Due to the dryness that winter brings upon our skin, it can cause it to become quite flaky and dull. In order to shed that old skin, exfoliation is going to be your best bet. Exfoliating your face helps to remove all of those dry, dead skin cells and reveal a fresh layer of glowing, healthy skin. Exfoliation also helps your skin absorb skin care products more effectively. Just be sure to use an exfoliator that is gentle and that you can use on a regular basis.
While this is something you should be using year-round regardless of how sunny it is, it is even more crucial to use SPF on your face during the months of increased sunlight exposure and warmer temperatures. You should always be wearing at least SPF 15 sunscreen or moisturizer, but you will likely want to up that number as summer comes along and the UV rays become stronger.
While this may not pertain directly to skin care products, regular exercise provides excellent benefits to your health and skin. Exercising encourages blood flow and circulation to your face, which in turn helps to flush out toxins. It almost acts as a mini-facial due to you expelling dirt and oil from your pores. Just be sure to wash your skin thoroughly after a good sweat session in order to prevent blemishes and breakouts
While your skin may not be as dry during the spring and summer months, it is still important to hydrate it as much as possible — especially in the evening. Using a face moisturizer in the evening helps to soothe and revitalize skin, boost collagen production, and can also help with bettering blood circulation around your face.
This is another year-round tip, but because spring cleaning is something that many of us do around the home, it is another great thing to do to our makeup bags as well. Many beauty products are created with harsh chemicals and fillers that are not great for our skin to take in. Selecting products such as AltFore that are gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and cruelty-free are excellent options for not only adding beautiful spring lipstick colors to your collection, but for giving your skin a treat with ingredients it will love.
By following these tips, you are sure to have glowing, radiant skin all spring and summer long. Browse our selection of fun spring colors at AltFore today! We are a natural cosmetic brand who prides ourselves on creating lipsticks and lip glosses that are not only good for you and your skin, but are also good for the environment.
]]>In order for your current skin care routine to be the most effective, consistency is key. Whether it’s simply washing your face and applying moisturizer every morning and night or using anti-aging serums and vitamin C, it is important to maintain it for optimal results. With a healthy skin care routine that is consistent, you are sure to see an improved appearance in your skin, and it will be easier to maintain in the long run.
It’s easy to fall into the idea that our skin doesn’t need SPF in the winter because of the lack of sunlight — but don’t be mistaken! It is so important to apply sun protection every day, regardless if it is cloudy, snowy, sunny, or anything in between. This protection from UV rays will significantly reduce signs of aging and prevent damaged skin in the long run.
Although this may seem like it doesn’t have much to do with your skin, it is so crucial! Important vitamins and nutrients that your skin needs are found in various foods such as nuts and vegetables, and water is so important for proper hydration, including for your skin.
Ditch the synthetic preservatives, artificial colorants, and heavy metals this year and take care of your skin by purchasing from natural cosmetic brands, such as Altfore. Natural makeup has fewer harmful synthetic ingredients, is typically eco-friendly, and is safe to use on sensitive skin. You don’t need to trash your current makeup — just be sure to purchase from natural brands once your current makeup and beauty products run out.
Leaving your makeup on overnight can cause extensive damage to your skin. Your skin works hard to renew itself while you sleep, and leaving makeup on prevents that from happening to its fullest potential, as it clogs your pores and prevents your skin from breathing.
By incorporating these simple yet effective habits into your daily routine, you are sure to see much healthier and glowing skin in no time. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions regarding our natural cosmetic brand and products, and browse our vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free products today. From all of us at AltFore, we hope you have a very happy and healthy new year!
A great way to keep your skin healthy during the winter is by applying a cream or ointment to your skin in the winter — and be sure not to forget your hands! During cold and flu seasons, our hands take a beating from the constant washing, so it’s important not to forget about moisturizing them as well. It is also recommended to wear waterproof gloves when washing the dishes or cleaning around your home, as this can also help retain moisture.
We can easily cover most of our skin with clothing to keep the moisture in during the winter, but our lips are typically left exposed. The skin on our lips is thin and delicate, causing them to be easily damaged. It is highly recommended to use a ointment-based lip balm that will help to lock in moisture and help heal any cracks in the skin. It is also highly suggested to avoid licking your lips as much as possible, as this only dries your lips out more. When it comes to lipsticks and glosses, it is recommended to go with a natural cosmetic brand like AltFore to apply over your lip balm to help prevent any further irritation or dryness.
Humidifiers are a great way to add moisture into your home and skin during the dry winter months, especially if you are one to crank up the heat. Central heating uses mostly dry air that takes away moisture, making a humidifier an excellent addition to your home.
Believe it or not, our diet can play a role in moisturizing our skin. Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and flaxseed oil, can not only help to moisturize our skin in dry, cold climates, but also reduce inflammation in the body, boost our immune systems, and improve our mood. Drinking lots of water comes with endless benefits, including adding back moisture into our skin, improving complexion, reducing puffiness, and faster healing.
No one enjoys the feeling of dry, itchy winter skin, and we hope this blog gave you some useful tips in regards to helping keep your skin glowing and healthy all season long. If you are searching for the perfect winter lipstick or lipgloss shades that won’t add to skin irritation, check out our natural cosmetic brand at AltFore for a variety of beautiful winter shades.
]]>
There are many other natural household ingredients you can utilize to exfoliate your lips, such as homemade sugar scrubs. Once your lips are prepped and silky smooth, you are ready to apply lipstick. After exfoliation, be sure to apply a moisturizer to add back some of the hydration that you stripped away from your lips.
Moving forward to your actual lipstick application, our number one tip for application is to make sure you are applying a vegan, cruelty-free lipstick from a natural cosmetic brand. This is not only better for your body, but does not harm animals or the environment. To learn more about the importance of choosing cruelty-free cosmetics, check out this blog.
Voilà! Now you have beautifully applied your cruelty-free lipstick and are ready to take on the town (or work, or wherever you plan on going with your poppin’ lip color). We hope these lip care and application tips and tricks help you achieve your desired lip look. If you are still searching for the perfect lip color to match your style, check out our selection of natural lipsticks and lip glosses at Altfore that are gluten, cruelty, and paraben-free. We can’t wait to help you look and feel your best!
For that reason, Altfore has compiled a step-by-step guide for applying both lip gloss and lipstick that will help you achieve the perfect pout.
If you’re looking for a natural cosmetic brand that’s cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free, and only includes the most natural ingredients possible, choose Altfore for all of the best lip gloss and lipstick colors for your fiercest makeup looks.
Lip gloss may seem like a young, girly makeup product, but when applied in the right color and for the right occasion, it’s very sophisticated. First, figure out if you should wear lip gloss or lipstick to your upcoming event, and if you’ve decided that lip gloss is the way to go, check out the guide below.
Lip gloss is thick and can mask your slightly chapped lips, but for a look that’s glossy and flawless, exfoliate your lips first to remove as much dead skin as possible.
There are a few different ways to slough the dead skin from your lips, but do not pick the skin off of your lips. This leads to a perpetual cycle of dry and damaged lips. Instead, you can purchase a gentle lip exfoliant, make a homemade version, or use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently remove damaged skin.
While many lip exfoliants have moisturizing properties, nothing seals moisture in like a good chapstick. Moisturizing is also important after exfoliating because you’ve exposed a fresh layer of skin on your lips. This layer of skin is more sensitive, which means that it needs more care. Applying a lip moisturizer will protect it and help keep it healthy. A capstick can also help you lip gloss last longer.
Note: After you’ve exfoliated and moisturized your lips, we recommend that you finish applying the rest of your makeup before applying lip gloss. This will allow your skin to absorb the moisture for several minutes and prevent a goopy mixture of chapstick and lip gloss.
Now that your lips are prepped, it’s time to apply your lip gloss. When choosing a lip gloss, make sure you purchase one from a natural cosmetic brand like Altfore. Instead of harsh chemicals that can dry out and damage your lips, our line of lip gloss is formulated with natural ingredients that help moisturize your lips and make them healthier.
If you’re just applying lip gloss, use a wand or brush to apply a thin layer.
Note: Don’t rub your lips together when you apply lip gloss. This will push the product to the edge of your lips in uneven globs. This is why applying only a thin layer is important — you don’t want so much gloss on your lips that you’re eating it, nor do you want to accidentally smear it all over your face.
Using lipstick and lip gloss together is a fantastic makeup trick because it creates a unique color and texture with each new lipstick or lip gloss you choose. You can swipe a layer of gloss over the entirety of your lips once your lipstick has set or you can dab a little bit of gloss on the center of your upper and lower lip to give your lips more dimension.
Whether you’re using gloss or lipstick and gloss together, be sure to use a natural cosmetic brand like Altfore for lips that look and feel healthy.
While applying lip gloss is fairly straightforward, it can be intimidating to try using a different product like lipstick. Within a few applications though, you’ll be swiping on lipstick like a pro.
If you’re still looking for your perfect shade, check out Altfore’s natural cosmetic brand with unique and vibrant lipstick colors.
Just like when you’re applying lip gloss, it’s important to prep your lips by exfoliating them before applying any color. Lipstick formulas don’t fill in chapped lips the same way that lip gloss does either, so the smoother your lips are before applying lipstick, the better.
Another important step to remember for both lip gloss and lipstick application is moisturizing the fresh layer of skin on your lips. It’s especially important to apply a chapstick before lipstick because it will help the color spread more easily, and can also help the application last longer throughout the day.
Note: Just like when you’re prepping your lips for lip gloss, you’ll want to give your lips some time to absorb the moisture from the chapstick before applying your lipstick. This is a great time to finish the rest of your makeup look.
One of the most difficult parts of the lipstick application process is creating a seamless lip shape. You can simplify this process by using a lip liner in the same color (or one shade lighter) to your lip line.
When lining your lips, you can overdraw your lip line on either your cupid’s bow or your bottom lip depending on the type of pout you’re going for. Only pick one lip to overdraw your lip line though, otherwise you run the risk of your lips looking swollen and clown-like rather than luscious and full.
Now that you’ve created your lip shape, all that’s left is to fill in your lips with your lip color from your favorite natural cosmetic brand. Don’t forget to rub your lips together to help spread the product across your lips. Unlike lip gloss, lipstick spreads out more evenly as you work it into your pout.
Remember that you also need to blot your lips with a facial tissue after application to remove any excess product and help your lipstick stay on longer.
Whether your look is perfected with lip gloss, lipstick, or both, our natural cosmetic brand has everything you need. Altfore offers a range of colors to help you create a unique look that’s trendsetter-worthy. Shop our entire selection today to find your perfect shades.
]]>Altfore uses natural ingredients that do not contain animal products or animal by-products, nor do we test our products on animals. Learn more below about the effects of animal testing in the cosmetic industry, and switch to cruelty-free beauty products like Altfore.
One of the more obvious effects of animal testing is the physical reactions that the animals themselves experience. Animals such as rodents, rabbits, dogs, and other species are subjected to testing of makeup products, skincare products, and even hygiene products like soaps and cleansers.
The purpose of this testing is to see if they have a reaction to any of the ingredients in these products, such as chemicals or minerals that sensitive human skin could react to. This begs the question, however, why are we including these harmful ingredients in our makeup and beauty products in the first place?
To start with, there are several different animals that test products. The easiest way to identify each animal is with a physical indicator. Therefore, many animals receive ear-notching or tail-clipping in order to be identified quickly.
Then there’s the effects of the tests themselves. Animals are exposed to chemicals through physical application, inhalation, and are even force-fed some products to determine the effects that they could have on humans. The effects of these tests range from mild skin irritation to violent illness, and can even kill some animals if they’re overexposed to certain chemicals.
Cruelty-free beauty products, on the other hand, do not go through this type of testing. The ingredients for cruelty-free beauty products are more naturally and responsibly sourced to begin with, meaning that animal testing is unnecessary and the product is safe enough for human trial.
On top of the physical effects that animals endure during testing of products, the practice of animal testing isn’t actually a productive use of time or resources. The genetic makeup of other animals is so dissimilar to humans that their responses don’t mirror a human reaction at all.
Animals may show symptoms and responses to products that are absent in human trials, while some products cause significant side effects in human trials that were non-existent in animal testing.
So, not only does this practice submit animals to harmful side effects and treatment, but products may still be harmful to humans if they make it to clinical trials. This means that, on top of unnecessary animal cruelty, this type of testing is a waste of time, money, and resources.
While many products, such as medication, need to go through more extensive testing to determine their effectiveness, we shouldn’t have to worry about the physical reaction our skin could have to everyday products like cosmetics.
This is why Altfore has developed products that are natural, vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free. The ingredients we use in our lip glosses and lipsticks are proven to be safe and don’t contain harsh chemicals that require testing — on animals or otherwise.
When shopping for makeup, consider cruelty-free beauty products like Altfore’s to support sustainability goals that cut down on animal testing to preserve resources, and to be kinder to our fellow animals. Shop our selection of lip gloss and lipstick today.
]]>AltForé is a natural cosmetic brand that offers a variety of lip gloss and lipstick colors that you can wear and love during every season. Check out our favorites here for days by the pool and strolls through the park.
Who says darker colors are just for winter? Desert Dusk is a gorgeous lip gloss shade to wear when you’re looking to complement your fun, summer colors with a naturally dark mauve.
This is the perfect shade when you’re out in your bathing suit working on your tan. Whether it’s your first day out in the sunshine or your 50th, Desert Dusk is a subtle color that accentuates the look of any beach babe.
For long-lasting wear on muggy days, opt for a peachy pink that will stay looking fabulous even if you feel like your face is melting. Glimmer Lush is a sweet pink lipstick that wears well during a lunch meeting on the patio or at a peach festival with your boo.
You might be thinking, “Ew, isn’t lipstick too heavy for summer?”
Au contraire, mon cheri! As a natural cosmetic brand, AltForé offers lipsticks that don’t use any heavy metals or chemicals, making them light and lovely for your days in the sun.
One of the best things about summer is the warm nights you can spend looking up at the stars. Give those fiery celestial bodies a run for their money with Rosy Star lip gloss. This nude gloss is perfect for those balmy nights out on the town when you want to look effortlessly beautiful.
Pair this color with some salt spray in your hair and you’ll look like you came straight from the beach to the bar.
Thanks to more hours of sunlight, you don’t feel like you’re working your life away in the office. Celebrate this feeling of revitalization with a rich red lipstick. Ripe Lovely is perfect for showing your colleagues that winter didn’t get the best of you and that you’re ready to crush your to-do list in style.
It’s summer after all, so you know that opportunities to advance are ripe for the picking.
No matter what your go-to color is this summer, trust a natural cosmetic brand to use ingredients that are good for your skin. AltForé only offers lip glosses and lipsticks that hydrate your skin and have long-lasting wear.
Keep your lips moisturized and looking perfect all day long with our entire collection of lip gloss and lipstick. Don’t forget to learn more about us and why our natural cosmetic brand is working to make the world a better place with our beauty products.
]]>Let’s face it, makeup can be a pain. It takes time to apply in the morning — time that you could be spending doing other, more important things, such as sleeping in. It’s messy. It seems to never go on right. It’s easy to mess up. And you spend more time fixing it than applying it.
Altfore is a makeup company that specializes in all-natural makeup that is gluten free, vegan friendly, and cruelty-free. We do not use makeup that uses any dead animals or dead animal parts, but still leave you looking stunning and feeling good about what you put on your face. In this blog post, we’ll go over some tips you can apply if you don’t like makeup. Visit us online today for our natural cosmetic products!
Altfore is your go-to for all your natural lip gloss and natural lipstick needs. We offer a wide variety of colors to match any outfit or occasion that will look natural and not be overdone. If you’re the kind who doesn’t like makeup, check out our natural cosmetics today!
]]>Whether you wear lipstick or lip gloss, your choice in color says a lot about you. If you’re more of a lipstick fan, find out what your choice in lipstick color says about you. If you’re more of a lip gloss fan, you’re in the right place!
At Altforé, we offer a variety of lip gloss colors that look fabulous on everyone. And as a natural cosmetic brand, you can trust that you’re taking care of your skin and the environment when you purchase our products. For now, let’s find out what your choice in lip gloss color says about you!
As a natural beauty, you know that a little goes a long way when it comes to your makeup. You don’t want to overdo it, but rather let your personality and looks speak for themselves.
A subtle-pink lip gloss adds just enough color and dimension to your pout to put off that “I woke up like this” vibe. Try Clearly Lovely to get the look.
If you like your icy-pink lip gloss best, we’re jealous of how cool you are under pressure. Drama doesn’t phase you and you can handle all types of stressful situations. Whether you’re crushing it in the boardroom or playing it cool in front of your crush, you never let your nerves get the best of you.
Try Blushing You for a lip color that’s as cool, calm, and collected as you are.
Where’s the beach, babe? Your warm personality gives you a summer glow year-round that your friends and loved ones can’t get enough of. You’re like a breath of fresh air or sunshine on a gloomy day. You always see the silver lining and are the first to offer a shoulder to cry on in a time of crisis.
Keep your lips as sunny as your personality with a warm-pink lip gloss like Rosy Star.
You’re down to earth and aren’t afraid to be completely honest and real with people. Sometimes it comes across as tough love, but people appreciate that you don’t sugar-coat anything. People always come to you for advice and perspective that will actually help them improve for the better.
For this reason, you prefer a lip gloss that’s earthy and subtle. Desert Dusk is your perfect shade.
A romantic at heart, your deep red lip gloss expresses your longing for intimate, lasting relationships. You wear your heart on your sleeve, sharing your feelings with anyone and everyone because you know that communication is the key to connecting with others.
You wouldn’t leave your heart forlorn, so don’t do it to your lips. Try Deep Lovely to express your passionate self.
Sassy yet sophisticated, you don’t put up with anyone’s nonsense. You don’t have time for excuses, and you certainly don’t have time for people who don’t have time for you. You know your worth and you’ll never settle for anything less than the best.
You express your bold personality with equally bold colors. Try Bloom More to let everyone know who’s in charge.
No matter what your personality or choice for lip gloss is, choosing a natural cosmetic brand should not be optional. Altforé is a natural cosmetic brand that offers gluten-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and natural lip gloss so you can feel good about your cosmetics. Shop our lip gloss selection today.
]]>Everyone has a unique and vibrant personality that they express in a variety of ways. For some, they speak through their choice of clothes; for others, it’s with their makeup. Today, we are going to dive into six different shades of lipstick and what those colors say about your personality.
For a variety of lipstick color options made with a decadent formula, choose a natural cosmetic brand like Altforé.
Don’t let this one fool you — a neutral-colored lipstick doesn’t mean a personality that blends into the background. On the contrary, people who love a beige lip tend to have a personality that’s stronger than any color they could swipe across their lips.
The wearers of a neutral lip are confident, self-aware, and are proud to be themselves. They like to highlight their natural beauty with just a touch of color. Play up your pout with Up You Beige.
Classic and timeless, red lipstick is the go-to for any lady looking to add a little power to her pout. Whether they rock a dress every day or prefer ripped jeans and leather, the one who wears red lipstick likes to add a little femininity to her look.
To achieve this sophisticated look, try Ripe Lovely. It’s a slightly cooler red with a semi-gloss finish to keep you looking fabulous.
For the enigmatic nature in all of us, a dark lipstick adds just the right amount of sultry mystery. Where have you been, and what have you been up to? You’ll never kiss and tell.
A dark lipstick makes a statement without giving away its secrets, making it perfect for anyone who loves a little debauchery. If this is you, try Plum Ruse.
Lovers of pink, we know you’re not all sugary-sweet. We’re not saying your nice side is an act either. On the contrary, lovers of pink lipstick are an equal balance of sugar and spice.
You’re kind and generous, but we wouldn’t dare double-cross you. Keep your sweet streak on fleek with Glimmer Lush.
A fiery personality can only be matched by a hot-colored lipstick to let people know what you’re all about. Orange lipstick sounds like a bold move, and that’s because it is.
You aren’t afraid to take risks or get a little feisty to get things done, which is why Roarange is the perfect lipstick color for you.
Fun-loving and carefree, the girl rocking a neon-pink pout is always the life of the party. You’re loud, vivacious, and proud, so why not wear lipstick that sends the same message?
From your full-bodied hair to your sparkly toes, there’s nothing about you that isn’t striking and bright. If you’re looking for your next lipstick to play dress up with, 50s Ride is the shade for you.
With all these different attitudes, remember that it doesn’t take a specific type of person to take care of themselves or the environment. As a natural cosmetic brand, Altforé understands this, which is why we offer makeup that’s as natural as possible in a variety of shades.
Don’t let big names fool you — natural cosmetic brands like ours offer just as much for all types of beauty lovers. Shop our lipsticks now to find your new favorite color.
]]>If you use makeup or any type of skincare product and read the ingredients, chances are that you’ve seen different types of “parabens” in your products. The most common ones you’ll find are butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, isopropylparaben, and isobutylparaben.
What does it mean when these ingredients are in our beauty products, though? And how does switching to a natural cosmetic brand help? Today, Altforé is diving into what these chemicals do to our skin and our bodies, and why switching to a paraben-free, natural cosmetic brand like ours can help keep you healthy.
The reason you’ll find parabens in so many cosmetics and skin care products is because they help extend the shelf-life of these products by preventing mold and bacteria from growing in them. Parabens are a synthetic chemical thought to mimic hormones in the body. Specifically, parabens can disrupt the function of estrogen, which may lead to reproductive issues and breast cancer.
On top of that, because parabens are a synthetic chemical, people with sensitive skin may have a reaction to the ingredients. Though there is some argument that parabens are hypoallergenic, they can still cause irritation and stress out the skin.
When people use products that contain parabens, the product doesn’t just stay on their skin and get absorbed into their bloodstream — it also gets washed down the drain. Between washing your hands and showering, you’re rinsing parabens off of your body and into the sewage system.
This system can be released into the environment, causing marine mammals to absorb these chemicals. Though pollution is the overall issue here, it doesn’t help that our beauty products contain harmful chemicals that affect other animals and the environment.
The concern isn’t just about our physical health, but the impact on the environment as well. While beauty products contain only small amounts of parabens, it can add up quickly in the body when using multiple products — and even eating foods treated with parabens.
This build-up happens in more than just our bodies. With millions of people using cosmetics and skin care products every day that contain parabens, these synthetic chemicals end up in the environment and affect the health of wildlife.
With the growing concern about the impact that parabens have, many companies have started to develop natural cosmetic brands that use safer ingredients to preserve their products. There are a variety of ingredients that can now be used as preservatives in makeup, skincare, and other products that need to last for a while. Many of these alternatives are synthetic-free, more natural, and just as effective as parabens at preserving the quality of cosmetics.
When you’re trying to rid your cosmetic bag and medicine cabinet of paraben products, look for alternatives like isothiazolinones — which are in a lot of rinse-off products but may cause skin irritation — or organic acids like benzoic acid/sodium benzoate, sorbic acid/potassium sorbate, levulinic acid, and anisic acid.
Altforé is a natural cosmetic brand that offers paraben-free lipstick and lip gloss. Our products are also gluten free, vegan, and never tested on animals. Keep yourself and the environment healthier and safer when you shop our products.]]>When it comes to work events and special occasions, it can be difficult to decide whether or not it would be more appropriate to wear lipstick or lip gloss to make your fashion statement. There’s a lot to consider, too. Is it for work or a social event? Is it a casual or formal occasion? What other makeup are you planning on wearing?
Today, we’ll try to help answer those questions to help you make up your mind on whether or not to rock lipstick or lip gloss at your next event. At the end of the day, though, your style is yours and you will look fabulous whether you wear an AltForé cruelty-free lipstick or natural lip gloss.
As a rule of thumb, it’s better to keep a polished look in the workplace. If your office is more casual, though, you have more options when it comes to putting together working-lady looks. If you do work in a more business-professional setting, we recommend lipstick for a classic, refined look.
Do you have a big presentation or important meeting? A more striking color, like our Ripe Lovely cruelty-free lipstick, will command the room’s attention. In a more casual work setting, a subtle lip gloss keeps you looking more put together without turning too many heads.
When it comes to social events, choosing a lipstick or lip gloss depends on how casual or formal the occasion is, how striking your outfit is, and the other makeup you’ll be wearing. If the event is casual, it’s safe to assume a more subtle color is your best friend. Choose a cruelty-free lip gloss like Clearly Lovely.
Are you attending a more formal event? Like big presentations, formal events present the opportunity to really stand out and draw attention. Choose a fun, bold color like 50s Ride to keep things playful or a deep Plum Ruse for a more sultry look.
Makeup trends change all the time, but a basic rule for many makeup goddesses is choosing one focal point. If you’re opting for a toned-down eye makeup look, like a classic cat-eye or neutral toned shadows, it creates an opportunity to up your lip game with lipstick. It’s more opaque, so even a more natural lip color, like our Glimmer Lush cruelty-free lipstick, is going to be bold compared to a simple eye look.
If you’re trying a more dramatic eye look, like bright colors or a smokey eye, your focal point should remain on your eye look and your other makeup shouldn’t distract from it. Our natural lip gloss provides more sheer coverage with just a little bit of sparkle and color to complement your eye makeup. If you still want your lips to have a touch of color, try Deep Lovely or Bloom More.
At AltForé, we have a variety of colors of cruelty-free lipstick and natural lip gloss to finish your makeup look. Check out our full selection of gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and cruelty-free products. For more help deciding on between lipstick and lip gloss, check out our quiz map below.
]]>
Did you know that traditional, big brand beauty companies use drying agents in their products? Even in those that are supposed to hydrate and nourish our skin! So when we’re using them to try and help protect our skin, they may be making things worse! This is why natural cosmetics are so crucial to our beauty routine — they have supportive ingredients that benefit our skin — and they will also do what they’re advertised to do!
At AltFore, we have a line of lipsticks and lip glosses that are not only vegan-friendly but gluten- and cruelty-free. Explore all the ways to better care for your lips!
The cold weather can send chills right through our bones while the wind, in addition to the arid, warm temperatures indoors, can create the perfect conditions for peeling, cracked, and dry lips. The cold weather does a number to our lips and this skin is more vulnerable because it is more thin and delicate than the skin surrounding it. To better care for your lips in the winter, follow the tips below.
Exfoliate
You can’t begin to treat and revitalize your lips without first sloughing the dead and dry skin. Exfoliate your lips as needed, which can be done once to twice per day in the harsh months of winter. There are a myriad of lip scrubs available, but you can do-it-yourself with an easy homemade scrub. Using a small amount of baking soda and combining it with a carrier oil to make a paste works well, or even adding sugar or salt to oil is one other way to quickly exfoliate your lips. Once the dead skin is removed not only will your lips feel and look better, they will be able to absorb moisturizing products more efficiently.
Moisturize Overnight
We’re often very diligent with our lip care during the day, only to forego it before we hop into bed. Be sure to apply a lip balm at night because it helps to soothe and heal your lips while you sleep. This is even more important to do if you sleep with your mouth open because the extra air is drying and damaging to lips. Say goodbye to dry and cracked morning lips!
Refrain From Licking and Biting Your Lips
When you lick, bite, or pick, this irritates and damages the tissue on your lips. Oftentimes, this is a result of habit or anxiety, but it isn’t doing them any favors. You may think that you’re aiding in the exfoliation of dead skin, but this may keep your lips from completely healing. Instead, try applying lip balm everytime you want to pick or bite your lips.
Hydrate
Lip balm is vital in the winter months to hydrate and protect your lips, but staying hydrated by drinking water will offer similar benefits. Keep your body, and in turn, your lips, hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. Another great way to keep your skin healthy is by consuming healthy fats. Fish oil, nuts, and seeds are all great foods to incorporate in your diet to really improve your skin’s hydration.
You don’t have to suffer from painful dry and cracked lips. Follow a couple easy and practical steps to keeps your smoochers healthy all year round!
The health and wellness space has been emerging with natural cosmetic lines because there is a demand for beauty products with recognizable ingredients that are both gluten-free and vegan. Just think about, you slather on them all over your body and dab them onto your eyes, lips, and cheeks, so it makes perfect sense to treat your skin the same externally as the healthy habits you do internally (eating healthy).
At AltFore, we are a natural cosmetics lip line that provides gluten- and cruelty-free products, in addition to and vegan-friendly products for people who want a better, higher-quality lipstick or lipgloss. Venture into an industry that has exploded and learn more about the benefits of using natural cosmetics.
Natural make up has come a long way — from the days of short-lasting color to now standing strong with major beauty brands — there are so many benefits to using them!
You’ll likely recognize the ingredients.
In conventional cosmetics, you have beauty products with “natural scents” and chemicals such as parabens, formaldehyde, and phthalates — all of which have been shown to impact your health. When you use safer and more natural cosmetics, you will be able to identify and recognize the ingredients. Natural cosmetics are abundant in vitamin E (tocopherol), calendula, and jojoba oil. These are all plant-based and offer the benefits of plants!
The products will smell great.
Many people love the smell of conventional cosmetics, but really, all you’re smelling are chemicals. If you ever walk into a department store are you ever overwhelmed by the perfume and start sneezing? This is in response to all the chemicals! If you’re sensitive to scents, natural cosmetics are a great option because not only will they smell great, the products used will be the actual plant. So instead of a “rose scent,” it will have rose water or a rose essential oil.
The ingredients are more sustainable.
Traditional cosmetics have ingredients that are procured in a lab by a scientist, which often means a great deal of unrenewable resources will be used in the process — from the packaging all the way to the transportation — traditional cosmetics are mass produced and waste a lot of energy in the process. When you work with a smaller beauty company that works with natural ingredients, oftentimes they’re more committed to sustainable and choose practices that are advantageous to the environment. Look for recycled packaging and the process in which the plants were grown and harvested.
Your skin may look and feel better.
Drying agents are used in conventional cosmetics — even those that are supposed to moisturize! Think lotions, lip balms, and hair conditioners. If you’re looking for a product that will actually do what you need, look for products that are sulfate-free and avoid those with alcohol in the top three listed ingredients.
When you make the switch to natural cosmetics, there are so many benefits that better impact your health and the planet!
Wintertime can do a number on your skin. While you might be remembering to moisturize with body lotions and creams, it’s easy to forget that your lips need to stay hydrated too! Altforé is a natural cosmetic brand that cares about what you put on your lips to make them look lovely, so we’re giving some tips on how to maintain a supple pout year-round.
You exfoliate your skin, so why not exfoliate your lips? The skin on your lips is delicate, so it’s important to use a more gentle exfoliant than you would on your body. You can take a soft toothbrush and brush away dead skin from your lips each time your brush your teeth.
You can also create a lip exfoliant using sugar, almond oil, and honey to slough away dead skin cells and naturally lock in moisture. This mixture is also safe to ingest! These are also healthier and more sanitary ways to exfoliate your lips than peeling the skin away with your fingers.
Staying hydrated is important for so many reasons, and keeping your lips soft is one of them! When you’re dehydrated, your skin is one of the first organs to show symptoms. It becomes very dry and your lips will start to crack and peel as a result. It is recommended that you drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day. For example, if you’re 130 pounds you should be drinking at least 65 ounces of water every day.
If you have a hard time remembering to drink enough water in the day, you can set reminders on your phone, carry a water bottle with you wherever you go, and flavor it with mint, lemon, cucumber, or other ingredients so it tastes better and is easier to drink. Remember, too, that beverages with caffeine and alcohol dehydrate you, so be sure to drink a little extra water if you’re consuming these types of drinks.
When you’re running the heater in the winter to keep your house warm, that hot air is also drying out your home and your skin. The easiest way to combat the dry air is to run a humidifier. Keeping houseplants is also a great way to add moisture back into the air — plus, they help purify it.
There are a few other tricks to hydrate the air in your home, too. Let your clothes air dry after washing them, let the steam escape from pots and pans while you’re cooking, and seal any gaps in your doors and windows to keep the dry, outside air from seeping into your home.
Buy your lip balms, lip glosses, and lipsticks from natural cosmetic brands. The oils and waxes used in brands like Altforé are going to naturally hydrate your lips without drying them out more in the long run, so you can have a sleek and polished look while also hydrating your lips.
Natural cosmetic brands are also more eco-friendly, so you can protect your lips and take care of the environment. At Altforé, we only make gluten-free, vegan, and cruelty-free makeup. Hydrate your lips, guilt-free, all winter long with Altforé!
]]>Have you ever looked at the ingredients that are in your favorite beauty products? Many seem like they’re harmless, but a lot of ingredients are actually names of animal by-products. In order to protect the environment, it’s important that makeup ingredients are vegan and sustainably sourced rather than being derived from animals. Read about the different ingredients that are in most lip gloss and lipstick, and switch to cruelty-free beauty products from Altforé instead.
WARNING: The ingredients listed below are described in detail. If you’re squeamish, skip the blog and go right to shopping for cruelty-free lip gloss and lipsticks.
This dye is collected from crushed cochineal beetles. These beetles live in Central and South America and eat red cactus berries. These beetles are used to create the red color in lipsticks and blushes. If you see “Cochineal Dye” or “Carmine” on the ingredient label of your makeup, you’re putting crushed beetles on your face.
There’s something fishy about this crystalline material in many makeup products. It creates a shimmering and light-diffusing effect in a lot of mascaras, nail polishes, and lipsticks. That’s because the shine in this ingredient comes from crushed fish scales.
Don’t be fooled by this cleverly named ingredient — it’s animal fat, and it’s in a lot of beauty products. Tallow is a fatty substance that is created from boiling animal carcasses. It’s then added to a variety of cosmetics. From your eye makeup to your lipstick, and even your foundation, this ingredient is in almost every beauty product that isn’t vegan.
Can you imagine rubbing the greasy buildup in your hair all over your face? If you’re not using cruelty-free beauty products, you might be doing something very similar. Lanolin comes from wooly animals like sheep, and it’s a greasy substance that these animals secrete. It’s used in most lipsticks and makeup removers.
Are you squealing yet? You will be after this one. Squalene is a gooey, slimy oil extracted from the livers of sharks. It’s often added to eye makeup and lipsticks.
If your lip gloss claims to be lip-plumping, it probably lists collagen as an ingredient. Though this ingredient seems healthy — your own body produces it, after all — it’s extracted from animal tissue and doesn’t have any proven effect to increase your own collagen production.
This is a tough one, but beeswax is not vegan. More and more, we see it as a “natural” option in lip balms and lipsticks because it helps moisturize your lips without all of the chemicals. Unfortunately, and a lot of commercial brands that mass-produce cosmetics using beeswax keep bees in stressful and unhealthy environments.
If you’re making the switch to cruelty-free beauty products, add Altforé lip gloss and lipsticks to your list of cosmetics that are safe to use. Our products are gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and never tested on animals. Our lipsticks and lip glosses come in a variety of colors that moisturize and create shine that lasts all day. Shop for your perfect shade now.
]]>