by Lori Bergamotto
Whether or not you’ve calculated your carbon footprint, no one can deny the appeal of an eco-friendly beauty product. And there's no better time to pick up the latest and greatest that “green” has to offer.
1. Avalon Organics Deodorant Spray in Grapefruit and Geranium, $9;
www.avalonorganics.com
This organic, paraben-free formula contains grapefruit and geranium oils (for a citrus-floral scent) and packs a major antibacterial punch.
2. Essie Naturally Clean Purifying Hand Treatment, $24; essieshop.com
An instant hand sanitizer, this natural formula--made with antiseptic eucalyptus oil and hydrating aloe vera--fights germs and leaves skin moisturized in the bargain.
3. Smashbox Cosmetics Mother Earth Palette, $45; sephora.com
Not only are the four eye shadows and blush in this recyclable compact made from organic ingredients, but with every purchase of the Earth Palette, a tree is planted by Trees for the Future.
4. Rusk Go Green Blow Dryer, $136; ulta.com
By using 23% less energy than other dryers, this low wattage,but high performance hair tool is eco-friendly, yet still miraculously yields salon-worthy results.
Spray Tan 101
If you don’t know it by now, here’s a refresher course: The only safe way to tan is to fake it. Here, fool-proof tips on how to achieve that faux-glow.
Even genetically-gifted supermodels need a little help; enter
Meredith Baraf, Victoria’s Secret makeup artist responsible for bronzing those envy-inducing bodies to perfection. Her first step is to exfoliate at least once a week.
(Try: Neutrogena Sugar Scrub Body Exfoliator, $11; drugstore.com)
Next, says Baraf, “opt for a self-tanning spray to shade areas that you want to enhance, such as décolleté, shoulders, abs and legs.”
(Try: Victoria’s Secret Bare Bronze Spray, $18; victoriassecret.com)
If you prefer a lotion formula, be sure to go sparingly on kneecaps and elbows—they tend to hold more color.
(Try Completely Bare Model Tan Body; $28.00; completelybare.com)
For more subtle glow, opt for gradual self-tanners with a moisturizing time-release system.
(Try: Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer, $9.50; cvs.com)
SPARE-CHANGE BEAUTY
Fabulous beauty finds at a budget-friendly price: no stimulus package required!
1. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater $7; mariobadescu.com
Feels fancy, but--at just seven bucks a pop--this gentle, moisturizing mist (made with fresh-smelling botanicals) satisfies even the most frugal-minded among us.
2. Rimmel London Sexy Curves Mascara $7.49
Out-to-there lashes (the company claims it delivers 70% curlier lashes) for less than the amount of a movie ticket!
3. Garnier Fructis Style Wave-Enhancing Spray, $7; walgreens.com
Wavy hair transmits both softness and sophistication. Achieve it in a hot minute with a few spritzes of this texture-transforming spray.
4.Sonia Kashuk Eye Shadow Quads in Showstoppers, $11; target.com
Makeup-artist-to-the-stars Sonia Kashuk has created Spring’s most glamorous eye palette—glittery yet totally wearable.
5. EOS shaving cream, $5; drugstore.com
Prep your legs for a romper or mini-jumpsuit (all the rage this season) with this unbelievably hydrating fuzz-busting cream that softens skin while you shave
Lori Bergamotto is on-air correspondent for People StyleWatch, where she reports on fashion and beauty trends covered in the pages of the magazine. A beauty and fashion veteran, Lori is a freelance writer who has contributed to Real Simple, In Style, San Diego Magazine, In Style Weddings, In Style Makeover, In Style Home, Cookie, Lucky, and Glamour. She is also developing a teen book project to be published in 2009.
Lori was beauty director at Teen People, where she wrote and edited all of the beauty pages and did TV for major outlets. Prior to this, she served as both beauty assistant and assistant beauty editor at Glamour and associate beauty editor and senior beauty editor at Lucky.
She has been a featured style expert on TV with appearances on FOX, MTV, VH1, E!, CNN, CBS's Early Show, NBC's Weekend Today, and iVillage Live, as well as local NY network affiliates, including WNBC, WCBS, WABC, WPIX and NY1.
