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Green-eyed Girl: Giving
Back Green
By Tess Kurzeja
Great, you’ve decided to give a little back to
your environment and your personal health by falling
in love with green beauty and personal care products.
What may not be so great, though, is the monetary price
that comes along with buying organic. And, while I’m
convinced that the extra cost is well worth it, if you
need a little extra incentive to go green, I’ve
compiled a list of favorite products that use your purchase
to give a little back, too.
ECO TOOLS
 From
makeup brushes to loofah sponges, Eco Tools uses all
recycled and earth and animal-friendly materials to
create their products and packaging. They encourage
consumers to reuse their elegant and durable packaging
to house their makeup and accessories to reduce waste.
I especially love the Eco Tools BAMBOO 5-Piece Brush
Set, made of renewable bamboo, cruelty-free hair and
recycled aluminum. All housed in an attractive hemp
case that ties closed, this compact set contains all
the tools you need for your best made-up look ($11 at
select Walgreens and Ulta stores, nationwide). Aside
from being your beauty companion, Eco Tools is also
looking out for the environment in more ways than just
using sustainable and recycled materials. They are also
members of the 1% For The Planet program that, in alliance
with other eco-friendly businesses, donates 1% of annual
sales to create a healthier planet.
Yes to Carrots
 Not
only do the Yes to Carrots products—such as their
Deliciously Rich Body Butter—work well, smell
great, come at low prices and are chock full of antioxidants
and Beta Carotene, Yes to Carrots is committed to helping
and inspiring women to realize their potential ($5 at
Walgreens locations nationwide). One way the company
achieves this feat is by sponsoring the Israeli National
Netball team. Netball, or women’s basketball to
those of us in the U.S., is not nearly as popular a
sport in Israel as it is in the states. So, the women
of the Israeli National Netball team worked tirelessly
to get recognized as a legitimate force in the world
sports arena. Yes to Carrots endorses this team to encourage
women around the globe to stay healthy, active and aware
of their potential.
Rahua
 Made
from rare oil found only in the Amazon Rainforest, the
sale of Rahua products, benefit the area’s natives,
specifically the Quechua-Shuar tribe. Through the sale
of Rahua products, tribe members sustain their livelihood
and work to improve conditions in the Amazon. What’s
more, a portion of the profits goes towards educating
the Quechua-Shuar and other Amazonian tribes about their
rights and benefits as a part of the global marketplace.
Rahua’s newest addition to an already stellar
line of unique products is a Shampoo and Conditioner
that is guaranteed to strengthen your hair adding a
protective layer of Rahua oil to allow hair to grow
strong and minimize breakage ($32 each, view vendors
at Rahua.com). All
that and saving the rainforest? Sign me up.
Derma e
 Saving
skin from coast to coast, derma e’s products are
not only organic, but vegan as well. And, if their specialty
products weren’t enough, a portion of their proceeds
benefit The Paraguay Project, derma e’s three-tiered
program using fair trade practices to help empower the
people of Paraguay. Through the purchase, and resale,
of Paraguayan Spiderweb Lace (pictured), derma e is
helping natives generate a profit from their handmade
lace. Plus, a percentage of all product sales benefits
the Project. I love derma e’s soothing Vanilla
Bean Cleansing Mousse as well as their unbelievably
effective Microdermabrasion Scrub ($15.50 and $32 respectively
at dermae.com).
Used in tandem, these two vegan products leave skin
feeling just-had-a-facial fresh and ready-for-the-sun
exfoliated. It’s easy to cherish all the pearl
powder, fine pumice and grapeseed oil that make up the
Microdermabrasion Scrub and the sweet, natural vanilla
scent of the soothing Cleansing Mousse.
With these products, it’s easy to look great
and feel even better all while keeping yourself, the
earth and even a few others, healthy.
 “Green-eyed
Girl” is PrettyCity®’s monthly guide
to the latest beauty products and treatment trends reflecting
a consciousness for the environment and personal health.
If it’s organic, we know about it; if it’s
helping our environment while keeping us looking and
feeling our best, we love it. And, you can rest assured
we’ll tell you all about it. Please contact
us with story ideas or product suggestions.
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