My Snafu with Make-up By Mía Mariú – Review + Giveaway

If you receive my weekend newsletter, you saw that I would be doing a Mía Mariú giveaway this week. Well, everyone. I went back and forth on how to handle this, and I am just going to come out with it: I messed up.

I was excited to receive these products because Mía Mariú was very giving with the samples and they offered a generous giveaway to my winning reader (and you know how I love doing giveaways!). Then the products arrived. Before I signed up to do the review I read that Mía Mariú is a company with a focus on natural minerals and botanicals. I was also pleased their products are made in the USA and they are a woman owned business. Well, everyone, I was greenwashed. I took their statements at face value and when I received the products my eyes got big when I read what was actually in them. My heart sank a little, too.

Lipstick, blush, eye-shadow

On the lipstick, blush and eye-shadow packaging all say the product might contain carmine (well it either does or it doesn’t, right?) along with a plethora of other chemical dyes. For those who do not know what carmine is, it is a red pigmentation made from insects, primarily beetles. For vegans and vegetarians, obviously not something I would recommend. Most would say it is not harmful, but it is known to cause allergic reactions in some people. Personally, I am not willing to risk it. The lipstick also contains Microcrystalline Wax which derives from petroleum- YIKES!

Both the eyeshadow and the blush contain Isostearyl Neopentanoate as the first ingredient. This is not a big a deal in small quantities, but I remain leery because this means it could have a high concentration in these products thus leading to eye irritation and allergic reactions.

Eyeliner & Skincare samples

The eyeliner and samples of the hydrating mosturizer, RestauraCel-C Microdermabrasion Refinisher Cream and Thermal Activator along with the refreshing foaming gel cleanser contain no ingredient details. Since I prefer to know what I’m putting on my skin, I wouldn’t use the samples either.

Mascara

I was holding my breath for the mascara as I went ingredient by ingredient down the list. It was looking promising. Then this: butylparaben and ethylparaben. Parabens. UGH. These are possibly damaging to the endocrine system, hazardous to pregnant women and children and banned in some areas of Europe.

Thoughts…

Le sigh.

Sufficed to say, I am feeling a bit let down. In good conscious I cannot recommend these products. I do realize the use of cosmetics is a personal decision for each individual and some are more concerned about ingredients than others. I applaud Mía Mariú’s decision to give back to the worthy cause, Hearts of Valor and hope that over time they will reconsider the content of their products and if ingredients aren’t really something with which you are concerned, their prices are reasonable.

I am making a promise to all of you that this will not happen again. I am dedicated to reviewing products that I believe will be good for you. I also want to make good on my promise to do a giveaway, so I am giving away Lemongrass Spa’s Eight Piece Bamboo Brush Set with Cotton Pouch. And I think you’ll like it, too! Lesson learned.

Enter to win here:

T&C’s: 18 and over, US shipping addresses only. You agree to be added to Life of a Traveling Navy Wife’s newsletter list and may unsubscribe at any time. Lemongrass Spa is in no way affiliated with this giveaway. Good luck and thank you for entering!
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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.