Live Clean, Save Green

After forking out a hundred bucks on a saucy cut and colour at the salon, it’s vexing to invest even more in an overpriced shampoo, even if it’s easy on the Earth. To lend a hand, the folks at Ontario-based Live Clean have formulated a line of shampoos and conditioners that are both light on the planet and your wallet. Made from purified water infused with organic botanicals like lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus, Live Clean products are chemical-free, cruelty-free, and sustainable in every way, from the ingredients right on down to the packaging. What more could a mane ask for? Visit live-clean.com [1] for details on where to buy.

—Sondi Bruner

Gimme Some Skin

Just ’cause leather has been around the block doesn’t mean it has to look, you know, used. A strong argument for the eternal winsomeness of well-worn hide comes in the form of local designer Ashley Watson’s handbags. Made from recycled leather, these cute clutches are glossy, stylish, and even sustainable. Just roomy enough for all the November essentials (wallet, lipstick, cellphone, retractable umbrella), these gorgeous bags are polished enough to take you from the boardroom to the cocktail bar (where you’ll be drinking organic B.C. vino, of course).
Available at One of a Few (354 Water St.) and Not Just Pretty (1036 Fort St., Victoria). Info: ashleywatson.net [2]

—Jennifer Croll

Squeaky Green

Excessive primping may be vain, but bathing beauties can now come clean with the EcoTools line of products that transforms any soak from blah to bliss. Rub-a-dub-dub with sponges made from natural, sustainable bamboo or even, yes, recycled plastic bottles. EcoTools also offers a collection of cosmetic brushes made with taklon (a man-made fibre) bristles, and not from the coats of cute little squirrels or sables. The handles are fashioned from bamboo and recycled aluminum, and the finished products are packaged in reusable pouches, each with an Earth-friendly tip on the back. Available at Pharmasave and Value Drug Mart. Info: parispresents.com [3]

—Erica Gehrke

Wood Works

The concept of jewellery is more likely to bring up images of Ivana Trump than David Suzuki. But North Vancouverite Adea Chung is aiming to change all that. Her Billy Would line of necklaces and earrings comes direct from the trees—reclaimed hardwood, in fact. Each piece is hand-shaped, hand-sanded, and finished with a natural beeswax-and-oil combo. Mini trees, antlers, lotus stems, discs, and hearts hang from sterling silver chains and hooks. Each piece is wrapped in second-use packaging whenever possible. Fresh, chic, and sustainable, it’s something even Ivana and David can agree on. Available at Orb (2028 W. Fourth Ave.), 604-568-6720. Info: billywould.com [4]

—Lindsey Lewis

Three’s Company

Don’t try telling Twigg&Hottie that three’s a crowd. Local gals Glencora Twigg, Christine “Hottie” Hotton, and self-proclaimed ampersand Jess Vaira prove that even without any meddling building supers, three can make a good company. Adding to other in-store lines at the Twigg&Hottie store on Main Street, the trio recently launched We3. The series of 11 knit tops in soy, bamboo, and organic cotton defy the stereotype of the baggy, figure-obscuring fall sweater. We particularly love the dramatic batwing-sleeved turtleneck and coy one-shouldered blouse. Unleash the sexy, sustainable sweater girl in you at Twigg&Hottie (3671 Main St.) or Organix (1812 Boatlift Lane, Granville Island). Info: twiggandhottie.com [5]

—JC

Lip Service

An impromptu smooch can make your day—until the kisser recoils in horror from your cracked and flaky lips. Nurture your pouters over the winter months with Mountain Sky’s Love Thy Lips Balm, made with soothing ingredients like mountain spring water, hemp oil, and beeswax. The B.C. company has extended its enviro-efforts to support an entire village in Ghana by purchasing shea butter from a women’s collective there. And for that, they deserve a great big smackeroo. Pucker up at Whole Foods, Drive Organics (1045 Commercial Dr.) or Sweet Cherubim (1105 Commercial Dr.). Info: mountainskysoap.com [6]

—EG

Dry Spell?

As recreational activities go, there’s almost nothing more natural than the horizontal mambo. And female-friendly personal product company Sliquid knows it. Its line of lubricants made just for women is vegan-friendly, glycerin- and paraben-free, hypoallergenic, and non-toxic. The original H2O formula has morphed into many more, including Sizzle, which warms with friction, and Silver, which is 100 per cent waterproof and formulated to be super long-lasting. Grateful gals are fully set to dance the night (or afternoon, or morning, or evening) away. Available at London Drugs. Info: sliquid.com [7]

—LL

Want us to feature your product? E-mail erica@shared-vision.com [8].