Yes, we love our green beauty. What we don’t love? Paying $120 for a bottle of rose-infused night cream crafted by the organic-mittened kittens of Costa Rica. Seriously, doesn’t it seem like the latest biodynamic/organic/natural world can cost more than the price a Hollywood starlet pays to turn “jail” into “rehab”?

But not to worry – we went through some of our favorite eco beauty brands and made our most frugal picks for healthy dose of beauty.

Let’s start with Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner ($9.95) which moisturizes, tones, and generally brings your skin hue to a shade it hasn’t seen since you were wearing diapers. Okay, perchance I exaggerate a wee bit, but it really does wonders for restoring your skin tone. You can read more about it here.

Ready to wash that day right out of your hair – organically? Check out the Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash by Weleda ($8.01). Formulated from natural essential oils, this shampoo gives a slight herbal scent. And don’t forget the conditioner.

Consider Peppermint Hair Conditioner and Style Crème by Dr. Bronner ($7.19). This product is USDA Organic and certified Fair Trade. Also? It smells awesome.

And finally, for when you don’t have time to shower at all, think about using the Exfoliating Cleanser to Go by Suki ($9.95). This vegan product, containing organic rice flour and sugar, naturally buffs away the day.

Now let’s get down to body business. Want a divinely vegan soap? Try Strawberry Hedgehog Ginger Blood Orange Soap ($8.00) . This product is made with 100 percent certified organic coconut oils and pure essential oils. You can read more about Strawberry Hedgehog here. Next you’ll need a great eco scrub.

The Deep Steep Grapefruit Bergamot Sugar Scrub ($7.69) is fantastic for sloughing off the day’s grime and rates a 2 from Skin Deep. Finally, think about softening up that epidermis with Natural Baby Powder by Urban Forest ($7.00). Infused with lavender, this product is an all-natural baby powder free of talc and containing only natural arrowroot, tapioca, and a touch of baking soda.

Time for deodorant. But you’re no Drugstore Cowgirl waving a stick filled with aluminum. Check out this Citrus Deodorant from Weleda ($6.43). This spray is an aluminum-free concoction made with alcohol and natural essential oils. (And you can read more about organic deodorants here.) But wait, body not bikini-ready? Check out John Masters Organics Shaving Bar ($8.00). This product contains certified organic ingredients with olive oil and more.

You’re shaved, deodorized, powdered and ready to go. But don’t forget your hands! Check out Coola Natural Hand Lotion Bar ($12.00) (shown above). Containing only all-natural ingredients, it protects the natural moisture in the skin. And finally, don’t even think about leaving the house without sun block. Consider California Baby No Fragrance SPF 30 Sunblock Stick ($14.99). This product, which rates a 1 from Skin Deep, is considered a must-have for eco-moms and babies.

You’re cleaned and covered with sun block. But won’t anyone think about your precious lips? Try Cocoa Butter Lip Balm by Badger ($5.00). This lip balm is made with simple ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, extract of Aloe Vera and more. But want to put some color into your pucker? Consider 100 percent Pure Fruit Pigment Lip Gloss: Sheer Cherry ($13.00). This product will give your lips a lovely glow with 100 percent natural ingredients.

And the big finish? Of course it’s all about the eyes. Consider accenting your peeps with Earth’s Beauty Natural Mascara ($12.95). It contains basic ingredients such as water, organic beeswax, Aloe Vera and more. And finish it all off with Pure Mineral Eye Shadow by Orglamix ($5.00). This product is free of nano particles, Bismuth Oxychloride, Synthetic Dyes, Parabens, Synthetic Fragrances, Petrochemicals, and Parabens. And they are Peta-friendly!

Image: pinksherbert

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During my travels throughout the world of eco-beauty, I often get asked some interesting questions. Sometimes they are simple like “Can I eat my natural makeup?” (…No) Sometimes they are more complex like “Is this product native energy, fair trade, organic certified by USDA or just Ecocert or just the neighborhood postal carrier who claims it doesn’t make her skin red?” (“¦Let me get back to you on that.)

But recently, someone posed the question – “Is toner really necessary?” And my answer is – yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Strictly defined, toner is cleanser or lotion designed to clean skin and shrink pores. It can restore your skin’s natural pH levels, which is important to protect your skin against sun, stress, and pollutants.

Some industry professionals think toners are unnecessary while others swear by them. It very much depends on your type of skin and what kind of toner you use. Some are more like tonics that moisturize the skin while others are more astringent and can contain higher levels of alcohol. These clean the skin of oils – but that can lead to problems as your skin can go into hyper drive to replace lost oil.

Why am I so big on toner? I spend most of my beauty regime on retaining and maintaining my skin tone. And I find a good organic toner to be the best way to do this. Maybe they work because they tighten pores and maintain pH levels, or maybe they work because fairies sprinkle eco-dust on your face after an application. I just find that, yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and ask him to bring you some toner.

The Eco-Toner to Buy: Thayer’s Rose Petal Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel

Now imagine me repeating this three times and clicking my red sequined heels together. This project seems almost magical. Thayer’s contains tannins extracted from the bark of witch hazel, or Hamamelis Virginiana. The tannins are made into big tea bags, soak in purified waters, and then placed into the toner. And just what do tannins do? In my case, I saw my skin tone return to something it resembled ten years ago. Containing some organic ingredients, it’s moisturizing, clean, and survives my sensitive skin. I cannot recommend this product more highly.

How to Make Your Own Eco-Toner:

Want to make your own? Check out this recipe for a hydrating, homemade skin toner containing calming chamomile.

• 1 organic chamomile tea bag
• ½ teaspoon organic vodka
• In a small saucepan, brew tea bag in two cups of water for ten minutes. Remove the ea bag and cool. Add vodka when cooled and apply to skin using a clean cotton swap.

And if you want to know more, check out our review of several organic toners!

Image: Perfecto Insecto

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