The holiday season is upon us and Black Friday is moments away! With so many people suffering from health issues and everyone being exposed to chemicals that disrupt the natural balance of hormones, it’s no surprise people are demanding non-toxic and less toxic options for their cosmetic and skincare endeavors. These are some of my favorite products, and a current snapshot of my makeup bag after attending a 7-day Indian wedding in Mexico — congratulations A&N! These are the products that got me through incredible but long events, often with eating or drinking amazing food, and temperatures that felt more like July than November in the northern hemisphere.
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Clean, healthy skin makes the best base layer to any look. I am madly in love with this super convenient stick from Julep. It travels nicely because it’s a solid. After my skin is clean and dry, I opt for another solid option, the Petite Pluie Vegan Face Serum Stick. It glides on so smooth and brings the benefits of green tea and niacinamide.
Face (not the products in photo above)
Primer: I was a Smashbox Photo Finish Primer fan for a long time, but crosspolymers and propylene glycol don’t thrill me so I had to make a change. With somewhat oily skin, finding a primer that lasts more than 2 hours becomes a bit of a challenge. Two options I enjoy or Well People’s Bio Brightener Priming Serum and Pacifica’s Cherry Matte Mattifying Primer (Pacifica also makes a matching setting spray to really hold your makeup together.
Foundation: Well People Bio Stick Foundation might as well be called the skin vitamin stick with color. My skin ADORES this foundation. I don’t break out; the oil doesn’t come shining through. Heaven. I keep two sticks in my bag — one base color that matches my skin, one darker color that is used for contour.
Powder: Well People Bio Powder Foundation layers beautifully with the Bio Stick when I need full coverage. If I’m going for medium coverage, I like this powder with concealer or a BB cream. I use Well People’s Fluffy Face Brush with this one.
Concealer: For years, I have found great use from Pacifica’s Liquid Cover Concealer. It layers nicely on top of a pimple and provides great under-eye coverage. My only complaint with this otherwise fantastic product is that the design makes some of the product ooze out from where the lid meets the tube when it’s closed.
Blush: This one isn’t on Amazon, but the Well People Superpowder Blush Powder is magnificent. I went with the Wild Fig color and it’s so soft and lovely.
Eyes (not the products in photo above)
Eye Primer: A common misconception about natural or plant-based makeup is that it doesn’t have the longevity of conventional makeup. Sometimes that is the case, but if you treat your natural makeup process the same as the conventional application process, you’ll find a lot of products will stick with you. One of those great products is the Julep Eyeshadow 101 Longwear Eye Primer. This product packs serious bang-for-the-buck. I used this before layers of eyeshadow and powder at a wedding earlier this month and still had my non-toxic shadow in place when I woke up the next day. I know, I know, don’t sleep in your makeup. Sometimes it just happens.
Brows: This one is a *less toxic* option, but not non-toxic. Tarte’s big ego™ brow & root camo kit has been my go-to because it stays on my brows throughout the day and let’s me delay coloring my roots a little longer. Tarte’s websites states this product is “Always formulated without: Parabens • Mineral Oil • Phthalates • Triclosan • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate • Gluten”. I didn’t see it on Amazon, but it’s available through Tarte here. If anyone has a brow and root powder they love that’s cleaner, please drop it in the comments below.
Eyeshadows: Pacifica Beauty Stellar Gaze when you have space for the big 28-color palette; or one of the smaller nudes palettes when an 10-color palette is more appropriate. I have green eyes, so Purple Nudes is a win for me; Pacifica also offers Cocoa Nudes and Pink Nudes. The big palette thrills my somewhat minimalist soul because I feel like it gives me every color I would use in any situation, but organized into one container. However, if you spend a little time on YouTube or with a makeup artist learning technique, much can be accomplished with a few brushes, the 10-color palette, and geometry.
Eyeliner: Pacifica Beauty Natural Eye Pencil is my go-to. The black is a true black. It doesn’t move until I make it. Just don’t forget to pack a sharpener.
Mascara: Well People Expressionist Pro Mascara was the natural mascara I’ve needed for years. I tried at least 5 brands of natural mascara and kept returning to the reliable, but chemical #1 bestseller because my contact lenses were never happy. I just found Well People in early November and it is amazing! God did bless me with nice lashes, but the definition and extra length I get from this product is just…wow! If you wear contacts, you know what a nightmare it can be to have anything interfere with them. This mascara is an absolute game changer for me and will be a permanent resident in my bag.
Lips (not the products in photo above)
Lip Liner: Julep with a Trace Retractable Creamy Lip Liner in Sweet Truffle is the perfect neutral for me. I love the retractable design. The consistency is luxurious to say the least. I lined and then filled in my lips with this product and it kept my lips happy and colorful under a layer of lipstick all night.
Lipstick: Well People Optimist Lipstick is so saturated with color, you’d never believe it was a natural product. I went with the New Mystic to match my coloring and it gave me a well-hydrated pucker in a glorious shade that lasted through dinner. You know how those convention long-lasting lipsticks make you feel like you dragged you lips across the desert sand? Not this one! I don’t know how they did it, but they have mastered this product!
Bonus Ideas
Brush: Two of my favorite brush sets EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo and EcoTools Face Makeup and Foundation Set.
Nail Polish: Mineral Fusion’s Rose All Day is a beautiful pink-gold sparkly shade that serves as the perfect blend of festive and professional-appropriate neutral.
Deodorant: Zion Health’s ClayDry Bold Honeysuckle is one of my favorites. I also like their Warm Amber scent. If you’re looking to avoid aluminum exposure but find some of the more mainstream natural brands aren’t delivering the coverage you desire, you definitely want to experience this formula. Zion Health’s website provides this description: “Ingredient Highlights: Ionic Clay Minerals- Contains more than 57 trace minerals to help absorb odor and balance skin pH; Arrowroot- Absorbs moisture; Witch Hazel- A natural astringent commonly used to help absorb excess oil from the skin; Vitamin E- Sooth[e]s and moisturizes sensitive skin; Arnica Extract- Assists in skin healing; Green Tea Extract- Reduces hyperpigmentation”. It’s vegan and free of parabens and aluminum, as well.
Fragrance: If you’re heading for a more premium gift, this Sueded Oud from Clean Reserve is incredible. Clean Beauty Collective’s website states “Each and every fragrance is formulated with the finest ingredients. Whether it’s sustainably sourced or tried-and-true synthetics—we’re proud to say we always put you and the environment first. And we never test on animals. That’s our promise.” This particular fragrance is so sophisticated and elegant. I’m looking forward to exploring Clean Reserve’s other scents this year.
Hair Pomade: Perfect for gluing down baby hairs and flyaways (I have no idea why it’s marketed for men), this pomade from Badger is natural, USDA certified organic, and effective. It also smells like bergamot. Earl Grey tea fans, unite! It’s also gluten free, cruelty free, and water free, an important concept if you don’t enjoy paying for diluted products.
Less Toxic Gel Nails – At Home: *Definitely note on this one that this is a *less toxic*, not a non-toxic product.* If you haven’t heard about the dangers of chemicals in conventional nail polishes, acrylics, and gels, read this article where I’ve cited a collection of PubMed articles from the US’s National Institute of Health. Dazzle Dry’s Starter Mini Kit is a good way to give it a try. I like their multi-color flight sets for trying seasonal colors and having smaller bottles so I don’t have to throw out old, separating bottles of color later.
I hope this guide provides some guidance and assistance for your gift hunting adventures! Gifting non-toxic (and even less toxic products) is a great way to prevent endocrine (hormone) disruption in our loved ones and encourage healthy habits, often without sacrificing the fun and deeply saturated pigments of makeup.
Wishing you and your loved ones a healthy holiday and a successful Black Friday!