While the promise of spring is just around the corner, it can be hard to align ourselves with ideas of sunshine and warmth as winter seems content to have us remain in its hold a little while longer. If you are like most, the dreary days added up can do a number on your feelings of ambition, alignment and connectivity to Source and your inner voice. Creativity may feel dulled, energy low and your fire may need a little spark.

With Aries season afoot, it’s an excellent time to re-ignite the fire within and activate your sacral chakra, your creativity, passion and lust for life. Here are some amazing methods and tools to activate your sacral chakra, shake off winter and re-ignite your inner force.

The Activity – Box n’ Burn

As dedicated as we are to finding alignment through yoga, sometimes forcing stagnant energy out of you with high intensity activity can be a welcome change to yoga’s flowing and coaxing method. Activities such as boxing style fitness classes, spin classes and even a visit to a studios like Barry’s can awaken your body and inner being from its winter slumber and get you pumped up for life.

At the moment, we’re loving Drop Boxing – a new boxing fitness studio opened on Spadina in Toronto. With motivational quotes embedded tastefully in the decor, you can feel yourself start to motivate from within upon arrival. Once you’re in the Drop Room, your 50 minute class goes by in a flash of fire, music and pleasurable muscle burn. You’ll leave feeling accomplished, strong and excited to come back.

Images From Drop Boxing Instagram

The Stone – Tiger’s Eye

We’ve talked before about how Citrine is an amazing stone for activating and connecting with your sacral chakra. When our sacral chakra’s are suppressed, it is difficult to access our passion, our joy, our creativity, our ability to manifest abundance and even our connection to our sexual selves. Another stone to connect with when you need a fiery boost is Tiger’s Eye. This stone is said to give the boundless energies and unwavering focus of the tiger. Meditating with Tiger’s Eye placed close to your sacral chakra can work to activate your inner fire as well as impart needed waves of self-compassion. As the winter has been harsh on our earth, so we too can be on ourselves when we are feeling tired and dull. Accessing the bright and warm energies of the Tiger’s Eye is an excellent way to step into the next phase of your journey.

Image from The Healing Chest

The Potion – Moodbeli Bliss Booster

Nothing lights your inner fire better than cayenne. Available at The Truth Beauty Company, the Moodbeli Bliss Booster is a cayenne-spiked raw cacao and maca root blend with notes of cinnamon said to help relieve stress, enhance vitality, and bring the mind into the present.

Cacao is a natural mood elevator. It contains high levels of iron, magnesium, calcium and anti-oxidants. Maca improves mood, energy, and skin.Cayenne boosts metabolism, helps digestion and provides detox support. Himalayan pink salt provides the body with essential minerals, balances electrolytes and pH, and supports optimal nutrient absorption.

We’re thrilled to be going to this Thursday’s True Beauty Talk hosted by The Truth Beauty Company. This is the perfect event for anyone who is looking for the latest and best in green and clean beauty. True Beauty Talk is an exposition designed to bring together thought-leaders in the space and connect them with consumers who are invested in beauty options that are better both for themselves and the planet.

This year’s True Beauty Talk will bring together panelists, tutorials and curated shopping experiences from companies like Rocky Mountain Soap Company, Indie Lee, Well Told Health, Elate Cosmetics, Woodlot, Graydon Skincare. 

“We wanted to delve deeper this year, truly giving leaders in the space the opportunity to share more than just the latest trends and best products for certain results. The independent clean beauty space is a unique market, one that is highly value driven. It is incredibly inspiring to see how brands like Rocky Mountain Soup Company and Elate are able to stay true to their initial values while managing impressive growth and reaching larger markets”, says Jennifer Freitas, CEO and founder of The Truth Beauty Company and leader of the True Beauty Talk.

The event will be held at the Burroughes Building, with doors open to the public starting at 1:30. Guests will have the opportunity to engage with founders, discover the latest trends in green beauty and tools, as well as enjoy make-up tutorials. Also, if you are looking for an intimate shopping experience that allows you to test and try products and learn about them from actual company representatives before you buy, this will the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite and going FAST. Make sure to snag yours quickly and get a head start on your beauty new years resolutions.

While clean/green beauty continues to become a priority amongst Canadian consumers, there still remains only a handful of Canadian-grown trailblazers in the clean/green beauty space and Jennifer Freitas, founder of The Truth Beauty Company, is without a doubt, one of them.

We call her a trailblazer, because not only has Freitas built an online platform (and two brick and mortar locations) where Canadians can shop a carefully curated selection of the best and most current products in the clean/green beauty and eco-friendly lifestyle space, The Truth Beauty Company also hosts regular Masterclasses and Workshops where interested people can meet the faces behind some of the industry’s most coveted brands. For example, JoAnn Fowler, founder of Sappho will be at The Truth Beauty Company’s Guelph Location this Friday. Past events include a meet and greet with Indie Lee, the founder of Indie Lee and a Masterclass with Jessica Burman of Cocoon Apothecary.

All images from The Truth Beauty Company Instagram Feed

We sat down with Jennifer to find out her inspiration, how she selects brands to carry, her advice for brands just starting out and what clean/green beauty products she’s loving for spring.

What led you to start The Truth Beauty Company?  

It was actually a personal need! I had moved from Toronto to Waterloo in 2010 to raise my twin daughters and could not find ‘clean’ shampoo that was not stripping my hair (personally, the brands that I found in health food stores, while they met my ingredients criteria as far as being non-toxic, I didn’t find them nourishing!) I figured I wasn’t the only one in the region who was seeking clean, luxurious and performance-based personal care products. When my minis were 18 months old, I opened our Waterloo store.

When it comes to selecting the types of brands and products you carry at The Truth Beauty Company, what do you look for specifically?

We have a five pronged approach:

1. Is it clean? (free of toxic ingredients)

2. Is it different from other products we presently carry?

3. Is it effective? (like, will the deodorant actually work?)

4. Price-point? (we like to offer a range of prices so price is not necessarily an exclusionary credential, but rather simply something we consider)

5. Is the packaging appealing?

We have different categories at Truth Beauty so it must fall under a type of product we would even carry; we focus on personal care so if it is in that vein and meets the 5 points above, we will review a brand / product.

What Canadian beauty brands do you feel are making an impact in green beauty space?

I think many of them do actually! I know Province Apothecary really looks to source Canadian grown ingredients – hence the name ‘Province Apothecary’. Cocoon Apothecary packages mostly in glass because the founder feels it is important to reduce plastic consumption; it raises an issue so even if it gets you to think about how you are consuming, she is making a difference. Woodlot uses only essential oils in all of its products – including its candles! That is a big deal as it takes a lot of essential oil for the scent to carry and linger – which most people want their candle to do! Sonia, Woodlot founder really believes in the importance of being pure.

Really, I think clean beauty brands all want to make a difference. They entered clean beauty from the outset to make a difference and I think many of them operate from a place of authenticity – and that is certainly true of the brands that I have fallen in love with.

What advice would you offer an independent green beauty brand that is trying to get started in this space? For example, how could one make an impression on you enough to consider carrying it at The Truth Beauty Company?

The market is fairly saturated and I know it’s competitive – so first piece of advice would be: Get ready to hustle.

I would suggest that before you even begin hustling, know your angle. How will you be different? Why will people know about and seek out your line? (This is my prep for newbies, essentially reiterating that it will take a lot of hard work).

Ultimately, a brand needs to stand out. It if stands out and a retailer, like Truth Beauty is interested, it is great when a company is prepared, meaning they should have a press kit, an understanding of the minimums, tester policy, vendor buy-back policy, preferred shipping methods and rates, are able to offer demo support, etc.

Running a business is hard work. Building a brand is even harder.  

What 5 products are on your ultimate must-have list for spring this year and why?

My Must-Haves for Spring! Oh so fun!

I love simplicity with make-up so products that really double up are faves of mine. I am really loving Kosas Duos these days – especially in Velvet Melon; the juicy peach hue I just can’t get enough of! It’s so fresh looking on the cheeks. Get Kosa’s Velvet Melon here. 

Graydon Skincare’s Face Glow is also a staple because it is so versatile. It acts as a primer, offers some sun protection, adds some luminosity and evens out my skin tone. Only thing this gem doesn’t do is the dishes. Get it here 

I really fell in love this year with gel based serums – they offer so much moisture that is long lasting, yet feel fresh upon application and are incredibly light-weight. The one that is on heavy rotation for me these days is the Pai Back to Life Serum.  

Spring also gets me back outdoors. I am out running, gardening and just generally being more active … so a deodorant is a staple. We recently introduced Canadian brand Hola and I think it is my favourite to date! The texture is firm, not gritty and most importantly, it is effective.

Lastly, I am offering a year round must have – the Woodlot Palo Santo spray … for my hair, my linens, my room … I spray this stuff anywhere and everywhere. It just calms me and makes me feel beautiful.

Image Credit:

Priscilla Du Preez

Slipping into your first pair of open-toed shoes since winter can be one of the most gratifying feelings after months of chill and clunky boots. Add a gorgeous pedicure and polish to the mix and you’re unstoppable. As we head into a new season and are remaining mindful of what we are putting in and on our bodies, it’s important to pay attention to the polish we’re putting on our nails.

In spite of cute colour names, bright colours and Instagrammable bottles, there are still a large number of brands that use harmful and highly toxic ingredients in nail polish products which can enter the bloodstream. The fact is, unless your nail polish bottle states that its contents are non-toxic, you can be certain it is a toxic, chemical-laden product that you need to avoid.

While there are some amazing nail brands that are going 5-free, 6-free, 11-free and even 25-free, the most important ingredients to avoid are the following three chemicals. That said, we encourage using  polishes that eliminate even more than these three chemicals, like some listed in our round up below. There are plenty of amazing, high quality and trendy options.

The Big Three

Dibutyl Phthalate or DBP

Used to make plastics malleable, the European Union has banned DBP from cosmetics, skincare and toys. It has been targeted as toxic for reproductive and developmental growth. Health Canada associates DBP with liver and kidney failure in young children. It is also extremely toxic to our aquatic friends.

Toluene 

Toulene is a moderate skin irritant and can cause dermatitis with prolonged contact. Inhalation of toluene vapour can affect our central nervous systems, which explains the light-headedness, drowsiness and irritation of the nose and throat when you’re painting your nails.

Formaldehyde

Recognized as a carcinogen, formaldehyde is also a suspected environmental pollutant that is incredibly toxic and has no place on or in our bodies.

If your nail polish is non-toxic than you can rest assured that these three chemicals and a slew of others are not present in your bottle.

The good news is that an increasing number of brands are making on-trend, green-friendly polish hues that are perfect for anyone who loves to see a pop of colour on their fingers and toes. Take it even further with companies that don’t test on animals and you’re golden!

Lauren B. Beauty

Lauren B. Beauty is the perfect nail polish for business people who are always on the go. It’s an easy application, and the quick dry formula is vegan-friendly and free of harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, DBP, toluene, formaldehyde resin and camphor. With a variety of colours, you are bound to find the right shade and nude for your skin tone. Although Lauren B. Beauty is located in the United States, they are still available at Vegan’s Imperative in Parkdale.

Image Credit: Lauren B. Beauty

Tenoverten

Tenoverten’s collection has a variety of long-lasting colours that make your nails stronger and healthier. Whether you are at a salon or home Tenoverten’s nail polishes are designed to leave a smooth, streak-free finish in all their unique colours. All products are cruelty-free, vegan, and made in a US factory that honours the Leaping Bunny Program; which ensures that no animals have been tested on at any phase of product development. Tenoverten’s nail polish collection is available at salons like Her Majesty’s Pleasure, Healthwinds Spa and One2One Studio in Toronto.

Image Credit: Tenoverten Polish

Sundays Studio

Sundays Studio has perfected their nail polish formula creating the simplest and purest collection that have long-lasting strength and shine. This high-quality formula is one of the safest for clients and salon employees since it is nontoxic, cruelty-free, and vegan. Sundays’ non-toxic nail polishes are free of dibutyl phthalate, TPHP and formaldehyde and other harsh chemicals. Since Sunday Studios believe that you do not need to sacrifice the lives of animals for beauty, all their products are 100% free of animal byproduct and are not tested on animals. Sundays Studio nail polish can be purchased on thetruthbeautycompany.com.

Image Credit: Sundays Studio

AILA 

In the nail polish world, you can never be too careful of the chemicals that are going at your fingertips.  Aila strives to keep as many chemicals out of their nail polishes as possible by creating a 25-free formula. All of AILA nail products are vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and are available at Clementine Fields.

Image Credit: AILA Nail Lacquers