The Epic Quest for: a Natural Foundation-episode 1

So last week on Trash Talk, I threw out a lot of cosmetics with long lists of chemicals. Including my recent obsession, foundation by IT Cosmetics called Bye Bye Foundation. I discovered it had a synthetic form of Vitamin A in it (an ingredient to be avoided in excess during pregnancy). Despite an Ok from by Doc to keep using it, I decided to play it safe and pass on any risks no matter how low.

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So that sent me into research mode (this is where I geek out and read all kinds of articles and basically devote myself to becoming an expert on something but can googling multiple things really turn you into an expert?!?!). First I thought I would check out my beloved IT foundation and see if all this time it had lead me astray. I turned to an ingredient list I obtained from IT Cosmetics. I then proceeded to google each individual ingredient. So it may not be the most scientific approach but it gave me a glimpse at what the ingredients were and if there were any huge red flags. Turns out most of the ingredients rate 1-3 on a scale of 10 on EWG.org/skindeep which is pretty good. I also checked out Good Guide which rates IT’s CC cream (they have very similar ingredients) and it rates a 4 out of 10. There are a lot of synthetic ingredients but this stuff claims to do a lot (physical sunscreen, primer, decrease signs of aging, smooth skins texture and more!)

So the long and short of it..I may go back to this foundation post pregnancy/breast-feeding………..because it works really good!

But for now while I host a tiny individual, I am in search of something with a few less synthetic ingredients.

Now, for me the search for foundation is no easy task. Since I hit my early 20’s and returned home to Hawaii, I have dealt with Melasma. It is a hyper-pigmentation of the skin. It is common during pregnancy, in women of child bearing years and people of Native American descent. We are Native American on my moms side and I live in constant tropical sun (very potent!) which is a recipe for ever present Melasma (ironically enough it has never gotten worse with pregnancy).

I could swear off surfing and stay inside all the time or turn to crazy chemicals but for the last few years my approach has been to say f*&k it! (sorry to bust out the big guns but when you deal with daily facial discoloration you have to be bold). 

Here is what I am working with:

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I found this blog by Hello Dollface where she lists a lot of natural non toxic foundation.  I scrolled straight down to full coverage! She suggests this brand called Pure Anada.

broDoesn’t she look like she is basking in her own natural makeup glow?! hehe

So check out their range of colors! Eat your heart out ladies! I am so impressed by their range!

foundationLucky for me you can order samples! Hooray!! 

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Each sample is $1 Here they are swatched on my mug.

 

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I picked up this brush they recommended for $16 to apply it.

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I settled on Pacific Tan. Who knew my “undertones” were balanced?!? I think I may start listing this on my resume as one of my strengths. I really think I am qualified for the job because my undertones are very balanced…. 

 

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Survey Says: I like it a lot so far. It blends nicely and isn’t over the top in coverage plus no ashy look to my darker patches. Plus it is a relatively affordable foundation at $25 dollars for 30 ml.

Here is what most of my “selfies” looked like.

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Here I hypnotized myself……

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In this one, it looks like I heard a loud crash and wonder what has my son gotten into now!!

Here are the ingredients of the Pure Anada foundation if you are interested:

Water (Aqua), Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, (Derived from Coconut), Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Virgin Organic Coconut Oil), Ricinus Communis (Castor Seed Oil), Argania Spinosa (Argan Oil), Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn), Cetyl Alcohol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxides, Ultramarines, Sorbitol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Yes, I googled all of these too!

  13 comments for “The Epic Quest for: a Natural Foundation-episode 1

  1. January 22, 2016 at 3:51 pm

    I want to point out the irony of “Bye Bye” in the product you are holding off until nursing ends. That is just funny for a beauty product to speak to you. Not that beauty products speak to me. Ahem.
    “But for now while I host a tiny individual…” That is an awesome statement and I hope to be using it by the end of this year *fingers crossed*
    Thanks for showing the color range, swatching and the review!

    • January 22, 2016 at 9:40 pm

      Fingers crossed for you my darling!! It is a pretty crazy and magical experience to look at them and think to yourself that at one time they lived inside you!

  2. January 22, 2016 at 6:22 pm

    I don’t focus on the same things you are right now in cosmetics, but some stuff I’ve been wanting to try I think might also fit your requirements: Kjaer Weis (sold on Beautylish, expensive but worth it apparently) cream blush, and Vapour Beauty’s lipstick (vapourbeauty.com). I’ve heard good things about both brands!

    • January 22, 2016 at 9:39 pm

      Ooo I have heard really good things about Vapour. I got to try some of their makeup remover in a Good Being Box and really liked it. The price tag keeps me from trying more. I am always so shocked that companies don’t offer more ability to sample stuff. I will now commence stalking this Kjaer Weis blush you speak of..

      • January 23, 2016 at 5:07 am

        Yeah, these are definitely ‘special occasion, treat myself’ brands! I don’t like getting expensive foundation because you usually have to rebuy that pretty regularly if you use it a lot, so my pricy birthday/holiday/PMS treats are generally lipsticks and sometimes blushes/eyeshadow/eyeliner.

        • January 23, 2016 at 4:38 pm

          It is pretty shocking how expensive some of the brands are. Like Tarte foundation or even the new Juice beauty and Gwyneth Paltrow is $45 dollars. I just can’t bear to spend that kind of money and not know if I am going to like it or if the skin color will work. My next epic quest is going to be for eyeliner that is easy to apply for those that are coordination challenged….

  3. LC
    January 23, 2016 at 8:43 am

    Great review! It’s awesome that you can order samples to find your best match. I have melasma from being on birth control pills and going indoor tanning….don’t worry, I don’t do either anymore. I get microdermabrasion done every couple months and I wear sunscreen everyday now (plus I try to wear a hat with a brim if I’m going to be out in the sun for a while). It’s such a pain. It doesn’t help that I’m terrible at using makeup.

    • January 23, 2016 at 4:47 pm

      Yep, what kind of sunscreen do you use? I have been loving the Suntegrity brand (although they seem to never ever have sales or discount codes). Does the microdermabrasion help? I have never tried that.

      • LC
        February 6, 2016 at 10:40 am

        I realized I never answered you! I’m using CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion w/SPF 30. It’s the only facial SPF I’ve found that doesn’t feel greasy and heavy. I using better/higher SPF sunscreen when I’m going to be outside all day. I’m still on the hunt for something I like better and that’s cruelty free.

        Microdermabrasion breaks up sunspots gradually, so I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who is in the sun very often or who isn’t going to get it done periodically. Especially since (you already know!) sun exposure will make melasma return. I’m also not sure what products the anesthetitian uses before and after the microderm.

  4. Heat7918
    January 23, 2016 at 11:10 am

    Great review! Color-wise, I’d probably be between Prairie Rose and Arctic Alabaster… which is just kind of mean to name a foundation, don’t you think? Although that Ivory Chinook might be worse – isn’t that a type of dog? I think this company hates fair skinned people. LOL

    • January 23, 2016 at 4:43 pm

      They are a Canadian based company so I think that is where some of the name inspiration comes from. But yes a chinook is the name for an indian nation, a dog and a type of military plane. Google comes through again. But seriously isn’t it an impressive selection of shades?!? I mean some of these companies have 3-5 shades and that is it. So I just could not believe my eyes!

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