Gorgeously Gluten Free!

Here at GF Delights, bringing you information on how to live easier (and tastier) with celiac disease is our first priority! But as many celiacs know, food choices are not the only things affected by gluten sensitivity. Many people who cannot digest gluten find that cosmetics and other toiletries containing gluten also cause problems. While gluten cannot be absorbed through the skin (a common misconception), products with gluten can enter the digestive track through the mouth via chapstick, lip gloss—even mouthwash! For this reason, spouses and partners of those with celiac disease often choose gluten free products to better protect their significant others.

But where to find these products? If you are a person who has been committed to brand names for years, finding GF options can be particularly difficult. By and large, the rule is the smaller the company, the greater the chance for GF offerings. Additionally, smaller companies will often hand-pack the products themselves, leaving little room for contamination—a greater risk when packing machines are used.

Today we bring you two exceptional companies devoted to GF cosmetics: Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics and Monavé Cosmetics.

Afterglow Cosmetics
www.afterglowcosmetics.com

Afterglow boasts an impressive line of cosmetics—all of which are 100% gluten free! Having grown up with a celiac mother and sister, founder Kristin Adams intimately knows the importance of such products. While the cosmetics are not made in a strictly-GF facility, sterilized steel equipment is used in their manufacture and all products are hand-filled in a clean room free of any contamination threat.

Products include mineral foundation, blush, bronzer, and eye shadow in powder form, as well as pencil eye and lip liners, lipstick and mascara. Afterglow’s products are organic whenever possible, and are all made in the U.S. The cosmetics are also free of chemicals frequently found to cause allergic skin reactions, including paraben and bismuth oxychloride.

Lists of all ingredients for every product are available here.

Best of all? Afterglow offers a 30-day money back, satisfaction guarantee! Personal, free phone consultation is also available (please call 866.630.4569), as well as Live Chats with their Beauty Advisors to find the best makeup for your needs!

Visit their website for user-friendly online shopping, or find Afterglow products (selection not guaranteed) at the establishments below:

Begin Within Wellness Spa
151 Hoffman Road
Barto, PA 19504
610.754.1747

The Grove Approach
7040 Sherrod Hill Road
Edinboro, PA 16412
814.734.4240

Monavé
www.monave.com

Our second impressive company is Monavé (modern, natural, versatile), based out of Maryland. President Deborah Bilezikian has been selling her hand-blended mineral makeup for years. Manufacturing is done without animal testing and local products are used. ALL cosmetics products are gluten free as of July 2008, as Monavé has started using rice-based Vitamin E instead of the traditional wheat germ Vitamin E. If you order online, however, be sure to specify your need for products with the rice-based Vitamin E.

Products include loose powder, cream, and “mousse” foundation, as well as blushes, bronzers, illuminizers, lip tints, lip crayons, gloss, loose glitter and body shimmer. They also have a newsletter than can be subscribed to online, as well as cosmetic samples that can be purchased for as low as $10.

Some East Coast, independent vendors of Monavé products:

Renew Organic Day Spa
842 W. 36th Street
Hampden, MD
410.400.2745

Shades and Hues Hair Studio
Suite 8726-A, 121 Liberty Road
Randallstown, MD 21133

Mermaid II
1074 Glenwood Blvd.
Schenectady, NY 12308
518.377.8710

Merriweather’s
39 LaGrange Ave.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
845.454.5566

Remember, the best way to ensure you’re getting 100% gluten-free product is to be proactive! Read labels, contact sellers, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Those devoted to your health and satisfaction will always be happy to help you!

Stay tuned for further posts from GF Delights concerning GF shampoos, lotions, and more!