A good make up brush is almost as important as the cream or powder you're applying; especially if you're concerned with having an authentically natural beauty regime.

Here are a few tips on what to look for when searching for the green brushes to match your organic make up and how you should take care of them.

Choose a brush that is made from sustainable materials rather than plastic. Bamboo or aluminium handles are good.

Bristles. This depends on where your loyalty lies. Synthetic bristles, like those used for Inika Cosmetics brushes are Vegan because they contain no animal hair. Often made from Taklon or nylon these brushes are best used from cream-based concealer, foundation and lipstick.

Natural fibre bristles can be made from the hair of squirrels, goats, horses, minks, sables, badgers, mongooses or a combination of a few. This doesn't mean the animals were treated badly to get their hair. Horsehair that is groomed and cut regularly may be a better option than stripping a squirrel of its coat for example. Natural brushes are best for applying powder foundations, powder blush or powder eye shadows. One exception is the vegan kabuki brush by Inika which is absolutely THE best mineral powder foundation brush we've found.

For men our hand made shaving brush has a sustainable maple base and unbleached natural bristles is a good traditional natural grooming brush.

To keep your brushes in good condition try to wash them at least once a week to avoid pimple outbreaks and lessen the risk of bacteria causing infections on the face (especially near the eyes). Using a mild natural soap or shampoo rinse brushes overnight in warm water. Dry gently using a clean towel and lay them flat to air dry.

Great hair does wonders for your appearance but does green hair? We're not talking colour, but rather the environmental credentials of your hairstyle. And yes it can do amazing wonders for your appearance - you'll be contributing to the eco movement so will smile more and, if you choose the right products you're hair will look healthier than ever.

So, how do you give yourself a new look green hairstyle?

Cut it short. Short hair uses less shampoo, conditioner and styling product (arguably that depends on how you like to style your hair). If you like it long wear it long; you'll have less split ends by not using a hair ties so will need less product and less hair cuts (saves on travel) to restore it.

Reuse it. Apparently human hair makes for excellent fertilizer. You could also donate it to Locks of Love who make wigs for children who have lost their hair due to illness.

Use organic hair products. They contain no nasty chemicals, and ingredients are grown without the help of harsh pesticides so keep our land clean. They keep your hair divinely healthy, especially hair care ranges like John Masters, Green People and Lavera.

Choose the green hair salon. Green Hair in Shoreditch, the Aveda concept salon Wahanda in Mayfair and Jigami, the organic hair salon in Soho are a few of London's greenest hairdresses. If you love your hairdresser and can't bear to leave suggest some green options - most businesses are open to the idea of going green and if they haven't clocked on to the fact that eco is a selling point you could be just the person to help them achieve a competitive edge!

Failing that why not do what Sam does and take your own shampoo and conditioner with you to your hairdresser!

A number of carbon trading schemes have been set up by governments and companies around the world in the last five years in an effort to curb climate change. The global carbon market was worth US$125 billion in 2008 and as you might imagine with the threat of climate change becoming ever so urgent, this value is sure to increase. Hence, it's important we all know what's carbon trading is and who's doing it.

Basically, a carbon market allows a polluter to buy the right to emit greenhouse gases (i.e. CO2). The carbon trading schemes incorporate a carbon limit by which companies and countries must not exceed. If they do exceed these limits they must do one of two things. Either buy allowances from other polluters who have not used all of their up or they can buy carbon offsets from projects outside the scheme (and often in developing countries) which avoid emissions (think reforestation projects in Nigeria).

The Kyoto Protocol is perhaps the most well known scheme. Launched in 2005 it includes 37 nations (not including the US) and covers all six major greenhouse gases. Its target was to reduce emissions by 5% by 2012. This expires in 2012 but countries are hoping to sign a new pact in December in Copenhagen.

The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme was also launched in 2005 and includes all 27 EU member states. This scheme's target was cut 21% below 2005 levels by 2020. Each country is given a quota of carbon emissions, which they allocate to industrial polluters.

The Voluntary Carbon Market in Japan was launched in 2008 and covers the countries energy producer's carbon emissions. Companies buy and sell allowances to stay within their voluntary targets.

The North-eastern U.S. states' Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) was launched in January 2009 and incorporated power plants in 10 US states. Its target is to cut emissions by 10% below 2009 levels by 2018.

Beyond these established carbon market there are a few trading schemes in proposal stage. The Australian Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme would aim to reduce greenhouse gases by 5-25% below 2000 levels before 2020. The U.S. federal climate change bill would aim to cut CO2 on 2005 levels by 17% by 2020. The U.S. and Canadian Western Climate Initiative aims to cut 2005 levels of greenhouse gases in the power plant and transport industries by 15% by 2020. The New Zealand scheme has yet to set a target by would include forestry, electricity, transport and agricultural waste.

Experts say the Australian scheme is the most promising yet, though it's still not been passed by government I'd have to agree but being an ozzie I'm somewhat biased. Needless to say the more progressive all nations become in the targets they put in place to fight climate change, the better off we'll all hopefully be.

A new study published in the Journal Of Paediatrics has found that phthalates (chemicals found in conventional shampoos, perfume, nail polish, deodorants, cosmetics, toys, glue, paint and some plastics) could inhibit growth of a child still in the womb. This increases the chance of the baby dieing in the first few weeks of life and could also lead to long-term health benefits.

The study found that the lowest weight babies had an average of 30% higher levels phthalates in their body. Other studies have found that phthalates can affect hormones in the body leading to infertility in men.

The organic health and beauty standards (developed by the leading UK certification body, The Soil Association) prohibit the use of phthalates in all products branded with its organic mark.

Certified organic brands that are guaranteed to not contain phthalates include Essential Care (shampoo), Lavera (deodorants) and NVEY Eco (cosmetics) and Keptin Junior (toys).

Now if you're the kind of person who, at the suggestion of tonight's meal out as a raw food eatery, raises a couple of suspicious eyes then I've got a challenge for you. I'm almost a vegan, but not; almost a raw foodie, but not. My body needs a good old fry up every now and then and my taste buds say I should follow that lead. So when I say Saf, a raw food restaurant, is delectably scrumptious, and kind of curious, it's not because I'm devoted to a raw food diet and can't find anything better in town to suit my raw needs.

Saf is the place you go when you want to stare at your food for a second, first to figure out what it is you're eating (though the waiters do a brilliant job of explaining each person's individual dish as it comes out), and second to appreciate the gorgeous creation that it is.

The Saf Chef's (try saying that one ten times over!) have created a ‘plant-based botanical menu' where almost all of the dishes are cooked below 48°C to preserve optimum nutrition and flavour.

I had the Saf Bowl which included teriyaki glazed smoked tofu (THE best I've had) organic brown and mixed seeds rice cake (absolutely tastier than it sounds), wok fried pokchoy, lotus root kimpura kimchee (a very interesting one indeed, wouldn't eat it alone but balanced out the other flavours surprisingly scrumptiously), seasonal chutney (apple mine was and it was another surprising and tasty accompaniment in the mix).

The Saf Bowl was £12.95 but prices for mains range from £11.50-14.50. Starters from £6-17 and sides from £3.75-7.50.

Beyond the food you will find organic fair trade coffees, fresh juices, gorgeous cocktails (they are sublime and change regularly so are always quite unique) and a new gourmet beer. Saf have newly opened a new organic wine shop with quite the fine selection of wines to choose from. They have also just opened on Sundays for apparently London's best Vegan Roast but if you're keen to try this not so traditional Sunday roast you better get there early as tables go quick and they only serve it from 11:30-15:30pm.

Saf's opening hours are:
Lunch - 11:30pm till 3:30pm
Dinner - 6:00pm till 10:30pm
Bar food & drinks - 11:00am till late

Address:
152-154 Curtain Road
Shoreditch
London
EC2A 3AT

To make a booking call 0207 613 0007 (Book the Chefs Table if you want an up close and personal with the raw and organic delights you're about to be fed. Chefs table includes 7 courses for £50 and optional £25 Organic Wine pairing. You also need a minimum of 6 people to book the table but if you can, it's a real treat!)

For more information about this superbly delicious raw food dine visit www.safrestaurant.co.uk.