Afterglow Cosmetics
by Theresa Masek --
Like many, I've tried mineral makeup, now that it seems like the latest thing with even mainstream cosmetics companies jumping on the bandwagon. But mineral makeup can be messy and a hassle to carry all the different pots in your purse or suitcase.
| "Perhaps that's why this makeup feels so silky when applied to the skin—you know it's good for you." |
Enter Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics, founded in 2004 by San Francisco Bay-area artist Kristin Adams, Afterglow solves this problem with its Glow Kit ($60), which also makes a good starter kit. The kit includes six mini-pots that screw into each other—the bottom of one pot becomes the top of the next one, making one easy-to-carry stick the size of a salt shaker. I tried the Medium Glow Kit, which included two foundations in Shell and Beige; a blush called Smitten, which is a cool medium pink; a medium bronzer; a translucent setting powder; and an eye shadow in Cashmere, a soft peach. The Glow Kit also comes with a baby kabuki brush, a plastic swirler dish, application instructions and a silver metallic cosmetic bag.
To use, you open one pot at a time and shake a little powder into the plastic dish. Swirl it up with the kabuki brush, and tap the brush with the bristles facing upward to allow the powder to sink into the brush, and apply. Use a dime-sized amount of foundation and smaller amounts for the other products—a little goes a long way. Any powder that remains can be saved by snapping the plastic cap onto the dish. Afterglow says its makeup is free of synthetic preservatives, dyes and fillers—unlike other mineral lines—and uses certified organic botanicals. In addition, the products are gluten- and cruelty-free, certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny.
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Afterglow Glow Kit
Afterglow Lipstick
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Perhaps that's why this makeup feels so silky when applied to the skin—you know it's good for you. The kabuki brush—which the company calls "vegan," since no animal hair is used—is lush and didn't lose any of its bristles on my face. The foundation colors were a good match for my face, which bears the traces of a summer tan. The foundation provides even coverage, and you can use more concentrated amounts as a concealer, applying with a cosmetic sponge if you like.
The Smitten blush gives a natural glow instead of a streak of color. I didn't particularly care for the light peach of the eye shadow, but I remedied that by applying some of the bronzer to the crease of my eyes.
I also tried Afterglow's Organic Lip Love Lipstick ($24), which is loaded with jojoba seed oil, aloe leaf gel, vitamin E, and pomegranate and grape seed extract, all organic, of course. Here, Adams really hits it out of the ballpark. The lipstick feels great going on, like a balm, but has much richer pigmentation. The lipstick is gaining celebrity fans, too; makeup artist Jane Galli used three shades—Merlot, Courage and Kiss—on Oscar winner Marion Cotillard in the upcoming movie "Public Enemies."
Afterglow offers a full line of cosmetics, with full-size pots of all the items in the Glow Kit; the foundation is $32 and eye shadow is $18. The Afterglow line also includes powder and pencil eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss and vegan brushes. For more information or to order, call 866-630-4569 or visit Afterglow Cosmetics. |
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