Natural Makeup Tips & Hacks for a Clean, Fresh Look

L'Oreal, Cover Girl, Maybelline, Wet 'n' Wild, the list goes on: These are all brand names we've all probably grown up with, or at least know as well as we know how to find our local Target.TV, radio, the Internet, billboards, magazines...commercial cosmetics companies have all of these covered, but what about the dark side of the beauty industry?Cosmetics giants may not care about your health, but you should. Read on to learn 10 good reasons why switching to natural cosmetics is a must.

They're Safe

One of the scariest things about commercial cosmetics is the fact that they aren't heavily regulated by the US federal government, nor are they subject to pre-market safety testing. What we do know is that many common compounds in mass-market makeup are known to be carcinogenic, including Benzophenone (and related compounds), carbon black, formeldehydes and many more.They Help Give You Glowing Skin

Organic cosmetics include components like oils, plant extracts and other natural ingredients that moisturize and soothe skin. According to Stephanie Brown, a former Aveda educator and current Goldgrass Home beauty consultant, this type of makeup is formulated without pesticides, synthetics, herbicides and other harmful ingredients, using only the good stuff (i.e., plant-derived ingredients).Synthetics vs. naturals? The choice is clear just like your skin on organics!

They Don't Hurt the Environment

Commercial cosmetics packaging contributes greatly to the mountains of non-biodegradable waste piling up on the planet. Worse yet, they include ingredients like nanoparticles and mercury, which can damage ecosystems when introduced via wastewater, according to Related Article: 13 Simple Ways to Organize Your Makeup Right Now

You Can Make Your Own

This is where the fun really begins. You can make virtually any cosmetic you can dream up lip balm, lipstick, eyeshadow, nail polish, face masks, blush, powders with yummy ingredients like cocoa powder, sugar, coconut oil, cinnamon, you name it!Skip the harsh chemicals and toxins, and host a DIY makeup party instead. To learn how to concoct your own ultra-fun DIY rainbow lip scrub, check out this video by beauty guru Karina Garcia:

They Smell Yummy

Because organic makeup uses ingredients like cocoa powder and cinnamon, they often smell as amazing as they are healthy. For ladies who are accustomed to the synthetic fragrances used by cosmetics conglomerates, some natural products may smell strange at first, but rest assured: You are doing yourself and the environment a favor by skipping the synthetics.For the safest scent possible when you're looking for a great perfume, look for essential oils, which you can find at almost any natural foods distributor.

They Don't Cause Birth Defects

Frighteningly, research points to commercial cosmetics as a potential contributor to birth defects. This makeup often contains a controversial chemical called phthalates, which amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0";amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = "true";amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "isideahacks0c-20";amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "auto";amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart";amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon";amzn_assoc_region = "US";amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = "3760911";amzn_assoc_linkid = "a21f9ff56c84fceb65f4133efb3995df";amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {"type":"search","value":"natural cosmetics"};amzn_assoc_default_category = "Beauty";amzn_assoc_rows = "1";

They're Cruelty-Free

Most of us are aware of the horrific animal testing that goes on behind the laboratory doors of major makeup retailers. Straight from the There Are Many Options to Choose From

As awareness of the dangers of commercial makeup become increasingly mainstream, more and more small companies are manufacturing organic beauty products to meet the demand for safe, effective cosmetics.Now, even beauty giant Sephora offers an all-natural makeup line! Exciting new makeup lines and nail polishes are being developed every day. Go to it, girl!