What is Mineral Makeup?
Mineral makeup is made of naturally occurring minerals and pigments sourced from nature and the Earth itself. Quality mineral makeup ranges contain only natural, low allergenic ingredients with no synthetic chemicals or harsh natural substances such as talc, bismuth or parabens.
Why is Mineral Makeup Better for Us than Conventional Cosmetics?
We have evolved for millions of years alongside minerals and natural substances, so much so that our skin considers these substances its ‘old friends’. In comparison, synthetic chemicals have been created in a laboratory, and mostly in the last 50-60 years. As our skin has never encountered these chemicals before, they can often be seen by the skin and our own immune system as ‘strangers’ and provoke reactions ranging from mild acne, roughening in patches, blemishes and tired looking skin to more serious reactions that can affect our overall health.
Imagine smearing a cocktail of these synthetic chemicals on your face, everyday for months, years, decades. That’s exactly what we do when we apply conventional makeup. Our skin must deal with these ‘strangers’ on a daily basis, and over the years the cumulative effects can leave our skin looking lifeless and prematurely aged.
Natural mineral cosmetics, healthy and beautiful.
When we switch to natural mineral cosmetics, our skin literally breathes a sigh of relief as the stress of dealing with synthetic chemicals is lifted and it can begin to heal itself of the many conditions we’ve never realised were caused by our toxic makeup.
The results are often more vibrant skin, less acne, rough patches and blemishes and generally healthier skin, which in turn allows us to be healthier.
What about Colour Range and Staying Power?
A good quality mineral makeup range will be competitive with conventional brands of cosmetics in colour range and staying power. The colour range can be mellow and natural, or glam and dramatic, it’s all in the application!
The unique properties of mineral makeup allow it to blend together with other products without reacting. Layering, wetting powders with moisturiser, water, balms or oils and applying with different applicators provide infinite ways of using mineral makeup and achieving the desired effects. It’s all up to you and your imagination!
What about Cost?
Often better quality products are more expensive than inferior ones, but we get what we pay for, and with cheaper cosmetics this often means a bunch of synthetic fragrances, colours, preservatives and other harmful chemicals that stress our skin and make us unhealthier.
You can reduce the amount you spend on mineral makeup by buying local brands (less transport costs and no import tax) and using applicators that don’t waste the product. If you value your beauty and health, it’s a good idea to switch to natural beauty enhancers that don’t stress, clog or harm your precious skin.
Where can I get Mineral Makeup?
These days mineral cosmetic products can be found in a wide range of places including beauty salons and day spas, chemists, health stores, department stores, and online. We sell an Australian made mineral cosmetics range called Inika*.
When choosing a mineral cosmetics brand, it’s important to keep in mind the fact that not all mineral cosmetic ranges are created equal. We recommend steering well clear of big name conventional makeup brands that have brought out mineral cosmetic lines. From experience we’ve found most of these still contain some unwanted synthetic ingredients and harmful natural ones as well.
A good quality mineral cosmetics range should be:
- All natural (no synthetics)
- Free of ‘nasties’ like talc, bismuth oxychloride and parabens
- Low allergenic
- Certified Cruelty Free (see your local no test list)**
- Vegan (contain no animal products, including the brushes. This also helps with ensuring the low allergy status)
*We recommend you buy a locally made cosmetics range to support local business and to decrease the environmental impact of the products (less shipping means less impact). Check out the local brands where you live. Here in Australia, as well as Inika cosmetics, we also recommend Pure Gaisha, and Musq.
**For your local no test list, see the relevant website: (Australia) www.ccf.org.au, (International) www.leapingbunny.org.
Our next several blogs will cover some of the many application techniques for natural mineral cosmetics including handy tricks on how to use a single product in many ways. Stay tuned!
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