Tuesday, November 18, 2008

TLC Book Tour - The Green Beauty Guide and Giveaway

I was honored to be asked to review The Green Beauty Guide by Julie Gabriel as part of the TLC Book Tour. Honestly though, I saw this was an upcoming book and I really wanted to read it so I asked. I have to say that this is one of the best books I have read in a while. It's really a must-read, I think, for any person who wears make-up, cares about their hair and skin condition, and/or just wants to make healthier decisions. So really it's a must-read for everyone.

The Green Beauty Guide isn't a "going good to feel good" kind of book. Julie Gabriel has definitely done her research. She's a registered nutrition specialist and has been a writer and editor of beauty and fashion. She knows her stuff. She also has a skincare line called Petite Marie Organics. But this book isn't a promotional piece for her line.

The first two chapters are fascinating:The Nature of Skin and Beauty and the Toxic Beast. Realizing how skin, our largest organ, works is key to understanding how to take care of it. And it's amazing how chemicalized we've become. The next chapter Become an Ingredients List Expert clues you in to how many chemicals common lotions and make-up contain.

But my favorite part, of course is the do-it yourself beauty recipes. She has a chapter devoted to each common product: cleansers, toners, facials, moisturizers, sun protection, hair care, baby care, etc. And she makes it easy by providing a hand grocery shopping list for common products used in the recipes. She also provides good tips for commerical products that are better for your health.

I'm still amazed by the wealth of information contained in this book. And it's fairly cheap: $16.95 US dollars.

I was sent two copies so I'll be giving away the second copy. Honestly, I was going to give it to my sister instead but I'm just going to be buying a copy. So leave a comment for a chance to win the book. For an extra entry, go to The Green Beauty Guide website and tell me something interesting that you found out. The contest runs until November 30th.

For other reviews of The Green Beauty Guide and more, check out TLC Book Tours.

Julie Gabriel’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Monday, November 17th: Allie’s Answers

Tuesday, November 18th: Life and Times of a “New” New Yorker

Wednesday, November 19th: Nature Moms Blog

Thursday, November 20th: Books and Cooks

Monday, November 24th: Green Phone Booth and Going Green

Tuesday, November 25th: The Good Human

Wednesday, November 26th: OrganicBeautySource.com

Friday, November 28th: Crunchy Chicken

Monday, December 1st: Surely You Nest

Tuesday, December 2nd: Greenstylemom

Wednesday, December 3rd: Rawdorable

Thursday, December 4th: She is Too Fond of Books

Friday, December 5th: Presenting Lenore

Monday, December 8th: Red Lady’s Reading Room

Tuesday, December 9th: Savvy Verse and Wit

Wednesday, December 10th: Bookopolis (will also be posted asa Guest Review at Books on the Brain)

Thursday, December 11th: B & B ex libris

28 comments:

  1. Okay, I had an ARC of this book and it was fantastic. I also loved the DIY stuff, as well as the information on looking for premade stuff that is ACTUALLY green (who would think there would be crazy synthetics in something labeled 'organic'?). If this is the finished copy, I would really love to win it because, sadly, the ARC included only half of the DIY chapters, and the second half had some of the chapters I was most interested in.

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  2. Hi Amanda!

    I had never heard of this book but it looks great! I'd love to win a copy.

    I also checked out the website and read a few entries. I especially liked the one about nails and how their condition can be a potential flag for health problems.

    Thanks for posting about this book!

    -Emily

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  3. Hi, Amanda. No need to enter me; Lisa at Books on the Brain asked me to write up your contest over at Win a Book. I was more than glad to do so.

    If we can help connect you and good books in other ways, let us know.

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  4. Hi Amanda,

    I am very happy you like the book! I am a passionate DIY-er when it comes to skincare, and I honestly don't even remember when it was the last time I bought a skincare item in a regular store!

    I promise to share more recipes on the greenbeautyguide.com blog - as you know, I am making my own line, PETITE MARIE ORGANICS, and I tried tons of combinations before I ended up with my six products. Many of the formulations were so good, I now have to find ways to fit them into the line! And of course, I'd be happy to share my recipes! So please let's stay in touch and maybe you'd be converted into beauty DIY mode just like I was!

    Funny thing, a status junkie I have always been, I decant my best creams and masks into my old Creme de la Mer jars. And why not? They are porcelain and pretty!

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  5. I'm scared to see what is in the makeup that I use, but nevertheless, I'm interested in this. I'm definitely a DIYer.

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  6. I liked the Cleansing Balm recipe from the website. My skin is already starting to dry out this winter. Maybe I'll try making some.

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  7. I'm striving mightily to go organic in not just my food, but in my cleaning and beauty supplies as well. This book looks like it would be a great help.

    The website had some good tips. I was glad to hear that the Boots Soothing Balm is a fairly good, inexpensive oragnic face cleanser. (Now the question is, do they carry it at my local Target?)

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  8. Sounds like an interesting book! I'd love to be entered. I posted the giveaway in my blog sidebar.

    --Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric
    diaryofaneccentric[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  9. Sadly I can't live without makeup, so this book is right up my alley since i'm trying to live a greener life, and the part where there are recipes would be awesome I'd love to know how to make a good cleanser since most are full of really icky things. Thanks for entering me!

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  10. I found the whole site interesting, lots of neat stuff! I liked the recipe for the cleansing balm! I also liked the info about the hidden dangers of caffine. Very useful site thanks for leting me know about it!

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  11. Entry #1: I am all for being Green...green everywhere!
    Please enter me for this book, I'd love to have a copy!
    Thanks so much,
    Darby
    darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

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  12. Entry #2: I went to the site and there is so much interesting stuff on there...wow!!! Thanks for the link! I found of particular interest "the product reviews"....funny how much marketing covers the truth!
    Darby
    darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

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  13. I went to the book's website with your link and finally found out what Phenoxyethanol is. As I suspected, it's not good.

    I would love to win this book.

    I blogged about your giveaway here:

    http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/11/this-weeks-giveaways-galore.html

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  14. I forgot to tell you in my last comment that I got a new cat a few weeks ago. I named her Amanda. :) Did you know that your name means "worthy of Love" in Latin?

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  15. I'd love to win this book! I recently started 'going green' and I have no clue what to do about skincare and makeup products.

    One interesting thing I learned is that green tea can prevent skin cancer!

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  16. Sounds great!
    Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.

    avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

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  17. I'm part of the tour, no need to enter me, but I posted your giveaway in my sidebar....

    have you posted your contest on win-a-book?

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  18. I would love a chance to win this book, it sounds great!

    ladyufshalott at yahoo.com

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  19. I went to the web site and read the article on customizing your own shade of mineral makeup (maybe I COULD do it...) and also about Sephora not being honest about their ingredient lists. I really like that site!

    ladyufshalott at yahoo.com

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  20. This sounds like a really great book. I'd love to be entered.

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  21. I'd love to know what commerical products are better for your health

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

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  22. I'd love to win this book. I learned that there are carcinogens in expensive lotion and it's both cheaper and safer to mix them, yourself. I had no idea!

    Thanks for telling us about this book!

    bookfoolery at yahoo dot com

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  23. This book looks fascinating. I'd love to win a copy!

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  24. I am on the tour too, but I only have half the DIY stuff like Jen so I'd love to win the complete book!

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  25. Hi,

    I have been hearing a lot about this book recently and I would love to win it! I haave been looking for good ways to clean up my beauty supplies, and what better way than making my own. I like knowing what is going on or in my body. Thanks for the chance to win this great book.

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  26. This book sounds really great. I've been looking for more ways to be "green" in my life, and this book sounds very useful. Please enter me!

    I checked out the website, and learned that some cosmetic companies use caffeine in their products, causing dry skin!

    bluebyrd24 at gmail dot com

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  27. Wow! This is an eye opening book! Just when you think you are in the know...you find out you are still missing A LOT! I'd love to stick my nose into it! :)

    Cricket4JC at hotmail dot com

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  28. I am so happy I was on this tour! What a fantastic book (and I'm not totally "whole, organic, natural"). I bought it for my sister, too, along with the ingredients for the Hand Rescue Cream.

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