Once upon a time, Earth-friendly and eco-responsible makeup was a niche-y, hard-to-find corner of the cosmetics industry. But nowadays, it's easy to score good-for-the-planet makeup and even makeup remover. Here's more.

Farah Fleurima

Having grown up with an appreciation of all-natural products, model Josie Maran decided to bring makeup back to basics after years spent being made up for the camera. The result is her cosmetics line, which boasts natural and organic products and biodegradable packaging (which can go straight to the composting bin). What's missing is animal testing of chemicals, as well as petrochemicals and parabens.

The "eco-chic" set contains black mascara, cream blush, plumping lip gloss, black eyeliner and 100 percent organic argan oil. $48 at josiemarancosmetics.com.

Lush Cosmetics has a solid history of offering products that are as kind to the Earth as they are to your skin, but for a limited time, a few Lush products also benefit charities. All of the revenue from sales of Jungle Soap (right) will go toward the Rainforest Foundation, which helps tribes indigenous to rainforest regions protect their homes from the effects of expanding palm oil plantations. In addition to giving to the organization, however, Lush has also created a soap base that contains no palm oil. Their Soap Wall (left) is a collection of nine top-selling products made with that new soap base. $5.95 for Jungle Soap, $19.95 for Soap Wall at Lush stores (13350 Dallas Parkway, Suite 3080, and NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expressway) and lushusa.com.Eye makeup

remover pads

This super-gentle formula gets rid of your mascara, eye shadow and eyeliner without irritating sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. As a bonus, they leave skin soft while conditioning your lashes, and contain organic orange water and lavender oil for a little aromatherapy kick. $9.95.Facial makeup remover lotion

The organic soy, jojoba seed oil and vitamin E in this potion moisturizes skin as it eliminates makeup and dirt from your face. The aluminum packaging is recyclable. $9.95.

Physicians Formula touts this as the first pressed powder of completely natural origin. Other unique touches include a white goat-hair brush and a compact made mostly of paper. Nine shades are available at $13.95 each.100% natural

origin mascara

Even the lash brush is recyclable in this package, and it's touted as delivering a fivefold boost in volume and definition to lashes. The mascara itself is free of harsh chemicals, drying solvents and synthetic ingredients that cause clumps and build-up. $9.95.

This four-brush set enclosed in a natural cotton and hemp linen bag includes a mineral powder brush, a concealer brush, an eye shadow brush and a "baby kabuki" brush for powdering up. The bamboo in the brush handles has a low impact on the Earth's resources and is sustainable. $9.99 at Target.BEAUTY{TriRight}

Print