Previous How Hippie posts:
This one discusses my experiencing switching to baking soda and apple cider vinegar for hair washing, making homemade deodorant and toothpaste, and using the oil cleansing method.
This one discusses going soap-free, my recipe for magical Sweet Orange and Jojoba Hair Oil, and tallow for skin care.
In my last How Hippie post, the topic of natural makeup speckled the comment sections. Many of you said you are switching to natural and organic brands of makeup. One reader recommended Jane Iredale makeup stating,
“[it's] probably not as natural as wearing NO makeup but that’s never going to happen for me.”
Bless your heart, my kindred spirit! I’m never going to go makeup-free, so I’m excited that we can collaborate to find the most natural solution to coddle our self-confidence and vanity!
Lauren’s Picks: Natural Makeup
Although my skin is improving (thanks to these 7 secrets which cured my acne without chemicals), I still deal with oily skin. Further, I expect my makeup to last through an uber sweaty ballet class without smudging. So staying-power is high on the list in my search for natural makeup. Additionally, my rather skimpy budget demands affordable products.
With that said, I just want to start with this disclaimer: I know the following products are not a perfectly natural solution. But what counts for me is that I can feel confident while minimizing the chemicals in my life.
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Everyday Minerals Concealer. Dark circles? What dark circles? Plus, it doesn’t settle into fine lines and covers acne scars. It does require a touch-up during a long or sweaty day.
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Reviva Labs Mascara. No joke… it’s less than $6.00 at that Vitacost link! Completely sweat-proof and relatively tear-proof. You can find it on Amazon, but it’s more expensive. Get $10 for Vitacost through my referral link here.
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Honeybee Gardens Eyeliner. It’s a lovely texture, but works best when you want soft, smudgy definition rather than a sharp line.
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Charcoal for eyeliner. I’m discussing another beauty use for charcoal below. I tried lightly wetting and eyeliner brush and using the activated charcoal powder for an eyeliner. It created a beautiful, hazy eyeliner but smeared after a couple of hours. This will probably work if you don’t have oily eyelids.
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Alba Botanica lip tint in Bloom. This tinted lip balm boasts a soft, flattering color and slight minty smell.
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For makeup brushes, I like EcoTools sets. You can find them in most drugstores, and the price tag will make you grin.
Review: Activated Charcoal for Teeth Whitening
Heather shared her natural teeth whitening secret over at The Healthy Home Economist. Immediately, I ordered some activated charcoal capsules on Vitacost. For the past few weeks, I’ve been using 1 capsule morning and night per her directions.
Results? I’m actually not impressed. I know many folks have seen a drastic whitening change, but not me. I felt like it was a waste of time, but not a waste of money since it was so inexpensive. Have you tried this natural method for teeth whitening? Have you seen better results?
Fellow Hippies, what do I try next?
I’m all about being adventurous when it comes to eliminating chemicals in my life and transitioning to a sustainable lifestyle. What are the hippie changes that you are making in your life? What should I try next?
Photos: from SXC
Thanks for these suggestions! I must say, I love my makeup and really don’t want to give it up, but the chemicals do concern me. I’ll have to check out some of these
Yay! Glad that these suggestions might be helpful to you!
Great suggestions! I’ve been looking for some natural makeup options. I’m also going to try out some of you suggestions for clearing up acne. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the tips Lauren! I’m into green beauty and love finding out about affordable chemical free options.
I just started using Honeybee Gardens eyeliner and mascara and I love them! There’s absolutely no difference between them and my old covergirl stuff…except that my body is probably happier to have all natural makeup on it.
As a hippie myself, I just started making my own blush and foundation using beet root powder, cocoa, nutmeg cinnamon and arrowroot powder…it’s pretty cool! AND you get to feel like a mad scientist while you’re making it…
Have you tried oil pulling or earthing? Two very interesting topics I’m going to add to my daily routine.
Thanks for the product reviews! I’ll be sure to try the one for dark circles. I recently started doing the oil cleansing method myself and got rid of my moisturizer with SPF. What do you use, if anything, as an SPF?
I love Evan Healy skincare. the best I used.
I haven’t heard of that brand… I’ll go take a look. I’m always on the lookout for natural skincare products!
Glad you aren’t afraid to tell it like it is, girl! So sorry the charcoal isn’t working for you. I thought it worked for everyone since that’s the only feedback I’ve ever gotten, so I’m glad to know!
It is an ingenious idea and I’m glad to hear that it works for everyone else! BTW, I’m still loving my tallow balm from your DIY beauty recipes… so weird but it WORKS like nothing else for dry skin!
Hi Lauren!
I have a few brands I love, such as RMS Un-cover up for concealer and Alima Pure for powder, as well as Vapour for lip and cheek tint. But I wanted to share with you and your followers that I found out about soooo many healthy alternatives AND real people reviews at No More Dirty Looks.
The site is all about natural beauty, finding what makes you feel beautiful and “healthy” beauty options. I don’t get anything for mentioning them, except the joy of sharing them with others! Check it out if you get a chance! Blessings to you!
May I ask how you label these “natural”? I have good “natural and organic” makeup products, except for mascara, and so I was excited until I clicked the link and read the ingredients. I would love to hear your explanation about this, as I really need a mascara that doesn’t have all that crap in it.
Thanks
Rebecca
You might want to try 100% Pure brand mascara. It’s not waterproof; but it’s fruit pigmented and has nothing bad in it at all! My 16 year old daughter and I have been using it for a while, and we love it!! Plus it smells delicious, the scent is slightly fruity in the tube- but you don’t smell it when it’s on your lashes. http://www.100percentpure.com/FRUIT-PIGMENTED-MASCARA-s/184.htm (And no I don’t sell the product or work for the company. I am just thrilled to have found a mascara with nothing gross in it.)
Now, I admit- if I went to an event where I might cry, I would probably buy some waterproof to wear for one day. Beats wearing it daily like most of us used to, I think!
I also like Evan Healy skin care but it is a bit more pricy. That being said, it only takes a small amount and lasts a long time.
I also tried Heather’s activated charcoal and I must admit, I have not been consistent with it but mainly because I can not tell a big difference.
I’ve tried all of the makeup products on your list (except charcoal as eyeliner) and love them! My other favorites are Ecco Bella FlowerColor Coverup in Beige and Hurraw tinted lip balm in Black Cherry.
Good morning…stumbled on your blog for the first time today and this article caught my attention (after the grain-free and butter-using recipes;).
into traditional foods, cleaning products, body products, makeup, clothes, etc…but my 2000 calorie max factor mascara is the One thing I haven’t been able to find a suitable substitute for…it just works soooo well. Open to suggestions?? 
Though improved health through improved diet has improved my skin significantly, I still LOVE makeup. I’ve tried everything under the sun and the only thing I’ve found that covers trouble spots, looks gorgeous, feels great and doesn’t ever cause me problems is Alima Pure. I found them about 4 years ago and I love everything they make…foundation, blush, eyeliner, (I don’t usually wear eyeshadow, but my friends get so excited when I pass the samples along to them), and lip tint. I highly recommend them! Now if I can only find a natural mascara that doesn’t bother my eyes and stays put. I have gone “hippie”
In my speedreading, I missed the mascara suggestion…I shall have to try the reviva…thanks!
Do you know how many ounces the Everyday Minerals concealer is? I couldn’t find sizes anywhere on the website and want to know if it’s a better deal than Bare Minerals (which I’m buying now), or if it’s a teeny, tiny pot lol. Also, have you tried their bases (or do you not use an all-over powder?)? Even though, at this point, I feel like I’ll never be able to go without makeup, I constantly tell myself and encourage myself that someday this journey will bring enough healing that I will have beautifully clear and glowing skin and I will be confident enough to go out bare-faced! I think you will, too =)!
I’ve been on my hippie transformation journey for about a year (my mom is pretty freaked out by it, so I must be doing well
), and just about everything I use is all-natural and organic, with much of it being homemade. For me, though, with where I am right now, price is almost as important as it being pure and natural. My current changes are making reusable tea bags, cheese cloth, and “paper” towels from organic, unbleached muslin. I’m also brewing up home cleaning products. I love that not only are these changes healthier for me and the environment, but will save me a lot of money! I can get bulk loose leaf tea from my local co-op for approximately 1/5 of the price of bagged!
Good luck on your journey! I love following along =)
I’ve been folllowing your posts on natural skin care, and though it was kind of rough at first, with even more breakouts than usual, things are really looking up now! I found that my magic combination is oil cleansing with coconut oil at night; honey cleansing in the morning; occasional baking soda with or without the honey on my face for a few minutes; and your witch hazel + cider vinegar toner. I added a teeny bit of oregano oil and rosemary, not sure how helpful they are, but they smell pretty good together and I feel like a salad.
Actually, the turning point for my horrible skin was the 21-Day Sugar Detox. By Day 21, it was a whole lot clearer. (I think getting rid of even the raw milk I was drinking and making into yogurt helped.) I’ve also made deodorant out of baking soda, coconut oil, and lavender and rose oils–it’s awesome! And the best lip balm ever with coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, and light natural flavors. I was always nutty crunchy compared to most, but now I have totally gone off the deep end. Thanks!! 
Lauren,
Have you ever tried TKB Trading Company? I think most of their products are chemical-free. They have many make-your-own makeup options.
Also, a favorite YouTube-er of mine, Leda Lum, has a recipe for lip-plumping gloss: castor oil + cinnamon and clove essential oils! It’s supposed to irritate the skin slightly to bring more blood flow to the lips. I think you can also use peppermint essential oil. I don’t have a personal review on this recipe, but I’ll be trying it soon!
Thank you for all the wonderful toxin-free makeup ideas!