Blog Update!
For those of you not following me on Facebook, as of the Summer of 2019 I've moved to Central WA, to a tiny mountain town of less than 1,000 people.

I will be covering my exploits here in the Cascades, as I try to further reduce my impact on the environment. With the same attitude, just at a higher altitude!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Physicians Formula Organic Wear: Review

When I saw these products in my local drugstore I was extremely excited. I can't say that I've ever used Physicians Formula products before, but their Organic Wear line looked very promising. [Disclaimer: I have in no way been contacted, in contact or compensated by this company.]

What drew me in was the fact that it is the first ECOCERT Certified Organic line of makeup in the U.S., which means it contains 100% certified organic ingredients, and the packaging is fantastic - most of it is recyclable or made from recycled materials. Since I'm doing some makeup recon for the green makeover show, I took the liberty of buying a few products to test out. And, I needed a few things anyway.

Let me back up and also confess that I've developed an allergy to commercial lipsticks and lipbalms. I don't know what the ingredient in them is, but every time I've used a conventional product in the last two and a half years, my lips would burn and lightly peel for about a month afterwards. Not pretty. Then I'd forget and apply something or other and it would begin again.

So, part of my mission was to find a lipstick that didn't make my lips irritated. As such, I tested out the lipstick first. Since it's 100% free of chemicals, synthetic preservatives and parabens, I was hopeful. And, since it has no fragrance, the smell isn't exactly welcoming, particularly since ones lips are so close to your nose. It smells strongly like crayons.

They advertise it as being ultra-moisturizing, but I found the lipstick to be almost impossible to apply without already having a lipbalm on first. But, aside from the smell and texture of a crayon, I had no reaction to it. Woohoo!

Next up was a concealer stick. Again I was excited because the packaging on the tube was so cool and it comes it color corrective shades as well. Unfortunately, the "ultra-smooth" was not as advertised.

The concealer was essentially rock hard and, try as I might, I couldn't get any to actually go on my skin. And I wasn't about to rub the crap out of my under eye to get it on there. The stick is so hard, it snapped in half when I tried to get some concealer off onto a tissue just to see if I could. So, for the concealer, I'd say that this one is a huge failure and totally unusable.

Last up was the mascara which, even though it was ranked highly by Allure magazine, I've been kind of afraid to try given my experience with their other two products. With its cool packaging (see image at top left) and 100% recyclable eco-brush, it certainly is a super stylish looking product. So, I don't really have a review on this product - if I get the gumption to give it a try, I'll let you know what I think.

28 comments:

CitricSugar said...

Yeah... I tried the concealer a few years ago and broke out terribly. I personally think it was a plot to make me buy even more concealer. You're right about the smell - a little like plasticine... I've switched to a powder mineral makeup that I am beyond happy with and doesn't cause organic pizza-face....

Anonymous said...

Crunchy - I use their mineral powder (because I don't like liquid foundations)and its not too bad - I don't wear make up every day and it was easy to find the right shade. I've been really happy with it.
Years ago I had the same thing happen with their concelers but they have a non-organic kind that comes in a little brush tube that isn't bad for the occasional spot on a bad day.

As for mascara - its Body Shop all the way - the only one I've found that doesn't irratate my eyes and contacts or get all clumpy and make me look like Phylis Diller...

die Frau said...

I got Physicians Formula concealer and had a not so bad time of it. Mind you, I had to warm it up a bit by using my own breath, but it did work. If you really want to keep using it, I suggest a small applicator brush and dabbing at it. Or just buy something else, yeah.

die Frau said...

Oh, I also love the Aveda makeup, though it's a bit expensive.

JanetDavies said...

mmmmyeah, I would have guessed they don't have it exactly right yet. Too bad. I'm sticking (pun?) to my powder mineral makeup too. I also really like Burts Bees tinted lip balm. Too much fragrance in their other stuff.

Jen said...

Interesting.. Thanks for the facts. This crunchy momma might have to try something like this.

amandaginn said...

Makeup, schmakeup.

Green Me Alison said...

lol. I just tried there liquid moisturizer/concealer (spf 15) and I've been pleased. I have super sensitive skin and almost always break out or react to make-up and I've had no reaction to this. Of course I don't wear it daily, only on a rare occasion, but it worked for me twice last week (once for real, once for fun). I also got their bronzer/blush combo. The bronzer works great, but the blush color barely shows up after 30 swipes. I was also pleased with the packaging (recyclable). Even the bronzer is in a cardboard compact. And the price was comparable to everything else at Target so, why not? Although, I must admit I do question the company -- who/what is the Physcians Formula and why do they care?

Adrienne said...

A friend of mine just had some special allergy tests after having a similar (but more severe!) reaction like what you're describing. She ended up being allergic to something called "Balsam of Peru" which is apparently in a lot of things.
http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/balsam-of-peru-allergy.html I'd never even heard of it!

Hannah said...

I'm a total non-makeup person, but I find your story about the lipstick fascinating. I've always been overwhelmed easily by artificial smells and fabrics and stuff. But now I can't even use organic shampoos without my head breaking out in itchy/burning patches. The Balsam question is an interesting one. Or do we get more sensitive with less exposure? I wonder if avoiding chemicals might strengthen our body's warning system?

Eco Yogini said...

thanks for sharing this Crunchy :)

Slowly revamping my makeup collection- am really interested in this Young Blood mineral powder- one stop for concealer, foundation everything. Too darn expensive and I'm pretty sure it has some not so "green" chemicals in there.

mudnessa said...

I bought some of their stuff a while back. I like it all a lot. I don't wear make-up much at all, go through spurts really.

The concealer worked ok for me if I used my finger to apply, it is very sticky and hard, no way it could ever be applied directly to the face or used for large areas, I don't use much of it at all so it works for me.

The pressed powder I bought and the eyeliner both turned out great and I couldn't be happier. For some reason there wasn't any mascara where I purchased the other stuff so I went with another brand, Lavera, I absolutely love it, will never use another brand.

I've never been a lipstick wearer, I did have a tinted something from Burt's Bees that I loved but I lost it and I so rarely wear it I don't see the point in buying more, I'll probably just lose it again.

motheralice said...

I just do moisturiser, eyeliner and mascara, and generally stick with stuff from the Body Shop. However, I heard/read somewhere that L'Oreal now owns the company (and they reformulated my moisturiser so it's all smelly- blech), so I'm on the lookout for new stuff. Thanks for sharing this.

Farmer's Daughter said...

I use Honeybee Gardens eyeliner and mascara, and that's the only make up I wear. It's fabulous!!! Not organic, but very natural and safe (check Skin Deep, I was very pleased!). And it's the only eye makeup I've found that doesn't irritate my allergy eyes.

Unknown said...

Ive found that lip pencil over lip balm works better for me than most lipstick.

Kristijoy said...

You might be reacting to glucoseamine if you happen to have a shellfish allergy. Someone was just talking about this in a forum I am in. http://allergies.about.com/od/medicationallergies/a/glucosamine.htm

Sally said...

I've tried different under eye concealer, and every time I do, it stretches the skin. YUK!! :

P.S. I voted

Robj98168 said...

Why do you need make up anyhow? I have met in person and your putier than a gopher sittin on a fence post.

Crunchy Chicken said...

I prefer being referred to as a marmot. They make such cute whistling noises.

And thanks for no references to beavers.

Amy Estrada said...

I use their mascara and mineral foundation powder and I love it! It's the only stuff that won't break my skin out like crazy. Haven't tied anything else, so I haven't been disappointed like you. Sorry, good luck with the lipstick hunt!

Kim said...

I don't wear make-up everyday, but I've been using the Organic Wear line for over a year when I do wear make-up. And I've been very happy with all the products.

I initially had the same problem w/ the stick concealers and the lipstick but have found that I can either get it just barely wet, or dab it w/ a wet brush to apply and it works fine. Actually, it works great.

Like others I've also been using the liquid foundation. I also have the loose powder concealer, the mascara (which I LOVE,) an eyeliner (also LOVE,)an eyeshadow and a blush. Really, I've been quite happy with it all.

I really do recommend trying out their other products! Not just because they have the right idea, but because some of it is executed really well.

Elle said...

Thanks for this review! I am on the market for new make-up. I have used Jane Iredale makeup for the past year, but I am getting low and would like to try something new. I have been tempted to buy the Physicians Formula Organic Wear because it is usually on sale at the drug stores. I am really glad I never caved in to those sales! I am probably going to buy makeup from RMS and Nvey Eco.

Allie said...

I had the SAME issue with the concealer. I am all about Jane Iredale and Lisha Lynn makeup. Lisha Lynn is really cool - she's a SAHM who started a makeup business, and she's super careful about the ingredients in her mineral makeups.

Gypsy said...

So far I haven't been fond of any of their products Except the Mascara. I think it's fabulous. Not only the best Organic Mascara... but one of the best mascaras (period)I've owned. And though I only wear it occasionally (and sometimes it's past it's prime before I've used it up) $10 is affordable. I've started pushing it on my friends and every one of them has loved it. No clumps and lengthens and defines (I have thick but short eyelashes) for me.

Anonymous said...

I also decided to try their stick concealer a few weeks ago and was disappointed at first because it was rubbery hard. Then I took my nail and scraped off the top layer to find it soft and useable inside. Just a tip if you haven't tossed it out yet, worked for me and saved me money on the product!

feonixrift said...

Apply in 100 degree weather, that keeps it from acting like stiff wax.

From the lion's mouth said...

"Since it's 100% free of chemicals, synthetic preservatives and parabens"

It's 100% free of chemicals? OH MY GOD YOUR MAKEUP IS MADE OF NOTHING! It's a vacuum in a tube!

I wonder how they make nothing coloured?

Anonymous said...

My best suggestion if there are those out there who have the concealer and don't know what to do with it, I have a kind of fancy way of working with it.

First, I sort of shaved off the top, or went with the broken inside. Apply a little oil to your finger and rub it in. It should dilute and smooth the consistency, and make it easier to apply. For a while when I was going for the very porcelain look, I would use this diluted version of the concealer as a foundation. I always dab at my face with a towel/tissue to get excess shine and product off.

I tend to keep my old tubes of concealers as well, melt them with a blow dryer, and pour them into a recycled lip salve pot. At this stage one could mix in a small amount of oil with a toothpick and it should evenly emulsify, giving a quick fix for later.