A Beauty Detoxer's Wish List

Mmmm... I'm itching to spend some money!

1. Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Powder Foundation ($34) - If you follow me on instagram, you saw that I did a #sephorahaul of my mother's last week. (Yes...lame-o. I was spending her money, not mine. BUT, she's a doll and it went on my VIB card!) She got this gem, and... I used it. Duh! It went on so smoothly (not too powder-y/cake-y... you know how those powder foundations can be). I currently use a mineral foundation that is specifically for oily skin, and this Josie Maran gloriousness stayed matte (over my CC cream) all day! I could feel the argan oil actually balancing out my skin. I've read reviews that say it runs out really quickly (one user said 2 months), so it seems a bit pricey for the use, but it was wonderful. And, of course, I love how natural Josie's products are.

2. Soapwalla Deodorant Cream ($14) - I like to jump on Refinery29.com every now & then. They had a great article about beauty trends that are done... All-natural deodorant being one of those trends. I can attest to that. I do love my Lavanilla (I rave on & on in my first ever post), but the hubs doesn't when it doesn't last all day long. He will make me put my Dove on before I can hug him... Ha! So, I was intrigued by seeing that this spreads on as a cream, and supposedly lasts all day... I adore lavender, peppermint and tea tree. Woot woot! It has ALL THREE. Plus, you know I'm digging that it's paraben, chemical, alluminum and petroleum free.

3. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Creme Colour Concentrate in Pleasure Model ($20) - I've been on the hunt for a neutral cream shadow base. There are a bazillion out there (yes... I've counted), but as you know, I'm detoxing my cosmetics. I am interested in OCC; I've not used it before, but it's cruelty, paraben, sulfate and phthalate free! I would really like to see it in person, but nowhere near me carries it. I'll just have to order it online and return in-store if it's not what I'm looking for. Gotta love Sephora's return policy! I hope it's not like a warm pink. I need an almost-not-there pink for my albino skin. Crossing my fingers eyes!

4. Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment ($69) - Since seeing pictures of this mask in use on Pinterest of someone's gangrene-looking nose, I've been so fascinated. (Go ahead... google it or search in Pinterest. It's grossly awesome). Having struggled with acne my whole non-baby life, I like a good mask. If this wasn't $69, I'd already have it. Anyone else use this? Is it worth it? And, you guessed it... paraben, sulfate, phthalate free! It does have phenoxyethanol, which is scored as a 4 for toxicity on EWG's Skin Deep database. I'm feeling a little ok with it, because it's only sitting on my skin for 10-20 minutes max, twice a week max. 

5. Jurlique Eye Makeup Remover ($25) - Thanks to my monthly Birchbox, I'm getting exposed to products beyond what Sephora carries. Jurlique is one of those new brands I'm wanting to get more of! I read an article recently about how the French have some of the best skin in the world due to their toilette that they pass down to their next generation. It's a ritual! And they're much less harsh than we are on our skin. So, after all my years of astringent and acne creams, I'm moving over to sensitive, kinder products. This remover is missing all those toxins I've mentioned before (except for the phenoxyethanol). I'm having a hard time using more natural products that still get off all my mascara and gel/waterproof liner. My Bliss Lid + Lash Wash is working great now, but when it's gone, I'm not repurchasing, because of  the propylene glycol. I plan to use my Birchbox points when I get to 100 next month again to purchase this and try.

6. Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow in Titanium ($32) - This is my "naughty" wish... It's definitely not natural (primer has parabens), but I got hooked when watching this Sephora video. My brother's wedding is in less than a month, and I'm wearing a gray/silver dress in "mercury." This will go perfectly. I had a Sephora employee demo it for me last time I was in a store, and it is so versatile and beautiful. But $32 for one eye shadow is making me cringe a bit... We'll see if I make this unnatural plunge... :) Has anyone else used it? Thoughts?

I know it's dangerous for me to read other bloggers wish lists, because then I spend money... Tell me if I was a bad influence on you! It'll make me happy. (Is that wrong?)

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The Great Primer Search: Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Primer

The Great Primer Search 

Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Primer - $33

Just like any other product, there are 82 bazillion primers out there! However, when you're trying to detox your makeup bag one product at a time, it really does narrow down your options. After loving Tarte's Clean Slate I had a hard time parting with it, but wanted to find a silicone free option. 

Because it's silicone free, it feels like a second moisturizer and not a thick spackle-like substance. Having very oily skin, that silicone is typically what keeps me from being shiny, so I wondered how this would go. However, I do like that it is paraben, sulphate and propylene glycol free. And it smells very yummy!

As you can tell, it's slightly tinted and more on the yellow undertone side. However, when it's rubbed in, it is not as noticeable.

I did notice it kept my face oils at bay better than had I not used anything at all to prime. It didn't work as well as the Tarte Clean Slate, though. I am not allergic to silicone, so I am tempted to go back.

Here's the main con. If it weren't for it doing this ^ when I rubbed it in I would have worked through the whole tube. But at $33 it was just too much to deal with this "pilling." I returned it and have since purchased two even more natural primers I will let you know about soon: 100% Pure Luminous Primer  ($26) & The All Natural Face Foundation Primer ($11.50). The main reason I went with even more natural is that both the Tarte and Korres primers contain phenoxyethanol which scored a 4 on EWG's Skin Deep database. It doesn't seem too be too toxic an ingredient, as it doesn't bioaccumulate; but it is considered an irritant. 

Any one else having a hard time detoxing their makeup? If you have any tips/recommendations on what works really well and is natural, I'd love to hear about it!

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Makeup Detox Episode 1: Gabriel Foundation

Gabriel Moisturizing Liquid Foundation - $28

One of my New Year's goals (I hate making resolutions...) was to replace my products with natural alternatives as I used them up. Firstly, using something up entirely is really difficult for me! Am I the only one? It seems my loyalty is lacking, and my tendency to keep buying and hopping around is terrible! However, I'm almost done with my MAKE UP FOR EVER Mat Velvet foundation, which I love, but it scores a 5-6 on EWG's Skin Deep database. For starters, it contains parabens (studies have found many types of parabens in breast cancer tumors: un-metabolized by the body) and many other chemical ingredients I'd like to do without. So, when that's gone, I need another foundation. Many makeup purists will would rule out all liquid foundations, but I just don't know if I can give them up... 

My first branch out into natural foundation was Gabriel Cosmetics' Liquid Foundation. I decided to do my shopping at Whole Body (the beauty/body care side to Whole Foods). I tried several brands on my hands or fore arms, and this was the most 'normal' consistency in there. That was a little disheartening. You all know how much I love Sephora, so I really wish they had more natural offerings. Even Tarte, Korres and Fresh sometimes have ingredients I don't agree with. So, I ventured out.

I felt I was going out on a metaphorical-makeup-purchasing limb, since the cosmetic department lacked any marketing materials to explain what the purpose of this foundation was (other than the obvious normal use). It also does not come in a box or anything with print on it to "sell" it or promote its benefits. I can understand why: less packaging is green (and less expensive for the manufacturer). However, it left me feeling I was making a decision without all the vital deets. The associate that helped me match the shade said it should work for my oily skin, but she seemed unsure of herself. She also assured me I could return it if it didn't work out, and that sealed the deal!

As you know, I'm as pale as it gets. So, I matched on the inside of my arm (her suggestion) to the Pale Ivory. The packaging is so-so. As you can see, it's frosted glass with a typical top. I honestly prefer a squeeze bottle, so I can get the most use. When I opened the tester in the store, the black square top came off the cap that screws on to the bottle, so I expected mine to do that over time. For $28, I typically prefer some sturdy and more inventive packaging.

It comes out very liquid-y. I'm used to my matte foundation being a bit thicker, so it was easy for me to dispense too much.

When I got home with the product I went online to read about it and saw that it was truly meant mainly to moisturize, and I don't need that. (It does say it won't make skin oily...) I already use my Korres gel moisturizer under my primer, so a moisturizing foundation is too much. It also doesn't help keep the oily-ness down to a minimum.

 I spread this in and around using my fingers. I generally use a blending sponge to help it set on the surface of my skin, so I didn't love how it settled in the lines on my hands.

When applied to my face it was more moisturizing than I would have preferred and the coverage didn't last all day as well as my MUFE does. I also became much shinier than usual. I know... natural makeup can do that! You might be asking yourself: "Are you looking for a miracle, Tara?!" Why, yes...

Because I wasn't "in-love" with it, I did end up returning it. And I appreciated how friendly the Customer Service associate at Whole Foods was! I had my eyes on some BB creams and other foundations I'd rather try, and considering foundations last for half a year with me, I want to make that investment with care. Knowing a BB cream will not give the coverage I want, I have purchased the Korres Mineral Foundation and have really loved how well it does over a tinted moisturizer (and the MUFE foundation). It (+ a BB cream) doesn't provide the perfect airbrushed look I want, but I think I will have to sacrifice that to keep toxins out of my body. (Or I will just have a long quest to discover what works)! But I am excited to let my skin breathe more and hopefully that will result in better skin that needs less coverage.

Have any of you discovered a natural alternative that meets all your needs? Share the wealth!

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