An iron oxide containing effect pigment, and methods for producing and using the same are discussed. The iron oxide containing effect pigment may include an iron oxide coating in direct contact with a particulate substrate, which may have high levels of hematite, magnetite, or maghemite and low amounts of toxic metals. A method for producing the pigment may include chemical vapor deposition of iron pentacarbonyl onto a particulate substrate. The iron oxide containing effect pigments may be incorporated into compositions, such as cosmetics.
