Behind the scenes at your favorite companies.

In August 1990, there was a silent but glorious revolution in the world of beauty. A novel cosmetics brand, fashioned for consumers interested in taking control of their health and happiness, was born. Origins—so named because of its belief in “looking to the past to find the future”—credits itself with being the first major cosmetics company to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of its patrons.

The Origins team wants consumers to come away with “a sense of wellness, inside and out, and the confidence that the products they’re using are of the highest quality and good for them,” says Jenny Belknap, director of global marketing for the company. “Our mission is to promote beauty and wellness through multisensory products and feel-good experiences. We do this by celebrating the connection between Mother Nature and human nature.” Ergo, one can transcend piecemeal pulchritude to achieve the mind-body-soul gestalt of beauty.

Although Origins products were initially available only at select U.S. specialty and department stores, the brand rapidly expanded into the international beauty market, and today its products can be found at more than 425 locations worldwide and more than 125 Origins stores in the United States. And now the company, which turned 15 last August, is embarking on an exciting new era. In October, Origins, together with integrative-medicine guru Dr. Andrew Weil, launched Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins. The line—dedicated to helping consumers achieve healthy skin—features a combination of topical and ingestible products, including Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Serum, Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Supplement, and Nite-trition Restful Sleep Supplement. In December, Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Cream will be available to those who wish to construct a natural defense against aging.

The brand’s numerous cosmetic, fragrance, skin-care, and bath-and-body collections gratify nearly every beauty penchant. The Cocoa Therapy line incorporates the salubrious effects of cocoa, vanilla, lemon, orange, and ginger, while the Sensory Therapy Chocolates by chocolatier extraordinaire Jacques Torres delivers indulgent doses of toothsome pleasure. The more mettlesome might try the Ginger with a Twist line, while stressed souls can decompress with Peace of Mind, which provides aromatherapy-based relaxation. If best-sellers are more your cup of tea, be sure to check out items such as A Perfect World White Tea Skin Guardian, Checks and Balances Frothy Facial Wash, A Perfect World Antioxidant Moisturizer with White Tea, Modern Friction, and High-Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral-Enriched Moisture Cream. New Origins offerings include Next of Skin Modern Moisture Makeup SPF 15, as well as hot colors for eyes, cheeks, and lips, extracted from flower petals.

Following recent press about a possible link between paraben preservatives—found in several cosmetic and personal-care products—and breast cancer, Origins now offers paraben-free makeup such as Once Upon a Shine, Brush On Color, Reflection Perfection, All and Nothing Loose and Pressed, Silk Screen, Lasting Lip Color, Quick Hide Concealer, Underwear for Lids, Pinch Your Cheeks, and Stay Tuned Foundation.

Not only does Origins nurture the mind, body, and soul; it’s also an eco-friendly company, committed to the “preservation of the earth, animal, environment.” So, if you’re looking to inject some heart and soul into your daily beauty regimen—whether you are a seasoned cosmetics cognoscente or a dilettante in matters of maquillage—Origins is a good place to start. No aerosols or petroleum products are used, no animals are tested on, and the packaging is recyclable. Now, that’s beautiful.

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