In recent years it has come to light that some of the ingredients in our makeup and skincare products are less than desirable. That is if you ignore the ones that are outright toxic. While ingredients listed as “fragrance” are just about the most risky of them all, given that up to one hundred different chemicals can fall under the namesake, there are others like phthalates, parabens, BHT, and BHA that have links to myriad health problems.
The Environmental Working Group recently conducted a study that found sixteen different potentially toxic chemicals in blood and urine samples from young women using makeup products[1]. That is pretty alarming considering we aren’t ingesting cosmetics, rather the toxic chemicals are being absorbed through our skin.
Choosing safer cosmetics is important to our health and longevity. But there are also a few completely natural and safe ways to make your own makeup. In fact, you probably have many of these in your pantry right now. Just be sure to do a small skin test to check for reactions before hand.
1. Mascara and eyeliner (black and brown)
The preservatives alone in both eyeliner and mascara are enough reason enough to veer away from mainstream brands and start making your own, but the ability to control the consistency and the depth of color is the most enticing part, because you won’t have that endless pile of I-tried-this-and-it-was-all-wrong.
Eyeliner
Ingredients
- 1/4 tsp. shea butter
- 1/4 capsule of activated charcoal or cocoa powder
Directions
Mix and keep in a reusable container for up to a week. Apply with a liner brush tracing the outside of the lash line, avoiding the inside of the lid.
Mascara
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp. aloe vera gel
- 1/4 capsule of activated charcoal or cocoa powder
Directions
Mix and keep in a reusable container for up to a week. Apply with a reusable mascara wand.
2. Foundation (various shades)
To get a smooth finish and extra staying power, you’ll need to add arrowroot to this for most of the “recipes”, but if you’ve ever complained that you can’t quite find a foundation that matches your skin tone you’re going to love this.
Loose Powder Foundation
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp zinc oxide
- 1 Tbsp arrow root powder
- Add cocoa powder and cinnamon until desired shade is achieved
Directions
Mix and keep in a reusable container for 2-4 weeks. Use a large makeup brush to apply.
3. Eye Shadow (various shades)
This is where the artistic side of you gets to really let loose and you can experiment with different ingredients to create a rainbow of colors. Use the same base recipe for each one, but by changing just a few ingredients you can create your own palate that puts those trendy colors to shame.
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp arrowroot
- Pinch of color until desired shade is achieved
- Greens – powdered spirulina
- Yellow/Orange – turmeric or saffron (turmeric can stain your skin so be conservative with it)
- Neutrals/Browns – cocoa powder
- Blacks/Grays – activated charcoal
Directions
Mix and keep in a reusable container for 2-4 weeks. Use a small makeup brush to apply. (As with all makeup, avoid getting it in your eyes)
4. Blush (various shades)
Blush is possibly the most important aspect of creating a fresh and bright look. It helps to contour your face and highlight your best angles. Adding blush also gives that youthful glow to your complexion. These ingredients can all be combined in different ways to create the exact color that is right for you.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp. arrow root powder
- Add color until desired shade is achieved
- Red/Pink – beet root powder
- Browns – cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger
- Orange/yellow – saffron
Directions
Mix and keep in a reusable container for 2-4 weeks. Use a medium size makeup brush to apply.
[1] http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/top-tips-for-safer-products/