Hello sunshine! It's again the time for change of seasons, how has your skin been treating you? This time of the year is the most crucial for you to check your beauty cabinets for any hidden nasty chemicals that might be irritating and moisture-stripping for your skin (read about the 'toxic eight' chemicals commonly found in your personal care products here). Just because a tiny bit of chemical irritants can set off your skin's sensitivity during change of seasons like an untamable beast! I'm a lucky ducky to call Australia home as we have such an array of home-grown organic beauty brands that are readily available integrating locally farmed organic ingredients in their formula (I've previously reviewed La Mav, Jojoba Company and GAIA Skincare on the blog). This month I've decided to give you another Australian toxin-free beauty brand spotlight on the well-loved INIKA Cosmetics reviewing three products from their skin and makeup ranges. Read on, beauties!
Road tested:
♥ INIKA Mineral Blush Loose Powder - Blooming Nude ♥ INIKA Vegan Mineral Eye Shadow - Lightning ♥ INIKA Certified Organic Eye and Makeup Remover 
Why are they green?
♥ All products are certified organic, vegan, halal, and cruelty-free.
♥ INIKA uses natural ingredients sourced from Australia and around the globe including organic Aloe Vera, Calendula, Shea Butter, Kakadu Plum, Rosehip and Primrose Oil and Green Tea (read the complete list of their hero ingredients here).
♥ Fully transparent with their ingredients on the website and packaging. The complete ingredient list of their makeup remover includes: Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice*; Glycerin; Cetearyl Olivate; Sorbitan Olivate; Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Seed Oil*; Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Oil*; Cetearyl Alcohol; Coco-Glucoside; Aqua; Xanthan Gum; Potassium Sorbate; Natural Vitamin E (Tocopherol); Citric Acid; Calendula Officinalis Flower Infusion*; Matricaria (Chamomilla Recutita) Flower Oil*. *Certified Organic
♥ Mineral eye shadow ingredients: Mica (CI 77019); May contain (+/-) Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891); Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499); Chromium Oxide Green (CI 77288); Ultramarines (CI 77007); Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289); Pigment Violet (CI 77742).
♥ Mineral blush ingredients: Mica (CI 77019); Zinc Oxide (CI 77947); May contain (+/-) Tin Oxide (Cl 77861), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891); Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Ultramarines (Cl 77007).
My Verdict:
♥ I simply adore this INIKA mineral blush loose powder! The shade I use is 'blooming nude' which looks like a light terra-cotta colour. At first I thought it would be too dark on my skin as it resembles the tone of my bronzing powder just by the look of it. I applied it to my cheekbone with a brush and what a delight! The shade becomes peachy with a hint of golden glow on my cheeks. It gives me that 'just kissed by the sun' look even without bronzing powder on my yellow tone skin. The colour is warm and pleasingly rich. It is quite intensive so just a little bit of powder is enough for each application. It's simply naturally beautiful! I'm really impressed with how it immediately brightens my makeup look with that magical touch of Mediterranean sun!
♥ Fantastic long stay quality makes it the perfect blush to use on a day out to the beach, or just day to day for work or uni. I wore mine to the office and there was no visible sign of caking and just very slight sign of fading after an 9-hour day.
♥ Big thumbs up for no parabens or talc found in the ingredients.
♥ Next up for test was the INIKA mineral eye shadows in the silver lightning shade. Love the texture which is very velvety with pearl-like shine, and it's easy-as-peas to blend.
♥ To apply these mineral eye shadows, pick up a little powder, press brush head into the product, tap off excess and apply a small amount at a time as the colour is incredibly vibrant.
♥ I apply it lightly on the inner corners of my eyes, and it really brightens up that area of my face which is typically dark with its rich and luminous shade. I then use a nude earthy shade of eye shadow on my eyelids for a natural looking eye makeup which is great for every day.
♥ For the night out in town, I use it as a liquid liner along my lower lid's waterline to open up my eyes. To transform it to a liquid liner, just add a small drop of water and apply using an angle brush. Multi-purpose products like this are simply brilliant and are must-have for us globe-trotting ladies who need to pack (stylishly) light!
♥ Still need more ways to wear a silver eye shadow? Just pop it underneath your eyebrow on the bone above the crease. Just remember to smudge to blend. The highlight will make your brow bone pop for perfect contouring. You won't believe how versatile this eye shadow shade is!
♥ Again I'd rate its long stay power as medium to high. I wear mine without eye primer (my eyelids don't usually get oily in winter) and the colour was still vibrant without smudging after a 9-hour work day.
♥ This little pot of INIKA eye shadow has become a firm favourite in my makeup cabinet!
♥ And lastly here comes my verdict for the INIKA makeup remover. It was 'love at first sniff' with its divine botanical scent that doesn't smell anything chemical or artificial.
♥ It has a creamy texture with medium consistency. To apply, squeeze a small drop on a cotton pad. Start with one eye and gently wipe across the eyelid, wipe a couple of times depending on makeup coverage. Repeat the same action using a new cotton pad.
♥ I trialed it on days with light everyday makeup which consists of my water base fruit pigment foundation, sunscreen, eye shadow, brow powder and a layer of mascara. It's very effective in removing all makeup after using 4 small cotton pads (one for each eye and one for each side of my face). My skin feels cleansed and soothed without feeling tight or irritated - TICK & TICK!
♥ Then I put it to the ultimate test on days when I wore 2 to 3 layers of waterproof mascara. I needed to use 3 cotton pads with makeup remover on each side of my eye and it took off around 90% of my mascara and liquid eye liner. I had to follow up with a cream cleanser to effectively remove all makeup without traces of 'panda eyes'. Sadly, that was way too time-consuming especially after those big night out when I just want my makeup gone in a flash and crash into bed. You'll also need quite a large amount of product to tackle those heavy layers of waterproof mascara.
♥ The big plus though is that it feels ultra soothing and nourishing while it also doesn't leave any greasy layer. It's coming into winter months and anything moisture-stripping will set off the alarm on my sensitive skin! It also doesn't sting my eyes which I adore as I wear contact lens.
♥ The pump bottle is easy to use and dispatch the right amount of product in every squeeze.
♥ I'd recommend this for everyday use if you usually wear light makeup, and especially to those beauty bunnies with sensitive skin with its skin-loving formula that's as gentle as a little lamb!
♥ Overall, I love their luxe gold and black packaging which is gorgeous. The only thing I'd suggest is to swap the plastic bottle used in makeup remover with some eco-friendly materials such as miron glass.
♥ Organic certification stamps from Australia's Organic Food Chain, UK Vegan Society and Australia's Choose Cruelty Free Organisation on the packaging for that extra piece of mind - #winning!
here is to be among the first to know about our monthly toxin-free beauty giveaway!
♥ Lastly it's also great to note that INIKA has been awarded one of the highest safety ratings in the world by the EWG ( Environmental Working Group) and the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. They've got me hooked and I'm definitely keen to try out their other skincare and beauty products so stay tuned!
So tell me dear green beauty junkies, have you used any INIKA products or are you keen to trial them? What other toxin-free beauty brands would you like to see us review here on Lace n Ruffles next month? Be sure to share what you think in the comments below!
Until next time! Stay beautiful inside and out.
