Save 25% at Origins.com now through May 5th.  Enter the code FF online.  You can also print out an email and bring it in to any store; I'm not sure how to get that email image, but email me at makemebrighter@gmail.com and I'll make sure you get a copy if you prefer to go in store.

I've shared my love for Modern Friction before.  It's a great exfoliator that lasts a long time.  I've had my tub for close to a year I think, and it's still about 1/2 full.

The line by Dr. Andrew Weil would be nice to pick up as well; it's normally pretty pricey, so saving 25% is not bad.  The Treatment Lotion was a calming toner that worked well on my dry skin. 



I'd also try the Origins Organics line if you're looking for a certified organic line. 

Don't forget about the recycling program; if you're going to be stopping by the store, bring in some empty bottles and score some extra samples.

Okay, get ready, shop!

Well, you've now seen some recommendations for green beauty products at reasonable prices (i.e. mass merchandisers).  I apologize for this upcoming list if you're like me and money is tight right now.  Many organically based cosmetic lines are not cheap and that is something I can't explain.  Quite honestly, price is a huge concern for me and while I am not against spending $10-$20 for a cleanser, it better be a large container.  I can get 32 ounces of my beloved Cetaphil for about $17 at Costco, while this little bottle of Juice Beauty cleasner is...not so cheap.

Sephora has quite a large number of "natural and organic" brands, so I'm not going to mention them all.  Just look at the website and look for this logo

I picked up this kit from Skyn Iceland at 15% off, so I'll let you know how this works. It's supposed to be a month's worth of each product, so stay tuned.

I've heard a lot about this brand and have seen it at Sephora.  Lisa Price is the creator of the products and much of her line is supposed to be based on stuff she made at home with her mom.

One of the main reasons I want to try Nude Skincare is the packaging.  I love the modern, sleek looking containers; plus I've heard the products are great.  But when a night cream is $78, I have to pass for now.

Cargo Plant Love.  I think they were one of the first brands to use compostible packaging materials along with natural ingredients in the line of cosmetics.

There are a lot more organic/natural brands available at Sephora, here are some non-Sephora brands.

Pangea Organics.  I've only used their body soaps, but they have a whole line of skincare and body care products.

Technically, I don't know if Aveda is considered organic, but they do claim to be natural and I think they try to use organic ingredients when possible.  I have tried their products and generally I've been pleased with them; I just rotate brands quite a lot.  I love the Phomollient foam; it gives my hair the volume I crave.

Not everything from Origins is Organic, but they do have some certified Organic products.  Origins has also started a recycling program, so you can defiinitely start there.  I like Origins' products (A Modern Friction - love!) but they're generally more than I want to spend.

Nail polish isn't one of the most 'green' products out there, but being "3 Free" is a start.  Butter London is not the only brand of nail lacquer to be 3 Free, but thought I'd mention them since I haven't tried them, plus they're more expensive than my beloved O.P.I, Zoya, or China Glazes.  Which, coincidentally (or not so much), are also 3 Free.  See, being green doesn't have to be expensive.

All right, that's a very brief overview of some more pricey organic/natural beauty lines.  There are probably many, many more that are worth a mention, so if you have any recommendations, please share with the other readers.  And just remember, every day can be Earth Day.

Did you know I used to give tours and presentations about recycling?  This was while I was a college student, a few years before being 'green' really became popular.  It was truly an educational experience for me and the students that came through our facility.  It was terrific to see all the paper, plastic, and aluminum being recycled; unfortunately it's still a very small part of the total waste America discards. The 1.5 years I was with the waste management company was probably my greenest, as I was affectionately called the "recycling nazi".  If you really tried to analyze what's being thrown out, most of it can be either reused or recycled.

Our beauty products, while sometimes green themselves, rarely come in eco-friendly packaging.  Cargo's Plant Love line is an exception, but what about all the other brands?  Whether it's the the packaging or the container, what to do with it?  This is just my opinion, but the packaging is probably recyclable.  A paper box or maybe plastic; stick it in the recycling bin.  The bottle or jar though...that used to be more difficult. I know I usually just threw them away, since cleaning them could be quite difficult.  Now, thanks to Origin, you don't have to throw it away!
It doesn't matter if the product is from Origins, any cosmetic brand's container will be accepted!  You can bring it to any free-standing sotre of counter (except at Nordstrom's, boo) and for your effort, you'll get a free skincare sample. Save the earth and look good doing it?  I'm in.

For more information, check out Origin's site and start thinking of what you'll be recycling and what samples you want to try.

I apologize for the week delay in getting the skincare portion of the "Best Beauty Buys" out.  If you're serious about good skin and don't currently have a skincare regimen, this is a good place to start.  However, I have found over the years, that even the best skincare recommendations need to be taken with a grain of salt.  Everyone's skin is unique and may respond differently to a particular cleanser or lotion.  It's also limited to basic skin types - "normal", "oily/acne prone", "dry" or "sensitive".  I've found that there are more than just these 4 skin types.  For that reason, I'm not going to go into too much detail about InStyle's picks.  If you are going to spend money on one group of products, I believe that skincare is the best investment.

Some key products that must absolutely be on your list:
Cleanser. Wash 2x a day.  Find one that removes makeup to save a step.  If you're like me though, and you use Cetaphil which doesn't remove makeup, try those makeup remover towlettes.  Boots, Ponds, and Olay are just three drugstore brands that make them.  For those nights that you're too tired to do an entire regimen, rid your face of makeup before you sleep.
Exfoliator:  It doesn't need to be a fancy microdermabrasion kit or anything, but something with exfoliating beads the slough away dead skin cells will help you have a smoother, more radiant complexion. Try to find a scrub with smaller beads, ones that are uniform in feel so that they don't tear the skin.  I know a lot of people love the St. Ives Apricot scrub, but it is one of these harshest scrubs out there.  Personally, I have 2 scrubs, a Biore one that was on sale for $3 and Origins' Modern Friction for $37.
Moisturizer. You may hate me for saying so, but you need 2 moisturizers: one for day and one for evening.  The day one must have SPF.  Even if you're outside for 5 minutes a day, you're exposed to the sun's harmful rays, the biggest cause of aging.

When you go to any department or specialty skincare store, they'll likely enoucrage you to include toner, an eye cream, a serum, or a couple other products.  Will they help?  Yes.  Are they necessities?  No.  Get to know your skin and figure out what are your greatest concerns.  If you're young, take care of your skin now so that you can avoid spending a lot on pricey treatments in 20 years.  If you have 20 years of damage, your skincare regimen will be different than your daughter's.

My personal regimen:
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Treatment Lotion (a toner)
Patricia Wexler MMPi.20™ Skin Regenerating Serum

Purpose Redness Reducing Moisturizer SPF 30
BeFine Night Cream


Origins Modern Friction
The Biore scrub is discontinued, probably why I found it for $3.  I think this Detoxiby Daily Scrub is its close cousin.

Skincare
Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash (normal skin)
Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 45 (normal skin)*
Night Cream: Revaleskiin (normal skin)
Inexpensive Night Cream: Olay Regenerist
Clarins Cleansing Milk (dry skin)
La Roche-Posay Hydraphase UV SPF 30 (dry skin)
2008: Shiseido Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam (sensitive skin)
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 (sensitive skin)
2008: Aveda Outer Peace Foaming Cleanser (oily/acne prone)
2009: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash*
2008:Clinique Superdefense Triple Action Moisturizer for Oily Skin SPF25 (oily/acne prone)
2009: Purpose Dual Treatment SPF 15 (oily/acne prone)
2009: Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub (oily/acne prone)
2009: Skinceuticals Clarifying Clay Mask
2009: Skinceuticals Renew Overnight Moisturizer
2009: Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blkemish
Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub (best scrub)
Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream (rosacea treatment)
Clearasil Ultra Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream (acne spot treatment)
Origins A Perfect World (antioxidant cream)
2008: Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit (acne regimen)
2009: Proactiv
Ren Skincare Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask (radiance mask)
Kinerase Pro Therapy Lotion
Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Facial Peel (chemmical exfoliator)
L’Oreal Advanced Revita Lift Double Eye Lift (wrinkle eye cream)
Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel (spot lightener)
Freeze 24*7 & Go (line filler)
Prevage Anti-Aging Treatment (wrinkle treatment)*
Estee Lauder Perfectionist Correcting Concentrate for Deeper Facial Lines/Wrinkles
Prescriptives Vibrant-C Skin Brightening Eye Cream(eye cream for puffiness and dark circles)