Pretty Be, Pretty Do

Ecofriendly beauty products are kind to our skin and the Earth. LeAnne Bagnall gives us her picks of the best Earth-conscious brands that will have your pores thanking you.

When it comes to our beauty routine, we all know that chemicals are not the friendliest things we can apply to our face, hair, and skin, yet we do it every day, sometimes without even knowing it. Everyday beauty products—from mascara to facial creams to moisturizers to hair color—are almost entirely composed of toxins, chemically treated ingredients, and harsh additives that are detrimental to our health (and the planet!). It makes sense to use organic, earthly ingredients in order to achieve truly natural beauty, but many users have not been satisfied with the level of sophistication of most ecofriendly beauty products. Luckily, some of the world’s most renowned makeup artists were more than willing to share their expertise when they formulated these ecofriendly product lines that are not only good for your look but also your health, the global community, and of course, Mother Earth. Who knew being kind to the planet would look so good on you?

1

If it’s a high standard of cosmetic quality as well as environmental safety and social responsibility you seek, look no further than Josie Maran Cosmetics. Beauty super-guru Josie Maran has created a line of award-winning luxurious cosmetics that uphold these very standards. They’re composed entirely of organic and edible ingredients like argan oil, flaxseed oil, shea butter, citrus, and other oils and extracts from fruits and vegetables grown by fair trade farmers and woman-run co-ops around the globe. Josie’s cosmetics are friendly to the environment, and their ingredients have been used for centuries by women because of their well-known healing properties. Choose from the Argan line of blushes, shades, powders, lip glosses, mascaras, and more that are designed to soften your skin and diminish wrinkles and blemishes all while giving you a totally natural finish. Use the 100 percent-pure argan oil to beautify your face, skin, hair, and nails.

2

Celebrity makeup artist Lina Hanson has crafted the perfect skin enhancer made entirely of pure ingredients from the best places on Earth. Her Global Face Serum (1 fluid ounce, $85) is a delectable natural moisturizer that reduces the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, inflammation, and blemishes and leaves your skin feeling clean and youthful as it improves complexion. Containing absolutely no synthetic or chemical ingredients, this lovely serum is composed of natural and organic ingredients that include marula, argan, neroli, and Brazil nut oils harvested by women cooperatives worldwide to promote their economic growth and empowerment and support fair trade. You’ll obtain the timeless natural beauty revered across cultural lines, and your heart will feel good knowing that your purchase is helping to better the lives of women around the world.

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Backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a number of farming, recycling, energy, and animal-friendly initiatives, LEAP Organics is possibly the most Mother Nature-loving line of soaps and skin care products available today. Use LEAP’s completely organic products—soaps, body wash, facial scrub, cleanser, and lotion—none of which contains ingredients that could possibly endanger the environment or your skin. The attractive, sweet-smelling natural soaps made of certified-organic oils will leave your skin clean, smooth, and moisturized—not dry and rough like other manufactured soaps. All LEAP products are biodegradable, and a percentage of sales are donated to environmental organizations.

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For moms-to-be, new mothers, and new babies, safe, nontoxic bath and body products are a must. That’s why husband-and-wife team Robin Brown and Anna Cirronic began Erbaviva, the line of bath, body, and aromatherapy products designed specifically for pregnant mothers and babies. All products are handmade right in Erbaviva’s Southern California headquarters using natural, organic, and herbal ingredients. Soon-to-be moms can enjoy the pampering of essential oils, natural healing extracts, and organic scents from such soothing care products as foot balms, stretch mark creams, back-rub oils, and milk baths. Babies will benefit from the gentle, nourishing abilities of Erbaviva’s creams, lotions, and oils for everything from cradle cap to diaper rash. All products come in recycled or environmentally friendly packaging and support sustainable agriculture in underdeveloped regions.

Become more than just a pretty face—use your heart to feel beautiful inside out. Mother Nature will thank you in more ways than one.