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Green is in. I don’t mean green shoes or cargo pants. I’m talking green as in Earth friendly. The fashion world is getting hip to eco-fashion; just ask Diana von Furstenberg, Levi’s, Bono, and H&M. Being that cotton is the most pesticide-dependent crop in the world and accounts for 25% of all pesticide use and according to the USDA, over 50 million pounds of pesticides are used on U.S. cotton fields in one year alone, it’s about time!

So, since going green is no longer a trend, but a necessity, I investigated what fashion and beauty lines (go natural, baby!) out there are doing the right thing by creating products that respect Mother Nature and benefit her children. Here are a few faves:

Makeup

Designed by celebrities, PlantLove by Cargo is a collection of lipsticks featuring lipstick cases made of corn that are greenhouse-gas-neutral. If that’s not enough, you can actually plant the box the lipstick comes in and grow wildflowers. ($20, sephora.com)

With every purchase of the Smashbox “Green Room Collection” Eyeshadow Quad, Trees for the Future will plant a Moringa tree in an emerging country that will aid in local food source, nutritional value, and cleaner air. The eyeshadow packaging is biodegradable or recyclable. ($32, sephora.com)

Also check out: Tarte’s Natural Swirl Cheek Stain; Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Blush

Skin & Hair Care

Juice Beauty is created by two women (of course!) who make their products from juices, plant oils, raw cane sugar, honey, aloe vera, and other ingredients. The Green Apple Antioxidant Moisturizer is phenomenal. In fact, their whole Green Apple line of products is all that. ($43, juicebeauty.com)

Hamadi makes hair products that are 100% certified organic with no artificial colors or scents. Hamadi boasts their line isn’t tested on animals, but on actresses. I love it! They also have incredibly handy travel packs in 5 different sizes. They’re known for all of their hair products, really, but make sure you check out The Natural Wooden Hair Brush. “The world’s a mess, your hair doesn’t have to be” is engraved on the brush. ($27, hamadibeauty.com)

Also check out: Koores; Modern Organic Products (MOP); Pangea Organics; Suki

Fragrance

Organically grown and harvested grapes from California are what make Rich Hippie roll-on perfumes so sweet for you and the environment. The flower extracts used are organic or “wildcrafted”, not artificial. If you’re into florals, try “Devotion”, made with French Lemon, Morrocan Verveine and Italian Clementine. Or for something a little more daring, go for “Rock Star” which has Indonesian flowers, Madagascan Vanilla Bean and Cove Bud. ($45, rich-hippie.com)

Also check out: LAVINALA Vanilla Grapefruit; Carol’s Daughter Groove

Clothing

This gorgeous, dark denim, knee length skirt comes by way of Del Forte Jeans designer, Tierra Del Forte. Her Marina Skirt is made of 99% organic cotton and 1% spandex and is quite stylish. Details such as fillagree buttons and a double pleated back add to its functionality. ($158, BTCElements.com)

Perfect for spring is the Ruffled Wrap Dress by Kelly Barry. Made of 100% bamboo jersey, the flirty wrap is pretty in pink or basic in black. ($120, BTCElements.com)

Also check out: Levi’s Eco Jeans and Kelly Barry’s Glamour Tie-Back One Piece Bathing Suit, both made out of organic cotton.

Accessories

Love, love, love these Low Top Sneakers by No Sweat. The company, which supports Fair Trade, makes inexpensive wear that is union-made and sweatshop free and boasts cruelty-free and vegan-friendly products such as these canvas babies. ($46, shopequita.com)

Also check out: Kris Nations jewelry line; Sew Pretty handmade handbags

Etc.

100% recycled and recyclable, vegetable based and biodegradable glues and inks, and mills run by reclaimed gases from landfills are the reasons the Eco-Friendly Agenda Planner by ecojet is a homerun. Not to mention how extraordinarily cute the agenda is! It features 100 sheets of lined paper and a week to view. ($18.75, delight.com)

Also check out: Jill Bliss paper; Envirosax Reusable Grocery Bags

Read up on environmental issues and take action. Every small step leads to big changes.