The Perfume Bee

CHERYL LU-LIEN TAN has written an informative article about organic cosmetics for the Wall Street Journal Online. It is titled, “Turning Your Skin Green: Cosmetic makers want in on the organic craze, but sorting out labels’ claims isn’t easy”:

It happened with milk, produce and clothing. Now the debate about organics is hitting cosmetics, too.

Some of the biggest names in skin-care are jumping into the organic market, which until recently was a niche product for specialty stores. Estée Lauder, for instance, has nine products in its new Origins Organics line. L’Occitane en Provence and fashion designer Stella McCartney are also expanding into organics.

But such products are already raising some questions. One is whether organic cosmetics provide health or beauty benefits compared to nonorganic products. And for consumers who decide they want to go green, shopping can be confusing since the labeling isn’t consistent. Whole Foods Market and some environmental groups have formed a task force and are now pushing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to adopt standards for organic skin care.

You can read the entire article here: WSJ online

As always, I am delighted when I see the mainstream media writing about organic personal care products. The labeling of organic skincare products and cosmetics has become very trendy, and public awareness and demand for accurate information is on the rise. But this is a trend I am all in favor of, and hopefully in the not-too-distant future choosing genuinely organic make-up will be as easy as selecting a carton of milk.

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Model Josie Maran has announced the launch of her new organic cosmetics line:

After years of strutting the catwalk and posing for Maybelline ads, Josie Maran is taking fresh faces to a whole new level.

This fall, the seasoned beauty veteran is getting her feet wet in the organic beauty business with the launch of her eponymous cosmetics brand. The natural, toxin-free line, Josie Maran Cosmetics, aims to brighten complexions with wearable color without losing sight of the environment….

To ensure that they used only the purest formulas, Maran and her team screened each product through the Environmental Working Group’s Web site, ewg.org. As a result, the final ingredients list reads almost like a baking recipe. Products contain various combinations of corn starch, cocoa butter, pomegranate oil, jojoba, avocado oil, olive oil, coconut and soybean, to name a few (via Womens Wear Daily at wwd.com).

For more info, please visit josiemarancosmetic.com

image source: wwd.com

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I am coming to the the wonderful realization that Portland is a veritable mecca of natural perfume, skin care and cosmetics manufacturers. Last week, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Kate O’brien, founder and President of Alima Cosmetics, at her office in Portland, Oregon. Kate’s mineral cosmetics use 100% natural, cruelty-free minerals and pigments. They provide sun protection, anti—inflammatory benefits and beautiful, natural color. All products are entirely additive- and allergen-free and are safe for even the most sensitive skin.

This extensive line includes over 250 products, including foundation, balancing powder, concealer, color balancing powder, eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush, and a variety of brushes and accessories. A new lipstick collection is being formulated and is due to launch this fall.

A peek into her laboratory showed a vast array of minerals waiting to be blended into a wide color palette of beautiful shades. Kate works with her charming 19-year old daughter, Sara, as well as several other friendly employees. The business, founded in 2004, is doubling in size every year. Finding a larger manufacturing facility is a high priority on Kate’s to-do list. Meanwhile, Alima products are shipped to all 50 states and to more than 25 countries internationally.

This was my first experience with mineral cosmetics, and Kate’s trained eye helped her choose the perfect shades for me: Pongee foundation, Carnation matte blush, and Cocoa matte eyeshadow. Fortunately, the Alima website has a very useful “choosing colors” page that can help anyone decide on just the right hue. And samples of nearly every product are available for $1 each.

These products are simply amazing. They come in such rich yet harmonious colors, and they blend onto the skin as smoothly as silk. A little bit goes a really long way. And the fact that they are so safe to use, in addition to being beautiful, is the icing on the cake.

And just how safe are they? I am happy to report that Alima is one of only two American companies to be awarded the prestigious BDIH “Certified Natural Cosmetics Seal.” This seal is a well-recognized indicator of authentically natural cosmetics in Europe. It ensures that certified products contain only the safest, purest natural ingredients and are produced and packaged in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

The rigorous BDIH guidelines go beyond the European Union Cosmetics Directive. That directive has banned more than 1000 chemicals considered unsafe to be used in cosmetics. On the other hand, the Food and Drug Administration has banned 10.

Kate explains that Alima is a Sufi term referring to the divine wisdom in even the smallest of things. I find it to be a very fitting name for a wonderful company!

Alima products can be ordered online at Alimacosmetics.com.

photo © 2007 The Perfume Bee

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