think it makes skin look young and dewy! Plus it can look weird if your face is super matte and the rest of you is normal.
Most primers are white or clear, so they’ll be invisible. I’m also a big fan of Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Makeup Color Base, which comes in shades of yellow, purple, and green and lets you correct color imperfections (like dark circles and red spots) before you layer on your foundation.
CONCEALER
I apply my concealer over tinted moisturizer or foundation—I know that sounds a little counterintuitive, but it gives me a much cleaner application. (When I put concealer on first, I find the moisturizer just wipes it all off!) The trick is to apply concealer with a small brush or a Beautyblender sponge so it mixes in seamlessly with your base—and you can avoid that globby raccoon-eyes effect.
I also stash a concealer in my purse at all times (RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up and Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer are my favorites) because it’s the fastest way to do touch-ups without having to set up for a full foundation redo. I’m always whipping it out in the car or my office—10 seconds of dabbing and I’m good to go!
FOUNDATION
I’m a liquid foundation girl all the way—with my dry skin, powder can get cakey, or worse, just settle into every little line. I’m completely obsessed with Koh Gen Do’s Maifanshi Moisture Foundation. It’s from Japan (but you can find it at Sephora) and is so smooth, it almost feels like moisturizer. (It’s a little pricey, but you can always make it last longer by mixing a dab with your tinted moisturizer.)
If you’re oily, however, powder might be a better choice—the wrong liquid foundation can make you more prone to breakouts. That’s why it’s always smart to do a patch test with any new product (but you knew that, of course). Just make sure that
any
powder cosmetics you choose are talc free and 100 percent pure minerals—you don’t want any of the cheap fillers some of those greenwashing mineral lines use.
POWDER
Powder is strictly optional for everyday but is useful for setting makeup and preventing shine. My favorite (Koh Gen Do again) is a translucent loose powder that’s magical for spot illumination—it’s as if a TV lighting crew were following you around. Jane Iredale PurePressed Base SPF 20 is more heavily pigmented and is a great option for an all-over matte finish.
PHTHALATES
FOUND IN: Anything that lists “fragrance” on the label, plus some nail polishes
WHAT IS IT? A plasticizer (which makes your nail polish strong and flexible) or fragrance component (which gives products that “fresh” scent)
WHY IS IT SKETCHY? Twenty years of research suggests that phthalates can mess with our hormones and damage our reproductive health, so it’s especially critical for pregnant women, babies, and young children to steer clear.
TEA and DEA
FOUND IN: Concealer, mascara, sunless tanning lotion, and conditioner
WHAT IS IT? Triethanolamine (TEA) and diethanolamine (DEA) are proteins used to adjust the pH level of a product or as a wetting agent.
WHY IS IT SKETCHY? When TEA is combined with certain preservatives, it can create cancer-causing compounds called nitrosamines.
Pure & Simple: Add Color
C OLOR IS ONE OF my favorite ways to express myself, whether it’s a dramatic eye or a bold red lip. But it can also be a landmine because there aren’t always clean alternatives that work as well as synthetic-filled brands. Go as toxin free as you can on the everyday stuff, but don’t feel bad if you need to put performance over purity at times.
BLUSH
I opt for cream blushes or cheek stains (100% Pure makes a fabulous one; I also love Tarte’s) because I find that powder blushes can look chalky. But it’s a personal preference! There are some great powders out there—like Korres’ Zea Mays Blush and 100% Pure’s—if that’s your thing. Whichever type of blush you use, Lauren Andersen advises applying it only where you would naturally
Most primers are white or clear, so they’ll be invisible. I’m also a big fan of Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Makeup Color Base, which comes in shades of yellow, purple, and green and lets you correct color imperfections (like dark circles and red spots) before you layer on your foundation.
CONCEALER
I apply my concealer over tinted moisturizer or foundation—I know that sounds a little counterintuitive, but it gives me a much cleaner application. (When I put concealer on first, I find the moisturizer just wipes it all off!) The trick is to apply concealer with a small brush or a Beautyblender sponge so it mixes in seamlessly with your base—and you can avoid that globby raccoon-eyes effect.
I also stash a concealer in my purse at all times (RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up and Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer are my favorites) because it’s the fastest way to do touch-ups without having to set up for a full foundation redo. I’m always whipping it out in the car or my office—10 seconds of dabbing and I’m good to go!
FOUNDATION
I’m a liquid foundation girl all the way—with my dry skin, powder can get cakey, or worse, just settle into every little line. I’m completely obsessed with Koh Gen Do’s Maifanshi Moisture Foundation. It’s from Japan (but you can find it at Sephora) and is so smooth, it almost feels like moisturizer. (It’s a little pricey, but you can always make it last longer by mixing a dab with your tinted moisturizer.)
If you’re oily, however, powder might be a better choice—the wrong liquid foundation can make you more prone to breakouts. That’s why it’s always smart to do a patch test with any new product (but you knew that, of course). Just make sure that
any
powder cosmetics you choose are talc free and 100 percent pure minerals—you don’t want any of the cheap fillers some of those greenwashing mineral lines use.
POWDER
Powder is strictly optional for everyday but is useful for setting makeup and preventing shine. My favorite (Koh Gen Do again) is a translucent loose powder that’s magical for spot illumination—it’s as if a TV lighting crew were following you around. Jane Iredale PurePressed Base SPF 20 is more heavily pigmented and is a great option for an all-over matte finish.
PHTHALATES
FOUND IN: Anything that lists “fragrance” on the label, plus some nail polishes
WHAT IS IT? A plasticizer (which makes your nail polish strong and flexible) or fragrance component (which gives products that “fresh” scent)
WHY IS IT SKETCHY? Twenty years of research suggests that phthalates can mess with our hormones and damage our reproductive health, so it’s especially critical for pregnant women, babies, and young children to steer clear.
TEA and DEA
FOUND IN: Concealer, mascara, sunless tanning lotion, and conditioner
WHAT IS IT? Triethanolamine (TEA) and diethanolamine (DEA) are proteins used to adjust the pH level of a product or as a wetting agent.
WHY IS IT SKETCHY? When TEA is combined with certain preservatives, it can create cancer-causing compounds called nitrosamines.
Pure & Simple: Add Color
C OLOR IS ONE OF my favorite ways to express myself, whether it’s a dramatic eye or a bold red lip. But it can also be a landmine because there aren’t always clean alternatives that work as well as synthetic-filled brands. Go as toxin free as you can on the everyday stuff, but don’t feel bad if you need to put performance over purity at times.
BLUSH
I opt for cream blushes or cheek stains (100% Pure makes a fabulous one; I also love Tarte’s) because I find that powder blushes can look chalky. But it’s a personal preference! There are some great powders out there—like Korres’ Zea Mays Blush and 100% Pure’s—if that’s your thing. Whichever type of blush you use, Lauren Andersen advises applying it only where you would naturally
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