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B for Beauty Apr 22, 2009 @ 1:21pm

Gaga for Green

Happy Earth Day!

Or should we say, “Happy day for everyone to jump on the green bandwagon and prove themselves eco-conscious?”

Because there’s a slight problem with a lot of brands that call themselves green - they’re not actually. And most of the time, the ones that are truly 100% organic don’t exactly work - or don’t exactly smell perfect. In my beauty years I’ve waded through heaps of alleged organic, natural and biodynamic products, some worked well and others shouldn’t be allowed to exist.

And so, in honor of Earth Day I’ve rounded up a list of my favorite eco-friendly and efficacious brands. If you haven’t tried any of these and really want to go green, I’d suggest stocking up on the following products.

—MEGAN MCINTYRE

Kevin Murphy

Many of you might recognize Kevin Murphy as the founder of the cult Australian line Kusco-Murphy. His new eponymous line blossomed from desire to move in a more eco-conscious direction - basically, he didn’t want his name on a million shampoo bottles lining a landfill in fifty years. Each of the hip-looking “building block” bottles are made from recycled materials and the essential oil based products within are paraben and sulfate-free. Since I take a more laissez-faire approach to my hair (read: air-drying and adding minimal product to create the optimum organic texture), I’m suitably addicted to these new products, especially the curl-enhancing Motion.Lotion, the all-purpose Balancing.Wash and the clarifying Maxi.Wash.

Sponge

I’m a recent Sponge convert. The 30-year-old skincare brand uses organic olive oil as its base. I was a little intimidated by the richness of the products at first, scared that the oil base would cause my hyperactive skin to breakout. Fortunately, I got over it and gave the Krema Imeras day cream a go. Now you couldn’t pry that herb and botanical infused magic skin cream out of my hands with a crow bar. It goes on so smoothly and makes my skin look refreshed and radiant. Best of all, because of the oil base, a little goes a long way.

Coola

As I’ve mentioned before, the sun and I don’t mix. Therefore, sunscreen’s a crucial part of my beauty routine. I was introduced to this awesome organic line two years ago at which point I became a devoted follower. From the Mango Sport Sunblock to the LipLux lip treatment, I’m convinced my everyday use of them keeps my skin soft and hydrated.

Have you tried any of these? What are some of your favorite green brands?

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Fashionista Main

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2009 1:29PM

What about some cheaper brands that are still Earth friendly? Not all of us can spend lots of money to be green.

posted by Megs252

Apr 22, 2009 1:36PM

The problem with most budget green products is that, again, they aren't actually green. it costs a lot more money to make a truly natural and organic product than it does to create one stuffed with chemicals, hence the steep prices.

That said, I'm big on brands like Yes to Carrots, Physician's Formula OrganicWear and John Masters Organics for low-cost, effective and actually green brands.

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2009 2:05PM

JMO
I love John Masters Organics.
They really work and smell yummy.

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2009 2:11PM

hey these look great, but do you think you could just mention where you get them?
Thanks!

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2009 2:13PM

I've been using the Kevin Murphy Luxury Wash for years and it's AMAZING. My stylist told me to spend on a good shampoo if you can, worth every penny if you ask me!

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2009 2:21PM

I love burt's bees, Tom's of Maine, Kiehl's, and Yes to Carrots.

The first aren't that expensive and available in drugstores.

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2009 2:24PM

I would recommend Juice Beauty and their lower-priced brand Juice Organics (available at many grocery stores and drugstores). Some may be put off by the smell of some of the products (like rotting fruit), but to me it's no big deal.

I have also liked every Alba Botanica product that I have tried. Their line is very affordable (and widely available).

I also love Korres, but they're not cheap.

posted by Megs252

Apr 22, 2009 2:29PM

Guest 4:

Sponge is available online and at Barneys.

Kevin Murphy is in salons so check the site (http://www.kevinmurphy.com.au/salon_finder.php)

Coola is in Bendel's and indie retailers like Zitomer (http://www.coolasuncare.com/locator.html)

Yes to Carrots is Target

John Masters Organics is pretty widespread, you can find everywhere from Whole Foods to SpaceNK

Physicians Formula OrganicWear is at all mass retailers

Sorry guys, I'm all about the online shopping so I forget to give you the bricks and mortars locations.

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2009 3:30PM

Sponge seems like a good thing to try. Is Burt's Bees as good for the world as their marketing claims they are?

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2009 3:31PM

Sponge seems like a good brand to try.

Is Burt's Bees as good for the world as their marketing claims they are?

posted by Megs252

Apr 22, 2009 3:40PM

I'm conflicted on Burt's Bees. They are an amazing brand with great products that was committed to conservation and eco-consiousness, but the owners sold the brand off to Clorox back in 2007. How earth-friendly can you be when your parent company is known for it's mass production of toxic bleach?

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2009 4:02PM

Surprisingly, the Victoria's Secret PINK BODY products are fucking FANTASTIC. I got a basket as a gift and I am now obsessed with it. Organic, natural, smells yummy, all that jazz.

posted by amandabug

Apr 22, 2009 5:39PM

i use 100% jojoba oil as a facial moisturizer, part-time body oil and hair conditioning oil. really couldn't be any greener! (although color wise, it is yellow).

i've used kiss my face and avalon organics shampoos+conditioners, which are about $8 a pop and available at target or whole foods. i recommend them, esp. avalon conditioner, which didn't leave my hair feeling as greasy as the kiss my face did.

i also love dr. bronner's liquid soap as a body cleanser, and trader joe's own line of toothpastes+deoderants, which is about $2 cheaper than tom's of maine!

on a whole, most of the organic/green stuff that i use is only about $2-4 more expensive than the regular drugstore stuff that i used to use. i've tried the more expensive stuff at sephora, and i've found that the quality isn't there AND it's not as organic/SLS-free/paraben-free as the store markets.

i think megan's recommendations are definitely overpriced, considering there's cheaper alternatives.

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2009 7:45PM

Kiss My Face uses parabens. And so does the Whole Foods brand shampoos. If that means anything.

There's this haircare line called Beauty 4 Ashes that's supposed to be amazing. 100% natural, high quality ingredients made by a christian based company. It's ridiculously expensive, although many people who tried it say it's worth it and keep buying it anyway. I haven't tried it, but just wanted to put it out there.

http://www.discoverb4a.com/

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2009 7:50PM

There is a fairly new brand in the market called vegeticals - it's french and it's certified by EcoCert - has no parabens, pegs, etc... and it brings something all other organic creams don't: Efficiency clinically proven! Any brand can say that this herb is good for your skin and that their cream has it, but that's not the same as guaranteeing a proven result on your skin, is it?
I've tried some organic labels, and always feel I'm just maintaining the present health of my skin, but never feel I'm preventing against any of what's coming with time.
At least with this one, I know that when they say it's moisturizing, it's moisturizing!! you should take a look online - vegeticals.fr

posted by missavogue

Apr 22, 2009 10:31PM

I don't like the smell of most of their products, but I do love the Lush facewash (Angels on Bare Skin). It's really weird to use, but I've never used ANYTHING that made my skin feel as amazing as that does.

Also, I have a very strong opinion on the prices of things like skincare. I am a firm believer in you should NEVER use a product just because it's cheap. There are SO MANY products out there that can damage your skin and make you age faster. I'd rather save up the money, sacrifice a few things, and pay more for better quality now so I don't look like I'm 90 when I'm 60.

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2009 11:42PM

I LOOOOVE Juice Beauty products, specially their Green Apple Peel. they sell them at Nordstrom, Sephora, Macy's, also Whole Foods I believe. This organic stuff seems to work very well in my skin, and the smell is not like rotting fruit at all, it's actually very mild, better than the stinky smell others have, smell the chemicals...darling.
I also read in their website that they are the real thing, not a fake organic brand like others mentioned above.

posted by guest

Apr 23, 2009 11:23AM

i'm a fan of earth science products (www.earthessentials.com). totally affordable, and you can find it at whole foods.

posted by guest

Apr 23, 2009 2:02PM

I also am a HUGE fan of Juice Beauty, and I also think they smell great. They have a refreshing scent and make my skin super smooth. I love the antioxidant moisturizer. Its like silk on your skin! love love love Juice Beauty!

posted by guest

Apr 23, 2009 2:06PM

These brands are all amazing! Sponge's Ladi Avokanto is a splurge but it feels incredible. Thanks for spreading the word!

-healthyhollywood.com

posted by guest

Apr 23, 2009 3:07PM

Eufora hair

posted by guest

Apr 23, 2009 6:20PM

I love MOP hair products, but I think some of them do include parabens.

My favorite for smells/soaps/lotions/etc. is Pacifica. No parabens, no phalates in the fragrences and some of their products smell BEAUTIFUL.

posted by guest

Apr 24, 2009 2:38PM

Check out Wholearth Beauty & Bath by danny Seo that just launched this week on Earth Day at Anthropologie. Here's an excerpt from my blog: http://thealternativebride.blogspot.com/2009/04/introducing-wholearth-beauty-bath.html.

You can also check it out at http://www.wholearthbeauty.com/
_______________________________
Introducing Wholearth Beauty & Bath!

I am so extremely excited to tell you all about the launch of a fabulous new line of eco chic bath & body products and fragrances that I worked on for well over a year now with the amazing green lifestyle guru Danny Seo!

wholearth beauty + bath by Danny Seo is an organic, eco-friendly line of products designed to inspire consumers to live a life of organic well-being in today's world. With sustainable style and a vision for the future, the entire line is made using only natural and certified organic ingredients. wholearth products are naturally luxurious, USDA approved organic and packaged with 100% post consumer recycled (PCR) materials!

The line consists of USDA certified organic body washes & lotions, body souffles, a 2-in-1 room & body mist and a very unique bamboo body scrub. This product looks like earth but foams up when you add water! We are also launching the first ever USDA certified organic Perfume Spray which will be available in 3 fragrances.

The great thing about the line is that each & every formula looks, feels and smells AMAZING, if I do say so myself :) They're not your typical crunchy organic/natural formulas. These products are truly luxurious and many beauty editors agree with me! The word is just starting to get out. You can check out what Elle & Teen Vogue as well as Danny himself have to say about the line.

Starting on Earth Day, April 22nd, Wholearth will be available at Anthropologie stores and on the Anthropologie website. The products also will be available for purchase on wholearthbeauty.com as well as additional retail outlets shortly!

You can also check out Danny's personal blog where he shares his brilliantly crafty tips on eco-friendly ideas for everyday living. He has also said some pretty nice things about me :)

Hope you all check it out!

posted by KatLuvsShoes

Apr 24, 2009 2:38PM

I'm a big fan of John Masters Organics. I buy everything I can afford off of Shop.com (http://www.shop.com/+-a-John+Masters+Organics-st.shtml). Their products leave my hair smelling and looking pretty great, if I do say so myself.