Green Beauty Nouveau: NU EVOLUTION Cosmetics

In regards to makeup, you should know by now I’m a sucker for beautiful design and healthy, clean formulas. I think most people in the green beauty world are of the same camp; we’re all looking for the next best thing that can put up some serious dukes against conventional products. Enter: NU EVOLUTION Cosmetics.

I was first introduced to NU EVOLUTION Cosmetics during an event at Savor Spa organized by the lovely, Sarita of Edible Facial. Sarita and I met up with NU EVOLUTION’s co-founder, Nadine Cormier who kindly showed us the brand’s entire collection of makeup. I knew this brand was something special as we huddled together swatching makeup products under a dim streetlight. I guess that was very “New York City” of us?

NU EVOLUTION boasts luxe makeup formulated with natural, organic, cruelty-free ingredients and chic, convenient packaging. With sleek black designs and purple chevron packaging, NU EVOLUTION’s overarching range of lipstick, lip gloss, pressed eyeshadows and blush, liquid and powder foundations could draw similarities to many high-end conventional beauty brands. I love that on every NU EVOLUTION product box, there is a list of every ingredient included as well as all the common nasty ingredients that are not used for each product type (ie. “No BHT, No Dimethicone, No Petroleum, No Gluten,” etc.)

But be assured, the only “crunchy” thing about this brand are the formulas. Founders Nadine Cormier and Sandra Anderson-Diaz knew how important design and style would influence their natural and organic collection, both women were executives in the fashion and financial industries with extensive background in sales, business, marketing, and branding before they decided to bring NU EVOLUTION to life. NU EVOLUTION has also been used on runway models during New York Fashion Week and as I’m told, is very popular among the models as the products do not irritate their skin like conventional makeup.

Can you be fashion forward and healthy when it comes to makeup? I think NU EVOLUTION answers this question with an obvious: YES. Here’s what I’m loving from NU EVOLUTION:

Lipstick in Melon: This peachy-coral color is unique to anything I’ve tried and it is so pretty! Described as a “juicy peach lipstick with a hint of orange,” I found Melon to be a bit sheerer than Chianti and lighter in pigmentation. The formula seemed to be a bit drier on my lips too but nothing that can’t be remedied with hydrated lips and a bit of lip balm. These observations may also be due to my natural lip color being a bit darker than Melon is, so it was harder to wear this color alone on my lips. I still think this color is gorgeous and have been also wearing it paired with other lip color shades to brighten things up. So beautiful for summer, somewhere beachy, or anywhere in between! NU EVOLUTION has a nice variety of 7 beautiful shades of lipsticks. $30 at NU EVOLUTION.

Melon Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil*, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Candelilla Wax, Helianthus Annuus (Sun Flower) Seed Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Butter*, Simmondsia Chinesis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Origanum Vulgare (Oregano) Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon) Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Root Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E). May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CL-77891), Iron Oxides (CI-77499), (CI-77491), (CI-77492). *Certified Organic No Parabens, No Artificial Dyes, No Synthetic Fragrances, No Phthalates, No Propylene Glycol, No BHT, No Dimethicone, No Petroleum, No Gluten, No animal testing.

Lipstick in Chianti: I’m a lipstick junkie and this lipstick from NU EVOLUTION is top-notch. I have a ton of favorite berry-hued lip products in my collection, but Chianti is the perfect, berry-crimson-mauve shade that is irresistibly vampy yet totally wearable for everyday.  “Like fine wine, our lipstick goes on smoothly with a lasting finish.” The formula is creamy, long-lasting, and super pigmented with just one swipe. I like that this color can easily be built-up, applies super smoothly, and leaves behind a nice stain on my lips. I wear berries and reds all year-round but I think Chianti would look great on many skin tones for any occasion or season. If you’re a lipstick lover, you’ve got to have this color in your collection! $30 at NU EVOLUTION. 

Chianti Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil*, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Candelilla Wax, Helianthus Annuus (Sun Flower) Seed Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Butter*, Simmondsia Chinesis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Origanum Vulgare (Oregano) Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon) Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Root Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E). May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CL-77891), Iron Oxides (CI-77499), (CI-77491), (CI-77492). *Certified Organic. 
No Parabens, No Artificial Dyes, No Synthetic Fragrances, No Phthalates, No Propylene Glycol, No BHT, No Dimethicone, No Petroleum, No Gluten, No animal testing.

Lip gloss in Erotic: Give me anything purple and I’ll instantly fall in love. That’s definitely true for this gorgeously pigmented lip gloss in Erotic. This deep purple color has tiny flecks of shimmer but not irritatingly so, and the staying power is stellar. I normally do not gravitate towards lip gloss but Erotic makes me change my mind about lip gloss. I love that the formula does not feel sticky, is long-lasting, and intensely pigmented while also leaving lips moisturized. Plus, it tastes sweet and minty. Erotic is a dead-on dupe for my old dirty favorite deep purple shade from MAC, Rebel. NU EVOLUTION offers a large variety of lovely lip gloss colors, 16 to be exact. $28 at NU EVOLUTION.

Erotic Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil *, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil *, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil *, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Cera Alba (Bees Wax), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa Butter)*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) *, Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E), Origanum Vulgare (Oregano) Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon) Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Root Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grape Fruit) Seed Extract *. May Contain : Titanium Dioxide (CI-77891), Iron Oxides (Cl-77499), (CI-77491), (CI-77492), Tumeric Powder, Kaolin, Mica. *Certified Organic
No Parabens, No Artificial Dyes, No Synthetic Fragrances, No Phthalates, No Propylene/Butylene Glycol, No BHT, No Petroleum, No Bismuth Oxychloride, No Gluten, No animal testing.

Camouflage Cream in Flawless: I looked at all the concealers offered by NU EVOLUTION and as soon as I tried out Flawless, I turned to Nadine and Sandra and said “This IS my skin color. It could be a second skin!” That is how perfect Flawless matches my skintone. Flawless is described as “a concealer for medium skintones with warm golden undertones.” It effortlessly blends into my skin and it is truly difficult to distinguish where my natural skin begins and where I’ve applied concealer. I don’t wear foundation and I can use this concealer on certain spots on my face or it could be applied more fully like a foundation. The formula is creamy but long-lasting, sinks into skin, and the coverage can be built up to cover trouble spots and redness. I like that this product melts into my skin and doesn’t like it feeling irritated, dry or powdery. It feels very similar to my much beloved “Un” Cover-Up (which I wear in #22) from RMS Beauty. I love that NU EVOLUTION Camouflage Creams are packaged in chic, mirrored compacts that are so convenient and mess-free especially for a busy, commuting chick like me. And seriously, I never can get that Beyonce song out of my head when I use this Camouflage Cream. I love that NU EVOLUTION also carries liquid foundation, pressed powder, and loose powder foundations, there are so many options! The Camouflage Cream is available in 4 shades. $34 at NU EVOLUTION.

Flawless Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit*. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI-77891), Iron Oxides (CI-77491), (CI-77492), (CI-77499), Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract*. *Certified Organic
No Talc, No Petroleum, No Dimethicone, No Parabens, No Propylene Glycol, No Phenoxyethanol, No Gluten, No animal testing.

There’s so much to discover from NU EVOLUTION, I know I’m intrigued by many of their other products, if not the other gorgeous lipstick colors. I can’t wait to try more!

If you’re going to be around for Indie Beauty Expo, make sure to stop by and check out everything that NU EVOLUTION Cosmetics has to offer or browse the shop online.

Have you tried NU EVOLUTION Cosmetics? Which products are you interested in? Have you discovered any great, new green beauty brands recently?

 

*Products kindly provided for consideration. As always, these are my own and honest options. Read my press disclosure for more information.