Eco*Pretty's Last Post

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

Ha! No, I've been working as the Chicago sales and education rep for a large organic skincare company. I was recently promoted and given more responsibility that includes frequent travel (and, most exciting, health benefits)! I'm also writing for the company's blog = slight conflict of interest.

Thank you for your readership and comments.  It's been so pleasurable serving and interacting with you throughout these 150 posts.  I've tried to feature the best of the growing crop of gorgeous, natural cosmetics now on the market—being mindful, during this recession, to include products that won't empty your wallet.  I hope you've seen great results with anything you've bought as a result of these recommendations.  Good luck in your environmental and beauty endeavors!

xoxo,
Lindsay

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
Buy organic. Eat local.
Plant trees. Take public transit.
Always stop to smell the flowers.

NEW The Body Deli Blueberry Fusion Cleanser

When the weather is humid and the sun is unflinching, this skincare junkie can't help being drawn to brands that use organic juices with names such as Sea Cucumber Gelee—that require refrigeration.

After a few sessions of sticking my head in the freezer to cool off last week (I live on the 18th floor of a pre-war highrise with no central AC), I found myself typing TheBodyDeli.com into my browser.  After discovering the brand last summer, I was instantly enamoured with its fresh cucumber juice toner.

This year, I was excited to discover the just-launched Blueberry Fusion resurfacing cleanser.  From its rich purple hue, description and ingredients, I suspected it would become my new fav face wash.

Pretty factor:  Five percent lactic and malic hydroxy acids offer professional-grade exfoliation while a mild, plant-derived surfactant (decyl glucoside) gently removes oil and makeup.  Acai and blueberry extracts deliver antioxidants and oat flour soothes.

If you have a few extra bucks, try the Sea Cucumber Gelee.  This lightweight gel moisturizer-mask hydrates sun-parched skin, calms redness, and repairs free radical damage.  Its nutrient-rich ingredients include organic aloe, wheatgrass, dandelion leaf and kale juices.  Coolest feature of all (pun unintended): It ships on ice and must be stored in your frig.

Eco factor: Body Deli products contain fresh, organic fruit and vegetable extracts and juices.  No sulfates or other harsh cleansing ingredients, paraben preservatives, petrochemicals, or synthetic dyes and fragrance.

To buy: $38 for the resurfacing cleanser and $45 for the cucumber moisturizer at TheBodyDeli.com 

Collective Wellbeing Hot Pore Cleansing Scrub with Active Charcoal

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

Pretty factor:  Like a sponge, charcoal absorbs excess oil on the skin (much appreciated during Chicago's hot, humid summers). An exfoliation duo of jojoba beads and salicylic acid unclog pores and prevent breakouts. And antibacterial tea tree extract zaps 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 sulfates, parabens, or synthetic fragrance or color. They're members of 1% For the Planet and The Chicago Climate Exchange, through which they have completely eliminated their carbon footprint! 

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

Alo-ha! Pacificia's $9 Solid Perfumes

A few readers have asked why I haven't reviewed the growing crop of gorgeous natural perfumes. One simple reason: cost!  Most average around 90 bucks a bottle—which is out of my wallet's range and, I imagine, many of yours given this wretched recession. As a result, the only eau's I've been using have been Stella McCartney's rollerball and whiffs from my essential oil-scented hair products.

But that changed last month after discovering Pacifica's solid perfumes. Just $9, they come in cool Andy Warhol-meets-South Pacific tins. Finding your signature scent is easy as there are 20 aromas to choose from, such as Malibu Lemon Blossom, Tahitian Gardenia and, my favorite, French Lilac.

Pretty factor: These perfumes are a lesson in simplicity. Just a few ingredients: organic soy and coconut waxes that "hold" scents longer and a blend of essential oils. The tins are easily transportable, too—perfect for your beach or weekend getaway bag.

Eco factor: Pacifica products are free of parabens, phthalates, nitro musks, lead wicks and animal ingredients (including beeswax).  They are not tested on animals and packaging is made with recycled content. Pacifica reuses and reduces wherever possible and is 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

I've always favored gentle foaming cleansers over makeup-removing clothes 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, a Natural Resources Defense Council initiative that aims to have polar bears protected under the Endangered Species Act. One tragic effect of global warming is that rising temperatures have melted large 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 blend 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