Photo: Bette Walker Photography

For so many years, I was a devotee of mineral makeup.  Then, I found out there were some questionable ingredients in that brand that we all used (you know the one).  Since making the switch to Green Beauty a few years back, I’ve been loving all the Clean cream formulas, but sometimes we want something more familiar, and it’s pretty hard to screw up mineral powder…

When I met Samjhana Shrestha, founder of Embody Beauty Boutique, a few months back, I was obsessed with her beautiful face and what was on it; it was a true “I want what she’s having” moment.  Luckily, she divulged all her secrets and I learned all about INIKA Cosmetics.

INIKA’s Mineral Foundation powder is just perfect.  It provides flawless full coverage without making me looking like I’m wearing a face full of makeup.  The pure and simple ingredients won’t clog pores or irritate sensitive skin, but they do provide SPF 15.  I wear “Trust”.  Cost: $38.  Purchase it here.

Ingredients: Mica (CI 77019) May contain (+/-) Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891); Zinc Oxide (CI 77947); Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499); Ultramarines (CI 77007).

INIKA’s Mineral Blush in “Blooming Nude” is everything.  It’s like a bronzer and blush in one and I am obsessed with it.  The color is super-saturated, (there are no fillers in their formula) so a little goes a long way and it stays put all day long.  I also love the satin finish; it looks so natural.  Cost: $26.  Purchase it here.

Ingredients: Mica (CI 77019); Zinc Oxide (CI 77947); May contain (+/-) Tin Oxide (CI 778161); Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891); Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499); Ultramarines (CI 77007)

 INIKA’s Mineral Eyeshadows are silky and light and can be used wet or dry.  I have super-sensitive eyes, but the pure mineral formula didn’t irritate them at all and lasted all day and into the night.  The colors are gorgeous and buildable.  A+!!!!  Cost: $16.  Purchase them here.

Ingredients: Mica (CI77019); Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891); May Contain +/- Ultramarines (CI 7707); Iron Oxides (CI 77491; CI 77491; CI 77499); Pigment Violet (CI 77742). (Eternal Marine contains Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288; CI 77289).)

Quite possibly my favorite eyeliner ever, INIKA’s Organic Eyeliner combines a Clean, non-irritating formula that glides right on and doesn’t fade or smudge (I do touch up for evening, but it lasts through the whole day).  Their colors are GORGEOUS and they each come with their own sharpening cap.  “Saphire” is my personal favorite – the whites of the eyes appear brighter, making any eye color POP.  Cost: $18.  Purchase them here.

Ingredients: Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Mica (CI 77019), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*, Levisticum Officinale (Black Lovage) Oil (Olus), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbic Acid, May Contain (+/-):, Iron Oxides (CI 77491) (Red), Iron Oxides (CI 77492) (Yellow), Iron Oxides (CI 77499) (Black), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Pigment Violet (CI 77742) *Certified Organic

INIKA Light Reflecting Highlighting Creme is a truly outstanding product that every woman needs in her makeup bag.  Whether you’re going to a big event or braving a sweaty summer day, this baby won’t budge, even for those with oily skin.  I also love how it can be applied precisely for a bolder effect (like on the inner corners of the eyes so I look like I’ve slept), or it can be “tapped” into the skin for a more natural, dewy appearance (like on the cheek bones).  Cost: $22.  Purchase it here.

Ingredients: Water(Aqua), Glycerin, Mica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Citrus Grandis ( Grapefruit ) Fruit Extract, Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Iron Oxides CI 77491, CI77492, CI 77499

Photo: Embody Beauty Boutique

In this photo, I’m wearing INIKA Mineral Foundation in “Trust”, Mineral Blush in “Blooming Nude”, Mineral Eyeshadow in “Peach Fetish” and “Cocoa Motion” with their Organic Eyeliner in “Cocoa” on the upper lid and “Saphire” on the lower lid.  The look is topped off with INIKA’s Light Reflecting Highlighting Creme.

In this photo I’m wearing INIKA Mineral Foundation in “Trust”, Mineral Blush in “Blooming Nude” (a less heavy-handed application than the first photo), and Mineral Eyeshadow in “Peach Fetish”, “Cocoa Motion” and  “Forest Gold”.  I used the Organic Eyeliner in “Cocoa” on the upper and lower lids and topped it with the “Forest Gold” eyeshadow and finished the look with Light Reflecting Highlighting Creme.

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