Making Your Beauty Regime Earth-Friendly in Four Easy Steps

Dear Ma Vie en Vert,

I'm ready to pitch out my old beauty products, and I'm wondering which new, more environmentally-friendly products I should add to my makeup bag. Where to start?

Best,
Lipgloss Princess

Dear Lipgloss Princess,

Navigating the natural and organic beauty products world is definitely tricky. There are no standard regulations yet, but, if you're a savvy shopper who does a little extra reading and digging, you can find nee plus ultra beauty tools that are less harmful for the planet. Here are some quick tips to get you started:

Know Your Definitions. "Natural" means the product is made from plant, mineral or animal by-product whereas "organic" refers to how an ingredient was cultivated -- for example, without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, growth hormones or antibiotics. Beware the term natural. Just because a product is labeled natural does not mean those ingredients were cultivated sustainably.

Read Those Labels. There are no over-arching certifications for natural or organic products at this point; however, there are some helpful labels out there, including USDA National Organic Program, Eco Cert, CosmeBio and Natural Products Association Certification.

Do More Research. It can be cumbersome, but before hitting the "click to buy" button at Sephora, look up your products of choice at the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics page or the Cosmetics Safety Database. Here, you will learn the contents of the products, particularly chemicals of concern like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), both potentially harmful ingredients found in shampoos and known to cause skin irritation.

Recycle! Origins (an amazing brand with wonderful products. Love their White Tea moisturizer) has a "Return to Origins" recycling program -- they will recycle any beauty brand's containers. Stop by the nearest Origins retail counter near you (in Vermont, there is one in the Macy's in Burlington).

OK, now enough with the lesson, how about some product recommendations? Here are my suggestions for you:

L'Oreal EverPure Moisture Shampoo


EverPure Color Care products are 100% vegan and contain naturally-derived cleansing ingredients with no harsh, color-stripping sulfates or salts. An exclusive Anti-Fade System protects and conditions for long-lasting color purity. More here.

Physician's Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara

Revolutionary 100% Natural Origin formula contains the purest ingredients. The 100 percent recyclable eco-brush defines each lash with ultra-soft plastic bristles. 100 percent free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, parabens, clumping, smudging, flaking, fibers and dyes. More here. PF's foundations are nice too and not too expensive either!

Aveda Petal Essence Eye Definer


FSC logo on pencil indicates the wood came from well-managed forests certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council. More here.

Burt's Bees Super Shiny Lip Gloss
100% natural. Doesn't get any better than that. Oh, and their CEO is president of the Natural Products Association. More here. Maybelline's new Mineral Power line has also been celebrated for its natural and organic lip colors, made from shea butter and jojoba oil with no heavy waxes or preservatives. More here. Lip glosses are a territory where a lot of brands are jumping in. I know that Lancome has a special organic line of its Juicy Tubes, too (which are fabulous!).

Tarte "A Perfect Whirled" Limited-Edition Natural Swirl Cheek Stain



Well, Tarte is very committed to being eco-friendly, so you should check out all of their offerings. I love cheek stain so this I think is perfect. It's loaded with naturally occurring, antioxidant rich nutrients and vitamins that have been known to deliver refining, anti-aging and skin-restorative benefits with each application. Plus, it comes in recyclable packaging. More here.

Origins "A Perfect World" Liquid Moisture with White Tea



A great look starts with great skin. History tells us that Chinese emperors of the Song Dynasty enjoyed white tea for its exquisite taste and fragrant, flowery aroma. The magic drink was prized for relieving fatigue, delighting the soul, strengthening the will and enhancing vision. Origins' moisturizer protects skin against the damaging effects of oxidative stress, creating a protective bubble around skin. More here.

I encourage you to check all of these brands out (including one of my favorites, Kiss My Face). You may also want to check into some newcomers too -- I know I'm excited to learn more about Josie Maran Cosmetics and Nature's Gate.

Readers, please chime in with more recommendations, tips and advice!