Amazing Face: Natural Beauty Products

This one's nice... Let's make this world a little Greener.

One place to start living a little greener (today!) is with the products you use daily, so we've compiled a few of our favorite natural products. Some you probably already know, others may be new to you. Some are as organic as possible; others use as few chemicals as they can; others focus on recyclable packaging. Whether your concern is toxic chemicals in your body or in the earth, we think you'll find something here for you.


Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
If you only choose one product with which to go green, it should probably be the one you put on your lips. (Just sayin'.) Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm is our fave. It was the first Burt's Bees product to hit the market, and there's a reason it remains their most popular item. Available in a bright yellow tin (recyclable!) or classic tube (50% post-industrial recycled plastic), the packaging is hard to resist, as is the fresh tingle (dare we say sting?)your lips will feel after it's applied. And while your Dr. Pepper Bonne Bell Lip Smacker may have tasted good, we doubt it was 95.29% natural. Is it just us or do our lips look plumper? Angelina, eat your heart out.



Jason Deodorant, Apricot
As beauty-product newbies in our teen years, we started out wearing Lady Speed Stick in Lavender. (Purple was our favorite color.) But as grown-ups, we decided to switch to a natural product, and after a few bad starts we found one we loved. It may say it on the packaging, but Jason's Deodorant in Apricot really does offer long-lasting protection and an especially gentle formula, without alcohol or aluminum chlorohydrate. It's not for everyone, but we haven't missed our old antiperspirant. As for those around us, they haven't said anything about missing the smell of Teen Spirit...

Juice Beauty SPF 30 Sheer Moisturizer

If you're spending all that money on Jamba Juices with Vita Boosts for your insides, how can you still be using harsh chemicals and ingredients on the outside? Juice Beauty's skincare products are up to 95% certified organic, and are available in Sephora stores nationwide. We like their chemical-free SPF 30 Sheer Moisturizer for all skin types -- light for those sweaty summer days, it contains certified organic white grape and pomegranate juices. Yum. Be sure to reapply before popping out for your afternoon Strawberry Whirl. (And in case you're wondering, Juice Beauty has nothing to do with those "Juicy" tracksuits favored by J. Lo.)

Aveda Hand Relief

We've tried every hand lotion known to womankind to combat dry, chapped winter skin without finding anything that was quite right -- some dry out more than they moisturize, some are too greasy, some feel like they're gone after only one application -- until this. Aveda's Hand Relief cream leaves weather-beaten hands smooth, and it's light enough for the spring and summer months.

CARGO PlantLove Botanical Lipstick

CARGO's new lipstick line, available exclusively at Sephora, is encased in a tube made out of corn -- that's right -- and the whole deal comes in a paper package made out of flowers, with real flower seeds included. Yeah, it's gimmicky, but who says saving the environment can't be fun? After using up the tube, run the paper under some water, and plant wherever wild flowers are needed. Not only does CARGO donate two dollars from each lipstick sale to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, but five shades were "designed" by your (or someone else's) favorite celebrities: Evangeline Lilly, Lindsay Lohan, Maria Menounos, Mariska Hargitay and Sarah Chalke.

M.A.C. Nail Lacquer in Steamy

At the first sign of spring, we're all about letting our puppies out to breathe. Until, that is, we spy our winter feet... and toenails. Yes, the summer pedicure has become an essential. Everyone is doing it -- you can barely walk out the door with open-toed shoes without a pretty pedi anymore. M.A.C's Nail Lacquer to the rescue. It's free of the nasty chemicals found in the polish at your local nail salon. So bring it with you and give it to your nail technician -- or, better yet, do your pedi yourself at home. Unlike a manicure, the toes are easy to do one your own, and down there it's all about experimenting with color you might not be able to pull off on your fingers. M.A.C's Steamy is just the ticket -- a hot pink for long summer nights.

Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Serum

It's hard not to trust Dr. Weil. With his white beard and kind eyes, he's like a cross between Santa Claus and that nice high school science teacher. And we tried to do everything Dr. Weil told us in 8 Weeks to Optimum Health, really. Now he's teamed up with Origins, home of the "Peace of Mind" gumball, to offer a line of products billed as a totally integrative approach to skin care. His Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Serum has become a fast favorite, as it utilizes mushrooms, ginger, turmeric and other natural ingredients to defend skin against the elements. And your pretty face definitely deserves defending.

Dr. Hauschka Mascara

If the eye is the window to the soul, we might want to be careful about what kind of window dressing we use. Mascara can often cause havoc for the optically-challenged contact lens wearers among us. Paging Dr. Hauschka! Available in black, brown, and blue, Dr. Hauschka's natural mascara is opthalmologically tested and formulated for sensitive eyes. The Dr. Hauschka line, available at Sephora, is committed to bringing holistic skin care -- and compassion -- to the masses. So you can start by showing your eyes a little tender loving care.

Tom's of Maine Natural Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste

It wasn't until we started using Tom's of Maine that we realized our old toothpaste, though recommended by three out of four dentists, was full of sugar. As Tom predicts in his packaging, once you switch to Tom's natural flavors, including Peppermint, Spearmint, and Wintermint (oddly, Fennel has been discontinued), you will find it hard to go back to the cloying saccharin taste of other brands. Plus, we appreciate the personal note from Tom and Kate, the owners, on the tube. They are real people; they really live in Maine. And our dental hygienist is still happy, which is all that truly matters.

Kiehl's Vital Sun Protection Lotion SPF 30

Kiehl's is a New York-based company that produces small batches of high-quality products, using little or no preservatives. Plus, they love to give away free samples! Stop in and try out this sun block if you can. With minimal chemical ingredients, it still protects for up to 80 minutes in the water. Even better, it's non-greasy, so it won't affect your volleyball game. Or your sandwich.

Frownies

Botox isn't exactly part of a green beauty regimen. And we're happy to just say no, for all sorts of reasons. But we're eager to try this fun product, which is apparently a secret that has been passed by word of mouth since 1889. But with a name like Frownies (rhymes with Brownies) the secret had to come out sooner or later. Apparently all the old Hollywood stars used them to get ready for their close-ups. To get ready for yours, just moisten the "frownie" and place between the eyes and on the forehead for a minimum of three hours a day to reduce lines. Voila: Nicole Kidman! Results are guaranteed within thirty days or less. Yes, we'll say it: it's enough to turn that frown upside down.

Water
Wherever you go this summer, be sure to bring some H20 with you. It's the best way to achieve healthy, beautiful skin. And if you're engaging in heated rounds of badminton or croquet, be sure to drink more than you think you need. Pretend you're at your own private spa and add some fresh lemon (known for its detoxifying properties) or cucumber slices to your glass, pitcher or water bottle.