When I was originally thinking about writing this post, I wanted to provide readers with some beauty products that were perfect for spring and great for creating a fresh, natural, no-makeup-makeup look.
…But then the plot thickened.
“I downloaded the scariest app last night…I was up until 2am going through all my makeup”, my roommate says sleepily to me in our kitchen Thursday morning. “Basically, everything I’ve been putting on my face is a cancer chemical.” My roommate went on to explain that she had downloaded an app called Think Dirty, which is an app that raises consumer awareness regarding the contents in popular beauty products. Trust me, the findings aren’t pretty…
…But then the plot thickened.
“I downloaded the scariest app last night…I was up until 2am going through all my makeup”, my roommate says sleepily to me in our kitchen Thursday morning. “Basically, everything I’ve been putting on my face is a cancer chemical.” My roommate went on to explain that she had downloaded an app called Think Dirty, which is an app that raises consumer awareness regarding the contents in popular beauty products. Trust me, the findings aren’t pretty…
The app operates by taking an inventory of the ingredients in each product, which allows it to create different toxin categories. For example, one product may have a high carcinogenic rating but a low rating in developmental and reproductive toxicity. Each product is then rated from 0-10: products with a rating of 10 are extremely harmful, while products with a rating between 0-4 are considered “safe.”
Naturally, I downloaded the app and began scanning my personal beauty products including items purchased at drugstores, Mac, and Sephora. Ignorance is definitely bliss. My foundation, face wash, and bronzer (among other things) each received a score of 10, indicating that they were bursting with carcinogenic toxins, developmental and reproductive toxins, and immunotoxins. The worst part is that money doesn’t buy you safer products; I found that many cosmetic brands carried in Sephora, for example, were just as bad and sometimes worse than popular drugstore brands. I have always been aware that cosmetics include artificial chemicals but I was not aware that I was (quite literally) polluting myself with toxins each time I put on a face before a night out.
If you’re not already obsessively scanning your beauty products, I imagine you’re wondering how you can create that fresh, no-makeup-makeup look for spring sans carcinogens. Don’t worry – I got you covered.
1. John Masters Organic Sea Salt Spray (Rating= 0)
Salt spray is great for adding beachy texture to natural or styled hair – perfect for spring.
Get it here.
Get it here.
2. Jane Iredale Dream Tint (Rating = 3)
Tinted moisturizers are light and quick for when you are on the go. They even out the complexion without looking heavy – perfect for a no-makeup-makeup look.
Get it here.
Get it here.
3. Physicians Formula Organic Wear Lash Boosting Mascara (Rating = 3)
If you’re blessed with beautiful dark eyelashes, you can probably opt out of the mascara and just stick to face coverage for the no-makeup look.
Get it here.
Get it here.
4. Rejuva Minerals Mineral Blush (Rating = 0)
When picking a blush for spring, I think that a coral-pink looks amazing on a diverse range of skin tones. It makes you look healthy, without looking too done-up.
Get it here.
Get it here.
5. Kide Highlighter (Rating = 3)
A glow makes a spring makeup look. This highlighter is safe, all natural, and receives good ratings.
Get it here.
Get it here.
Michelle Johannesson