5 Natural Eyeshadows That Are Good For You and the Environment

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It can be a difficult task to find natural eyeshadows that are both good for you and the environment. This includes also finding eyeshadows that are not tested on animals and don't have poor reviews.

One thing to remember when shopping for natural eyeshadows is this: Mineral makeup is king. Mineral makeup is largely made up of purely natural ingredients, including titanium oxide, zinc oxides, iron oxides, and mica. Non-organic shadows tend to contain very few naturally occurring ingredients. They also can contain preservatives that may not be good for you.

The following list includes several tried and true natural eyeshadows, as well as a few wonderful eyeshadow primers and an illuminator that can be used to wake up the eyes.

Everyday Minerals Eyeshadow

Everyday Minerals Eyeshadows

 Courtesy of Everyday Minerals

What We Like
  • Clean, simple formula

  • Lightweight

  • Buildable

What We Don't Like
  • Possibly too shimmery for some

We absolutely love the color options available in Everyday Minerals Eyeshadows. And, you can't beat the price. These eyeshadows have great staying power if applied wet (just dip your brush in a bit of water before dipping it into the shadow) and over an eyeshadow primer.

Finish: Sheer | Form: Powder | Size: 0.03 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Alima Pure Eyeshadow

Alima Pure Eyeshadow

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Many color options

  • Can be applied dry or damp

  • Creamy feel

What We Don't Like
  • Shades could be a bit brighter

These eyeshadows are a favorite because there are so many color options that range from matte to shimmer and the price is right too. They tend to be richly pigmented so the color is rich, not barely there. And these shadows are free of Bismuth oxychloride (BOC), which may be a big plus for natural, organic makeup lovers.

Price at time of publish: $18

Finish: Matte | Form: Cream | Size: 0.06 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Zuzu Luxe Eyeshadow

Zuzu Luxe Eyeshadow

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Vegan

  • Full of rich, bio-available nutrients

  • Comes in 16 shades

What We Don't Like
  • Not very long-lasting

Enhance your eyes with Zuzu Luxe 100 percent natural mineral eyeshadows. Fresh and superbly blendable, these gorgeous shadows come in 16 stunning, ultra-wearable shades that can be worn alone or combined.

Price at time of publish: $18

Finish: Velvet | Form: Powder | Size: 0.07 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

RMS Beauty Cream Eyeshadow

RMS Beauty Cream Eyeshadow

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Glowing and light-reflective

  • Made of raw minerals

  • Amazing for dry or aging eyes

What We Don't Like
  • Too subtle in appearance for some

Unlike most commercial eyeshadows that accelerate aging and emphasize lines, RMS Beauty Cream Eyeshadows double as an eye cream to nourish and moisturize the eye area. It's 100 percent natural and packed with organic ingredients.

Finish: Sheer, Metallic | Form: Cream | Size: 0.15 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Zuii Organic Eyeshadow

Zuii Organic Eyeshadow

 Courtesy of Zuii Organic

What We Like
  • Perfect for sensitive eyes

  • Talc-free

  • Naturally derived, mineral enriched colors

What We Don't Like
  • Need to apply two coats for richness

Zuii Organic's eyeshadows get rave reviews from our experts. One writes that Zuii is one of the best natural brands on the market today for eyeshadow. Their shadows are highly pigmented and there are many amazing colors to choose from. We love Moss (deep green), Black Diamond (very black with subtle sparkles), Blackberry (deep purple), Blue Marine (beautiful medium royal blue), Brownie (dark gold), Mustard (medium tan with slight yellow and shine), and White Diamond (sparkly white).

Price at time of publish: $25 for Blackberry

As with all mineral shadows, you should apply with an eyeshadow brush and apply a primer on lids beforehand.

Finish: Sheer | Form: Powder | Size: 0.21 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette

Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palettes

 Courtesy of Nordstrom

What We Like
  • Strong staying power

  • High blendability

  • Velvety texture

What We Don't Like
  • Pricey

Some of the most popular eyeshadow palettes on the market, Urban Decay's Naked series is well-priced considering you get so many shadows in each palette. For luminous shades with shimmer and sparkle, try the Naked 2 palette. Or, for something a little sexier, opt for the Naked Cherry palette.

Price at time of publish: $54

Finish: Shimmer, Satin, Matte, Metallic | Form: Cream | Size: 0.21 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Jane Iredale Smooth Affair for Eyes

Jane Iredale Smooth Affair for Eyes

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Lasts long

  • Chic appeal

  • Works solo or as primer

What We Don't Like
  • Feels pasty on eyelids to some

If you have oily lids, you may have noticed your eyeshadow melts into your crease. Keep this from happening with a lid primer, like this one from Jane Iredale. This lid primer doubles as a shadow best applied with a finger.

Finish: Sheer | Form: Powder | Size: 0.01 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Sephora

What We Like
  • Vibrant pigments

  • Crease-free

  • Lasts up to 24 hours

What We Don't Like
  • Hard to apply

Urban Decay's primer potion is a beauty editor favorite. Most mineral eyeshadows require a primer on your lid to make them stay longer and this is an excellent option.

Price at time of publish: $25

Finish: Natural | Form: Cream | Size: 0.33 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

RMS Beauty Illuminizer

RMS Beauty Illuminizer

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Gives a sensuous glow

  • Not sticky or greasy

  • Completely natural

What We Don't Like
  • Doesn't have staying power

The must-have addition to any natural makeup collection, this no-glitter luminizer from RMS is the perfect highlighting balm for the inner corner of the eyes, under the eyebrows, along the collarbone, or anywhere else you want a subtle, sexy glow.

Price at time of publish: $55

Finish: Sheer, Luminous | Form: Balm | Size: 0.17 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

RMS Beauty Living Luminizer

Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca

Everyday Minerals Makeup Brushes

Everyday Minerals Eye Shadow Brush

Everyday Minerals

What We Like
  • Wallet-friendly

  • Dense and plush

  • Vegan

What We Don't Like
  • Synthetic fibers shed a bit

Mineral makeup usually requires a good mineral makeup brush for application. These brushes from Everyday Minerals get great reviews and are loved for their price.

Brush Material: Synthetic | Size: 1.0 x 1.0 x 6.7 in.

What To Look For in a Natural Eyeshadow

Ingredients

Natural (or mineral) makeup, like these eyeshadows, are made up of certain ingredients like zinc oxides, mica, titanium oxide, and iron oxides.

Highly Pigmented

Some natural eyeshadows are sheen or sheer, so it's imperative to look for shadows with a lot of pigment. Highly pigmented shades will allow you to get the most out of your eyeshadow. It'll provide a bright or natural pop of color to your eyeshadow and let you get the most bang for your buck.

Blendability

The great thing about eyeshadows is their ability to create a multitude of looks. To use them for different looks, make sure your shadows have blendability. This will allow you to cut crease, create different shapes, or fuse a multitude of colors together.

FAQ
  • How long can you keep powder eyeshadow?

    Generally speaking, powder eyeshadows can last about two years, but should be replaced every three to six months.

  • What are eyeshadows used for?

    Eyeshadows are used to add a pop of color to the eye. Some also use eyeshadow as eyeliner, a brow filler, or as highlighter.

  • Can you put eyeshadow on without primer?

    Eyeshadow can certainly be put on without a primer. However, it's better to apply with a primer as it'll help it last longer.

Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
  1. Cfr - code of federal regulations title 21. U.S Food and Drug Administration.

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