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.

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How adorable are these Halloween crafts from Felt Playground?! I love the look and feel of felt and these are perfect additions to any Halloween goodie bags or during playtime and festivities on Hallow’s Eve. Be sure to check out Felt Playground for an array of  finger puppets and play foods for all occassions!

Source: Inhabitots

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.

According to the National Retail Federation, here are the top costumes for the 2010 Halloween season:

Children

• Princess
• Spider-Man
• Witch
• Pirate
• Disney Princesses
• Action/Super Hero
• Ghost
• Pumpkin/Vampire (tie)
• Batman
• Star Wars Character

Adults

• Witch
• Vampire
• Pirate
• Nurse
• Wench/Tart/Vixen
• Cat
• Zombie
• Fairy
• Athlete/Batman (tie)
• Dracula

Pets

• Pumpkin
• Devil
• Witch
• Hot Dog
• Bee/Cat (tie)
• Dog
• Superdog/Supercat
• Ghost
• Pirate
• Bowties/Fancy Collar/Bandana

The great thing is that most of these costumes (at least in the children’s and adult’s lists) can be made quite easily. If you don’t have already have the components to make the costume you seek, you may find the (gently used) materials you’re looking for at thrift store near you.

Find easy Halloween costumes (for people and pets) to DIY for at www.Instructables.com

Creative juices not flowing? Pick up a new-to-you costume at a costume swap near you.

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.

If you hadn’t heard the incredible buzz (including on Good Morning America!), the first-ever National Costume Swap Day is already a wild success.

With more than 65 registered costume swaps in the U.S. and Canada, there’s a lot of money and landfill space to be saved this year. Plus, swapping costumes is FUN!

Find a swap near you by clicking here.

Hosting a swap? Here are the how to.

Are you planning on attending a costume swap ?

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.