January's O, The Oprah Magazine, offers a feature on natural cosmetics and what to look for if you're interested in going green with your skincare and makeup. They describe a few organizations that offer seals of approval when products meet certain criteria:

• Natural Products Association - This seal is granted to products that are at least 95% natural, and they define natural as coming from a renewable or plentiful source in nature. 60% of a company's products must meet their standards before any of said company's products can bear the seal of approval. Animal testing is forbidden. Their approved product list includes JR Watkins, Burt's Bees, Aubrey Organics and Highland Laboratories.
• ECOCERT - Similar to the Natural Products Association, they mandate that products must be 95% natural. At least 10% of those ingredients must be organic, and there can be no animal testing. Aveda and Physician's Formula are just two of the companies listed on their approved list.
• US Department of Agriculture
  - Their seal goes on prodcuts that are comprised of at least 95%
  certified organic ingredients. Those ingredients must be certified by
  the USDA National Organic Program. The USDA offers a handy fact sheet
  that explains exactly what can and cannot go into something to get
  their seal of approval. Animal lovers, take note: the USDA seal doesn't
  factor in animal testing.

Curiously enough, underneath O's spread on how to spot natural cosmetics is a blurb about umbrellatoday.com, which sends text messages to people reminding them to carry an umbrella on days in which rain has been forecasted. While this may be handy, I deem it decidedly unnatural. When rain is coming, use your sense of sight or even smell. Or watch the news or weather channel. Read the newspaper. Visit any of the myriad weather websites available. Or not.