All-natural, organic cosmetics can be just as effective as conventional makeup. Natural makeup products respect the environment and protect you and your family from the harmful chemicals used in conventional cosmetics. Showcase your beauty the all-natural way.
Choosing Natural Makeup Products
Choosing natural cosmetics can be more complicated than you'd think, since labels and packaging can be misleading. Labeling laws aren't as strict for cosmetics as they are for food and nutritional supplements, so labels that say things like "all-natural" and "organic" may be blatantly lying. Look for products that are fragrance-free (since manufacturers aren't required to list the ingredients they use to make their fragrances), and read the ingredients list carefully. Avoid products that contain any of the following:
- Coal tar
- Ethyl Acetate
- Talc
- Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- Butyl Acetate
- Cocamide DEA/Lauramide DEA
- Parabens
- Diazolidinyl Urea
- Petrolatun
- Phthalates
- Toluene
- Sodium Laureth/Sodium Laurel Sulfate
- Triethanolamine (TEA)
Use cruelty free products; look for products that feature the Leaping Bunny cruelty free logo. Look for recycled or recyclable product packaging that's gentler for the environment (products packaged in glass and paper are preferable to those packaged in plastic). Look for water and mineral-based products since they don't contain many of the harmful dyes and chemicals found in conventional cosmetics.
Make Your Own Natural Cosmetics
Natural cosmetics, like conventional cosmetics, can be pricey. You can save money and still look gorgeous by making some of your own natural makeup products at home.
To make your own natural makeup, you'll need:
- Corn and potato starch
- Cocoa powder
- Powdered food dye
- Cinnamon
- Beeswax beads (available at craft and whole foods outlets)
- Beet root powder
- Sunflower oil
- A mortar and pestle for mixing
- Small jars or bottles to store your makeup
You can make face powder at home by mixing two tablespoons of potato starch and two tablespoons of corn starch, then adding a pinch of cinnamon. Add the cinnamon one pinch at a time, mixing it thoroughly into the potato-corn starch mixture and testing the color on the inside of your wrist, until you've found a shade you like. You can make eye shadow in the same way; for a rich, brown chocolate shade, use cocoa powder. For brighter shades like blue and green, use powdered food dye.
You can make rouge and lip color by melting one tablespoon of beeswax beads in two tablespoons of sunflower oil. Mix in beet root powder, one pinch at a time, until you find a color you like, and allow it to cool.
Applying Organic Makeup
Apply all-natural makeup the same way you apply conventional cosmetics. Choose colors that match and compliment your skin tone for a natural look, or use vibrant, shocking colors if they suit your fancy.
Source:
Leah, Charmaine. “10 Tips on How to Choose Natural Cosmetics.” Glamology.com. 21 January 2010. Web. 8 March 2010.
Marjorie McAtee - I hold a BA in English and French from Hollins University, where I spent the best years of my life. I've been writing since I was old ...
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