[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
“Holy sh*%$ that’s good makeup…” Literally, the first words to tumble out of my mouth the first time I tried organic makeup brand, Kjaer Weis.
When you think of organic – Birkenstocks, kale, possibly, Gwyneth Paltrow, and recycled brown cardboard – might be what comes to mind, well, at least for me. And when you add “makeup” after it, notions, such as poor quality, ugly packaging, and compromised wearability feel salient. Well, get ready because Kjaer Weis is going to shatter those images and misconceptions.
Founded by Dutch born, New York based, veteran makeup artist, Kirsten Kjaer Weis, her eponymous vegan and cruelty-free line marries high performance makeup with luxurious organic ingredients. All products are either certified natural or certified organic in Italy where the items are manufactured. And let’s keep it real, the EU has much stricter cosmetic regulations than we have in the states (the EU bans more than 1,300 cosmetic chemical ingredients, while the US only bans 11) so attaining organic certification there is a big deal.
All products are free of harsh chemicals, like phthalates, parabens and petrolatum, to name a few; and come in beautiful Zamac (an alloy of aluminum, magnesium and copper) mirrored compacts, that feel luxurious and weighty; and reduce waste by being refillable.
Okay, enough of the technicalities, let’s get to the good stuff – how the products look and feel! Because after all, this is makeup we’re talking about.
Kjaer Weis – Cream Foundation in Just Sheer
While the color matched my olive and golden undertones flawlessly and imparted a radiant, youthful glow, it’s the feel of the foundation that has me lovestruck (ok, fine, the youthful part, too). But seriously, this foundation is like air. It’s even lighter than the Amore Pacific CC cushion compact I’ve recently had on rotation and blends to a near flawless matte finish. My skin looks and feels like there is nothing on it. With this foundation, all I see in the mirror is a girl ten years younger, before adult acne and hyper pigmentation showed up, with beautiful skin. If you’re looking for sheer to medium coverage, this foundation is a must.
Kjaer Weis – Cream Blush in Precious
I could go on and on again about the light weight feel, but it will start to get redundant and boring. I’ll just say that this blush feels like the foundation – like it’s not even there. The light coral color blends easily with my fingertips and imparts a smooth, matte finish.
Kjaer Weis – Lip Tint in Passionate
Do you remember the first time you tried NARS Orgasm Lipgloss in the early 2000s? I do. It was an O.M.G. moment. I wondered how I ever lived without it. When I applied this subtle, yet punchy, translucent berry tint, that made my lips look naturally flushed like I was sixteen again and had just finished a make-out session with my boyfriend, a rush of emotions flooded me. All I could think about was “I haven’t fallen for a lip product like this since NARS Orgasm Lipgloss”…
Kjaer Weis – Eye Shadow in Grace
Eye shadows are tricky. Texture, blend-ability, and staying power are very important. You don’t want your eye makeup to move around during the day. Thanks to KW’s use of bamboo, these shadows go on silky and layer well for depth without creasing. The color Grace is one of the founder’s favorites citing it’s versatility and wearability. It gives the “I’m not wearing any makeup, my eyes just look pretty and defined” aka the Instagram “I woke up like this” look.
These products are definitely in the luxury category, ranging in price from $22-68, but if you’re searching for non-toxic, organic makeup that actually works, just remember, in this world – high quality is never cheap.
-by Amy Chang
Photographed by author
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
