i know this is a style blog and all, but for some reason, i never really write about beauty. i suppose one reason is that i don’t think women should have to feel like they need to wear makeup to look good. and another reason is that i just don’t think it’s nearly as interesting to write about makeup as it is to write about fashion and style. but it is a part of my daily routine nonetheless, so today i decided to write a bit about it!
i recently decided (for the millionth time) that i should start using more eco-friendly, non-toxic, non-comedogenic products on my skin. i suppose the reasons for that are pretty obvious, but it’s a hard rule to stick to when the beauty products sold at the drug store are far less expensive. and when the beauty products sold at department stores have such pretty packages, and conspicuous consumption lures me to buy fancy things. but i’ve found a happy medium in tarte cosmetics because they come in fancy packages but they aren’t nearly as expensive as chanel. so i managed to find all of my favorite products for my daily routine: oil-free tinted moisturizer, concealer, eye brightener, cheek stain, mascara, and liquid eyeliner. i’ve been using them for about 2 weeks now and have zero complaints with the switch!
and while browsing the tarte blog, i was also reminded of my need to switch over to some less toxic nail polishes as well. i was rather enticed by the deborah lippman polishes in creamy peach and putty grey, but i wasn’t convinced by the $20 price tag. and then i remembered no miss, a non-toxic polish that they used to sell at my old natural foods store. a quick search through the colors and i found plenty of chalky pastels, perfect for spring.
12 comments
Erin! I have been looking for more non-toxic nail polish! The only brand I've been able to find is Honey Bee Cosmetics. They are really inexpensive, but you have to take the polish off with rubbing alcohol. It also doesn't have a good shine to it. I do want to try our No Miss.
I've been using a combination of bare minerals, an all natural mascara, and sephora brand eye liner for some time now. And my face has not broken out since I started using bare minerals. I totally sound like an ad when I talk about it.
Thanks for sharing your beauty routine!
pretty nail varnish colors perfect for summer :)
I LOVE Tarte- it's my AOP at my second job and they have wonderful all natural eco friendly products… if you haven't tried their primer yet- it's spectacular! (and makes applying foundation so much easier) I also rarely use any other blush besides their cheek stain- They have great lip gloss too! Okay, okay I'll stop because honestly everything I've tried from them I've been beyond happy with… and not just because it's my job. Nail polish gets a little harder… thanks for those tips- you've inspired me to start my own research!
I must be going crazy. I thought you recently posted some makeup favorites that included a Shiseido refillable liquid eyeliner? But now I cannot find that post. Did I make this up? I could have sworn it was you!
I love the blog and keep thinking I might see you around Oakland, since from the looks of your roof we are sort-of neighbors. Thanks for all the great pictures and ideas!
I really want to try tarte, I wonder if the cheek stain is comparable to the benetint stain?
To Lola – I've tried both and love the Tarte cheek stain much more! I guess it depends on your personal preference for application (Benefit being liquid), but I've found that the Tarte cheek stain is fantastic because 1) It stays on allllllll day long, 2) Easy blendable, 3)Only use a quarter-sized swipe per cheek. But that's just me :) I feel like the Tarte will last me much longer and deliver a better glow than Benefit.
how funny, i just took a photo like this of my make up! today i bought some physician's formula that is 100% chemical free and cruelty free but my skin sort of itches, which has happened to me before when i've been allergic to make up….i guess i'll see how my skin reacts.
oh, have you seen the cosmetic safety database? http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
genevieve: yes, i did recently recommend the shu uemura liquid liner and it's still a long time favorite, but for now i've switched to all-natural. or mostly natural, you know! ;)
lola & emily: i also agree that the tarte stain is much better! i had been using benetint since i was 15 and it was a favorite until i tried this one. it's an oil-free gel, so it's much easier and more evenly applied and the color is brighter and lasts longer. you have to try it.
rachel: i used to check that site religiously a few years back, but i had to stop reading it because it freaked me out about how everything causes cancer. i've basically just decided to keep a short list of dangerous ingredients to avoid and hope for the best…
My favorite liquid liner is from Smashbox because it's so easy to apply and stays JET black all day. Though I'm not sure how nice they are on the environment OR my skin. eek!
I'm loving the teal polish too. A Walgreens just opened up next to my apartment and I couldn't help but pick up a bottle of the prettiest turquoise shade, and a pale pale pink.
XOXO
ouuuu tarte is my makeup of choice! i use it all day, erryday. the eraser is magical. i need to try their tinted moisturizer!
Thanks for the suggestions, I am definitely going to try and hunt down No Miss!
xx
Tiffany
I am wearing Tarte mascara today. It's very very good and I generally hate makeup. Make steh lashes long.