I remember feeling like the world’s most uptight mom the first time my oldest daughter Tessa asked if she could wear makeup. My sister was putting her makeup on (heavy duty theater grade stuff for costume wear) and Tessa wanted to play along too.
My sister was eager to give Tessa her first makeover, but after taking one glance at the ingredients list, I gave a firm no, thus crushing my poor little not-yet-two-year-olds heart. (I know, I am the worst!)
Now on occasion I will play spa day with the girls using my actual mineral based and natural makeups, and with my kiddos being older, I am a little more lenient when it comes to letting the kids play makeover with aunts and babysitters on occasion. But I also haven’t indulged them by buying them a mega pack of chemical cocktail face paints that are made in China.
Why I Care What Goes Onto My Kids Skin
From their births, I have gone to great lengths to protect my kiddos from the overwhelming toxic overload of chemicals lurking in “baby friendly” and “kid safe” products. Everything from diapers to wipes to bum cream I either made myself with real natural ingredients, or I went to great lengths to find a reputable source that took health and wellness seriously. (I tend to investigate all claims to “safe” and “natural” when it comes to kids products, considering mega corporations like Johnson and Johnson like to put toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde into their baby bath and body products that call it “safe” and “doctor approved”.)
Your skin is the largest organ of your body and since it is porous, it absorbs whatever you put on it. This is especially true of infants and children, who have what is called a high body surface to volume ratio. What this means is that proportionately babies and kids have more skin for the size of their bodies as compared to that of an adult. Therefore, kids get a higher “dose” of chemicals in body care products than adults, and babies can literally overdose on the chemicals and have serious adverse reactions. (This is why you cannot put sunscreen on an infant – it will literally poison a newborn.)
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health looked into the skin’s absorption rates of different chemicals. It showed that the skin absorbed an average of 64% of total contaminants. Other studies found the face to be several times more permeable than broad body surfaces with an absorption rate of 100% of fragrance ingredients!
So it goes without saying that what goes onto out kids skin, ends up inside their bodies. If “harmless” kids makeup contains harmful ingredients such as harsh toxic chemicals, colors, and fragrances – those ingredients make their way into their body, their blood and their lymphatic system.
Klee Kids Natural Play Makeup
With all of the above in mind, you can imagine how excited I was to learn of Klee Kids natural mineral based play makeup for kids and toddlers! After investigating the ingredients, I was surprised to find that the ingredients are not only perfectly safe and 100% natural – but they are high quality! This is the quality I look for in MY makeup.
You will not find any harmful or harsh chemicals that are in most traditional play makeup in these Klee Kid play sets. Klee Naturals (click here to visit their website!) never uses:
– Mineral oil
– Talc
– FD&C Colors and Synthetic Dyes
– Paraben Based Preservatives
– Phthalates
– Petrochemical Ingredients
– Artificial Preservatives
Klee Naturals swears off all harsh ingredients, and uses only gentle, natural minerals to formulate its Natural Mineral play makeup. AND, it’s made in the USA!
My kids loved the “Queen Fairy” playset, which included eyeshadow, blush, face and body shimmer, lip gloss, nail polish and body lotion. The kids had a blast playing with the set, and I had a blast WATCHING them play with it! Tessa got intensely serious about applying the Royal Primrose Water Based Nail Polish to her fingers and toes, and Thyme would not put the Empress Violet Natural Mineral Eyeshadow down.. in fact, she applied it to almost every square inch of her face, scrunching her nose up into the most adorable grimace. (Putting on makeup is hard work!)
Between fumbling toddler applications of eyeshadow, Thyme kept smiling widely at her sister saying, “See!!” and Tessa kept insisted that daddy help her blow on her toes to make the nail polish dry faster. (Something he spent half the morning doing, much to her – and my – delight!)
The two things that impressed me the most was the ingredients in the body lotion – very high quality and healthy! – and the fact that the nail polish has zero odors because it contains no acetates, alcohol, glycol ethers or any other harsh chemicals. It only contains water, natural mineral colors and an inert coating. (Most nail polish are solvent-based paint filled with chemicals like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalates, glycol ethers and acetates. No bueno!)
Overall, I am super thrilled with this play set, and I no longer feel like the mean mommy that only pulls out makeup play sets on rare occasions… the kids can play with their Klee Kids makeup set all day, any time, and I don’t have to worry about compromising their health for childhood fun! WIN!!
[Disclaimer: There are no affiliate links in this review. I am an independent product reviewer. I only review products I am truly interested in. I don’t accept payment for reviews. The products I take the time to jabber on about are either items I have personally purchased, or the product has been provided for review – generally after me initiating contact and incessantly nagging for a sample. All of my reviews are unbiased regardless of how the item was obtained.]
My Mom didn’t wear make-up so I never really wanted to wear it, when I was finally allowed to wear lipstick at 16 that only lasted for 2 weeks, I hated it and I still don’t wear make-up. I’m sure If I have little girls I’ll be just like you and not allow them to wear makeup BUT I do love this Natural Mineral Play makeup, I would totally let them play with this. So so So happy to have you back Gingi, I’ve missed you but I really loved reading your rants on Facebook, I learned we have a lot in common, you are so awesome.
I only wear make-up when I am working out of the house so like, one or twice a week or so.. but STILL the girls are somehow obsessed with makeup! lol!
I have never been a fan of makeup and it’s a good thing you take out the time to ensure you purchase non harmful products for your kids.
Glowyshoes’s blog
I am just happy products like this exist.. I had no idea there were healthy and organic kids makeup sets out there!
lovely cosmetics dear <33 I love it 😉
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It’s awesome that there is natural makeup for kids! How fun 🙂
Yeah, I was so excited to add this to my kids playtime!
Sounds great and safe too!
Have a lovely day 🙂
Rosanna x
You too sweetie, thanks for stopping by my blog! <3
very beautiful products, cute photos
NEW REVIEW ON MY BLOG
kisses
Thanks!! I will go check out your blog right now! <3
This is a nice little make up kit for young kids to play with and not worry about hurting their skin…
I try to buy good quality make up for my daughter now, it might cost a little more but it’s worth putting good products on her skin xox
Gingi, it is good to get back to blogging, your girls have really grown a lot since I have been here, they are adorable xox
I know right?!?!? I was looking at the last few pictures I posted and I was like, DANG they grew so much!! hehehe! Thanks for your kind comment Launna and it is SO nice to hear from you again!!! *hugs*
Cute kids and it looks like they had a lot of fun playing with the makeup.
They really did!!! Watching them play just made my whole day!! <3
This is so much fun! I’m glad it’s all natural 🙂
I wish more kid-related items were!
This is awesome! This is a great gift as well for the kids who are just starting to explore makeups 🙂
xx Alyssa | STYLE VANITY.com
Yeah, good to know with the holidays just being around the corner!
😉
Fofinho esse kit!
Ótima quinta!
Beijo! ^^
<3 <3 <3
Completely agree with you on the chemical front – great that you found a product that is suitable for kids. They look like they have the best time ever, would have loved to that as a little girl 🙂
Miriam
http://www.londonkitchendiaries.com
Yeah, it was so adorable, the hubby and I were just giggling ourselves silly watching them get so serious and intense and focused!!!
They’re so adorable and you’re so right not to let them put on any make-up. I started to wear full on make-up after graduating from high school.
http://www.fashionradi.com
Yeah, there really is no rush! But play time with makeup can be fun from time to time! <3
Great idea for kids. Better to play early and learn moderation. Saw your previous post, congrats!
Thanks!! We are super excited over here!
She look so cute 🙂 Great that these cosmetics are safe for kids skin.When I was small , ages ago , I try cosmetics from my mom and I’ve got big allergy…
Oh no, thats horrible!! Do you have a problem with allergies to cosmetics now??
I’m happy to see you around again. And congrats on another little family member.
Thanks!!! It is SO nice to be back into blogging!! <3
What a great idea! I’m pretty sure the stuff I played with as a kid was loaded with toxins + parabens + fillers, etc.
-Ashley
Yeah, crazy it took so long for safer options to hit the market!