Green is the new black
If you make a conscious effort to recycle and keep those cotton shopping bags in the trunk of your car, you’ve caught on to the green movement. And if you’re performing random acts of kindness in terms of the environment, why not do the same when it comes to your beauty regimen?
Two Morristown boutiques offer products and services that can make you and the environment look great.
Our first stop is Salon Botanique Eco-Chic on South Street, which is a little over a year old.
“All the products we have are totally natural,” said Ron Marks, who owns the salon with his wife Aurora. Both are committee members for Morristown’s Step Ahead program, which helps the city stay environmentally friendly. It helped place bike racks on the streets to encourage residents to limit the use of their automobiles.
The spa uses high-end organic body-care products, including the Eminence skin-care line. These products are hand made in Hungry and contain fruit and vegetable pulp, which is prefect for people with dry skin.
Salon Botanique is New Jersey’s exclusive dealer for Ligne St. Barth, a plant-based skin-care line from the Caribbean Islands.
Stacy Beyer, part owner, takes going green to the highest level in the hair salon. One of the lines featured is Milkshake, which utilizes all-natural ingredients that add protein and balance out Ph levels in the hair. A particularly popular hair service is the blended treatment, where a yogurt-based powder is blended with a milk mixture.
“It builds hair back to get it in better condition,” Beyer said.
They also feature Organic Color Systems that are made of vegetable minerals that use heat to open hair cuticles as opposed to the conventional method of chemical use.
“It’s a safe way for pregnant women to color their hair,” Beyer said.
Next up, an exotic makeover
After you’ve taken care of your body and hair, complete your look with an organic makeover from Annie’s Cosmetics.
Annie Cheong, owner, opened her shop seven years ago and has been supplying customers with organic cosmetic and skin care products plus personalized service. She has worked for major cosmetics companies, such as Chanel, but decided it would in her best interest to start her own business.
“I waned freedom of stock situation to find what’s best for my client,” Annie said.
With the experience she gained, Annie recognizes the three components to flawless looking skin: proper skin care treatment, correct choice of color and ideal application techniques.
Annie has also worked for a dermatologist in New York, and is an expert in skin care. She utilizes mineral based products, which were originally created for women with sensitive skin to be used after treatments such as lazar peels. Her line is based off of products made around the world that use natural ingredients.
In addition to providing consultation for selection of products, Annie also educates her clients on how to use them correctly. For instance, because daily moisturizers should contain SPF for sunscreen during the day, a separate lotion should be used at night as to not clog your pores.
After a clean and smooth base is achieved, Annie completes every look with what her clients refer to as ‘Annie eyes’. By analyzing eye shapes and colors, ‘Annie eyes’ become the focal point of your entire face.
Annie has a reputation for client satisfaction by treating each woman who walks into her store as an individual.
“You’re not being sold to, you’re being cared for,” said customer and model Janet Cargill.
Using organic beauty products is just another step in the right direction for being environmentally friendly. Now if only you could remember those reusable shopping bags in your trunk before you get to the checkout, you’d really have ‘green’ style.
ANNIE’S COSMETICS, 916 Mt. Kemble Ave., Route 202, Harding Township / Morristown, (973) 984-7062, anniescosmetics.com
SALON BOTANIQUE ECO-CHIC, 149 South St., Morristown, (973) 889-9200, salonbotaniqueecochic.com
RON, AURORA AND STACY SAY: “Use products that are a healthier alternative to the conventional products.”
