Makeup Cleanse: Take A Walk on The Natural Side

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Racked's own Rea Frey, fitness guru and health food nut explores the beauty aisles along the North and Clybourn corridor and realizes that as the weather changes, so do your makeup needs.

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With more and more “natural” brands popping onto the market in light of popular books such as No More Dirty Looks, many women are looking to more natural cosmetics (what, you don’t want formaldehyde, parabens, or other toxic chemicals you can’t pronounce on your skin? Beware: mascaras are some of the worst products around) to take the place of their most beloved brands.

Given this, we decided to hit the pavement in search of some easy finds that would work as well, if not better, than their more chemical laden counterparts.

The result? Plenty of choices for comparable prices and a flawless coverage that would have any woman clamoring to switch their death-bound products in favor of more eco-friendly face paints.

First stop? North Avenue Whole Foods. There, nestled amongst the gorgeous array of produce, wine bars, stroller-pushing moms and countless supplements, are several brands of organic, natural makeup lines. The few brands we found and tested were Zuzu Luxe, Dr. Hauschka, Burt’s Bees, and Mineral Fusion.

From foundation to concealer, mascara, blush, eyeliner, shadow and lip gloss, all of our needs were covered, and there was no pushy salesperson spritzing perfume or offering free makeovers at every lurking corner. Just the scents of lavender and the occasional shopping cart rolling by.

Armed with our natural, non-toxic essentials, we made our way across the street to Ulta, where you can find cheap, eco-friendly brushes made with bamboo and sold in a reusable pouches (average price was $5) and some fancier brands (think Japonesque) for perfect coverage.

Want to go an extra mile? Skip the harsh makeup removers and expensive moisturizers and opt for some coconut oil instead. Great for cooking, this amazing anti-microbial, anti-fungal oil extends beyond the frying pan. It will instantly soften your skin and remove even the toughest mascara or eye liner. No harsh ingredients. And a little goes a long way.

So, the next time you’re about to slather a product on your skin, read the ingredients first. Look for natural ingredients. Avoid fragrance at all costs. Look for short, concise lists. And if you can’t pronounce it? Don’t put it on your skin. - Rea Frey
· ULTA [Official Site]
· Whole Foods [Official Site]