Norway, the eco-chic country is where Restorsea, a line of natural skin care products, was born. The brand sponsored a press trip for beauty bloggers to give them a first-hand look at the origins for their naturally derived ingredients. So when I was invited to go on the trip I swapped my  Jimmy Choo’s for Uggs and packed my bags.

From the moment I stepped off the plane, I understood why Patti Pao, Restorsea founder, was intrigued by this beautiful country.  Pao toured a fish hatchery and noticed the workers had hands that were dramatically more youthful than their faces. Here are some of my favorite images from the trip.

I took this when we were starting our descent into Oslo. It’s easy to see why Norway is the 3rd most sustainable country in Europe (after Copenhagen and Stockholm) with its lush land, fresh air and clean bodies of water.

Taken from my room at the Grand Hotel Oslo where they upgraded me to a suite because I asked for a room with a view (Shhh…that’s our secret). Living in Norway means enjoying a comfortable city life as well as living in an ecosystem-centered value system.

This is Bergen. It is my favorite photo from my trip. It captures the charm of Bergen ever so accurately. Norwegians have a unique relationship with nature. Ecological habitats are integrated into daily life in the common rule of “living together”. Children learn about plants and animals at an early age and ecology and education are linked to one another.

In Bergen we had dinner at Cornelius. A gourmet seafood restaurant on a private island (actually a fjord). The restaurant is literally build around the rock. It’s exquisite.

We were given a demonstration and tasting. I ate an oyster he open up right in front of me. It was thrilling until I had to eat another one to “really taste it”. You see, I “shot” it instead of chewed it. I’ll admit the flavor of the oyster cuts the briny taste of saltwater and makes it more palatable. Still, its pleasure sneaks up on you.

The enzyme to create, the patented formula Vibransea™ is collected at Sævareid Fiskeanlegg a hatchery near a pristine fjord. The Salmon eggs hatch in fresh water sourced from a secluded lake famed for the quality of its water It is extracted from the water after the natural hatching process is completed, without harming the fish in any way. The enzyme is obtained from a sustainable source and is 100% biodegradable. The production process is eco-friendly: low energy consumption and no environmental impact.

Live salmon eggs. Salmon eggs are tough and can withstand harsh elements such as rapids and extremely cold water temperatures. When the salmon are ready to hatch they release an enzyme that helps the larva get out of its egg shell by digesting this tough, fibrous protein structure but without harming the delicate baby fish. Like the enzymes naturally secreted by human skin, the fish enzyme degrades the dead skin cells and they are gently detached while the living skin cells beneath remain untouched.

It’s this  enzyme that is formulated into Restørsea’s powerful proprietary patent-pending Vibransea™ complex, an exclusive patented natural enzyme that hydrates and strengthens the skin, the Vibransea™ complex is enhanced by Vitamin C (to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of age spots) and Brown Algae (to increase moisturization and elasticity and reduce inflammation).

I learned Restorsea is the only product of its kind to be able to exfoliate the skin better and more safely than using Alpha Hydroxy or Beta Hydroxyacids–until now the gold standard but they’re highly caustic. Restorsea isnaturally derived and free from chemical peptides and harmful ingredients, such as PEGs, parabens, phthalates, silicone and mineral oil.Restorsea made it’s debut at Bergdorf’s in New York in October. The Rejuvenating Day Cream is priced at $150.00 and the Revitalizing Eye Cream at $85.00.

This is my favorite photo from my trip. I love the colors of the homes in barn red, butter yellow and the pop of cobalt blue on the door. The gold, rust and forest green colors of the trees on the hillside were gorgeous. It is every bit as charming as it looks. From this I was inspired to create a beauty look.

Bergen Winter

1. Start with freshly cleansed skin then mist with a toner. I like John Masters Organics Rose and Aloe Hydrating Toning Mist

2. Prep your skin with Restorsea Rejuvenating Day Cream. Don’t forget to smooth over the neck too.

3. Pat on Restorsea Revitalizing Eye Cream underneath the eyes from inner to outer corner.

4. Blend in Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals Foundation. I use a chubby foundation or kabuki brush to help break up the minerals for a smooth application.

5. Add concealer under eyes and where needed. I love Glam Natural Concealer.

6. Dust Terra Firma Airbrush Mineral Veil over your t-zone area.

7. Define you eyebrows with Zuzu Luxe Brow Pencil.

8. Contour under the cheeks with Zuzu Luxe Mineral Bronzer and around the jawline.

9. Lightly brush on a whisper of Dr. Hauschka Rouge Powder in Blushing Rose just on the apples. This in not a blush look. You are just adding a hint of color.

10. Line the top and bottom water line with Jane Iredale Cream to Powder Eyeliner with the green in Jewel Box and below the lower lash line.

11. Smudge in Zuii Organics Organic Flora Eye Shadow in Apple onto and under the bottom lash line.

12. Contour the crease and the outer corner of the eyelid with Zuii Organics Organic Flora Eye Shadow in Fudge.

13. Smoke the upper eyelid with Zuii Organics Organic Flora Eye Shadow in Black Diamond wrapping it around the outer corner and into the crease about half way. Use a light touch and be sure to blend so there are no harsh edges.

14. Add Jane Iredale 24-karat Gold Dust to the inner corners of the eye for a little brightening and bling. It doesn’t need to be precise.

15. Curl lashes and top with two coats of Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara in Black.

16. Line your lips with Eccobella Long Lasting Lip Crayon in Raspberry Port leaving the center bare then with your finger blend he liner into the bare area.

17. Dab Jane Iredale Just Gloss in the center of the bottom lip only.

I love this look for a cocktail party or a holiday dinner. Happy Holidays!

xoxo

Paige

▪                allantoin

▪                beeswax

▪                carmine

▪                pearl powder

▪                collagen

▪                Elastin

▪                Hyaluronic acid

▪                Lactose/lactalbumin

▪                Lanolin

▪                Lard

▪                Propolis

▪                Propylparaben

▪                Silk derivitives

▪                Squalane

▪                Tallow

▪                Whey/milk products

Below is a list of chemically safe brands that provide some or all vegan products.

100% Pure

The website says they are vegan.  They state “No animals were hurt for their fur and no animals were hurt for any of our ingredients (the only animal ingredient we use is cruelty free honey).”

Afterglow Cosmetics

The majority of their products are vegan. They only animal bi-product in their forumulas is organic beeswax found in their lipsticks, pencils liners and mascara.

Alicia Silverstone for Juice Beauty

Her entire line of products is vegan.

Beauty Without Cruelty

Their mission is to have ethical, cruelty-free products. Their color cosmetics are suitable for vegetarians and vegans alike.

Christopher Drummond Beauty

His line of makeup is made with vegan-approved formulas that are cruelty-free. His brushes are also vegan.

Ecco Bella

All their products are vegan. Ecco Bella provides cruelty-free organic cosmetics and natural skin care products to help conserve the planet and protect its animals.

Emani

They do not use any animal derived ingredients in any of  their cosmetic products. All of Emani makeup brushes are entirely free of animal hairs and they never tests on animals. Emani is Peta-Certified.

Jane Iredale

Jane Iredale has some vegan products and provides a list of products on her website that contains carmine, beeswax, royal jelly and lanolin-based ingredients.

RMS Beauty

RMS Beauty has some vegan products, but not all their products are vegan. The website says they use beeswax in some of their formulas.

Zuzu Luxe

All Zuzu Luxe products are vegan and gluten free.