Happy Thursday, everyone, hope your week has been fab!
A while back, I was so sad when Birchbox messed up and didn’t include the Au Naturale sample I had chosen. So disappointed that I even contacted them, and they didn’t have any more left to fix the issue- that’s how popular that particular sample was!
Imagine how excited I was when I got an email with an opportunity to try out some items from the brand- all of a sudden my life just got a whole lot better! Then, as I was perusing the site, I saw that the brand’s founder, Ashley Prange, was a nuclear analyst…!!! If you’ve kept up with us, you know Jerry and I are both HUGE science junkies!
Anywho, Ashley didn’t feel that going “au naturale” should be the only way to avoid irritation and breakouts. So, she set out doing research, and created makeup that would leave her skin as happy as it was after a week of bare skin. Her mission involved using only natural, healthy, and ethically sourced ingredients. She quickly ended up with a wait list of orders, and in 2011 started Au Naturale Cosmetics (Au Naturale, 2018).
I’m not going to lie, when the box first arrived, I was super impressed with the packaging. Due to having had acne as an adolescent and all my prescription meds and skincare products coming in plain white utilitarian bottles with prescription labels, I like things that look a little bit more lux, and Au Naturale was just that.
Zero Gravity C2P Foundation
The first product I tried was the Zero Gravity C2P Foundation. The foundation stick goes on like a cream, but finishes like a weightless powder. I was particularly interested in this because of my experience with the Make Up For Ever foundation stick- I loved the finish, but it only lasted about two hours or so, then it was like it disappeared. I really like the idea of a foundation in stick form because of the convenience, especially with air travel regulations.
I chose the shade Marino, which looked perfect online, but ended up being too light, likely due to monitor settings. Although Au Naturale has a great return and exchange policy, I found that this shade worked just fine with a bit of bronzer, and it will be even better during the winter months when my skin is lighter.
I applied Zero Gravity by “dotting” it onto my face straight from the stick, then blending with a round foundation brush. Without a primer, it wore about five hours, but still looked good and did not “disappear” like the MUFE did. With a primer, it wore until I took it off at about eight hours. It had a beautiful finish both with and without primer, so I was very pleased.
The Zero Gravity foundation looked very natural, and never got cakey, and didn’t settle into any pores or fine lines. In the Louisiana humidity, it oxidized ever so slightly without primer, but not enough that it turned orangey, just enough to get slightly darker, and ended up being closer to the right shade.
I was so pleased with this foundation, that even if I had purchased it, I would not return the shade. I’d probably add a couple more shades, and use them all to get a natural contoured look. The best part? Despite starting off in cream form, it didn’t aggravate my oily skin or cause any breakouts!
Pore Minimizing Finishing Powder
Au Naturale Pore Minimizing Finishing Powder helps diminish shine and sets your makeup so it stays fresh all day (Au Naturale, 2018). I was most intrigued because of the packaging- it comes in a pump bottle! I’ve never had a powder like this, so I just had to try it.
When I opened the box, there was a bit of powder in the box and on the container. I was actually pretty happy about this because with other products I’ve experienced this with, it’s usually because the powder is very, very, very fine. Sure enough, the top of the bottle was not loose, and there were no cracks, the powder was just super fine.
To use, just pump, or “spray” the powder onto your brush, or the back of your hand, and dust the powder on. The fine texture did a great job of setting the foundation without an overly “done” or “powdery” look. I love that this powder doesn’t look like powder…lol!
Another bonus with the Pore Minimizing Finishing Powder is that it’s made of titanium dioxide, which is a natural sunscreen. However, it’s not labeled for being sun protection, so be sure to wear an additional sunscreen of at least SPF 30- it’s just a great plus to have the extra protection with the powder.
Swipe-On Essential Eye Pencil
The Swipe-On Essential Eye Pencil is a pigment-rich pencil and gently formulated. When looking at the ingredient list, there’s nothing bad in here, nothing. All that’s in it is castor seed oil, candelilla wax, organic jojoba seed oil, castor seed wax, iron oxides, and micas (Au Naturale, 2018). That’s it.
I got the color “Night,” and absolutely fell in love with it. For dramatic looks, I want a pencil that’s super black, blacker than black. But, during the day, and for more natural looks, I don’t want something that dark. But, gray is too light, and I don’t like brown on me. I’ve often tried to apply black liner more lightly, but then I don’t get the precision I want.
Au Naturale’s Night is pigmented enough that I get a precision application, and it’s definitely, absolutely black, but not overly black, if that makes sense. It also has a blender tip on the other end, so I can smudge it out for a smokey look. This means it can be worn during the day at work, stashed in a handbag, then smoked out for an evening look.
One of my favorite things besides the color is the formulation. Since there aren’t any irritants, I didn’t notice any added problems with my severe allergies. With certain eye makeup products, my eyes tend to get red and watery. Not with this one. Plus, it comes in seven shades!
Eternity Lipstick
Au Naturale’s Eternity Lipstick is rich in color, and long-lasting, so your pout is maintained from coffee to cocktails (Au Naturale, 2018). I picked the color “Cha-Cha,” and OMG, I’m so in LOVE with this color! I absolutely cannot get enough of this!
First off, as soon as I oped it, I noticed a fruity candy-like smell, possibly the red raspberry seed oil? Again, absolutely nothing bad in here- all good stuff. I will admit, though, that with such a natural formula, I was worried about feathering.
The first time I put this on, it seemed to go on a bit patchy. I realized that I had just eaten some fruit, and that there likely sugars still on my mouth…lol. The next time I tried it, no problems at all, it went on smoothly like it should. The color is super-pigmented, yet buildable. I like to apply, blot, then apply again for more staying power.
I didn’t notice any feathering at all with this, I’m guessing because of the natural waxes in the formula. It lasted several hours, but didn’t make it through the hot wings we had…lol! After chowing down on the messy goodness, I noticed that it wore very evenly- so I was left with a stained look, it didn’t spread all over my face, so it still looked just fine even without reapplying.
Wearing Au Natural Zero Gravity C2P Foundation in Marino, Pore Minimizing Finishing Powder, Swipe-On Essential Eye Pencil in Night, Eternity Lipstick in Cha-Cha
The Eternity Lipstick has so many nutrient rich oils that my lips actually feel better. It wears like a long-wearing lip color, but has the moisturizing power of a lip balm or treatment. Since I’m so in love with the color, I’ve been wearing this almost every day. With my lips being so much softer and less flaky, I am really apprehensive of trying out any new matte colors coming out!
Overall, I’m super pleased with my experience with these Au Naturale products. I love that I can use something so natural and good-for-me, without compromising quality and luxury. If the superb formulations and gorgeous colors aren’t enough to make you want to try the brand, 10% of April’s profits are going to The Nature Conservancy. So, you can look even more fab than you already do, and feel good about it! Head over to AuNaturaleCosmetics.com NOW!!!
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Source:
Au Naturale (2018). Au Naturale Cosmetics. Retrieved April 19, 2018, from www.aunaturalecosmetics.com.
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