My Surprisingly Simple Two Week Transition to Ogee‘s Natural Makeup

As someone who has evaluated complex interfaces on thousands of screens, operating systems and browsers, I know poor quality and design when I see it. But when it comes to cosmetics for my personal use, I admittedly never looked closely at ingredients or impacts. My makeup routine centered around popular affordable brands promising bold looks with any skin type. But lately I noticed increased sensitivity, redness, dry spots…signs my products likely contained irritants I could no longer tolerate.

When a colleague recommended Ogee for their organic formulations and minimal impact, I decided to take two weeks testing their bestsellers to see if natural items could realistically replace my daily palette. Continue reading for a thorough review across 10+ products detailing textures, wear time, removal techniques, effects on my skin, and overall worth relative to cost and brand mission.

Overview of Ogee‘s Organic Formulations

Before detailing my experience, let‘s briefly cover Ogee‘s origins and the meaning behind their botanically-derived ingredients free from 2,700 questionable chemicals.

Brand Background and Values

Ogee was founded in 2019 by entrepreneurs Mark Rice and Abbott Stark who wanted basic makeup and skincare minus irritants that still enhanced natural features. Their name refers to the subtle cheekbone curve plastic surgeons aim to emulate – youthful essence!

Sustainability: Solar facilities power operations using renewable energy.

Conscious Sourcing: Ethically and locally source ingredients when possible.

Certifications: USDA Organic seal, Leaping Bunny cruelty-free, Vegan Society registered, Gluten Free verification.

Key Ingredients and Skin Benefits

I‘ll reference these repeatedly when evaluating individual items, so let‘s outline them upfront:

Organic Castor Seed Oil – Retains moisture, anti-inflammatory
Organic Beeswax – Natural softener and protectant
Organic Jojoba Seed Oil – Mimics skin‘s sebum, increases elasticity
Organic Shea Butter – Fatty acids reduce irritation
Organic Cocoa Butter – Antioxidants combat skin damage
Organic Coconut Oil – Fights bacteria leading to acne

Clinical research backs the soothing and restorative properties. By focusing on plant oils, butters and waxes over synthetic chemicals, Ogee keeps the formula simple and skin-nourishing.

Now let‘s get into the fun part – how did these thoughtfully crafted products actually perform for me?

My Hands-On Trial: 2 Weeks Using Only Ogee‘s Top Sellers

I rigorously tested over 10 bestselling items as my sole makeup and skincare for an immersive brand experience. For valid comparisons, I evaluated budget drugstore brands I‘ve used for years against new Ogee additions across identical activities – office work, errands, dinner dates, etc.

I getting a bit scientific documenting tactile feel, longevity throughout wear and teardown, value per ounce against cost, effects on my skin texture and sensitivity over time and ultimately if I‘d continue rebuying.

Here goes my full overhaul documenting a transition to clean, mindful beauty!

Tinted Sculpted Lip Oil

• Previous Go-To: L‘Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Lipstick
• Key Ingredients: Cold-pressed fruit oils, plant butters, hyaluronic acid, essential oils
• Texture: Lightweight, smooth, absorbed quickly without residue or drying
• Wear: Lasted through 3-4 hours of eating/drinking with subtle fading evenly across lips
• Removal: Melted away easily after meals with water and gentle wipe
• Value: $28 per 0.10 oz (3x typical lipstick) but replaced balm + lasted longer without drying
• Skin Effects: Plumper appearance by morning and fewer lines by Day 5!

This became my new favorite for an effortless wash of color thanks to nourishing oils that conditioned while coloring. The expensive balm replaced both lipstick and treatments while lasting longer than most on the market.

Sculpted Face Stick – Opal Glow

• Previous Go-To: e.l.f. Cream Contour Palette
• Key Ingredients: Green coffee oil, hyaluronic acid, mineral soft focus pigments
• Texture: Cooling cream blended seamlessly for natural luminosity
• Wear: Lasted through a 9 hour office shift without fading or caking
• Removal: Melted away with dual cleansing
• Value: $52 per 0.17 oz (5x pricier) but replaced 4 steps including highlight, blush, contour + treatment
• Skin Effects: Brighter tone by Day 5, less texture and pores visible by Day 14

While the sticker shock certainly gave me pause, this customizable stick ended up replacing so many steps in my routine. The creamy formula gave my cheeks a filtered finish that was surprisingly long-lasting yet gentle removing after a full workday.

Category	Ogee – Opal Glow	e.l.f. Cream Contour
Texture	Silky, blendable	Chalky, hard to layer smoothly
Wear Time	9+ hours	5-6 hours max
Removal	Rinses cleanly	Stains skin greyish tones
Skin Effects	Brightens, evens tone	Occasional dryness

You really do get what you pay for, and those pennies add up trying to dupe high performing multi-use sticks. This one was definitely worth the investment long-term.

Sculpted Bronzer Stick – Quartz

• Previous Go-To: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
• Key Ingredients: Cold-pressed fruit oils, plant butters
• Texture: Blendable cream-to-powder
• Wear: Bronzed through hours of yardwork without fading or migrating
• Removal: Melted away without residue
• Value: $52 per 0.17 oz (5x pricier) but replaced 3 products I used separately
• Skin Effects: Golden undertone helped minimize red areas

I was pleasantly surprised by the lasting color payoff through sweat and motion. Normally I have issues with cream bronzers slipping around, but this nourishing one wore beautifully. I ended up donating my former powder one after seeing how this formula cared for skin over time.

Lip Liner – Sienna

• Previous Go-To: NYX Slim Lip Pencil
• Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, beeswax, plant pigments
• Texture: Smooth application with built in sharpener
• Wear: Defined lips 6 hours without slipping or feathering
• Removal: Required oil-based makeup remover to fully erase
• Value: $22 per 0.008 oz (3x pricier)
• Skin Effects: Hydrated to reduce fine lines around lips

This pencil truly raised the bar on wear time and precision! Normally I end up with liner bleeding at the edges before lunch. But the moisturizing formula actually made my lips look more plump while keeping pigment locked flawlessly in place for hours. The sharpener also meant no additional tools needed.

Lash Lengthen Serum

• Previous Go-To: Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum
• Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, biotin, peptides, amino acids
• Texture: Lightweight, absorbs without residue
• Wear: N/A – nightly conditioning treatment
• Removal: N/A
• Value: $72 per 0.5 oz (2x pricier) but noticed faster results
• Skin Effects: Longer, fuller lashes in 10 days – no irritation

While the peptide-powered GrandeLash serum did deliver over time, this natural oil-based one accelerated growth faster with no red or itchy eyes as side effects. The dropper dispensed just the right amount while the soothing jojoba oil kept my lids smooth. I‘ll gladly pay extra going forward for these quicker, safer results!

Makeup Removers

• Previous Go-To: Garnier Micellar Water (Pink Cap)
• Ogee Alternatives: Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm, Brightening Makeup Remover Pads
• Texture: Thick velvety balm, soft saturated pads
• Removal Ability: Easily erased longwear liners, waterproof mascaras
• Formula Effects: Nourished and reinforced moisture barrier

I didn‘t expect such stellar removal power from gentle blends of plant oils and extracts. But the balm coating melted even the most stubborn eyeliner and lash glue without tugging at delicate skin. And the pads refreshed without stripping away vital hydration my acne-prone skin needs. No wonder the balm carries a perfect 5 rating with hundreds of reviews!

	Ogee Cleansing Balm	Ogee Makeup Remover Pads	Garnier Micellar Water
Texture	Velvety, solid balm	Soft, pre-soaked pad	Thin wet solution
Removal Power	Easily erases waterproof makeup	Removes face and eye makeup	Ineffective on longwear formulas
Formula Effects	Reinforced moisture barrier	Refreshing, non-drying	Drying long term

While micellar waters effectively cleanse away dirt on no makeup days, the Ogee removers outperformed on breaking down layered looks without parching skin. My complexion looked dewier and smoothed overnight after swapping these in.

Analyzing the Impact: Skincare Changes After 2 Weeks Exclusively Using Ogee

Aside from impressed reactions replacing my makeup bag, I also tracked changes in my bare skin to gauge effects of consistent use.

Clearing Breakouts: My hormonal acne along the jawline calmed down by the morning after first use. After 5 days, zero active bumps remained thanks to antiseptic plant oils.

Fading Hyperpigmentation: Years-old dark scars from blemishes started noticeably lightening around Day 6. Ingredients like licorice root extract help inhibit melanin production.

Minimizing Pores: The lightweight hydrating formulas kept my t-zone from overproducing oils leading to enlarged pores. They‘re less visible after 2 weeks.

Restoring Radiance: Nourishing waxes gave my dull skin an instant glow while Vitamin C oils boosted long term brightness.

Reducing Sensitivity: Soothing butters and oils calmed the overall redness I battled before making the switch. No more flushing!

Cumulative nourishing from the ingredients as my sole regime for 14 days reinforced my moisture barrier for improved texture, tone and resilience like nothing before.

Cost Analysis: Evaluating the Investment of Premium Organic Makeup

I‘d be remiss talking exclusively about performance without weighing the cost considerations of clean luxury makeup. Here‘s how Ogee‘s premium organic formulas stack up:

Upfront Cost Comparison

• Full Ogee Makeup Routine: $493
  • Includes complete skincare regimen and full face color cosmetics
• Previous Drugstore Makeup Routine: $97

Cost Per Use Analysis

• Ogee routine cost ~$2 per use over 2 week trial
  • Cosmetics lasted longer, required fewer applications
• Old routine cost ~$1 per use
  • Replaced items more frequently

Cost Factor Considerations

• Ogee skips irritants, sensitizers that cause expensive long term skin treatments
• Higher cost per ounce offsets overall volumes needed in a minimalist routine
• Sourcing high quality ingredients from ethical suppliers costs more
• Price reflects stringent third party organic certification process

Worthiness

• My skin looked and felt healthier than ever after swapping to all Ogee
• Long term cost savings from less makeup and skincare needed
• Peace of mind knowing my routine aligns to my values
• Doing my small part supporting conscientious businesses

While the investment feels steep upfront, the per use cost difference gets minimized when accounting for longer wear previously needing more frequent reapplication and touch ups.

And after seeing my complexion transform firsthand in just 14 days, I‘d pay almost anything to maintain this amplified but authentic version of myself. Skincare free from redness, irritation, and dark marks is priceless.

The Takeaway: Who Can Benefit Most from trying Ogee‘s Natural Formulas?

Before this test I never realized how much low quality makeup aggravated my skin. And the high end options I tried leaned way too heavy on bold pigments and coverage.

What I love about Ogee is how they embrace real beauty by using natural ingredients to gently enhance – not mask – your best complexion. The textures feel like an extension of nourishing skincare.

So who is their minimalist makeup right for?

Those seeking:

• An upgrade from irritating drugstore makeup
• Lower maintenance routines focused on skin health
• An effortlessly radiant lit-from-within glow
• Versatile sticks replacing multiple face palette steps
• Cruelty-free, ethical consumption alignment

While covering full transparency on pricing, Ogee delivers worthwhile value catering to skin-conscious beauty lovers wanting that elusive makeup-wearing-me but better version of themselves.

After years damaging my skin trying hundreds of hyped products, I finally found my perfect match in this thoughtful clean brand. I wholeheartedly recommend friends make the switch too!

I hope you found my personal recounting and professional evaluations useful. Have you tried any Ogee products or found better clean beauty alternatives? I‘d love to swap notes on our responsible makeup search – leave me questions in comments!