RIGHTEOUS COVER

EASY-ON-THE-CONSCIENCE COSMETICS FOR VEGANS SEEKING QUALITY, AND MAKEUP JUNKIES WHO WANT TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES. DON'T WORRY, THEY'RE NOT ALL IN EARTH TONES BY ZENYA SIRANT

Launching at the end of this month, The Organic Makeup Company (www.organicmakeup.ca) is a local manufacturer of petroleum-, synthetics- and animal-free cosmetics. Esther (above) is wearing wet/dry eyeshadow in Sapphire ($9), blushing powder in Natural Mauve ($9), lip colour in Brick Red ($10) plus concealer ($11) and face powder ($18) in Medium Beige.

1. Dr. Hauschka products such as lipstick in Fortissimo (the Big Carrot, 348 Danforth, 416-466-2129, $32.99) and black mascara ($29.99) are the holistic equivalent of trop cher designer cosmetics.

2. Sans toxic nastiness or eye-watering odours, these water-based nail polishes (the Wholesome Market, 2234 Queen East, 416-690-9500, $7.99) from Guelph-based Suncoat, are free of toluene, formaldehyde, alcohol, acetone, acetate and FD&C dye!

3. In hues from vanilla to chocolate, Ecco Bella's Natural Foundation SPF 15 (Big Carrot, $29.49) boasts sheer water-based coverage and rich, flower-wax-enriched colour.

4. Lemon-juicy, hair-shining goodness: Cynthia Sylvia Stout shampoo and Veganese conditioner (Lush, 312 Queen West, 416-599-5874, and others, $7.25-$21 each for 100-500 ml).

5. Prolong your wrinkle-reduced days with Face Protector SPF 30 from the Matter Company, which, by the way, is a Toronto-based natural skincare outfit (Ma Zone, 473A Church, 416-934-4900, $15).

6. Go for colour with Lavera's Kajal eyeliner in “No.3” (Big Carrot, $17.99).

7. If you don't like the feeling of wearing foundation but like a greasy face even less, blot your oils away with Wings Of Love powdered facial tissues (Noah's, 322 Bloor West, 416-968-7930, $5.29). Simple ingredients: rice paper and cornstarch. Or, for perfect blending, try Vanishing Facial Powder (Whole Foods Market, 87 Avenue Road, $26.29); it suits all skin types. Both from Burt's Bees.

8. Customize your cosmetic colour scheme with Ecco Bella's mix-and-match Paperback Flowercolor duo compact (Big Carrot, shadows $11, blush $14), shown here with powdered eyeliner in Charcoal, eyeshadow in Vanilla, blush in Burgundy Rose.

9. Strictly Roots lip gloss (Strictly Roots, 159 Gerrard East, 416-757-1024, $5) is made from yummy almond oil and cocoa butter.

NOW | MAR 4 - 10, 2004 | VOL. 23 NO. 27

This is the local cache of the original story.