Eco-Friendly Beauty

Shopping for eco-friendly beauty products can be a task. Things like “all natural,” are thrown around like yesterday’s paper, and you have to read all of the ingredients in a product in order to be sure you’re getting what you want. It’s a process, but this Beautyhype has created a list of go-to labels you can depend on when you want to treat your skin and hair like the gems that they are.

Jonathan Product

Jonathan Product is the creation of celeb hair stylist Jonathan Antin. We all met his over-the-top personality through Bravo’s reality show, Blow Out, a few years ago, and while his TV show days may be over, his hairstyling days are not. Antin’s team is devoted to creating completely vegan products that add luster and shine to every hair type. Our picks: the new Green Rootine Silkening Creme is comparable to Kiehl’s Silk Groom, only it’s made of all-natural ingredients without a drop of petrochemicals and artificial fragrances. You can use it on your hair wet or dry, and it’s especially fab for taming coarse, wavy hair during these steamy summer months. His Silky Dirt & Define Creme is perfect for those of us who like our hair better the day after the day after it’s washed. It gives hair that pliable definition usually only achieved by natural oils (which is yummy for our look, bad for our forehead breakouts).

Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Collection

This collection debuted this past spring, and since then, it has been flying off the shelves and from the online store by the minute. Everyone from soccer moms to hardcore vegans can’t get enough of the collection, which is packed to the brim with completely natural ingredients, making your skin thirsty for more. Argan (a plant derived from Morocco) is rich in natural fatty acids, make these products incredibly moisturizing, keeping you sleek from head-to-toe. Our picks: Superbly Restorative Dry Oil is perfect for toting along on a summer vacation. The scent is whisper-y soft, and the dry oil won’t clog your pores while keeping your skin supermodel-slick. The Skin Salve makes a great gift, and can be used on your cuticles, elbows, knees...it also makes a mean foot treatment when paired with thick cotton socks.

Josie Maran Cosmetics

Who better to convince you that eco-friendly makeup can look good than a former model? Josie Maran was a face you grew up with if you’re in the age bracket of YM and Sassy magazines. She’s now launched her innovative makeup label, Josie Maran Cosmetics, and it’s being sold on the web and at select Barneys locations. Everything from the ingredients to the packaging is eco-friendly, so you’re looking at products that are ace for the planet, inside and out. Our picks: the tinted moisturizer is only available in three colors, but all three blend in seamlessly with nearly any skin color. Use it during the summer when your skin takes on a warmer tone thanks to the sun. The lip gloss in Authentic makes your lips almost as pouty and sexy as MAC’s Lipglass in Prrr minus the sticky feeling that inhabits it.

Fetosoap.com

This independent online store is fantastic for gift shopping, and also for finding beauty staples of the all-natural variety. There are soaps and candles galore (the candles are made of a paraffin and soy wax blend, so the burn for hours), and everything can be delivered right to your front door. Our picks: the roll-on parfum is a must try for everyone. Comprised of Jojoba oil, and your choice of essential oils, it won’t cause an itch or rash for even the most fragrance-phobic women out there. Our favorite is the sparkling citrus (think of champagne with a tinge of orange and lime), but we also love white tea & ginger.

This label is only available online as far as I know, but it is definitely worth trying out. Aubrey Organics has been around forever, and is one of the leading pioneers of eco-friendly and organic beauty products. The site boasts everything from lotions to sun screen, but the makeup selection is small, but it’s really all you need, especially during the spring and summer. Our picks: Silken Earth blushes, which go on so smooth and soft, you’d think they were Chanel. Consistency is key when it comes to a powder blush, and this one is sheer, so there’s never the mistake of putting on too much. We also love the lip balm in vanilla and honey...a combination so sultry, it can only go on your lips. The one thing you must try is the Herbessence Makeup Remover, which is vegan and made of lightweight oils that never pull or tear at your skin (even the eye area) when removing makeup.