My Winning Picks for Clean Make-Up
As you may have read in my post detailing why and how I made the switch to cruelty-free, non-toxic beauty products, I began my journey to ensure that products I use to make myself feel good (and oftentimes human) don't harm others in the process of being made and taken to market. I don't need lipstick that has to be tested on a little bunny to ensure it doesn't cause massive breakouts or adverse affects. Sorry not sorry.
As I began my exploration, I was shocked to learn just how many toxic ingredients are used in mainstream make-up products. (For a list of how these ingredients appear on labels, see the bottom of the post.) For example, formaldehyde and parabens are very common toxins used to prevent mold, bacteria + yeast growth in beauty products. They are known to be endocrine disruptors as they are easily absorbed by the skin and into the bloodstream. Aluminum, arsenic, lead, nickel and chrome are used in many eyeshadows as well as makeup brushes. Heavy metals are neurotoxins. And if you have ever had a bad reaction to makeup, it's likely due to a metal allergy. Synthetic colors are derived from coal tar and petroleum. Yep. The EU has banned their use as they are viewed as a carcinogen. Mica/muscovite is used as filler for cement and asphalt as well as mineral powders and foundations. Hmmmm. Even fragrance can be a doozie; they're often created by mixing many chemicals together. There are a number of sources to further learn about this. I really like the Environmental Working Group and Safe Cosmetics.org.
There is good news! There are a LOT of non-toxic options available out there. And like the skincare products, they work just as well if not better than mainstream drugstore or department store products. I started to experiment with products that I like to have in many colors - eyeshadow, eyeliner, lipstick. Then I moved to blushes and finished with foundation/powder. Below is what I use in the order I use them. I included reasons why I like each product and what they replaced from my previous regimen.
- Vapour Beauty Stratus Soft Focus Skin Perfecting Primer + Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation. Primer is important to use with natural products as it helps to set your foundation, powder and eyeshadow. This primer is so similar to the Dior one I used (and loved). The soft focus foundation is light and so easy to blend. I recommend trying a few samples to get your correct shade before buying a whole bottle. (The foundation comes in almost 20 shades so layers of all skin tones can be accommodated.) I never used foundation before this but love it because it is light but provides great, natural-looking coverage. Some days, I use the Vapour Primer with a little RMS "Un-cover Up" instead of foundation.
- SWAPS: I used the Dior Dreamskin primer, Dior BB Creme and Trish McEvoy mineral powder as my base.
- Eyeshadows are so fun and I love playing with colors. That said, given I have sensitive eyes and wear contacts, I have always had to be careful with the shadows I use. My favorite are the Alima Pure Pressed Eyeshadows. They feel like silk on your eyelids. And like all natural products, can easily be layered if you want a concentration of color. These last all day for me. I also like the Alima Pure eyeliners a lot. I wear the Merlot color all the time as well as Indigo. The other shadow I really like is the RMS Beauty Swift eye shadows. RMS has a larger color selection, with some super fun shades!
- SWAPS: I used Chanel, Dior, Clinique, Trish McEvoy and many other eyeshadows and eyeliners. I think the natural ones perform better with more pigment and better all-day wear.
- After a quick eyelash curl, I apply Lily Lolo Mascara if I want a thicker, evening look and W3LL People Expressionist Mascara otherwise. I love it. Vegan, so clean and no clumps. It doesn't run for me at all and stays on all day.
- SWAPS: For a thicker, evening look, I used (and loved) Dior's Diorshow. Lily Lolo has the same effect for me. For everyday, I used Revlon's Great Lash.
- I have always worn blush but highlighter is new to me. It's amazing what a little highlighter can do for you! This is where my RMS Beauty products come into play. The Magic Luminizer was essentially a life changer for me. A little above my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose and on the arches of my eyes and bam - I look natural and awake! (There are several shades of Luminizer so be sure to pick what's best for your skin tone and the season.) I then use Lip2Cheek blush which can also be used as a lip stain. I use a few colors; right now I am wearing Diabolique which looks so much darker in the pot than on my skin.
- SWAPS: I loved Nars blushes.
- Ok, I am almost done at this point. But can't forget about my eyebrows. They can sure get unruly at times. I start by using Glossier Boy Brow in clear to "style" my brows (i.e., control them) and then my new favorite product - Plume Science Brow Pomade - to color in the gaps in my brows. I did not think I needed this. Then I tried it. I now never leave the house without applying it. (Bonus: it comes with the perfect applicator tool.)
- SWAPS: none! Both new to me and I love them.
- Lastly, on warm days, I use a little of the RMS Beauty "Un-cover Up" and a few sprays of Josh Rosebrook's Hydrating Accelerator to finish up. You just need a little dusting and it helps set your makeup for the day. I also use Ilia Beauty's Moondance Powder throughout the day; it has spf20, is easy to apply and reduces shine.
- SWAPS: none! New to me.
- For lipsticks and glosses, I use a number of them! My favorite for lipstick is Kosås. I have used all but one of their colors! The formulation makes for a smooth application and the scent is so yummy. I also really like Vapour Beauty's Siren Lipstick and Elixir Lipgloss. The gloss is light and smooth in texture with a fantastic scent.
- SWAPS: I used Dior lipsticks and Chanel lipglosses for years. These are just as good if not better.
- Nail polish and remover are the worst of the worst when it comes to toxicity. So many of us want beautiful nails and we are lucky that new, clean(er) brands are popping up. You'll see them advertised as 8-free, 10-free, 5-free, etc. This indicates how many typical-to-nail polish toxic chemicals their formulations are free of. I personally like Sundays (10-free), TenOverTen (8-free) and Habit . Each is cruelty-free. vegan and made in the USA.
- SWAPS: I used OPI and Essie nail polishes.
- Lastly, the brushes. Chances are the brushes you use to apply make-up are made of horse hair. Switch to synthetic. RMS Beauty makes great ones!
I shop as often as I can at Take Care Shop, a fabulous clean beauty shop in Washington, DC. But you can also shop online with each of these brands or via multi-brand shops such as The Detox Market and Follain, my two favorites. All offer free samples, discounts to purchase the full product after the sample and consults to help you choose what's right for you based on complexion and skin type. Most of the companies in this space are small businesses owned by women who are committed to the "clean beauty challenge". A number have partnered in speeches on the Hill about the importance of reducing and eliminating the toxins used in products. I love supporting their businesses and the cause.
The switch to clean make-up is fun. Jump in and see for yourself!
Acronyms to be on the lookout for on your labels:
- Formaldehyde can be listed as formaldehyde, quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, hydroxymethylglycinate and urea, to name a few.
- Fragrance is listed as fragrance, essential oils, perfume and parfum. Sometimes it's not listed.
- Heavy metals are sometimes not listed. When they are, you'll see them as acetate, chromium, sodium hexametaphosphate, to name a few.
- There are so many parabens but they usually have -paraben tacked onto the end of the word.
