Product rec! Product rec!  This is going to be a staple in my makeup bag for quite some time.  The brand is Josie Maran and she fills the white space in the all-natural but high quality makeup marketplace.  Lets be honest….a non-allergenic, non-toxic foundation that actually offers coverage and staying power is RARE.  But Josie Maran did it.

Check it: Josie Maran cosmetics are PARABEN FREE, ANIMAL CRUELTY FREE, FRAGRANCE FREE, ORGANIC, NATURAL, VEGAN, PETA APPROVED, in packaging that is RECYCLABLE OR BIODEGRADABLE.  She also has a strong non-toxic rating in the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/)

While she became famous for her Argan Oil, my favorite product is the Matchmaker Serum Foundation.  Gives incredible coverage, matches perfectly to my skin shade, and goes on like a light lotion so never feels cakey. I also set it with her Matchmaking Powder.

A superb all-natural makeup in an ocean of large cosmetics companies who are not willing to take the chemicals out of their products.  Josie Maran sets the bar, and hopefully  many more in the industry will catch this wave.

http://www.josiemarancosmetics.com/

Sold at Sephora for $42.  http://www.sephora.com/argan-matchmaker-serum-foundation-P280202?skuId=1308121

One of my favorite brands out on the shelves right now is a Marin (yeah local!) based company called EO (stands for Essential Oils).   Family owned and operated, they pride themselves on creating all-organic, all-natural and sustainable personal care products.   What I love most about this brand is their true commitment to pushing the personal care industry forward.  They have developed innovative ways in delivering certified, natural organic ingredients to their consumers and are extremely responsible along the way.  Their bottles are all made from post-consumer resin, all ingredients are tested and traceable to their exact source, and are now growing some of their own ingredients on site!  They even work closely with organizations like Amma and Teens for Safe Cosmetics.   Talk about setting the bar.

Most importantly, their product rocks.  I religiously use their shower gel, body lotion, hand sanitizer, hand soap, and have a mini set of their shampoo and conditioner to grab and go when traveling.  The smell is divine…and thats without ANY chemicals or artificial fragrances.  Look for this brand when shopping the personal care shelves at Whole Foods, Real Foods, etc…..and SUPPORT THEM.  The more $$$ we give to companies like these, the more pressure we put on cosmetics manufacturers and personal care brands to get their shit together.

Read more about them and their story: http://www.eoproducts.com/