DivaGlam Cosmetics

By Dana Sullivan, Delicious Living

Cosmetics made from ground-up rocks? Surprise: Mineral-based colors are one of the hottest trends in natural beauty care. With color derived from powdered Earth-sourced materials–blue comes from Mexican lapis; orange comes from Arizona mudstone–mineral make-up sits on the skin’s surface, so it won’t clog pores. Plus, people who switch from conventional makeup to minerals often find that problems like acne and rosacea disappear, thanks to minerals’ anti-inflammatory and cooling properties.

How to choose a mineral make-up: Look for products with oil bases derived from plants and flowers, as well as coloring agents such as iron oxide, manganese, and chromium oxide. Avoid fillers such as talc–a potential carcinogen often used in powdered cosmetics–and remember that even natural additives like mica and bismuth oxychloride can aggravate sensitive skin. For your lips, read ingredient lists for hydrating plant bases, such as olive oil, jojoba, and shea butter.