I have no idea what to title this post, because here’s what we’re working with: I am looking for new makeup.
I am LOVING my skin. Using Froya Organics* or beef tallow face cream from the Cincinnati Farmers Market (I CANNOT find them online but I LOVE their beef tallow and luckily my Kentucky friend is willing to buy and ship for me). Wash the face with $17 toradol. Torontes. Painkiller and wine. No, the actual name of the face wash is Torriden.
SO when I hopped on a facetime with my bestie—as we kick off every work week—and she exclaimed “your face is SNATCHED! DO YOU HAVE MAKEUP ON?” and I did indeed have makeup on, embarrassingly, it was Laura Geller Baked n Brightening powder that I had bought when I was like 37 in anticipation of turning 40, as her line is for 40+ women. ICYMI, you are not actually supposed to use 4+ year old makeup, especially not when the lid broke and it’s just been siting in your bathroom drawer willy nilly.
But! My Lawless powder—which I settled on during my massive experiment-with-wedding-makeup phase in, oh, 2024 which was also 2.5 years ago and therefore too old, runs out too quickly and not giving what I’m wanting (and is 3 EWG). What do I want? My beautiful new skin to shine through, but also look smooth and even, and maybe hide the dark spot said bestie says is sun damage but I still think will go away like postpartum rage. (…)
But! It has to be EWG clean, and there is something (titanium dioxide or mica? neither is supposed to be rashy) in many powders, including eyeshadows, that I’m allergic to but we don’t know what it is ofc** so I get to wear it until my skin breaks out into rashes and then I say “oh wow this isn’t for me” and throw it away. Cool cool.
In weird synergy or just the way brands work, Claude has recommended Well People powder, an Austin-based brand who I recall as W3LL PEOPLE, when I interviewed the founder in 2008. That’s 18 years ago, kids. I tried it. I do not like it. Sorry, founder.
A friend is obsessed with Jones Road. We know I love Kosas but their powder has created this weird rash sitch before (is it the infusions? essential oils? does it all come back to ya girl being allergic to scents but unable to smell them??!!). I also like, kinda care this much, and kinda don’t. Ugh.
To Try (smaller brands):
- Omiana – only have a loose pwder. Turns out I really love a pressed powder. Now I know.
- Rejuva Minerals – has a pressed! but their branding is … amateur?
- Coastal Classic Creations
- ATTITUDE – I just bought their bubble bath for Sanne, I like it, should I try more? Light coverage oil stick?!
- Toups & Co – I love this one the most and ordered samples and tallow, but they put frankincense (had to google that spelling) in their tallow and my lovely bedmate says it smells like dirty hippie so I have to keep looking. I did like the sand beige color, but just realized that it TOO is a loose powder. Might order anyway since I’ve gone this far down this road. EWG 1.
Who else out there is doing good beauty for “mature” skin :::my eyes have rolled so far back into my head they may never come back::: Leave notes in the comments. Or I will keep AI-asking and only the brands who have invested enough in AEO will return. What a world.
*yeah they look a little DTC scammy, but I don’t think they are? I’ve been using them for a year now.
**ofc – does it mean of course or of f*%$ing course?
***Never forget I was a beauty editor once upon a time. The curiosity never dies, even as I pursue minimal skincare and makeup. Please watch this video and laugh as hard as I did: