For those of you who are a big fan of all-natural, talc-free make-up and all of the benefits it provides for you skin and health, I strongly recommend trying Gabriel Cosmetics Inc.
Many dangerous and untested chemicals are found in most designer and mainstream cosmetics including, parabens, lead, and talc. Parabens have been found in breast tumor biopsies, lead is suspected of being a cause of cancer, and talc is a cause of ovarian cancer. Talc is a mineral that is mined from crushing, drying, and milling talc rocks. The problem is that mining talc leaves minute fibers that are very similar in nature to the potent carcinogen asbestos. Talc particles have been found in numbers of ovarian cancer tumors and in lung cancer tumors.
Gabriel Cosmetics Inc. is founded by Gabriel DeSantino. Gabriel grew up by the ocean in Mexico helping his grandmother, a naturopath and herbalist, gather seaweed, kelp, and other herbs to make homeopathic cosmetics. Gabriel’s grandmother was very knowledgeable about the healing and revitalizing properties of ocean plant life. As he grew older, he became more aware of just how young and unlined his grandmother’s skin was.
Gabriel has incorporated into his cosmetics the knowledge he learned from his grandmother of correctly combining sea botanicals for anti-aging properties, revitalizing skin, and rebalancing and remineralizing the body. He has also expanded his knowledge by studying European Bio-Chemistry.
Gabriel’s cosmetics are one of the leading natural cosmetic lines on the market because they are one of the very few that are made with 100% natural ingredients.
Gabriel Cosmetics Inc. offers two different make-up lines: Gabriel Color and his luxury European spa-based line Zuzu Luxe. Both are excellent lines, but for foundation, concealer, and mascara, I prefer the Zuzu Luxe line.
Both the Gabriel Color line and the Zuzu Luxe line offer an oil free liquid foundation for those of you who prefer the ease of applying liquid foundations. Water-based foundations that are also formulated with many anti-oxidants, might be all-around preferable to even a compressed powder mineral foundation because not only does a water-based foundation protect your skin from daily pollutants and toxins, it also serves to hydrate your skin all day long. I have only experimented with the Gabriel’s Zuzu Luxe liquid foundation from Gabriel’s lines and it works wonders! The formula contains a mere fourteen ingredients, all of which are all natural-not even a trace of synthetics. It’s made with purified water and he also packs the formula full of ingredients that are antioxidants and serve to improve skin cells and collagen. My complexion has never been as silky and smooth as it has been since I’ve started using this foundation. This is a must try!
Don’t be discouraged by the pictures of his foundation colors on his website found at www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com. The website pictures really are a lot pinker than they are in real life. I have a medium-fair “Spring” complexion and I find that L-6 disappears into my skin perfectly.
One of the reasons I prefer the Zuzu Luxe liquid foundation to the Gabriel Color liquid foundation is that Gabriel included one synthetic, Polysorbate 60, into the Gabriel Color liquid foundation. But if you think for some reason that this foundation works best for you, I’m sure it’s lovely.
For those of you who really prefer mineral foundations and all the benefits that mica provides, such as rejuvenating skin cells, then Gabriel offers a compressed dual powder foundation in both his color cosmetic lines. You can apply it with a dry sponge for a smooth matte finish, or you can apply it with a damp sponge for a sheer, dewy look. You can also dust it on with a brush over your liquid foundation for a matte finish. The dual powder foundations in both make-up lines contain mica and other antioxidants such as iron oxides and grapeseed extract. Gabriel’s compressed dual powder foundation is much simpler to apply than other mica mineral foundations that only come in loose powder form and must be brushed on and either held in place by an herbal lotion base or a hydrating mist that’s rather like a hairspray for the face.
While I prefer the Zuzu Luxe foundation, concealer, and mascara, presently I prefer the eyeshadow colors in the Gabriel Color collection. The eyeshadow formulas are mostly the same and both formulas are, again, mineral based and contain mica, anti-oxidants, and ultramarines. I haven’t tested the Zuze Luxe eyeshadows, but the Gabriel Color eyeshadows are wonderful. They glide on like silk and leave very few powdery flakes, unlike some eyeshadows that leave a powdery mess.
You can find Gabriel’s cosmetics collections across the country in what few Wild Oates grocery stores are still open, most of the Whole Foods grocery stores, and a few other natural supermarkets. Check his website for store locations.
Plus, don’t be afraid to order online. They have an excellent return and exchange policy.
Try this eyeshadow idea for your casual/office look for the rest of this winter’s season:
1) Dust Gabriel Color eyeshadow in Bone, a very nice flesh color with a yellow base, all over the eyelid as the highlighter.
2) Blend Gabriel Color eyeshadow in Sable into the crease of your eyelid. The Sable color on the website looks a bit like a mauve, but in actuality it’s a very nice, rich golden taupe color with just a hint of pink or mauve. It’s very beautiful and my favorite color.
3) Apply Gabriel Color eye liner in Chocolate Brown, Black, or Charcoal near the lash line and under the lash line on the bottom lid for more drama, if you have the eye shape for it. Smudge and blend well. Choose the color based on whether or not you have gold or red tones in your hair and skin.
4) Press on and blend well Gabriel Color eyeshadow in Navy, Forest Green, or Charcoal, depending on your eye color, on the top lid near the lash line.
5) For a more dramatic look, instead of placing Sable at the crease, blend Aubergene, a very beautiful reddish brown, into the crease.
