Your Guide to Organic Makeup Shopping on Etsy

Although I am a self-professed online shopping addict, shopping for makeup online can be difficult since you can't sample or test any of the products or colors, and on seller sites like Etsy, it's not guaranteed that you can return your product. Plus there are some sketchy folks on there, but we'll get to that later.

But I've been obsessed with holistic stuff lately, since my acne woes were diminished overnight by simply using oils and organic creams, and I would love to extend that to the sphere of cosmetics that work for your skin and body instead of against it like most makeup we use.

The benefits of buying makeup on Etsy is that you're purchasing products directly from the maker, so you'll have a more personal relationship and you know your money is going to a small business owner working from their kitchen, as opposed to a corporation. Moreover, the prices are usually a lot more reasonable too.

These products are normally cruelty-free, vegan, and contain fair-trade ingredients free of harsh chemicals, which is especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin.

You know what you're getting and there's less vagueness regarding what's actually in it. These makeup makers pride themselves in using organic ingredients and setting themselves apart from big makeup companies, and if you have questions about product, you can just send them an email and ask and you'll get an honest answer. You can also sometimes ask them to make custom products just for you!

Etsy makeup "shops" that are totally awesome will have:
• A LOT of positive reviews and feedback
• Lots of GOOD, high-resolution photos so you can know the size, color, texture, etc.
• Before/after photos (with and without the makeup or product)
• Photos of models (of different skin-tones!!) wearing the makeup
• A variety of scents, shades and sizes
• Thorough descriptions
• A list of ingredients (this will hopefully be a very short list)
• Products that contain natural, organic, unrefined, virgin, and/or cold-pressed ingredients
• A step-by-step list of the creation process
• A list of benefits the product (hopefully!) will accomplish and why
• Some sellers will even have testimonials of the products in the description
• Cute packaging is also a plus

This may seem like a strenuous process, but it allows you to be confident in your purchases.

Another thing I'd recommend is to do some research. Research ingredients, makeup, essential oils/vitamins/minerals, etc. and what they do so that you can pick out buzzwords in the product descriptions and know how they are supposed to work. That way, you'll purchase a product that is completely right for you.

Here are some of my favorite picks so far:

 See? BeeUtiflly Organic products only has four ingredients (all are essential oils) listed in their eye cream, and you could honestly probably make it yourself.

Some sellers will even sell their ingredients or DIY kits for you to do just that.
etsy.com/shop/BeeUtifullyOrganic

Milkfancy Organics uses goat's milk in all of their products!

They even have a goat's milk cream foundation that I'd love to try.

Goat's milk contains a lot of nutrients in it and mimics the same pH level as our skin.

Wild Rose Herbs has a variety of shades in their lip tints made from real fruits, and the clay in their formula gives you a natural matte. I also love their logo.

Most of these products, such as those from Dirty Hippie Cosmetics, are made to order, so they'll be fresh and organic, like this Alkanet lip and cheek tint.

And if you like cream-based facial products as opposed to powder like me, you'll need to remember listings like this, because when searching for "organic cosmetics," you'll mostly get mineral powder (blush, foundation, bronzer, eyeshadow, veil) products that try to mimic Bare Minerals, which I'm not the biggest fan of, because it makes people's skin look unnatural to me.

Verita uses Moroccan argan oil in all of their products, which has often been described as "liquid gold."

So you'll know you'll be thoroughly hydrated with their creations.

Here's where research has helped me. I know that argan oil contains Vitamin E and is good for my skin, as well as lavender oil, so this product will probably work well for all skin types.

Buying expensive products online can be frightening, so a lot of shops, like this one from Urban Oreganics, will sell sample sizes or sets for you to try out.

I love a good green tea formula for sure.

I have no idea how organic lipstick is made, but I ain't asking questions. This shade from Cosmo Verde is amazing. The only concern I have with the lipstick, as well as the other products, is their ability to last. The makeup we normally used is filled with chemicals to preserve their longevity, and I am not sure that natural products could mimic that. But we'll see!

I found a lot of great lip colors, some even in matte, from sellers like Naked Eye Beauty, Keeping It Natural, Momma B's, and Glory Boon!

Most shops that carry lipsticks sell a lot of daring colors like green, lilac, neon blue, yellow, etc. that you can't get at many other places, If you're into that kind of thing.

You can even buy foundation from women who have turned their own needs and dissatisfaction with modern makeups into an opportunity to sell their own products.

Like Nature Girlz Cosmetics, who sells an illuminator cream foundation.

Botanical Labs makes a great night retinol cream with other organic ingredients.

I'm also really interested in trying their detox mask!

In love with the packaging on good4you's products (her own artwork). She also offers a variety of options for her natural ingredients. For instance, you can purchase the St. John's Wort as an oil, balm, toner or on its own. It has been said to serve as a natural anti-depressant.

She sells many different flower formulas and says that she grows them herself, which is really awesome. She also makes cream bronzers and cheek tints as well.

Natural Logic has a huge selection of products to fit any skin ailment you have.

I'm so excited to try this dead sea mud mask with added essential oils.

They carry products to treat acne, improve your complexion, hydrate your skin, or balance your face's oil production. And they won the Best Holistic Etsy Shop from About.com's Reader's Choice Awards in 2013.

Along with my mask, I bought two samples of complexion/radiance serums that use jojoba and lemongrass oils as well as fruity antioxidants for glowing skin.

They also sell a facial steam mixture for an at-home spa treatment, pictured below.

This cleanser from Claribel Skincare is one of the more expensive products I've seen thus far, but I'm inclined to believe that the cream really does work, because it's loaded with honey and citrus fruits such as lemon and grapefruit, which brighten your hair, so why not your skin?

Buckthorn is really great for anti-aging, which I didn't see in many other products. Bears Beauty also utilizes hemp oil for its many benefits.

She also sells body butter, this particular one has shimmery tints which I love. You can get most of her products in whichever scent you'd like.

I can't wait to try this organic illuminating eyelid primer from Earth Mineral Cosmetics.

It's a lot cheaper than Smashbox, and I haven't been completely satisfied with other brands, so maybe this will do the trick.

This lash growing serum from 4BellaEnchanted is pretty intriguing. She has a lot of before and after photos, so it seems to work well for a lower price.

I haven't seen a whole lot of carrot seed oil products on Etsy either, and after some research, I discovered that the stuff is really great in combatting wrinkles. 

The tube balm by Botanika Beauty makes it really easy to apply and rub in.

I've always had dark circles, but my heart skips a beat whenever I see a faint line underneath my bottom lashes, so eye creams, serums, oils, balms, etc. have been my thing as of late. 

Among other things, hair care products are hard to come by in organic Etsy shops, unless you're looking for repairing masks and oils (can't say for certain if people still do the mayonnaise thing or not).

So I was pleasantly surprised to see a texturizing product with the best organic materials from Change Soap Company.

I've never used cream shadows before, but I got this raisin eye color from Performance Colors that I'm stoked to use. Easy application and none of that dust beneath the eye. This stuff is good for me because I only use one color (brown), if any, on my lids.

They have many different colors and also have some powders too.

Another thing I'm really stoked about buying is this illuminating, concealing, and moisturizing balm stick from Lis Noir Skincare. It's a little pricey, but it seems to work, plus, it's loaded with great vitamins: carrot seed oil, vitamin E, rosehip oil (which I already use by itself), and frankincense.

I'm really happy that I got a sample of this burnt orange lip color called Pyromaniac by Insomnia Cosmetics. They have a ton of shades and textures, as well as trial sizes.

Admittedly, it seems like Erzulie Cosmetics has the monopoly on homemade organic makeup. When you type in "organic makeup" in the search bar on Etsy.com, most of the products shown are Erzulie.

They have a wide variety of products and shades for whatever you need. I'm really excited to try this trio of blush, bronzer, and highlighting sticks, as I have been opting for the natural "dewey" look instead of using powder, which leaves my skin feeling heavy and matte.

They also sell a blush and lipstick stick, which seems to be a trend that a lot of high-end makeups seem to be adopting. I have never considered using the same color on my cheeks that I use on my lips, but I want to try this out with the darker brick shade called Desire, pictured below.

I also purchased a sample of their illuminating cream foundation called Goddess Glow.

Bohemian Beetnik (love the name) sells stains, glosses, and lip plumpers. This stain is made from beets which provide a rich flush of color.

Be aware though, most of these products, especially ones made with fruit or vegetables, have a shorter shelf life (about six months) than most cosmetics that we're used to with all of the preservatives and chemicals. So be sure to use it quickly!

Organic cosmetics don't stop with makeup. Many sellers have solid balm perfumes made from real flowers, like Holy Sponge. Firstly, I'm obsessed with the little mother of pearl container, and I love jasmine. And I feel like perfume oils and balms have a tendency to stay on longer.

Holy Sponge also sells natural protection and remedies for "that time of the month."

This matte Fat and The Moon Lip Paint in Mortar & Pestle was actually my first makeup purchase on Etsy. I sought them out after seeing their products sold in San Francisco, California at the General Store on Judah Street (Outer Sunset). They use products with "good" fats that nourish your skin such as omega-3s/essential fatty acids and oils, etc.

I'm in love with the brick red color.

They also sell a lot of other products for skin, body, makeup, aromatherapy, and natural remedies.

Obviously obsessed with the mystical, vintage, celestial artwork on the packaging too.

So there you have it. Whether you have sensitive skin, are acne prone, have oily skin, dry skin, dull skin, aging skin, or even if you just want to purchase products that are better for the planet and animals and stick it to big corporations, there's something for you. And with the internet, it's like buying from a local business, except the business is really far away, haha.