Last year, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics released a report stating that 10 of 10 face paints tested contained lead (a powerful neurotoxin) and other heavy metals. These findings fuel mounting concerns over the safety of numerous chemical fragrances, artificial colors, preservatives and other ingredients in body products (for children and adults).

But kids wear face paint, they don’t eat it, right?

Wrong. What’s applied to the skin is absorbed into the body. Think of body products (face paint, included) as skin food.

So what’s a parent to do?

Make you own, as we did today with New Day Northwests host, Margaret Larson. It’s super easy (and FUN!) and can be made with ingredients you likely already own and trust.

(Not sure if you do trust the products you own like diaper rash cream, or lotion, the base ingredient in our face paint recipe? Be sure to check out www.CosmeticDataBase.com).

Not the DIY type?

Purchase mineral-based makeup from EcoMom.com or TerraFirmaCosmetics.com.

Segment links:

Non-toxic nail polish:

www.hopscotchkids.com

Safe Face Paints (pre-made):

www.ecomom.com

www.terrafirmacosmetics.com

All-natural food coloring:

www.wholefoods.com

Non-toxic diaper rash cream:

www.weleda.com

Get the {eco} Look: Corey’s dress from Issaquah-based sustainable-designer, Lizzie Parker. Lynn’s artisan-designed, reclaimed felt necklace from Digs.com.

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Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

National Costume Swap Day was featured on Q13 (FOX) in Seattle!

Thanks so much to Macaroni Kid (Snoqualamie Valley) and friends for helping us to get up this “mock swap” for the shoot. Watch the video above, and click here for the whole story.

Have photos or video from your costume swap? Send them to us via e-mail and we just might feature you on GreenHalloween.org!

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Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Created by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources with permission from Green Halloween®.

What do you think? (We guess the title gives away OUR opinion…)

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Our interview on AM Northwest in Portland (filmed at the Portland Humane Society)

With Shaniqua Manning on Northwest Cable News

October issue of Working Mother

NPR  – Two segments: one with Rose Scott and one on Tell Me More

For a complete list of our 2009 press coverage, check out our latest Green Halloween e-newsletter.

November 15th is America Recycles Day!

Here are three ways you can celebrate while wrapping up your Halloween festivities:

1. Before dumping your Halloween costume, check out Earth911′s article, “8 ways to reuse your [Halloween] costume.”

2. Don’t toss your candy wrappers – upcycle them into cool and useful things. Here’s how to make runway-worthy handbags.

3. If you have not done so already, compost your jack-o-lantern, leftover candy and natural decor. Here is how (click to view):