If you’ve been around these parts for awhile, then you’ll recall that I’ve been on a personal journey to find cleaner and non-toxic products for many aspects of my lifestyle. Earlier this summer I decided to try and find some cleaner makeup products to try out and I’m ready to share my thoughts with y’all, so here are my latest finds in clean and non-toxic makeup that works.
Matte mineral SPF // Concealer // Lip balm c/o // Blush-bronzer palette // Liquid eyeliner // Mascara // Bronzer // Liquid lipstick in Vacay // Makeup bag c/o
I’ve already worked towards making a transition to cleaner and non-toxic products in the realms of skincare (see the post here) and chemical-free deodorants (read the post), so the next facet I wanted to explore was makeup.
I acknowledge that this is something that’s super difficult, because quite frankly a lot of clean makeup products are free of the ingredients that make normal makeup work, and have staying power. I was pretty hesitant to make the switch, mostly because I had personal tried and true makeup favorites that I’ve worn for years. But, I’ve also been seeing a lot of articles and commentary about the toxicity of a lot of this regular makeup, and honestly it freaks me out to think that my skin (the largest organism we have!), is potentially absorbing these chemicals and toxins. No thanks!
So before I dive into each product of clean and non-toxic makeup that works for me, I want to preface by saying this: I have not totally rid myself of all non-clean makeup. I couldn’t bring myself to just throw a lot of the expensive products away. So, I compromised with myself and bought a few clean(er) makeup products to try, PLUS resolved to finish off the non-clean makeup products I already own. Hopefully in the next few months I can finish off these older makeup products and add even more clean makeup products to my routine.
Supergoop Matte Mineral Sunscreen // So, I’m still on the hunt for a clean SPF, but for the time being I made the switch to this Supergoop product. I love that it’s mineral based and the matte finish really works here in Houston with the endless humidity. If I hadn’t made it clear in prior posts, I’m a freak about sunscreen application and never leave the house without it! I had previously been using Clinique tinted SPF and realized there were tons of chemicals and ingredients I had never even heard of in it. Yes, the Supergoop isn’t totally clean, but I definitely feel like the mineral-base is a step in the right direction! If you have any clean facial SPF recommendations, do let me know in the comments.
Lune & Aster concealer // I discovered Lune & Aster during a visit to our local Blue Mercury store. Coming from using Nars and other high-end concealers, I had high expectations and figured they wouldn’t be met with a cleaner concealer. Well, I was wrong. This concealer really works. It’s Vegan, Paraben and Phthalates-free, plus vitamin-infused. I love the formula, as it has substance but isn’t too heavy. It definitely works for my under-eye circles and has staying power. I highly recommend this concealer as a cleaner makeup alternative. 
Drunk Elephant lip balm // I’m almost positive I keep a lip balm in every drawer, purse pocket and any other place possible! I can never be without my lip balm, because my lips seem to always feel chapped or dried out. I’ve actually talked about other Drunk Elephant products previously (see here) and absolutely love them. One of my favorite things about the brand is that they’re free of what Drunk Elephant calls “the suspicious six” of any kind in their products (1. silicones, 2. chemical screens, 3. sensitizing colorants/perfumes, 4. sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) 5. essential oils, 6. drying alcohols). This lip balm is a must for anyone looking to try a clean alternative.
Glo Minerals bronzer // If you hadn’t noticed, I tend to go for a more natural makeup look and don’t wear a lot of it. That being said, I’ve had this bronzer for at least a year and have made it last. While this bronzer isn’t completely void of clean and non-toxic ingredients, it is Paraben-free, Talc-free and cruelty-free. The product formulation has a bit of shimmer, which might bother some, but it also has staying power. Quite frankly, a little goes a long way! This is one of those products that I want to finish off then look for a cleaner alternative in the future. 
Lune & Aster blush & bronzer palette // I wanted to pick up a blush that had great pigmentation and staying power, and lucky for me this palette also included a bronzer. On the cleaner-side of regular makeup products, although not entirely clean. I do love both the blush and bronzer, they’re really pretty and natural colors that work for both day and evening.
Smith & Cult eye pen // So, my ride or die eyeliner, the Stila liquid liner, has since been replaced by this awesome clean beauty line. I had never been able to find an alternative that I loved to the Stila product, but this is it. Not only is the formula waterproof, but it’s also quick-drying. I apply this once in the morning and never need to reapply it, which is truly amazing! The brand is vegan, gluten and paraben-free, plus they’re very well-known for their nail polish, which I’ve also been trying out, and they’re free of eight-free when most luxury nail brands are only free of five toxic ingredients. 
Lash Food volumizing mascara // Another product that I was super weary of trying to replace with a cleaner, non-toxic brand. I love my Estee Lauder, Givenchy and other high-end mascaras. They have some serious volumizing properties. I had heard about Lash Food and their cleaner ingredients, but hadn’t ever had the chance to get my hands on it. That changed when I chatted with the gal at Blue Mercury who helped me and said she had personally tried Lash Food mascara and could attest to how well it worked. I picked up my own and have been hooked ever since! Lash Food products are free of prostaglandin, sulfate, phthalates and synthetic fragrances. It’s also dermatologist-tested and plant based product. I was expecting to not see much from the volumizing mascara, but I was so wrong. This mascara is awesome! I highly recommend and feel like you’re definitely not sacrificing on the integrity of the mascara when swapping out for a cleaner alternative.
Lune + Aster Liquid lipstick // I recently spoke with someone about how our lips are tricky because we not only apply product to it, but we also have the chance to ingest it without even noticing – if we lick our lips, etc. I’m currently on the hunt for some cleaner lipstick and lipgloss, but for the time being, I’m really enjoying this liquid lipstick formula. It’s bold and bright, the color is Vacay, and it stays for hours without needing re-application. Vegan and paraben-free plus includes Vitamins C + E in the formulation. It’s definitely hydrating too!
Like I said, this is a preliminary review of clean and non-toxic makeup that works and which I’ve personally tried. I know I have much more exploring and discovering to do! I’m hoping to transition over my routine to at least 75% clean and non-toxic in the coming year. I know it’ll be quite a bit of trial and error, but I’m ready for it! Let me know in the comments if there are any brands worth trying and products you’ve found. xo
I love this post today, Alex! Very informative and thorough!
Thanks Elle! I wanted to make sure I covered all the bases – it can be so intimidating and complicated to make the switch!