Rev-o-lu-tion: A dramatic and wide-reaching change in the way something works or is organized and in people’s ideas about it.

Or-gan-ic: Produced without the use of chemicals or artificial agents.

Over the past few years I have done numerous makeup applications on women of all different skin types and tones and there is one common makeup misstep that I see over and over again: compensating for what is perceived as looking “pale” or “washed out” with a foundation that’s too dark (although other common offenders include bronzer, lip color, and eye makeup). Everyday makeup is about self-expression and bringing out those features you love most about yourself. How we feel and how we look are undeniably linked to our self-esteem and the energy we share with the people we come into contact with every day.

This brings me to my makeup secret weapon: blush. Now, call me ‘Captain Obvious’ if you want, after all blush is one of the cornerstones of makeup application, but I can’t tell you how many women sit down in my chair who have no idea what they are missing out on…and then a transformation takes place. The right blush and a little, tiny bit of know-how and it’s buh-bye too-dark foundation and tons of bronzer and hello to fresh, natural and glowy. Why? Because when we apply foundation (or whatever your skin tone evening weapon of choice is) we inevitably mute out the natural pinkish tones that come from healthy circulation. Bronzer may deepen the skin tone, but blush restores and highlights your natural “healthy glow”, brightens your complexion and adds a pinch of color that makes you look healthy and vibrant. Whether you want a healthy flush of color or sultry, defined cheekbones, a little blush in the right spot makes all the difference.

Being that I’m a fan of multi-tasking, easy-to-use, finger-friendly products (not everyone want to carry a ton of brushes around), I’ve always been a lover of cream blushes. My problem however has been finding one that’s free of synthetics, preservatives, dyes, and petrochemicals. I also prefer the stick/balm format versus being in a little jar, as it makes for easier application and keeps you from potentially contaminating your product with your fingers (and getting it under your nails!).

Enter Revolution Organics. This Canadian-based cosmetics company was founded by friends and beauty industry veterans Melissa Shabinsky & Alexandra Zanella who created Revolution Organics “out of our own personal desire to simplify our lives and to make healthy, responsible lifestyle choices, beauty products included.” Their goal was “luxurious, beautifully formulated, healthy multi-purpose beauty products that could do more so we could use less.” All I can say is: they hit the nail on the head!

When Alexandra and Melissa set out with the dream of creating Revolution Organics, they knew that avoiding chemicals and using natural and organic ingredients that were beneficial and not harmful would be the key to their line. So they committed it to be free of anything not natural, including: chemicals, synthetics, parabens, sulphates, articifical ingredients, dyes, perfumes, petrochemicals, and animal testing. Additionally, their packaging is printed on FSC certified paper with vegetable-based ink. In case you were wondering, as I was, FSC stands for the Forest Stewardship Council whose motivation, since its inception in 1994, has been to promote environmentally and socially responsible management of the world’s forests. Their organic ingredients which comprise 85%+ of the products are USDA certified organic and everything is 100% natural.

Alexandra and Melissa’s hard work and dedication to quality resulted in a line that’s as effective and gorgeous as it is natural and beneficial. With ingredients including organic olive, coconut, jojoba, and palm oil, their products keep skin supple and moisturized. Pure mineral pigment provides beautiful, easy-to-wear colors without chemicals. Plus, they’re packed with organic essential oils, natural antioxidants, and plant proteins to protect, strengthen, and nourish skin.

Revolution Organics’ multi-purpose, 6 product line includes an all-over body balm that boasts 22+ different uses, an all-over skin crème, a vitamin-packed pucker protecting lip balm, Freedom Lip Gloss in 6 super-wearable shades, and the inspiration for this article: Freedom Glow Multi-Tasking Beauty Balm. Freedom Glow comes in three colors. Sunkissed is a perfect peachy color with the subtlest hint of golden shimmer, Blushed is bright, rosy pink, and Bronzed is a plummy chocolate. The chubby stick makes application a cinch whether you choose to use your fingers or dab it directly on your skin. Each one doubles as a fantastic lip stain/color (depending on how heavy you apply it) and they last a really, really long time.

And wait, it gets better…Revolution Organics is giving away sets of coordinating Freedom Glow Beauty Balm and Freedom Gloss organic lip gloss to three lucky Modern Hippie Mag readers!

To be eligible you must be a Modern Hippie Mag subscriber receiving our updates via email, or RSS, Facebook fan, and/or Twitter follower (tell us your Twitter name in your comment below).

For a chance to receive one of these gift sets, here’s what you have to do:

1. In a comment below tell us why organic/natural beauty is important to you.

2. Follow Revolution Organics, @revolution_girl.

3. Fan Revolution Organics on Facebook.

4. Tweet this Too Dark Foundation Watch Out, the Revolution is Here http://bit.ly/bkqC8I via @modernhippiemag

5. Go to www.LiveButterflyEffect.com and “Contact Us” with your name and e-mail.

More details:

• Open to U.S. entrants only.
• Recipients chosen at random using random.org.
• Won something in the last thirty days?  Last month’s winners are ineligible for this giveaway.
• Giveaway ends 12 midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 9^th, 2010.  Winner will be announced on Wednesday, Feb. 10th, 2010.
• Winner will be contacted via email and/or Twitter.  You will have 48 hours to respond at which time another winner will be randomly chosen.

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