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6 Minimalist Makeup Brands for Natural & Clean Beauty

Makeup is a great way to express yourself and get out of your comfort zone when you want to try a bold look. However, there are some days you may want a more natural makeup look. There are many benefits to choosing this.

In this post we will explore what a minimalist makeup look consists of, and why clean makeup is the best choice when creating this look. 

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Quick List of Minimalist Makeup Brands with Clean Ingredients

If you’re just looking for a quick list of of clean minimalist makeup brands to shop, here you go! If you’d like to further your knowledge on ingredients and why we love these brands, read on!

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    River Organics is a zero waste brand that is located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The organic skincare and makeup brand was founded by husband and wife, Fabien and Corrine. 

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    Ilia is a clean beauty brand that sees skincare and makeup as one.

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    100% Pure creates beauty, skincare, and makeup products that are free of harmful toxins and Cruelty-free.

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    Ere Perez cosmetics is passionate about natural makeup and skincare that make women feel healthy and beautiful naturally. They use powerful superfoods and botanicals formulate their products.

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    100% of elate’s products are vegan and cruelty-free and 75% are organic showing their commitment to clean ingredients. 

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    14e Cosmetics brings passion for pure and natural ingredients to their products. 14e Cosmetics uses aloe vera as a base, and skin calming ingredients, no water.

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River Organics is a zero waste brand that is located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The organic skincare and makeup brand was founded by husband and wife, Fabien and Corrine. 

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Ilia is a clean beauty brand that sees skincare and makeup as one.

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100% Pure creates beauty, skincare, and makeup products that are free of harmful toxins and Cruelty-free.

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Ere Perez cosmetics is passionate about natural makeup and skincare that make women feel healthy and beautiful naturally. They use powerful superfoods and botanicals formulate their products.

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100% of elate’s products are vegan and cruelty-free and 75% are organic showing their commitment to clean ingredients. 

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14e Cosmetics brings passion for pure and natural ingredients to their products. 14e Cosmetics uses aloe vera as a base, and skin calming ingredients, no water.

What Is A Minimalist Makeup Look?

A minimalist makeup look is exactly as it sounds, a routine that uses minimal makeup products and gives off a more natural look. Whether you are a true makeup minimalist, or you are in the makeup beginners category, a minimalistic makeup look is a great go-to.

minimalist makeup ideas

Minimalist makeup has become one of the many makeup trends. However, there are many reasons why someone might want to create a minimalist makeup routine of their own. A few reasons include: 

  • Conscious consumers want to save money: buying fewer products means more money saved
  • Busy people want to save time: the less steps in the beauty routine, the more time that is saved
  • People want to try something new: a full face of makeup can be fun, but a great way to change it up is to go for a minimalistic look
  • Varying skill levels such as being new to the makeup world: starting out with minimalistic looks are a great way to get a few staple products into the makeup bag without feeling completely overwhelmed
  • Some people have sensitive skin: we’ll talk more about this a little further down, but minimalistic beauty often goes hand in hand with clean beauty

How To Create A Minimalistic Look

The key to a great minimalistic look is to highlight your natural features. You don’t need a ton of makeup to achieve this, you just need quality natural products. 

minimalist makeup look for women

Step 1: Do Your Skincare Routine – a clean face is a must before adding makeup.

Step 2: Pick Your Coverage – are you going to do foundation, tinted moisturizer, or bb cream.

Step 3: Pick Multi-Use Products – the less product you use, the easier and quicker the routine will be. By choosing cream-based products you can usually use it for more than one thing. 

Step 4: Add Mascara – to finish off the look add a coat or two of your favorite natural mascara.

Now that you know how to create a minimalistic makeup look, let’s talk about ingredients, clean ingredients.

How to Shop for Clean Makeup

Clean makeup refers to beauty products that are made with natural ingredients. The beauty industry isn’t regulated so many beauty brands can get away with putting whatever they want in their products.

This is where clean beauty steps in. There have been companies that have come along and changed our perceptions of what makeup can be for us. It doesn’t have to be filled with toxins, we have better options. 

clean mascara

As The Good Face Project points out, clean beauty can mean different things to each beauty brand. It’s important to do your own research and look at ingredients before purchasing.

Before adding any new products to your minimalist makeup collection, make sure they are free of these ingredients:

  • Parabens
  • Fragrance
  • Phthalates
  • Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS)
  • Formaldehyde

Those are just some of the ingredients you don’t want to see on a label. Instead, it’s best to see natural and organic ingredients to be considered a clean makeup brand in my eyes.

Why Is Clean Makeup A Better Choice?

If you have sensitive skin it’s imperative that you choose clean makeup over traditional makeup. In addition to that, by choosing natural products you are making a difference for the planet.

As you’ll see soon, the clean minimalist brands featured in this article have made significant contributions to making the world a better place to live.

Through their innovation and commitment they have made strides in the clean beauty industry. By supporting them by purchasing these clean products, you are helping to support a cleaner beauty industry. 

LIST OF MINIMALIST MAKEUP BRANDS

6 Clean Minimalist Makeup Brands

Now that you are familiar with clean minimalist makeup looks, it’s time to talk products and the companies that make them.

Here are six of the best minimalist makeup brands, and some essential products to check out.

River Organics’s Minimalist Makeup Made with Organic Ingredients 

River Organics is a zero waste brand that is located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The organic skincare and makeup brand was founded by husband and wife, Fabien and Corrine.

Their beauty products are perfect for consumers because they are made for all skin types featuring clean organic ingredients. The products are also safe for the Earth due to their eco-friendly packaging.

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  • $12.99
  • Description:

    Ultra-hydrating sheer tinted lip balms that gives you a naturally moisturized "sun kissed" look. All of the ingredients are plant-based. River Organics uses cacao and mango butters which makes the lip balm smoother, thicker and longer lasting.

  • $17.99
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    The wax uses a mascara wand to coat every brow hair with its creamy formula.This product conditions & softens eyebrow hairs, while providing long lasting color

  • $29.99
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    This toxin-free, zero waste mascara lasts all day and goes on smoothly, without clumping or smudging. Made with all-natural coconut oil, rhassoul clay, and castor oil for healthy lashes.

$12.99
Description:

Ultra-hydrating sheer tinted lip balms that gives you a naturally moisturized "sun kissed" look. All of the ingredients are plant-based. River Organics uses cacao and mango butters which makes the lip balm smoother, thicker and longer lasting.

$17.99
Description:

The wax uses a mascara wand to coat every brow hair with its creamy formula.This product conditions & softens eyebrow hairs, while providing long lasting color

$29.99
Description:

This toxin-free, zero waste mascara lasts all day and goes on smoothly, without clumping or smudging. Made with all-natural coconut oil, rhassoul clay, and castor oil for healthy lashes.

Their products are great if you’re just looking to add a little color or make your eyes stand out with some zero waste mascara.

Ilia Beauty’s Minimalist Looks for Any Skin Tone

The Ilia journey began with a simple lip balm. When the founder of the company, Sasha, found out that her favorite lip balm contained unsafe ingredients, she was ready to take action.

In 2011 Ilia Beauty was born. The company’s focus remains on clean beauty. Making sure that the right ingredients are used and creating sustainable packaging is how they accomplish that.

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  • $36
  • Description:

    This bestseller offers buildable color that can be used for both cheeks and lips and comes in 12 different shades. 

  • $54
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    Coming in 30 different shades, this medium coverage foundation is fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. This is great for any minimalist makeup lover!

  • $42
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    For a hydrating, dewy look, you’ll want this highlighter. It comes in three different shades and provides UV and blue light protection.

$36
Description:

This bestseller offers buildable color that can be used for both cheeks and lips and comes in 12 different shades. 

$54
Description:

Coming in 30 different shades, this medium coverage foundation is fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. This is great for any minimalist makeup lover!

$42
Description:

For a hydrating, dewy look, you’ll want this highlighter. It comes in three different shades and provides UV and blue light protection.

Ilia is a well known for their foundation which is great for creating a minimalist makeup look. Take a look at some of the products you’ll find on their site.

100% Pure’s Sustainable Minimalist Makeup

All three of 100% Pure’s founders are on a mission to impact the world through their natural beauty products. At 100% Pure they do a couple of things to ensure that their products cause no harm to their customers or the world.

100% PURE formulations adhere to strict purity standards and will never contain harsh or toxic ingredients. They source pigments from fruit, vegetables, tea, and cocoa to avoid commonly used FD&C colorants and heavy metal dyes.

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  • $44
  • Description:

    This BB Cream creates a full to medium coverage that still looks natural. BB Cream's light reflective pigments gives you an incandescent glow.

  • $55
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    This 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Better Naked Palette features 3 eyeshadows, a blush, and a highlighter. Each signature shade is colored from vitamin rich fruit and vegetable pigments – not synthetic dyes.

  • $46
  • Description:

    For a dewy, light to medium coverage look you’ll want this tinted moisturizer. It’s made with aloe and cucumber juice and pigmented by fruit, so you know your skin will feel hydrated and refreshed.

$44
Description:

This BB Cream creates a full to medium coverage that still looks natural. BB Cream's light reflective pigments gives you an incandescent glow.

$55
Description:

This 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Better Naked Palette features 3 eyeshadows, a blush, and a highlighter. Each signature shade is colored from vitamin rich fruit and vegetable pigments – not synthetic dyes.

$46
Description:

For a dewy, light to medium coverage look you’ll want this tinted moisturizer. It’s made with aloe and cucumber juice and pigmented by fruit, so you know your skin will feel hydrated and refreshed.

They ensure that all formulas are biodegradable and they take steps during packing and shipping to be as sustainable as possible. Try their tinted moisturizer or BB cream to create your everyday minimalist look!

Ere Perez’s Natural Products for a Minimalist Look

Ere Perez was created in 2002 and based out of Australia. What started with a natural mascara has now expanded to 41 skincare and beauty products that include over 120 color variations. The company has made big strides to keep their company as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible.

From using 100% plant based materials, to creating products that can have multiple uses; Ere Perez puts in the work to create lasting change in the beauty industry. Check out some of the products you’ll find on their site.

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  • $38
  • Description:

    Minimalist makeup enthusiasts will love the 2-for-1. This product works great as an eyeshadow as well. Once you finish the product you can replace the magnetic product pot while holding onto your original compact.

  • $40
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    Ere Perez Oat Milk Foundation is non-greasy, has a natural finish and is long-lasting for light porcelain skins. Buildable foundation that offers medium to full coverage, perfect for makeup minimalists.

  • $27
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    Ere Perez Coco Crayon is like a lipstick, minus the plastic – all wood, sleek design with an aluminum lid. This natural beauty has a matte finish, for smooth skin and even smoother color. 

$38
Description:

Minimalist makeup enthusiasts will love the 2-for-1. This product works great as an eyeshadow as well. Once you finish the product you can replace the magnetic product pot while holding onto your original compact.

$40
Description:

Ere Perez Oat Milk Foundation is non-greasy, has a natural finish and is long-lasting for light porcelain skins. Buildable foundation that offers medium to full coverage, perfect for makeup minimalists.

$27
Description:

Ere Perez Coco Crayon is like a lipstick, minus the plastic – all wood, sleek design with an aluminum lid. This natural beauty has a matte finish, for smooth skin and even smoother color. 

Consider trying one of their zero waste Coco Crayons for a bold lip with your minimalist look!

Elate Cosmetics Clean Ingredients 

Melodie Reynolds created Elate Cosmetics in 2014. Since then her company has been redefining what low-waste looks like in the beauty world. Elate Cosmetics has donated over $27,000 to social and environmental causes in 2020 alone.

100% of elate’s products are vegan and cruelty-free and 75% are organic showing their commitment to clean ingredients. 

In addition to that, things like their seed paper packaging has also helped create change in this industry, as well as the world. Here are a few of the products can be great for creating your minimalist makeup look.

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  • $24
  • Description:

    This tinted lip conditioner makes dry lips a thing of the past. It’s made with carrot root oil and rosehip seed oil, and it comes in quite a few different colors.

  • $36
  • Description:

    Elate Cosmetics Unify Glow Powder - Light/Medium creates a skin-smoothing, subtle glow to uphold all day confidence in your skin. 

$24
Description:

This tinted lip conditioner makes dry lips a thing of the past. It’s made with carrot root oil and rosehip seed oil, and it comes in quite a few different colors.

$36
Description:

Elate Cosmetics Unify Glow Powder - Light/Medium creates a skin-smoothing, subtle glow to uphold all day confidence in your skin. 

Consider using the unifying glow powder to bring out your smooth glowing skin and adding a pop of color with the better balm.

14e cosmetics Ethically Sourced Makeup for Minimalists

 14e cosmetics use natural ingredients that are also vegan, ethically sourced, and cruelty free in all of their products.

A unique feature of these products is that Aloe Vera is used as a base. This means you are getting products that are going to be great for your skin. Check out these skin-loving products.

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  • $34
  • Description:

    Finish off your look with this aloe- based setting powder. You can also use it as a primer before you start your makeup look.

  • $24
  • Description:

    14e Aloe Nourish Lip Sheens are a gorgeous, lightly pigmented lip treatment that leaves lips supple with a subtle sheen. 

  • $34
  • Description:

    14e Cosmetics Aloe Nourish Cheek + Lip has a velvety, mousse-like texture, and a small amount goes a long way. 

$34
Description:

Finish off your look with this aloe- based setting powder. You can also use it as a primer before you start your makeup look.

$24
Description:

14e Aloe Nourish Lip Sheens are a gorgeous, lightly pigmented lip treatment that leaves lips supple with a subtle sheen. 

$34
Description:

14e Cosmetics Aloe Nourish Cheek + Lip has a velvety, mousse-like texture, and a small amount goes a long way. 

Hopefully this sustainable beauty guide has helped you learn about some clean make-up brands for your minimalist look! Enjoy celebrating your effortless beauty with minimal effort.