Annie Leonard, the woman behind The Story of Stuff, just released a new short film: The Story of Cosmetics. In the 8 minute video, she talks about our "toxics in, toxics out" cosmetics system and how we got to where we are. Here's the short, in full:

I also really like that she mentions a couple of times that maybe we don't need to slather on beauty products to feel attractive. Amen to that, Annie Leonard!

Get Toxins Out of the Medicine Cabinet

Pretty alarming, right? Conventional beauty products are chock full of toxic chemicals. Like she mentions in the cartoon, you can find (or make!) beauty products that are safer:

• Check out our green deodorant guide for some healthier options.
• Rather than something like Herbal Essences, which she mentions in the film, you might give no shampoo living a try! You can still have clean, shiny hair without all of those toxins.
• Here are five nail polish brands that skip the toxic chemicals.
• You can even make your own, toxin free perfume or cologne.

Take Action

Like Annie Leonard mentions in The Story of Cosmetics, voting with our wallets is great, but it's going to take bigger action to change the system. She's teamed up with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and launched a petition asking Congress to back the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010. The act would help eliminate chemicals like carcinogens and reproductive toxins from store bought beauty products.

So what do you guys think? Do you buy that these chemicals aren't concentrated enough to make a difference?

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by ladybugsleaf