The latest trends in eye makeup start with eco-friendly products.

Delicious, creamery eggnog in a frosted glass. Pumpkin pies baked from scratch. Spiced rum cakes served next to a crackling fire. Oh, those holidays will soon be upon us. For many of us, this means a whirlwind of feted parties spent in stacked heels and vintage cocktail dresses. And what will be splashed across our faces this holiday season? The latest trends in eye makeup with lots of drama and shimmer.

The key to a spectacular eye can be an excellent eyeliner. Accordingly, we’ve picked three of our favorite eye enhancers to help us all through the holiday season.

Alima Pure Luminous Eye Shimmer ($11.00)
This rich, intense eyeliner brings a smoky shimmer to your lids and lashes. From husky blue to oceanic gray to simmering purple, it’s a mineral-based makeup which invokes some of the most romantic Earth hues around. Also available in matte colors, this eyeliner easily fills in for a shadow if you’re so inclined.

Alima Pure offers a BDIH-certified product, which means it has been deemed safe and natural by the rigorous European standard of beauty care. Cruelty-free, Alima Pure donate 1% of all profits for the planet and offsets 100% of corporate carbon emissions through Carbonfund.org. Skin Deep gives it a highly-coveted rating of 2.

Living Nature Eye Pencil ($20.00)
Want to get the job done with an old-school pencil? Living Nature offers this vegetable wax based product to provide a smooth line in smoldering hues. The pencil-like application allows for a sharp line or a broader smudge if desired.

Living Nature offers up the native botanicals of New Zealand. They are free of parabens, phthalates, and any genetically-modified ingredients. This product receives an excellent rating of 1 from Skin Deep.

Jane Iredale Mystikol Eyeliners ($20.00)
These innovative eyeliners can easily become the star performer in your makeup bag. On one side, we have powdered eyeliner ending in a pointed wand. On the other, a powdered highlighter doing the same. What this means for us, the users without the steadiest of hands, is that we can easily outline our lash lines or lids with professional-looking end results. From bright blues and dusky purples to deep greens, these eyeliners enhance your eyes under holiday lights.

Offered up by mineral makeup guru Jane Iredale, this product scores an excellent rating of 1 from the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database.

Want more information on great, green eyeliners? Check out some of our past picks.

Image: liquene

FTC Compliance

Don’t get caught this spring without some new beauty essentials to keep your look fresh.

Mystikol Eye Liner by Jane Iredale ($20.00)
Bright, super-saturated colors are on trend for spring, and we’ve filled our makeup bags with the all-natural best. Not a makeup artist and want expertly-lined eyes? Not a problem, this innovative new eyeliner sports a powdered applicator that even the most unwieldy artist can use with ease. One side offers a powdered eyeliner in rich colors so popular this spring, such as bright lapis lazuli, rich aquamarines, and shimmering onyx. The other side provides a complimentary highlighter for enhancing your peeps. Calibrated for sensitive skin, the Mystikol is gentle solution for sultry eye seekers.

Blue Volume Mascara by Lavera ($20.00)
Bright, eye-popping colors are all the rage this season, and the bright mascara hues offered by Lavera are right on trend. With organic jojoba and wild rose oils, this paraben and heavy-metal-free mascara offers up a hydrating cover for your lashes. Best of all? It’s not left running down your face at the slightest dew drop of humidity. Lavera, which is certified natural by BDIH of Germany, has been ranked highly by experts as a safe natural cosmetic line.

MySteppes Makeup Kit by Jane Iredale ($58.00)
Want a mini-makeup bar that can fit into the palm of your hand? Mineral makeup giant Jane Iredale has introduced her MySteppes Makeup Kit, an all-in-one compact containing two lip glosses, a blush, a bronzer, and a mirror for touch-ups on the go. Available in two shade themes, warm and cool, each kit features hand-picked colors such as Iced Mocha and Crabapple or Cotton Candy and Pomegranate. We love the stackable packaging which makes it an easy addition for on-the-go makeup touches.

Argan Illuminizer by Josie Maran ($28.00)
We’ve always known a healthy glow is the best makeup, and this new product gives it to us in a bottle. Adding an instant luminosity to our face, neck and collarbones, the Argan Illuminizer eliminates dark circles and conditions the skin. The Illuminizer sports universal coverage that compliments any skin tone. Containing some organic ingredients, this product is free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and phthalates. (Don’t forget to layer a sunblock underneath for ultimate skin protection.)

Fuchsia Lip Pencil by Zozimos Botanicals ($13.00)
What’s got organic makeup artist Jessa Blades excited for spring? Bright, juicy colors offered up by Zozimos Botanicals. As Jessa told us, “I love the fuchsia lip pencil by Zozimos Botanicals. I fill in my whole lip, smack my lips together to really let it sink in, and then swipe a bit of H. Gillerman flowers lip balm on top and voila! The pop of color mixed with the moisture from the balm makes the perfect combo- without being too glossy.”

Taj Mahal Lipstick by Primitive ($17.50)
We love this luscious lip cover by Primitive, which adds a shine to lips that can withstand the windiest spring storms (See: Applying lip gloss and then immediately having your hair stuck to your mouth). It goes on lips smooth as a lipstick but picks up the light as if you’ve got diamonds dancing across your pucker. Primitive offers up vegan lip care with clean and pure ingredients made in the USA.

I like to take spinning classes. At the end of a recent session, my sweaty instructor announced to us that she needed to buy new mascara “because her eyes were burning.” Eager to help and suck up to teacher, I leapt off my bike while recommending green product suggestions off the top of my head. Such is what happens when you write about green beauty professionally – you become a powder keg of unsolicited information ready to blow at the slightest mention of organic beauty.

My teacher’s burning eyes got me thinking. Yes, we want to keep our cosmetics as pure as possible simply because they go on our skin which absorbs them straight into our systems. But does mascara have a special place on top of the pyramid of clean? Like our lips, our eyes make like a waterslide for chemicals to enter our bodies. Common sense and the Center for Disease Control all warn that the quickest way to catch a cold is to touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

Traditional mascaras seem like they contain more chemicals that you might need to paint your car. Just check out the ingredients of this mascara from Revlon. Its composition is linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, allergies, and more. Other mascaras contain parabens, (linked to reproductive issues,) phthalates, (problems with liver, kidney, reproduction,) Petrolatum (cancer,) Diazolidinyl urea (cancer), and more.

Then there is Latisse. Every time I see actress Claire Danes flashing her lashes on TV while shilling for this product, I want to reach through the screen and ask her if Angela Chase would approve. Latisse is a drug by pharmaceutical giant Allergan that promotes growth of eyelashes. Recently, the FDA sent a warning to Allergan that they were minimizing the dangerous risks associated with this product. Just some of these side effects include “changing eye color to brown, infection in the cornea, inflamed red eyes, darkened skin on eyelids, and the growth of hair in areas of the body other than the lash area.”

Consequently, if elves were stealing my makeup bag and let me keep one thing out of it, (it could happen,) I would grab my mascara. My eyelashes are slightly anemic and need cosmetic support to stand out. I want to keep this support as pure as possible.

So how best to keep your mascara clean? Way back in 2009, otherwise known as a world without Lady Gaga, we looked at what the organic industry was offering up as green mascara. Since then, we’ve discovered another brand that pack a cosmetic punch without an overload of chemicals.

Lately, I’ve become enamored with Jane Iredale’s Longest Lash ($32.00). First, this product gets a low hazard rating from Skin Deep. Second, it really gives a great, natural look. Rather than immediately coating your eyelashes in a slick, clumpy coating, it rather looks like you’re not even wearing mascara – just that your lashes are suddenly enhanced. It’s also available in natural shades like “dark blonde” and fun hues like “ripe plum.”

FTC Compliance

strict

Sass is big these days. It’s singing on our TVs (Glee!) and it’s kicking ass on our movie screens (Hit Girl! In Kick Ass!). It seems like you can’t flip a channel without seeing spunk and sass twirling across our pop culture zeitgeist. So yes, sass is in – and it’s all over recent makeup trends. Recently, we brought you the smoky eye of the sexy vixen. Now, check out our tips for a fun, funky makeup look – complete with eco-product suggestions, of course!

Sassy and fun (also known as “flirty”) is all in the application and color. Sass comes with the most striking looks. You’re going to want to go for makeup that gives you a rosy glow and bright, fun colors for your eyes. It’s easy to have a gorgeous makeup style with just a hint of drama.

All about the Eyes
When you’re going for sass, you want to make your eyes stand out. Think about cool, eye-popping shades like fuchsia, purple, blue, gold or even silver. Pick up some Alima Lumino Shimmer Eyeshadow ($9.00) in bold colors such as Azure. Find eyeliner in a similarly bright color, such as Lavera’s Eyeliner ($13.50) in blue. And pick up a colorful mascara from Lavera, which offers one in a funky shade of blue. (We’ll just call this look “electric eyes.”)

Using the eyeliner, line your upper and lower lashes as well as the inside rims of your eyes. Repeat as necessary to add emphasis. Add the eye shadow to your lids, but be careful not to extend into your brow line. Curl your eyelashes, add a coat of mascara, and curl again. Also, while applying your mascara, make sure to add a little extra product to the corners of your lashes. This can really make your lashes pop.

And think about adding false eyelashes. Jane Iredale offers Professional False Eyelashes made from real hair. (However, the glue to apply them isn’t particularly eco-friendly.) Click here to read more.

Think about a Light Blush
Okay, so now you’ve got the eye-catching “¦ eyes. Time to attend to your rosy cheeks. 100% Pure offers up a Fruit Pigmented Blush ($16.85) that is 100% natural and 100% gluten-free. And it gets a Skin Deep rating of zero. Apply it to the apples of your checks. But don’t overdo it on the blush – your goal is to compliment your brightly-colored peeps. Finish with a translucent powder like this one from Earth’s Beauty.

And Finally, Leave Your Lips Naked
A really great sheer lip gloss can finish a look. This 100 % Pure Sugar Plum Sheer Lip Gloss can add a lovely sheen without too much color.

Photo Source

I just ran across an organic rose petal face cream that goes for around $200. Now, I’m sure it’s amazing organic rose petal face cream. But am I about to spend a couple hundred of my hard-earned clams on it? That’s about as likely as me becoming a marginally famous red carpet staple known for wearing shirts as dresses. (As in, not very. Worst trend ever.)

Luckily, history presents us with some options. After all, moisturizing isn’t a 21st century phenomenon. Cleopatra is said to have bathed her skin in donkey’s milk. And the women of the Oregon Trail didn’t have organic boutiques in which to shop for skin care between birthing babies in covered wagons and fighting off rapid raccoons with their bare hands. But they may have stuck their bare faces to the dusty wind and dreamed of the creamy white skins on the illustrations in Godey’s Lady Book.

So put on your Laura Ingalls Wilder sunbonnets (I have two), saddle up, and check out these tips and recipes for homemade moisturizers. Why? Because there’s a whole world of DIY makeup up there – and what’s better than organic ingredients you can control yourself?

For Dry Skin – Treat your skin to one tablespoon of organic sesame or olive oil. Use sparingly – I have found out the hard way that too much olive oil takes about three decades to absorb into your skin. You will be amazingly hydrated, but you will feel like salad dressing if you use too much. Also great for dry skin – mix two tablespoons of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, and one egg. Apply to your skin for 15 minutes and rinse.

For Irritated Skin – Combine one tablespoon of organic rose hip oil, one tablespoon of organic olive oil, one tablespoon of organic aloe vera juice. Mix with three drops of organic chamomile oil. Mix the oils into a jar, shake well, and apply.

For Oily Skin – From Narine Nikogosian’s Return to Beauty. Take one small lemon, one tablespoon margarine, and one teaspoon almond oil. Peel the lemon and cut it in half. Warm margarine, mix with lemon and oil until creamy. Apply after cleansing.

For Normal Skin – Take two tablespoons of mashed organic strawberries, ½ mashed organic banana, and one tablespoon of mashed organic blueberries. Add two tablespoons of organic honey. Apply to face for 15 minutes, wash off with cool water. Fruit contains natural antioxidants great for your skin and the honey will moisturize.

Image: sunshinecity

I am not a makeup artist. Are you? If so, would you care to live in my handbag? Because I really need to you to apply my makeup in the most kick ass way and then be on hand for touch ups. Not appealing? Well, excuse me, makeup artist who doesn’t want to live in my handbag. Because I found something that does the trick and without feasting off the crackers I’ve stolen from last night’s restaurant.

Who is the eager interloper ready to replace my imaginary, petite makeup artist friend? It’s Tarte’s Lock & Roll 12-Hour Eyeshadow ($17). New for summer, this gadgety eyeshadow makes application easy for the most basic makeup artists – like me! It is formulated without parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum, phthalates, SLS, synthetic fragrances or dyes. It comes in recyclable packaging printed with soy inks, and it is cruelty free.

Called a “creaseless cream and powder shadow duo,” this eyeshadow is a little wand with a brush cream applicator on one end and a powder shadow roller on the other. As Tarte describes it, “the matching loose shadow in a roller ball applicator easily glides over cream shadow to lock color in and add luminosity so color lasts all day.” It is also waterproof and crease proof.

And yes, it works. How do I know this? I have the skills of a trained monkey when it comes to eyeshadow application, and I managed to apply it without major issue. The cream side is a little tricky – make sure you “drain” the brush as you would before applying nail polish. I didn’t on the first round and ended up looking like the climatic end of Rocky – pre-Sylvester Stallone plastic surgery makeover.

But the roll-on side works like a charm. I found the roll-on end really easy to apply. I was also able to get a clean line that went straight into “favorite tool for smoky eye” territory. The color schemes for this line are shimmery bronzes, pinks, blues and greens, so you should be able to find something for your color palette.

And best of all? It fits into your clutch a whole lot easier than Monique, your area makeup artist.

FTC Compliant

The upside to humidity? It can help keep your skin moisturized. The downside? It sends your carefully-applied makeup running south faster than a former Alaskan governor in search of fame and fortune. The heat is on, and summer is not going to let us leave the house sweat-free for quite a few more weeks. So what are some easy, quick tips on how to keep your makeup from melting – and other best beauty bits for surviving the warmth?

Use a primer. Primers are considered the basis of your makeup and should be applied under it all. It will help your foundation wear all day, fill in lines and pores, and generally make for a smooth canvas. Some can also absorb oil. Expert call primers the “essential.” I call them “neat-o” – especially Tarte’s ReCreate Primer. This product gives your skin a dry, tight feeling good for summer, though probably not best for dehydrated skin. Tarte’s product is free of parabens, silicone, phthalates, and petrolatum.

Skip the moisturizer for a hydrating toner. Sometimes, just sometimes, it is simply too hot and sticky to think about putting anything other than ice on your face. On those wettest of days, consider substituting your daily moisturizer with a hydrating toner. This can keep your skin feeling balanced, but it won’t necessarily add to the oil you’re already combating. The best toner in the entire universe? Check out our review of Thayer’s Rose Petal Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel.

Use a mattifying sunscreen. Yes, your sunscreen can make your skin feel oilier. So be sure to pick one that’s going to keep things feeling dry. Check out our review of Coola’s Mineral Matte Face Finish SPF 30. To quote myself, “Due to the matte finish, it offers up an almost powdery application that leaves your skin feeling like you just dusted with cover up, not slicked with sunscreen.” You have to love a sunscreen that makes your face feel drier upon application.

Wear a slip. Okay, I know Mad Men is days away from premiering its next season and a lot of us have our Joan Holloway hats ready. But a slip really can cut down on chafing when your skirts literally stick to you. Plus with the high noon rays of summer bearing down on us, it isn’t the worst thing not to be able to see through your skirts. Joan Holloway would agree on such lady-like modesty!

Keep a clean handkerchief. I know, we’re still in Mad Men territory. But when you’re pouring sweat, sometimes a tissue just ain’t gonna cut it. Consider stashing an organic cotton handkerchief in your purse for those moments when you need some extra absorption. They’re cute, utterly recyclable in the wash, and will make the act of dabbing your hairline seem much more vintage.

FTC Compliance

Image: emily higginson

You’ve probably heard a lot of marketing hype about powders that are mineral-based. Mineral makeup is generally made from all natural, finely ground minerals from the earth (which is good!). Most of the time, it doesn’t contain any of the chemicals, dyes, and preservatives found in traditional makeup. But in order for a makeup to call itself mineral, it has to do”¦exactly nothing. Like many “green” industries, there is no regulation as to what ingredients make a mineral cosmetic. You’ll want to do your homework. Here, we put several leading brands to the test.

Best All Around: Lavender Silk Finishing Powder by Jurlique
This product really is fantastic. I started using it months ago and dread the day it runs out. I generally wear it without a foundation and it gives my face a nice, even tone. The best part? This powder has a lovely scent of lavender that is almost like a light perfume for your face. (And as a person who hasn’t worn a drop of perfume in 20 years – hi, allergies – this is a treat.) This product comes from the Australian natural product powerhouse Jurlique. Best of all it is certified biodynamic by the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia.

Best Dash of Color: Certified Organic Flora Foundation by Zuii Organic
This product provides a smooth, even finish- think bronzing powder. It is free of talc, synthetic chemicals, parabens, petro chemicals, and genetically modified ingredients. It could also get the title of “most organic,” as it has a number of certifications, including USDA Organic, Australian Government Certified, and more.

Provocateur Pressed Mineral Powder with SPF 8 by Tarte
This mineral powder goes on light and gets high marks for the SPF8. (Most mineral-based makeups do have an SPF factor to them as minerals naturally protect from the sun.) It claims to have vitamins added to the powder – frankly, the said vitamins did not make my skin feel or look any different than the other powders. Paging marketing!

It does earn points for a cool, quilted case that has a magnetic closure (hmm, made in China from “man made” products – which means it is animal free but probably not petro free). It is free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances or dyes, petro-chemicals and phthalates. Skin Deep gives it a rating of 4 out of 10. (10 being the most hazardous).

Compact Power by Nvey Eco

This product gives you a nice smooth finish, and it is available in different shades to add a bit of color. It works well if you want to forgo a cream foundation and just leave it up to powder. It is free of talc, parabens, preservatives, genetically modified crops, and petroleum. NVEY ECO Make-up is OFC Certified Organic (Organic Food Chain Certificate Number #0464) and Australian Government Certified. It gets a 4 out of 10 rating from Skin Deep.

Transparent Loose Powder by Lavera
This gave my skin a nice, creamy tone and seemed to last for an extended period of time. It is a mineral product, so it’s also rocking an SPF. It does contain talc (some experts warn talc can be problematic). It is BDIH certified and contains some organic extracts. It is an excellent way to “finish” your makeup but not a foundation by any means.

Finishing Powder by Lauren Brooke Cosmetics
This product is effective for what it is – a finishing powder that doesn’t pretend to be a foundation. It does even out your complexion, but it doesn’t give you any color. In fact, it creates a bit of a whitening effect. It is a bit grainier than the other products and more like an old-school powder. Skin Deep gives it a 0-2 rating, making it one of the safer products on the market.  It has a simple composition comprised of organic Arrowroot Powder and natural clay powders.

Green girl Josie Maran has modeled for Glamour and Sports Illustrated and she’s appeared in films like The Aviator and Van Helsing. Now she’s an eco-entrepreneur whose eponymous cosmetic line is one of the best on the market.

What qualifies a model-actress to start her own makeup line? Models and actresses look fresh faced and makeup free for one reason – they are experts at applying makeup.

As Maran puts it, “When I began to land jobs, I discovered what a lot of girls already know: the power of makeup. I saw that a little could go a long way.”

After spending hundreds of hours in the makeup chair, she realized she was uniquely experienced to design her own line of healthy, natural cosmetics. And Josie Maran Cosmetics was born.

Recently, Maran shared some of her product and beauty tips from her fall line, exclusively for EcoSalon readers. Here’s what she had to say:

EcoSalon: A typical green girl might love makeup, but not love looking like she’s caked with it. What are your best tips for a natural look?

Josie Maran: You can achieve a natural look by using tinted day-cream instead of heavy foundation. Then, go in with a concealer to cover blemishes. For small areas use a pointy brush. This way you can place the concealer where it’s really needed.

Fall is here, bringing with it cooling temperatures and fading tans. What’s your best tip for transitioning our skin from the summer sun?

Smooth lips and hydrated skin are the ultimate foundation. Start your fall beauty routine with targeted moisture. This fall, balms are making a big comeback and my Argan Moisturizing Stick smooths chapped lips and hydrates dry, peeling skin. It targets areas that need moisture most, providing a smooth canvas to work with! And there are other fantastic balms to consider: Jurlique Love Balm and Burt’s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil.

What are the best eye shadow colors you recommend for fall? And more importantly, what are your tips for applying it?

This fall is all about a neutral color palette. Create a natural smoky eye with my favorite earthy shades (for this look think: soft brown, not harsh black). Start by sweeping a muted, light brown shade all over the lid. I love the Maple shade in my line of eye shadows.

Then blend a darker, smokier brown into the crease for a dramatic effect. Try my Eye Shadow in Smoke, or my personal favorite Chianti – it’s a rich brownish plum, perfect for fall Smudge a brown eye liner along the lashes to get the smoky effect. Finish the look with brown mascara.

Lastly, what do you recommend for lips?

Red lips, naturally! Red lips have been a huge hit on the runways. I wear mine naturally with paraben-free lipstick in Desirous and shine it up with Joie De Vivre lip gloss.

Josie Maran Cosmetics is made up of a 70-piece line for eyes, lips, cheeks, skin and more. It’s free of parabens, toxins and petrochemicals, and it contains a large percentage of natural and organic ingredients. The product line is available online, at Barneys in New York City and at Vert in Venice, CA. You can also find products at various Sephoras around the country.

Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturizer for Normal to Dry Skin with SPF 6

I couldn’t love this moisturizer more and I’m very sad to say I’m nearly halfway through it. Oh well, at least I still have half left! It’s fresh and rosy, with a cool, watery texture that sinks into your skin fast but leaves behind an amazing, greaseless sheen. I do wish this had a higher SPF than 6, but the scent, feel and performance are great. Really – and this is coming from the woman who has tried it all, from Clinique to Estee Lauder to La Mer – eww, mineral oil – to Origins to Burt’s Bees. That’s a long-winded way of saying I’ll be buying this for a long time to come. Because of the low SPF, if you’re fair like me you will still need something with more protection if you’re going to be gardening, hiking or hanging out with your clinician friend, Carrie.

Silicon-Free Face Primer

This. Is. Awesome. I was glad to finally get rid of my old Smashbox makeup primer, which I almost never used (partly because I don’t wear face makeup and partly because Smashbox’s primer is not good for your skin or the planet). Most days I don’t wear much on my skin, but this is perfect under powder or concealer if you don’t wear foundation. A little goes a very long way – just the tiniest nib of a dab of a dot will do ya. The tube is generously sized and a pea-sized amount would slick on for miles, so I fully expect to wake up a decade from now with this still in my makeup drawer. I should probably check out the expiration date with the Korres folks.

Pro-Vitamin B5 and Rice Bran Lash-Strengthening Mascara

I was excited to try out an organic mascara; this one disappoints. I’m lucky to have naturally thick lashes, but this formula is so thin and the color is such a dull brown, I felt like I actually looked worse after application. To be fair, I’m very picky about my mascara, and I like a rich, thick formula because I refuse to apply more than one coat. The really bad thing about this product is the strong smell. I don’t know if it’s the rice bran, but it was very medicinal – like crushed aspirin. Sorry, Korres!

Lip Butter Lip and Cheek Tint

Back to the yummy stuff. I love the lip butter. It’s silky, light, tastes and smells delicious, and somehow manages not to be thick or sticky while also staying on my lips for several hours. And it makes a great eye and cheek tint, too! It feels the way I think a lip gloss should feel – creamy and healing, without being goopy or shiny. It doesn’t have the congealed texture of something like chapstick or Carmex and it’s also not drying like a lot of so-called lip treatments are (you know the ones, where you have to reapply every five minutes or run the risk of chapped lips).

And there you have it; 3 out of 4 ain’t bad. In addition to the luscious textures and pleasant scents, the packaging is great – matte, minimal and substantial.

Now, just for you: Korres is providing readers of EcoSalon a discount of 30% all products purchased online at korresusa.com until September 30th, 2009! Just use promo code ECOSALON when ordering and you’ll get this amazing discount. Enjoy!

Editor’s note: If you want more beauty product reviews and recommendations, be sure to check out articles from our resident beauty expert, Katherine Butler.