Josie Maran Mascara- Gogo Instant Natural Volume

I've been on a hunt for natural mascara.  This is really tough because I love my Loreal Telescopic mascara, but alas, I'm slowly transitioning all my makeup to healthier, cleaner makeup.  I'm still testing them out, one by one.  This is my first stab at green mascara. 

I searched green blogs and other sites to find the best, natural mascaras that lengthen and provide volume. After my research, I decided to start with this one, also because it goes to a good cause.  For every one mascara purchased, she donates one to a cancer patient/survivor at City of Hope.  I love what she's doing and how clean her products are, but I just didn't love this mascara. 

I always start with the Tarte multiplEYE Lash Enhancing Primer (I'll do a review on this one soon).  Typically, I combine this with my Telescopic mascara and *BAM* my eyelashes are long and voluminous.  I've been using the Josie Maran Gogo mascara and I notice two things: first, it dries out way too quickly and second, it doesn't do much in terms of eyelash length.  While it does provide some volume, it pales in comparison to my Telescopic.

Drying out to quickly isn't good because you're not able to apply multiple coats of mascara without putting the wand back into the container to grab more mascara.  In order for me to get any definition, I have to put the wand back two or three times per eye. With the Telescopic, I don't put the wand back to get more mascara because there's enough on the wand for both eyes. Maybe this is because there are so many chemicals in the Telescopic?  Not sure, but why do chemicals have to make my eyelashes look so long?? It's not fair.

I'm back to trying out other mascaras until I find the best green one. Stay tuned!

Pros:
-less chemicals than other mascaras
-purchase of mascara goes to a good cause

Cons:
-doesn't provide dramatic eyelash length like my chemical-y drug store brand
-requires multiple coats involving re-dipping the wand back into the container
-scores a 4 on the EWG Skin Deep website
-the second ingredient scores at a whopping 7 on the EWG Skin Deep website

EWG Skin Deep Hazard Score: 4

Click here to read the full report.

*Surprisingly, both Telescopic and Gogo mascaras got the same hazard score (due to different ingredients).  Sometimes "natural" doesn't always mean what you think it does, so it's important to be a savvy consumer and do your research before you make a purchase.  Guess this is going back and on to the next one!

Hello Healthy Bronzer!

My search for a non-shimmery, natural bronzer is finally over!! I've been using Josie Maran's Argan Brightening Bronzer Sun Spot Corrector for the past 2 months and I LOVE IT.  It comes in one universal color, "Golden Bronze" in a golden pink metallic compact.  I've sampled a few other bronzers at Sephora, but most of them were either not "green" enough or just made my face look dirty.  This one gives me a sun-kissed look as a blush or highlights my cheekbones perfectly as a contour powder.  It gives you the right amount of color that wakes your face up and gives the facade of a nice glow.  Added perk--it has natural SPF coverage!  

Here are some of the bronzer's claims:

"Reverse the appearance of sun damage while imparting a natural sunkissed glow with Argan Brightening Bronzer Sun Spot Corrector. The Argan oil-infused powder contains vitamin C and bearberry extract to brighten skin and help correct uneven skintone. Natural SPF protects from future sun damage." 

I can't say for certain that this has corrected any uneven skin tone (since my cheekbones weren't uneven to begin with), but I do like that it contains argan oil and vitamin C.  I think the hardest part about using this bronzer was figuring out which brush to use it with--if you ask 3 makeup artists this question, they'll all give you a different answer.  I ended up watching so many different videos on youtube on which brush to use with a bronzer it gave me a headache.  Ultimately, use what works for you.  I ended up picking a blush brush by Kevyn Aucoin and though expensive, I love way it applies the product on my skin.  The brush doesn't hold on to any of the powder and deposits it all on your face, so it doesn't waste any product.   Other's have recommended: 1) a flat round brush--tap some product on the edge and use that to hollow out your cheekbones; 2) an angled blush brush to hollow out the cheekbones; 3) large brush to use as an all over bronzer; 4) blush brush to use as blush.


Pros:

-beautiful color
-minimal product needed per application
-natural SPF
-contains vitamin C and argan oil
-hasn't caused any breakouts
-scores low on the EWG Skin Deep hazard scale

Cons:

-retails for $32

EWG Skindeep Rating: 1

Click here to read the report.