Wedding Blog

Tip #3--Go "Au Naturale"

You can wear more than patchouli on your wedding day and still stick to your Earth-loving values. More women than ever before are concerned about the impact of the cosmetic industry on our environment and health as well as harmful testing practices used on animals. Because of this incredible demand, many high quality health and beauty product companies have sprung up. But it can be an overwhelming process to find the best products. So I went to the experts.

I recently talked to Tony Coast, Licensed Aesthetician and Assistant Manager of Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy located in Seattle, WA to get the full scoop on natural cosmetics. Tony (whom I love, by the way) is an endless source of information about skin and make-up. Here's what I found out:

• Mineral-based Cosmetics Rule: According to my man Tony, mineral-based makeup is the best you can buy. The minerals actually nourish your skin rather than deplete it. Jane Iredale, a Pharmaca favorite, seems to be the leading company in mineral-based cosmetics. Iredale's makeup is recommended by plastic surgeons and dermatologists alike and is sold only where a Licensed Aesthetician can assist you. Tony says there are currently around twelve reputable mineral-based cosmetic companies, but he likes Jane Iredale the best.
• Conventional Cosmetics, Yikes!: Tony knows too much for his own good. He rattled off a long list of chemicals and scientific phrases--I could barely keep up. So instead of telling you exactly what he said, I'll tell you this: There are things in mainstream makeup that you don't want to put on your skin. Petrochemicals, preservatives, paraben, and talc--all carcinogenic and linked to certain types of cancers. Yikes! Tony also said that women ingest 7-15 lbs of lipstick in their lifetime. So you're not only absorbing these chemicals through your skin, you're eating them too. Yuck. Mineral-based products, however, are preserved with natural substances like Vitamin E and citric acids which are also beneficial to your skin.
• Apply liberally and often (sometimes): I've got good news and bad news. The good news is: mineral-based cosmetics contain naturally occurring broad-spectrum UVB and UVA protection--up to SPF 20! And Tony said for sun protection, you only have to apply once and you'll have SPF 20 all day. The bad news is: for mineral-based mascara and lipstick, you'll have to re-apply often. The drawback of using mineral-based makeup is that since it doesn't contain staining agents it can wear off sooner than conventional products.
• Consider some conventional products for special occasions: So I asked Tony point blank, "What about for brides? If brides will need to reapply lipstick and mascara often, should they skip using the natural stuff for their big day?" Tony recommends using natural, mineral-based makeup on a regular, everyday basis. But if you plan on shedding a few tears or if it's raining use waterproof mascara on your wedding day. Tony said that overall, mineral-based cosmetics photograph much better and give you that healthy glow you want for your wedding day.

If you live in the Seattle area, look for Tony at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy in Madison Park. He's full of information and will help you pick out the best makeup for your skin tone and personal taste. Also, Jane Iredale has a blog with loads of great information about skin care and make-up. Check it out!