DigiGal checks out the technology behind The Body Shop’s hottest new eco-friendly products.

Been to The Body Shop lately? I have, and it was a revelation!

The pioneering natural, ethical brand held an event in Los Angeles at its store in the upscale Beverly Center to promote the launch of its new, limited line of eco-friendly, skin-healthy cosmetics, “Brush with Fashion.”

The first thing I saw when I approached the store were attendants offering refreshing mocktails and bite-size cupcakes. Yes, please! Then I saw the photographer. I’m no red carpet poser, but I did wind up in front of the camera. How? Read on…

I was quite taken with the packaging for the “Brush With Fashion” collection. It’s striking and modern, and every product comes with its own brush.

The design was created in collaboration with the internationally-acclaimed London College of Fashion (Jimmy Choo went there!). It gets better: The line incorporates marula oil, a natural moisturizer sourced from Namibia. In fact, The Body Shop’s Fair Trade relationship has enabled the Namibian women who make the oil to build their own factory and gain economic freedom. Now that’s girl power.

I couldn’t wait to try this line, and I got a coveted one-on-one session with celebrity beauty expert Shalini Vadhera. Her celebrity clients include Brooke Burke, Malin Akerman and Emmanuelle Chirqui. She used the Illuminating Face Base as my primer, then a swipe of bronzer as my blush. I asked her for a dramatic, smoky eye, and she immediately picked up the Limited Collection for Eyes in A La Mode. That was followed by Big & Curvy mascara on my upper and lower lashes. I have to say that I have extremely sensitive skin, and all of these products felt lightweight on my face and were completely non-irritating.

Shalini finished with a swipe of Hi-Shine Lip Treatment in Pink Cream and then sent me to the photographer to shoot a portrait/head-shot of me! Did they do a good job? Check out the results.

I asked Shalini what is the number one mistake young women make with their makeup. “Using too much!” she immediately replied. “Less is more and blend, blend, blend!”

I also got the scoop on the NEW, not-yet-in-stores Honey Bronze line. This stuff smells goooood. I loved the Shimmering Dry Oil. There’s also a lip balm, a bronzer (in three shades), and a face gel. And the bees that produce the honey? They are raised in the Bale mountains of Ethiopia in handmade beehives made of local bamboo. That saves bee colonies and prevents deforestation. Talk about sustainable!

OK, I admit I had another motive: to ask (beg!) The Body Shop to resurrect my favorite Banana Hair Conditioner. Lo and behold, it’s back!

If you’re like me, then you are also looking for beauty products free of parabens, sulfates and chemical dyes. I was very pleased to discover their new lines, Earth Lovers and Rainforest shampoo and conditioners.

One last, very important matter: I urge you all to support The Body Shop’s “Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People” campaign. As the third-largest criminal industry in the world, sex trafficking is trapping over 1.5 girls in modern-day slavery. You can go to their website right now to sign their very important petition to lobby for “Safe Harbor” laws in all 50 US states. Celebs such as Susan Sarandon, Robert Pattinson, Rob Lowe and Sienna Miller have already signed up.

Forgot to get a gift for Mom for Mother’s Day? Make it up to here with a Wise Woman starter kit from The Body Shop. She’ll feel wise to know you’ve learned better late than never!

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