Makeup Makeout

To say that I'm obsessed with cosmetics would be an understatement of epic size and behemoth proportions. Any mention of "natural" or "organic" cosmetics nearly compels me to sit down and compose a rambling college thesis on the subject.

OK, so I'm enamored with beauty products--what girl isn't? There's something about the pop-py, pretty brilliance of color in eye makeup, as well as the loosely guaranteed but nonetheless well-intentioned assurances of age defiance in skincare products, which has me abusing my credit card. Fall is my favorite season, and it's finally here, so I can give myself an excuse to add some cool, smoky, even plucky colors to my face palette.

But, I also happen to be very conscious and extremely picky about the makeup I buy. That is, I'm a health freak and tend to be most attracted to makeup that have the words "natural" or "organic" in their clever marketing or packaging. Why? Because as I mentioned in a previous post, about 60% of what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body. With this in mind, I try to be vigilant about checking the ingredients list on my favorite cosmetics and skincare lines and comparing it against the ratings of the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.

Last week Lindsay posted some affordable green cosmetic options she's discovered. Here's a list of healthy or environmentally-conscious beauty and skincare products in MY cabinet:

• Rare Elements Essential Conditioner - (ranked 2 on the EWG site with 0 being the best) This conditioner is extremely concentrated and nourishing so you need very little, depending on hair length and texture. It's great for everyday use, and your hair will feel young, soft, and manageable with no flyaway action. Highly recommended for all hair types. And, the scent is light yet invigorating.

• Gabriel Mascara in Black - There's no rating for this product on EWG as yet, but you can type every ingredient on the packaging into the database and see that the rankings for each score very well. A caveat: the mascara smudges a tiny bit in warmer weather, but I think most non-waterproof mascaras do at some point, so why not go with a formula from a trusted company with an intention to develop smart, environmentally aware cosmetics.

• Boscia Soothing Cleansing Cream - (ranks 1 on EWG. Nearly a perfect 0, right?) My skin gets dry in the cooler months, so this cleansing product is just enough to clean, moisturize, and even protect my skin against environmental pollutants and irritants. It also removes stubborn makeup too! I haven't tried it on waterproof makeup, but their MakeUp BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil is perfect for the more stubborn types of face paint.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a "clean" cosmetics purist. I just try my best to be more careful of what I put on my skin as it affects the health of what's inside. Beauty certainly starts from within. Have any organic or natural cosmetics to recommend? Post your favorites in the comments below.