Gone are the days when “natural mineral make-up” meant women looked like they had mud on their cheeks. New color formulations help women create their own signature look, safe in the knowledge that they’re reducing their exposure to questionable chemicals.
Natural mineral make-ups are formulated without chemical dyes, fragrance, mineral oil, parabens and preservatives—all of which can be irritants at minimum and toxic in the worst-case scenario. Parabens, for example, have been associated with disruption of hormones.
Containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, mineral make-ups offer sufficient UV protection for running around doing errands, though not enough for your tropical winter beach vacation. Zinc oxide may also be healing for irritated skin.
The downside of mineral make-ups is that they can clump in fine lines and wrinkles. Be sure skin is adequately hydrated and moisturized, and apply makeup with a light hand. Alternatively, look for cream make-ups formulated with mineral pigment in a natural oil base. Look for mineral foundations and powders as well as eye and cheek tints.
In Living Color
Lush lashes start with moisturizing castor oil and strengthening neem leaf extract combined with candelilla wax, beeswax and rose wax. Iron oxides and other minerals mix together to create mascara ranging from traditional black to flirty purples and greens.
Seal the deal with a tinted lip balm. These essential day-time beauty basics combine nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, beeswax, organic coconut oil, or shea butter with iron oxides and mica to create a kiss of color that simply pumps up your natural shade. Look for tints ranging from light corals and pinks to deep reds and plums.
Take it to the tips with water-based nail colors. Gone are the days of inhaling toxic fumes just to liven up your nails. Free of acetone/acetate, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and toluene, water-based colors apply beautifully in two light coats and are easy to take off with non-toxic, biodegradable removers. You can find safe candy colors for little ones through to natural taupes, roses and sensual reds for every adult occasion.
