Youth to the People
Product to try: Superfood Cleanser
Herbivore Botanicals
From it’s gorgeous recyclable and reusable packaging to dreamy product names that combine juicy fruits and precious gemstones (Pink Cloud, Emerald, Lapis), Herbivore lives where luxury skin care and wellness meet. It uses all natural ingredients, plant-based and food-grade cold-pressed oils, steam-distilled therapeutic-grade essential oils, GMO-free soy wax as well as many certified organic ingredients. It’s also 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
Product to try: Prism 20% AHA + 5% BHA Exfoliating Glow Facial
Bliss
Created by beauty juggernaut Marcia Kilgore (Soap & Glory, Beauty Pie), the iconic “skin wellness” brand was founded in 1996 with a single New York City spa. Bliss re-branded in 2018 to create premium-quality products that are still accessible and affordable. The brand also is 100% cruelty-free with lots of vegan offerings and products manufactured using solar power.
Product to try: Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Moisturizer
Āether Beauty
Ethically sustainable and color payoff almost never go together, but Āether Beauty changes that notion. This crystal-infused makeup is made of organic, ethically and fairly sourced, as well as cruelty-free and vegan ingredients as a baseline. Its eyeshadow palettes also have been celebrated for being the first completely zero-waste eyeshadow palettes in the industry. In addition to its mission, Āether products are highly pigmented with serious color payoff and buttery formulas. Plus, for every Āether product purchased, a portion of sales go to environmental charities.
Product to try: Summer Solstice Palette
Love Beauty and Planet
A commitment to Mother Earth is in this brand’s name. Whether using ethically-sourced ingredients, 100% recycled plastic to make their in-shower bottles, Love Beauty and Planet is committing to doing best by the environment. For example, its conditioners are created with fast-rinse conditioner technology that cut back on water usage and they’re committed to making 100% of its shampoos fast-rinse by 2020. The brand also quantifies its carbon emissions AND taxes themselves for going over. This money is then used to support third-party programs that help reduce landfill waste and overall carbon emissions.
Product to try: Murumuru Butter & Rose Shampoo Bar
Farmacy Beauty
Wholesome ingredients and seriously impressive formulas make up Farmacy Beauty as science meets nature. Its ingredients come from organic farms in New York, Pennsylvania, and even Northeast Brazil, which use sustainable methods. Its packaging is recyclable and made with FSC-certified paper from well-managed forests as well as inks based on naturally renewable raw materials.
Product to try: Cheer Up Brightening Vitamin C Eye Cream with Acerola Cherry
Gia Mazur is an award-winning staff writer and beauty obsessive who joined The Times-Tribune’s Lifestyles department in 2015. She’s a product enthusiast who can’t live without an eyelash curler. A proud Virgo, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk is her go-to. Contact: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT
