BEAUTY | THE PRODUCT » By Jennie Wong » ★★★☆☆ It’s aiite.

I’ve noticed two makeup trends lately: BB/CC creams & organic makeup. I took both for a spin with these Juice Beauty Organic products. Boom.

First, organic or natural makeup has been around for awhile but it hasn’t really caught on until recently. Category leaders include essie and Zoya in nail polish, rms beauty, Nuxe, and Juice Beauty in makeup, Lush and Burt’s Bees. This trend is a good thing! We focus on putting good things into our body, but why do we turn and lather on chemically-based lotions and cosmetics? Êtg is about holistic beauty and health, and that includes organics and natural products.

Now, for a little expert knowledge. What does it mean for products to be organic?

According to our frenemies over at USDA, organic manufacturers must demonstrate they are “protecting natural resources, conserving biodiversity, and using only approved substances.” Translation: no GMOs, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or growth hormones. Phew.

I tried two products by Juice Beauty, the Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream (Warm Glow, $39) and the Alicia Silverstone for Juice Beauty Simply Flawless Pressed Powder ($24). 

I’ve been a fan of Juice Beauty ever since I started following Alicia Silverstone, who is – let’s be honest – my dream friend and favorite vegan. Juice Beauty’s claim to fame is that its products are made by an organic juice base from Northern CA. All the more reason to love fruit & CA!

BB creams (beauty balms or blemish balms) are multitasking products intended to combine skincare and makeup in one. Especially popular in Asia, these products replace your serum, moisturizer, primer, foundation, skin protectant, anti-aging cream, and sunblock. CC creams are similar in that they are supposed to do all of the above with a focus on color correcting. Do we buy it?

Maybe. This Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream by Juice Beauty is gentle and nourishing, but long term benefits are TBD. I wore this cream alone and under my Jouer Matte Moisture Tint and didn’t notice too much of a difference. It felt like an added layer of moisture, which I guess is always a good thing, but is less more?

One knock against it: it smells strongly of lemongrass, and I’m a firm believer in fragrance-free.

As for the Alicia Silverstone for Juice Beauty Simply Flawless Pressed Powder, I really like the velvety feel of the powder and the full coverage. To apply, I use a blending sponge with a tapered tip to get into all the contours around my eyes and nose. It gives me that smooth, airbrushed look of a magazine cover girl, but unfortunately the color rubs off to the touch. The powder also has a pinkish undertone (it only comes in one color), so it doesn’t blend well with my golden undertones. If I don’t cover my entire face, makeup application lines are visible.

On the whole, I’m happy to try these organic products but I think it’ll take awhile longer to see if they make a difference in my skin or makeup (will I break out less? see my skin tone even out?). I like the pressed powder but I wish it sank into my skin more and was longer-lasting. Plus, it’s a little pink for my skin tone. I’d recommend it if you need a close up or if you have a special event at which you won’t be talking, eating, kissing, or really doing anything but posing for photos. (Everyday. Done.)

Remember, you’re flawless already. These products just help you fake it when you don’t feel it. ☺

Have you explored organic products? BB or CC creams? Tweet your discoveries @etrethegirls.

JUICE BEAUTY, juicebeauty.com, available online, at Whole Foods, Ulta, and select retailers