Non-Toxic Cosmetics

Coastal Classics Loose Powder (free gift with purchase)

Ever since I was mistakenly diagnosed with cancer 5 yrs ago, I have been very focused on health. It started with taking charge of my health care, then extended to learning more about nutrition and my body, and then the toxicity of our environment -- that is the products we use, air we breathe, water we drink, the thinking patterns and emotions we expose ourselves to, etc. I sometimes wonder how I was even able to work full-time with all the reading and effort I put into taking care of myself and my family!

Several months ago, after discovering the Cosmetic Database, I threw out almost all my cosmetics. I mean, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, make-up, lotions. . ..a LOT of stuff. It was hard but seriously -- almost all of the stuff we use on a daily basis is really bad for you! It's no wonder that nearly everyone gets cancer if they live long enough. They are also the cause of so many sensitivities/allergies, asthma.

This post is meant to focus on make-up! At first I tried the brand that the Cosmetic Database marks as being the least toxic of all: Coastal Classic Creations. I had a bit of trouble with my order, due to shipping calculation costs and me being in Canada, but eventually that got sorted out.

My first impression was OMG these containers are TINY! The photos on the site are much larger than the cosmetics are in real life. They really are super-small, like an inch or less in diameter. The weights are listed right there but the numbers didn't mean anything to me. This is not a big deal -- just a reaction I had as I am used to the larger-sized toxic stuff.

Also, I had to go out and spend an extra $30 on brushes and those wedge-applicators on top of the cost of the order. I am very used to drugstore cosmetics that come with brushes. I paid about $75, with the currency exchange (CDN to USD) for two eye shadows (one doubles as a powder-based eyeliner), a blush, a loose powder (plus I got one free with purchase as pictured above) and this orange waxy stuff (also free) that they say you should put on under the loose powder for full coverage. Fairly priced.

But alas, they didn't work very well for me :( If you are the sort of person who hardly ever wears make-up then they might be right for you, but I need serious coverage! I have acne, acne scars and undereye circles that need covering up. I followed the site's advice for using their foundation, which is actually a loose powder, and it seemed as if I was wearing absolutely nothing at all. No matter how much I brushed on, even with their orange waxy stuff beneath it. It just wasn't heavy enough to cover my dark spots. To this day I apply it over my foundation though, it works great as a loose powder.

The problem with the eye shadows and blush were that they were very, very saturated with colour. I put as little as I could on my brushes, yet they were so concentrated. Well, with the grey eyeshadow I ordered, it was very opaque. Some people probably prefer that. The black eye shadow, which I used as an eyeliner with a very tiny brush, was better. It is very rich but the problem is the granules kept getting into my eyes! With practise I think I could do a better job, but it was just more trouble than it was worth for me. I may try it again when I have some time. Plus, similiar to pencil eyeliners, it didn't set for very long and soon enough smudged. I usually prefer liquid eyeliner for that reason. So for those that prefer liquid over pencil, this stuff may not be right for you. Otherwise, it is generally great value for the price.

The blush I couldn't get to work at all. I looked like a clown cause the colour was so bright and intense! Maybe I could have diluted it with some of the loose powder? I would have needed several containers of that loose powder to last me a month, then. In a sense it has great value cause it's so concentrated. I guess I am just very used to mainstream cosmetics and how they work.

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Going non-toxic presents a learning curve. I often compare it to cleaning a bath tub: you could use baking soda to scrub away, but it will require more work than a bleach-based abrasive. Each person has to figure out if it's worth it to them.
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The next least toxic make-up from a brand I had heard of and could buy locally was Almay. There were a few other brands that were almost completely non-toxic, but I didn't want to pay shipping and risk spending more money for something I'd have to throw out. Almay is a popular brand so I thought what the hell. I bought their eyeliner and mascara. The eyeliner is great! I'm using it to this day, it is like a cream-stick. The mascara works. . .but it is far from being as good as others, like Revlon or L'Oreal (who test on animals and produce quite toxic make-up, btw.)

I recently ventured into MAC. Now MAC cosmetics on the whole, like Almay, are not very toxic compared to most of the popular brands. On a scale of 0 to 10, 0 being not toxic at all (Coastal Classic Creations), MAC tends to be around 4 or 5 with some 7s. (My old Revlon foundation was a 9!!!) It works extremely well, great coverage, great colours, applies like a dream. I love it. They do cost more though, around $20 per product, or in the case of foundation, $31. I think they're worth it though. I'd rather have a bit healthier product that works well than nothing.

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Being a mother has aged me tremendously. The continual lack of sleep, the hormonal ups and downs really wreak havoc on my skin. I've focused on make-up to help boost my self-esteem. I used to think I was so beautiful (just being truthful!) but over the last several months had become quite ugly to myself. So make-up helps, A LOT! :) On the days I feel and look awesome, I wear none. On the days I need some help, I put it on and feel awesome again! :) Besides, I do think most people look a bit better with make-up, it is part of basic grooming. That is just the way I roll, though. Each to their own.