The Benefits of Eco Friendly Make Up

Eco-friendly cosmetics are healthier for your skin because they use all natural minerals and ingredients in their products so that there are absolutely no unnatural chemicals or substances in their make up. I wear make up nearly everyday. Wearing natural make up gives me a bit of peace of mind knowing that I’m not slathering on chemicals every single day (which, by the way, cannot be good for your skin in the long run).

All natural mineral make up is less likely to clog your pores, allowing your skin to breathe and decreasing the amount of blemishes you would have using chemically manufactured cosmetics. They typically use powder foundation and concealer instead of liquid foundations or concealers that tend to give you an oilier, greasier look and increases the chances of blemishes. Now, if you’re like me, leaving on make up overnight and forgetting to wash your face before going to bed can have tragic results in the morning. Natural make up decreases the chance that you’ll wake up with surprise blemishes. Powder also does not run, so if it’s hot you won’t have to worry about your face melting.

Another added benefit is that most natural cosmetics come with UVA and UVB protection. That’s a substantially impressive benefit considering the fact that sun rays damage and age your face with wrinkles, sunspots and discolouration more than anything else. Too much exposure to the sun can also cause skin cancer. Doctors recommend wearing a light sunscreen daily, but most women don’t–it’s extremely impractical wearing a layer of liquid sunscreen, foundation and powder. If anyone was to do that, the result would be an oily, heavy feeling all day long. With natural cosmetics, you can forgo the sunscreen and the liquid foundation or concealer and just wear powder all day. The result is a fresh, clean look. After looking at all the benefits, there’s really no competition–you’ll have healthier skin, less breakouts, a clean look, UVA/UVB protection and you’re face will feel light and fresh and you won’t have to worry about your make up running.

There is one precaution to take when buying natural cosmetics: avoid products containing the mineral Bismuth. Bismuth has been known to cause irritation in a small amount of people who wear make up containing the mineral, so it’s best to avoid putting it on your face. Most people are unaffected, but unless you are positive that bismuth doesn’t irritate your skin, it would be best to avoid wearing it.

These five amazing brands also refrain from any sort of animal testing. They are healthier for you, the environment and animals.

1. Aveda

Aveda has been a pioneer in natural skin care, hair care and cosmetics for awhile now. They offer a full range of skin and hair products as well as make up, and they’ve been a leader for a reason. Aveda has everything beauty related. They literally are a one-stop shop for all things beauty related and they have some of the most exotic and advanced skin and haircare products from around the world. You can take a hair and skin type quiz on their website that will help you learn more about your body and match you up with products that are perfect for you. The company does everything they can to be green, they’re the 1st company using 100% certified wind power, their one of the largest purchasers of organic materials and they’ve raised over 8 million US dollars for environmental and social causes. They’re a great company with great products that are healthy and effective.

2. Bare Escentuals

Bare Escentuals is quite possibly the most popular eco friendly brand around. The reason is because their make up is very high quality. I have many friends who have switched over to Bare Escentuals because it simply lessens the amount of breakouts and blemishes that occur. Their eco friendly line, Bare Minerals, is absolutely glorious. I, myself, wear Bare Minerals make up and I’ve noticed a huge difference not only in the overall health of my skin but in how it feels. Their foundation is so light and clean that it honestly feels like I’m not wearing make up at all. Their make up gives you a natural look. They tailor the make up to match your specific skin tone and skin type. I’ve never been more satisfied with my make up, my skin and my look. If you’re interested and would like to try on Bare Minerals before buying, drop by a Bare Escentuals near you and they can colour match your skin and skin type and show you what their make up can do for you. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

3. Burt’s Bees

While Burt’s Bees is not actually a make up line, it definitely deserves a mention. I use lip balm and lip gloss everyday.  Lip balms with chemicals in it can actually dry your lips gradually, so that you’re lips will start to need lip balm more often. Using lip balms with all natural ingredients prevents that from happening. I used Burt’s Bees, and out of all the natural cosmetics I’ve tried, Burt’s Bees made the most dramatic impact on the health of my skin. My lips don’t need lip balm any more, where before, I’d reapply every few hours. My lips don’t chap like they did before, and they never feel achy or dry any more. It’s really amazing and out of all of the products that I’m suggesting to you today, Burt’s Bees is probably the best. Burt’s Bees has lip balms and lip glosses in all sorts of colours so that you won’t have to apply lip balm and then lipstick or lip gloss. You can have both in one little stick and you can have lush, healthy lips as a result. Burt’s Bees also offers face, body, hair and baby care products that are also completely natural.

4. Josie Maran

Josie Maran is a major brand that’s green and makes amazing cosmetics. The brand’s slogan is “Luxury with a Conscience” and they’re right. The founder, Josie Maran, is a former supermodel who has made it her goal to create healthy make up that make women look and feel great, without using chemicals or harming the environment. Their products feel high quality and are all about the natural look. I personally don’t like to wear too much colour on my face–I really love the natural look, and Josie Maran products are really great at giving me that kind of look. They offer skin and haircare products as well. Everything they make is green, from the make up to the packaging, Josie Maran is really eco friendly. The greatest thing about Josie Maran make up is that it’s top quality, without chemicals and the adverse side effects that comes with wearing make up everyday.

5. Urban Decay

Urban Decay has been new on my radar, but my friends are obsessed with the line. The appeal of Urban Decay is in their amazing range of colours and the young, stylish look it creates. Where Bare Minerals’ strength is really in their foundation, concealers, bronzers and blushes, Urban Decay is unbeatable when it comes to eye and lip make up. My personal favourite is their eye shadow line. They have eye-shadow colours that are vibrant but sophisticated, and their range of colours is simply unmatched. I have a hard time putting on eye-shadow–I tend to make myself look like a raccoon–but urban decay eye-shadow is really light and easy to put on. The range of colours will really astound you. They also have amazing eye-liners as well.

All these brands are firstly producers of great cosmetics, skin and haircare products and secondly, green. I would buy from any of these brands even if they weren’t green because they really produce quality cosmetics that make me feel and look great. The fact that they are green is just icing on the cake. These brands will make you look and feel great and they’ll help the environment.  So in 2010, match your inner beauty with your outer beauty and buy eco friendly make up.

Did you know?

Eco-friendly make up is better for your skin. The natural minerals and absence of chemicals leads to less clogged pores, allowing your skin to breathe. Eco-friendly make up leads to a healthier you and a healthier environment.

-Miljean

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