Streamline your products. All of those slick packages and clear, smiling faces know how to do their jobs. Just looking at a product suggests to you that you need it-- that it should be part of your regimen. But don't listen! The truth is, most women own far more beauty products than they really need. Concealers, for instance, aren't really any different from regular foundation; you can get the same effect from dotting foundation on your problem areas and letting it dry out slightly before blending. Look through what you own and decide what really needs to stay, and what can go.

Buy smart packages. The packaging of your product has even more to do with how "green" it is than what's inside that packaging. Some plastics, such as PVC (marked by a "V" and a recycling code 3), are even harmful to your health. Learn the different recycling codes for the plastics that are environmentally safe and recyclable, and look for those plastics when shopping for beauty products. Or, even better, opt for glass. Glass is always recyclable and has no nasty chemicals that will end up in your product (as with PVC).

Google the manufacturer. Going green is a hugely popular trend right now, and lots of companies want to be seen as jumping on the bandwagon. They know that a little leaf and a claim of environmentally safe packaging will attract plenty of potential consumers. But just because the packaging makes these sorts of claims doesn't mean the company really means them. When deciding between brands, take a minute to Google their manufacturing processes to see which has a greener reputation. Do they test on animals? Do they use environmentally- and health-safe ingredients? Choosing wisely not only gives you a superior product, it also sends cosmetics companies a message about what consumers want.