Switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs and reusable shopping bags is easy enough, but does ditching your favorite eye shadow take eco-chic a step too far? Greening your makeup bag doesn't have to mean giving up glam for an all-natural hippie look. In the past few years, the cosmetics industry has answered the call for more high quality, environmentally friendly products. Here are a few new brands that let you help save the planet without sacrificing your looks.
Green Room
The makeup artists at smashbox cosmetics spend a lot of time prepping their clients for television appearances, so Green Room is the perfect name for the brand's first totally green collection. Nearly all of the formulas in the Green Room Collection contain Moringa seed extract, which provides natural antioxidant protection. The Moringa tree, known as the Miracle Tree, has seven times the Vitamin C of oranges and four times the Vitamin A of carrots. To help bring the nutritious benefits of the tree to people in need, smashbox cosmetics will plant a Moringa tree in a developing country for each Green Room product purchased.
Products include:
Green Room Eye Shadow Quad ($32) Each biodegradable compact comes with four shadows made with Morienga seed extract to protect the delicate skin around the eyes.
Hybrid 2 in 1 Luminizing Primer ($32) The Hybrid 2 in 1 is a blend of smashbox cosmetics's best selling Photo Finish Foundation Primer and Artificial Light luminizing lotion. Primer can be worn alone for a natural glow or under foundation for a radiant finish. When you're done, the tube is recyclable.
Green Room Bronzer ($28) This antioxidant packed bronzer gives the skin a luminous glow and comes in a biodegradable compact. Available in Golden Glow and Deep Bronze.
Available at Nordstrom, Sephora, Bloomingdale's, Ulta, and online at smashbox.com.
GRN
Exhale, a brand known for its spa therapies and Core Fusion fitness classes has introduced GRN (Grow. Restore. Nurture) an eco-conscious, paraben-free skin care line. The potent, yet pure formulas are designed to combat physical, emotional, and environmental stress on the skin while using ingredients and processes that do not harm the environment.
Products include:
Avocado + Almond Scrub ($20) This slightly foaming, creamy scrub uses natural walnut shell powder, oat bran, and sweet almond seed meal to gently exfoliate the skin.
Green Exfoliator ($28) Infused with the natural aroma of ripe green apples, this exfoliator gently rubs away dead skin cells for refreshed and healthy looking skin.
Blue Chamomile Cleanser ($20) This gentle foaming cleanser uses naturally derived plant surfactants that are strong enough to remove makeup, but won't dry or irritate the skin with harsh chemicals.
Available at all exhale locations and exhalespa.com.
Josie Maran Cosmetics
As the face of Maybelline cosmetics for over ten years, model turned Dancing With the Stars actress Josie Maran has spent many long hours in the makeup chair. But as the product of an eco-conscious Northern California upbringing, she didn't even like to wear makeup until she became a model. While Maran was pregnant with her daughter a few years ago, she tried to find natural makeup formulas to use during the pregnancy, but none were as luxurious as high-end brands. Combining her appreciation of the environment and makeup expertise, Maran decided to launch her own line of cosmetics. The collection is free of fragrances, parabens, and toxins, but still looks and feels like a high-quality brand. Keeping with Maran's environmentally friendly philosophy, all packaging is made of biodegradable or recyclable corn-based plastic, aluminum, or glass.
Products include:
Mascara ($20) This mascara is made with organic ingredients like jojoba oil, soybean oil, and beeswax to condition and strengthen lashes as it lengthens and defines.
Concealer Stick ($20) This edgeless, easy-to-blend concealer is made with beeswax, grape seed oil, and mango butter and is available in three shades, Butter (light), Linen (medium) and Desert (dark).
Eye Liner ($16) Housed in wood harvested from sustainable forests, this liner pencil is designed to glide on easily and create a smudgy, smoky eye. Available in Black, Brown, and Charcoal.
Available at Barney's New York, Barney's San Francisco, and online at JosieMaranCosmetics.com.