What is Envision Beauty’s main philosophy?
Our main philosophy is what I refer to as Total Beauty- a state of harmony between our self, environment and community. Beauty of the self entails physical health and beauty, coupled with balanced inner peace and emotional, mental and spiritual bliss. Beauty within our environment requires harmony with nature and recognition of our responsibility to preserve the earth. As we get become more internally aligned, we feel more connected within our communities and with all people worldwide.

Envision Beauty is about increasing our own beauty while making the world a more beautiful place for all others. That is why we are partnered with our charity, Project Concern International. It is really important to keep the flow of energy going, and share your good back with the world. Our products reflect this, as we combine maximum simplicity with unparalleled quality. Simple is beautiful, just as the most profound things are usually simple in their core.

What makes The Solution cream different than other creams on the market?
The Solution is the first truly all-in-one skincare formula. Most companies want you to buy their day cream, night cream, eye cream, serum and more. The Solution provides everything your skin needs to look its best and be its healthiest in just one cream.

The Solution is so powerful because it combines the best of both nature + science. Unlike typical “natural” or “technical” products, which tend to market either exotic plants or emerging technology, The Solution takes a comprehensive, benefit-driven approach to skincare. It recognizes that some of the best ingredients can only be created by nature, while others come from the lab.

Where did your fascination with practicing and teaching Yoga come from?
I discovered yoga in the Himalayas of India, where I traveled for three months during my around the world journey. I feel very blessed to have discovered yoga in its birthplace, and learn the basis of its ancient traditions, which focus on philosophy, pranayama and meditation. The physical practice is actually a tiny part of what yoga is, though in the West most people think of yoga as asanas (poses). When I returned to New York I was inspired to teach a challenging asana practice that also incorporated the deeper mental, energetic and spiritual teachings of yoga. I am very grateful to have learned these teachings, and feel that it is very important to be a channel to share this knowledge so many others can benefit.

Why are you into raw food, and what makes raw food so important to one’s diet?
I got into raw food because my asana teacher and most people at my yoga studio are raw foodists. I decided to give it a try to see how I felt. The benefits I have experienced are astounding. I easily maintain my ideal weight, am always energized and feel absolutely great! Eating raw also helps keep my skin and hair vibrant. If you are trying to lose weight, look your best or just keep your energy level up, raw food is an amazingly healthy and satisfying long-term answer. The nutrients, fiber and enzymes in the food stay 100% intact, as they are not destroyed by heat. It is food the way that nature intended.

What advice can you give us for starting a healthy diet & lifestyle today?
You don’t have to be 100% raw to enjoy noticeable benefits. Chlorophyll-rich, leafy green vegetables are the most beautifying and mineralizing of all foods, and green smoothies are an easy way to pack a large amount of them into your diet. Sprouts are loaded with enzymes – throw them in your salads or on your sandwiches. Raw almond butter spread on celery is a great mid-day snack, as are raw sprouted almonds. I’ve posted many more recipes and health tips on my blog, www.kimberlysnyder.net.

It seems that you really love to travel. Which country or place you would love to travel to next?
I am blessed to have traveled to close to 60 countries now. The more I travel, the more connected I feel that we all are. Well, I’ve been itching to get back to India for a while now, which is one of my favorite countries. Some other countries in that region, including Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are also pretty high on my list. Of course, Africa is also really close to my heart and I’d like to make it back there sometime in 2009.

How do you manage to stay green and even calm living in a big city like New York City?
If you can stay calm here you can be calm anywhere! I would feel like a totally different person without my yoga and meditation practice. Life in the city is a great challenge and you can really learn a lot about yourself.
I think it’s fairly easy to stay green in New York. There are farmers’ markets to support local organic produce, and recycling bins everywhere. And I take the subway or walk absolutely everywhere!

I would love to begin yoga but often find a way to not get to it, and I’m sure many of our readers feel the same. What is the best way to start?
That’s a tough question because there are so many kinds of yoga that you may love one kind and not like another kind at all. For instance, Vinyasa is a flow, Ashtanga is a set series, Hatha has breaks between poses, and Kundalini is pranayama and spine-focused. What’s really important, I believe, is your connection with the teacher. In yoga you are letting go of old energy, opening your spine and charkas, and you can feel vulnerable and have a lot of feelings come up. It is vital that you are with a teacher that you love and connect with and trust. I would seek out recommendations of good teachers to check it out- otherwise you may end up with someone that turns you off to yoga!

Time can be an issue- traveling to class and fitting them into your schedule. Videos are great because you can do them at home or in a hotel room, and don’t have to feel self-conscious. I just shot a yoga video in Bora Bora for Envision Beauty which I think will be really great for both beginners and intermediate practitioners. Plus it is shot on the most beautiful beach, on an island where only six people live, and you can feel like you are there too!

What are some of your best beauty secrets?
Again, it goes to my Total Beauty philosophy that simple is the best and most effective. Let your skin breathe- don’t pile on layers and layers of heavy products. These layers will not absorb into the dermis and will oxidize, leading to clogged skin and aging. Same thing with food- use the freshest ingredients, and let the natural flavors of the foods come through, instead of overcooking everything and using lots of table salt and processed sauces. Again, there are tons of secrets on the blog- which deal with specific issues like under eye circles, not drinking water with meals, food combining, detoxifying, losing weight, etc.

What other passions do you have besides, Envision Beauty, raw food, and yoga?
You forgot travel! I really feel like an adventurer at heart- so anytime I am in a new place, and get to interact with different cultures and people, I am happy as a clam-even if that means exploring new neighborhoods in my home city, New York. I was on the road backpacking for over three years, and I love the freedom of an unplanned, long journey. So I sneak away as much as I can. I also am pretty passionate about giving back in any possible way, reading health books, going for long walks no matter where I am, and biology. Oh, and cacao is a big passion of mine!

What’s next for Kimberly Snyder?
Well besides being super thrilled about our next product, The Brightening Cleanser, launching in February, I’m also really excited to expand Envision Beauty into a lifestyle beauty brand that will include food and nutritional supplements. I’m really inspired to keep putting out the most beneficial products and information out there that will hopefully really improve peoples’ lives. And as we continue to grow and expand my big dream is to get more and more involved with our charity partner, Project Concern International, and hopefully get to spend more time in Africa and Asia!

It was a pleasure to interview Kimberly you can find out more about Envision Beauty at the official website: www.envision-beauty.com/ and be sure to read Kimberly blog which has great tips for eating healthy and generally living well: www.kimberlysnyder.net