Welcome to Better Organic Choice (BOC), a column focusing on makeup, skincare and beauty tips, tricks and product advice for the holistically hip. We cover the best in green glam, behind the scenes and in your face (not your traditional crunchy granola here). We are here to help you explore all the beauty treatments you adore! Do you often worry if your beauty products are dangerous to your health? Are you dizzy from analyzing ingredients? Guiding you is my pleasure.
Ever since I was a little girl, I loved the bright lights of New York City and bright, shiny, colorful eye shadows. I was first drawn to makeup in the 70’s (totally just outed my age). Back then, it was all about disco and sparkle. I loved all of the shiny clothes and over-the-top sparkling eye shadow. In my teens, I always had a secret stash hidden away in a drawer. When I got a bad grade on a test or the boy I liked didn’t return the feeling, I would go home and put on my favorite Donna Summer album and play with my beautiful shades of sparkling shadows. I think it’s fair to say that sparkling eye shadows were my first obsession (who needs boys, anyway?).
For a successful celebrity makeup artist in the 90’s, MAC Cosmetics was the staple of every professional makeup kit, mine included. I especially loved the over-the-top colors and pigmentations of their eye shadows. When they came out with loose pigments, I was back once again in my sparking disco heaven.
My obsession with MAC pigments (and almost everything MAC) came to a halt when I had an allergic reaction that led to an emergency room visit when I applied a lipstick. I began to get rid of everything that contained perfumes and dyes. I will not say that MAC pigments are toxic (because most ingredients are fine) but, here is the safety guide they have listed on eBay:
Due to the origin of MAC as a professional cosmetic line, and the wide range of clients (from professional to general public) not all MAC products are designed with the average consumer in mind. This is often the case with many PRO products, as well as some pigments. The name pigment can be misleading, as they are not pure pigments, but rather highly-pigmented, multi-purpose loose color powders. Due to the pigments and dyes in some MAC pigments, they can be hazardous if used in various facial areas, mainly the eye or lip area.
So, due to my personal reaction to certain ingredients in my beloved MAC Pigments they just didn’t fit my life anymore. I think I cried upon this realization; what was I going to do without my sparkling eye shadow? How would I create the looks that, as a makeup artist, my clients depended on? Circa 2002, while scoping the beauty aisle in my favorite health food store in Maryland, I came across the most beautiful sparkling shadows by a company called No Miss. The beauty buyer explained to me that No Miss was a family owned company from Florida, and their line was completely non-toxic. Their eye shadows are as colorful and over-the-top as my beloved MAC pigments, without the dyes. I also think it’s cute that they name many of their shadows after places in Florida. Some of my favorites are Tampa Teal and Key West Silver.
I was so impressed that I called the company and spoke to Melissa, who was my first real educator in sustainable beauty, over 10 years ago. She explained to me the difference between toxic and non-toxic ingredients. I have grown to love the entire family team at No Miss and I visit them at industry shows once a year. They are always the most colorful booth on the block, showcasing new and exciting products. I must also mention that they have lip glosses, liners, mascaras, and nail polish that are just as fun and over the top as their shadows. Check out all of their fun products at nomiss.com
Here is a video tutorial featuring No-Miss shadows.
NoMiss Eyeshadow Tutorial
Till next time, Love & Lipstick
Karim Orange is a nationally known natural cosmetics expert, celebrity personal care products artist and two-time Emmy Award nominee whose work graces the faces of countless stars in television, music, movies and the theater. If you have specific questions about nontoxic beauty products and routines that you would like to see answered in this column, please email me at karim@betterorganicchoice.com. If you would like me to green your beauty routine please visit www.betterorganicchoice.com
Tags: beauty, natural beauty, organic
Related Articles:
My Spring Product Slumber Party
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GREEN MAKEUP