Plenty of eco-minded women flip their silky manes at the stereotype of the frumpy, bare-faced treehugger. These cosmetic products, none of which were tested on animals, are for them.
FOUNDATION
The mineral makeup from MYCHELLE is both down-to-earth and luxurious. The brand's Cream Foundation ($26) goes on smoothly, thanks to an organic safflower-seed-oil moisturizer and to micas and silica, which lend a luminous yet matte look. MyChelle's skincare line is also excellent, and all of the company's products are free of parabens, preservatives, and phthalates.
PERFUME
Mark Constantine, founder and co-owner of LUSH, concocted the nonsynthetic Flower Market perfume ($40), in homage to Audrey Hepburn. Its notes of carnation, ylang-ylang, and violet converge for an earthy spiciness that comes on strong at first. As it settles in, though, a sophistication emerges and lasts the day. Constantine, an avid birder who lived in England's woods as a teenager, compels his company to wage campaigns against Indonesian palm-oil production and Canadian tar-sands mining. Also: 70% of Lush's soapy inventory has no packaging.
MASCARA
The vegan Volume Mascara ($20), by Germany's LAVERA, is made with organic jojoba and rose oils -- and lengthens and stays put just as well as nonorganic brands. Lavera eschews parabens, GMOs, and petroleum-based ingredients, and its products are approved by BDIH, the world's toughest certifying board for organic cosmetics.
LIPS, CHEEKS, AND EYES
Providing multifunctionality for the makeup minimalist, 3wayColor ($9), from KISS MY FACE, negates the need for three separate containers. It works for lips, cheeks, and eyes; comes in four shades; and contains olive and mango butter. The company is housed in a solar-powered converted barn and feed store, and partners with RecycleBank, an organization that rewards people for recycling.
NAIL POLISH
Conceived by Kim D'Amato, who was pregnant and looking for nontoxic polish, PRITI produces more than 130 hues of nail color ($12.50 each) made from organic compounds and devoid of petroleum byproducts and formaldehyde. Priti also offers a recycled-glass nail file ($15) and a biodegradable nail polish remover ($11.25) infused with lemongrass and coconut oil.
HAIR
After losing his mother and several friends to cancer, PETER LAMAS developed his Naturals Haircare line to help protect people and the planet from the unregulated chemicals in beauty products. His shampoos ($18 each) are made with certified-organic flower, root, and seed extracts, and they do just what they say: hydrate, volumize, and smooth.