By Janene Mascarella
At BELLA, we love all things beauty and feel it truly radiates from within. In honor of that philosophy, we scoured the shelves in search of cosmetics with a conscience and products with a higher purpose to shine a light on brands that strive to make you (and the world!) more beautiful.
Scents & SensibilityPour le Monde – $95, PLMParfums.com
Beautiful You: Pour le Monde, which means “For the World”, has created three 100 percent natural eau de parfums that are free of harmful chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde, chemical sunscreens and petrochemicals, and are infused with grain alcohol. The naturally derived fragrances are vegan, gluten free and free of animal testing.
Beautiful World: When former fashion magazine executive Wendi S. Berger couldn’t find chemical-free fragrances during her pregnancy, she created all-natural perfumes that give back. Pour le Monde’s premiere cause partners are National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Cancer Support Community and Guiding Eyes for the Blind; 10 percent of every sale is given back to the charities.
The 7 Virtues Custom Blend Box – $85, The7virtues.com
Beautiful You: The 7 Virtues Custom Blend Box contains four award-winning vegan fragrances made with natural essential oils from nations rebuilding. Create your own signature peace fragrance by blending each scent together with another. (The scents are intoxicating!)
Beautiful World: This Canadian company, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, flexes its buying power to empower families in countries that are rebuilding. The fragrance collection is created with essential oils from nations that are rebuilding including Haiti, Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamonds – $68 (3.3 fl. oz.), Macys.com
Beautiful You: Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic fragrance is one of the most successful fragrances of all time. White Diamonds reflects the deep feminine warmth and classic enduring beauty of the woman who made it – Elizabeth Taylor. It’s the epitome of her star-quality – radiant, extraordinarily rare and overwhelmingly and dazzlingly beautiful.
Beautiful World: As part of Elizabeth Taylor’s passionate commitment and fearless leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS, 25 percent of all royalties from White Diamonds and her other House of Taylor fragrances benefit The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
Global HealingErbaviva Bath & Body Travel Kit – $30, Erbaviva.com
Beautiful You: This Bath and Body Travel Kit is perfect for on the go pampering and will keep any traveler happy with its delightful combination of Relax Bath Salts, Awaken Spray, Embrace Body Lotion and Breathe Body Wash.
Beautiful World: All of the fabric packaging for their canvas Bath & Body Travel Kits is purchased through a special project that directly benefits the Pwo Karen Hill Tribe of Northern Thailand and Burma, helping to fund and run a health clinic for the children and assists villagers to transition from “slash and burn” agricultural practices to create permanent, sustainable farms. These feel-good items, which include some gluten-free and/or vegan finds with the USDA Organic Seal, will work wonders on your mind and body, while helping to support international communities for years to come.
SEVA Amazon Rainforest Body Balm – $45, BalancedGuru.com
Beautiful You: Treat your whole body to a buttery body balm. Enriched an invigorating blend of essential oils that will wake up your senses and soften your skin.
Beautiful World: One hundred percent of profits go to saving the Yasuni National Park in Ecuador, part of our Amazon rainforest. They are partnering with Off The Mat Into The World through their SEVA AMAZON challenge to help save one of the most diverse and rich ecosystems in the world. Visit OffTheMatIntoTheWorld.org to learn how you can help, donate or volunteer.
Moroccan Orange Blossom Purifying Facial Water – $16, SheaTerraOrganics.com
Beautiful You: You can use this delicate orange blossom water to tone oily to normal and acne prone skin and it’s an excellent addition to face masks.
Beautiful World: Tammie Umbel was inspired to create the skin care line over a decade ago in an effort to give communities in third world countries a resource for protecting their natural habitat, as well as the opportunity to generate an income through the sourced ingredients. The Shea Terra Organics line has lead Tammie and her family on trips all over Africa, teaming up with plant and habitat conservationists to unveil ingredients that have yet to be discovered but harbor many beauty benefits.
“Good” Glowing
Mudpot Natural Mud Mask – $59, BlackRockMud.com
Beautiful You: Black Rock Mud Company’s facial aesthetic clay, the “mudpot,” has a natural ability to exfoliate, increase circulation and detoxify to help brighten and revive dull skin, combat breakouts and return it to an optimal pH.
Beautiful World: It’s 100 percent organic and won an international packaging award in the green category. Currently, 25 percent of proceeds are being donated to Camp Taylor, a non-profit camp for children with heart disease. The coolest part about this product (besides the fact that it also really gets your skin glowing) – the packaging is plantable and grows wildflowers!
NovaWhite GO Kit – $54, NovaWhite.com
Beautiful You: NovaWhite’s at-home teeth whitening system comes with all whitening necessities, making it convenient if you’re on the go, while still providing the same professional results as a dentist using the same solution.
Beautiful World: NovaWhite announced its official partnership with the nonprofit, Dress for Success Worldwide, in 2012, as they have provided products and monetary donations in an effort to empower disadvantaged women. With a brighter smile and a brand new suit, women seeking a second chance, can gain the confidence to achieve it.
Lip Rewind – $24, Nordstrom, MiracleSkinTransformer.com
Beautiful You: Lip Rewind Advanced Peptide Lip Treatment SPF20 is infused with anti-aging, lip-filling peptides, and is designed to repair daily damage and boost volume and moisture content.
Beautiful World: Miracle Skin Transformer will donate $5 from the sale of every Lip Rewind in the shade LOVE, a soft pink with a touch of shimmer, to the Children’s Action Network, a national non-profit dedicated to finding loving families for waiting foster children. Founded by Kate Capshaw, Steven Spielberg and Henry Winkler, Children’s Action Network harnesses the power of the entertainment industry to raise awareness of children’s issues.
