Makeup Artist Kristen Arnett joined us to share a few simple switches to make your cosmetics a little less toxic to your body and a little easier on the environment.

A more expensive brand doesn’t mean the ingredients are safer or better for you. So much money is poured into creating an image and experience, through the use of models, packaging, and words which are chosen to market the product by advertising and sales staff.

In fact, the trendy ingredient they are touting might not be in high enough concentration in the product to make any difference whatsoever. Common Ingredients Found in Makeup may even be toxic or irritants.  These toxins have been linked to cancer, brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, and Thyroid Disease.  Irritating ingredients may be why you think your makeup is causing acne or making your dry skin worse.

Some of those commonly found in cosmetics include:

• Talc
• Bismuth Oxychloride
• Methyl-and Poly-Paraben
• Phthalates are hidden toxins NOT listed on ingredient labels, but they live within Fragrance or Perfume
• Propylene Glycol (also listed as PEGs)
• More toxic ingredient information can be found at this website.

Here are suggestions on makeup that are easy transitions from some beloved shades and brands which magazine beauty editors always tout as being the best. These products don’t have all the un-safe ingredients in them, but still deliver in performance, color and might actually do your skin good rather than harm.

• Instead of Bare Minerals which has Bismuth Oxychloride in it try Jenulence (a brand that has signed the “Compact for Safe Cosmetics”)
• If you love Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer, then try Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Tinted Moisturizer
• If you love Benefit Cheek Tint then try 100% Pure Cheek and Lip Tint in Cranberry
• If you love Nars blush in Orgasm, then try 100% Pure in Mimosa
• If you love Stila’s Lip Glaze in Apricot, then try the yummy tasting, all-natural REVOLUTION Organics Freedom Gloss in Vibe.
• If you love Lancome’s Juicy Tubes then you’ll love Organic Pharmacy’s Glossy Lip Plump
• If you love Dior Show Mascara, Korres Abyssinia Oil Mascara.  Hands down the best mascara I’ve ever tried in my life.  I don’t say that lightly.
• If you love Benefit Bad Gal mascara, then try Josie Maran GOGO Natural Volume Argan Mascara benefiting the City of Hope. Beautiful lashes with a more than one benefit!
• If you love MAC Fluidline Eyeliner then try 100% Pure Gel Liner
• If you love Clinique Quickliner then try Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Eyeliner
• If you love, MAC Strobe Cream then Organic Pharmacy Liquid Shimmer Highlighter.
• If you love good brushes, consider buying the Eco Tools Brushes. Synthetic and cruelty free.  The process of getting animal hair for brushes, depending on the country of origin, is pretty dismal and upsetting.  They come in eco-friendly, and makeup bag friendly travel rolls. Keeps them from getting bacteria by protecting the bristles from your other cosmetics.

Being safe, sustainable, eco-friendly, to me is about making ourselves healthier but also having the consciousness to see that we are a part of something larger, and our ability to make a positive impact on not just for ourselves but also for the lives of others.

For more information, visit Kristen's website.