The Kind Life

When I need makeup for work, for a fun night out, or for a business meeting, I want the stuff that will make me look my best! There are soooo many makeup options out there in the world… it’s almost enough to drive a woman crazy.


The good news is that by having specific requirements for what kind of makeup (or any of your beauty products) you will use really narrows down the playing field, and can make finding the perfect makeup less overwhelming.

I feel that I have really done my research, living this way for so many years, and having so many make-up artist friends help me sort through the endless companies out there to find the ones that perform the best. I’ve been lucky enough to have Robert Steinken, a fabulous hair and make-up artist, and Kara Yoshimoto, another great make-up artist, help me out on my search.



Just beware, cause some natural companies have some seriously not cute, and sometimes downright scary looking metallic colored products. Some companies that I mention in my lists as my favorites might make other products that aren’t that great.  Just because I love a certain brand’s concealer doesn’t mean that their eye shadows won’t be really scary and metallic…  So just be careful! The best thing to do is go test out products at green stores or Whole Foods, to find the best ones for you.



Now remember, with great diet, most of the time I don’t wear any makeup, and still feel pretty and fresh… And you should feel that way too!  But I know it’s fun to get all done up sometimes, so, here we go with my list.  These are my favorites in makeup… What are yours?  I’d love to hear about what you guys use and love.


FOUNDATION

I usually just use Zuzu Luxe Concealer instead of foundation, and just do spot treatments, instead of covering my whole face.  When I’m working I usually need the heavier stuff for the camera.  But I haven’t found a foundation that I swear by, so I need your recommendations!  I like Kiss My Face Tinted Moisturizer a lot, but when I read the ingredients it seems kind of unnatural to me, so I wonder why not just use the icky regular stuff? I think it’s better than the regular stuff, but not sure how much.
 
These foundations seem like good options, and please let me know what you use!



-Suki Tinted Active Moisture 

-Bare Minerals SPF 15 Foundation 
 

MASCARA

I love all of these, but remember, we are looking for better choices.  I don’t think that any of these are perfect... But I do know that they are way better than Maybelline, and all of those other regular brands out there on the market.  But just a warning… some of these mascaras contain beeswax, and some have parabens.  It sucks, but it’s true.  So you have a couple of options: You can opt to wear no mascara at all, or you can use one of these ones below and be thrilled that these companies are at least doing a better job than all of the other icky companies out there!  That said, all of these work great!! And I love that they are, to my knowledge, the most natural ones out there.

-La Bella Donna Mineral Mascara 
INGREDIENTS: Silk, Ceramide 2 and mineral pigments.
Yes, this is made with silk, it’s true.  But I’m grateful that it appears to be a less nasty option than most mascaras on the market.

-Gabriel Cosmetics Mascara  
INGREDIENTS: Deionized Water, Carnuba Wax, Stearic Acid, Panthenol, Tocopherol Acetate, Iron Oxides, Ultramarines, Cellulose Gum, Grapeseed Extract.

-Zuzu Luxe Mascara 
INGREDIENTS: Aqua (infusion of aloe barbadensis leaf juice), cellulose gum, sorbitol, stearic acid, cetearyl alcohol, lecithin, panthenol, sea fennel extract, tocopheryl acetate, eyebright extract, xanthan gum, iron oxides, hectorite, titanium dioxide, potassium sorbate
A note about cetearyl alcohol:  watch out, because sometimes it can be made from animal ingredients.  In this mascara, its made from vegetable sources, but if you can, try and check with the company to make sure it comes from a plant.
 
-Ecco Bella FlowerColor Natural Mascara 
INGREDIENTS: Purified water, carnauba wax, palmitic acid (from palm oil), clay, methylparaben, propylparaben, iron oxides.
They use parabens, which is a bummer

-Josie Maran Mascara  
INGREDIENTS: White Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Polyisobutene, Isododecane, Propylene Carbonate, Quaternium-18, Hecorite, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Isoeicosane, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Simmondsia Chinenesis (Jojoba) Oil*, Linseed Oil*, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol. May Contain: Iron Oxides, Black Iron Oxides, Mica 
This one contains beeswax, and other not-so-natural stuff


-Aveda Mascara Plus Rose  
INGREDIENTS:
 Carnauba wax , Natural beeswax , Rose Carnauba, Copernicia cerifera

These are the ingredients that are most commonly found in non-vegan makeup products, so look out for these, and try and avoid them if you can:

•    Carmine or cochineal - coloring made from ground insect
•    Lanolin – sheep fat
•    Beeswax/pollen/bee products
•    Lard  -  pig fat
•    Tallow -  beef fat
•    Parabens
•    Lactose/ lactalbumin
•    Milk/Whey products
•    Propolis - a mixture that bees use to seal their beehives
•    Elastin (from cows)
•    Hyaluronic acid  - animal connective tissue
 


CONCEALER

-Ecco Bella FlowerColor Coverup: I use this under my eyes
INGREDIENTS: Castor Oil
, Isopropyl Palmitate (from palm oil)
, Candellia Wax
, Beeswax , Organic Calendula Oil
, Organic Chamomile Oil
, Organic Jojoba oil
, !00 IU Vitamin E
, Titanium Dioxide, Flower wax, iron oxides
This one has beeswax in it, which is a bummer, but true.  However, this product is way better than the regular concealers out there and it works great. 




-Zuzu Luxe Concealer: I use this one as spot treatment on my face, instead of foundation. 

INGREDIENTS: Deionized water
, Squalane
, Cetyl Alcohol
, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
, Kaolin
, Glyceryl Stearate
, Stearic Acid
, Cetyl Esters
, Lecithin
, Polysorbate 20
, Xanthan Gum
, Simenthicone
, Grapeseed Extract
 


POWDER

I love both of these



-La Bella Donna Loose Mineral Foundation
INGREDIENTS: Micronized Titanium Dioxide SPF 20 (non chemical sunblock)
, Bismuth Oxychloride (has anti inflammatory properties)
, Zinc Oxide (has anti inflammatory properties)
, Iron Oxides (the source of color)


-Bare Minerals Mineral Veil Finishing Powder
INGREDIENTS: Corn Starch
, Zinc Stearate
, Magnesium Stearate
, Iron Oxides
 

BLUSH

I love these, they are all very pretty.

-La Bella Donna Compressed Mineral Blush: I’m loving this one right now!!!

INGREDIENTS: Micronized Titanium Dioxide SPF 20 (non chemical sunblock)
, Bismuth Oxychloride (has anti inflammatory properties)
, Zinc Oxide (has anti inflammatory properties)
, Iron Oxides (the source of color)


 -Bare Minerals Blush  
INGREDIENTS: Mica, Bismuth Oxychloride
, Titanium Dioxide
, Iron Oxides
, Carmine

-Gabriel Cosmetics Blush 
INGREDIENTS: Mica, Cetyl Palmitate
, Silica
, Kaolin
, Zinc Stearate
, Jojoba Seed Oil
Caprylic/Capril Triglyceride
, Lecithin
, Sea Fennel Extract
, Tocopherol
, Iron Oxides
, Titanium Dioxide

-Dr. Hauschka Rouge Powders: I have used this blush for years, but now I am in love with my  La Bella Donna blush, and I think that this is the least natural of the bunch
INGREDIENTS: Talc, Kaolin (a white clay) , Diatomaceous Earth/Solum Diatomeae, 
Magnesium Stearate,  
Anthyllis Vulneraria Extract, 
Rosa Gallica (Rose) Flower Extract, 
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, 
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, 
Silk/Serica Powder, 
Mica, 
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, 
Camellia Sinensis (Black Tea) Leaf Extract
, Fragrance/Parfum (Essential Oil), 
Citronellol, 
Geraniol, 
Linalool (a chemical found in flowers and plants), 
Citral, 
Eugenol, 
Silica, 
Tocopherol (Vitamin E), 
Ascorbyl Dipalmitate
, Carmine/CI 75470,
Tin Oxide, 
Iron Oxides, 
Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, 
Ultramarines/CI 77007

LIP LINER

If anyone has an amazing lip liner, please let me know!  I need one for work.  Seeking vegan, natural, great looking lipliner. These ones on my list are great though, but if you have suggestions I’d love to hear.

-Ecco Bella Lip Liner Pencils
INGREDIENTS: Hydrogenated palm kernel glycerides, 
hydrogenated palm glycerides, 
hydrogenated coconut oil, 
microcrystalline wax, 
carmine, 
japan wax, carnauba wax, 
hydrogenated castor oil, 
titanium dioxide, 
sorbitan palmitate, 
stearalkonium hectorite, 
iron oxide

-Hemp Organics Lip Liner in Spice
INGREDIENTS: Organic coconut oil, 
organic sunflower oil, 
organic hemp seed oil, 
organic jojoba oil, 
carnauba wax, 
japan wax, 
natural vitamin E, 
vegetable stearic acid, 
iron oxide, 
titanium dioxide.
 
 


LIP GLOSS

-La Bella Donna Lip Sheer  
INGREDIENTS: Micronized titanium Dioxide (non-chemical sun block (SPF 20)), 
Iron Oxides (the source of color), 
Bismuth Oxychloride (anti-inflammatory properties), 
Zinc Oxide (anti-inflammatory properties (soothing to the skin)

)

-Jane Iredale PureGloss for Lips 
INGREDIENTS: Bis-Diglyceryl Polyaclydipate-2
, Grape Seed Extract
, Jojoba Esters
, Green Tea Leaf Extract
, Ginger Root Oil
, Pomegranite Extract
, Coconut Oil
, Palm Oil
, Soybean Oil
, Flavor
, Tocopherol
, Ascorbyl Palmitate
, Bisabolol

-Perfect Organics Vegan Lip and Cheek Shimmer in Sydney
INGREDIENTS: Organic Argan Oil
, Organic Shea Butter
, Organic Macadamia Nut Oil
, Organic Aloe Vera


-Boscia Jujube Salve Stick 
INGREDIENTS: Jujube Fruit, Macadamia Nut Oil
, Willoherb
, Licorice
, Jojoba Oil, Botanical Squalane
, Jojoba leaf


-Gabriel Cosmetics Lip Gloss 
INGREDIENTS: Castor Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate
, Bisabolol
, Candelillia Wax
, Glycine
, Shea Butter
, Jojoba Oil
, Wheat Gern Glycerides
, Aloe Vera Extract
, Chamomile Extract
, Jojoba Esters
, Grapeseed Extract
, Bixane Herb
, Iron Oxides
, Mica
, Titanium Dioxide
, St. John’s Wort Extract
 
   



LIP BALM

I used to love Desert Essence Lip Rescue in Shea Butter, but I found out that it has beeswax in it! So my new favorite is Lisa Ann Skin Care Lip Therapy: Vegan.  If your order some, just make sure to ask for the vegan one, because she has some lip balms that contain beeswax.

I also like Kiss My Face Strawberry Lip Balm but that one has beeswax in it too, which is a bummer…but Lisa Ann’s is amazing, so that wins for me.  No more Kiss My Face or Desert Essence Lip Balm for me. 
 



EYESHADOW

-Zuzu Luxe Eye Shadow: Beware, cause some of their colors are scary… but some are great
INGREDIENTS: Mica, Zinc, Stearate
, Jojoba Oil
, Zinc Oxide, 
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
, Titanium Dioxide
, Iron Oxides
, Ultra Marines
, Grapeseed Extract

-Dr. Hauschka Eye Shadow  
INGREDIENTS: Talc (a mineral)
, Magnesium Stearate (magnesium salt)
, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Extract,
Silk/Serica Powder
, Diatomaceous Earth/Solum Diatomeae, Silica, Anthyllis Vulneraria Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Black Tea) Leaf Extract
, Fragrance/Parfum (Essential Oil), Citronellol, Geraniol, 
Linalool (a chemical found in flowers and plants), Citral, 
Eugenol, 
Tocopherol (Vitamin E), 
Ascorbyl Dipalmitate, Mica, 
Ferric Ferrocyanide (the inorganic of salt)
, Carmine/CI 75470 (red coloring)
, Iron Oxides, 
Titanium Dioxide (naturally occurring oxide of titanium)
, Ultramarines (pigments composed of sodium)

-Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Eye Shadow in Platonic: This is great for all-over-the-eye shimmer, and a cool vegan dude created this company  
INGREDIENTS: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, 
Iron Oxides, 
Ferric Ferrocyanide, 
D&C, Red #7
D&C, Yellow #5
FD&C, Blue #1
I’n not excited about the red, yellow, and blue ingredients… that’s scary





STYLE section kindly sponsored by Susan Nichole Handbags

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 lmao @ scary metallic eyeshadows.

 

I'm nervous about bare minerals, since I saw breathing in the small particles likely scars the lungs over a decade, and then the effects hit the user. I know this hasn't been proven, but it does make a lot of sense-scary:(

I have ugly skin. There I said it. I feel I need to wear more coverup/foundation than the average person my age because I have acne sometimes, acne scars, uneven skin tone, huge pores and sometimes I just generally look "dirty" which makes me sad. I def wear less makeup than I use to, and often skip mascara, eyeshadow, ect...in favor of trying to get a natural look with foundation and concealer. I hate to be so dependent on foundations, but I look drastically different with out it, I'm uncomfortable with out it and people usually ask me "are you sick?" when I'm not wearing it. Anyway I'd like a vegan option that's easy on sensitive skin, that feels light, is natural looking, stays on throughout most of the day, and isn't a mineral loose powder that may damange my lungs. I try to remember that using an alternative to minerals by companies found in drugstores may be dangerous in other ways to our bodies, not to mention cruel to animals so...bleh

I just need help with this. Any suggestions that are not mineral powders welcome! thank you!!

Just a heads up - stearic acid, which is in countless beauty products (make-up, lotion, etc.) is often made from animal fats. But, if a product is from a company that strives to make more eco-friendly products, they will usually advertise that the product is vegan/veg (since it is a great marketing angle). Just wanted to add it to the list of products that might be questionable when attempting to choose more responsible beauty products.

We have created an ethical line of cosmetics that I've been using on my celebrity clients for years.   www.christopherdrummond.com.  I grew tired of the beauty industry making false claims, bending the truth and downright lying about ingredients, so I started my company five years ago.

The majority of our products are vegan approved (including our soft as silk makeup brushes), and everything is sourced from ethical companies.  PLUS we have gorgeous textures, colors and they improve your skin...

Please check us out at the link above...I'd love to be mentioned in your next write up about ethical cosmetics!

I am about to start trying the Arbonne make up line. It can be a little pricey, but I have been talking to the girl I know who sells and am going to buy when they have sales. Their make up is natural and PETA approved for vegan friendly products.

I'm almost out of blush, so thank you!  This really is a great guide for vegan makeup.  Last time I bought a vegan blush, I thought that it didn't stay on very well, but I'm ready to commit to finding a good one based on your list!  I have a great liquid mineral foundation that I use, check out the post I wrote on my blog http://jessicasteinberg.blogspot.com/2011/11/illuminare-makeup.html

Alicia,Arbonne make a great foundation. I love it!! 100% vegan. Lipsticks and blush too..fantastic. I have not tried their other products, but I am in the process of switching over 100% to Arbonne.

I wanted to clarify that Arbionne is 100% vegan company and commited to Green...awesome!

Youngblood! It is great, I have allergies. I was getting cuts, scabs, puffy eyes, buring on my face, chest and even my eye lids. I was getting it from my makeup, face wash, body wash...Everything.I switched to young blood. Made from Minerals. I Love it!

 

Davines hair care...P.S I am a stylist. They made color tubes that are biodegradable and their hair care containers are made to be used as food containers or planters. Love it!

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