Paula Hible

These simple tips and smart finds make shopping a joy, not a chore. View the slideshow.

Lynda Churilla

It’s that time of year to make your list, check it twice—and hit the stores. Happily, some retailers today are realizing that shoppers want a healthy experience as well as bargains.

But which stores are doing a great job? We asked retail experts to help us review the top U.S. discount and department stores on “healthy” criteria, including comfort, cleanliness, customer service, and eco-friendliness.

There were some disappointments (health isn’t a subject some stores wish to discuss or care much about), but we were pleased to find 10 that are doing some smart things.

In fact, our winners are making shopping better for you in ways you can see (recyclable bags, healthful products, hand sanitizer) and ways you may not even notice (greener lighting and building materials, solar heating).

Before you visit our winners, check out our shopping kit to make sure you’re well-armed (comfy shoes! germ-fighting lotion!). Here’s to the stores that make your blood pressure go down.

Next: Discount stores

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Learn more about our expert shopping panelists:

J. Nick Baird, MD, is the chief executive officer of the Alliance to Make US Healthiest, a nonpartisan organization of national and grassroots efforts focusing on healthy initiatives for individuals, communities, industries, and on the government level. He is also a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director’s Advisory Council.<

Elaine Buxton is the president of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA), the largest professional trade association using anonymous resources to improve retail services. She is also president of Confero Inc., a national firm that measures customer experience.

Marianne Wilson is the editor in chief of Chain Store Age magazine, a monthly publication that analyzes trends, news, and strategies in the retail industry.

 
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Presenting the people, products, and trends that make healthy living easier, faster, and a whole lot more fun. View the slideshow.

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You can lose 10 pounds instantly with the right outfit. Here, designer Donna Karan shows you how. View the slideshow.

Sonja Pacho

The world’s most gorgeous colors—the deep ocean blues, earthy forest greens, fiery sunset hues—also happen to be the most flattering. Yet many of us avoid these makeup shades, finding them daunting. We get it: Any type of color on the face can be scary.

But there are palettes out there that can do wonders for your looks, according to New York City makeup artist Emily Kate Warren. “Once you find the right makeup shades, you’ll be amazed at how they wake up your entire face and make your skin glow,” she says.

To figure out which hues are most gorgeous on you, we developed three nature-inspired color categories that almost all women fall into: Sun, Ocean, and Earth.

Read the descriptive statements for each group on the following pages to see which you belong to, then check out the corresponding tips to discover a beautiful new look. Yes, it’s that easy.

Next: Are you a sun?

Over a decade ago, I hired a smart and sassy beauty assistant who I knew would one day set the world on fire. Kathy Kramer was the type of employee who was always coming to me with ideas—well, make that inventions—so I wasn’t too surprised that after she resigned from the world of writing lipstick copy she put all her energies into creating a belt.

Like Kathy, this was no ordinary belt.

The Invisibelt ($22, invisibelt.com) is made of a thin plastic, so you get the support of a belt but with a flat, smooth surface. Quite simply, you won’t see the trace of a bulky belt or buckle under thin sweaters or tops. I rarely wear belts, but lately I’ve noticed my shorts and capris have been gaping at the back and I constantly need to pull them up. So I took home one of Kathy’s new stylish designs and it worked great: no more tugging of my short bottoms, no more plumber’s butt. Best of all, the adjustable belt provides an instant stomach-slimming effect.

Kathy came to see me in my office recently wearing the ever-so-chic silver lace belt with white jeans. She left me with her latest creation: Invisibelt Girl. My 11-year-old daughter walked out of the house this morning wearing a pair of jean shorts that never fit properly—her Invisibelt, covered in cool purple peace signs, was doing a good job at holding things up.

If you’ve tried the Invisibelt, let me know what you think and email your thoughts to me!

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Trying to find that perfect summery shorts that also suits your body type? We found Aisha Perez shorts that flatter her hips and thighs. To see more about what styles are slimming and figure flattering, view the slideshow.

In the market for a great new jacket? I love a cool summer night after a long day spent in the sun, but I’m not crazy about the cover-up options available for women over 30. A heavy jean jacket? An oversized sweatshirt? Lucky for me (and you!), I’ve discovered the WindPocket.

It got its name because the jacket literally turns into a small carrying pouch if you pull it through one of its pockets. It took me a few times to figure out how to inside-out the thing (I had to turn to my seven year old for help!), but I can proudly say I no longer wrap my jacket around my waist when I’m not wearing it—I’ve always hated that look. Made of 100% nylon (which means it’s windproof and water-resistant), the super comfortable WindPocket is available in four colorful shades, my favorite being the turquoise blue. Oh, and the best part? The price—it’s only $29.50!

($29.50; landsend.com)

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Every time it rains, I wind up looking like a drowned rat. I am raincoat-less because I’ve never managed to find one that is both practical enough for runs but sophisticated enough to wear during my morning commute. And umbrellas? Let’s just say my bodega-bought versions don’t hold up well in wind. Well, all that was true until today.

Echo’s rain line is the perfect solution to all of my downpour doldrums. My top pick is the hooded, zip-front raincoat—it’s sporty, sleek, and, at $78, it’s also affordable.

And the company’s cute auto-open umbrellas are small enough to fit easily into my bag. Plus they are sturdy enough to handle harsh New York winds.

While it’s a bit bigger, I’m also partial to the larger, dome-shaped umbrella. It keeps my legs nice and dry, and the cute tie-dye design easily  brightens up even the rainiest days.

Available at echodesign.com

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