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The Beauty Proof

A natural makeup and skin care blog

Natural Alternatives to Mac Eyeliner

mac eyeliner natural dupeI love the look of liner on my waterline. And Mac’s Technakohl Eyeliner goes on smoothly and is richly pigmented. Plus, it stays put for hours on end.

But my concern is that I’m applying makeup to such a precarious area. Technically speaking, the waterline is one of the most sensitive areas of the body, other than the penis or clitoris. I want to make sure that what I’m applying to this delicate area is safe and natural.

The Problem with the Ingredients

Here’s the ingredients of the Mac Technakohl Eyeliner:

Ingredients: cyclopentasiloxane, polyethylene, polybutene, silica silylate, candelilla wax, hydrogenated jojoba oil, octyldodecanol, microcrystalline wax, sucrose tetrastearate triacetate, theobroma grandiflorum seed butter, sodium hyaluronate, zinc gluconate, magnesium aspartate, water, pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, tocopheryl nicotinate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate. May contain: mica, CI 77891/titanium dioxide, CI 77491/iron oxides, CI 77492/iron oxides, CI 77499/iron oxides, aluminum powder, CI 77163/bismuth oxychloride, CI 77266/black 2, CI 42090/blue 1 lake, CI 75470/carmine, CI 77289/chromium hydroxide green, CI 77288/chromium oxide greens, CI 77510/ferric ammonium ferrocyanide, CI 77510/ferrocyanide, CI 77742/manganese violet, CI 77007/ultramarines, CI 19140/yellow 5 lake.

Ingredient Color Key
Extremely SafeReasonably SafeProceed with CautionInsufficient Data

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone skin conditioning agent frequently used in hair conditioners, which is useful in this sort of pencil because it allows the pigment to glide smoothly over the skin. But studies show that cyclopentasiloxane can be absorbed into the body at low levels, and it does appear to be bioaccumulative.

Bismuth oxychloride is another ingredient which gives me pause when used so close to the eyes. It is added for its ability to create a radiant glow, but it may cause dryness and irritation. And the aluminum powder, listed in red, is never an ingredient I feel totally comfortable putting on my body.

My Solution

Because of the problematic ingredients in this eyeliner, and the sensitive area I’m applying it to (the waterline), I sought out some natural eyeliner alternatives. And I’m incredibly pleased with the results.

Natural Eyeliner Swaps

I always assumed that the little bit of redness and tearing I experienced with eyeliner was due to my contacts or tiredness after a long day. But after switching to high-quality natural eyeliner, I no longer have that problem. Here are the eyeliners that I’ve tried and loved:

Make the switch to a natural eyeliner, especially if you're applying along the waterline. Antonym Noir Eye Pencil, Vapour Mesmerize Eyeliner & W3LL People Hypnotist Eyeliner.

  • Antonym | Eye Pencil, $19. Smooth application with rich pigmentation. Available in black. Read a review or buy it here.
  • Vapour Organic Beauty | Mesmerize Eyeliner, $20. Soothing natural ingredients and a highly blendable formula. Available in two gorgeous colors, but Truffle, the soft taupey brown, is my favorite. Read a review or buy them here.
  • W3LL People | Hypnotist, $18. A lustrous pencil available in 2 colors (black and rich brown) that’s easy on the sensitive eye area. Purchase them here.

What’s Next?

Interested in finding the best natural makeup? Check out The Shopper’s Guide to Natural & Nontoxic Makeup.

*This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.
 
**Products get makeovers too. Be sure to check if this product has been recently re-formulated before using it yourself.
 
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