Inspired by my interest in environmental education for children, I've teamed up with Global Green to support their new Green Schools for Southern California Initiative. Green schools connect students and teachers to the natural world, reduce operating costs, and reduce overall impact on the environment. Global Green takes the kind of balanced approach to environmental issues that I respect, and I'm honored to be part of their team.

When creating our cosmetics formulas, I worked with the Environmental Working Group's website Skin Deep. Their vast database on raw materials was instrumental in helping me choose the most non-toxic ingredients for our products.

When starting the line, I knew I wanted to avoid using toxic ingredients such as parabens and petrochemicals. Therefore, I aligned Josie Maran Cosmetics with The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a national coalition of women's, consumer rights and environmental health organizations. We are a signatory to their Compact for Safe Cosmetics – a meaningful commitment to eliminate carcinogens, mutagens and reproductive toxins from personal care products. Over six hundred companies have now signed the Compact.

Josie Maran Cosmetics is just getting started, but it is our goal to be known for the responsible choices we make. Our products, packaging and processes are only the beginning, as we endeavor to broaden our scope of responsibility each day. Our efforts include small but important steps – printing only when necessary and using recycled paper and eco-friendly products in our day-to-day operations. Our display units at our retail counters have been constructed from sustainable materials and we do our best to be responsible in our manufacturing and shipping materials. We learn as we go and these things take time, but we're getting there.

I want to prove that a cosmetics company doesn't have to sacrifice luxury and performance in order to create products that are kind to the natural and social environment. And if we make the world– not to mention women's cheeks and lips– a little rosier while we're at it, even better.