. Bamboo is fully sustainable due to its rapid re-growth cycle, and can be harvested with virtually no impact in the environment. The ferrule is the metallic ring of the brush that connects the handle to the fibers, and Bdellium’s are anodized for a longer lasting life. The synthetic fibers (or hair) have little to no shedding compared to natural hair, they are easier to clean, are hypoallergenic and provide a gorgeous application. 

Bdellium’s Green Bamboo collection is perfectly priced from $8 - $20 per brush. For more information on makeup brushes and finding the essential ones for you, contact sari@sarimotley.com.

new age suncare

introducing revolutionary plant uv 

The brilliant folks at Coola have been tucked away in the lab creating the newest formulation in sunscreen yet. Coola has harnessed the power of mother nature with their patented Plant Protection Technology. 

This innovative product contains plant stem cells, which help protect against broad spectrum UV rays; and Zinc Oxide, which is widely considered the most inert and safest sunscreen active.  

The inside scoop. With the naturally protective plant cells of the Buddleja Davidii stems and the Lilac Leaf, which have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, this formula is preservative-free and made with 70% organic inactive ingredients. You'll find Beet Root and Cordyceps Mushroom Extracts that help protect the skin and defend against premature aging, while organic Cucumber Extract helps soothe skin in or after the sun. 

Also infused with organic emollients like Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, antioxidant-rich Olive Oil and  Omagea-3 enriched Linseed Oil to moisturize, smooth and soften skin. And Orazanol and organic Beeswax to boost natural sun protection. 

These face and body formulas are the perfect way to stay green with your sunscreen!

Natural. Plant. Protection.