After taking a brief hiatus from our natural makeup series, we are back, and ready to discuss “green” eyeshadows!
Eyeshadows are probably the most versatile of all makeup products. When worn in a flattering shade and blended correctly, eyeshadows can really brighten your face. They are fun to play around with and can create so many different looks. From a soft, romantic look, to a dramatic smoky cat-eyes look, to even the dreaded bright blue and pink 80’s look! You can do whatever your heart desires, but just make sure to choose a good, non-toxic brand.
It is essential to read labels carefully so we can be aware of what we are putting on our face. Unfortunately, the US standards for makeup are quite low compared to other parts of the world. For example, out of 1,000 carcinogens the EU has banned, the US has only banned 9 of them. According to the Environmental Working Group,
Nearly 90 percent of the 10,500 ingredients the FDA has determined are used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the CIR, the FDA or any other publicly accountable institution.
Many of these ingredients, which are known carcinogens, have been linked to breast cancer and other health problems. We’ve done the work for you and researched quality makeup brands that are free of toxins in our series of natural makeup posts. Most eyeshadows contain:
– Coal Tar is a known carcinogen banned in the EU, but still used in North America. Also listed as a color plus number, i.e. FD&C Yellow No. 5. Look for eyeshadows that use iron oxides instead.
– Talc is the main ingredient in most eyeshadows. It can be carcinogenic when inhaled and has been linked to ovarian cancer and respiratory problems.
– Bismuth Oxychloride – a skin irritant and found in most eyeshadows.
– Cream Eyeshadows are made with petrochemicals like mineral oil, an allergen that can be toxic to the immune system, petrolatum, which can be contaminated with carcinogenic PAH, and lanolin oil, an allergen that may contain pesticide residues.
– Parabens/BHA are preservatives in a number of eyeshadows. Parabens disrupt the hormonal system and should be avoided.
Luckily, with increased consumer awareness, many makeup companies are producing non-toxic makeup to meet the demand. Unfortunately, you won’t see many of the top name department brands mentioned in our list. The majority of those brands continue to use talc and other harmful substances in their eyeshadows. But the natural makeup brands are definitely worth a look. They make non-toxic eyeshadows in a wide range of nicely pigmented colors, that go on smoothly and have lasting power! Here are our top picks for natural eyeshadows:
1. Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Eyeshadow – These innovative eyeshadows are unique and fun to try on! Made of a suspension of coconut water and argan oil, it is very hydrating for the lids. When swiped on the lids, it leaves a beautiful pigment-rich metallic finish that doesn’t look too heavy. Where to buy: Sephora, josiemarancosmetics.com
2. Jane Iredale Eyeshadow Kit: These come in three different kits, each with 5 eyeshadows. The highly pigmented colors are very matte, has great texture, and goes on smoothly. Comes with a mirror and eyeshadow brush. Where to buy: Janeiredale.com, Amazon.com
3. Zuii Organic Flora Eyeshadow: These highly pigmented, pressed powder eyeshadows are a dream! They come in a wide range of colors and go on smoothly and blending them is easy. They stay on all day without fading. All natural, organic ingredients! Where to buy: Whole Foods, Zuiiorganic.com, Amazon.com
4. Physicians Formula Organic Wear Eyeshadow: These eyeshadows contain jojoba oil and come in a variety of colors. Goes on smooth but with a sheer application. Layer for more intensity. Cruelty free and ideal for sensitive eyes. Where to buy: Ulta, Major Drugstores, Amazon.com
5. Everyday Minerals: Made with 100% vegan minerals that come in a wide variety of shades. Application is matte and silky. Talc free, cruelty free, and reasonably priced! Where to buy: everydayminerals.com
6. Alima Pure Eyeshadows: Alima Pure’s loose mineral-based eyeshadows come in a wide range of colors and three different finishes: luminous shimmer, pearluster, and satin matte. Their eyeshadows apply seamlessly and the mineral powder feels very soft to the touch. Alima Pure’s makeup has earned the noteworthy BDIH Certified Natural Cosmetics Seal. Where to buy: alimapure.com
Check out our past natural makeup series posts for the best lipsticks, eyeliners, mascaras, nail polishes, and blushes!
Eyeshadow Tips:
• Use the right brushes! Go to your local Sephora and find out what type of brushes you need for eyeshadow application.
• Blend, blend, blend! If applying more than one color, make sure to blend the colors well with a blending brush.
• If using loose mineral eyeshadow, apply it with a wet brush to make it last longer.
• Dab a little white eyeshadow on the inner corner of eye to make eyes look brighter.
• Stay away from shimmery, light colors if you have aging lids. The shimmer accentuates and draws attention to the wrinkles.
• Apply eyeshadow before applying under eye concealer. Powdery eyeshadows tend to fall under eye or on cheeks.
• Always finish off the eyeshadow with some eyeliner and mascara to complete the look. You can even use black or brown eye shadow as an eyeliner with a liner brush. Apply it dry for a lighter look. And wet for a more dramatic, darker look.
• Always use a good quality eyeshadow primer. It prevents creasing and smudging, making eyeshadow last longer. It also brightens and intensifies the colors or the eyeshadow. And it smoothes out the skin, making application a lot easier.
Oh my, thanks for yet another awesome post. Thank you for considering my suggestion and making it a reality. I will be bookmarking this page so that as soon as I’m out of the contaminated shadows I currently use, I will buy new ones from the brands you have recommended. (I just can’t bring myself to throw out the ones I already have despite knowing they’re not the best for me. I feel it would be a waste. :P)
Anyway, your picks are sooo interesting: thank you for hunting them out for us – especially the ones from Jane Iredale, etc. It can’t be easy to find safe products from amongst a whole lot of unsafe ones….)
You’re welcome Raniya! We totally understand, it was tough for us to throw out all of our old toxic makeup, too. Once we did though, we never looked back! There are so many amazing options out there for cleaner, more natural makeup. We hope you like our suggestions and let us know if there are any other products you’d like for us to research