Makeup has been around for hundreds of years. Most people say that makeup makes women look younger, confident and more attractive. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but makeup works and definitely enhances features. There are many makeup products available on the market, but it’s also really important to know what you’re putting on your face and all the toxic ingredients it contains. Toxic formulas lead to many dangerous diseases, infections and even cancer.
Makeup comes in thousands of colours, shapes and sizes. It varies from types of products to ways to use these products. There are no rules to makeup, and they can be used whichever way the wearer prefers. Here are the main types of makeup product categories:
Foundation – this is the base product on your face. There are so many different types of foundation to choose from, and the choice should be based on your skin type (dry, sensitive, combination, oily). Foundation creates an even skin tone and gives a canvas for the rest of your makeup products.
Concealer – concealer is used to cover dark under eye circles and helps you look more awake. It’s also used to cover imperfections and blemishes.
Powder – powder sets all of your makeup and gives it a blurred look. It is very common to use powder to matte the face, and it helps keep your foundation and concealer in place.
Eyeshadow – eyeshadow comes in thousands of colours and formulas. It is used to give your eyelids a pop of colour or to enhance the colour of your eyes. Eyeshadow also evens out the colour of your lids and hides dark spots or veins.
Eyeliner – eyeliner comes in lots of colours and formulas as well. It lines your eyes and defines them which enhances the shape of your eyes. This is why it’s most important.
Mascara – mascara is used to open up the eyes and define them. It extends your natural lashes by attaching tiny fibres that elongate them. It is also the most popular makeup product and has been for thousands of years.
Lipstick – lipstick is usually the cherry on top in makeup looks. It can completely transform a look and give an entirely different makeup style depending on what you’re going for. A classic choice can be a red lip- this is definitely a bold statement look that is popular amongst women.
Blush – blush is used to give a fresh, youthful look and adds colour to the cheeks. It can be used in many different colours, from pink to peach.
Highlighter – highlighter does exactly what it’s called- highlights the face and makes it look more fresh, youthful and awake. It brightens the highest points of the face: cheekbones, cupid’s bow, bridge of the nose and the sides of the forehead.
Focus on the eyes
Most people will say that the eyes are the most important part of the face, the part that catches the most attention and shows the most emotions. This is why it’s a big part of our makeup routine to enhance the eyes- their colour, shape and size. As mentioned above, mascara, eyeshadow and eyeliner are all used to bring out the eyes and make them pop. Studies show that women rate eye makeup as the number one thing enhancing other women’s facial attractiveness.
The power of eyeliner
What is eyeliner?
Eyeliner is a cosmetic used to define the eyes. It is applied around the contours of the eyes to create a variety of looks. It was first used in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia as a dark black line around the eyes. In the 1960s liquid eyeliner was used to create thick lines around the eyes for a dark and dramatic effect. Eyeliner is commonly used in a daily makeup routine to shape the eye and give the look of a wider or smaller eye. Eyeliner can be placed in different parts of the eye to create different looks with winged eyeliner, thin defining liner and tight-lined at the waterline. It can be drawn above upper lashes or below lower the lashes, even on the water lines of the eyes. This draws a lot of attention to the eyes and can be used in different hues depending on the colour you use.
What is the point of it?
Eyeliners are meant to define the shape of your eyes or to give them an entirely different shape. They also enhance the colour of your eyes and bring out their natural beauty. Using eyeliner can completely change your makeup look and make the most significant difference. Eyeliner creates depth and the way you apply it is the way you decide what type of look you’re going for. Whether you want to achieve a more dramatic look or a softer look is all up to you.
Why is “regular” eyeliner bad for you?
You may not know, but eyeliner contains lots of toxic ingredients that are harmful to your body. It can also be risky for the eyes and can seriously hurt them. You must know the importance of proper hygiene of course because if you aren’t careful, eyeliner can harm your vision. When it is applied on the inner eyelid, there is a high risk that it can go into your eye, potentially causing damage. Eyeliners usually contain wax, oils, silicones and other ingredients that are naturally difficult to remove. When eyeliner enters the tear it can cause irritation, bacteria entering the eye, discomfort, redness and blurred vision. It is recommended not to “tight line” or apply it to the inner parts of the eye. This increases the risk of vision problems.
For those who wear contact lenses, eyeliner can leave deposits on your lenses that also affects your vision and comfort. It also causes dryness and irritation. Also, remember never to use old eyeliner or dried up products.
Toxic ingredients found in eye makeup:
- Carbon black– this is a powder found in eyeliner and eye products in general. It has been linked to cancer and organ system toxicity. It’s shown on the label as carbon black, acetylene black, channel black, furnace black and thermal black.
- BAK- benzalkonium chloride is a preservative found in eyeliner and mascara. It is known to be toxic to the epithelial cells of the eyes. The cell keeps dust and bacteria out of the eye and provides a smooth surface on the cornea to absorb and distribute oxygen and cell nutrients from tears to the rest of the cornea.
- Aluminium powder– it gives eye makeup its hue, but it’s linked to organ system toxicity and is also a neurotoxin. It’s labeled as aluminium, LB Pigment 5 or pigment metal.
- Ethanolamine compounds- these contain cancer-causing chemicals called nitrosamines. Avoid the letters DEA, TEA and MEA.
- Prime yellow carnauba wax- this ingredient stiffens the formula of eyeliners and mascaras to make them waterproof. It can lead to dry eye disease.
- Parabens– these are preservatives that are used to prevent the growth of bacteria in makeup products. Once they are absorbed through the skin and transmitted into the bloodstream, they can cause breast cancer and early puberty.
- Retinyl acetate- this form of vitamin A has been linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity. Even if you don’t have problems with sensitive eyes, you should avoid vitamin A.
- Heavy metals- nickel and chrome are two heavy metals found in all types of makeup, especially metallic or green eye products. Heavy metals are neurotoxins that have been linked to brain damage. They are also associated with lung cancer and respiratory concerns. Always make sure to check the ingredients, especially if you have a nickel allergy, but it’s quite common that sometimes it isn’t even listed in the label.
- Titanium dioxide- this ingredient is only safe when it’s in powder form. It’s labelled as such or as TiO2.
How do you avoid harmful chemicals in eyeliner?
It’s difficult to get rid of products containing all these harmful ingredients fully or even checking the labels to see what they contain. The safest way to use products that are good for your eyes and non-harmful is switching to organic eyeliners. There are so many of them available on the market, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t switch to them. They are of similar quality to the ones available at Sephora or the drugstore, sometimes even better.
Some amazing organic eyeliners we can recommend are:
- Inika Organic- Certified Organic Liquid Eyeliner- this is a vegan, smudge-free, alcohol-free product that includes aloe, mineral pigments and black tea leaf extract. It’s long lasting and creates a pigmented line. It comes in black and brown.
- Jane Iredale- Liquid Eyeliner- it’s gluten-free, vegan and free of irritating latex. It doesn’t dry out thanks to essential oils in its formula that also nourish the skin.
- W3II People- Expressionist Liquid Eyeliner- it’s made with pure botanical ingredients, and it’s felt tip makes it easy to apply. Let’s not forget that the formula lasts all day.
- Ilia- Pure Eyeliner- This eyeliner twists up like a pen but glides on like a liquid liner. The formula is super rich and creamy that can be used for a delicate, natural look or dramatic, glamorous look. The biggest plus is that it comes in 6 shades!
Switching to organic products is the best makeup decision you can make. No more worrying about irritation or dryness. Organic eyeliner guarantees comfort, smoothness and all-day wear. You should avoid waterproof products in general, though- these can lead to dry eye disease. Stick to more organic oils such as coconut oil or argan oil. They can contain natural moisturising properties and don’t irritate the eyes, especially when removing makeup.
Always remember to read labels carefully. Just because a product has “natural” all over it or “hypoallergenic” doesn’t mean it’s organic and safe. It can be referring to only a few ingredients, not that whole product itself. It’s also extremely important to avoid products with any fragrances. Fragrances can be extremely irritable for the skin and cause rashes or allergic reactions.
Using eye makeup often can be quite irritating for the eyes in general, no matter what types of products you use. It’s best to see an eye doctor once in a while to check up on your eyes so he can detect any problems or give advice. Organic eyeliner is a great option for makeup lovers that want to go natural and use safe, vegan products. They all have amazing quality and can save you your vision and health.
