Now that my Clean Beauty experiment is in full swing, I figured it’s about time we talked about natural and non-toxic makeup. Replacing my skincare was definitely a priority, but considering I wear makeup roughly every other day, it was the second most important thing to address. Color cosmetics stay on the skin all day, and it makes perfect sense that ingredient-conscious consumers would shop for healthier options.
Over the past few weeks I had the privilege of trying some really great products from brands I’d never even heard of before. I also discovered the world of mineral cosmetics! Until now, the only mineral makeup brand I tried [that I can think of, at least] was bareMinerals, and something in their products irritated my skin, so I kind of assumed that mineral cosmetics just aren’t a good fit for me. Apparently, I had a reaction to one of the ingredients they use, and so did many others. So I decided to give other brands a chance, and found some winners – enough for a complete makeup routine.
P.S.: The photo is unretouched, and the colors are true to life.
Another misconception I had about natural and mineral makeup is that it’s probably boring. I wrongfully assumed that all the fun and vibrant colors come from icky synthetic chemicals and dyes, but a couple companies proved me dead wrong. However, today I wanted to show you my quick everyday look that I quickly threw together to go to lunch with my family.
A quick note before you read further: It’s almost impossible to find an all-green formula for certain types of makeup products, especially things like foundations and concealers. While my picks are not 100% perfect, they are a lot cleaner than the vast majority of conventional products available at drugstores and department stores. With 1-3 potential triggers instead of a dozen or more, it’s a worthy compromise. On the other hand, it’s very easy to find all-natural and all-green formulations for cream and liquid products like lipsticks, cream blushes, and lip glosses.
FACE:
First I prepped my skin with 100% Pure Mattifying Primer, which made the surface smooth and shine-free. What I love about this primer is that it doesn’t make my face feel tight and uncomfortable, like some mattifying primers do. I also couldn’t believe it’s silicone-free, because it sure felt a tad slippery, but it was all the works of squalane, aloe, and glycerin. Definitely recommended for combination and oily skin!
Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Juice) Leaf Extract, Glycerin (Vegetable Glycerin), Olive Oil Squalane, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Euphorbia Cerifera Cera (Candelilla Wax) Camellia Sinensis (Organic Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Silica, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Seaweed Collagen, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract, Oregano Extract, Thyme Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower And Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract.
For my foundation I mixed IDUN Minerals Norrsken Pure Mineral Illuminating Foundation in Jorunn and Benecos Natural Light Fluid Foundation in Dune. Jorunn is actually a pretty good match for my skin in terms of lightness, but I wanted to mix these two to add more warmth and get a better color match, and I think my concoction was spot on.
Ingredients – IDUN: Aqua, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cera Microcristallina, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Seed Oil, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, Phenethyl Alcohol, Mica, Magnesium Sulphate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium Edta, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Ingredients – Benecos: Aqua (Water), Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Flower/leaf/stem Water, Glycerin, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Parfum (Fragrance), Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Tocopherol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Linalool, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Cinnamate, [+/- (May Contain) Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491 (Iron Oxides) , Ci77492 (Iron Oxides), Ci77499 (Iron Oxides)
I also used NU Evolution Camouflage Cream in Nude to conceal dark undereye circles and a couple hyperpigmentation spots that were peeking from underneath the foundation. This concealer is crazy pigmented, and you only need a small dab for total coverage.
NU Evolution is a new brand for me, but so far I am very impressed with the pigmentation and the performance of their products. The company formulates everything without using parabens, phenoxyethanol, dimethicone, talc, propylene glycol, bismuth oxychloride, artificial dyes, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, mineral oil, and gluten. They’re also vegan and cruelty-free!
Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI-77891), Iron Oxides (CI-77491), (CI-77492), (CI-77499), Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract.
EYES:
I normally do my eyebrows before I do the rest of my eye makeup, and for this look I was rocking Jane Iredale GreatShape Eyebrow Kit in Brunette. It’s the perfect duo of neutral, slightly ashy-toned medium brown powder and a special wax to shape and seal the brow hairs.
Ingredients – Powder: Mica, Zinc Stearate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Dimethicone, Pinus Strobus (Pine) Bark Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract.
Ingredients – Wax: Isopropyl Jojobate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Mica, Stearic Acid, Tribehenin, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
On my eyelids I am wearing several colors from Mineral Fusion Stargazing Palette. There are six of them and they aren’t named, so I’ll just use numbers from left to right. I used the pan #2 [rosy nude] all over the lid to start with, then added pan #4 [shimmery bronze] in the outer half, and pan #3 [shimmery rose gold] in the inner half of the lid. I also added a little bit of color from pan #5 [light shimmery taupe] in the corner of my outer lid and along the bottom lashes, focusing on the outer corners. Lastly, I dipped a flat liner brush in water and lined my eyes lightly with dark brown matte shade from pan #6.
I couldn’t find the ingredient list for this particular palette, but the majority of Mineral Fusion products are EWG-verified, so I have no doubts that this one also contains skin-safe ingredients.
On my lashes I’m wearing 100% Pure Maracuja Mascara in Black Tea. To be honest, I find the formula a tad clumpy, so I always have to brush it out several times. However, it holds the curl well, and doesn’t give me raccoon eyes by the end of the day.
Ingredients: Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Coconut Stearic Acid, Pantothenic Acid (Pro-vitamin B5), Fucus Vesiculosus (Seaweed) Powder Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Passiflora Alata (Maracuja) Seed Oil, Extracts of Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Juice) Leaf, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Powder, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Powder, Coffea Arabica (Coffee Beans) Seed, Origanum Vulgare (Oregano) Leaf, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal), Passiflora Alata (Maracuja) Seed, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower and Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Vegetable Glycerin, May Contain Iron Oxides.
CHEEKS:
On my cheeks I’m wearing Tata Harper Volumizing Lip and Cheek Tint in Very Charming. It’s such a lovely rosy hue, and it feels amazing on both my lips and cheeks. I like that it’s easy to control the intensity of the color, so I can make it as bold or as natural-looking as I want. Tata Harper is a luxury brand known for their natural and non-toxic formulations, so I am hoping to try more products from this impressive lineup.
Ingredients: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit extract, Caprylic/Capric/Triglyceride, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis (castor) Seed Oil, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire d’abeille, Titanium Dioxide, Olus/Vegetable Oil/Huile végétale, Mica, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Seed wax, Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) seed oil, Palmitoyl Isoleucine, Euterpe oleracea (Acai) fruit oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Carmine, Octyldodecanol, Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender) Extract, Arnica montana (Arnica) Extract, Borago officinalis (Borage) Leaf Extract, Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria (Meadowsweet) Extract, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Jojoba Esters, Alumina, Silica, Trihydroxystearin, Iron Oxides (C.I. 77492, C.I. 77491), Natural and Organic flavors.
I also used Orglamix Cream Luminizer in Illume to add subtle sheen to my cheekbones and cupid’s bow. You can’t really tell in the photos, but it’s there! I can see the shimmer when it reflects the light at certain angles.
Ingredients: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Euphorihia Cerifera (Candellila) Wax, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Extract. May contain [+/-]: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica (CI 77019).
LIPS:
On my lips I am wearing Mineral Fusion Lipstick Butter in Honeysuckle. I love everything about this beautiful shade! It’s the perfect everyday color, and it looks so flattering! These lipsticks are EWG-verified, so they are guaranteed to be clean and non-toxic.
Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Vegetable Oil, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Nut Oil, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E). MAY CONTAIN (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide.
P.S.: This photo is also unretouched to show the makeup as it appears in real life.
I don’t write a lot of makeup look posts, so I hope you liked this one. I must say, switching to cleaner makeup options didn’t make my routine any less exciting. The only troubles I am having right now is finding the right shade of foundation and concealer. So far only IDUN Minerals came close to a true match, so if you know of a similar shade with better ingredients, let me know!
What are some of your favorite clean & non-toxic makeup products? Have you tried anything from the brands listed in this blog post? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclosure: This post features PR samples and products purchased by Glamorable, and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to Disclosures & Content Use page.
