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What Does TKB Trading Sell?
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"To expand our inventory every month such that we offer the most complete selection of color additives; to become a one-stop shopping site for our many loyal customers."
-- TKB Mission Statement
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We sell a variety of products for a variety of customers. Historically, our primary focus has been on color additives, however we also offer complimentary items such as containers, waxes, oils, soap base, and brushes. We are always looking for suggestions, so if you have one, please let us know! |
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Makeup |
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Make natural mineral makeup, including foundations, blushes, eye shadows, lipsticks and lip balms, bronzers, and more! |
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Soap Makers |
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We started our business selling colorants to soap makers and are experts on the subject! Our president, Kaila Westerman is the author of Melt and Mold Soapcrafting. |
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Bath Salt Makers |
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Working in conjunction with an internationally-established bath salt company, TKB Trading has developed a specialty line of colors for bath salts. |
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Candle Makers |
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Our color additives are especially wonderful in gel candles. Our president, Kaila Westerman, is the author of Gel Candles. |
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Rubber Stamping |
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Our products are similar to the Pearl Ex Powders so commonly used in your craft. They have the added advantage of being cosmetic-grade! |
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Polymer Clay Artists |
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Any of our cosmetic or craft grade micas and pigments may be kneaded into or dusted on your creations. |
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Fiber Arts |
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Choose from our craft and our cosmetic line of pigments and micas for a fabric paint or resist. |
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Paper Arts |
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Mix our micas and pigments directly into the pulp for colorful results. Be sure to check out our large sized mica flakes as well. |
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Fused Glass Artists
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Our micas have been popular with fused glass artists for special effects. |
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Tattoo Artists |
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Yes, our products are often used in both tattoos and permanent cosmetics. |
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Industrial Arts |
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Our Mica Flakes are especially popular in all kinds of industrial arts, such as concrete countertops, or special effect painting. Our golds, silvers and hilite colors are also popular for special decorative painting. Our pigments have been well received in mortar work, especially in the mosaic arts. |
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What are the differences between a Cosmetic Grade and a Non-Cosmetic Grade color additive?
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The FD&C Act defines cosmetics as articles intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions. This definition includes skin-care creams, lotions, powders and sprays, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial makeup, permanent waves, hair colors, deodorants, baby products, bath oils, bubble baths, and mouthwashes.
-- FDA Website
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| On our website, a cosmetic grade color additive is one that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in cosmetics. Any color additive which has not been so approved would be considered non-cosmetic (or, "technical grade" or, "industrial grade". The emphasis here is on U.S., because our website does not currently identify which colors are approved (or not approved) by other governments; if you have a question about another country, please feel free to email us and we will respond.
Click here to read the FDA's Q&A on 'What is a Color Additive'
Another difference between a cosmetic-grade and non-cosmetic grade color additive is the level of purity. Iron Oxide Red is approved for use by the FDA in cosmetics generally, but the product you purchase must also meet specific requirements set forth by the FDA. For example, you can purchase Red Iron Oxide which is cosmetic-grade or non-cosmetic grade. The non-cosmetic grade is much less expensive and it used to color cement or concrete (as an example). But it is not pure enough to be used as a cosmetic on your face, lips, and eyes.
While you can't use a non-cosmetic grade color additive in a cosmetic project; you can use a cosmetic-grade color additive in a craft or art project. We do it all the time! Our studio walls have been painted with cosmetic grade manganese violet (for a vivid, resonating purple hue), and our chairs have been glazed with hilite (interference) violet mica. To the left is a photo of a mosaic project where the grout was colored with our ultramarine blue pigment.
If you are a soap maker, you may also use both cosmetic, and non-cosmetic grade color additives for your projects, because the FDA does not consider soap a cosmetic. This is great news because we have some really fabulous neon colors which are very popular with our customers because they are bright, stable and non-bleeding. While they are not cosmetic grade, they were tested by Duke University and shown to be non-toxic.
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What does is mean when it says something is approved for
the face, lips, eyes or nails?
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"Good manufacturing practice (GMP) is an important factor in assuring that your cosmetic products are neither adulterated nor misbranded. However, no FDA regulations set forth specific GMP requirements for cosmetics."
-- FDA Website
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| When the U.S. FDA approves a color additive for cosmetic use, it also designates what kind of cosmetics the color is approved for.
Just because something is safe for use on your nails, does not mean it will also be safe for use on your lips. Because the lips are a soft mucous membrane and a pathway to your mouth. Whatever you put on your lips, you will end up eating as well!
Similarly, the FDA wants to make sure that we are careful about what we put on or near our eyes. Following is the language that the FDA uses when it approves a product:
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When FDA Says
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" ... safe for use in coloring cosmetics generally in amounts consistent with good manufacturing practice..." |
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No Eyes! Eyes are only OK if specifically called out by the FDA. Lips, Face and Nails, OK. |
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When FDA Says
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" ... safe for use in coloring cosmetics generally, including cosmetics applied to the area of the eye ... in amounts consistent with good manufacturing practice ..." |
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It Means |
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Approved for face, eyes, lips and nails. |
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When FDA Says
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" ... safely used for coloring externally applied cosmetics in amounts consistent with good manufacturing practice..." |
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External cosmetics only. No Lips! No Eyes! Nails and face are OK. |
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When FDA Says
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" ... safely used for coloring cosmetic lip products in amounts not to exceed
3 percent total color by weight of the finished cosmetic products . . .and externally applied cosmetics ..." |
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It Means |
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No Eyes! Approved for face, lips and nails, except that there is a limit on how much may be used in lip products. |
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Here is the link to FDA's list of approved colors.
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