I’m no makeup guru, but I am a cosmetic connoisseur. I’ve tested 25+ brands of non-toxic cosmetics, and only a very few have met my ingredient requirements and performance standards.
My philosophy is higher quality and less quantity — I prefer to have one excellent non-toxic lipstick than six chemical-laden ones. I keep my makeup routine simple and streamlined. I prefer a natural finish, and do not like my makeup to call attention to itself.
If you are currently switching to chemical-free cosmetics, and want to skip the trial-and-error product testing I went through, use this post as a guide.
Non-Toxic Makeup for Sensitive Skin
100% Pure Black Tea Mascara– available here. It provides lovely length and definition. It is susceptible to heavy rain or an extremely sweaty workout, however. It does contain gluten, so if you are allergic, I’d recommend their gluten-free Maracuja Mascara, available at the link above.
100% Pure Eyeshadow – available here – I use the dark brown shade as an eyeliner. I’ve had a good experiences with the other eyeshadow colors I’ve tried from 100% Pure. They are richly pigmented, satiny to the point of being nearly creamy, and suitable for my very sensitive eyes. I love the neutral shades in their Pretty Naked Palette.
Pearl powder – available here – Pearl powder has been used as a cosmetic for thousands of years in China. I use it as a loose powder. Read this post to learn how I use it as a face powder.
Primer and Foundation from 100% Pure – I use this Mattifying Primer and the Foundation Powder. I tried the creme foundations and tinted moisturizers, which are lovely for those with normal to dry skin types. The foundation powder is ideal for my oilier skin. I’ve tried many mineral foundation powders, and my sensitive skin tells me immediately which ones to avoid. Anything with bismuth oxychloride – an ingredient found in many mineral powders – is a no-go for me.
Alima Pure Mineral Concealer – available here – Most mineral concealer powders either irritate my skin or fail in their concealing abilities. This one is full coverage, silky, and gentle. If you have very light skin like me, note that the fairest shade is extremely fair. I’m the second-to-the-lightest shade.
Lip products – Again, 100% Pure is the winner for me. They list all their lip products here. Even many natural lipsticks contain questionable ingredients, but I always feel safe with 100% Pure.
I rely on just two lip colors to suit my mood. The Pomegranate Oil Lipstick in Foxglove, a neutral mauve-pink, for daily use. The texture feels as light and moisturizing as a lip balm. When I want glamor, I choose the semi-matte lipstick in Blood Orange, a deep red (pictured below).
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush – available here – For a satiny, dewy glow. I don’t usually wear blush. If I do, I just dab a little bit of lipstick on my cheeks (before powder), blend well, and call it a day.
Makeup brushes – I use the Eco Tools brushes, they are inexpensive and I’ve had the same kit for 4 years. You can get them on Amazon here or at most drugstores.
100% Pure Coupon Code
I’ve worked with 100% Pure to offer you an exclusive coupon.
- Visit 100% Pure.
- Check the Offers page for their current gifts-with-purchase and deals
- Get free shipping and free returns automatically
I hope you enjoyed this peak into my natural makeup bag. I’d love to hear what natural cosmetics you use and recommend!
I just discovered a makeup company called pacifica. Has anyone here used this? If so, is it safe for people with sensitive skin to use? I’ve been trying to find a makeup that works for me, but have had VERY little success. I have been using clinique for two years, but I’m noticing some NOT NICE side effects from the makeup i bought from them. If anyone has any makeup brands they can refer me to, I’d appreciate the help. Thanks.
I just starting working as a younique presenter and have had success with younique products and how they work with sensitive skin. You can check out the products and how they work on my site : http://www.youniqueproducts.com/JessieKelsey . Let me know if you have any questions about the products!
I went from clinique to pacifica and josie maran. Had allergic reactions to both. My friend told me Pacifica puts fragrance in their cosmetics and I looked at Josie Maran’s matchmaker and there is fragrance. I just ordered lipstick from VMV Hypoallergenics and am planning to buy a bunch of samples from Alima Pure. I’m hoping these companies work for me cos I have super sensitive skin.
Red 7 CI15850, Red 28 CI45410, Yellow 5 CI19140
Don’t these ingredients make you a bit nervous? Especially since women inadvertently end up consuming a lot of their lip colors inadvertently? I’ve found some great natural makeup alternatives but am still on the lookout for good lip color alternatives and I would love to try this brand but I can’t get over the synthetic dyes.
I would love to hear what you have to say about it.
apologies for not proof reading my message before sending it. I used the word inadvertently too many times.
A suggestion for your lipstick search is Red Apple Lipstick. Gluten free and free of any harmful stuff:) Good luck.
I don’t currently wear makeup as I lost interest in my appearance when my younger son died four years ago. If I ever do get interested in it again I’d probably go for Rejuva Minerals, Coastal Classic Creations, Crush Groove Cosmetics, Epic Mineral Beauty, Zosimos Botanicals, Red Apple Lipstick, and Primal Life Organics as I found my best foundation color matches at them and I like the ingredients.
So is Arbonne safe to use?
Please do not use Arbonne anymore. It is not as clean as they say. I am a beautycounter rep and I have done my research lol
Do you know if younique uses nanoparticles in their cosmetics?
I would like to ask do you have Aloe Vera in your products?
Lol, I see you’re fond of 100% Pure products. I am, too. (especially their lipsticks) Except for their foundation, I haven’t tried that before because I apparently have mica sensitive skin which is like torture finding a good foundation for. I might give their cream foundation a go, though, my skin tends to fair a little better with the liquid stuff.
Do you have an opinion on Lipsense? It’s all the rage right now, and everyone keeps saying it’s “totally natural”. When I look at the full ingredient list, I don’t recognize a lot of them. When I google them, they come up as “safe”/”non-toxic”…but I mean, they label sunscreen and aluminum-containing products as “safe”….so, I don’t know what to think.
From my research, Lipsense uses Parfum (which is considered “trade secrets” so they don’t have to disclose the ingredients) and parabens in some of their products. Parabens wreak havoc on our bodies. I started using Beautycounter about a year ago – and while their products work great, no complaints there – I am all about their mission of education, transparency, and fighting for laws to protect consumers. There are several really safe brands of personal care products and cosmetics out there, but I like supporting one that’s advocating for change for the entire industry!
What foundation powder color do you use, Lauren? I have fair skin and struggle to find a shade that won’t leave me feeling washed out. Also, have you tried the bamboo blur powder? I currently use arbonne mattifying powder and would like to find a replacement.
Yes, I love the bamboo blur powder! I use the 100% Pure foundation powder in the lighest shade — I’m very fair. I don’t use a full-coverage application of the foundation powder, but lightly applied it blends perfectly.
I’m buying two things from 100% pure, and I found out about them from your blog, I see you’ve mentioned a coupon code, but I’m unsure where it is.
Also recently bought the big berky water filter and collegen peptides, love your blog!