Image credit: Instagram/meccacosmetica

The idea of clean makeup is confusing – for starters, it’s not a regulated term, so it essentially can mean a multitude of things. Typically though, when a product is labelled “clean” it indicates the formula has a focus on naturally-derived ingredients, and perhaps shuns synthetics (and ofter irritants) like sulphates, synthetic fragrance, synthetic preservatives, gluten and petrochemicals.

If you’re looking to clean up your makeup routine, it’s important to do your research and decided what you do (and don’t) want to cut out (the Think Dirty app is a GRAZIA favourite), but to help you make some cleaner editor-approved choices, see the list of recent launches below.

Bare Minerals Gen Nude radiant Lipstick, $31. SHOP NOW

Nude lipsticks can be notoriously drying, but Bare Minerals Gen Nude is a wonderfully buttery, emollient formula bolstered with shea butter and coco to hydrate and soften. The shades are varying shades of nude – from soft peachy hues to deeper berries, so there’s one to suit every skin tone. Formulated without parabens and sulphates, they’re the perfect sheer, wear-it-everyday lipstick. We love Love, a pared-back shade of watermelon pink. 

Ere Perez Wild Pansy Tinted Lip Bar, $30. SHOP NOW

Vegan and cruelty free, Ere Perez’s Lip Bar is the perfect middle ground between lipstick and lip balm. It’s hydrating, thanks to the addition of squalene, shea butter and argan oil, but mineral pigments give them a muted wash of colour. The finish is akin to a Glossier advertisement – subtle but cool.

Kosas 10-second Liquid Eye Shadow, $43. SHOP NOW

The makeup-averse will be thrilled to hear that Kosas have expanded its offering with an easy peasy liquid eye shadow. The formula is quite thin and silky, so a little goes a long way. Use your fingers to blot across the entire lid and voila! Instant party eyes (sans irritating ingredients). The brand expertly taps into the cool girl aesthetic – barely there formulas, diffused textures, and soft, off-beat colour ways. In a word, we like

RMS Un Cover-Up Cream Foundation, $80. SHOP NOW

RMS Beauty must have finally caught on that we were all using its iconic Un-Cover Up as foundation anyway, so they’ve blessed us all with a bigger, creamy version designed for the entire face. Like the concealer, it’s made on a base of coconut oil, but also includes buriti, jojoba and medowfoam seed oil for a super hydrating, nourishing texture. Coverage is super dewy and it can be buffed in sparingly for light coverage, or layered for full. It’s free from alcohol, synthetic preservatives, GMOs, gluten and nanoparticles, making imperfect for dry, sensitised skin.

Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlighter, $114. SHOP NOW

The perfect marriage of efficacy and clean formulation, makeup artist Gucci Westman just gets it with her eponymous line, and the latest highlighter is no exception. A buttery, warm shade of gold, the multi-use product is a treat on cheeks, eyes and décolletage alike. It’s super pigmented, so a little goes a long way (making the steep-ish price point a lot easier to swallow).