Going green doesn’t have to mean exiling yourself to a cabin in the wilderness, renouncing electricity and running water, harvesting your own fruits and vegetables, sewing your own clothing, and making housewares and jewelry with recycled materials. Every single day, you can inch closer to a truly eco-friendly lifestyle by making better informed choices — whether it’s reducing the amount of waste you produce by finding an alternative to bottled water, choosing 100% natural skincare products over items laden with parabens and petrochemicals, minimizing your carbon footprint, and supporting eco-minded fashion and jewelry designers.
In celebration of Earth Day, we’ve gathered some of our favorite eco-friendly goodies, true forces of nature in their own right.
Güd from Burt’s Bees Natural Body Butter, $12; Güd from Burt’s Bees Natural Body Wash, $7; Güd from Burt’s Bees Natural Body Lotion, $7; Güd from Burt’s Bees Natural Nourishing Shampoo, $7; Güd from Burt’s Bees Natural Softening Conditioner, $7; Güd from Burt’s Bees Natural Hand Cream, $5; Güd from Burt’s Bees Natural Body Mist, $6; and Güd from Burt’s Bees Natural Foaming Hand Wash, $5. All available in Floral Cherrynova, Orange Petalooza, and Vanilla Flame at GudHappens.com, Target.com, and Walgreens.com
Developed by the masterminds behind Burt’s Bees, this eco-friendly line caters to a younger, more trend-driven, free-spirited woman. Shampoos, conditioners, body washes, body butters, body lotions, hand creams, body mists, and foaming hand washes are packaged in colorful tubes and bottles (made of 25% post-consumer plastics) featuring whimsical, colorful flower designs and playful fonts. Each product is available in three fruity and floral scents: Floral Cherrynova, which mixes top notes of bing cherries and fresh greens, mingling with a heart of rosewood and white flowers, and finishing off with base notes of creamy musk and warm milk; Orange Petalooza, which includes top notes of blood orange, pomelo, and white tea, middle notes of orange flower, hyacinth, and rose, and base notes of sandalwood and musk; and Vanilla Flame, which features top notes of black currant, sweet orange, and coconut, middle notes of rice milk accord and jasmine, and base notes of tonka bean, vanilla, and musk.
The Natural Body Lotions are particularly yummy, hydrating and smoothing skin while coating it with a lively fragrance that will add some pep to your step. The Orane Petalooza Natural Body Lotion quickly moisturizes skin thanks to the shea butter, sunflower seed oil, soybean oil, raspberry leaf extract, and black walnut leaf extract in the formula.
The Natural Body Washes are also delicious, gently cleansing the skin without stripping it of any moisture. If you want a more understated, relaxing scent, opt for the Vanilla Flame, which will remind you of a warm glass of milk with just a touch of vanilla.
Nepali by TDM Design Bambi Abbie Scarf, $125. Available at NepalibyTDMDesignInc.com
Jazz up a basic cotton tee, some jeans, and a lightweight denim jacket or boyfriend blazer with some oversize shades and a square, handkerchief-style Nepali by TDM scarf made of 100% bamboo and featuring a Bohemian-flavored floral print and fringe accents along the periphery, with wooden bead accents threaded through each dangling strip of fabric.
Korres Evening Primrose Eye Cream, $30. Available at Sephora.com
With omega-6 fatty acids like linoleic acid and gamma-linoleic acid constituting 25% of its molecular structure, evening primrose oil helps to combat aging signs by boosting collagen production, aiding in blood circulation, locking in moisture, and fortifying the skin’s natural barrier for greater tolerance against free radicals. By making evening primrose the star if its newest eye cream, Korres has released a silent assassin that can combat both fine lines and wrinkles in the eye area and diminish the appearance of dark under-eye circles (thanks to the blood circulating more freely). Other ingredients in the paraben-, alcohol-, and silicone- and mineral oil-free formula include jojoba seed oil, olive oil, honeysuckle flower extract, lactic acid, and golden root extract.
Nissa Jewelry Yumi Necklace, $148. Available at NissaJewelry.com
Not only are jewelry designer Nissa Wegienek’s pieces eclectic and colorful, fusing together influences from various cultures, art movements, and fashion history eras, but they’re also eco-friendly thanks to Nissa’s use of recycled metals and vintage stones, as well as her manufacturing process, which involves crafting each piece by hand in her NYC studio. The new Yumi necklace fuses together a Mod vibe via the reliance on geometric shapes with a basic Bauhaus-worthy color scheme thanks to the use of blue enamel and a red vintage stone, then mixes these influences with a tribal undercurrent achieved via the use of clustered diamond and arrow shapes that, together, read like a Native American neckpiece. The versatile piece measures 17″ in length and features a lobster clasp closure.
L’Occitane Angelica Cleansing Gel, $20; L’Occitane Angelica Face Toner; $20; L’Occitane Angelica Eye Roll-On, $28; L’Occitane Angelica Hydration Creme, $42; and L’Occitane Angelica UV Shield SPF 40, $38. Available at USA.Loccitane.com
This extraordinary, botanically-driven skin care line revolves around a flower hailing from the south of France: the angelica. All of the products in the L’Occitane Angelica collection incorporate angelica water and angelica essential oil to soothe, hydrate, and brighten the skin. The star of this collection is the Hydration Cream, a lightweight moisturizer with a fresh green scent that incorporates angelica root oil, angelica root extract, shea butter, peppermint oil, West Indian rosewood bark oil, borage seed oil, and glycerin. Another standout: the Eye Roll-On, which will instantly cool and soothe the delicate skin around the eyes, boosting circulation to diminish the appearance of dark circles and reduce puffiness.
Caleo Jewelry Cloud 18K Hinged Cuff with Rainbow Moonstone and Full Diamonds, $11,750. Visit CaleoJewelry.com for stores.
Brooklyn-based jewelry designer Lindsay Caleo uses recycled gold in her fluid, clean, nature-inspired pieces, along with conflict-free diamonds. I love the open framework of this cuff bracelet and its undulating, swirling lines, along with the teardrop shape of the iridescent moonstones which themselves create a hazy, rainbow-through-the-clouds effect.
Wabisabi Green Dahila Organic Cotton Dahlia Eco Art Throw Pillow Covers, $40 each. Available at WabisabiGreen.com
Give your living room a dose of cheer with these hand-printed pillow covers, available in a vivid sky blue color and in a paprika-tinged mandarin orange. Each Wabisabi Green EcoArt throw pillow measures 18″ by 18″ and was made using GOTS-certified organic cotton twill and water-based inks.
Lavanila Forever Fragrance Oil in Vanilla Grapefruit, Pure Vanilla, and Vanilla Coconut, $25 each at Lavanila.com
Lavanila’s all-natural, alcohol-free fragrances have already amassed legions of fans who appreciate the creamy seductiveness of vanilla and the many ways in which it can be transformed via simple aromatic combinations — whether it’s the incorporation of a slightly tart citrus note like grapefruit, a sweet and milky note like coconut, or a juicy tropical note like passion fruit. Now, Lavanila is offering a more concentrated version of its classic spray-on scents with the launch of its Forever Fragrance Oils. Each 8ml tube features a roller ball tip so that you can easily apply the fragrane oil to the desired area (whether it’s on the wrists, along the sides of the neck, behind the ears, or behind the knees) and its clear exterior is adorned with a swirling vine design featuring leaves in the color allotted to the fragrance inside (blue for Vanilla Coconut, pink for Vanilla Grapefruit, and white for Pure Vanilla). Unlike other fragrance oils that dry out the skin or quickly evaporate, making their sillage nonexistent, the Lavanila Forever Fragrance Oils are formulated with sweet almond oil, which hydrates the skin while also increasing the longevity of the scent. My favorite: the Vanilla Coconut Fragrance Oil, which features a mixture of coconut, Tahitian gardenia, and Madagascar vanilla bean notes.
Driftwood Mirror, $199. Available at CrateandBarrel.com
Next time you go to the beach, don’t be so quick to dismiss those rocks, broken shells, and tiny pieces of wood beneath your feet. This statement-making, rustic chic mirror features a star burst-like design thanks to the clever positioning of elongated, hand-harvested driftwood pieces placed over low-emission engineered wood and arranged as rays surrounding the round mirrored glass at the center of the piece. Made in the Philippines, the mirror measures 28″ in diameter.
Kat Burki Sugar Magnolia Soy Candle, $38. Available at Shop.KatBurki.com
This 100% soy candle will transport you to a Tahitian garden with powdery, romantic, delicate floral notes of jasmine and tuberose.
Apple & Bee Bowling Bag, $59. Available at HarabuHouse.com
This retro-flavored bowling bag by eco-friendly Australian brand Apple & Bee features a Japanese-inspired floral print on its organic cotton exterior and a waterproof interior lining made of recycled PET bottles. Measuring 10.3″ in length, 8″ in height, and 5″ in width, this bowling bag also includes two inside pockets, two top leather handles, and leather piping along the slightly tapered sides.
Olivia Garden Healthy Hair Ionic Combo Bamboo Paddle Brush, $14.15. Available at ULTA stores nationwide.
The Olivia Garden Healthy Hair collection features brushes and combs made entirely of bamboo which, as you environmental activists know, is a renewable resource and a greener alternative to plastic or silicone. The oval-shaped Olivia Garden Healthy Hair Ionic Combo Bamboo Paddle Brush features ion-charged bristles that boost shine, reduce static and prevent fly-aways from taking over, and smooth hair. The comb, meanwhile, helps to detangle strands and features an ergonomically-designed handle. Not only are these hair styling tools effective and durable, they feature a two-toned, striped design that’s aesthetically pleasing.
Yes To Blueberries Age Refresh Rejuvenating Body Lotion, $9.99. Available at Walgreens, Target, Walmart, Ulta and Kroger stores.
If your skin often feels parched, you’ll appreciate the latest offering from the Yes to Blueberries line: the Age Refresh Rejuvenating Body Lotion. Formulated with 98% natural ingredients, this body lotion hydrates and softens skin with its high concentration of grapeseed oil, which is itself an antioxidant-rich, fatty acid-packed, anti-aging agent, penetrating the epidermis and combating the enzymes that break down the production of collagen, elastin, and other connective tissues responsible for skin’s supple texture, thereby minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Tamanu seed oil, meanwhile, improves overall skin texture, moisturizing and softening as it penetrates the skin. Other ingredients include sunflower oil, a natural emollient known for its wound-healing and calming properties, and blueberries, powerful antioxidants that protect the skin from UV rays and free radicals.
Bobble Jug, $29.99. Available at WaterBobble.com and Target stores
Once you try this sleek, modern, water-filtering jug, designed by Karim Rashid for Move Collective, you’ll stop investing in bottled water since you’ll be assured that your tap water has now been thoroughly decontaminated (you’ll find the water tastes goes down as smooth as your favorite bottled water, Fiji included). By moving away from bottled water , you’ll be doing your part to decrease the 1.5 million tons of plastic waste produced yearly while also saving a great deal of money. The 64 oz. bobble jug featured a replaceable, recyclable carbon filter that fits comfortably inside a bowl-shaped compartment at the top of the bottle so that, when you place the jug underneath the tap, the water will be filtrate instantly as it trickles through the filter and into the see-through body of the jug. And, since even the handle stores water, the bottle holds more water than one would first assume. And, unlike standard water jugs that have clunky cylindrical or square shapes, this one feels like an ode to modernity with curved sides that recall the contours of a woman’s body and bold pops of color juxtaposed against the clear body of the jug.
Caleo Jewelry Halo Sterling Silver Large Multi Hex Pendant, $2310. Visit CaleoJewelry.com for stores.
Shea Moisture Organic Olive & Green Tea Shea Butter Soap, $4.99; Shea Moisture Organic Olive & Green Tea Bath, Body & Massage Oil, $9.99; Shea Moisture Organic Olive & Green Tea Bubble Bath, $9.99; Shea Moisture Organic Olive & Green Tea Body Scrub, $9.99; and Shea Moisture Organic Olive & Green Tea Body Butter, $9.99. All available at Walgreens.com and Target stores.
Who would’ve thought olive oil and green tea go together as well as rice and beans? The Shea Moisture Olive & Green Tea collection features an ideal mixture of ingredients for those with dry, irritated, sensitive, damaged, and mature skin: shea butter, a fatty acid rich substance that softens and moisturizes; extra virgin olive oil, which has been prized since ancient Egyptian times for its anti-aging benefits, which can be attributed to its high concentration of antioxidants (among them vitamin E), its squalane content (which stabilizes the sebum’s oil production), vitamin A (which stimulates cell renewal for increased elasticity), and polyphenols that work as anti-inflammatory benefits; green tea extract, which soothes and protects thanks to its concentration of vitamins A, C, and E; and avocado, a fatty acid-rich substance that delivers deep hydration, therefore alleviating dry skin and even helping to improve the texture of those grappling with eczema and psoriasis. The Shea Moisture Organic Olive & Green Tea Body Butter is particularly superb since it’s easily absorbed by the skin, leaving it velvety soft and radiant.
Matt & Nat Narita Denim Drawstring Hobo Bag, $88. Available at Tobi.com
As one of the best-known vegan handbag lines, Matt & Nat prides itself on never using animal byproducts and on pushing the envelope as far as the type of eco-friendly materials use, which range from vegan leather to cork, recycled plastic, recycled nylon, recycled faux suede, and Japanese rice paper. Made of 76% cotton and 24% polyester and incorporating a lining made from recycled plastic, this roomy handbag (which measures 11″ in width, 15″ in height, and 7″ in depth) features a braided rope top handle with an 8″ drop, an exterior pouch with a drawstring closure, oversize golden metal eyelets, and a marbled, tie-dye design. Best of all, the stitching along the decorative seams resembles that on most pairs of jeans, giving the bag a denim-like look.
SpaRitual Water Collection Nail Lacquer Mini Gift Set, $20. Available at Dermstore.com. Visit SpaRitual.com for aditional retailers.
In February 2012, SpaRitual launched the Water 2012 Nail Lacquer Collection as part of a new global partnership with Surge, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to clean drinking water. Inspired by aquatic bodies and the plant and animal life found therein, the collection incorporates six 100% vegan, DBP-, formaldehyde-, and toulene-free nail lacquers, four of which are included in this mini set which encompasses pocket-sized 0.17 fl. oz. bottles. The four nail lacquer colors in the mini set are: Deep, an iridescent gray meant to capture the look of sparkling water under soft moonlight; Hidden Reef, a shimmering coral red-orange shade; Lucid, a creamy lavender; and Ebb & Flow, a vibrant turquoise that captures the color of the water surrounding each island in the Bahamas. Whether you purchase the mini set or one of the full-sized nail lacquers, 20% of the product sales will benefit Surge.
