Portland, OR-based company Pacifica was started by co-founders Brook Harvey and Billy Taylor, offering phthalate-free candles and body products. In 2007, Pacifica became carbon neutral by reducing carbon pollution wherever possible, planting trees to counteract unavoidable emissions. They also use soy, which is a clean-burning substance, and embrace the 4 R’s as much as possible: reduce, reuse, recycle, and re-evaluate.

Try Pacifica’s newest fragrance, Malibu Lemon Blossom ($8.95), which comes as a solid in a chic, convenient, travel-sized tin and smells of summertime and citrus. They also have a heavenly selection of Spray Perfumes in scents like exotic Sandalwood ($19.95), as well as creamy Body Butters in light, clean scents like Tahitian Gardenia ($15.95). To complete the setup, try their Natural Soaps, which are vegan and biodegradable, in pretty scents like Waikiki Pikake ($6.95).

Pacifica products come in beautiful, aesthetic packaging and are perfect as a gift or as a present for your wonderful self! You can find Pacifica products at Pharmaca, Anthropologie, Whole Foods, Border’s, Lighthouse Books in Boulder, or on their website at www.pacificacandles.com.

Honeybee Cosmetics

For some great summertime cosmetics, try Honeybee Gardens. This Pennsylvania-based company started in 1995 and over ten years later, Honeybee’s products can be found in health stores and through natural product distributors. Company founder Melissa Hertzler began by taking her herbalist knowledge into the kitchen to create homemade products for the skin and face. The company guarantees all of its products, and supports many important charities and shelters by employing the mentally and physically challenged. Honeybee also donates product to the homeless and shelters for abused women.

One of their greatest products is their line of water-based nail colors that are free of formaldehyde, toluene, and the super-toxic offender, dibutyl phthalate. Try a light, shimmery pink like Fairy Dust ($6.99). Honeybee also offers Truly Natural Mascara ($9.99), which is made from beeswax and contains no parabens. The same is true of their JobaColors Eyeliner ($6.99), which glides on smoothly and evenly. Top it all off with shimmery Luscious Lipgloss ($8.99) in naturally yummy flavors like watermelon and mango.

You can order Honeybee products online at www.honeybeegardens.com.

Mode de Vie

This Canadian/French/American company was created in 1993 and works with one main ingredient in all of its products: certified organic shea butter, harvested and directly imported from Africa. And I must say, I think that Mode de Vie’s products might just be the best damn products you can find on the shelves today.

The Original Shea Butter Soap ($14) has a mild scent, lasts forever, and doesn’t dry out your skin. The Body Lotion ($24) is light, absorbs quickly, and feels great on your skin. Did I already mention that Mode de Vie’s products are paraben-free? If you really need some deep moisture lovin’, try the Karite Oil ($25), which is pure, unscented liquid shea butter that is a great massage oil or moisturizer for skin and/or hair. And of course, the Shea Butter Lip Balm ($6) might just be the one lip balm that I cannot live without!

You can find Mode de Vie products at Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage, and on their website, at www.modedevie.com.

- Anne Vickman, June 18, 2008