Organic products create natural look
By Jennifer McDaniel Special to the Kansan
Many men and women of the '90s are concerned about their bodies and the environment.
This is fashionable as well as politically correct. And this spring is no different.
Some people are turning to personal-care products that are natural and environmentally sound. Most are made with ingredients that come from fruits, vegetables, flowers, mint and herbs.
"Although it is fashionable right now, I think most of our customers are using these products because they are truly environmentally conscious," said Irena Voykhansky, employee at Natural Way Natural Fiber Clothing, 820 Massachusetts St.
Natural Way is a retailer of natural products including cosmetics and other bodycare aids. Although the store is 22 years old, it is as much a part of the recent green trend as newer companies in both the United States and Europe.
Kerry Wolff, store manager of The Body Shop at Oak Park Mall in Overland Park, agreed with Voykhansky.
"Both the environment and fashion come into play," Wolff said. "But, No. 1, if you don't have a good product, people aren't going to come back. So, I really don't feel that it is a fad."
One of the most common environmentally safe product lines is cosmetics. Companies such as The Body Shop International, BWC (Beauty Without Cruelty) and Aveda,
have been leading the way with their natural products since about 1990.
"The Body Shop has set that trend, and other people have more or less jumped on the bandwagon," Wolff said. "The Body Shop is very pleased that other companies are doing the same. That way, everyone becomes more aware of what's good for the environment."
In the past few years, mainstream cosmetic companies such as Estee Lauder, Revlon and Avon have released their own versions of natural products into the marketplace as well.
However, differences exist between these companies' products. Many mainstream products are not packaged in recyclable or recycled materials, and many cosmetics still are tested on animals. Also, most of their products still contain artificial preservatives.
However, companies such as the Body Shop and Aveda are different. All of Aveda's products and some of the Body Shop's products are naturally preserved. Neither the Body Shop nor Aveda test any of their products on animals.
"There are a lot of products that have been tested for years, and they don't need to be retested," Wolff said. "A lot of people believe you don't have to hurt a living thing for cosmetic purposes. Hopefully, other people will follow the Body Shop's example."
Since 1991, the change to "no animal testing" has become important for success within the entire cosmetics industry, so most companies now are using alternative
testing methods.
"I think The Body Shop's no animal testing policy has had a big effect," Wolff said. "Otherwise, other companies wouldn't change. There are also lists of companies that test products on animals, and some people won't buy products from those companies."
Many retailers also encourage package recycling. Body Shop customers may return packages and bottles of cosmetics and other body care items to their stores for recycling.
Voykhansky said Natural Way refills and recycles perfume and lotion bottles for their customers. The store also carries cosmetics, soaps, bath items and aromatherapy products.
"One of our most popular products is Indian Earth," Voykhansky said.
Indian Earth is a cosmetic that can be used either alone or mixed with other cosmetic products.
Other top-selling products at Natural Way include age-prevention cream, various bath and aromatherapy products and body lotions.
Two other Lawrence stores that also have natural body-care and cosmetic sections are Wild Oats Market, 1040 Vermont St., and Community Mercantile, 901 Mississippi St.
In addition to products such as those at Natural Way, these markets carry a large supply of environmentally safe products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, shaving cream, aftershave, shampoo and conditioner.
Wheretogo
Natural cosmetics and other personal care products are available at the following stores:
InLawrence
Community Mercantile 901 Mississippi St.
Natural Way 820 Massachusetts St.
Wild Oats Market 1040 Vermont St.
In Overland Park
The Body Shop
Oak Park Mall
95th and Quivira streets
KANSAN
Most of these products do not differ in price much when compared with similar name-brand products. In fact, those name brands might be more expensive than environmental products.
Although certain brands of the environmentally safe makeup may be more expensive than discount store cosmetics, most do not exceed the prices of products made by Max Factor, L'oreal or Revlon. Department store brands such as Lancome are more expensive than most of the environmental brands.(Does this need attribution?)
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SPRING FASHION • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN • April 6, 1994
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