Viva Woman

I was checking out Lavera Organic Skin Care and got distracted by the following information they’ve posted regarding mineral makeup on their website.

Recent UK studies advise of strong health risks when using Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) in nano particle form in powdered mineral makeup. These inhaled TiO2 nano particles coming in contact with living tissue have a similar effect as asbestos and can cause lung cancer.

However, TiO2 is safe when contained in cream form as it cannot then become airborne. This is typically the case in sun screens. In cream form, TiO2 stays on the upper layers of the skin and does not come in contact with living tissue.

I was rather surprised because I have always regarded mineral makeup to be safer as it uses crushed minerals and unlike most cosmetics, contains no talc, chemical additives, fragrance, fillers, preservatives, or dyes.  In addition, maybe I didn’t understand the second paragraph too well, but shouldn’t they be comparing with nano-based TiO2 in cream form because that’s been generally regarded as potentially risky?

I’ve written before about avoiding nano-based beauty products because nanotechnology involves manipulating properties of tiny particles, measuring one-billionth of a meter.  The concern is that these particles used in skincare products can penetrate our skin, travel into our bloodstream and wreak havoc to our system.   However, despite my initial concern, I am actually using a nano-based sunblock now because there is still very little factual evidence available about the harmful penetration of these nano-particles into our skin. 

But my current concern is, do all powdered mineral makeup contain TiO2 nano particles and are they all unsafe?  And the answer, it seems, is dependent on the actual formulation. 

Mineral makeup without micronized or nano particles
First, not all cosmetic manufacturers of mineral makeup use micronized or nano particles  in their formulations.  So far, the two which I’m currently using, Erth’s mineral makeup and Everyday Minerals, have stated on their websites that their products do not contain nano or micronized particles.  

The other two I’ve tested, Lumiere and Alima, also contain no micronized or nano particles according to information supplied by this Mineral Powder Foundation Ingredient List on most mineral makeup brands.  In fact, a quick glance at the list indicates that many of the mineral makeup brands avoid micronized ingredients.

(Please note that micronized particles are generally referred to as nano particles in the industry.)

Besides the health concerns, the more important reason I found out from reading this article micronized minerals vs non-micronized minerals, is that mineral makeup which contain micronized or nano particles would not provide any notable coverage at all. They are so fine and light that they become airborne very easily.  And the smaller the particle, the more sheer and natural looking the application will be and that would be insufficient for women to obscure redness and fine lines.  

Particle sizes 50 nanometers and larger
Second, for those who do use micronized or nano particles in their mineral makeup line, particle shape, size, density, and composition all figure into their hazard potential. 

For example, Colorescience which uses nanotechnology in their mineral makeup line stated that they use particle sizes 50+ nanometers and particle sizes 50 nanometers and larger cannot be absorbed into the skin.  Additionally, all of the minerals in their products are coated with Organo Silicone and that waterproofs the particles, increases the particle size and protects the particles from being inhaled  and absorbed into the skin.  Finally, Colorescience stated that once different size minerals are blended together, a process called agglomeration occurs.

That means the larger and smaller molecules group together to become larger as a whole, sort of like a magnet. So the final particle size is much larger than even the 50+ nanometers because the minerals are now a group.

I thought this is really interesting information.  I understand better now that not all mineral makeup are created alike and as a mineral makeup lover, I will be actively looking out for micronized particles in any new mineral makeup which I may try and if I should use one containing such ingredients, I will exercise more caution during application.  Some good tips I found on the forums are to keep the fan off when applying your mineral foundation, don’t inhale during application or use a wet brush instead!

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I have just started reading Bobbi Brown’s Living Beauty and what Vera Wang said about her makeup routine right about sums up mine as well.  “When I do makeup, I focus on evening out my complexion with foundation…it literally takes twenty years off my face…” 

Like Vera Wang, I’m obsessed with my skin, but unlike her, makeup don’t make me look twenty years younger! *boo hoo*  But I have to concede that mineral makeup does help to take some years off my looks because the end result is a very natural looking complexion.  Plus I love the fact that mineral makeup is good for my skin. 

So even though I’m currently happy with mineral makeup from Erth and Everyday Minerals, I’m keen to test others in the market as well. 

Mineral makeup to achieve four fab looks
About a couple of months ago, I received an email that there’s a new mineral makeup range in the market under the brand Ferro Cosmetics.  I like the look of their website and how they’ve organized their products into five different skin tones; fair, light, medium, tan and dark which makes it easier for us to pick out lustrous foundation and scrumptious eye shadows and blush colors to suit our skin type.

In addition, unlike most of the other mineral makeup that I’ve come across, Ferro Cosmetics positions theirs with a bit more glamor.  So you can pick from one of their four looks - Basic Beauty, Golden Goddess, Pastel Princess and Fierce Fashionista - and be a girl-next-door, a sweet angel, a fabulous beauty or a glamorous vixen.  

All products from Ferro Cosmetics uses 100% minerals with no talc, preservatives, petroleum by-products, toxins, fragrance or dyes.  And it’s also good to know that Krissy Ferro, the founder and master formulator of Ferro Cosmetics is an advocate for safe cosmetics and products as well as a member of Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

I’m looking forward to test their products especially now that they’ve international shipping available.  Perhaps I can also explore running a special promo with Ferro Cosmetics when that happens.  I’ll keep you all posted.

Meanwhile, take a look at Ferro Cosmetics and if you’re located in US, you may like to know that the company offers free shipping on purchases over US$49.

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I spotted L’Oreal True Match Minerals at Watson’s today and checked it out of curiosity.  Known as L’Oreal Bare Naturale Powdered Mineral Foundation in the other markets, the product was launched internationally with Penelope Cruz as the spokesperson while leading Chinese model Emma Pei or Pei Bei is fronting for Asia.

L’Oreal True Match Minerals is said not to contain any preservative, perfume, oil and is non-comedogenic.  However, according to the ingredient list below, it is not talc-free and apparently also contains Bismuth Oxychloride which can clog pores and irritate the skin for some people.  

Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (3.0%), Zinc Oxide (5.0%). Inactive Ingredients: Talc, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Copernicia Cerifera (Camauba) Wax, Cetyl Dimethicone, Trimethyl Siloxysilicate, Triisocetyl Citrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, Panthenol, May Contain:, Bismuth Oxychloride, Iron Oxides 

I also found out that there are actually six shades under L’Oreal Bare Naturale Powdered Mineral Foundation but only four under L’Oreal True Match Minerals.  Frankly, with only four shades available, I really doubt it possible for everyone to find their true match.  

In terms of  packaging, while I concur that it looks innovative, I thought it was cumbersome and much prefer the normal mineral foundation pots.  And the brush feels terrible.  No way am I going to use those dry scratchy bristles on my face!

So far, there has been a mix bag of reviews about the product.  Some are raving about how great the product is in terms of coverage while others griped about the chalky and cakey feel.  But going by the 3.6 out of 5 rating from 453 reviewers at Makeupalley, I’m thinking the product may not be too bad.  I guess it just depends on the skin type. 

However, I won’t be buying this.  First of all, I’m not hot about the packaging especially the poor quality brush.  Second, the small pot of L’oreal True Match Minerals retails at S$27.90, definitely a lot more costlier compared to the other mineral foundation I’m currently getting online.
 

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I made another order for the free Everyday Minerals sample and bingo, this time, I got my shades right.  Those who use mineral foundation know that it can be quite a pain to find a shade that suits your skin tone and it’s usually a process of trial and error. 

Depending on where you get your foundation from, the trick is to pick a shade or two darker than your skin tone.  I had to pick Golden Medium, which is two shades darker than my skin tone under the Olive undertone.  It’s not an exact match, but I’m happy with the results.

I know I’ve already reviewed Everyday Minerals Foundation but I just want to rave about the fact that they’ve improved their packaging even on their samples!  The samples are shipped in small 5-hole sifter jars with stickies to cover the holes!  No more open transparent pots where it can get really messy with powder all over the place once it is opened up. 

I’m so impressed and for that, I’m going to add another heart to my last review because I got free samples on a good product that were shipped in appropriate containers.  So here’s five out of five for Everyday Minerals Foundation from Viva Woman.

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