As most of you know I’ve been devoting the past several months to product development, and I am so excited to be launching two of my new favorite products very soon! In this video I demonstrate how our new Gluten Free Beauty Skin Smoothing Stick can smooth dry skin, diminish lines/wrinkles and even help to create flawless face under any of your favorite mineral powders!
I’m very excited to be launching the Skin Smoothing Stick very soon, and I hope that you watch and enjoy this demo video!

First of all, thank you so much for your support of, and belief in, Gluten Free Beauty. I started GFB because after years of reviewing natural, gluten-free beauty products, I felt that other brands were using too many ingredients that came with warnings, too many unnecessary ingredients. But this same commitment to purity has forced me to make a very difficult decision, and that is to alter the direction of Gluten Free Beauty by focusing on producing quality, natural skin care products, and to no longer produce our color cosmetic products.

When mineral makeups first gained popularity, they were such an exciting new development! An alternative to the chemical-laden, big-box makeup products, they simplified things, and made products safer. Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Mica, Kaolin Clay, Boron Nitride, Iron Oxides. All just mineral powders, no icky parabens, plastics, petrochemicals, etc. Mineral makeups also made creating makeup products much simpler, and allowed smaller, independent companies access to mineral ingredients. Not to mention the added UV protection of physical sunscreens, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.

Over recent years studies have shown that inhaling very large amounts of these ingredients can be harmful to the lungs, which is why I set out to create a different type of foundation product. Our Creme Foundation smoothed, nourished and delivered the bulk of the set’s sheer color. This allowed the Setting Powder to contain only the most minute amounts of iron oxides. And I formulated these without Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, which studies showed the inhalation of to be of more concern than some other ingredients.

But this Winter I was faced with an unexpected challenge. The quality of the waxes we were using changed, and our soothing, wrinkle reducing creme lost its magic. So as many of you know, I became unable to make more of the Foundation Set. I have been working on new formulations for months, and even had some very promising developments, but as I researched more and more, I have decided to take the whole challenge as an opportunity to reevaluate where Gluten Free Beauty is heading, and what I want it to stand for.

I look to my respected suppliers, EWG’s SkinDeep Database, Whole Foods Market’s Premium Body Care Standards, and other knowledgeable sources to ensure that GFB is built on using ingredients that are gentle, effective and sustainable. After all, Gluten Free Beauty is about making better, “beyond natural” products. And in order to stay true to that mission–my personal mission–I don’t feel that I can continue to produce color cosmetics.

Hopefully soon there will be alternatives to mineral makeup pigments, just as those have largely replaced synthetic FG&C colors. Fruit pigmented cosmetics have been buzzed about for a while now, but if you look at the ingredient lists, even those products contain Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide and Mica. Meaning that even the fruit pigments cannot yet stand alone and depend upon common mineral makeup ingredients for effective coloring.

I’m not saying not to use regular mineral makeups, or fruit pigmented cosmetics. Most of the safety concerns only arise in the handling/mining/making the products, not in wearing them. I personally will continue to use “decorative cosmetics,” but I don’t feel comfortable putting myself and anyone who will ever work for GFB at risk via making them.

Just keep in mind that one of the greatest keys to good health is MODERATION. Anything can be bad for you in excess. And minerals can be good for you in a lot of ways too. But here are some of the reasons to consider giving your skin a day off from time to time. Keep in mind, these are still considered safe ingredients for the end user, risks are generally only to those who mine these ingredients, or who are exposed to excessive amounts during the manufacturing of products. Iron Oxides and Micas are usually used in amounts of .01%- 1%, making risk to the end user incredibly minimal.

• Titanium Dioxide–EWG SkinDeep concerns include low-moderate risk of Cancer, and low risk of Allergies.
• Zinc Oxide–EWG SkinDeep concerns include low risk of Developmental/Reproductive Toxicity, and low risk of Allergies.
• Mica–EWG SkinDeep concern is low risk for Allergies.
• Iron Oxide–EWG SkinDeep concerns include low risk of Cancer.
• Pearl Powder–EWG SkinDeep has no concerns for this ingredient. Whole Foods Market has banned this ingredient, we believe due to sustainability issues.
• Rice Powder–EWG SkinDeep concerns include the risk of contamination via pesticides. Non-GMO rice powder can eliminate concerns.
• Kaolin Clay–EWG SkinDeep concerns are that over time large amounts should not be inhaled.

When I first started Gluten Free Beauty, there were few natural lines labeling their cosmetic products “gluten-free.” Today that is not the case. We, the gluten-free consumers, have made a difference, and respected natural lines like Afterglow Cosmetics, Vapour Organics, PeaceKeeper, ZuZu Cosmetics, Mineral Fusion, etc. all provide gluten information on their sites. But being just natural and gluten-free wasn’t all I wanted to be–I also wanted to create customized, effective, natural skin care products. Which I have done, but dividing my focus between our treatment products, and our color products has taken away from that goal. Now I have the chance to offer customized formulations to address your specific skin concerns, allergies and preferences.

I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity! I have been working hard on these formulas, and will be contacting some of you soon to offer you a free bottle of Facial Serum customized, and made just for you!

Thank you so much for your continued support, and for helping to change the face of beauty by demanding better products!

Kristen Campbell
President/Founder
Gluten Free Beauty

For too long I had forgotten what using a professional quality line felt like. But after shampooing and conditioning my hair with Surface, my hair had more life, and more body that I believed possible. Then I applied their Trinity Protein Cream, which immediately softened my split ends, and made my hair appear healthier. But that’s not all, they also make an amazing hair spray! It’s called Theory Aerosol Finishing Spray, and it is quite incredible. After using my curling iron to create wavy curls, I simply flip my head and spray away, and suddenly my hair is enormously fabulous, with waves that last as long as I need them to! And like everything else I recommend, Surface is totally gluten-free!

Please check out my video (above) to learn more about Surface Hair Care, or visit SurfaceHair.com to find a Surface-carrying-salon near you!

I am so excited and grateful to be featured as a “Skinnovator” for the development of Gluten Free Beauty!!

Making sure that not just my diet, but also my skin and hair care products are gluten-free has made a world of difference in my skin and overall health. And I am so excited that awareness about the connection between gluten and skin problems is spreading!

The great news is that the manufacturers are hearing us. Nearly all respected natural beauty brands now list their gluten-free products on their websites, and some are even phasing out the gluten that is in some products. Even the major (not-so-natural) beauty monopolizers can be called for a quick list of gluten-free items.

So I’ve put some time into making GlutenFreeBeauty.com a more useful resource, not just for our natural, gluten-free skin care and cosmetic products, but also for general info. about how to go about a topically gluten-free lifestyle.

Check out our updated and new resources:

Gluten In Beauty-the experts weigh in and why I went topically gluten-free

Gluten and Acne-the increasing evidence going gluten-free can lead to clearer skin

Gluten Containing Ingredients-how to identify and avoid topical gluten

Going Topically Gluten-Free-where to look, what to look for, a general starter guide

Skin Symptoms-common skin concerns that can be caused by gluten

I still believe that products made from natural and botanical oils are better for the skin and body than the synthetically-produced, lab-created products which line the shelves of drug stores, and glass cases of department stores. But the bottom line is that we as consumers need to be able to trust the companies we are purchasing from. So I like to “put it all out there” and keep our clients informed regarding how we source and choose our ingredients.

1. We use minute quantities of iron oxides in our Natural Anti-Aging Foundation Set, Natural Lip Gloss, Shadow Eye Liner and Cover Me for pigment. These iron oxides are “Cosmetic Grade” and purchased from a highly reputable supplier.
2. We do not, and will never use FD&C Dyes or Colors in our products. Personally, I react badly to these ingredients. They are derived from coaltar and have been linked to allergies and even in some studies cancer.
3. We do not use micas. Some “Cosmetic Grade” micas are mined, not lab-produced. But personally, I believe that iron oxides are the safer option. And today learned from a ground-breaking new site, SlaveryFootprint.org that micas mined in other countries may utilize inhumane practices, such as the use of slave labor. Here is the direct quote from an article on Yahoo.com from Slavery Footprint—- Or this claim: “Every day tens of thousands of American women buy makeup. Every day tens of thousands of Indian children mine mica, which is the little sparkles in the makeup.” While I believe that reputable suppliers may have more ethical channels via which micas are sourced, I am currently unsure of current regulations in place. So will continue to produce mica-free products.
4. We do not and will not use carmine. Carmine is a natural red pigment that is derived from ground beetle parts, and can be a skin or eye irritant. Still, many respected natural beauty lines do use carmine, but I do not believe in using anything that can commonly cause irritation–plus, it just sounds gross! We do use natural beeswax and pearl powder, but these are the only two animal-derived ingredients that we use.

When I first began to learn about mineral makeup years ago, I was already committed to using only the purest, highest quality ingredients available. But I hated the feel of traditional mineral makeup products, they felt heavy one my skin, even chalky and suffocating. Plus, every time I swept a powdered foundation product down my face it seemed to magnify any areas of dryness.

So when I set out to create my own product line, I carefully considered every component. My foundation had to nourish, hydrate, fight aging, balance oil, prevent acne, all while also feeling really nice on the skin. Careful consideration coupled with plenty of trial and error resulted in our Natural Anti-Aging Foundation Set, which is so much more capable than just a powdered makeup.

• Jojoba Oil, similar to skin’s natural sebum, balances oil.
• Mango Butter helps to diminish and prevent lines and wrinkles.
• Rosehip Seed Oil, rich in Vitamins A and E promotes healthy skin and aids in skin cell regeneration.
• Sesame Oil helps calm the skin and heal dryness.
• Vitamin-rich Sea Buckthorn Oil repairs, regenerates, conditions and helps prevent acne.
• Palmarosa helps treat acne, scars and wrinkles.
• Helichrysum is a powerful anti-inflammatory to calm the skin.
• Rice Powder is balancing and helps create lasting coverage.
• Pearl Powder is rich in protein and calcium, nourishing the skin from the outside in.
• Kaolin Clay helps to purify the skin.
• Boron Nitride creates a smooth, light-reflective finish.
• Carnauba Wax helps the Creme to create a highly blendable, skin-protective finish.

Each of these ingredients was chosen for it’s powerful, effective properties to create a foundation set that is unlike most, as it is less about coverage, and more about improving the skin as it’s worn. You shouldn’t have to wear foundation every day, so when you do, it should be doing something great for your skin.

But what about the colors? Choosing the proper color source was a tricky process. But like the most respected brands in the Natural Beauty Industry, we use minute amounts of iron oxides to create our skin-matching shades. And while iron oxides are naturally occurring, those used in cosmetics are actually not natural. That is because in their raw form, they could be contaminated with other ingredients that could be unhealthy. So as per FDA regulations, cosmetic grade iron oxides are lab-produced to result in rich, pure iron oxide pigments. In fact, most micas are even colored by iron oxide pigments.

I wish there were a safe, natural alternative. But sometimes you have to choose “safe” over “natural.” And I would never use FD&C dyes or colorants in any of my products.

So yes, our Facial Moisture Serum, Pearl Anti-Aging Cleanser, Exfoliating Olive Oil Cleanser, Men’s Moisture Serum, Argan Body Butter are all 100% natural.

But our color products, Natural Anti-Aging Foundation Set, Cover Me, Shadow Eye Liner and Natural Lip Gloss do contain minute amounts of cosmetic grade iron oxide pigments. So while every single other component is natural, they, like all other natural color cosmetic products are not 100% natural.

What about food derived colorants? Well, currently, food sources of color in cosmetics are not actually FDA approved. Plus, food sources of color could require the use of harsher preservatives. Still, I do try it all, always searching for the next big thing, but currently all of the food pigmented cosmetics that I have tried apply more like sheer tints, tend to have coarser textures, and simply don’t perform up to my standards. This is something that I do still hope will evolve into a more viable option over the next decade, in fact, it was just in the mid 1990s that mineral makeup made us start thinking more carefully about what is in our makeup products. I like to think that Gluten Free Beauty falls somewhere in between mineral makeup, and the next evolution–cosmetics that offer more than just color.

Knowing that a product contains vitamin-rich ingredients is great, but have you ever wondered what those vitamins actually do for your skin?

Vitamins C and E are considered the two most beneficial agents to maintaining and repairing the skin, so let’s talk about what they do and where you can find them:

• Skin Benefits of Vitamin C: This antioxidant helps to fight free radicals (cigarette smoke, pollution, excess sun) which are directly linked to the signs of aging. Vitamin C also promotes the production of collagen which is essential to maintaining the skin’s firmness. Collagen levels deplete as we age, and by excess sun exposure.
• Skin Benefits of Vitamin E: This powerful antioxidant helps to inactivate the effects of free radicals (cigarette smoke, pollution, excess sun) on the skin, thus reducing damage like lines, spots and wrinkles.

So in summary, Vitamins C and E prevent and repair damage to the skin by free radicals. But where should you look for these antioxidants? Look to natural oils that are easily absorbed by the skin. Here are some of my favorites, and where to find them:

• Rosehip Seed Oil: Believed to be THE best natural oil for preventing and repairing the effects of aging, rosehip seed oil contains high amounts of Vitamin E and is known to easily penetrate the skin. (Facial Moisture Serum, Natural Anti-Aging Foundation Set, Men’s Moisture Serum)
• Sunflower Oil: This Vitamin E rich oil is deeply nourishing and conditioning, and considered an effective remedy for dry, damaged, aged skin. (Facial Moisture Serum, Natural Anti-Aging Foundation Set)
• Avocado Oil: Rich in vitamin E, avocado oil is great for sensitive and problem skin, and is also considered beneficial in treating eczema and psoriasis. (Facial Moisture Serum, Natural Anti-Aging Foundation Set, Men’s Moisture Serum)
• Sea Buckthorn Oil: Copious amounts of Vitamins C and E help make this natural oil excellent for repairing and regenerating the skin. Sea Buckthorn Oil is recommended for treating eczema, premature aging, acute dryness, wrinkles, sun damage and even burns. (Facial Moisture Serum, Natural Anti-Aging Foundation Set, Cover Me, Men’s Moisture Serum, Natural Lip Gloss)

Sara Boswell has been one of our favorite Gluten Free Beauty clients from the get go!

She’s uber stylish, retro-chic, and environmentally conscious–in fact, when we met her she was doing a “handmade challenge,” purchasing only items that were handmade!

One of Sara’s favorite products is the Lip and Cheek Tint in Fire Engine, which she wears amazingly well in these photos for Victory Fabric. How AMAzing does she look?!

Victory Fabric, whose inspiration draws from a love of Art Deco and all things 1940s, was recently founded by Sara and her Mr.  You can find their amazing retro styled and Alaskan themed fabrics on Etsy.

In my long-running love of makeup I have also practiced many schools of thought regarding application. There are the “each step requires a different brush” set, the “a handful of good brushes will do” group, and the “all you need is a clean pair of hands” sect. And while finger-painting your face can be fun, one application with an inclusive set of fluffy, soft, sculpted brushes will quickly make you a convert.

These days, I’m a bit of the two former. Because our Natural Anti-Aging Foundation Set is not a drying, standard powder-based formulation, but instead contains a nourishing, balancing creme and setting powder duo, using the right tools is important. It requires a flat, tapered foundation brush for creme application, a flocked sponge or stippling brush for blending, and a long-bristled powder brush for setting. (Tip: I always prefer a powder brush with longer bristles, this allows you to start light and build coverage, whereas a shorter bristled or kabuki brush cakes on huge amounts of powder at a time.)

Staying true to the Gluten Free Beauty school of thought, however, I could not bear the thought of using or selling a set of brushes made from animal hair. Did you know that the harsh majority of makeup brushes are made of squirrel, pony, sable and goat hairs? Even those that don’t declare their materials use lower-grade animal hairs.

But finding a set of brushes that was free from animal parts, and didn’t look like it was made for Barbie proved a bigger challenge than I’d ever imagined.

Good foundation, stippling and powder brushes, were for me the basis of a good brush set. But I felt as though I’d hit the jackpot when I test-drove the versatile collection of eye makeup, concealer, lip, brow and lash brushes! I love this set and with the extra brushes on hand, it really does make doing makeup as fun as those early years I spent trying to recreate the trendy tutorials in my teenage magazines!

Vegan Brush Set $44

And more brushes means more options: when traveling I grab a handful of my favs, but for a night out on the town I have everything I need to create my works of art!

The only thing I hadn’t anticipated was that because the brush set was bigger than I’d originally set out to find, the price was also a bit higher.

Some would surely shun me for saying so, but I just don’t believe a brush set should cost $100 or more. It was always my intention of offering something more affordable, even though in-house costs seemed to challenge my ability to do so. But because I believe that every girl should be able to own a good set of cruelty-free makeup brushes, we’re throwing pricing modules out the window on this one!