Eco*Pretty

Eco*Pretty's Last Post

2009-07-14T11:31:00.004-05:00

Yes, Eco*Pretty is ending. During a time when everyone and their aunt is blogging and tweeting, I'm going offline. I think this Internet trend has only two, maybe three more weeks before people lose interest.

Ha! No, I've been working an increasing number of hours as the Chicago-area account exec for a top organic skincare company the past few months. I was recently promoted and given more responsibility that includes frequent travel and management (and most exciting, health benefits!). I'm also contributing to the company's blog and to a magazine in my hometown, Indianapolis.

Thank you so much for your readership and kind comments. It's been hugely pleasurable serving and interacting with you throughout these 150 posts. I've tried to feature the best of the growing crop of high-quality natural beauty products. I hope you've seen great results with any that you've bought based on these recommendations. Good luck in your environmental and beauty endeavors.

xoxo,
Lindsay

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
Buy organic. Eat local.
Plant trees. Take the bus or bike.
Always stop to smell the flowers.

NEW The Body Deli Blueberry Fusion Resurfacing Facial Wash

2009-07-07T18:04:00.022-05:00

When the weather is humid and the sun is unflinching, this skincare junkie can't help but be attracted to a brand with fresh food ingredients, names like Sea Cucumber Gelee, and products that require refrigeration.

Last week, after a few sessions of sticking my head in the freezer to cool off, I found myself typing thebodydeli.com into my browser. (I was instantly addicted to its fresh cucumber cell toner last summer after discovering the brand.) This year, I was excited to discover that they've launched a Blueberry Fusion Resurfacing Facial Wash. From its rich purple hue, description and ingredients list, I thought it just might be my favorite new cleanser. It is.

Pretty factor: Naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acids from organic acai and blueberry slough off dead skin cells and unclog pores (the wash tingles upon application!), while the berries' antioxidants slow aging in skin cells. Decyl glucoside, a mild plant-derived surfactant, gently removes all grime and makeup. Tamarind extract boosts hydration and oat flour soothes.

If you have extra bucks, check out the Sea Cucumber Gelee mask—a summer must for sun bunnies. It hydrates parched, sun-zapped skin, calms redness, and helps repair free radical damage. Some of its irresistible ingredients: Organic aloe vera juice, kombucha tea, sodium hyaluronate, and fresh cells of cucumber, pomegranate and kiwi, green tea extract. Ships on ice and must be stored in the frig.

Eco factor: Body Deli products contain fresh, organic plant, fruit and veggie extracts. No sulfates or other harsh surfactants, paraben preservatives, silicones, petrochemicals, or synthetic dyes and fragrance.

To buy: $38 for the facial wash and $45 for the cucumber mask at TheBodyDeli.com

Collective Wellbeing Hot Pore Cleansing Scrub with Active Charcoal

2009-06-23T10:00:00.010-05:00

Grill season is here. And while I won't be sizzling slabs of meat over charcoal (a carcinogen-producing activity), I will be slathering a little of that black, porous rock over my face via my current product obsession: Collective Wellbeing's Hot Pore Cleansing Scrub, a purifying mask and jojoba bead exfoliator in-one—that warms upon contact!

Pretty factor: I've scrutinized countless ingredients lists, and this scrub's raised both eyebrows in pleasure. Like a sponge, active charcoal absorbs impurities in the skin, while kaolin clay soaks up excess oil (much appreciated during this sweaty summer). Jojoba wax beads gently exfoliate, and salicylic acid and retinol further assist in removing dead skin cells and smoothing texture. Finally, tea tree extract zaps any acne-causing bacteria that might be having their own summer bash on your skin's surface.

Eco factor: Collective Wellbeing uses organic botanicals and no sulfate detergents, parabens, or synthetic fragrance or color. They're members of 1% For the Planet and The Chicago Climate Exchange, through which they completely eliminate their carbon footprint!

To buy: $14.99 at Whole Foods and collectivewellbeing.com

Alo-ha! Pacificia's $9 Solid Perfumes

2009-06-15T10:15:00.010-05:00

A few readers have asked why I haven't reviewed natural fragrances. One simple reason: They're dang expensive. Most I've seen have hovered around 80 bucks a bottle—which is out of my wallet range and, I imagine, many of yours given the economic climate. As a result, the only eau's I've used in recent years have been Stella McCartney's roll-on and, sadly, whiffs from my essential oil-scented haircare products.

But that changed last month after discovering Pacifica's solid perfumes. Just $9 each(!), they come in cool, Andy Warhol in the garden-esque tins with 20 alluring scents to choose from, like Malibu Lemon Blossom, Tahitian Gardenia and, my favorite, French Lilac.

Pretty factor: These perfumes are a lesson in simple beauty. Just a few ingredients: organic soy and coconut waxes and a blend of essential oils—no nasty chemicals that you have to worry about sinking into your skin (or giving you asthma). The tins are easily transportable and the scents are time-released via pores and sweat ducts throughout the day. Perfect for summer.

Eco factor: Pacifica products are free of parabens, propylene glycol, phthalates, lead wicks, animal ingredients (including beeswax), and animal testing. Packaging is made with recycled content, the company reuses and reduces wherever possible, and it's working toward carbon neutrality.

To buy: $9 at select Whole Foods, Sephora (which sells 6 of the 20 scents) and pacificaperfume.com

Josie Maran Bear Naked Makeup Remover Wipes

2009-06-09T15:18:00.008-05:00

I've always favored gentle foaming cleansers over makeup-removing wipes to wash my face. But a lot of women love the no-water-required convenience of wipes, plus they're ideal for this time of year; they remove sweat and runny foundation in one quick swipe. Model Josie Maran has launched some nice ones: Bear Naked Makeup Remover Wipes.

A portion of every sale benefits the Polar Bear SOS, an initiative by the Natural Resources Defense Council that aims to have polar bears protected under the Endangered Species Act. One tragic effect of global warming is that rising temperatures have melted huge amounts of Arctic ice. As a result, polar bears must swim further to find land and are drowning in the process. There are some heart-breaking images that document their plight....

Pretty factor: These gentle wipes use a soothing cocktail of cucumber, chamomile, aloe and vitamin E. They're free of artificial fragrance (which can irritate the delicate eye area), instead using a splash of grapefruit oil for a refreshing, zesty scent.

Eco factor: No parabens or artificial dyes or fragrance. A portion of proceeds goes to the Polar Bear SOS, an initiative by the Natural Resources Defense Council to get polar bears protected under the Endangered Species Act.

To buy: $12 at josiemarancosmetics.com and sephora.com

Safe Your World's New UV-Protecting Shampoo with Organic Yerba Maté

2009-06-01T14:15:00.007-05:00

Those of us in the organic beauty industry often bemoan how hard it is to find a natural shampoo for color-treated hair. So, even though it doesn't have the chicest of packaging, I was eager to try the citrus-fresh and summer-perfect product from a brand with inspiring environmental activism: Save Your World's new Save Your Hair® Color-Safe Shampoo in Oasis Fruit.

The line's star ingredient is organic yerba maté, a South American herb that's one of the world's most nutrient dens plants—it contains 24 vitamins, 15 amino acids, and powerful antioxidants = stronger, healthier, and more vibrant hair. (Yerba mate is also believed to reverse grays.) Save Your World has also added titanium dioxide to protect hair against the color-fading effects of the sun and clarifying grapefruit extract.

Pretty factor: Like John Masters, Save Your World also uses nutrient-rich organic aloe as its base instead of the typical water. Yerba maté bathes the scalp in vitamins and minerals while hemp seed, coconut, evening primrose and avocado oils hydrate and rejuvenate the hair. I've been using it with Juice Organics' Brightening Conditioner and my hair has been noticeably fuller and shinier.

Eco factor: With every Save Your World product bought, you spare one acre of rainforest in Guyana (a state in South America) from being logged for a year. Save Your World partners with Conservation International, which pays Guyana's Forestry Commission what it would have received had the area been razed. So far, it has helped protect 200,000 acres of CO₂-absorbing rainforest. Save Your World products are free of sulfates, 1,4-dioxane, parabens, and synthetic dyes or fragrance.

To buy: $12.98 at Whole Foods and saveyourworld.com

Titanium Dioxide=Sunscreen and Smog-Eater?

2009-05-27T09:45:00.008-05:00

While reading Time magazine last November, I came across a blurb about the very cool invention of smog-eating cement. In a town near Milan, cement was mixed with titanium dioxide, which broke down smog, thus negating its power. An eager beaver of excitement, I headed to my laptop, where I found this article, also about titanium dioxide's smog-reducing ability.

Both of these stories beckon the question: Can makeup, moisturizers, and sunscreen with titanium dioxide—a mineral sunscreen that naturally protects against UVA and UVB rays—then prevent free radical damage from pollution on the face (aka aging)? I'm no scientist and don't have the answer, but it can't hurt to try, right?

Need some recommendations? My titanium dioxide-containing picks are Jane Iredale Dream Tint SPF 15 tinted moisturizer, Juice Beauty Green Apple Moisturizer SPF 15, and the new John Masters SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen. It contains reparative moisturizers and humectants like aloe, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid, plus antioxidant-rich green tea and healing calendula. Happy days of sunshine this summer!

NEW Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish

2009-05-21T11:20:00.003-05:00

Those of you with jobs or enviable inheritances may be interested to know that Ren Skincare has debuted a luxe, summer-perfect item to accompany its popular Moroccan Rose Otto line: Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish—a pampered way to exfoliate before applying self-tanner or simply removing dry, dead beach skin this season.

Pretty factor: Paraguayan cane sugar refines and smooths skin, while almond oil silkily nourishes. Caffeine in kola nut energizes fat cells, helping to temporarily reduce cellulite. A pinch of rose otto and palmarosa essential oils soothe the psyche. (We recommend saving some for winter, when you'll really need the mental escape.)

Eco factor: No petrochemicals, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrance or colors, T.E.A., D.E.A., propylene glycol, silicones, PEGS, animal ingredients or animal testing. U.K.-based Ren donates 2.5% of its profits to environmental organizations.

To buy: $60 at renskincare.com, where there's free shipping and a free Neroli Body Wash with every purchase

Wallet-friendly option: 100% Pure's fresh fruit scrubs ($22) are also amazing.

Collective Wellbeing Pumice/Peppermint Buffing Bar for Feet

2009-05-18T11:48:00.006-05:00

An easy-on-the-pocketbook, perfect-for-everyone product for your Monday morning: Collective Wellbeing's Pumice/Peppermint Buffing Bar. This baby has completely smoothed (summer-prepped) my dry, tough feet, and it leaves an irresistibly invigorating minty scent. Plus, check out the company's commendable environmentalism down in "Eco factor."

Pretty factor: Volcanic pumice, ground walnut shell, and buckwheat hulls, set in a grime-removing base of palm oil soap, thoroughly cleanse and polish the toughest calluses. Sage, juniper and lemongrass extracts help purify and organic peppermint and spearmint essential oils give dirty summer feet a refreshing, clean tingle.

Ideal for: Women and men, who will love the scent and grittiness

Eco factor: Collective Wellbeing uses organic botanicals and no sulfate detergents, parabens, or synthetic fragrance or colors. They give to organizations that work to improve our environment and are active members of 1% For the Planet. They're also the first consumer product to join The Chicago Climate Exchange, through which they completely eliminate their carbon footprint.

To buy: $6 at Whole Foods and collectivewellbeing.com

Aventine Hill Bath Emporium Cleansing Grains

2009-05-14T13:35:00.001-05:00

A blogging friend recently launched a lovely, affordable natural skin and body care line called Aventine Hill Bath Emporium. (Aventine is one of the seven hills on which Rome was built and the site of a temple to Minerva, goddess of wisdom, medicine, the arts, and crafts). Sheila's homeopathic concoctions include superb cleansing grains that I've been loving the past few weeks.

What are cleansing grains, you may ask? Typically oat or rice-based—and mixed with water—they've been used for centuries as a gentle, nutritional method of removing dead cells, unclogging pores and tightening the skin.

Pretty factor: My favorite among Aventine Hill's three varieties is Grandma's Herbal Cleansing Grains, which contain rice bran and colloidal oatmeal to exfoliate while soothing, and kaolin clay to tighten pores and reduce oil. Additionally, chamomile flowers calm, rose hips provide a lil' antioxidant vitamin C, and caffeine from cocoa perks up the skin.

To use: I've found that the easiest way to use cleansing grains is to sprinkle a bit into your cleanser to instantly transform it to an exfoliator. They also make an effective mask.

Eco factor: Aventine Hill products are free of parabens, sulfates, petrolatum, and synthetic color. No animal testing.

To buy: $9.50 at myaventine.com

The Science Behind 10 Natural Skin Remedies

2009-05-11T12:47:00.003-05:00

Thank you to reader Rachel, who passed along a great slideshow from Scientific American (an excellent magazine if you've never checked it out) titled "The Science Behind 10 Natural Skin Remedies: Why They Work—Or Don't."

The piece examines the effectiveness of treatments such as applying cucumber slices to reduce eye puffiness, using fruit acids to renew the skin, and exercising to delay aging. (Spoiler alert: Nearly every natural remedy they scrutinize works. But we already knew that!)

Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Mask

2009-05-08T10:00:00.007-05:00

I'm a sucker for packaging. Anything that would sit pretty in the shower or medicine cabinet arises in my usually cynical mind the thought, "If the makers' taste is this lovely, then the performance has to be!" Well, the book matches the cover with Elemental Herbology's Facial Detox Purifying Mask, whose whimsically floral outside lured me in and whose results have stamped it a skincare staple this summer.

Pretty factor: Yeah, the $58 price sticker elicits an "ouch," but you get extraordinary ingredients. To name some: Oat flour and white Amazonian clay (wealthy in minerals and purifying salts) gently exfoliate and eliminate toxins from the dermis. Aloe, calendula and manuka honey—a potent anti-inflammatory—soothe the skin and help heal sunburn. And lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils debacterialize, decongest, balance sebum production, and enliven.

Tip: Is a great overnight spot treatment

Eco factor: No parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance or dyes, or animal testing.

To buy: $58 at spacenk.com. (Space NK is an upscale British apothecary with a few New York outposts that I frequently perused when I lived in Manhattan.)

Sunny, Summer Toes

2009-05-04T10:45:00.003-05:00

Ready or not, it's almost summer again and time to make your toes sandal-ready! Our pick this season is a bold, canary yellow polish from Zoya's La-Di-Da Summer '09 Collection called Pippa. It's among six ridiculously optimistic shades, like cherry red and watermelon fuschia, that look like they've burst forth from a Skittles bag. The colors are amazingly wearable, though, due to their opaque cream finish.

When you're ready for a new hue, enlist Priti Soy Polish Remover. Made by a chic organic salon in NYC and praised by numerous beauty editors, the remover is 100% natural and free of noxious acetone.

Eco Factor: Zoya nail polishes are free of toluene, formaldehyde, camphor, and DBP (dibutyl phthalate).

To Buy: Nail polish: $6 at artofbeauty.com, select Whole Foods and salons worldwide. Polish remover: $11.25 at pritiorganicspa.com

NEW Suki Spa Renewal Bio-Resurfacing Facial Peel: Review

2009-04-30T11:01:00.006-05:00

Say "chemical peel" and most women shrink back in horror, imaging the infamous Sex and the City episode when Samantha gets one and emerges with a repulsively crusty, beet-red face. However, there are many levels of peels (she probably had a phenol peel), and chances are you're applying a small amount of glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid to your face daily via your anti-aging or acne products.

The alpha hydroxy and/or beta hydroxy acids in peels boost cellular turnover, keep pores clean and promote new collagen production, benefiting just about every skin condition: acneic, sun-damaged, scarred, wrinkled. Suki Spa's Renewal Bio-Resurfacing Facial Peel—and enzyme, AHA and BHA peel—slams out of the ballpark the myth that natural isn't potent.

Pretty factor: This pharmaceutical-grade peel is akin to a light "lunchtime" freshening procedure one would get at a dermatologist's office. Pumpkin and apple enzymes plus cranberry glycolic acid deeply exfoliate and reduce pore size. Stabilized 5% vitamin C boosts collagen production, and an impressive 15% beta hydroxy acid content from white willow bark decongests pores and calms inflammation from blemishes. After just two month, used once/week, you should see a huge improvement in wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, skin tone, and light scarring.

And efficacy doesn't come with the price of smell. Steam-distilled, organic essential oils of chamomile, calendula and rose lend a scent of freshly plucked flowers.

Tip: Use only at night. Keep on for 15 minutes, then rinse off with cool water. Press a few drops of a pH-restoring essential oil serum into the skin. I love Juice Beauty's USDA Organic Facial Moisture Concentrate and Naturopathica's Geranium Regenerating Serum. Always use sunscreen or makeup with SPF during the day.

Eco factor: Suki products are made with organic, 100% natural ingredients. They're packaged in eco-friendly materials like recycled stock, vegetable ink and glass (never plastic). The company supports fair trade, organic and biodynamic processing and local suppliers. It's an active member of numerous organizations including the Organic Consumer's Association, Breast Cancer Action and the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics for Responsible Medicine. No animal testing.

To buy: $75 at sukipure.com and at select spas nationwide.

Wallet-Friendly alternative: Juice Beauty's Full Strength Green Apple Peel; $45 at Sephora and juicebeauty.com

Duchess Marden Damascena Enzyme Exfoliant: Jen's Favorite Exfoliator

2009-04-27T09:46:00.002-05:00

I love to exfoliate but get a little nervous applying very active peels or exfoliants during sunny months. Strong AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) products can photo-sensitize the skin, which can cause hyperpigmentation and burning if you forget to apply SPF. Plus, they're aren't suitable for sensitive faces.

The solution? An enzyme exfoliator. As a holistic esthetician and product rep for several natural skincare lines, I've tried an untold number of exfoliators-peels-scrubs. Among them all, my favorite is Duchess Marden Damascena Enzyme Exfoliant, suitable for every skin type.

Pretty factor: DM's Enzyme Exfoliant contains both pumpkin fruit enzymes to "unglue" dead skin cells and jojoba beads to gently sweep them away. The pumpkin here is fermented with lactobacillus lactis, a healthy bacteria commonly used in buttermilk and cheese production. When these two ingredients are combined, they release phytonutrients that have major antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits—resulting in smoother, firmer, healthier skin.

I was startled at the effect. There was no telltale tingling to indicate it was doing anything, but I noticed an immediate difference in my skin tone and texture: far less redness and irritation and my face felt smoother and plumper. As a bonus, this exfoliator is gorgeously but subtly scented with high-quality, organic rose damascena and geranium essential oils.

Tip: After any kind of exfoliating, it's best to follow up with a good mineral sunscreen or mineral makeup with SPF to protect your new, baby-soft skin.

Eco factor: Products by California-based Duchess Marden—which claims model Josie Maran as a fan—are beautifully pure: no sulfates, parabens, propylene glycol, petrochemicals, or synthetic fillers, dyes or fragrance.

To buy: $44 (for about a four month supply) at Whole Foods and duchessmarden.com

—Jen

25% Off Earth Day Sale at John Masters Organics!

2009-04-21T09:15:00.004-05:00

So excited! John Masters Organics—the Kérastase of natural haircare—is having a 25% off sale across his web site through April 25 as an Earth Day celebration! (And there's always free ground shipping.)

I finally found an affordable alternative to his amazing conditioners, but his shampoos remain unbeatable. They contain a base of organic aloe instead of water, very gentle, plant-based surfactants to clean without even slightly stripping, and tons of hair-healthy herbs and plant oils. If you haven't tried them due to cost, treat yourself to one now.

Flower-Power Products by Talulah Skincare

2009-04-20T09:15:00.004-05:00

Spring has finally sprung in Chicago. Since moving here five months ago—where it has since hovered around 28° degrees—I've been awaiting spring like a prisoner awaits his release day. So, in light of the sunshine and warmer weather, blooming daffodils and budding trees, I thought it timely to feature two beautiful products by Talulah Skincare, an ultra clean, nearly 100% organic line that I recently learned of.

Pretty factor: Talulah's Verbena Calming Hydrosol is a perfect spritz to use after cleansing or throughout the day to purify and uplift. It has one of the loveliest ingredients lists I've come across: organic chamomile, immortelle flower, rose, cucumber, an infusion of several herbs, fermented grape sugars, rose petal extract, and vitamin C. I'd like to bathe in it.

At night, follow the hydrosol with Talulah's Vervain Flower Healing Complex, a cellular rejuvenator thanks to a density of bio-active botanicals like echinacea, immortelle flower, calendula and pumpkin seed oil. It's ideal for wrinkled, weakened, tired-looking and scarred skin—in other words, everyone!

Eco factor: Talulah is one of the purest of the pure lines. Their handcrafted products contain only 100% fresh, organic flower and plant extracts and come in elegant glass, not plastic, bottles.

To buy: $28 for the Verbana Calming Hydrosol and $32 for the Vervain Flower Healing Complex at talulahskincare.com

Letting Your Skin Breath

2009-04-14T14:10:00.006-05:00

Of the countless natural skincare brands I've tried the past two years, one of my top three is Evan Healy, an ultra clean line sold at some Whole Foods. (You can get a glimpse into the deep well of Evan's holistic wisdom on her blog.)

Evan's guiding principle is "the skin breathes." Both she and Dr. Hauschka believe that you shouldn't even moisturize at night—only in the a.m.—because the skin's own moisture-regulating and regenerating abilities are most active then. If you must hydrate, Evan says, apply just a few drops of lightweight, plant oil-based serum. (Can you imagine sales associates at department stores ever telling you that you don't need a nighttime moisturizer??)

This less-is-more practice is especially beneficial for people with acneic skin, whose sebum-rich pores tend to clog easily. Unfortunately, as a continually curious beauty writer, I'm constantly slapping stuff on my face. But recently, a combo of testing a thicker foundation for this blog, plus playing with too many products at night, had me broken out in tiny bumps on both cheeks. Time to pare down and give my face a breather.

I tossed the foundation and began simply cleansing and applying a small amount of Juice Beauty's Organic Facial Moisture Concentrate at night. And the breakouts immediately stopped and my skin is significantly smoother. I haven't seen such quick results since I quit milk and ice cream last year.

Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner

2009-04-10T08:30:00.013-05:00

Since the economy's nose-dive in January, I've been hunting for a less costly alternative to my beloved but $26 and $28 (ack!) John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus Reconstructing shampoo and conditioner. While recently reading The Green Beauty Guide by Julie Gabriel, I came upon her rave of Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing shampoo. So to Whole Foods I headed.

The shampoo was terrible; it uses coconut and corn oil soap to cleanse, which left my fine hair like tangled straw. The next shower, I used John Masters Honey & Hibiscus shampoo followed by Aubrey's Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner. Ding, ding! We have a winner. My hair felt perfectly clean, fluffy and so, so soft.

Pretty factor: First impressive fact about the Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner: Instead of water, it contains a base of coconut fatty acid cream, which gives it a whipped-butter thickness, pretty opalescent color, and potent moisturizing ability. Organic aloe, shea butter and several plant oils, like wheat germ and rosehip seed, smooth the hair cuticle and further hydrate. Fennel and hops help stimulate hair growth and chamomile extract brings out and enhances blonde tones. It's perfect for dry, frizzy or mature hair.

Eco factor: Aubrey Organics products, one of only a few brands recommended by the Organic Consumers' Association, are 100% natural. No synthetic or petroleum-drived chemicals, fragrance, dye, silicones, parabens, or animal testing.

To buy: $9 at Whole Foods and aubrey-organics.com

Laptop Temporarily Without Power

2009-04-06T09:15:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone. Unfortunately, the power cord on my grandmotherly laptop went out, so I'm without a computer until the new one from Amazon arrives. I'm going to try to borrow a friend's laptop while she's at work, but I wanted to give you the heads-up that Eco*Pretty probably won't have any posts this week. :( But more next week for sure!

How To Fix Broken Eyeshadow

2009-04-03T12:30:00.003-05:00

For anyone who has accidentally dropped their favorite eye shadow on a hard bathroom floor only to bend down and find it in a million tiny pieces, check out this great tip from The Beauty Stop. It teaches you how to make a crumbled shadow (or blush) like new!

—Jen from Skin Rhythm

The Oil Cleansing Method (OCM)

2009-04-02T09:35:00.019-05:00

Two weeks ago, I discovered a skincare secret with such incredible results that I'm still shaking my head in awe—how hadn't I heard of this?? While reading The Green Beauty Guide by Julie Gabriel, I came upon a section about double cleansing with oil. Apparently, Asian women have done it for years, but it's been slowing gaining popularity in the States.

Here's how it works: At night, you apply an oil-based cleanser to your dry face to break up and melt away makeup and sebum. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Then, you follow with a gentle gel or foaming cleanser to deeply remove grime and gunk from pores.

I decided to try Origins' Clean Energy Cleansing Oil due to rave reviews on MakeupAlley. Almost 100% natural and free of mineral oil, it uses a base of olive fruit, safflower, sesame, and sunflower seed oils plus an emulsifer (peg-25 glyceryl trioleate), which allows the plant oils to mix with water and rinse completely clean. Amazingly, there's zero oily residue. Origins has added a touch of essential oils (lemon, lavender and grapefruit) to give it an ahh-inducing aroma.

I follow it with a dribble of Evan Healy Tea Tree Gel Cleanser and have had the best cleansing results of the hundreds of cleansers I've tried the last 15 years. My oily skin hasn't been this balanced or even-toned since I was nine!

Wallet-friendly tip: Organic extra virgin olive, coconut oil, or jojoba oil will do the job, too. However, they don't contain the emulsifiers that Origins cleanser does, so you'll likely have an oily residue.

To buy: $21 at origins.com

Further Soap: The Hand Wash of the Moment

2009-03-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

One of the biggest kicks I get from this blog is hearing about the stories and environmental commitment behind the brands. An exceptionally cool one arrived in my inbox recently from Further Hand Soap. It's a reuse-recycle inspiration and has been praised in InStyle, Daily Candy and New York magazine.

A few years ago, a California man named Marshall Dostal decided that he wanted to use biodiesel in his car. Environmentally conscious, he decided to swing by chic L.A. restaurants and pick up their used vegetable grease to process into biofuel, which he later did in his garage. He realized that he could use the by-product, glycerin, to make hand soap. Enter his wife. Once an event planner at Vogue, the savvy lady enlisted a former fragrance consultant at Gap to make the soap's scent a little more botanical, a little less spaghetti al pomodoro. And voilà. The fresh-smelling, wonderfully moisturizing Further Soap was born.

Pretty factor: $18.50 is a bit costly for hand soap, but if you have the money, it's a perfect product to stick in your bathroom this spring. Thanks to bergamot and exotic grasses, it smells like an even fresher, natural version of Gap Grass. It foams up generously and richly moisturizes hands with coconut and olive oils.

To buy: $18.50 at furthersoap.com and these locations

Korres Lip Butters: Perfect for Spring

2009-03-26T10:55:00.007-05:00

I'd been thinking about these pretty, punchy lip butters by Korres since spying them at a Sephora a few months ago—when the weather was hovering around the minuses and I was, overall, in a winter of discontent. The colors reminded me of warmer months and happier times.

Now that spring is here and the blues have dissipated with the last blasts of radiator heat, I thought it time to get one.

Pretty factor: These balms nearly melt into your lips and give a remarkably smooth finish and deep hydration, thanks to shea butter and rice wax. They'll kick to the curb any chappedness left over from winter. Available in four, richly pigmented shades.

Eco factor: No parabens, mineral oil, silicones or propylene glycol

To buy: $9 at Sephora and sephora.com

Dr. Bronner's Magic USDA Organic Hair Conditioner and Styling Crème

2009-03-23T09:30:00.003-05:00

Having fine, limp locks, I'm always looking out for the perfect product that will turn my hair into lush, sexy waves. I've been pleased with my current conditioner but was curious about Dr. Bronner's Magic USDA Organic Hair Conditioner and Styling Crème—being a busy mom to young twin boys, I'm a huge fan of double-duty products.

The first day I tried it, I used conditioner in the shower as usual and blow dried with the Dr. Bronner's product. Bad idea. My hair was shiny—but also a slippery mess; I couldn't even keep an elastic in. Next, I tried it as a styling cream on second-day hair. It worked well, adding shine and smoothing flyaways.

But the third way was a charm. I skipped conditioner in the shower (sorry, Giovanni!) and applied the cream as a leave-in conditioner. After I blow-dried, I was amazed to see my hair transformed from damp and tangly to sleek and bouncy. The next day I combed my hair and styled with a bit of it. It took no time and looked great. Most surprising, though, was that my hair even looked fine on the third day! I think this one's a keeper!

Pretty Factor: USDA certified organic oils of coconut, jojoba and hemp nourish hair and create a healthy shine while lavender essential oil tones the scalp, debacterializes and helps calm and relax, creating a pampering salon experience every morning!

Eco Factor: Dr. Bronner's—of the colorful, classic soaps—is one of the most integritous lines in the natural beauty industry. Working closely with the Organic Consumers' Association, all of their newer products are certified Fair Trade and 95% certified organic by the USDA's strict National Organic Program. No parabens, petrochemicals, a single synthetic ingredient, or animal testing.

To Buy: $7.99 at drbronners.com

—Jen from Skin Rhythm

NEW MD Skincare® Natural Beauty In Toxins Out Review

2009-03-19T09:00:00.011-05:00

Lately, it's seemed that the corporate green bandwagon must be so full of folks that it's busting at the seams, wheels flying off. I flip-flop between being happy that more companies are becoming nature-focused and very leery of greenwashing.

So when I received a press release about the new natural line by MD Skincare®—the medical-grade brand by renowned Manhattan dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross—I thought it might have been hastily developed and, thus, mediocre. Instead, I discovered divinely luxurious, thoughtfully done, and highly performing products. My two favorites from the line, Called Beauty In Toxins Out, are the following.

Purifying Bath Crystals with Himalayan Salt: There are umpteen different natural bath soaks on the market that are perfectly lovely. Smell is the deciding factor. These salts are mixed with a warm, absolutely intoxicating blend of purifying essential oils like grapefruit, lemon, mandarin, anise, and lavender—plus shea butter and aloe to moisturize. After I soaked in these one night, I slept like a baby and remained blissed out until late the next afternoon.

Antioxidant Enzyme Buff: Another gorgeous product that, following the Purifying Bath Crystals, will give you skin like a newborn's. Sea salt, almond shell, and blueberry and cranberry seeds thoroughly polish away dead skin cells, while plentiful plant oils—grape seed, sweet almond and evening primrose are a few—give supple skin. Lavender and bitter orange essential oils provide an enticing fragrance that's both floral and fruity.

Eco factor: MD Skincare's natural line is 100% vegan with no sulfate detergents, parabens, petrolatum derivatives, mineral oil, or synthetic dyes or fragrance. Packaging for some of the products is made from 100% post-consumer recycled content.

To buy: $57 for the Antioxidant Enzyme Buff and $42 for the Purifying Bath Crystals. Or, you can buy a value set of slightly smaller sizes of both for $55. At mdskincare.com and dermstore.com

Review of Aveda's New Enbrightenment™ Line

2009-03-16T16:00:00.012-05:00

Aveda recently debuted an effective new line called Enbrightenment™, aimed at evening skin tone and reducing discolorations without hydroquinone (the chemical skin bleacher that's banned in Europe and other parts of the world).

For the past two weeks, I've used the cleanser, toner and serum. (The mask, cream and lotion contain too many synthetic, potentially pore-clogging ingredients for my comfort.) In this short time, I've noticed an impressive evening of tone and a boost in luminosity. Depending on your skin type, various products from the line are perfect for older women with sun/liver spots, pregnant women with melasma, younger gals with hyperpigmentation from acne, or anyone who wants that coveted, creamy face.

Pretty factor: Enbrightenment's star ingredients are antioxidants vitamin C and grape seed—which increase cell turnover and reduce aging—and mulberry extract, which lightens skin due to its melanin-inhibiting activity. Every Enbrightenment™ product additionally contains a generous amount of redness-reducing aloe and circulation-boosting rosemary (also an antioxidant).

The pearlescent Brightening Cleanser won't brighten skin—it doesn't contain mulberry or vitamin C—but it will silkily remove all makeup, grime and dead skin cells with zero irritation thanks to gentle, soap-free surfactants, organic aloe, and a little salicylic acid.

Eco factor: Aveda has been dedicated to environmental responsibility long before "green" entered the public vernacular and every other celebrity drove a Prius. Its manufacturing facility in Minnesota is powered entirely by wind energy, and its cosmetics contain organic, sustainably sourced, fair trade ingredients. Products come in 80 to 100% post-consumer recycled cartons. No parabens, phathlates, petro ingredients, or animal testing.

To buy: $35 for the cleanser, $42 for the toner, and $50 for the serum, which is very reasonable given its performance and the fact that most high-end serums cost around $80. At aveda.com and Aveda concept salons and spas nationwide

Natural Way to Boost Blonde Tones and Highlight Light Brown Hair

2009-03-13T09:30:00.013-05:00

On Wednesday, Jen shared a few from-the-kitchen tips to help extend salon visits for red and dark brown-haired gals or to enrich non-dyed hair of those hues. Today, I'm sharing a quick recipe that'll boost blonde tones and give lighter brunettes pretty, subtle highlights in place of the plain, mousy color we're prone to.

Notice that I've used words like "boost" and "subtle"—don't expect your locks to resemble Jessica Simpson's afterward. That requires trips to a killer colorist about as often as you wash your face! With this said, I've experimented with a few highlights concoctions over the years and have found that the following one works best.

• Steep three bags of chamomile tea in a large mug or small pan until lukewarm. I recommend Mighty Leaf Chamomile Herbal tea, which contains high-quality, whole Egyptian chamomile flowers.

• Add 1/2 cup of real lemon juice

• Spritz or pour on hair and leave in for an hour. Shave, clean the bathroom, whatever. Rinse and apply conditioner to ends.

Good to know: The soothing chamomile helps neutralize the effects of the acidic lemon juice.

Natural Ways to Boost Red and Brunette Hair—and Prevent Gray

2009-03-11T14:26:00.005-05:00

When budgets are tight, hair coloring is one of the first beauty indulgences to go. Those every-two-months appointments often lapse into four, five, or even six months. Because of the recession, we wanted to share our tips for naturally enriching and enhancing hair color until your next trip to the salon. Those who don't color at all (good for you!) can greatly benefit, too.

I’m going to cover red, darker brunettes and gray hair today, and Lindsay will tackle light brunettes and blondes on Friday.

Red hair: Rosehip or Hibiscus Rose tisane
It’s a frustrating fact that red hair fades quickly. But here are two tisanes I've discovered that will boost naturally red hair and extend the life of not-so natural red hair:

Recipe #1: Steep one cup of rosehips (can be usually be found in the bulk section of natural foods stores) or two bags of rosehip tea in boiling water until luke warm. Apply to hair with a spray bottle and comb through. Wrap hair in a warm, moist towel or shower cap and leave on for about an hour before shampooing out.

Recipe #2: Steep five tablespoons of dried hibiscus leaves and five tablespoons of red rose petals (or simply use hibiscus tea) in two cups of boiling water until luke warm. Apply to hair with a spray bottle or use as a rinse after shampooing. For best results, apply several washes each time and let sit on hair for up to an hour.

Brunette and Gray Hair: Sage and Rosemary Tisane
After coloring my hair for several years, I decided in my mid-twenties to return to my natural hue until I went too gray to bear. I’ve gotten so used to not dying (and I much prefer the texture of untreated locks) that when I do go gray I’ll try the following treatment to maintain my color. It's a great solution because sage has long been used to prevent the grays and rosemary will increase scalp circulation, thereby encouraging healthy hair growth.

Recipe: Simmer 1/2 cup sage leaves in 2 cups water for 30 minutes, then steep for several hours. Apply to hair and leave on until dry. Rinse. Repeat weekly until desired shade, then monthly to maintain color.

—Jen from Skin Rhythm

How to Get Your Anti-Aging Resveratrol Now That Even Red Wine Gives Us Cancer

2009-03-09T10:00:00.018-05:00

Many of you probably saw the news two weeks ago about the big University of Oxford study that suggests that even one drink a day of any type of alcohol—even red wine!—increases a woman's risk for certain cancers, including breast.

What a frustrating study. I thought its researchers could have had the good decency to wait until this economic hell cools to release data that indicates that even a little drinking gives you cancer. But more importantly, we've been told for years that red wine in moderation was practically the fountain of youth, the elixir for health, thanks to resveratrol, the potent antioxidant in it. It could lower one's risk for heart disease. It has unique longevity powers...So now the news is that red wine might be carcinogenic for women? What about all those longer-living Europeans who down vino at lunch and vino at dinner?

Also, the study has shot my excuse that I'm warding off wrinkles and overall decrepitude by having a second glass of Pinot Noir at night. So now I'm capping it at one—but how do you still get anti-aging resveratrol? I don't suggest supplements since we urinate ⅓ of them out and there's been a flurry of data recently that says they don't really work. So, here's what I'm doing:

1) eating more red grapes, whose skin contains resveratrol
2) reverting to Aveda's lovely Inner Light tinted moisturizer (click for review), which contains Japanese knotwood, the other major source of resveratrol

Kiss My Face So Refined Jojoba and Mint Facial Scrub

2009-03-05T08:00:00.003-06:00

Until recently, I had my skincare and exercise mantras badly reversed. With skincare, it was "no pain, no gain", which lead me to high AHA exfoliators and especially gritty scrubs. With exercise: "Slow down as soon as it hurts."

I'm still a workout wimp who claims "walking" as a favorite sport, but I have altered my skincare approach. I've discovered that mild, daily exfoliation is far more effective and healthier for your skin in the long run. We all want, for example, that red mark from a zit to disappear ASAP. But intense, harsh exfoliation isn't the solution because it can upset your skin's acid mantle, allowing in more acne-causing bacteria, and it can wear down your skin's ability to self-heal.

My recommendation? Use a gentle exfoliator nightly. Kiss My Face So Refined Jojoba and Mint Facial Scrub is amazing. It's a cheaper but still-as-stellar alternative to Ren's Jojoba Micro-Bead Purifying Facial Scrub.

Pretty factor: Perfectly round jojoba beads remove dead skin cells without scratching, tearing or irritating the skin. Jojoba oil cleans out pores and balances sebum production. Circulation-boosting peppermint oil and peppermint leaf extract leave your face tingling and fresh-feeling for an entire half-hour after use. Tea tree and lavender kill bacteria, lemon balm helps purify, and chamomile soothes.

Eco factor: Made with 81% organic ingredients. No parabens, phthalates, sulfate detergents, artificial colors, fragrances, animal ingredients, or animal testing.

To buy: $14 at Whole Foods, some drugstores, and kissmyfacewebstore.com

Eco*Pretty's New Look!!

2009-03-04T07:00:00.002-06:00

Hi everyone. In case you were wondering, Eco*Pretty got herself a little makeover, just in time for Spring! Leg waxing and a mani-pedi to follow. :) Many "thank you's" to Teresa at So Chic Design for the beautiful new header graphic.

I'm slammed the rest of today, but come back tomorrow; I'll be gushing about an incredible facial exfoliator that I recently started using as a replacement for my notorious Sugar in the Raw. Preview: It's a cheaper and better version of Ren's best-selling Jojoba Micro-Bead Purifying Facial Scrub!

Giovanni Root 66 Max Volume Conditioner: Perfect for Fine Hair

2009-03-02T08:30:00.004-06:00

Regular readers might be asking, "Another Giovanni product?" (My editor, Lindsay, reviewed Giovanni's Smooth As Silk line a few weeks ago.) It's just that both of us like Giovanni: The products perform well, are sleekly packaged, smell great—and are easy on the wallet. Plus, they're available at numerous locations, making them convenient to pick up in a pinch.

I've been using the newer Root 66 Max Volume Conditioner and am thrilled with its results. I have tricky hair: fine and sometimes limp with a tendency to be oily at the roots, dry at the ends, and very tangly. I’m always on the lookout for products that boost volume while controlling oil and adding nourishment and vitality. (Is that too much to ask?) I was surprised by the bounce and texture that this conditioner created and how smooth and shiny my hair looked after using it.

Pretty Factor: Real extracts of mango, kiwi, papaya and plumeria make this conditioner smell like a tropical vacation. Since the fragrance comes from natural instead of synthetic sources, you won't mind catching a whiff of it throughout the day. It's rich in herbs and nutrients, such as silica, horsetail, soybean protein, vitamin B5 and vitamin E to keep hair strong, healthy and shiny.

Eco Factor: Giovanni products contain 100% natural, organic ingredients. No petroleum derivatives, artificial fragrance or animal byproducts or testing.

To Buy: $7.99 at Whole Foods, natural foods stores, and drugstore.com

—Jen from Skin Rhythm

Sprig.com to Likely Close

2009-02-26T18:47:00.008-06:00

I know that many of you still haven't recovered from Domino's folding. But today brings more dispiriting news. According to a recent article on Ecorazzi, The Washington Post Company is likely shutting down chic, green lifestyle site Sprig.com.

Sprig has been my go-to source since starting Eco*Pretty a year-and-a-half ago, so its folding hits hard. In general, the journalism industry has basically imploded the last several months, with lay-offs and shut-downs filtering in like body counts during war. News articles use the word "transitional" to describe its state, but for those of us in it and without jobs, it's just damn scary. Good luck to Sprig's staff.

The Best Natural Eyeshadow Hands-Down: Nvey Eco

2009-02-25T09:00:00.000-06:00

I apologize for the fewer posts this week. It's been unexpectedly busy (but good busyness, like job interviews!) and I've had less time to research and write for Eco*Pretty.

But onto a post I've wanted to do for a while: the best natural eye shadow. Nvey Eco Organic Eye Shadow is one of the few cream shadows on the natural makeup market, and it has a perfect ingredients list. Cream shadow, as opposed to powder, is a must-have for anyone over the age of 30 or who, like me, disdains the intense shimmer and dryness of powder ones.

Pretty factor: Corn silk plus moisturizing jojoba, coconut, palm and carrot seed oils provide a dewy, satin-smooth base that won't exaggerate fine lines the slightest. Chamomile extract tones down redness, and antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E slow aging. Available in 12 petal-pretty shades.

Eco factor: No drying talc, petrochemicals, parabens, synthetic fragrance or colors, propylene glycol, silicones, genetically modified ingredients, animal ingredients or animal testing.

To buy: $24 at sephora.com and econveybeauty.com

Dr. Alkaitis Organic Oxygen Day and Night Crèmes

2009-02-23T08:30:00.011-06:00

Post-Oscars and an evening studded with luminous celebrities, I thought it the perfect time to finally review Dr. Alkaitis Skin Care. Dr. Alkaitis is a physical chemist, molecular biologist, ethnopharmacologist (researcher of healing through plants) and a pharmacognosist (researcher of plants' medicinal properties) who has worked with four Noble Laureates.

He's also the founder of one of the best organic skin care lines in the world. Supermodels Gisele Bündchen, Karolina Kurkova and Angela Lindvall use his products as do numerous other celebrities who can't say so because they're under contract with large, cosmetics companies. You think vegan-eating, earth mama Gwyneth Paltrow really uses Estée Lauder skin care? Please. She likely has a bathroom full of high-end organic lines, including Dr. Alkaitis.

I instantly loved his Organic Day and Night Crèmes. No other moisturizer has absorbed so quickly or made my skin feel so fresh.

Pretty factor: Dr. Alkaitis products contain 100% biologically active plants with a base of soothing organic aloe vera gel instead of water. The Organic Day and Night creams have a light, whipped texture and absorb into the skin in seconds. Virgin, cold-pressed shea butter moisturizes, an organic herbal complex repairs, and antioxidant vitamins A, B, C and E fight aging.

Eco factor: Made of 100% organic ingredients from plants grown in-house. No chemicals, synthetics, trans-fats, genetically modified organisms, or animal testing

To buy: $53 and $54 at alkaitis.com

Kick a Winter Cold Quick: Erbaviva Sniffles Organic Chest Balm

2009-02-18T13:00:00.012-06:00

The past two weeks, it's seemed that everyone who made it through December and January illness-free has been hit with the punies. If that's you, finish the Vick's rub and toss it in the recycle bin. Erbaviva's Sniffles Organic Chest Balm is worth the extra bucks—both for its all-natural cold-healing ability and divinely sedative essential oils.

"Pretty" factor: This petrolatum-free balm employs an anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal trio of organic eucalyptus, tea tree, and lavender essential oils to kill what ails you and quickly decongest. Tranquilizing cedar bark, geranium flower and immortelle extracts will Zen you out for the rest of the day if you apply the balm in the a.m. after your shower, or they'll lull you to deep sleep if you massage it on before bed. And they're all blended in a moisturizing base of shea butter, sunflower seed and jojoba oils that leaves your chest as soft as a baby's.

Eco factor: Erbavia—the Rolls Royce of baby products—uses USDA certified organic ingredients, including high-quality wildcrafted essential oils, with no petrolatum, harsh detergents, chemical fragrances, and other unhealthy additives. Most of their products come in amber-hued glass bottles (no plastic).

To buy: $14 at erbaviva.com and skinbotanica.com

Eco*Pretty Praise

2009-02-17T14:19:00.004-06:00

"I'm going to feature your blog on mine it's so fabulous...thank you so much! I said, 'Finally, someone gets what I do!'"
— Suki Kramer, President & Founder of Suki Pure, April 2009

"You really have a comprehensive understanding of the beauty industry and it shows through your writing. I will definitely keep visiting Eco*Pretty!"
— Melinda Small, MD Skincare® by Dr. Dennis Gross, March 2009

"I LOVE your blog. It is a fabulous read, one of the best-written and prettiest blogs I've ever visited. I subscribed to it right away...You have a great sense of humour as well! Thank you again, love your blog!"
— Deborah Bilezikian, President of Monavé Mineral Makeup, February 2009

"Thanks so much for the write-up—so comprehensive and beautifully written."
— Sarah Brown, President of Pai Skin Care, February 2009

Mineral Makeup by Monavé Potted Cream Concealers

2009-02-17T09:00:00.016-06:00

Kim Basinger once said that she feels there are two people within her: herself and her intuition, and if she goes with the latter, everyone gets along nicely.

I feel similarly. There is the sophisticated, rapid-walking, Manhattan-loving side of me and the simplicity- and nature-loving free spirit who daydreams about living in Portland. Big city Lindsay says I should wear my Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals foundation every day to look "polished." Gentle-hippie Lindsay says, "Your skin is fine. Dab on a little concealer and go fresh-faced!"

Unfortunately for her, concealers by most natural makeup lines come in only two or three shades and none have matched my fair-medium skin tone. So it was with excitement that I discovered Mineral Makeup by Monavé's Potted Cream Concealers—available in 22 hues!

Monavé is a high-quality, yet affordable line made especially for those who most mineral makeup leaves out: African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Middle-Eastern ladies. They offer a spectrum of shades for just about every skin tone, from snow-fair to espresso bean dark.

Pretty factor: I would almost buy this concealer for the number of shades alone, but the ingredients are extraordinary, too. It contains a base of, not water, but soothing aloe vera gel, followed by moisturizing avocado and sunflower seed oils (both non-comedogenic). Chamomile and calendula extracts further calm and repair the skin, and rosewood, lavender and rosemary essential oils lend a lovely, natural scent uncommon to makeup.

Eco factor: No talc, bismuth oxychloride, synthetic filler ingredients or dyes. About 95% of Monave products are vegan and contain many locally sourced ingredients. Paper, glass, and plastics are recycled in its warehouse and the company prints on recycled paper and uses low-watt light bulbs.

To buy: just $8.50 at monave.com

NEW British Line: Pai Skin Care

2009-02-13T10:30:00.006-06:00

Is it the Europhile in me who thinks that everything across the pond is more progressed than here, or is organic skin care more de rigeur in Britain?

Whichever the answer, the catalyst of the question was a press release from Pai Skin Care. Pai is a new, clean, London-based brand formulated with sensitive skin in mind...and it's reasonably priced! Perhaps as a result, it was an instant hit with British beauty editors and named the No. 1 organic skin care line by U.K. fashion magazine Grazia (beating out Nude and Care by Stella McCartney).

Pretty factor: Pai products contain bases of plant oils such as camellia, jojoba, and rosehip seed to heal and moisturize, followed by essential oils like lavender, geranium, and manuka to kill acne-causing bacteria, regulate sebum production and lend a scent as fresh as the English countryside after rain. The Chamomile & Rosehip Moisturiser is a beauty for sensitive skin, and the lightweight Geranium & Thistle Moisturiser—which won me over with its outdoors-y juniper oil—is perfect for exceptionally oily faces.

Eco factor: Pai products contain organic ingredients certified by the Soil Assocation. They come in glass bottles (no plastic!) and do not contain parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, phtatlates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, genetically modified or animal-derived ingredients, or artificial colors or fragrances.

To buy: Prices range from just $8 to $30 at paiskincare.com. International shipping to the U.S. is only $6.49

Fair Trade EveryDay Shea Body Lotion

2009-02-12T10:56:00.007-06:00

At Whole Foods recently, my eye landed on EveryDay Shea Body Lotion. Weighing in at a mighty 32 fluid ounces, it’s hard to miss. I assumed its diminutive price tag (just $14.95) would mean lower-quality ingredients. But I pleasantly discovered a very pure product made with unrefined shea butter—the best!—from West Africa.

Pretty Factor: You haven't used shea butter until you've used unrefined shea butter—the only kind that contains the oil's full healing and moisturizing properties. (Most have been bleached, refined and, worst, deodorized!) Raw shea butter's rich, nutty fragrance combined with real vanilla extract make this lotion sensually aromatic. Antioxidants in lemongrass, shea leaf and red palm oil further protect the skin.

Eco Factor: No parabens, synthetic fragrances or animal testing. EveryDay Shea is an extension of Alaffia Skincare, a fair trade company that gives 10% of its sales to community projects in West Africa aimed at reducing poverty and empowering women in poor communities. I have never been happier with a purchase and would have gladly spent twice as much to help this great cause.

To buy: $14.95 at Whole Foods and everydayshea.com. Considering my usual body moisturizer costs twice as much for only five ounces, this is a bargain. It may last all year!

—Jen from Skin Rhythm

Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deeper Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner Review

2009-02-11T09:15:00.005-06:00

Here in the northern states, the weather has warmed and the days have lengthened. But some wintry effects remain. The earth is still bare and brown...and hair is still indoor heat-beat. To soothe dehydrated locks on a budget, try Giovanni's Smooth As Silk Deeper Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner. They're enthusiastically recommended by a friend—a product switch-a-holic who has used them the entire past year. She says the line "awesomely" tames her thick hair and leaves her scalp feeling fresh for two days. And she's obsessed with the awakening valencia orange, lemongrass, and mango extracts.

Pretty factor: Nutrient-loaded sea kelp, chamomile, and soybean protein, plus a small amount of silicone (just in the shampoo), smooth dry, unruly hair and leave it virtually knot-free post-shower. Rosemary, lemongrass and lavender tone the scalp and encourage hair growth.

Ideal for: Dry, curly or coarse hair. For extra frizz protection, apply a little of the conditioner to the ends of hair after your shower.

Eco factor: Giovanni products contain 100% natural, organic ingredients. No petroleum derivatives, artificial fragrance or animal byproducts or testing.

To buy: $8 at Whole Foods and drugstore.com

Regenerative Oil-Based Facial Serums Part 2

2009-02-09T10:41:00.013-06:00

A couple weeks ago, my co-writer Jen reviewed Juice Beauty's new USDA Organic Facial Moisture Concentrate, which she's been loving of late. The elixir that I've been hopelessly enamored with? Geranium Regenerating Serum by Hamptons-based Naturopathica. I'm thinking of asking it to be my Valentine.

First a little info—including some myth-debunking—about facial oils. As we age, moisture levels in our skin decrease, causing dryness and wrinkles. The essential fatty acids in plant oil-based serums—ones that contain a base of olive, evening primrose, rose hip seed oils, etc—nourish and keep that youthful plumpness.

Gals with oily skin shouldn't shy away. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of botanical oils are non-comedogenic. In fact, they'll actually help clean out pores (oil fights oil) and calm sebum production. Packed with vitamins and essential fatty acids, they also lessen redness, inflammation, and scarring. FYI: You might experience initial "purging" (usually small whiteheads), but stick with it. In a few weeks, your skin should be clear and luminous.

Splurge: Naturopathica Geranium Regenerating Serum. This one's a beauty. Vitamin-wealthy avocado and rose hip seed oils soften skin and facilitate new collagen production to reduce fine lines and surface scars. Pure essential oils of geranium, frankincense, aneverlasting (e.g. immortelle) boost cellular regeneration and lend a divine scent that will quickly lull you to sleep. $40 at naturopathica.com and skinbotanica.com

Save: Burt's Bees Naturally Ageless Intensive Repairing Serum. I commend Burt's Bees for moving past their hippie-in-the-woods image and making some quality skin care items the past couple years, including this highly rated serum. It contains a base of repairative rose hip seed oil (rich in vitamins A and C) followed by several other moisturizing and healing oils, including antioxidant-packed pomegranate. $26 at drugstore.com

Tip: Worried that such serums will make your face an oil slick? They won't. Massage just a few drops on slightly damp skin, and they'll sink right in.

NEW Physician's Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin mascara

2009-02-06T08:00:00.009-06:00

Until now, natural mascaras have been the beauty bane of my existence—there wasn't a wallet-friendly option. Lavera, Dr. Hauschka and Tarte's mascaras are sublime, and if I had a full-time job now, I would buy them. But I can't afford to pay $19 for eye makeup that lasts only two months. So confession: I've been using Neutrogena Healthy Volume mascara. I guess we can't be green all the time...

...or can we? Physician's Formula has launched a 100% Natural Origin Mascara to accompany its popular Organic Wear® makeup line! It contains certified organic ingredients and gives nice, thick lashes with minimal clumping or flaking. And could the packaging be cuter?

Pretty factor: Rice protein, tapioca starch, and beeswax naturally adhere to and volumize lashes. Jojoba esters, olive leaf and soybean oil moisture them, while aloe and cucumber soothe and protect the delicate eye area. The lash-separating brush is similar to Cover Girl Lash Blast or Maybelline Define-A-Lash mascaras. It comes in 2 colors (Black and Ultra Black) and is opthamologist-tested.

Eco factor: 100% ECOCERT^® ingredients with no parabens, petrochemicals, drying solvents, synthetic polymers, fragrance or dyes. It comes in biodegradable packaging and wasn't tested on animals.

To buy: $9.95 at drugstores nationwide

Best Winter Balm: Softlips® Pure Organic Lip Conditioner

2009-02-04T09:00:00.007-06:00

During my middle school and high school days, Softlips® was the brand for fending off chapped lips: the tall slender tube, the refreshing menthol, the fact that it cost double the price other balms...it was all so sophisticated!

While I’ve grown and matured, apparently so has Softlips®. While perusing a CVS on a dry, cold day in Boston, I saw a display for its new Pure Organic Lip Conditioner. Actually, I first saw the pomegranate– my favorite fruit—which lured me in like Persephone.

Pretty Factor: The balm is flavorless and colorless, but the organic pomegranate extract leaves a scent that captures the fruit's essence without that over-sweet, bastardized smell so common to fruity products. Vitamin E, organic shea butter and organic coconut, olive, and jojoba seed oils smooth and moisten your lips for hours without leaving a waxy feeling. I fell asleep wearing some and my lips still felt good when I woke up!

Eco Factor: Softlips® Pure is 95% USDA-certified organic. It is produced without pesticides and contains no parabens or gluten. This cruelty-free balm is also available in honeydew (better for summer) and comes in recyclable packaging.

To Buy: $3.69 at drugstores nationwide and drugstore.com

—Guest blogger Virginia Green

Save Your Skin While You Sleep: Hot Water Bottles

2009-02-02T12:41:00.008-06:00

In the spirit of frugality I want to talk about a beauty secret that the British and Germans have employed for years: the humble hot water bottle. At night, turn down the heat, fill one of these bottles with hot water from the kettle, cap, and slide it under the covers. (Insert Is-that-a-water-bottle-in-your-bed-or-are-you-just-happy-to-see-me? joke here.)

The bottle will heat your sheets up to 9 hours. It'll also alleviate aches and cramps, encourage your body to better heat itself, and increase circulation (which is also beneficial for treating and avoiding cellulite)!

Pretty factor: You’ll wake up with softer skin and less frizzy hair because dry, warm heater air didn't suck all the moisture out. You can spruce up your bottle (and protect your skin from the hot rubber) by wrapping it in a cute pillowcase or even knitting a little sweater for it.

Eco factor: Zero energy used. The traditional red or blue bottles are made of latex rubber. They last for years and keep your water the hottest. But if you have latex allergies or are averse to buying non-recyclable rubber you can buy a German-made transparent bottle of thermoplastic material that's odorless and recyclable.

Frugal factor: You’ll save quite a few bucks on your utilities. The latex version costs as little as $3.95. The German version costs about $20 and will also last many years, still quite a bargain. Most drugstores carry the latex bottles. Click here to buy the German model.

— Jen from Skin Rhythm

NEW Almay Pure Blends Makeup Review

2009-01-30T13:00:00.017-06:00

Looking better fit in a garden than fluorescent-lit drugstores, Almay's new Pure Blends natural makeup caught my eye from all the way across a Walgreens. Regardless of how it performed, I'm one of those aesthete suckers who would buy the line for the sole purpose of it looking pretty in my makeup bag. But not only are the goods affordable but their quality (except for the mascara!) is as lovely as the packaging.

Have any of you tried the line? What did you think?

Pretty factor: Every product (all hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested) contains antioxidant-rich lotus, orchid, papaya and acai extracts. The petal-pretty blushes and smooth eye shadows are infused with mica to give subtle shimmer. Natural-hued lip glosses moisturize with a generous amount of sweet almond oil. Most impressively, the liquid foundation contains jojoba oil to hydrate and decongest pores and squalene to soothe and nourish skin tissue. My only complaint is that it lacks SPF.

Unfortunately, the mascara greatly disappointed. The thin brush gives zero volume and the formula was dry and flaky.

Eco factor: Pure Blends products contain over 95% natural ingredients with no parabens, talc, or artificial fragrance. They come in packaging made with 35% to 45% post-consumer recycled material

To buy: $7.50 to $13 at drugstores nationwide and drugstore.com

NEW Juice Beauty USDA Organic Facial Moisture Concentrate

2009-01-29T08:30:00.013-06:00

There’s nothing better on a freshly exfoliated face than a really effective moisturizer, especially in January. I have normal-oily skin so I’m hesitant to try oil-based products (even though they can actually reduce sebum production). But also, I’m afraid they'll take forever to penetrate, making it a nightmare to apply my mineral foundation in the morning.

Still, I was excited to try the new USDA Organic Facial Moisture Concentrate from Juice Beauty. It didn't disappoint. It absorbed easily into my skin and I was astounded by how smooth and velvety it left my face—not at all greasy, even at midday.

Pretty Factor: This serum hydrates and plumps with fatty acids from organic plant oils, including evening primrose and borage seed. It regenerates skin tissue with cranberry, grape seed and carrot seed extracts plus helichrysum essential oil. As it warms in your hands you get a strong whiff of olive oil (one of the main ingredients), but as you apply the product to your face, you're left with the soothing aroma of geranium essential oil....

Tip: Use on slightly damp skin and warm in your palms before applying.

Eco factor: Juice Beauty's new USDA-certified organic collection contains over 95% organically produced ingredients and meets the National Organic Program's strict guidelines. No parabens, synthetic fragrances, petroleum derivatives, artificial dyes, harsh sulfates, or phthalates. Juice Beauty's facilities are solar-powered, their containers are made from recycled content, and they get many of their organic ingredients from small farmers.

To Buy: $36 at Sephora, Whole Foods and juicebeauty.com

—Jen from Skin Rhythm

GIVEAWAY! Quixtar/Amway's clear.now™ Acne Treatment Lotion

2009-01-27T13:45:00.007-06:00

R.I.P. John Updike. I've been reading his literary criticisms in the New Yorker for years. My heart takes a plunge and a feeling of anxiety briefly hits me when I hear about the deaths of great novelists like him or Norman Mailer. Who will succeed them? I appreciate the endless information and democratic spirit of the blogosphere, certainly. But its 24/7 nature largely disables the kind of writing that it stops you post-sentence or post-paragraph and beckons you to re-read and re-read again because it's so achingly beautiful.

But onto Eco*Pretty's first-ever product giveaway! Last week I was organizing my beauty cabinet and found an extra Quixtar/Amway clear.now Acne Treatment Lotion, a dermatologist-worthy, natural blemish moisturizer that I reviewed here last summer...and I'd like to give it away!

To enter: Leave a thoughtful comment anywhere on the site, then shoot a blank e-mail to ecopretty at gmail dot com. I'll draw from a bowl of the first 10 comments and will e-mail the winner, requesting his or her address. Good luck!

Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment

2009-01-26T10:46:00.009-06:00

Forget the "political machine." Forget governor Rod Blagojevich trying to sell Obama's Senate seat. Chicago's real evil is its winter weather. I'm coming to believe there's a conspiracy to extract every last drop of moisture from my skin and hair this year. Since moving here, where it's about 14° outside and 80° in, I've had to upgrade my body wash, skin care and now hair care.

Last year, I adored John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus reconstructing shampoo and treatment but can't do the prices this time around. Thankfully there's Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment, an oldie but goodie intensive moisturizer. And bonus: Thanks to the inclusion of oat flour, a natural volumizer, it gives locks extra fullness.

Pretty factor: Avocado and olive oils—rich in hair-nourishing essential fatty acids plus vitamin E—create softness and shine and keep frizz away. Oat flour soothes the scalp and naturally plumps up strands. Nettle and rosemary encourage hair growth. Real citrus rind oil aromatizes and dissolves winter blahs.

Tip: You must use as directed—wet hair first, then apply. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes (perfect time to shave your legs), then rinse and shampoo and condition as usual.

Eco factor: For over 20 years, Burt's Bees has made beauty products that are nearly 100% natural (they tell you the exact percentage on the package) and come in post-consumer recycled material. Never animal testing. In 2003, co-founder Roxanne Quimby bought a 24,000-acre tract of forest in Maine for preservation.

To buy: $9.49 at drugstores and Whole Foods nationwide

Eco*Pretty: Recession Edition

2009-01-22T14:11:00.012-06:00

Welcome to the recession edition of Eco*Pretty everyone. In light of the economic climate, I'm going to focus on wallet-friendly products and at-home treatments for the next few months. Quality won't be compromised. Featured products will be just as performing as higher-end options. Pricier cosmetics will still be included de temps en temps but 1) they'll have to be ridiculously stellar and 2) they'll usually appear with a more affordable option (e.g. "splurge" versus "save").

I've created a section, "Affordable beauty", in the left column that's populated with every product under $20 that I've ever reviewed. Thank you to my friend Lydia, who's been using solely drugstore-brand natural products for the past year and is helping me with ideas!

Natural Treatments for Under-Eye Circles

2009-01-20T09:18:00.020-06:00

It's been frustrating and, at times, despairing, searching for full-time work the past month and a half. (I'm in the media industry, which was struggling before the recession....) But I'm thankful to be home today. It's been a goosebumps-giving treat to work on the computer while watching the inauguration events and sea of people along the Washington Mall!

But on to today's post: Treating under-eye circles. The Obamas aren't the only Americans getting less than their recommended eight hours of sleep a night these days. Very few of us are. As a result, those stubborn, bluish half moons (blood vessels) are becoming more ubiquitous. Living and working on Manhattan for two+ years gave me them.

Once present, under-eye circles are difficult to treat. But there are definitely steps you can take to improve 'em:

1) Get more sleep. Since moving to Chicago and getting more zzz's than I did in rat race NYC, mine have very noticeably lightened.

2) Invest in a highly moisturizing, vitamin K-based eye cream. Vitamin K aids blood coagulation, and hydration will reduce circles' appearance. Here are the team of K products I've been grateful for:

Splurge: Naturopathica Vitamin K Eye Cream. This is one of the most beautiful—and thick—peeper creams I've used. Vitamin K reduces dark circles and everlasting extract (also known as Immortelle, very luxurious and healing) eases inflammation and helps repair broken capillaries. Camellia, passionflower, and grape seed oils richly moisturize. Mica and silk powder refract light from dark circles and leave a smooth finish. $72 at naturopathica.com.

Save: JASON Vitamin K Crème Plus. This recently reformulated product (paraben and petroleum-free) employs vitamin K, bioflavonoids, horse chestnut, and chamomile to minimize bruises, redness, dark circles, spider veins, and broken capillaries. It can be used on the entire face (it's a favorite of those with rosacea) but is especially popular simply as an eye cream. $18 for a big 2 oz tube at drugstore.com and Whole Foods.

Must-have: Jane Iredale Active Light Concealer. I've gone through three tubes of this since discovering it two years ago. Read review here.

Pass: New Jane Iredale Zap & Hide™ Blemish Treatment-Concealer

2009-01-15T09:00:00.016-06:00

Over the course of this blog, a few readers have asked me to review popular products that I didn't like. I haven't because "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

However, I recently tried a product so surprisingly disappointing and over-priced—and from a top brand—that I had to oblige. After all, I'm here to serve you. It's Jane Iredale's new Zap & Hide™ Blemish Treatment-Concealer.

Cons: My first complaint with Zap & Hide™ is that you get minimal product for the preposterous price, $25. The two ends—the clear, blemish treatment end and the tinted concealer end—are only about an inch long.

Then, there's the product's performance. The treatment half was thick and waxy. Jane Iredale's site says the product isn't occlusive (it won't lay on the surface of your skin and clog pores), but I wouldn't be comfortable applying it to breakouts every day. The concealer end was worse. The one I received was hard, dry and completely unblendable. I had to rub the stick on my face three times before I noticed any concealing. Finally, there are only three shades, none suitable for porcelain skin tones, e.g. most Asians, redheads and Cate Blanchett blondes.

Pros: Tea tree and lavender oils kill acne-causing bacteria, and ylang ylang helps balance oil production. Together, they lend the concealer a really lovely scent. However, I would have liked willow bark extract—the natural form of salicylic acid, which is in other Jane Iredale products—on the ingredients list.

Eco factor: No talc, parabens, phthalates, bismuth oxychloride, or chemical dyes or fragrance. Last year, Jane Iredale instated a Green Team to help environmentalize the company and it's building a new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) office building.

To buy: $25 at janeiredaledirect.com

Puffy Eyes Fighter: 100% Pure Organic Acai Berry Anti-Aging Eye Cream

2009-01-13T08:45:00.011-06:00

My mom looks fantastic for her 57 years. She has nearly poreless, creamy skin with just light crow's feet around her eyes—which is remarkable for a woman whose only dermatologic help has been using a simple Mary Kay skin regime the past two decades. But she's been fighting a case of tired, puffy eyes recently and asked me to research a cream that might help. Anything for you, Mom. Your winner: 100% Pure Organic Acai Berry Anti-Aging Eye Cream.

Pretty factor: The base of this cream is organic white tea—not H20 like most cosmetics—which has been proven to protect the skin from oxidative stress (e.g. sun and pollution). It's followed by organic cucumber juice, an anti-inflammatory and reputed puffiness reducer, then a load of antioxidant-packed fruits: blueberry, blackberry, pomegranate, and acai. Beeswax, cocoa butter, and avocado butter emolliate and moisturize.

Tip: Store in the frig. The coldness restricts blood vessels and reduces the flow of fluids to the under-eye area.

Eco factor: 100% Pure truly lives out its name. All products lack parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, sulfates or other harsh detergents, propylene glycol, PEGs, animal by-products, filler ingredients (e.g. thickeners and emulsifiers), artificial colors or fragrance, or genetically modified ingredients (GMOs)

To buy: $25 at some Bath & Body Works stores and 100percentpure.com

Ingredients

Best Face Exfoliator in a Recession (or in a Pinch)

2009-01-08T09:00:00.021-06:00

"When the going gets tough, the tough get resourceful," my mama has always said. I recently put her expression to use...on my face. Four words, five syllables: Sugar in the Raw...mixed with your cleanser. Here's the scoop (pun unintended):

I hadn't used a face scrub since running out of my old one several weeks ago. I'm a frequent exfoliator, but am working only part-time on a new media startup and money is tight like your belt on Thanksgiving. The other night after work, I noticed flakes beneath my eyes and the overall pallor of an Addams Family member. I remembered that exfoliation is especially important in the winter because skin cells turn over less often in colder weather and can build up and cause dullness.

What could I use? What could I use? Aha! Remembering Suki's best-selling Lemongrass exfolating cleanser, I headed to the kitchen and grabbed a packet of Sugar in the Raw. I mixed it with my Evan Healy Tea Tree Gel Cleanser and gently massaged around my face for a minute then rinsed.

My face was a little ruddy afterward...but baby-bottom smooth. I applied a soothing moisturizer and went to bed. I kid not, I woke up to the most youthful-looking skin I'd had in months.

Pretty factor: Sugar is not only a physical exfoliator but a "chemical" one, too—sugar cane is the natural source of glycolic acid, an AHA that's widely used in skin care products for its resurfacing properties. It helps reduce fine lines and acne by promoting cellular turnover. As a result, many face and body scrubs are sugar cane-based.

Eco factor: Obviously, no harsh or toxic chemicals.

To buy: $14 for an entire box at Whole Foods and sugarintheraw.com. Grab an extra packet from Starbucks the next time you buy a latte and try it!

Cargo PlantLove™ Baked Illuminator

2009-01-06T09:45:00.012-06:00

January. It's the time of year when any remaining sun and life from summer seem to have migrated from my face to Florida. Bronzer seems too harsh for winter, and blush doesn't enliven enough. But a couple weeks ago, I discovered a lovely marriage. Well, it's more like a polygamous marriage: Cargo PlantLove™ Baked Illuminator—a bronzer, blush and highlighter in one.

Pretty factor: The blend of eight-hour-baked terra cotta colors give a natural-looking Palm Beach warmth. Moisturizing and fatty acid-rich oils from sunflower, grape seed, and rosehip prevent that chalky appearance common to some mineral makeup. Available in three shades: "Fire" (shown here) for fair skin tones, "Wind" for medium tones, and "Earth" for dark tones.

Tip: Skim your brush lightly around the entire pot—a little goes a long way

Eco factor: No parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, or synthetic fragrance or dyes. Comes in a cool biodegradable box.

To buy: $28 at Sephora and sephora.com

Detox from the Holidays: The Republic of Tea Be Well Get Clean Tea

2009-01-01T16:30:00.010-06:00

Happy New Year everyone. I hope this post finds you wide-eyed and well and not lying on your living room floor moaning. I'm feeling pretty good. "It's a new dawn, a new day, a new life." (fabulous Nina Simone song)

But for those who are reeling from the effects of drinking too much or consuming mostly sugar since Thanksgiving, drag yourself to the store and buy some Republic of Tea Get Clean. When I feel icky, I do two things: one, exercise more. Two, forgo caffeine and alcohol for three days and instead drink two cups of this Get Clean tea daily. And I always feel better.

"Pretty" factor: Get Clean tea contains a base of organic rooibos (red tea from South Africa), which is caffeine-free, has more antioxidants than green tea, and is rich in vitamin C. Its earthy, mildly nutty flavor makes it a good coffee substitution. Milk thistle, dandelion root, burdock root, and red clover help purify the blood and aid the liver and kidneys in processing toxins. As a result, the tea should also help clear acne!

Eco factor: Organic rooibos, certified kosher, and no synthetic fragrance or flavoring

To buy: $10 at Whole Foods and republicoftea.com

Stocking Stuffer Idea: Lavanila Healthy Body Washes and Butters

2008-12-18T23:15:00.016-06:00

, This winter has been a bit crap so far, no? The job lay-offs and sliced-back hours combined with the below freezing temps and inches of snow make me thankful that people haven't started shaving their heads, climbing tall buildings and shooting people, as Anthony Bourdain would say.

Here in Chicago, my minor struggle has been battling dry, rough skin all over. Cranked up heat plus a sulfate-containing shower gel that I was using (got it for free) were the culprits...until I bought and humidifier and received a Lavanila Healthy Body Wash and Body Butter.

Pretty factor: Lavanila ("vanilla" in Madagascar) reminds me of a healthier Jo Malone; the scents are as crisp and clean—but derived naturally from vanilla, grapefruit, lemon peel, and cedarwood essential oils. The soap- and sulfate-free washes clean skin without drying, then contain antioxidant-rich goji berry and pomegranate, nourishing oat protein, and purifying willow bark extract. Available in 4 fresh scents.

Eco factor: The butters and washes contain organic botanical extracts and no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, propylene glycol, silicones, or synthetic dyes

To buy: $20 at lavanila.com and sephora.com

20% off Everything at SkinBotanica!

2008-12-16T15:41:00.008-06:00

Hey everyone. Just discovered that everything at SkinBotanica.com is 20% off until December 20! Brands include John Masters Organics, Suki, Jane Iredale, Juice Beauty, and 100% Pure. I'm good-to-go on skincare but am totally stocking up on JMO's Honey & Hibiscus Shampoo and Reconstructor and Jane Iredale PureGloss....

Soothing Winter Skin and Rosacea: Evan Healy Blue Face Kit

2008-12-15T10:58:00.014-06:00

For a while, I've wanted to write a post about the best regime for rosacea, the skin condition characterized by a flushed, ruddy face with visible blood vessels, bumps and/or pimples. (Bill Clinton is a celebrity example.) I don't have it, but a recent move to Chicago, which might as well be Antarctica during the winter—quickly prompted me to research non-comedogenic, moisturizing skin soothers. The recommendation: Evan Healy's Blue Face Kit.

The kit includes Evan Healy's gorgeous Blue Lavender Cleansing Milk, Rosehip Treatment Facial Oil, and Blue Chamomile Day Moisturizer. They contain steam-distilled blue chamomile and lavender essential oils to impressively calm redness and help regenerate damaged tissue and broken capillary veins (and smell exactly like freshly plucked chamomile and lavender flowers).

Ideal for: People with rosacea or ruddy, wind-burned or irritated skin.

Eco factor: Evan Healy products are beautifully pure—they don't contain a single synthetic ingredient, including parabens, petrochemicals, propylene glycol, filler/thickeners, sulfates, or fake colors and fragrances.

To buy: $27.95 for the kit at Whole Foods and evanhealy.com

Spotted: Convenient Containers of Pomegranate Seeds

2008-12-11T12:49:00.007-06:00

For those of you who love whole pomegranate but rarely eat it because of the hassle, head to Trader Joe's! The other night I discovered their little containers of fresh pomegranate arils (seeds). They're super convenient and taste surprisingly fresh and delicious.

By the way, isn't pomegranate the most fabulously feminine fruit—with its wealth of antioxidants and phytoestrogens, those ruby-like seeds and voluptuous shape?

Christmas Tree-Growing Gift Sets by Pangea Organics

2008-12-08T09:45:00.008-06:00

It's been a pretty subdued holiday season so far. In the past two weeks, a very dear family friend passed away from bone cancer, leaving their 21-year-old daughter without parents. (Her dad died two years ago.) A best friend called to say that her grandma's cancer is spreading like wildfire. Another friend e-mailed about three members of her family breaking bones in one day. And my favorite uncle was laid off from his job at the Louisville Courier-Journal after 36 years of service.

Thank goodness for hope, which often arrives in small forms. During a down day last week, I got a huge smile from a press release from Pangea Organics. It was announcing their holiday gift sets, which are packaged in 100% biodegradable cartons that are embedded with spruce seeds and, if planted, will grow a Christmas tree! These are the people who should be running the world.

There are three different sets, from simple to elaborate, and two sets are currently 25% off at drugstore.com. They'd make a lovely gift for a mom-sister-friend who you have no idea what to get.

Eco factor: Pangea products contain handcrafted, organic and Fair Trade ingredients. They're free of petrochemicals, parabens, sulfates, and synthetic dyes and fragrances. The company's packaging really sets it apart from its competitors. Its cartons are made of 100% post-consumer recycled newspaper and are embedded with seeds—moisten, plant and up will grow a a plant!

To buy: $26 to $30 at drugstore.com and $30 to $40 at pangeaorganics.com

Portland + White Tea with Roses

2008-12-04T07:00:00.007-06:00

I had the pleasure of spending Thanksgiving in Portland with my little bro, who moved to Oregon last summer. The city is often teased for teeming with hippies and street kids (which it has). But wow. It was inspiringly beautiful and the most environmentally conscious place I've ever visited. Blue recycling bins and compact, fuel-efficient cars were prolific, and nearly every restaurant we ate at served hormone-free meat from local farms. I was awestruck. Welcome home, Eco*Pretty!

In addition to fresh air, earth respectfulness, and dang cool architecture, Portland has a heavenly rose garden on a hill that overlooks the city and offers a majestic view of Mt. Hood. One evening after visiting the garden, we popped into a Whole Foods, where I bought Numi's Velvet Garden White Rose Tea as a souvenir. It's one of the loveliest teas I've tasted, with antioxidant-rich white tea and real rose buds. Perfect for having girlfriends over...or escaping to a more calm, refined place this winter.

Eco factor: The tea is certified organic and certified Fair Trade.

To buy: $6.99 at Whole Foods and numitea.com

The Best Pumpkin-Based Beauty Products

2008-11-26T07:00:00.008-06:00

In light of Thanksgiving and my borderline obsession with pumpkin (Starbucks is killing me by selling those pumpkin loafs...), I'm serving up my fav pumpkin-containing products for you this week. What are yours?

A little background: Pumpkin is high in vitamin A, which increases skin cell turnover, refining the face and reducing fine lines and acne. And because it's a natural source of vitamin A, it doesn't cause the redness and irritation that Retin-A, Differin, or retinol serums often do. So here they are:

Eminence Organic Skin Care Pumpkin & Orange Masque. This hydrating and brightening mask is so deliciously scented that you'll want to gobble-gobble it up instead of turkey tomorrow. Pumpkin extract promotes skin renewal, fresh orange juice boosts the skin with vitamin C, honey moisturizes, and vitamins A, C and E protect against free radicals. The challenge is to apply it to your face and not eat it. $48 at dermstore.com

MyChelle Dermaceuticals Incredible Pumpkin Peel. Read review here.

Desert Essence Pumpkin Hand Repair Cream. This affordable best-seller is one of the top natural hand creams. Its impressive ingredients include vitamin-packed pumpkin seed oil, licorice extract (which helps lighten age spots) and hydrating jojoba oil. $9.49 at drugstore.com and Whole Foods

Winter Foods Rich in Antioxidants

2008-11-20T15:21:00.003-06:00

Came across this slideshow on FitSugar highlighting 7 antioxidant-packed winter foods. Thought I'd pass it on for those of us who worry about eating healthily during the holidays and miss our summer berries. I was happy to see cloves on the list—here's to making a big batch of wassail!

New Satellite Image of Brown Clouds over China

2008-11-13T11:06:00.020-06:00

Pardon this off-topic post. I have coal-fired plants on the brain and am feeling hopelessly frustrated.

Before going to sleep last night, I read an article in Time about activists protesting the construction of a new coal-fired plant in Virginia—which will emit 5.3 million more tons of carbon dioxide into the air every year. (A 2007 report from the U.S. Department of Energy listed 151 new plants in the planning stages.) I then awoke this morning to see this awful image in the New York Times of brown smog clouds above China, which has been building two coal plants every week.

What we seem to be tortoise-slow at understanding—or we would've acted much faster; we always do when something directly affects us—is that CO2 sucks for our health. From the Times article, "U.N Sees New Pollutant Threat":

"For those who breathe the toxic mix, the impact can be deadly. Henning Rodhe, a professor of chemical meteorology at Stockholm University, estimates that 340,000 people in China and India die each year from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases that can be traced to the emissions from coal-burning factories, diesel trucks and kitchen stoves fueled by twigs."

"'The impacts on health alone is a reason to reduce these brown clouds,' he said, adding that in China, about 3.6 percent of the nation's annual gross domestic product, or $82 billion, is lost to the health effects of pollution."

Yes, the world's population is out-of-control and there's a massive demand for cheap energy. But I'm still shocked that coal-fired plants—the dirtiest, worst polluters—continue to be built and that we've moved so slowly to mandate cleaner alternatives.

Having a new president and, hopefully, an administration, who don't pork-barrel with the energy industry should help enormously. But everyone must be a lil' anti-coal activist. Use natural sunlight during the day. Turn off your computer at night. Turn down the thermostat a couple degrees. Incentive: You'll save money on your energy bill and will have more hydrated skin and hair this winter. Thanks for your help.

To learn more about the construction of coal plants in your area, visit here.

The Best Non-Drying Foaming Cleansers

2008-11-07T13:51:00.021-06:00

It's a widely known fact in the beauty industry that Americans are obsessed with foam: foamy cleansers, foamy shampoos, foamy body washes. European and Asian women traditionally have used cleansing creams and oils, which don't strip skin like our detergent-packed washes. Not us. If it don't lather, it don't work!

I've read the articles that say that lather doesn't equal clean, it just equals lather, and that the best way to combat oil is with oil. I've tried best-selling oil cleansers, like Lavantine's and Shu Uemura's. But the heavy, un-clean feeling I was left with plus break-outs a few days later made me run for my Aveeno Ultra Calming Cleanser (a sudser that I used in my pre-green days).

Luckily, there are now lovely soap-free foaming cleansers that thoroughly remove makeup and dirt without drying. Here are the best natural ones on the market in my opinion.

For Dry/Normal Skin: John Masters Organics Rose Foaming Face Wash. This light latherer employs mild surfactants to gently cleanse, aloe and linden flower (an antioxidant) to soothe, and steam-distilled essential rose oil to rejuvenate. $19 at Whole Foods and beauty.com

For Oily/Acneic: Aveda Outer Peace Foaming Cleanser. InStyle recently named it the best cleanser for acne-prone skin, and I concur. Oat amino acids exfoliate without harshness, salicylic acid treats blemishes, saw palmetto extract reduces DHT-thus-oil production, and tamanu oil moisturizes and heals. Has a refreshing herbal-medicinal scent. $25 at Aveda concept salons and aveda.com
Runner-up: Clinique's Acne Solutions Foaming Cleanser

For Combo Skin: Evan Healy Tea Tree Gel Cleanser (click for review). I've gone through three bottles the past year. It's my all-time favorite cleanser.

The Benefits of Exercise on Skin and Hair

2008-10-27T20:52:00.018-05:00

Hi everyone. I apologize for the lack of posts this month. I've been rapidly preparing for a move from New York to Chicago (happening this weekend), and my mind has been OCD-fixated on the presidential race. I've developed a need to refresh CNN.com every 15 minutes and Gallup.com every few hours, even though they only update their polls once a day....

But for 30 min this past weekend, I re-commenced beauty research. Specifically: the benefit of exercise on skin. We know that aerobic exercise reduces stress and flushes toxins from the body. But I was fascinated to learn in this article from WebMD that exercise can also:

• declog oil from pores
• regulate the production of DHEA and DHT, the male-associated hormones that cause acne and hair loss
• increase collagen production in the skin—leading to a plumper, more youthful visage (in addition to giving that rosy flush, of course)

Now my experience: I'd been so busy with the Chicago move and having goodbye meet-ups with friends that, completely pooped, I had traded in my twice-weekly evening jogs for half-awake Netflix movies. By the end of last week, I was blah and sluggish, and my skin was looking too sallow for comfort. I forced myself to fit in a 25-minute run on Thursday and Sunday. And crazy enough, my complexion has looked much healthier, and I swear I've lost less hair in the shower.

So hurray for exercise: free, multi-beneficial, and without a carbon footprint!

The Best Natural Acne Treatment

2008-10-01T07:00:00.011-05:00

I've tried an impressive number of skin care products for this blog over the past year. But few have done more for my complexion than Quixtar/Amway's clear.now™Acne Treatment Lotion. Since using it a few weeks ago, my oily skin (which has become more finicky since living in gritty NYC) has been uncommonly and consistently clear and even-toned.

Beauty buffs migh know Quixtar/Amway as the Avon-like (but-bigger) company behind Artistry® cosmetics (which recently announced Sandra Bullock as its spokesperson). A friend who sells the line enticed me first to the company's best-selling Nutrilite^® Women's Supplements. They're packed with high-quality ingredients from organic farms in California, Washington, Mexico, and Brazil, and the fish oil in their omega-3 capsules is mercury-free. But back to the lotion.

Pretty factor: Toss the Proactiv in the recycling bin! Clear.now™ contains an ingredient called sodium chlorite—whose particle size is 200,000 times smaller than benzoyl peroxide's, allowing it to thoroughly penetrate pores and kill bacteria. While it's debacterializing, .7% salicylic acid breaks down pore-clogging oil and a bevy of botanicals—aloe, lavender, willowherb to name a few—heal, moisturize, and calm redness. The skin is left clear and decongested without the slightest dryness or ruddiness.

Eco factor: No petrochemicals, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrance or colors, T.E.A., D.E.A., propylene glycol, silicones, PEGS, animal ingredients

To buy: $18. To get a 10% discount, e-mail me at ecopretty at gmail dot com, and I'll send you the contact info of my friend who sells the line.

NEW Target-Sold Line: Green by Nature™ Lip Glazes

2008-09-22T15:00:00.015-05:00

Move over C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine! You've been blown out of the water (or, rather, off the shelves) by a new product on the market: Green by Nature™ Lip Glazes.

Like you, these glosses also contain pure peppermint oil to freshen breath and lightly plump the pout. But unlike you, they additionally contain real fruit oil for a uniquely yummy taste, are free of petroleum, and are loaded with 95% natural ingredients. Did I mention that they cost about 3 bucks less?

Pretty factor: I've tried a lot of glosses, but these are by far the best bang for your buck. To start, they contain expensive rosehip seed oil, which is rich in vitamin A and able to promote collagen production. Other top ingredients include shea butter, pistachio oil, avocado oil, and aloe leaf extract—which offer superb moisturization.

Eco factor: No parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, propylene glycol, or synthetic color and fragrance. The company is a member of 1% for the Planet, an alliance of businesses that give at least one percent of their annual sales to environmental organizations.

To buy: just $4.99 at select Target stores and greenbynaturebeauty.com

Kiss My Face Lemon Verbana Organic Shower Gel & Body Scrub

2008-09-11T12:42:00.008-05:00

Most beauty editors have products that they'll easily plunk down big bucks for (usually shampoo and skincare) and those that they'll—shock—slip into the drugstore to get. Shower gels and scrubs fall into this latter category for me. I'm not going to spend two meals' worth of money on them when no one has ever said, "Wow, you have such smooth, sexy kneecaps!"

Besides, I excitedly snatched up Nude's $52 Moisturising Body Polish at a beauty sale at work a couple months ago only to discover that it had the cohesiveness of a dry muffin. When I tried to smooth it on my arms, chunks came flying off. I have a hard time remembering my name and location most mornings; I don't need to bump into shower walls, picking up chunks of "damn $52 body scrub" (that is now sitting by itself in a corner of my shower, like a kid in timeout).

Last week, a co-worker who runs a blog called Beauty Maverick gave me Kiss My Face's Lemon Verbana Organic Shower Gel & Body Scrub. And it's perfect. Here's why:

Pretty factor: This two-in-one cleanser/scrub contains mild surfactants to clean without stripping, jojoba spheres to exfoliate without harshness, and aloe and chamomile to soothe. Real lemon extract, orange flower and lemongrass waters give a subtle, energizing scent that's perfect for morning.

Eco factor: It contains organic botanicals and no parabens, synthetic colors, or phenoxyethanol (a preservative commonly found in lesser-priced natural products that can be drying). No animal testing either.

To buy: just $7.99 at Whole Foods and kissmyfacewebstore.com

The Republican National Convention and "Drill, Baby, Drill!"

2008-09-04T22:25:00.028-05:00

This post is 24 hours late, but I have a full-time job in addition to Eco*Pretty and can't keep quiet on this one topic, so it'll have to be better late than never. I know this is a touchy discussion and that I risk offending some readers. But journalists aren't—and shouldn't be—a people to go quietly into the night.

Wednesday night's Republican National Convention made me want to drink gin out of the cat dish, as my favorite writer, Anne Lamott, would say. The pugnacious Giuliani-Palin combination and their crowds had me slumped over on the couch, not knowing whether to pray or make a cold compress.

Republicans confound me. (And I say this as a political moderate and practicing Christian.) I have a hard time understanding a people with such jolly, cherubic faces and frequent invocations of God who can hurl insults with a ferocity that would make the devil blush. Obviously, mud-slinging comes from both political parties. But comparing the speeches of the two conventions, negativities from the Democrats seemed more like rational critiques instead of mean-spirited attacks. Palin's put-down of Obama's "community organizing" on Chicago's South Side was particularly low. She clearly knows nothing about the neighborhood, which is exponentially more tough, diverse and populous than Wasilla and Juneau combined.

But more than any other moment during the evening's unsubstantial pit bull fest, I was appalled at all the signs and chanting of "Drill, baby, drill! Drill, baby, drill! Drill, baby, drill!" I felt as sad as I did at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C., watching the black and white footage of Nazi rallies before a dumb, cheering crowd that knows not what it supports.

Maybe I'm reading the wrong articles, but every news report I've come across about drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) has said that 1) it won't lower gas prices and 2) the oil from the area would last us a pathetically short time. Not to mention, of course, that it would destroy wildlife. Remember 1989's awful Exxon Valdez oil spill? I was only a fifth-grader when it happened, but I can still see the images of lifeless, oil-soaked birds and otters.

Drilling in the ANWR would be like pouring vinegar on a limb that needs to be amputated; a quick fix but not even that. We need to rapidly work to end not only foreign oil dependence but dependence on oil period. More time, energy, and money should be spent researching and developing cleaner, lasting sources of energy. This just seems like common sense.

NEW Origins Organics Totally Pure Deodorant

2008-09-01T16:19:00.012-05:00

For me, and maybe for many of you, finding a natural deodorant that works has ranked just below finding the fountain of youth. I had nice results with Kiss My Face's Liquid Rock, but its ho-hum scent left me desiring more.

Origins knew better. It packed its new Totally Pure Deodorant with odor-neutralizing, bacteria-killing essential oils. It left my underarms smelling blissfully like one of their boutiques for several hours during a hot, active trip to Boston this past weekend. My friend used it as well and was similarly impressed. Like every natural deo' I've used, I do have to re-apply once during the day. But this one's irresistible scent and spray form (no white streaks on shirts!) place it above the others.

Pretty factor: The woodsy, masculine smell of organic clove and ylang ylang, combined with the more feminine-scented lavender and palmorosa essential oils create an alluring, unisex scent that works for both men and women. White willow bark exfoliates underarms and keeps pores clean.

Eco factor: Organic ingredients; no aluminum, parabens, petrochemicals, or synthetic colors and fragrances

To buy: $15 at Origins boutiques and at origins.com

NEW DuWop Pure Venom Plumping Lip Stain

2008-08-22T10:56:00.006-05:00

A few years ago, after going through three tubes of DuWop's infamous Lip Venom (I was obsessed with its tingly, tasty blend of cinnamon and ginger oils), I decided that I absolutely could no longer pay $16 for a tiny tube of gloss. Shortly after this decision, I came across a display of essential oils at a small health foods stores in Indianapolis. The cinnamon one grabbed my eye. Eureka! I could add a few drops of cinnamon oil to my regular lip gloss and instantly transform it to a plumper! "Look at me, being all cost-effective chemist," I proudly thought.

Ha. I apparently dded one too many drops because every nostril in the state seemed to know when I applied it. "What is that smell??" I heard from family and friends nearly every time I whipped it out. After a couple weeks, my mom and brother pleaded, "For the love of God, will you throw that crap away?!" Okay, okay. But you know what? It worked. My lips instantly become plumper and brighter.

Now I have an excuse to shell out the big bucks again for DuWop: Lip Venom not only comes in a longer-lasting stain...but it's organic and paraben-free: DuWop Pure Venom Plumping Lip Stain.

Pretty factor: Organic shea butter, safflower oil, and jojoba oil thoroughly moisturize, while sugar cane extract (the natural source of glycolic acid) exfoliates to keep lips young. And, of course, the classic cinnamon and peppermint leaf oils stimulate circulation, increasing lips' fullness and color. It has to be the perfect lip product.

Eco factor: Organic ingredients, no parabens, petrochemicals, or synthetic colors and fragrances

To buy: $24 at Sephora

NEW Tarte Lash Hugger Natural Mascara

2008-08-18T10:25:00.008-05:00

Until now, finding a great eco-friendly mascara was like trying to find a natural blonde at a Texas beauty pageant. I've tried many and have found either the formulas to be too runny (thanks to moisturizing oils like jojoba) or the brushes to be too skinny (not volumizing enough).

Leave it to Tarte Cosmetics to develop the perfect one (and in such a pretty tube). Tarte was my favorite makeup line at Sephora when I worked there a couple years ago because of the numerous healthy ingredients in its high-performing products. Last year, this cool company went green, making its goods free of parabens, mineral oil, propylene glycol, or synthetic dyes and fragrance.

Pretty factor: Olive esters—not oil—condition without runiness. Rice bran wax and acacia gum adhere to and naturally thicken lashes. A fat brush with ample-spaced bristles perfectly separates and gives va-voom volume.

Eco factor: No parabens, propylene or butyelene glycol, mineral oil, or synthetic fragrance. The tube is made from recycled aluminum.

To buy: $18 at Sephora and sephora.com

Evan Healy Sea Algae Serum Review

2008-08-15T13:43:00.014-05:00

Each Friday this summer, it's seemed that nearly everyone in my Manhattan office has wisked off to the Hamptons. For those of you who, like me, have been doing more day-dreaming than jet-setting since Memorial Day, bring home the beach—and get a gorgeous glow—with Evan Healy's Sea Algae Serum.

I was lured to purchase my first Evan Healy product by its minimalist packaging that whispered "purity, cleanliness." Evan Healy is a San Diego-based aesthetician who trained at Dr. Hauschka and various holistic doctors in Europe and California. Her line is based on the fact that "the skin breathes" and is nutrient-packed and ultra-pure.

Pretty factor: This lightweight serum—which quickly absorbs into the skin—contains a complex of marine botanicals, which feed the skin vitamins and minerals. Seabuckthorn oil revitalizes with naturally occurring beta carotene and vitamin E, while antioxidant CoQ10 renews skin cells from free radical damage (=too much time in the sun).

Eco factor: Organic ingredients and no parabens, petrochemicals, propylene glycol, filler/thickener ingredients, sulfates, or synthetic colors and fragrances.

Ideal for: all skin types. Really.

To buy: $37 for .5oz at select Whole Foods and at evanhealy.com

Thinking About Eco-Eating After A Michael Pollan Lecture

2008-08-11T12:36:00.011-05:00

This post strays a bit from beauty. But if we are what we eat—if what we put into our bodies eventually affects our skin, hair and nails—then I'm not wandering too far. :)

Friday evening, a foodie friend and I sojourned to Long Island City, Queens (just across the East River from midtown Manhattan) to hear a standing-room-only talk by food writer-superstar Michael Pollan.

I've been interested in nutrition and good eating as long as I have beauty, and have followed Pollan's work specifically since reading an excerpt from his most recent book, In Defense of Food, in The New York Times Sunday Magazine a couple years ago.

A professor of journalism at UC Berkeley, Pollan advocates via thorough research for eating locally (e.g. from farmers' markets) and organically. I do, too. Here's why.

- The more local food is, the more healthful it is (produce loses nutrients the longer it travels), and the less carbon footprint it leaves. For example, lettuce voyaging from Salinas, California to a Whole Foods in New York uses significantly more gas than lettuce traveling from a farm on Long Island to that same Whole Foods.

- Numerous studies have found that organic produce is more nutrient-rich than its conventionally grown counterparts. Scientists theorize that when produce is sprayed with pesticide, it becomes "lazy." Pesticide-free produce has to fight harder to survive and thus produces more protective antioxidants.

- Organic farming prevents tons of fertilizer from further polluting waterways and killing marine life. Earlier this summer, my mom sent me one of many recent articles about how fertilizer runoff from Midwestern farms causes the disgusting "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.

- Buying "free-range" chicken and beef from a local farmer doesn't support industrial farms—where animals are packed almost literally on top of each other, without access to the outdoors. They become distressed and sick and are pumped with antibiotics to strengthen their immune systems. We intake these antibiotics when we eat the meat, possibly causing the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria that scientists have been discovering. Industrial beef farms are also responsible for generating obscene amounts of manure that, instead of fertilizing grass as nature intended, releases pollution-causing methane into the air. Look for "grass-fed" beef.

Just some things to think about. Thanks for letting me proseltize!

Whole Foods Video Series with John Masters

2008-08-01T12:59:00.014-05:00

After a couple months of using an eco-friendly hair line that wasn't doing much for me, I finally finished the bottle and switched back to John Masters Organics. This past winter, I lathered my locks in JM's amazing Honey & Hibiscus Reconstructing shampoo and conditioner and received numerous compliments. Since it's summer, I wanted something lighter, but not too light because I have high-lighted hair and dry ends that need moisture. I opted for JMO's Evening Primrose Shampoo for Dry Hair.

Well, after a week of use, what do ya know? My hair is again smoother, softer and more vibrant. (Evening primrose oil is loaded with rejuvenating essential fatty acids.) Better yet, while doing research, I found these new Whole Foods video interviews with John himself about ingredients to look for in natural haircare. Check 'em out—they're enlightening!

Korres Watermelon Lightweight Tinted Moisurizer SPF 30

2008-07-27T13:00:00.013-05:00

A few weeks ago, after a post about my picks for summer's best sunscreen-moisturizers, a couple readers asked me to recommend a sunscreen that absolutely, positively won't break them out—aka no plant oils of any kind! As someone who's favorite word in the skincare dictionary is "non-comedogenic," I appreciate this caution (even though most plant oils are non-acneic).

After much research, I found one. It falls in the lenient "more natural" category, though. Korres Watermelon Lightweight Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 is dermatologist-tested, has the official "non-comedogenic" stamp and contains no olive, sunflower seed, apricot kernel or other oil of any kind. It gives great coverage for a tinted moisturizer and provides broad-spectrum sun protection.

Pretty factor: Nutrient-rich watermelon extract prevents photo-aging, tumeric extract wards off free radicals, and algae and glycerin soothe and moisturize. According to InStyle, Angelina Jolie uses Korres' sister product Ginger & Vitamins Foundation SPF 10.

Eco factor: No parabens, mineral oil, silicones or propylene glycol

To buy: $28 at Sephora stores and sephora.com

Ferro Cosmetics Eye Candy Pearl Eye Shadows

2008-07-18T10:55:00.010-05:00

I'm not much of an eye shadow gal. I find them too dully matte or disco-queen sparkly to spend my hard-earned money on. Depending on the outfit, I either quickly sweep my bronzer or blush on the outer creases and c'est tout. But I recently became a fan of Ferro Cosmetics Eye Candy Pearls—they're the perfect blend of cream and shimmer.

Pretty factor: These hand-made shadows contain mica and silica—minerals that give an air-brushed luminosity. They're available in 11 gorgeous shades. My fav is Come Hither, a coppery peach that beautifully compliments tanned summer skin.

Eco factor: No talc, bismuth oxychloride, preservatives, petroleum by-products, fragrance or dyes. Ferro Cosmetics runs a "green" office, using recycled-content paper, unplugging everything at night, using smart light bulbs, etc!

To buy: $9.99 at ferrocosmetics.com

Ingredients

Nikkel Holistic Skincare Microdermx Cream

2008-07-14T21:15:00.025-05:00

I know, I know. Another microdermabrasion cream-kit on the market? But this one is different. This one is q-u-a-l-i-t-y. Of the eye-crossing number of microderm creams and facial scrubs I’ve used in the past few years, Microdermx, made by L.A.-based Nikkel Holistic Skincare, is truly the crème des crèmes. Why? The quality of its crystals and the plethora of soothing, healing ingredients.

Pretty factor: Instead of harsh, second-rate exfoliants like pumice, magnesium oxide, sodium bicarbonate or unfused aluminum oxide, Microdermx uses medical-grade corundum crystals—which are second only to diamonds on the Mohs scale of hardness. The crystals are so microfine (at first touch, the product actually feels like a regular face cream) that they exfoliate with superb evenness.

Generous amounts of chamomile and aloe prevent the skin from becoming ruddy, and rose hip seed oil, rich in vitamin A, aids reparation. I was wow-ed by how baby-butt-smooth my face felt afterward.

Numerous Microdermx customers have reported their skin tone to be more even, pore size smaller, and wrinkles, acne scars and brown spots diminished after just a couple months of use (2-3 times/week).

Eco factor: No parabens, petrol additives like mineral oil or propylene glycol, or synthetic dyes or fragrance

To buy: $45 at microdermx.com

Ingredients

The Body Deli: Fresh, Food-Based Skincare!

2008-07-01T14:45:00.010-05:00

Many natural beauty companies boast that their products are "so pure you can eat them." I recently discovered a line that truly lives out the phrase. The Body Deli, based near Palm Springs, uses ingredients so fresh that some of its goods ship with an ice pack and require fridge storage. Equally cool: The brand's fans include Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson and Alicia Silverstone.

I’ve been using one of its best sellers, the Cucumber Juice Elixir, daily for the past month. It's perfect for summer—its anti-inflammatory cocktail of organic aloe vera, cucumber juice and chamomile soothe the skin while barley grass and spirulina feed it a wealth of nutrients.

Another top seller, the Blueberry Facial Polish, contains antioxidant-rich berries and colloidal oatmeal, which exfoliate while soothing, and healing meadowfoam and rosehip seed oils—all in an aloe vera juice base.

Eco factor: Body Deli products contain fresh, organic plant, fruit and veggie extracts. No sulfates, parabens, silicones, petrochemicals, or synthetic colors and fragrances

To buy and ingredients: TheBodyDeli.com

Hamadi Healing Serum

2008-06-27T15:33:00.006-05:00

I've been wanting to bid adieu to shine serums and other styling products that contain silicones, e.g. dimethicone and cyclomethicone. While they smooth the hair shaft to create shine, silicones can build up over time and weigh down the hair. I loved Simply Organic's Heat-Activated Shine Complex but wanted something more moisturizing for the summer, when the plentiful sunshine tends to fry 'n' dry my locks.

Enter Hamadi Healing Serum. This serum uses a luxe blend of plant oils to moisturize, repair and defrizz. Spray just once onto the palms of your hands, rub them quickly together, run through your ends and voila! Glossy, de-frizzed, healthy-looking locks—naturally.

Pretty factor: Antioxidants in sunflower seed oil protect the hair from the sun and extend color or highlights. Fatty acid-packed avocado and olive oils repair and leave locks soft. Organic essentials oils of ylang-ylang, vanilla and bergamont lend an enticing fragrance.

Tip: For a deep conditioning treatment, spray onto hair before bed, put it in a ponytail and leave on overnight. Your locks will feel like silk the next morning in the shower. Promise.

Eco factor: Organic ingredients and no parabens, petrochemicals, harsh surfactants (sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate), or synthetic colors and fragrances. Hamadi Beauty's tag line is "tested on actresses, never on animals." (Founder Jamal Hamadi is close friends with supermodel Linda Evangelista.

To buy: $24 at beauty.com

Ingredients

Eco-Friendly Body Bronzers for Summer

2008-06-24T11:38:00.015-05:00

The season of shorts, skirts and breezy dresses has arrived. And with it, so comes the need to give the legs a lil' extra love—namely, shaving more and, for those of us who refuse tanning beds and baking like rotisserie chicken on the beach, use a bronzing body lotion.

Two superb, less chemical bronzers are Nature's Gate Happy Glow Lucky Bronzing Creme and Tarte's Glam Gams Bronzing Leg Stick. Both are infused with healthy ingredients and give a shimmery, natural-looking glow.

Pretty factor: Happy Glow Lucky contains ultra moisturizing borage seed oil plus extracts of elder fruit and hibiscus, which are soothing and emollient. The deodorant-like Tarte stick is infused with the company's antioxidant-packed T5 Super Fruit Complex™ of goji, acai, maracuja, acerola and pomegranate.

Eco factor: No parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol or petroleum or mineral oil in either product

To buy: $15 for Happy Glow Lucky cream at drugstore.com and Whole Foods; $30 for Glam Gams at sephora.com

Clinque Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam: No Sulfates or Parabens Plus Botanicals!

2008-06-19T20:50:00.010-05:00

Well, the cows have come home and the moon is blue: I'm using and loving a Clinique product.

I've been anti-Clinique for years. I've watched girlfriends stick with the mediocre line despite it doing nada for them—or causing more break outs. That puke yellow "Dramatically Different" Moisturizing Lotion? Might as well slather Vaseline-brand lotion on your face because both contain petroleum and mineral oil.

However, there's always room for redemption. During a recent visit to Chicago, I noticed Clinique's Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam in my friend's shower. It belonged to her roommate, who has flawless skin. I skimmed its ingredient list, ready to shake my head; instead, I did a double-take: no harsh detergents or paraben preservatives, 2% salicylic acid, plus tons of botanicals!

Because of extra stress the past two months, I was breaking out around my chin. Maybe this cleanser would clear 'em up. I bought some from Sephora and have been using it just at night for two weeks—and my skin has almost completely cleared with no dryness. I've vowed to use a cleanser and/or moisturizer with salicylic acid until I'm 40. And to Clinique: Congrats on a great product.

Pretty factor: 2% salicylic acid effectively cleans oil and grim from pores to prevent and clear zits. Peppermint extract further detoxifies. Algae extract provides nutrients to the skin. Caffeine perks it up and reduces inflammation, and glycerin and sodium hyaluronate inject moisture.

Eco factor: No sulfates, parabens, or petroleum

To buy: $17.50 at department stores and Sephora (Final praise: It's about 6 bucks cheaper than the Whole Foods cleansers I've been using!)

John Masters Deep Follicle Treatment & Volumizer for Thinning Hair

2008-06-17T15:47:00.012-05:00

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, female hair loss is on the rise and it's affecting younger women. Poor, processed diets and increased stress levels—also thought to be the culprit for the boom in adult acne—are mostly to blame. As a result, major hair care companies have rapidly developed lines that address thinning hair in the past couple years.

However, to reduce hair loss, you must get to the root of the problem—literally. John Masters Deep Follicle Treatment does. And it seems to be working for me so far.

Pretty factor: This spray bathes your scalp in organic plant extracts, vitamins and essential oils, which stimulate circulation, balance sebum production and eliminate free radicals, "resulting in optimal scalp and hair health." Perhaps most importantly, the spray contains a large amount of panthenol (vitamin B), which strengthens and plumps the hair shaft.

I've been spraying this on slightly damp hair after showering every other day for three weeks and have noticed a spurt in baby hair growth around my forehead.

Eco factor: John Masters products are 75 to 100% organic and contain wild-crafted, ECOCERT^® ingredients. (ECOCERT^®is an European organic certification organization.) No parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, artificial colors, fragrances or fillers. The NYC salon is powered completely by wind energy!

To buy: $21 at Whole Foods and beauty.com

Ingredients

NEW Jane Iredale Dream Tint SPF 15

2008-06-11T12:12:00.015-05:00

It's finally happened. I've been hoping for a while that it would. About six months ago, I posted a comment on Jane Iredale's blog telling her how much I like her line (it's the crème de la crème of mineral makeup) and how I'd love for her to develop a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen. Well, she has.

Dream Tint SPF 15—which has a lovely, mousse-like texture—comes in five gorgeous shades plus a peach brightener (for pigmentation problems), lilac brightener (for sallow complexions) and a warm bronzer (for a sun-kissed glow).

Pretty factor: Lightweight shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and sunflower seed oil moisturize and give a fresh, dewy look without slight greasiness. Dimethicone (a main ingredient in face primers) fills in fine lines and large pores, creating a smooth, flawless canvas. White tea and titanium dioxide protect against free radical and sun damage, respectively.

Ideal for: all skin types, truly.

Eco factor: No talc, parabens, phthalates, bismuth oxychloride, or chemical dyes or fragrance. Jane Iredale recently instated a Green Team to help environmentalize the company and is building a new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) office building!

To buy: $36 at janeiredaledirect.com and skinbotanica.com

The Best Lightweight Summer Moisturizers

2008-06-10T14:19:00.013-05:00

As I was about to begin this post, I spotted this news story about chemical sunscreens' harmful effect on aquatic life. What this means for you: Look for sunscreen and moisturizers with SPF that contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. They're physical, as opposed to chemical, sunscreens and are healthier for you (especially those with sensitive skin) and the planet. And both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide offer protection against UVA and UVB rays.

After researching lightweight, natural moisturizers with sunscreen the past few weeks, I've come to my top two: Juice Beauty Green Apple Moisturizer SPF 15 and Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer SPF 25. Both contain titanium dioxide.

Pretty factor: Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer SPF 25 ($32) contains glycerin and shea butter—which beautifully moisturizes and sinks into the skin with zero comedogenicity—plus antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, soothing aloe, and purifying lemon oil.

I can't get enough of Juice Beauty's Green Apple Moisturizer SPF 15 ($38). To start, its fresh, citrus scent is amazing—it contains organic lemon juice to lightly exfoliate, purify and brighten. (After a few weeks, your skin should glow like Cate Blanchett's!) Other skin-healthy nutrients that its packed with include organic aloe, green tea, rosehip seed, evening primrose, and jojoba oils. Despite the plant oils, it quickly absorbs into the skin.

The Benefits of Sticking with a Skincare Regime?

2008-06-03T16:50:00.029-05:00

The past week, I'd been thinking about hunkering down and sticking to a skin care regime when I spotted this amusing post on Lucky's beauty blog about...hunkering down and sticking to a skincare regime.

I’m constantly hunting for and trying the new, best product. I’ve been especially Swap Central lately—this scrub one day, another one the next—and am wondering if it’s the reason for a little increase in ruddiness and breakouts. Dermatologists say that you need to allow time for your skin to adjust to a new product, then for it to do its job.

So, it’s going to be like me fighting myself, but I’m going to stick to a basic regime for the next two months—no changing! My regime will consist of:

Evan Healy Tea Tree Gel Cleanser. Best. Cleanser. Ever. I’ve been using this daily for two entire months and love it. It's soap-free and foaming with gentle surfactants, bacteria-killing tea tree and lavender oils, and soothing chamomile and calendula blossom extracts. Evan Healy products are super pure and high-quality (though not well publicized) and are available at some Whole Foods.

DDF Pumice Acne Scrub (twice weekly). This stuff is the skincare equivalent of Suave’s best-selling Daily Clarifying Shampoo—it's not natural but, used once or twice a week, it thoroughly removes grit and leaves skin smooth and clear.

Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15 Moisturizer. I love the purifying, exfoliating properties and uplifting scent of the organic lemon juice in this moisturizer. It also contains AHA in the form of organic apple juice, plus skin-nutritious ingredients like green tea, aloe, and rosehip seed oil.

I've been on the regime for just 5 days but already notice a reduction in ruddiness. Have you found that your skin looks best when you stick to a regime?

NEW Tarte 4-Day Stay Mascara

2008-05-25T10:27:00.005-05:00

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone. Just in time for pool and beach season, Tarte Cosmetics (by far my favorite makeup line at Sephora) has unveiled a long-lasting lash stain, 4 Day Stay Mascara. Part of Tarte's eco-friendly "Health Couture" collection, it's rich in nutrients and claims to last four full days.

Pretty factor: 4-Day Stay contains PolyFlex Technology™ that adheres the formula's mineral pigments to lashes. Vitamin B5 strengthens and softens lashes and a T5 Super Fruit Complex™ of goji, acai, maracuja, acerola and pomegranate provides antioxidant power.

Eco factor: No parabens, mineral oil, phthalates or synthetic dyes or fragrance. Every purchase of a Tarte product with the T5 Super Fruit Complex supports the Sambazon Sustainable Acai Project, a Brazilian organization that provides companies worldwide with organic and fair trade acai berry while re-building the Amazon rain forest via planting of acai trees.

To buy: $18 at Sephora stores and sephora.com

NEW Aveda Green Science Firming Skincare Review

2008-05-22T22:19:00.007-05:00

Aveda has launched a new anti-aging, firming skincare line called Green Science that could easily go head-to-head with any "high-tech" department store brand. The line is composed of a firming face and eye cream, a lifting serum, and intensive line-minimizers packaged in cool, tiny tubes. According to the press release, clinical results show a 41% more lifted appearance and a 37% reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Pretty factor: After water, the main ingredients in all four products is rosemary leaf extract and spike moss. Like lavender and tea tree oil, rosemary is a wonder-herb: an antioxidant, antiseptic and antispasmodic. It's also widely thought to stimulate blood circulation. I've been using the Lifting Serum for 2 weeks and love how it tingles upon application and gives my face a healthy, rosy flush. Spike moss helps rebuild the skin's barrier, and a blend of glucosamine, organic argan oil, and peptides renew and plump the skin.

Ideal for: normal, dry and mature skin

Eco factor: Aveda has been dedicated to environmental responsibility long before "green" entered the public vernacular and every other celebrity drove a Prius. Its manufacturing facility in Minnesota is powered entirely by wind energy, and its cosmetics contain organic, sustainably sourced, fair trade ingredients. Products come in 80 to 100% post-consumer recycled cartons. . No parabens, phathlates, petro ingredients, or animal testing.

To buy: $45 to $85 at Aveda concept salons and spas nationwide

Juice Beauty SPF 8 Lip Moisturizers

2008-05-13T15:30:00.018-05:00

Hurray for May! Here in New York, long days of sunshine seem to finally be with us. This summer, I want to remember my lips, in addition to my face, when it comes to sun protection. Juice Beauty's SPF 8 Lip Moisturizers whisk me back to the carefree days of my Bonne Bell-wearing youth—but with way healthier ingredients and a 'lil SPF thanks to titanium dioxide.

Pretty factor: These fruity sheers give a slightly shimmery tint and are packed with certified organic ingredients, including moisturizing coconut and sunflower seed oils and real mango and passion fruit extracts. SPF 8 helps keep lips youthfully plump instead of old-lady puckered.

Eco factor: Juice Beauty products are made with 100% certified organic ingredients. No parabens, synthetic fragrances, petroleum derivatives, artificial dyes, harsh sulfates, phthalates or animal testing. Their facilities are solar-powered, their containers are made from recycled content, and they get many of their organic ingredients from small farmers.

To buy: $15 for 3 at sephora.com and juicebeauty.com

Ingredients

Malie Organic Coffee Macadamia Body Polish

2008-05-06T16:49:00.001-05:00

Because I'm on a coffee kick and because swimsuit season will be here in a few short weeks, I couldn't think of a better product to review this week than Malie Kauai's Organic Coffee Macadamia Body Polish.

As I've said, topically applied caffeine stimulates circulation and enlivens the skin, making it a beneficial ingredient in eye creams, moisturizers and cellulite products. Check out this article from CNN Money about coffee's ability to treat cellulite.

Pretty factor: A large serving of coffee—it's the first ingredient listed!—helps diminish those unsightly, fatty indentations. Sugar, which is a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids, exfoliates the body, while coconut oil, organic cocoa butter, and mango butter provide decadently rich moisturization.

Eco factor: Malie Kauai products are made from organic and wild-crafted plants that are harvested in a sustainable manner. No petroleum, sulfates, synthetic colors or fragrances or parabens.

To buy: $45 at malie.com and futurenatural.com

Ingredients

100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Eye Cream

2008-04-28T16:47:00.012-05:00

Know how a cup o' joe gets ya going in the morning? Well, topically applied caffeine also perks up the skin. It encourages circulation, making it an ideal ingredient in facial moisturizers, cellulite lotions and, especially, eye creams. 100% Pure's Organic Coffee Bean Eye Cream is the best peeper product I've used. Dark circles are notoriously difficult to treat, but I've seen a small improvement in mine and a big boost in overall hydration.

Pretty factor: A caffeine combo of organic green and white tea plus green coffee de-puffs, gets that blue blood moving, and provides antioxidant protection. Blackcurrant oil—a rich source of essential fatty acids—moisturizes, plumps and reduces inflammation. The souffle-like cream gets bonus points for its hygienic pump container.

Eco factor: 100% Pure products lack synthetic chemicals, parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, sulfates or other harsh detergents, propylene glycol, PEGs, animal by-products, filler ingredients (thickeners, emulsifiers, etc), artificial colors or fragrance, or genetically modified ingredients

To buy: $19 at 100percentpure.com and skinbotanica.com

Ingredients

Bare Escentuals new RareMinerals Blemish Therapy

2008-04-23T12:28:00.005-05:00

Bare Escentuals', in their quest to take over the beauty world, has unveiled an anti-acne product: RareMinerals Blemish Therapy. Let's talk about what it won't do and what it will do.

What it probably won't do: Don't bet money on this powder to zap medium to severe acne—or even minor pimples. For 3 nights after cleansing, I dabbed it around two stress zits near my chin. They didn't decrease in size at all. However, they did become visibly less red.

Blemish Therapy contains willow bark extract—the natural form of salicylic acid—but I doubt its effectiveness in powder form. Also, mineral powders tend to be drying; this one wasn't an exception.

What it will do: I stopped using this powder as a pimple treatment and instead have been employing it as an oil-minimizing veil. And it's awesome. I apply it around 3 p.m. every day, when my T-zone is shinier than a bald man's head. Active ingredients 3% sulfur and kaolin soak up shininess, while tea tree leaf extract and tea tree oil kill bacteria that has accumulated on the face during the day. It's translucent in color, so you can't tell it's on.

Eco factor: No drying talc, petrochemicals, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrance or colors, animal ingredients or animal testing.

To buy: $28 at sephora.com

Ingredients

NEW Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara

2008-04-10T19:37:00.007-05:00

I've been loyally using Lavera's Volume Mascara for the past half-year. But a beauty junkie can remain faithful to even the best products for only so long. The trade-in? Dr. Hauschka's new Volume Mascara, which comes in black, a forest green that makes hazel eyes pop, and aubergine, a plum that beautifully compliments brown and green peepers.

Pretty factor: A fat, soft-bristled brush and moisturizing jojoba oil give va-voom volume without the typical clumping or tar-like consistency. Black tea—yes, tea in a mascara!—provides antioxidant properties, and eyebright extract soothes the delicate lash area; it's a perfect mascara for gals with sensitive eyes.

Eco factor: Dr. Hauschka is a pioneer in the natural beauty industry. For over 40 years, the German company has been using organic and biodynamic ingredients from their own gardens in all their products. No chemical additives, parabens, synthetic dyes or fragrance or animal testing.

To buy: $23.50 at Whole Foods and drhauschka.com

Ingredients

Suki Concentrated Balancing Toner with White Willow Salicins

2008-04-07T11:15:00.017-05:00

I recently gushed about Suki's Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser, which has quickly become my favorite face wash. I'd like to now wax enthusiastic about its Concentrated Balancing Toner, which I've also been using the past month. These two products have transformed my skin from acneic-oily to combo-normal. Here's why the toner is amazing:

Pretty factor: First, Suki products are ultra pure and free of all these irritating and potentially pore-clogging ingredients. This toner's star ingredient is white willow bark—a natural form of salicylic acid—which exfoliates and cleans out pores without irritation or dryness. It additionally contains organic chamomile and aloe vera to reduce inflammation and redness, and vitamin C to repair via boosting new collagen production.

Eco factor: Suki products contain organic ingredients and are packaged in eco-friendly materials like recycled stock, vegetable ink and glass (never plastic). The company supports fair trade, organic and biodynamic processing and local suppliers. It's an active member of numerous organizations including the Organic Consumer's Association, Breast Cancer Action and the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics for Responsible Medicine. Absolutely no animal testing.

To buy: $24 at Whole Foods, sukipure.com and futurenatural.com

Ingredients

Physicians Formula Organic Wear® Tinted Moisturizer and Under-Eye Concealer Review

2008-04-03T11:31:00.024-05:00

Thousands of Eco*Pretty readers come to the site via a Google search for Physicians Formula Organic Wear®, which I reviewed here two months ago. Given this, I wanted to devote a little more time to the line. My two picks are the tinted moisturizer (for oily skin) and the concealer in soft yellow.

The tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 comes in 4 shades, from very light to medium-dark. It contains several non-comedogenic, hydrating oils—jojoba, olive and safflower—that give a creamy look without clogging pores. However, perhaps to balance the oils and provide antibacterial action, it also contains a heavy amount lavender alcohol. And, as many customers have found, the alcohol makes the product too drying for normal and dry skin types. However, it's a stellar product for oily and exceptionally oil skin and for normal skin during the summer.

I love the concealer in soft yellow. You can almost use it as an eye cream thanks to moisturizing and fatty-acid-packed olive, soybean, avocado, sunflower and safflower seed oils plus shea butter and aloe! It completely camouflages and illuminates under-eye circles. I wish it had a hygienic click-pen applicator like Jane Iredale's Active Light concealer. But for $6.95, I won't complain.

Eco factor: The Organic Wear® line contains 100% ECOCERT^® ingredients with no parabens, harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrance and dyes. They come in biodegradable packaging and weren't tested on animals. Its Web site features a Green Tip of the Week.

To buy: $8.95 at drugstores nationwide

Must Try: Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser

2008-03-27T20:10:00.019-05:00

I recently bought Suki's Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser due to its rave reviews on MakeupAlley.com and Makeup.com—where it's 5-star rated and the No. 1-selling skin care product on the entire site. But I didn't buy confidently: It contains saponified olive oil (soap), and soap usually leaves skin desperately wanting for moisture.

Oh, but not this one. As with myriad other reviewers, it left my face surprisingly creamy and fresh-looking, and the pores on my nose were visibly smaller. In the two weeks I've used this scrub, my skin tone has been significantly more smooth, even-toned and blemish-free. Here's why:

Pretty factor: Suki products are 100% natural—there isn't a single synthetic ingredient in them. As a result, your skin will drink them up with no irritation or breakouts. Rice flour and cane sugar, a natural alpha hydroxy acid, gently remove dead skin cells and increase cellular turnover (=reduced zits, fine lines and acne scars). Fresh herbs, including soothing chamomile, and pure steam-distilled essential oils rejuvenate and heal the skin.

The key to getting the cleanser to foam up nicely is to rub a quarter-size amount between your palms with a few drops of warm water. Then, gently massage it up and onto your face. It's smells like freshly squeezed lemonade and will leave your bathroom with reminiscent of Jamba Juice!

Ideal for: all skin types, especially acneic

Eco factor: Products are packaged in eco-friendly materials like recycled stock, vegetable ink and glass (never plastic). Suki supports fair trade, organic and biodynamic processing and local suppliers. It's also an active member of numerous organizations including the Organic Consumer's Association, Breast Cancer Action and the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics for Responsible Medicine. All products are free of these these ingredients. Absolutely no animal testing.

To buy: $24.50 at Whole Foods, sukipure.com, and at futurenatural.com

Ingredients

Tarte Full Blossom Natural Swirl Cheek Stain

2008-03-25T16:35:00.014-05:00

Tarte's Spring 2008 collection, "Health Couture", includes an all-natural version of the company's best-selling Cheek Stain, loved by beauty editors for the natural, dewy flush it gives. It's perfect for this fresh, budding time of year.

Natural Swirl Cheek Stain comes in one color, Full Blossom, which is a strawberry pink hue that best suits fair to medium complexions and hair colors.

Pretty Factor: The stain contains an antioxidant-packed T5 Super Fruit Complex composed of acai, goji, pomegranate, acerola and maracuja berry. Shea butter and safflower seed oil moisturize, while carnauba and candelillia wax form a protective barrier between blustery Spring weather and your healthily flushed cheekers.

Eco factor: No parabens, mineral oil or phthalates. Every purchase of a Tarte product that has its new T5 Super Fruit Complex supports the Sambazon Sustainable Acai Project, a Brazilian organization that provides companies worldwide with organic and fair trade acai berry while re-building the Amazon rain forest via planting of acai trees.

To buy: $28 at Sephora stores and sephora.com

Ingredients