Behind the Brush: The Art of Makeup with Skin-Loving Ingredients
All brands and products linked!
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports that women use an average of 12 personal care products daily, containing 168 different chemicals, while men use an average of 6 products containing 85 chemicals.
Consider swapping out conventional beauty products one at a time. Next time you finish something try a different brand from the “clean” space. I dislike the term clean, it’s both vague and overused so let’s say consciously formulated. Once you like a product from one brand, you’ll try more and go from there. Once you start shopping at stores like The Big Carrot and Detox Market, you’ll be less inclined to go to Sephora (even though Sephora is slowly and inauthentically hopping on the bandwagon with their “clean at Sephora” certification). I’m not sure how they measure clean because they have Tatcha listed when it has parfum/fragrance?
Let’s break down a makeup look using all consciously-formulated products. Use your preferred beauty tools (beauty blender, sponge, brushes, fingers) and don’t forget to clean your brushes regularly. You can use a dish soap or shampoo; just make sure you rinse and dry thoroughly.
“Clean beauty is a movement that uses non-toxic, environmentally friendly ingredients in cosmetics and skincare products. Clean beauty products are made with natural ingredients and are free of harmful chemicals.”
SKIN PREP
When applying makeup for a night out I make sure to exfoliate and this Ginseng Facial Scrub from Big Carrot is the best I’ve ever tried. Lasts forever if you only exfoliate 2/3 times a week, even less for sensitive skin. Currently using this Schaf facial cleanser, moisturizer from Three Ships, always finishing with my beloved Best Skin Ever. This oil is what I call my “desert island” product. In no particular order I prefer the rose, sea buckthorn and frankincense but they have 12 different flavours. The frankincense literally smells like candy so that’s why I’m saying flavours. A hydrated base drastically improves the way your skin reacts to makeup application. Spray rose water GENEROUSLY. Rose water is an underrated secret weapon of makeup application, especially in a glowy look. Heritage Store is my go-to but other brands work as well.
BROWS + LASHES
This Shiseido curler has high ratings and works well. Mineral Fusion’s retractable brow pencil has been in my rotation for a while; it lasts and is under $20. I’ve tried many brow gels since my favourite Glossier Boy Brow dupe from W3ll People became unavailable in Canada. RIP. Kosas’ Air Brow and Plume’s Nourish and Set are both excellent options. I prefer a tinted gel with a micro brush, but that’s a particular preference based on brow shape (thin AF). I recently found out Shoppers (Optimum points = free) has beauty products online that you don’t see in stores. They even have RMS Beauty—an iconic brand I will mention several times throughout this routine.
BRONZER
For good reason Mary Philip’s underpainting method went viral in 2023 and I’ve been doing it ever since, so I always begin with bronzer. 19/99’s Cream Contour Stick is incredible, especially for dry/combination skin. I use the lighter shade “Tea” and blend with a buffing brush or beauty blender. Then I go in either with fingers or a concealer brush and apply RMS’ UncoverUp under the eyes. It’s light and there’s a reason why it’s a cult favourite. Before you say $54 is insane for one product, read the reviews. I promise you it lasts forever and will become your forever go-to for an ever so subtle blur.
EYES
Next, a neutral brown eye—no eyeliner skills here (at this point, it’s more of a phobia) so I generally keep it simple. Apply RMS UncoverUp (or concealer of your choice) on your lid. Use a flat angled brush to sculpt under the brow to add definition. I recently discovered this shadow from MOB Beauty in “M6” and it’s the perfect blurring, matte neutral. Pure Anada also has so many colour choices if you want to experiment with eye shadow, or thoughtfully formulated makeup in general. The entire line is amazing and so well priced. Roughly line above lashes with a darker brown pencil like this beauty from 19/99. Blend out into the crease with a fluffy brush and apply something luminous to the middle of the lid. You can use a shimmery eye shadow or a powder/liquid highlight.
COVERAGE
When looking for extra coverage, mix few drops of this Mineral Fusion foundation with a few drops of a facial oil (Best Skin Ever or carrier oils like almond or jojoba) on the back of your hand. Apply evenly and blend! Everyone is calling this “Hailey Bieber’s foundation trick” but makeup artists have been mixing foundation with oil forever. Spray rosewater. After trying many “luxury” foundations I’ve concluded that it’s smarter to invest in skincare rather than spend money on expensive foundation. Does N°1 DE CHANEL look nice? Yes. Does it have parfum/fragrance? Also yes.
BLUSH AND HIGHLIGHT
This RMS blush blends seamlessly and lasts longer than liquid formulas. Sometimes liquids can look splotchy but if you do prefer a liquid, 19/99 is killing it once again with these blush sticks. Almost every brand has a blush stick now. I love blush, bronzer and highlight sticks because they are efficient and multi-purpose. Highlight brow bones, cheek bones, tip of nose, and even your cupid’s bow. Notable highlighters: Ballet Slipper Shimmer from Living Libations, RMS luminizing palette, 19/99 Highlighter Stick or pencil, RÓGLOW Skin Stick. Liquids offer a naturally glossy finish, while powders can also provide a richly pigmented and beautiful alternative. Spray rosewater again, obviously.
FINISHING TOUCHES
Set with a powder and apply mascara. I’ve never been one to use powder because I find them drying, but this Cloud Powder from Kosas is so lightweight you can’t see it at at all. The best mascara I’ve tried in the “clean” space is the RMS Straight Up Volumizing Peptide; an amazing ophthalmologist tested formula. I’ve also heard great things about this one from Pure Anada. Prep lips (scrub with a damp towel or light exfoliant, then hydrate) and apply lip combo of your choice. These Pure Anada lip pencils are under $20 and the formula is stunning. I wish they had a larger colour selection. I apply balm, pencil and finish with gloss on top. Spray rose water again and admire your beauty. Hope you enjoyed this Yenta approved makeup routine! Xx
BRANDS + STORES TO EXPLORE
Heritage Store, Evan Healy, Inn Beauty, Ilia, Kosas, Living Libations, Mineral Fusion, Mob Beauty, Plume, Pure Anada, RMS Beauty, ROEN Beauty, Schaf, Three Ships, 100% Pure, 19/99
The Big Carrot, Detox Market, Health Hut, Healthy Planet, Green Jungle, Pretty Clean Shop, Well.ca
