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Welcome to my beauty column! We will devote this space to a new product category for the month, be it body wash, nail polish, or bath salts. We’ll let you know which brand outshines the other in the categories of safety, environmental responsiveness, packaging, practicality, and results so that you can make informed choices about what you slather on, dust on, and lather up with. This month we take on lip gloss…

Spring has sprung and, as with the weather, makeup palettes have lightened up and brightened up. First step, ditch your heavy matte lipstick for a weightless lip gloss. Second, let go of the winter reds and say hello to the hottest hue of the season—coral, according to Chanel celebrity makeup artist Kara Yoshimoto Bua, who offers up her tips on how to apply the shade.

Whether you’re down with this uber-cool color or you’d rather stick to the still-popular pinks, be sure to choose a brand that’s safe. Lip gloss, like all cosmetics, is under close scrutiny. In fact, on February 2, 2010, Dr. Mehmet Oz aired the segment Dangerous Beauty: Dr. Oz Reveals Dangerous Ingredients in Your Make-Up—and he took lip gloss on!

The doc pointed to health risks associated with one compound that’s used in many lip glosses—Petroleum—which packs that shimmer we’re all after.

“Petroleum jelly is a byproduct of oil drilling, and when you spread it on your lips, you end up eating it, which is essentially the same as drinking gasoline,” according to Dr. Oz.

“The European Union has banned many petroleum jelly products, and experts are concerned they could be linked to cancer. Women with breast cancer have twice the levels of hydrocarbons (substances found in petroleum jelly) in their breasts than women who haven’t had breast cancer.”

Hmmm..okay, so no petroleum (or mineral oil, liquidum paraffinum, or paraffin oil, as these are just other fancy names for petroleum). Moving down the ingredients list, if you're allergic to the dye Carmine (many people are) or you oppose its use from a Vegan stand-point (it's extracted from insects), make sure your gloss does not include it (it's popular in red/pink hues). Finally, avoid harmful Parabens, which have been linked to breast cancer in several peer-related studies.

Now, get ready to pucker up and try on some of the most sensational lip stains we could get our hands on...

Burt's Bees Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss - Sheer Lemon

Safety:
• Has signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, but is not in full compliance

• Ranked 3 out of 10 in safety on the Skin Deep database (moderate hazard)

• Free of Petroleum, Animal byproducts, Parabens

Environmental responsiveness: This eco-mannered powerhouse is affiliated with a number of environmental organizations, including The Conservation Alliance, the Arbor Day Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition

Packaging: 26% post-consumer recycled plastic

Practicality: $7

Results: Yum! If you like the smell of citrus, the Sheer Lemon is a must! Even minutes after application, the eye-opening aroma makes you want to take a deep breathe and exhale. If it’s color you crave, try one of five other delectable shades, including the new Juicy Peach (pictured). Infused with sweet almond and sunflower oils, Sheer Lemon gives off great shine without making lips feel too slick. In fact, it’s just a touch gritty, but in a good way. Its smell, staying power, and affordability, along with the environmental responsibility of the company has made Burt’s Bees Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss my choice for Best of the Bunch!

Jane Iredale PureGloss Lip Gloss – Mimosa

Safety:
• Has signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics and enjoys full member status

• Ranked 3 out of 10 in safety on the Skin Deep database (moderate hazard)

• Free of Petroleum, Animal byproducts, Parabens; Carmine is present in the following hues: Iced Mocha, Pink Candy, Sugar Plum, Tourmaline

Environmental responsiveness:
• Supporter of Global Green (the American Arm of Green Cross International; GCI)

• Platinum sponsor of Teens for Safe Cosmetics “Green Spa” events

Packaging: Recyclable

Practicality: $19

Results: It glides on smooth and there’s a hint of peppermint and ginger that makes your lips tingle to plump your pucker sans chemicals (nice touch!). It’s shiny, protective, and natural. Botanicals include extracts of green tea, grape seed and pomegranate, all powerful antioxidants. This gloss has the shimmer, the staying power and the plump that I look for. I love this product. It ties with the Burt’s Bees brand I tried (above) as far as customer satisfaction. Since the Bee brand is a touch more practical, it won out, but if your purse allows for indulgences, choose Jane!

Everyday Minerals Naturals Lip Gloss – Spring Berries
Safety:
• Has signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, but has not met minimum requirements

• Ranked 1 out of 10 in safety on the Skin Deep database (low hazard)

• Free of Petroleum, Carmine, Dimethicone, Fragrance, Animal byproducts,    Parabens

Environmental responsiveness:

• Cruelty-Free, Vegan

Packaging: Recyclable

Practicality: $4

Results: The first up side of this product, made by Everyday Minerals, is the price. At $4, you can’t beat trying it (especially since the company will refund your money if you’re not 100 percent satisfied). Second, this is an all-natural formula that’s completely vegan. It’s packed with hydrating sunflower oil, vitamin E and pomegranate seed oil that is sourced from the rain forest of Brazil. The gloss glides on easily, providing good coverage and moisture. It’s not sticky in the least. As a trade-off to these wonderful benefits, the shine-factor is a bit dull, so if shimmer is a must, you might have to skip it.

100% Pure Sorbet Lip Gloss – Acai Berry

Safety:
• Has signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, but has not met minimum requirements

• The company’s lip gloss is not ranked on the Skin Deep database

• Free of Petroleum, Carmine, Animal byproducts, Parabens, Gluten

Environmental responsiveness:
• Cruelty-Free, Vegan

Packaging: Recyclable

Practicality: $15

Results: My first experience with 100% Pure came last month when I had the opportunity to review the Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening 100% Natural Mascara. I was so impressed that I had to try out more great products from this company! The lip gloss did not disappoint. It went on smoothly and looked super glossy. The color showed off well on my olive skin—providing just enough real fruit pigment (including raspberry, strawberry, and Acai Berry) for a nice touch of deep, yet sheer, color. However, the gloss faded a BIT to soon.