Pass on this: CoverGirl Natureluxe collection

Let me start off by saying that, in case you hadn't noticed, I have pretty high standards when it comes to makeup safety. I really won't use anything if there's even one ingredient I don't trust. That doesn't mean I really like going out of my way for good cosmetics. In fact, I used to love going to pick up out makeup at the drugstore. So when I recently noticed that CoverGirl had a new naturally marketed line, I really hoped it was for real.  

According to the product description, the Natureluxe line is "a luxury makeup line that exchanges select heavier synthetics for carefully-chosen natural ingredients, while delivering a polished makeup look and a lightweight feel." First off, I noticed that the description is not very specific. How much of the ingredients are natural? Are there any big no-no's, like phthalates, that they do not use? This claim doesn’t seem to promise much.  

A look over the ingredients and I see plenty of things I don’t like: synthetic colors and a paraben in the lipstick, propylene glycol (not natural) in the lipstick and foundation, phenoxyethanol in the foundation and mascara. I also have to admit there are several ingredients ranked in the moderate hazard zone that I don’t recognize. The lipstick and foundation have very high EWG ratings, and it's from the unspecified fragrance, which very well could contain phthalates.

This line likely does have less dangerous ingredients then their normal products, so maybe this is a step in the right direction. But they're not there yet. It is my hope that big makeup companies like this take a different approach to creating natural lines; they shouldn't settle for making these semi-safe products. The focus should be on natural ingredients before natural marketing. I genuinely hope CoverGirl and other big companies will come up with some better stuff in the future, because everyone deserves access to safe cosmetics.

Click through for EWG ratings and ingredients.

Get this: Everyday Minerals Eye Kabuki Brush

Last week, I went a little nuts on the Everyday Minerals website. They just have so many affordable products, promos and freebies. But one of my purchases has stood out as an instant favorite: the Eye Kabuki brush. It is a densly packed and larger sized eye brush. The idea is obviously that it's a super mini version of a Kabuki brush that can be used to buff and blend eyeshadows and such. Very cute concept. I'm not kidding around when I say I'm a fan, I love this brush so much I've ordered another one already! Why?

• It's unique! I haven't seen many super dense, large sized blending brushes.

• This brush multitasks in so many ways. It is great for laying down a color all over the eye, blending out shadow that has already been placed, dabbing concealer on for pimples and discoloration, sweeping concealer on the undereye area (the triangle technique!), or to apply highlight. The options are limitless.

• It can be used for both cream and powder products.

• It is made of super soft synthetic fiber, so it is 100% cruelty free. It also just feels nice on your skin.

• The bamboo handle is both elegant and sustainable.

• At $7, this brush is a total bargain. For the quality you would think you were paying much more.

Obviously I highly recommend this brush, you can't go wrong with it. And if you're interested in more Everyday Minerals products, you will be definitely be seeing several posts about their items in the future....

EDIT: According to readers, they do not ship to all international countries. Please check out shipping before you shop. You can also try to set up a swap on MakeupAlley!

Honeybee Gardens JobaColors eye liners: an overview

As promised in the last post, here is my overview of Honeybee Gardens eye liners! I'm a pretty big fan of these; they are close to an ideal beauty product for me. Here's why:

• They perform as you would expect from their chemical-laden counterparts. These liners are smooth, semi long-lasting and blendable. They definitely don't last all day without setting with powder, but really what does?

• They are affordable! I am getting sick of having to shell out tons of money for safe makeup. This reminds me of shopping in a drugstore again, when you can afford to try all of the colors.

• The range of colors is great. They have two brown colors, grey, black, purple, blue and green. All of these are completely suitable for everyday wear, so you will actually get use out of any of the shades. 

I would pick the standout colors but I really love them all. I rotate through all of them everyday because they are all so wearable and pretty. The Brown Sugar color is probably too light to wear as a liner for most skin tones, but it makes a great eyeshadow base.

So these liners perform the same as their mainstream counterparts, are inexpensive, come in a range of colors that I would actually wear, and are composed of non-toxic ingredients. What more could you ask for?

EWG rating: 1

*One safety note is that the 1 rating on EWG does not take into account Ozokerite Wax, because the database doesn't have any information on it. It is very similar to several other cosmetics ingredients that are safe. I have also searched around on this substance, and cannot find anything of concern. If anyone has any more information on its safety, please let me know in the comments below, or send me an email!

Price: $4.32 - 5.99 at vitacost.com 

Ingredients: ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, ozokerite wax, ethylhexyl palmitate (vegetarian), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, lanolin oil, beeswax, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, cetearyl alcohol (vegetarian), copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax. May Contain: black iron oxide, brown iron oxide, mica.

Late summer favorites

Can you believe it's already August? That means even more intense heat and humidity to come... I've been trying to keep the makeup simple with a few key products to keep me looking fresh, awake and ready for the long hot days:

From left to right: rms beauty Cream Eye Shadow in Lunar, Priia Creamy Mineral Under Eye Concealer in Light Salmon, Honeybee Gardens JobaColors Eye Liner in Smoking Gun, Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar and Zosimos Botanicals Butternut Bronzer

rms beauty Cream Eye Shadow in Lunar

If you missed my review on all of the shades, check it out here. I've been reaching for this product all the time for two reasons. One is that it is neutral and totally appropriate for day wear as an eyeshadow. The second is that is makes a really great subtle highlight. I use this on the cheekbones, inner corner of the eye and under the browbone. The color is so pretty and complex: golden, champagne, creamy shimmer. It gives you a nice natural glow.

EWG Rating: 1

Ingredients: *Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba)Seed Oil, *Theorbroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Tocopherol (non-GMO), *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract. May contain [+/-]: Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Iron Oxides CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica CI 77019, Carmine CI 75470. *Certified Organic

Price: $28 at rmsbeauty.com or spiritbeautylounge.com

Priia Creamy Mineral Under Eye Concealer in Light Salmon

I used to love Benefit's Eye Bright, and I was really missing it. Thanks to Stefi on Healthy Beauty Social, I discovered something that comes pretty close. Priia's concealer is a pinky flesh color that totally eliminates discoloration under the eyes, and makes everything bright. I actually love putting this all over the eye area: on dark circles, under the browbone, in inner corners, and even on the lid to look fresh and awake. This and the rms beauty shadow work so well together.

EWG Rating (preliminary): 1

Ingredients: Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Hydrogenated Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Mica, Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxides, Silica.

Price: $14 at priia.com

Honeybee Gardens JobaColors Eye Liner in Smoking Gun

I am so psyched to tell you about this line of liners (ha) in a future post, but for now I will just say I especially love the grey color. Grab one of these at vitacost.com - for the price you will feel like you're shopping in the drugstore again!
EWG rating: 1

Ingredients:  Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, ozokerite wax, ethylhexyl palmitate (vegetarian), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, lanolin oil, beeswax, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, cetearyl alcohol (vegetarian), copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax. May Contain: black iron oxide, brown iron oxide, mica. Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, ozokerite wax, ethylhexyl palmitate (vegetarian), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, lanolin oil, beeswax, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, cetearyl alcohol (vegetarian) and copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax.

Price: $4.32 at vitacost.com

Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Yes, there's so many uses! But I'm really stuck on one right now. I have combination skin and live in a humid climate, so my skin often gets sticky and yucky. This totally freshens up my face and works amazingly as an astringent for the oily sections . It has also left my skin more clear and even than I've seen it in a long time. It keeps you face so clean, and I'm obsessed with vinegar so I love the smell. It's also affordable, accessible and versatile. Solid.

Price: $3.29 at Bragg.com or a health food store near you! 

Zosimos Botanicals Butternut Bronzer

I'm going through bronzer like crazy right now! After I finished off my bareMinerals Faux Tan, I rediscovered my first favorite non-toxic bronzer. This one also gives a nice natural looking glow, and the ingredients are even more pure! At $20 a pop, this bronzer is on the expensive side, but this is a great trustworthy, natural and handmade company.

EWG Rating: 1

Ingredients: Mica, Iron Oxides, Tapioca Starch.

Price: $20 at zosimosbotanicals.com

*Soapwalla Deodorant is also a must have right now, but I just wrote a review on it.

Click though for swatches!