Mineral makeup has found its way into the beauty kits of women (and men!) all over, mostly due to the vast benefits this alternative formulation has to offer. Various new beauty brands have popped up over the the last few years to cater to this booming niche market. Even bigger makeup corporations, from L’Oreal to Laura Mercier to MAC, have joined the craze and released their own mineral makeup lines. Not to be left behind, Ellana Cosmetics, a homegrown Pinoy brand, has been thriving in the beauty market, so much so that it is now the no. 1 mineral makeup brand in the country.
Ellana, which also happens to be the Greek word for “illuminate,” is the brainchild of Coney Avellana and Theresa Carbonell. These two friends who discovered the miracles of mineral makeup on their own skin, decided to come up with their own brand of this type of cosmetic that is high quality, affordable, and specifically caters to Southeast Asian skin.
Deemed the healthier makeup choice, mineral makeup is primarily made of minerals like iron oxides, mica, and titanium dioxides.
It doesn’t contain all the “bad stuff” traditional makeup products contain, such as parabens, preservatives, fragrances, and artificial colorings—thus making it ideal for sensitive skin. If these ingredients sound familiar, it is because they are also the primary ingredients in sunscreen, which means Ellana’s products also offer instant sun protection and age prevention. These ingredients also have anti-inflammatory properties that help combat zits, rosacea, and eczema, and leaves your skin looking as pure as ever.
If you’re a mineral makeup maven or are simply curious about these particular kind of products, you might want to give Ellana’s “holy grails” a shot. Their Loose Mineral Foundation (Php499.00) and Pressed Mineral Foundation (Php599.00) are two of its most effective bestsellers. One claim to fame mineral makeup has is that it looks very natural on the skin. Both
products mentioned deliver precisely that natural look. The former is very buildable, has a velvety texture, and downplays redness from pimples or rosacea. The latter provides superior coverage and oil-absorbing properties, which is ideal for oily skin.
In addition to their topnotch product line, the brand prides itself in being 100% cruelty-free. This brand gives back, not only by helping us all achieve flawless skin but also by being socially responsible and employing mostly women and out of school youth.
The quest for poreless perfection ends with Ellana, now available on Calyxta.
Text by: Yasha Barretto