Going Natural is the Only Option!
By Christy Funk
www.bellysprout.com
When I was pregnant with my son, Mayu, I decided to dump all of my fancy designer makeup and go Green. I started to read about the toxic 
chemicals residing in all of the brands I used for years and knew that the change would be healthier for me and my unborn son.
As a professional makeup artist for years prior to getting pregnant, this was a hard shift for me. I had worked in the industry with the nations leading makeup artists and loved the professional color palette and quality of these products. From celebrity to editorial and film my work required both professional and quality cosmetics, much like any other type of artist.
Once I did the research, I often fantasized about providing women with makeup lessons using all-natural skincare and cosmetics, but at the time the products out there were not at all comparable to the professional brands. The colors were out-dated and the quality was poor. In the last few years this has drastically changed as new companies emerging are gorgeous and non-toxic. It is an exciting time for me to open up a Belly Sprout Beauty Bar! Possible toxins in your makeup bag?
Lipstick: typically petroleum-based (non-renewable resource and allergy causing), benzophenone (hormone disrupter), phenol (can cause diarrhea, fainting, dizziness and kidney and liver damage).
Face: paraben and formaldehyde( skin irritant and carcinogenic), synthetic fragrances (hormone-disrupting phtlalates), nanoparticles (absorbed into the bloodstream and found in leading “natural” mineral makeup).
Eyes: talc (irritating), mascaras can have mercury-based thimerasol (a neurotoxin), nylon and polyester can set off contact dermatitis.
According to Skin Deep, a report by the Environmental Working Group, Europe has banned over 1,100 toxic chemicals in cosmetics. The United States has banned only 10. Ruth Winter writes, “The FDA cannot require companies to do safety testing of their cosmetic products before marketing. Neither cosmetic products nor cosmetic ingredients are reviewed or approved by the FDA before they are sold to you” (A Consumers Guide of Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winter).
You must do the research to protect yourself. It is important to understand that no matter how green you go with beauty, there are always going to be some preservatives and un-natural ingredients. However we have the choice to buy cleaner products over those with highly toxic ingredients!
