Posted by Sally Malanga on Wed, Apr 25, 2012 @ 11:27 AM
The recent news showed that some major cosmetic companies seem to feel that lead is an acceptable ingredient for their lipsticks. In fact, the FDA found that the level of lead in many well-known brands had increased since previous tests, with the worst levels being found in Maybelline, L’Oreal, NARS and Cover Girl. Equally disturbing is the fact that cosmetic companies do not have to list lead on their ingredient labels, as it is considered a by-product of the manufacturing process. Face it with so much pollution in the world, they may not be able to get rid of the heavy metals so easily. The FDA's legal authority over cosmetics differs from other products regulated by the agency. Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA pre-market approval authority, with the exception of color additives. So, lead is truly the beauty industry's "dirty little secret"!
In the wake of recent scandals involving toxins in beauty products, including lead in lipstick, the House Energy and Commerce Committee called the first Congressional hearing on cosmetics safety in more than 30 years, which was held on March 27th.
Surely, you know that lead is an environmental toxin we should avoid— remember the outcry over lead in paint, gasoline and imported toys? Lead exposure is more critical with products we apply directly to our skin. As the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics stated, “Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels.” Such accumulation of harmful metals can affect brain function and cause chronic diseases.
Ecco Bella natural beauty customers know they don’t need to worry about our products. Not only do we test for lead, but also for cadmium and mercury. In a test conducted by EMSL Analytical of both Ecco Bella Lipstick and Eyeshadow, the results showed lead <0.08ppm, cadmium <0.90ppm and mercury <0.05ppm. All less than 0.1ppm which is what the FDA allows for candy.
Ecco Bella FlowerColor Lipstick is a simple formula of vegetable waxes, oils and mineral pigments that are free of gluten, FD&C dyes, preservatives and fragrance. Our FlowerColor lipsticks also moisturize without flaking or chapping. They go on creamy and won’t feather. What would you expect from a lipstick that thinks it’s a lip balm? Ecco Bella products are a pure pleasure!
So, while some cosmetic companies seem okay with unacceptable levels of ingredients usually found in batteries and radiation shields, you can kiss those nasty toxins goodbye! Ecco Bella aspires to a much higher standard, that of Mother Nature. And, Mother Nature knows best! After all, she is the original Intelligent Beauty!
Posted by Sally Malanga on Tue, Jan 03, 2012 @ 12:06 PM
Many of you know that I'm on the board of both Friends of Animals and the Primarily Primates sanctuary in Texas. I'm thrilled and honored to tell you that on December 6th, the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) announced that Primarily Primates had achieved GFAS Verification.
"It is an important and large sanctuary, housing many of the most difficult to place animals, such as chimpanzees, many species of monkeys and parrots. No matter what level of detail was requested of the sanctuary, they provided it without complaint. With more than 400 animals it was quite a task for them." Stated Patty Finch, Executive Director of GFAS.
Many animals are cast-offs from biomedical research institutions and the pet trade. One reason for this accreditation is the addition of 19 large, outdoor natural enclosures, built since 2007 to house them in proper social groups.
The verified status also provides a trusted means for government agencies and donors worldwide to give to Primarily Primates as an organization worthy of support. Read the complete announcement about the accreditation here, and read more about Primarily Primates in my previous blog posts.
You can see me here at the entrance of the sanctuary during a recent visit.
Remember sanctuaries are an artificial refuge (no matter how nice) for these intelligent beings. Friends of Animals has a project called GRASP which calls for full legal standing for all primates large and small, that is, allowing them the right to live without harm. I hope that someday aliens don't decide to imprison and impose upon humans the way we do to animals.
And so Intelligent Beauties, here’s a way you can be part of Primarily Primates success. When you purchase our special Primarily Primates Natural Mascara, in Brown or Black, for just $20, you’ll also receive a one-year membership in both Primarily Primates & their parent charity, Friends of Animals--a value of $69.95. You'll look beautiful, and help a beautiful cause at the same time. Please join us! Sally Malanga, Founder Ecco Bella
Posted by Sally Malanga on Fri, Dec 30, 2011 @ 09:34 PM
Dear Intelligent Beauties,
I went to New York City and created for you a slideshow of the many fantastic Holiday sites and windows. Try to view this in a larger format than is posted here, so you see the details of the holiday windows better.
I wish you, all the animals and our planet a healthy New Year!
Sincerely yours, Sally Malanga, Founder
Posted by Sally Malanga on Mon, Dec 12, 2011 @ 10:50 AM
I admit to feeling just awful all week. I experienced both disgust and mourning during the 6 day New Jersey Fish and Game Commission's sanctioned hunt of New Jersey's beautiful and peaceful bears. It finally ended Saturday December 10th.
Prior to last year's hunt, I attended five protests and faxed Governor Christie every single day. He refused to cancel it. Some people say it's futile to protest, but I disagree.
This year I brought my nephew Anthony, age 13 to the protest. It was his first protest. He has friends who hunt. I am glad he was willing to show up to learn how to express his right to free speech.
As our car approached the town, we saw men in orange vests on the side of the road preparing to enter the forest. Anthony pointed them out and said, 'You can tell they are hunters because they wear camouflage with orange over it, even a bear would see it."
We arrived at the protest and we took our places across the street from the bear check-in station, which had at least a dozen men in police uniform standing around. Anthony could see for himself the respectful approach of the protesters as compared to the hunting crowd, who shouted insults at us like "Kill all the bears, kill them all!" as we stood holding our signs. Anthony asked, "Aren't the police here to protect us, too?" "Yes." I said ruefully, even though it didn't seem like it.
At one point a red jeep pulled into the check-in station and then pulled out, I saw a small dead bear lying on the vehicle's rear platform, with a loose blue tarp over it. I felt a revulsion and sadness. Anthony saw it too. He said nothing.
I began a conversation with others around me, who were holding signs. One woman stated that her cat alerted her to a bear that was on her porch where she had
left some unprotected bird seed. She saw it pull the bag of seed out of a milk can. She waved it off. It turned to leave and she noticed it was drooling. She said, "I felt so bad, he was so hungry. But I felt so happy to have him around. No one in our neighborhood wants to harm the bears." "They are just big vegetarians." I said. She nodded and smiled.
The whole world cares about the bears, and the hunters in New Jersey embarassed us. Even natural beauty Brigitte Bardot, heard about it in France. She was quoted in the New York Post, "What can we think about the state of New Jersey, where 592 bears are condemned to death?" Bardot wrote personally to our heartless Governor, Chris Christie.
In buddhist terms, we identify this act of voracious desire by hunters, a desire so strong that it causes them to kill the very object they crave, as living in the world of hunger. It is an exhausting way to live. I am confident that some day people will become enlightened and stop behaving this way. I will do what I can by being as aware of my own hunger as much as possible. Take care.
Posted by Sally Malanga on Wed, Sep 21, 2011 @ 04:25 PM
We spend a third of our lives asleep. So why not take full advantage of all those zzz’s? Let Ecco Bella
Night Rebuilder with Ceramides turn back the hands of time--while you dream.
Ceramides are very precious natural lipids that bolster the structure of your skin--something like "mortar between bricks." Just a small amount is vital in keeping skin healthy and young-looking. But over time, your skin produces less ceramides, resulting in more wrinkles. What’s worse, every time you wash your face, you wash away these very ceramides that nature so patiently gave you.
Now, my secret is yours. I added very precious ceramides to Ecco Bella Night Rebuilder. Night after night, you can replenish your own ceramides, helping to build firmer skin while you sleep.
Night Rebuilder Cream also includes our signature VitaminCells--lutein, lycopene, astaxanthin, beta-carotene, CoQ10, Vitamin C and SuperVitamin E. These vitamins are time-delivered during the night, bringing new meaning to the concept of “beauty sleep.”
Thank you for inspiring us to continue as an innovator in natural beauty, while looking out for you, animals and the planet.
Posted by Sally Malanga on Thu, Sep 15, 2011 @ 03:27 PM
It has been my husband Kevin’s dream to visit the World War II sites of Normandy, France. So when he needed to go to Paris for business, I grabbed my 12-year-old nephew Anthony and we set out together to soak up the history and beauty of Paris and Normandy.
I am always thinking of you, so I made a video postcard of our 12-day adventure. To see it, please click below. Don't miss the scenes of Anthony putting his foot into Normandy quicksand. I hope you like it!
Wishing you a wonderful summer finale! Please keep in touch!
Posted by Sally Malanga on Sun, Sep 11, 2011 @ 07:34 PM
So many lipsticks just lay there in your purse, doing little else but adding a bit of color and a lot of flaky dryness. But leave it to our Natural Beauty Gurus to give your lips a smart, beautiful alternative, with our Flower Color Lipstick in a sumptious color called Merlot.
Ecco Bella Flower Color Lipstick is the only lipstick that thinks like a lip balm. Like your favorite lip balm, it moisturizes without flaking or chapping. By the way, the Natural Beauty Gurus want you to know that this gorgeous wine-colored shade is translucent, and looks amazing on any skin tone. What’s more, the simple formula of vegetable waxes, oils and mineral pigments goes on creamy smooth, without feathering.
Want to enhance that awesome Merlot color? For perfect definition, try pairing it with Ecco Bella’s Plum Lip Liner.
Put a little natural color splendor on your lips this season with Ecco Bella Flower Color Lipstick in Merlot.
Thank you for inspiring us to continue as an innovator in natural beauty, while looking out for you, animals and the planet.
Posted by Sally Malanga on Wed, Aug 31, 2011 @ 11:06 AM
Have you ever delighted in the scent of pure essential oils? If so, you know how pleasant it is—a far cry from the eye-watering effect of synthetic fragrances. Did you know that essential oils not only help us feel happy, they bring great benefit to our skin? Your face and mood can experience all this with our Revitalize Natural and Organic Facial Treatment.
You’ll love how the formula of essential oils, organic herbs and vitamins soothes, nourishes and detoxifies your delicate skin. Revitalize is a little gem because it has the expensive essential oils of jasmine, sandalwood and neroli (also known as “bitter orange”) to bring you a truly intoxicating beauty secret.
How do you use it? This precious formula should be applied directly to the face, or under night cream--and to the scalp. And, applied to the neck and wrists, it even doubles as a fine perfume. Now that’s a triple advantage, and that’s how I like all Ecco Bella formulas to benefit you!
Thank you for inspiring us to continue as an innovator in natural beauty, while looking out for you, animals and the planet.
Posted by Sally Malanga on Tue, Aug 23, 2011 @ 07:46 PM
Do you enjoy watching bumblebees make their rounds between each delicate lavender flower? I do! I am so happy that we could support the bees, while capturing the sweet-spicy fragrance of those glorious plants for our Water-Free Lavender Herbal Body Lotion. Enjoy this luxurious lotion for yourself and to celebrate our friends the bees and the lavender plants that grace our homes.
Besides its delicious fragrance, lavender stimulates the growth of new skin cells, which can help reverse the signs of aging. What’s more, lavender’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness and blotchiness, leaving smooth, healthy-looking skin.
We’ve taken all this nurturing lavender and created a rich, water-free formula that relieves dryness, irritation, and flakiness for hours after other lotions have worn off. Enjoy it!
Thank you for inspiring us to continue as an innovator in natural beauty, while looking out for you, animals and the planet.
Posted by Sally Malanga on Wed, Aug 03, 2011 @ 02:19 PM
It's always gratifying to see the ways in which Ecco Bella's message radiates to like-minded communities--namely, those who also focus on organic ingredients, a gluten-free diet, the environment, and veganism. We continue to expand not only because of the reputation of our products but because of partnerships with our wider allies.
Recently I was asked to be
interviewed on the Women's Business Talk Radio Network of blogtalkradio, and I was delighted at this opportunity to deliver our mission directly.
It was a pleasure to spend time with the wonderful radio hosts (and health-concious vegans) Ginger Burr and Marion Davis, and I want to share the results with you.
You can
access the interview here, and learn more about the reasons for Ecco Bella's founding and where we're going. Enjoy it!