Origins

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As made clear by the tagline, "The Genius of Nature™" this line of beauty and wellness stores is all about using natural ingredients to look and feel great. Scented with the soothing aromas of herbs like mint or lavender, the boutiques are filled with an ever-growing array of skincare and bath and body products, fragrances, and cosmetics, all made with components like pomegranate, clay, and highly antioxidant white tea. Pun-heavy product names like "Night-A-Mins" and "Matte Scientist" keep the mood light, and lifestyle items such as massage rollers, candles and even gum balls add an extra touch of fun to the mix. Unlike some beauty stores, there is nothing intimidating about Origins. Browsers could spend hours here just sampling the testers, which are typically available for every product, and sinks are provided so the sticky stuff can be washed off. Even more user-friendly: If you take something home and decide it's not right for you, you can bring it back—even if it's been used—and a staff member will help scope out something better suited to your needs. As part of its commitment to Mother Earth, Origins uses recycled materials whenever possible in its packaging, and avoids aerosols and animal testing. — Amanda Theunissen