Natural Guide to the Best Organic Makeup Brands
I am not a big makeup person- never have been. So if you are looking for a tutorial, find an actual makeup artist because I like sticking to just about the bare minimum. I usually stick with a tinted moisturizer, a bit of eyebrow product, and mascara (if I even use makeup at all!) So why am I writing a blog post about makeup??
Because when I use such limited products, I want ones that actually work.
I want a few products that are excellent! And of course, that are good for my skin and health. Here is my experience with some of the most popular clean makeup brands on the market.
The Importance of Non-Toxic Makeup
I think a lot of people forget that your skin is an ORGAN.. that means that a lot of what you put ONTO your skin is absorbed INTO your skin and subsequently, your bloodstream. Now if you have been around this blog for a minute, you know I am not about fear of "toxins". But I do think it is important to be aware of what you are putting in and on your body.
Ideally, our bodies are able to clear out these toxins. But living in the world we do today (with plummeting fertility rates, hormones issues, mental illness, and more at an all time high), it seems everything is artificially fragranced and chemically enhanced which inundates our bodies with A LOT of junk.
Several years ago, when I really got serious about my wellness journey, I was struggling with cystic acne bad. It seemed like the more products I used to try to cure it, clear it up, and cover it completely only made it worse. I took a holistic approach to healing my cystic acne from the inside out and haven't had any more painful cystic breakouts in over 3 years! Since then I stand by a "less is more" approach.
Some of the ingredients I avoid :
Sometimes looking at the ingredient list on products can be overwhelming- deciphering questionable ingredients and possible endocrine disruptors like synthetic dyes, artificial fragrances versus natural products and ingredients can make your head spin. That is why I have tried several different brands that can take the guess work out of it. When you find a good brand of clean beauty products, they take the guesswork out of it for you. Here are some of the potentially harmful ingredients and harsh chemicals that I try to avoid:
synthetic fragrances - not only can these be really irritating to the skin, but they have been shown to be endocrine disruptors meaning they make your hormones out of whack
phthalates- disrupt hormones and can harm the reproductive system
parabens- another hormone disruptor
formaldehyde- a known carcinogen
Again, I don't share any of this to spark fear or anxiety, but awareness. I think it is important that you are aware of the products you are using and making educated choices about what works best for you.
Related Reads:
My Favorite Clean Makeup Brands
W3ll People
This was a brand that I actually was first introduced to through Thrive Market. A couple of years ago they were giving away samples as their free monthly gift and I was actually really impressed with the concealer i got! The company stands by their clean commitment which includes their promise to uphold high standards within the beauty industry- no animal testing, EWG verified ingredients, Fair Trade Certified, and sustainably minded (this means they have sustainable packaging and work to ensure sustainable practices holistically). Overall I like what the company stands by and their products are good. Not my absolute favorite, but they work and may be right for someone that like a little bit more heavy coverage.
These are the products I've tried and my review..
I've shared my acne story and while my skin is SO MUCH better than it used to be, I ocacsionally will have a small pimple here or there. Mostly when I eat more PUFA's than my body is used to, or refined sugars, or being postpartum and getting hormones balanced again. And during those times I love having a bit of concealer on hand. While concealers are full coverage by design, I really liked that this one didnt feel heavy. It also didn't cake up or get really thick like other concealers i've tried in the past. While my first tube was a free membership gift from Thrive Market, I have since purchased it again on my own because it really was that good.
Like i said, im a less is more kinda girl. So i love that brow gels can offer a 2 in 1 product that fills AND holds my brows in place (because they can get a mind of their own). I really liked the color of this, but felt that by the end of the day there wasn't as much hold as I would have liked. The gel is VERY pigmented, so it only takes a little bit and it goes a long way which I appreciate! But if you want just a little more hold on your brows, maybe use a clear brow gel over it for a bit more ooomph.
I was really excited to try this one since I am usually a tinted moisturizer kinda girl, not a full foundation wearer. And to be honest-- I was disappointed with this one. If you like a little more coverage than this is great, but it was a bit heavier than I wanted. I also felt it was a little bit drying on my skin. I ended up mixing it with a face moisturizer to make it a little lighter and more hydrating and it was great! It just depends on your personal preference for coverage.
Ilia beauty
Now don't come for me.. but as popular as this brand is, i do not like it. I have tried several of their different products, and even though they claim to be great for sensitive skin, mine was notttt happy.
I felt like this was very oily? I have generally mixed skin type- not really oily or dry- but I feel like any time I used this my skin would be really greasy looking by the afternoon
Again, I am not sure if it is just their formulation or if maybe I had a slight allergic reaction to some of their ingredients. But from the first time I used this, and every time after, I got red bumps all over my face. They weren't pimples and it wasn't hives.. more like little raised red bumps?? Either way, I quickly passed it on to a friend who says she loves it ( and so do thousands of other people on amazon..) So maybe give it a go? But its a no for me.
I really like the brush and felt like it did a good job of separating the lashes (personally, I am not a fan of the clumpy lash look), but it was soooo flaky. I felt like anytime I used this I had flaky mascara dust on my cheeks throughout the day
Ok, ill end on a good note. This bronzer I actually really like. I feel like its a good shade for my skin tone, has a glowy kind of look that I like, and looks natural! I don't regularly use bronzer so I think this one product will last me years 😅
Beauty by Earth
My everyday, tried and true product. I used to use the EltaMD Tinted Sunscreen Moisturizer and thought that I would never break up with it. I was convinced that there just wasnt going to be clean products that worked as well 🤷🏻♀️ There's a lot of people in the wellness community that want to banish sunscreen forever-- but for me and my fair-skinned family I want to take a proactive approach to safe skin care with both a healthy diet, safe sun practices, and a natural sunscreen as part of my makeup routine. Truly a holistic approach.
That Is why I was so excited to find this product! It is light weight, offers a bit of sun protection and is made with clean ingredients like coconut oil. Reading through the reviews, it seems to work well for a wide variety of skin types. The product has a rather limited range of skin shades offered though- their darkest color being a "toffee" shade.
I usually keep it in my bag to reapply later in the day (especially when I am in the sun a lot)!
While this isnt makeup perse, i feel like it falls into the natural cosmetic category. The skin around your eye is incredibly delicate, meaning it is sensitive, and one of the first places to show fine lines and wrinkles. I love that this eye gel is cooling, light, and decreases puffiness around my eyes. My favorite part is that you apply it with a little metal roller ball which always makes it feel refreshing and rejuvenating!
Araza
I have never personally used Araza but I continue to hear really great things about it. As part of how I try new products affordably, I always try to finish what I have before ordering new things.. but this is on my list of brands to try next when I need new makeup!
So, I asked my real life BFF and fellow healthy-living wellness coach to give her feedback and she graciously shared all her faves (plus a discount code for you to use too!)
Here's what she's got to say:
Araza is one of the leading clean beauty brands that focuses not just on healthy beauty, but on skin-healing products. They're on a mission to redefine beauty products, emphasizing the importance of nourishing and enhancing your skin, rather than simply focusing on appearance.
Araza has the slogan “If looks could heal.” Whether you're dealing with skin issues like acne, rosacea, allergies, or autoimmune conditions, or you're simply looking for beauty products that nourish and perform, Araza has you covered. They use healthy fats, organic plant-based ingredients, and minerals that work together not just as gentle coverage, but they help to nourish your skin.
They are also the first makeup line in the world to achieve Paleo Certification! If you're wondering what this means, it's akin to the guidelines of the popular Paleo Diet. Each product with the Paleo Certified logo has undergone a rigorous auditing process to ensure it's free from legumes, dairy, gluten, grains, and anything artificial and harmful. Araza prioritizes organic whole superfood ingredients like MCT oil, probiotics, and plant-based components.
A few of my favorite products:
Rejuvenating Coconut Lip Color
They also have multiple products available in sample size, so you can test out your color before purchasing a full-size!
Another thing I love about Araza is they don't stop at their commitment to healthy beauty products. They donate 1% of their profits to organizations that aid victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence on their journey to recovery and healing. Additionally, they run the Araza Recycling Program to reduce cosmetic waste, showing their commitment to both your well-being and the planet.
There are so many other brands of clean makeup and natural beauty products out there- rms beauty, tower 28, kjaer weis, i could go on- and i'm sure a lot of them have great products. But it is just not my plan to test every clean beauty brand out there. Once I find all my tried and true products that I love, i tend to be a loyalist and want to stick with them, rather than trying new products all the time. But there are plenty of beauty bloggers that specialize in organic and clean beauty!
My One Minute Clean Beauty Routine
In the morning, i usually wrangle the kiddos and head to the gym. They get to play with other kids while I get a workout in. Then I come home and get a bit more ready for the day. Sometimes that is just changing from workout clothes to loungewear.. and sometimes I put on a bit of makeup and try to get more ready. Especially on the days where I have coaching calls, or am wanting to get work done, I have found that i am so much more productive when I have taken the time to pull myself together a bit more.
So here it is: my quick and easy "get ready" routine as a work from home mom of two-
1. tinted sunscreen
2. mascara
3. fill my brows
4. deodorant (one thing I have gone through many brands trying to find the best clean option is deodorant...)
maybe occasionally a bit of bronzer if Im feeling fancy
but thats it!
Then at night, I use a little bit of coconut oil as a DIY makeup remover. I simply use a spoon to get some out of a jar and then rub it on my face to "melt away" any makeup and grim. Then I use a warm washcloth to wipe it all away before I use an oil cleanser and moisturizing serum!
One of my favorite clean skincare brands is Butter Me Up Organics. Some of my favorite products are:
use code KAELYN for 10% off your order!
Quick. Easy. Effective. and a routine that supports my holistic health!