organic makeup?

check out www.cosmeticsdatabase.com  they list the best products with the least amount of nasty ingredients. 

L

Separating fact from fiction in beauty products is something I have just begun to delve into. I just read a book called "Your Skin and You" by Bea Kinnear. She has done a lot of research on what is true and what is hype and has a lot of great information on specific ingredients and why they are used. She also discredits the cosmeticsdatabase as companies pay them to have their products tested. Hence, they are not impartial. She also talks about the fact that sometimes products labeled botanical can cause reactions and not always safe. Think about it, peanuts cause some people to have severe reactions and they are botanic. Also if a product is preservative free, do not keep them for long as they may harbor bacteria. I use Usana for skin and hair care as they have a patent on a paraben free and formaldehyde free, non toxic preservative. No matter what you use, toss make-up after a few months. It breeds bacteria.

Sherbear-thought you might like to know that Bea Kinnear is Canadian, so you can probably find her book easily. If this is your business you will love her book. And I have her email if you have any questions after you read it.

Another word of caution is information from the EWG-environmental working group. This group is a front for a political organization founded by hedge fund billionaire George Soros. Google him and you will see he is not a nice man. When you see a DONATE HERE front and center on a website, chances are it has an agenda.

Toni-yes, I am sure. Google Soros and EWG. You will see the EWG was one of the first orgs sponsored by the TIDES foundation started by Soros. This organization is  a way for Soros to get his money laundered by sponsoring suppoeed non profits. So many groups that I thought were alturistic are funded by TIDES. When I started looking into this, it made me so upset. Who the heck can we trust anymore?

Vivre~ Thanks!  I will definitely check out the book and author you have recommended.  This is pretty important to me and while I don't want to become too crazy about it, I want to do what I can within reason.  All of the cosmetic companies I have listed may not be without fault, but at least they are trying to change what "conventional" cosmetics are made from (or preserved with) and eliminating some, if not all, of the harmful stuff.  I'm with you about the words 'botanical' and natural, you can still have reactions to it so you do have to be careful.  And yes, don't keep make-up for years and years (although some DOES last that long, lol); powders or anything dry isn't as bad, but anything liquid or wet will harbour quite a bit of unwelcome bacteria.  A lot of organic brands do have more natural preservatives, but if you have something that doesn't, keep it in a cool, dry area (fridge) and purchase in small batches.   

I thought Body Shop was supposed to be organic etc?  Or has that changed?

Also, I believe Aveda has a line of cosmetics that is organic and nature based. . . . .

Suebee~ yes, you can have your make-up done at Sephora (and I know they're trying to improve their own line by eliminating certain unwanted ingredients).  Just be sure to check yourself out in natural light to make certain you are happy with what they applied.  In my experience some tend to be 'a tad' heavy handed.  

3monstmama~ Unfortunately the Body Shop isn't organic and still uses parabens etc. in some of their best selling products (Body Butters etc.).  I commend them for not animal testing and using fair trade ingredients, but I still wish they would really work to get the 'crap' out of their products.  I did notice that they took the parabens, sulphates, and phthalates out of their shower gels now.  As for Aveda, Estee Lauder has owned them for a good while now and the founder, Horst, who sold it to them has since come up with a new line (Intelligent Nutrients) because he was less than impressed with how EL had followed up with what he thought was going to be more environmentally friendly research and production.  Guess what, they just wanted to make money, ha!  Some of their ingredients are organic, and they tend to try and stay away from certain undesirables, but I find most companies that EL has purchased over the last 15 years have totally degraded in quality (and I'm not even talking about it from a natural standpoint, MAC is a great example, the make-up artist grade quality has been missing for years).  Aveda does have some of the best hand cream though

Mouse~ I used a few Arbonne products a few years ago when a friend was selling it, but stopped when I found a few suspect ingredients.  Could be different now, I know they're working on finding other methods of preservation, but they haven't totally converted yet.  I did like how their cleanser and skin cream felt on my skin though, I have to admit.  

Wow, I feel like a real Debbie Downer here, lol.  Don't mean to be, just offering up some info and will get off of my soapbox now.  To each their own, we all have our favourite products that we don't want to be without, I totally get it and have a few of my own .

One ingredient that I am sure to stay away from is Triclosan, it is not good, but Bath and Body Works puts it in all of their soaps and anti-bacterial gels that all of my friends and family love.  Can't stand the stuff and it is not needed, and is horrible for the environment and our health.  

Now I'm done.   

Oh, I live by Josie Maran's Argan Oil...even turned my 13 yo daughter, who has acne, on it. It has really helped her skin and of course keeps me looking like a hag.

Fairy49, I love the African Black soap too! My husband cringes at it, which always makes me laugh.

Yes, Body Shop is one big imposter, in my book. Their line is virtually indistinguishable from the rest of the junk on the shelves.

j

Body Shop is garbage.   Ever read those ingredients?      I don't know about their makeup, but their skin care is by no means safe or natural.

Found this site about all kinds of natural and organic products:

http://www.natural-living-for-women.com/

I really love the Martina Gebhardt line, pretty minimal in ingredients which is important to me.  I will also say that using coconut oil all over is amazing; you can use it anywhere you want, even dry sclap (was a godsend after chemo).  There is also a make-up company called RMS Beauty that uses coconut oil in their products.  

I believe Jane Iredale is another good line.  Not sure if it was mentioned before.  It is available in some stores locally here in the Dallas area and it is online.

I make a lot of my own bath and facial products.The Josie Maran Argan OIl is way over priced,you can buy pure organic Aragn Oil for much less on other sites.

I heard that the word "organic" isn't regulated in this industry, so it doesn't really mean anything. Bummer. FWIW, I used the cosmetics database  at EWG.org to sift through which items are good in terms of health issues. It's not always obvious. I started using the Jane Iredale under eye concealer and it works fine. I also shoved my lipsticks to the bottom of the drawer and am using an Alba Botanical lip tint.

I'm slowly phasing out regular cosmetics and switching to organic. I found a brand called Sante which uses certified organic plant extracts. It is made in Germany but on their website www.sante.de (English pages available) you can find your location and how to purchase. I've only used the compact powder so far. For organic creams, oils and lotions, I've used Weleda and Lavera. My daughter uses the Weleda face cream, which has calendula (marigold?) and has antiseptic properties as well as the lavender shower cream, which she loves. Weleda is a Swiss brand and Lavera is German.

AnneW, I think the white crud is zinc oxide, the mineral sunscreen ingredient, so maybe find a formula that has less of that (maybe a lower SPF that you have to apply more often)?  I've tried two alba botanica ones, both of which leave some white stuff.

a) very emollient spf 30  water resistant zinc oxide 14.5%, titanium dioxide 2% (this is very thick and white. I don't like the layer it leaves, the stuff that makes it water resistant. You won't like the white stuff)

b) very emollient sunblock facial spf 20 zinc oxide 8%; titanium oxide 2%. It's better . I use it for my body but you may consider it too white for your face.

I also tried the one with the picture of the badger and it was better. Maybe you can find a store that offers sample/testers????  In terms of actual sunscreen ingredients, I prefer the old style mineral ones (like zinc) so I just tough it out, within reason. Personally, I don't want to use the nano-partial ones or the chemical sunscreens. You may want to check EWG.org.  They rate the sunscreens. Also, their cosmetics database contains a section with facial moisturizers with sunscreen, so that may be an option for your face. FWIW, their highest rating for facial moisturizer with sunscreen was Dermalogica's Pure Light spf 30. It's also labelled "ChromaWhite." if that gives you any clue . I'm using it now but when it's gone I'll probably try something else. Hope this helps.