Category — Brands

There is a rumor going around that while it’s possible to find organic or natural skin care, when it comes to organic makeup, the waters are much murkier…

Well, to an extent that’s true. There are many more companies that make organic creams and masks, then those that make lipsticks and mascaras. But that doesn’t mean that there is nothing out there. And to prove it, I’ve made a thorough search, and profiled some of the best organic (and mostly certified) makeup choices around the world.

I posted the whole list here: “World’s Best Organic Makeup Lines”. The list includes organic makeup lines and natural makeup lines that may or may not be around your area, but at least some you should definitely be able to find!

Now, the criteria I used when searching was whether the makeup is certified, is free of synthetics, parabens, and not testing on animals. Despite the fact that I know that not all certifications are created equal, a lack of one is also telling. For example, there is a New Zealand brand that is “natural” and mostly “organic” or “wild harvested”, called “Living Nature”, but it is not certified. When I looked closer into it, I realized that they add synthetic ingredients, such as colors into their lipstick. Since that’s precisely what I’m trying to avoid, I’m not featuring them on my page (though I will gladly do so if they discontinue the use of synthetics). Sukicolour, however is an exception. While I could not find any information on certificates, upon studying the ingredients and information available about the line, I came to conclusion that there are no synthetic ingredients or preservatives, and therefore it falls into the “as natural as possible” category.

If you know other trusted, tested, and honest brands, please drop me a note. Good natural and/or organic makeup is still a developing sector in the beauty market, and every effort should be made to encourage manufacturers to provide us with effective choices. There is absolutely no reason why we should sacrifice health for beauty. And there is absolutely no reason why we should be eating poison in our lipsticks or putting poison on our eyes. Nature has provided us with abundant resources for facial art (for that’s what makeup really is ). Just look out on a field of wild flowers, and you’ll see that nature’s pallet has everything an artist could ever dream of and more.

Some of the lines featured are: Lavera, Logona, Physician’s Formula, Dr. Haushcka, SukiColour, NveyEco, SANTE Cosmetics, etc…

I hope that this list continues on growing, as new items enter the market. And as I find out about them

This is the long-awaited part two of my organic eye-cream experiment. (Here is part one where I featured Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Gel) What can I say? I think I’m in love… Yes, I’m positively developing a love affair with Dr. Hauschka products. And this eye cream is so perfect for my eyes, that I’m struggling with words that would adequately convey the depth of my appreciation for finally finding a cream that does precisely what it promises, without any side effects.

I’m practically hyperventilating from the excitement.

Ok, catch my breath. Let’s do a review.

Product name:
Daily Revitalizing Eye Cream by Dr. Hauschka


What and who is it for:
“A light, hydrating daily treatment. Firms and smoothes the eye area to minimize fine lines.” It really is for everyone, and especially so for those with sensitive skin.

About the brand:
Given the popularity of my “brand overview” articles (eg: Jurlique, Weleda) I am intending to write an extensive Dr. Haushka brand overview ASAP. For now, please see the “about the brand” section of my review of Dr. Hauschka “Quince Day Cream”. But, in a nutshell, this is a company heavily influenced by anthroposophical ideas of Rudolf Steiner, and therefore it uses pure organic and biodynamic ingredients, as well as does its part in being eco-consious and globally friendly. The company manufactures a very comprehensive cosmetics line that includes both organic skin care and makeup products.

Price:
Around $50 for the tube. But it is worth every penny and you need so little per use that it will last for ages!

Certifications:
100% Certified Natural by the BDIH.

Packaging:
A recyclable aluminum tube. The tube is coated with a food-grade resin, so aluminum does not come in contact with the product.

Reading the ingredients:

These ingredients read like “who is who” in the nature’s apothecary. Avocado for vitamins (especially Vitamin E – best for anti-aging) and fatty acids, rose flower water to soothe and treat most sensitive of skins, pineapple for lighting, hydrating and smoothing… The list goes on. It really does read like food for skin!

Water/Aqua, Avocado (Persea Gratissima) Oil, Rose (Rosa Damascena) Distillate, Glycerin, Alcohol, Pineapple (Ananas Sativus) Extract, Beeswax/Cera Alba, Althaea Officinalis (Marsh Mallow) Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea) Oil, Hectorite, Sweet Almond (Prunus Dulcis) Oil, Rose (Rosa Gallica) Petal Extract, Apricot (Prunus Armeniaca) Kernel Oil, Lecithin, Jojoba (Buxus Chinensis) Oil, Mango (Mangifera Indica) Butter, Macadamia Ternifolia Nut Oil, Shea (Butyrospermum Parkii) Butter, Seabuckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides) Oil, Carrageenan (Chondrus Crispus), Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Fragrance/Parfum (Essential Oil), Geraniol*

Other claims:
‘With Dr.Hauschka Daily Revitalizing Eye Cream the skin around the eyes feels relaxed and nurtured, and premature wrinkles are prevented. It is a refreshing relief for the tired and overworked eye contour area.”

Scent:
Very subtle and hardly detectable. Just as I like it

Texture:
Light and creamy.

What does it actually do:
It is extremely light and fast absorbing. Not even for a second did my eyes have the usual “bloated” feeling other creams cause. I could blink, stare and wink with no problems. Nor did they look shiny as if I painted glasses on my face (an occurrence not so unique with eye creams I’ve used in the past). And it wasn’t greasy either, so it is make-up ready. I don’t have too many lines under my eyes – thankfully I’m still in the “prevention” mode , but my companion (who, as I mentioned at the beginning of this experiment, is in her very young early fifties) is raving about the smoothing action… In fact, when I asked her to tell me what she thought about this cream (compared to Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Gel) which she liked a lot, she had just one word: “Better!” Now, that’s saying something, given all the praise that Jurlique received from her. I tried to get her to elaborate, but it was all “good” and “better” and “nice” and “gentle” and “working”… Hardly cohesive (positive emotion overwelmed her vocabularly too), but the gist was obvious.

Cons: Given my glowing review I feel like I need to provide a con, just so I don’t seem too biased. And I’m really trying to find one. Still trying… Really trying… Perhaps I could say the price, for as I mentioned above it can come to $50. But is that really a con? I mean, that cream lasts a very long time, and the price is quite normal as far as eye creams go. And you are getting real quality here… For your eyes. With no preservatives. Or colours. Or other suspicious little chemicals that other companies like to add just so my eyes can experience the different shades of scarlet…

I’m just trying to be objective here…

And, by the way, my companion is still using the sample pack. It’s that tiny little-paper-square thing. She’s stretched it for two weeks already… A little goes a long way. So yah, it might be slightly pricier than some other choices you’ve seen, but calculate it over its useful life and you are talking pennies a day…

So no… No cons.

Verdict:
My thesaurus is not providing me with enough positive words to describe how happy I am with this eye cream. Cause I am really happy with it. And I’m seriously considering writing a “thank you” letter to Dr. Hauschka.

And as to the comparison with Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Gel? Dr. Hauschka is the clear winner. At least in my view ;-) And if you share it, you can get your own little miracle here:
Dr.Hauschka Daily Revitalizing Eye Cream