FREE mini-facials @ Ecologique in San Francisco THIS SATURDAY!

Everyone is heading back to school and summer vacation is over. Its easy to get yourself in a rut about having to go back to school and work, but honestly the best way to go back is in style.

On September 27th Ecologique and Edelbio are inviting you to a day all about you at Ecologique Boutique at 141 Gough St (at Oak) in the trendy Hayes Valley shopping district.

Our mini-spa escape includes one half-hour complimentary mini-facial. --The treatment starts off with a deep cleanse, a gentle exfoliation, a fresh wake-up mask, and then given a healthy vitamin boost from our signature raspberry serum. Finish off with a moisturizer customized for your skin type.

So, before you get all stressed out, treat yourself to a day of relaxation and pampering! Space is limited, so reserve your time by calling Lela at 415.621.2431.

Vanity Beauty Lounge

A new spa just opened in San Francisco in the Financial district and it's causing quite a buzz. Vanity Beauty Lounge are beauty experts and offer some very exciting mani-pedi's as well as facials.

They also offer a variety of products in the spa. Perhaps on your next lunch break at work or your day off you can treat yourself to a day of relaxation and pampering.

EPA Studies Cosmetics Waste in Our Waterways

So, we know that chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products are bad for people, but we can't forget that they're bad for the environment, too!

The Environmental Protection Agency is digging in on research into fish tissue to determine how cosmetics waste is affecting American waters. Along the way, they're developing important methodology that is going to allow them to detect steroids and hormones related to personal care products and pharmaceuticals, which are also included in the study.

Hormones, you say? In the Bay Area? Not in our town... Well, think again. Apparently, 95% of San Francisco's waterways are contaminated with "hormone-disrupting substances" traced to personal care products. Eighteen of the 19 samples collected contained trace levels of at least one of the following: phthalates, bisphenol A, and triclosan, according to a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group.

Goings On Around Town: The Face Parlour Launch Party

We've mentioned Face Parlour before, but allow us to re-introduce.

Face Parlour was founded by Lauren Fornes, an esthetician with a goal to "democratize radiant skin." She found her calling after a successful career in luxury marketing and her own personal struggle with adult acne. Lauren loves to help her clients feel and look great, all while knowing the real ingredients in the products. Through the FaceParlour site, she shares her expertise and research with the hope of directing clients to skin care products that are effective, safe, and sustainable.

On April 22nd Face Parlour held a party at Spring in San Francisco for their official launch! Lauren greeted everyone as they walked in through the door. After being greeted by Lauren, guests were free to view the products of Spring, nibble on snacks, drink organic vodkas, and mingle amongst themselves.

Congratulations to Lauren and FaceParlour, we hope to be celebrating many anniversaries with you!

America's Top 50 Greenest Cities

Woohoo...Popular Science magazine has rated America's Top 50 Greenest Cities and the Bay Area dominated!

They used data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Geographic Society’s Green Guide, which reviews all American cities of over 100,000 people in more than 30 categories, including air quality, electricity use and transportation habits. They then compiled these statistics into four broad categories:

Electricity: Judging the use of renewable sources such as wind, solar, biomass and hydroelectric power and incentive offerings for residents to invest in their own power sources.

Transportation: These scores are based on how many commuters take public transportation or carpool and on air quality.

Green Living: This is based on the number of buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council and for areas devoted to green space, such as public parks and nature preserves.

Recycling and Green Perspective: These measure how comprehensive a city’s recycling program is (if the city collects old electronics, for example) and how important its citizens consider environmental issues.

And the winners are...dun dun dun...

1. Portland, OR
2. SAN FRANCISCO, CA
3. Boston, MA
4. OAKLAND, CA
5. Eugene, OR
6. Cambridge, MA
7. BERKELEY, CA
8. Seattle, WA
9. Chicago, IL
10. Austin, TX

That puts the Bay Area in THREE of the Top 10 places! Good job, folks, and keep it coming. Maybe next year we can make San Francisco number ONE!