When I originally sat down to write about using oil on your face, I was writing it as an Instagram caption. Well, it was getting to be a pretty long caption, so I decided to write a dedicated blog post instead! I’ve been super passionate about skincare for years now. I love sharing what I learn along the way, so let’s talk oil!
Read moreTop 5 Ingredients to Avoid in Your Every Day Products
When it comes to reading the ingredient labels of our every day products, it’s important to know which ingredients to avoid. So many of our personal care products contain harmful ingredients that are known carcinogens, hormone disruptors, neurotoxins, etc. This is because the cosmetic industry is not strictly regulated by the FDA.
Read moreMy Current Beauty Routine
Let’s chat skincare & makeup!
So excited to be sharing my current beauty routine with you babes! I shared a complete tutorial over on my Insta stories @pinebarrenliving and saved it to my highlights as well! You will find all products linked below. If you are interested in any of the YL products, send me a dm or email and I’d love to chat about getting them into your hands! xoxo <3
AM SKINCARE
INDIE LEE BRIGHTENING CLEANSER
I started using this cleanser a few weeks ago and instantly fell in love. I LOVE the scent; it’s very refreshing especially for morning. It’s super gentle and doesn’t really foam which I like. I would say I have noticed a difference in the overall glow of my skin with this cleanser compared to the one I was using previously. I typically apply one pump to my dry skin and then rinse with warm water.
ONE LOVE ORGANICS SKIN DEW COCONUT WATER CREAM
This face cream is perfect for spring and summer. It’s lightweight, wears well under makeup, and keeps my skin soft and hydrated. I used it all summer last year and I’m excited to bring it back into my routine this year!
EVERY DAY MAKEUP
LAWLESS WOKE UP LIKE THIS FOUNDATION
Between my blog and my Instagram, I have raved about this foundation for a while now! It’s made with clean ingredients but it’s such a great quality, super luxe liquid foundation that you would never even know! You can read my previous review on it here. My light shade is Kalahari and my medium shade is Mojave.
LAWLESS CLASSIC TRANSLUCENT SETTING POWDER
Pairing the above foundation with this setting powder is the dream team. This setting powder keeps your foundation in place all day long. I love the matte finish but definitely want to try the bronzing finish for summer!
SAVVY MINERALS BRONZER
Savvy Minerals by Young Living has been totally worth the try! The bronzer I shared in my tutorial on Instagram today is in the shade Crowned All Over which is the lighter of the two shades they make. I don’t notice a ton of shimmer with it which is nice. If you want an all over glow, use a big fluffy brush. If you want a more defined contour, use a contouring brush. Because it’s a loose powder you might have to put on a couple layers to get your desired amount of color.
SAVVY MINERALS BLUSH
The Savvy Minerals blush in the shade I Do Believe You’re Blushin’ has become my go to. It’s not too pink or too warm. It has a little shimmer to it and is buildable!
SAVVY MINERALS HIGHLIGHT
I use the veil powder in the shade Diamond Dust as my highlight. It comes in a bigger container than the blush and bronzer so it will last forever (literally). It gives such a pretty highlight that is still subtle.
ANASTASIA BROW DEFINER
This is my ride or die brow pencil. I love that the tip is angled because it makes it easier to go with the shape of your brow. I use the shade medium brown.
URBAN DECAY PERVERSION MASCARA
Another ride or die, this mascara has been a favorite of mine for years. It lengthens and adds volume without getting clumpy. Definitely my favorite! I also love the urban decay primer but currently can’t find mine!
YOUNG LIVING LAVENDER LIP BALM
This lip balm is amazing. it’s only $4 and keeps your lips smooth and hydrated. I keep one everywhere and apply throughout the day.
URBAN DECAY NAKED2 BASICS EYE PALETTE
This palette is my go to when I need to do a full eye look. I love that the colors are all matte and cool toned. I’ve probably gone through 4 of these palettes over the years! Always a repurchase.
PM SKINCARE
YOUNG LIVING MIRAH LUMINOUS CLEANSING OIL
If you’ve been following for a while, you know I love a good cleansing oil. There are so many benefits to using oil on your skin, which I will share about more in depth in another blog post. I decided to give the YL cleansing oil a try and I was not disappointed! It removes all of my makeup, even mascara. It leaves my skin feeling super soft and nourished. I highly recommend this one!! I apply it dry and wipe off with a warm washcloth.
INDIE LEE BRIGHTENING CLEANSER
If I feel like my skin needs a little extra love in the evening, I will follow up with this brightening cleanser, but more times than not I just use a cleansing oil.
INDIE LEE SQUALANE FACIAL OIL
Again, oils can do amazing things for your skin as long as you are using the correct oil for your skin type. For reference, my skin is pretty normal, sometimes dry in the winter and I get occasional breakouts that are hormone related (but this is rare). The squalane facial oil by Indie Lee is one that I have repurchased a few times. It’s lightweight, absorbs quick, and a little bit goes a long way. Most importantly, it’s non comedogenic meaning it will not clog your pores. It is great for all skin types because of it’s anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.
YOUNG LIVING SANDALWOOD MOISTURE CREAM
With the weather getting warmer, I find myself reaching for this cream less and less. It’s super thick and a little bit goes a long way. If you have dry skin, you will 100% fall in love with this cream. It’s very hydrating and really locks in moisture. I think it will be my go to for winter, and whenever my skin needs a little extra TLC during the warmer months. The scent is amazing and I love that the ingredients are clean!
YOUNG LIVING LAVENDER LIP BALM
Again, I apply my lavender lip balm every night and love it even more than the Laneige lip sleeping mask.
YOUNG LIVING ROSE OINTMENT
The YL rose ointment is one of my favorite products they make. I use it nightly on my hands. It keeps them soft and smooth and I love that it nourishes my cuticles so well. The consistency is a bit hard, but once you warm it up in your hands it absorbs so nice!
As always, thank you so much for reading!
If you are interested in any of the Young Living products and not yet a member, please reach out to me and I can help you get started! email: megan@pinebarrenbeauty.com / insta: @pinebarrenliving
xoxo
The Best Resources for Switching to Non Toxic Products
My Favorite Resources for Switching to Non Toxic Products
Hi ladies! Today I’m sharing my favorite resources to use when evaluating the ingredients in my current products and finding non toxic alternatives. It’s been almost a year since I shared this blog post about my initial thoughts on switching to safer beauty products.
Since then, I have successfully replaced the majority of my beauty products with non toxic options that work just as good, if not better than the products I was previously using. I have also switched over the cleaning products in our home to plant based, non toxic options and couldn’t be happier with the results!
If you are just starting your journey to natural living, it can be super intimidating. Considering the FDA only bans 11 ingredients from being used in cosmetic products (where as Europe bans 1,300+), it is up to us to do our own research and determine what ingredients are and are not safe. So, where do you start researching? Here’s a list of some great resources that I’ve found to be super helpful when ditching & switching from toxic to non toxic!
THINK DIRTY APP
You’ve probably heard of this one, but the Think Dirty App is a great way to find out what's in your current products and if those ingredients are harmful or not. The app rates products on a scale of 0-10, 0 being not toxic at all and 10 being very toxic. You can scan the barcode on your products or type in their names, and can then read further about each ingredient. If some of your current products are super harmful, the app does provide options that are clean which is nice!
EWG.ORG
The Environmental Working Group has an app called Healthy Living powered by Skin Deep and Food Scores. They also have a website. The concept with the app is similar to Think Dirty, where you can scan or search your products, see their rating, read about the ingredients, and find safer alternatives. I like EWG a little better than Think Dirty because it also includes info on food! Their website also has TONS of articles and guides to help you make informed decisions!
FOLLAIN.COM
Follain is a website as well as brick & mortar store where you can shop for clean beauty products. Every brand they sell has to go through their approval process. They also have a list of restricted ingredients which is nice. You can read about their standards here. They are a great resource because you are able to shop confidently, knowing that you can trust they are selling brands who use clean ingredients in all of their products. They take the guess work out for you just in case you don’t feel like doing the research on your own!
THE DETOX MARKET
The Detox Market is another online & brick and mortar store where you can shop for clean beauty products. They partner with brands who fit their standards and pass their approval process. They also have a list of restricted ingredients. Again, they take the guess work out and you know you can trust them! Read more about TDM here.
ABOUT PAGES & BLOGS
As you come across brands you may want to try, make sure you read the about pages on their websites. After reading the about pages, you will have a pretty good sense of the brand and if you can trust that their products are what they claim to be. You will also be able to compare brands once you read a handful of about pages. Some may impress you more than others and some might be super basic, making you question their reliability. For example, I came across the brand Lawless on Instagram. When I read their about page, I was sold. I knew I could trust that their products are super luxe but also clean!
Another great resource to utilize when looking at a brand's website is their blog. I love the One Love Organic's blog because I found SO much useful information in their posts as I was doing my research. Another great blog is the one by Primally Pure. If a brand's site has a blog, read it!
A few bloggers I follow are really into clean beauty which is AMAZING. It’s so hard to find genuine reviews of clean products from bloggers. I feel like most bloggers aren’t aware of what’s in their products, and if they are they just don’t care enough to make a change. Here are two bloggers who do a great job with clean beauty reviews: Jess Ann Kirby and Jenna from Visions of Vouge.
One thing I have learned is that slow and steady wins the race. As you run out of current products, replace them with cleaner options. You DON’T have to ditch & switch everything at once. That can be super expensive and end up creating more waste than not. Another thing I have learned is that as long as you are doing the best you can for you, that’s all that matters. I have not fully transitioned all of my products over yet, and that’s okay! I’ve been on this journey for a year now and it’s definitely a work in progress. But, when we know better, we can do better. It all starts with research!
As always, thanks so much for reading! Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.
& if you’re not already, follow my new lifestyle Instagram account @pinebarrenliving <3
xoxo
Sephora Spring Bonus Event
Get ready to shop beauty!
Hey babes! Today I’m sharing my picks from the Sephora Spring Bonus Event! I’m sharing what I’m purchasing as well as products I’ve tried and loved, and other good options that are on my wish list. All of these products are made with clean ingredients, so you can trust that they are safe for your skin. I personally don’t think Sephora has the highest standards for their “clean at Sephora” badge, BUT these brands are ones that you can forsure trust 🙌🏻 The sale runs now through May 6, so don’t miss out!
Rouge: 20% off with code HEYROUGE
VIB: 15% off with code HEYVIB
Insider: 10% off with code HEYINSIDER
As always, thanks for stopping by!
xoxo
Current Skin Care Products I'm Loving
Happy Friday babes! I can’t believe we are just one week away from wedding day! It’s seriously such a surreal feeling! All the planning and preparation is finally coming together and I can’t wait to see how everything turns out!
If you’ve been following for a while, you know skincare is number one in my book. Over the summer, I made it a goal to start incorporating more nontoxic beauty products into my routine. My long term goal is to only be using nontoxic beauty products; however, i’m finding it to be really hard to make the commitment when there are some brands that I’ve been using for years that I just love, like Fresh. While I’ve successfully found a handful of organic, farm-to-face skincare brands that give amazing results, there are other brands I can’t let go of just yet.
Today I’m sharing a combination of products that has worked wonders on my skin over the last couple months. Keep in mind that just because something works well for me, doesn’t mean it will work the same for you. We all have different skin, so I always encourage you guys to try a variety of products and even switch things out one at a time so you can create the perfect routine for you! For reference, my skin is pretty normal. I used to have occasional breakouts but knock on wood, I haven’t experienced any lately. My skin rarely gets oily; if anything it can be on the drier side during the colder months. But let’s get to it! These are the products that currently make up my night time skincare routine!
One Love Organics Vitamin B Cleansing Oil
I love a good cleansing oil and this one is by far the best I’ve used to date! It’s super smooth, smells great, and removes all of my makeup! It leaves my skin feeling clean and nourished. I apply it dry and use a warm wash cloth to take it off. Since getting my lash extensions, I’m super careful around my eyes because you’re technically not supposed to use oil based products with lash extensions, but I could never give this up! If I have eye makeup on that I need to remove, I use this eye makeup remover by Dermalogica because it’s water based/oil free.
Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence
When Fresh sent me this treatment to try, I fell in love after just a few uses! I apply this at night, after my skin is cleansed and dry, but you can also use it as part of your morning routine. Keep in mind, a little bit goes a long way; a couple drops covers my entire face & neck. Out of the eight proven benefits, I would say immediately refined skin texture and immediately improved luminosity are the two major benefits I’ve seen so far. After using it for the past four weeks or so, my skin looks more nourished overall!
One Love Organics Vitamin C Facial Serum
An effective vitamin c serum is a must have skincare product in my book. I’ve tried a handful, and this one by One Love Organics is my favorite yet! The consistency is a bit more oily than other similar serums, so I prefer to use this at night as opposed to morning. I use one full pump for my whole face. I’ve been using it since May and it has kept my skin glowy and bright! One bottle has also lasted me almost five months, so it’s definitely worth the price.
Farmacy Honeymoon Glow AHA Resurfacing Serum
Farmacy is a new to me brand that is a clean, farm-to-face skincare brand. I use this serum every few nights and one pump goes a long way. Over the past few weeks, I have noticed glowy, even toned skin every morning after using it! It might feel tingly when you apply it, but that’s just the ingredients working! The AHA exfoliates dead skin cells, promotes cell renewal, targets hyperpigmentation, and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also packed with a ton of other good for the skin ingredients. I highly recommend this serum if you’ve been looking for one that is reasonable/mid-range in price!
Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask
Mask are one of my favorite ways to give my skin a little extra love. Overnight masks are great when you want the effects to be long lasting, as opposed to immediate. This firming overnight mask has a thick consistency and feels great on the skin. I lather it on at the end of my night time skincare routine every few nights. When I wake up in the morning, my skin is hydrated and looks so fresh and healthy. I recommend purchasing the travel size before splurging on the full size. I personally like to switch up my masks and try new ones often, so the travel sizes are perfect if you like to switch yours up as well!
What skincare products have you been loving lately? Leave a comment to let me know!
& as always, thanks for reading <3
xoxo
Clean Makeup Products That Actually Work
Clean Makeup Products That Actually Work
Making the transition to clean beauty products can be intimidating. Leaving behind products you love & know isn’t the easiet, and neither is finding new products that will work with your skin and meet your expectations. It’s trial and error, but so far I have been lucky to find clean beauty products that actually work & exceed my expectations! It’s so rewarding to know that what I am putting on my skin contains safe ingredients and gives the results I want.
As far as skincare goes, I published a post last week featuring the One Love Organics skincare line. I have been using these products exclusively for the past 6-8 weeks and my skin has never looked better! You can read about all of their products here and use code PINEBARRENBEAUTY10 for 10% off your purchase!
For makeup, I have been trying cleaner options for products as I run out of them. I haven’t switched everything yet, but all of my face products, except bronzer, are now clean products! I have been loving everything I am using, especially foundation which I was super nervous about! Keep reading to see which clean beauty products I'm obsessed with & why!
lawless I woke up like this flawless finish foundation
When I saw that Lawless came out with a foundation I had to get it! I had been considering the beauty counter foundation, but also wanted something that was full coverage and I knew Lawless would deliver. I was nervous about matching my color but as long as you go with the right undertone you'll be good! They also give the MAC equivalents which is convenient if you know your MAC shade.
First, let's talk about their customer service. I placed my order on a Friday with the free standard shipping option. It shipped that day and was on my doorstep on Monday. I'm all about a company with quick & free shipping, so that definitely started us off on the right foot. Next, the packaging is super chic. The box has all the info you need about the ingredients and the bottle itself is v pretty.
Now, let's talk about the foundation itself. I am completely in love. The texture is thick and a bit tacky when applied to the skin, but it does dry nicely and using a loose setting powder on top does help. It spreads smoothly and evenly (I apply my foundation with this brush). One pump gives pretty great coverage for daily wear. If I'm wearing it for a night out/wedding/event and want the best coverage I can get, I would probably go with two pumps but apply them in layers, letting the first layer dry before applying the second.
Overall, I am super impressed with this "clean AF" foundation and will definitely be repurchasing once I run out! I just love the entire vibe and branding behind this company, and I love that I can feel confident in using their products on my skin! You can read more about Lawless and their commitment to clean beauty here!
savvy minerals by young living matte setting powder
If you've been following along for a while, you will know that I started using Young Living back in February. I had always been intrigued with the concept of essential oils and finally decided it was time to see how they could benefit me! One of the many reasons I love Young Living is because they have SO much to offer beyond oils, including a completely non toxic, mineral based makeup line. I have been adding some of their makeup products to my monthly order for the past couple months and have been LOVING it. If you're not feeling the oils at first, you can sign up with the Savvy Minerals starter kit instead of the oils starter kit! Click here to read more about signing up or feel free to send me an email or DM with any questions!
The matte setting powder is brand new to the collection. A little bit goes a long way and I love the way it works with the Lawless foundation. I feel like it takes the tackiness away from the foundation and allows for a smooth application of the rest of my face products! It doesn't crease or cause my makeup to look cakey which is always a must for me when it comes to setting powder.
savvy minerals by young living blush
I've been using the Savvy Minerals blush in the shade "I Do Believe You're Blushin" and it's been so perfect for summer. It has just enough color & shimmer to create the perfect glow. There are so many shades to choose from and next on my list is the shade "Smashing." If you use the Savvy Minerals mist on your brush before tapping it in the blush, I will deepen the pigment and give more of a dewy look. It also gives a little more control when applying the blush. I use the blush either way (with or without the mist), depending on what my mood is and what type of look I'm going for!
savvy minerals by young living highlight
The highlight I've been using by Savvy Minerals is actually their original setting powder called diamond dust. Because it's luminous, I did not prefer it as a setting powder, but as a highlight it is perfect! It's just the right amount of shimmer while also looking natural. A little bit goes a long way with this one as well!
As always, thanks for reading!
If you have any questions at all, send me an email (megan@pinebarrenbeauty.com) or a DM on insta!
xoxo
Loving Lately
Happy June! I can't believe summer is officially here and we are just about four months away from wedding day! SO crazy. This weekend I'm working Saturday. On Sunday we are going to try to take my nephew to NASCAR, depending on the weather. He gets so amped up when Rob watches it on TV and all he keeps saying is 'Bert I wanna go to a race and see Jimmy Johnson' so it will be cute to see his reaction to a race in person!
Today's post is all about things I've been loving lately. From my fave sweatshirt at the moment, to safer beauty products that are giving me great results, and a blog I've been reading tons, I'm sharing my thoughts on all! Enjoy <3 xoxo
AERIE RAW CUT CITY SWEATSHIRT
I have this sweatshirt in two colors and it's my current go to. When I get home at the end of the day I change into this and instantly feel cozy and ready to chill. It's also perfect for the weekend when you're just hanging or running errands. I sized up to a medium for an oversized fit and it's perfect! I want every color & just might get more since it's on sale right now for only $22!
ONE LOVE ORGANICS VITAMIN C MOISTURIZING FACIAL SERUM
As you may or may not know, I am currently in the process of transitioning my beauty routine to safer, nontoxic products (read more about why here). When it comes to vitamin C serums, I've tried a few so far and this one has impressed me the most. The consistency is more on the oily side so I like to apply it at night. I've been using it for three weeks and my skin is glowy and bright. I have not noticed it plateau yet, which is a good sign, so fingers crossed it continues to work it's magic!
VAPOUR BEAUTY STRATUS SOFT FOUCS SKIN PERFECTING PRIMER
In the process of transitioning my products to safer options, I decided skincare and base layers would be first. When searching for a primer, I was nervous because they either make or break how well your makeup stays on throughout the day. This one by Vapour Beauty is 70% organic and had great reviews. I've been using it for three weeks and it legit goes on like velvet. The texture instantly reminded me of the Hourglass Veil primer so I was pretty impressed. I love how my makeup wears throughout the day. It doesn't melt off my face or look cakey so this primer is a winner if you're looking for a cleaner option.
*Note: I do not recommend using a serum with an oily consistency under this primer. I was using the vitamin c serum above before putting on this primer and they did not mix well. By the end of the day my makeup was starting to melt off my face. When I stopped using the vitamin c serum in the morning, the difference was night & day! The Vapour Beauty foundation is next on my list to try!
AGENT NATEUR HOLI (ROSE) NO. 4 DEODORANT
As I'm venturing into the world of natural beauty, you know I had to try a natural deodorant. This one is pricier than some, but the packaging is what initially caught my eye. The ingredients are super basic and include rose essential oil and sacred sandalwood essential oil (two of the most expensive essential oils out there). The scent is amazing and I've been loving it so far. I have noticed that I still sweat at the gym BUT I don't stink so that's a win.
In my research about making the switch to natural deodorant, I learned that sweating is normal when using a natural deodorant because you are not blocking the pores. This allows your body to detox how it's supposed to, in turn reducing the likelihood of detoxing through your skin in the form of breakouts! I want to try a few different brands of natural deodorant at all price points and compare them for you girls! Stay tuned for that blog post this summer :)
WHITE ANGELICA ESSENTIAL OIL
If you'e been following along with my essential oil journey, you will know that White Angelica is one of my favorites. It smells delish and makes for a great DIY perfume. It also promotes all the positive vibes! It's a mix of I put a drop on my wrists each morning and instantly feel uplifted. It's so crazy to me that essential oils can help with emotional support. You can read more about oils here!
ITSY BITSY INDULGENCES BLOG
I've been following Shannon on Instagram for a while now and have always loved her casual style. She shares a ton of her every day life on Insta stories and has the cutest little girl! I recently started reading her blog posts because she has been sharing a lot of life chats and advice. Everything she has been sharing is so relatable and exactly what I need to read at times! She wrote a post about choosing one word that you want to be your intention for the week. As the week goes on, you need to check in with yourself to see if you're meeting your intention or how you could do better. I LOVE this idea and will definitely be trying it out! I think it's a great way to become more mindful and really live with intention.
As always, thanks so much for stopping by!
You can subscribe at the bottom of this pages so you never miss a post!
xo
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Thoughts on Switching to Safer Beauty Products
Let's talk clean beauty.
Hi babes! If you follow me on Instagram, you will know that I am in the process of making the switch to safer beauty products. There is SO much that goes along with this so I wanted to share all of my thoughts in one place instead of having a superrr long insta story! Let's jump in!
WHY
So, first things first, why am I making the switch to safer beauty products? The cosmetic industry is not regulated by the FDA. Because of this, companies can put whatever they want in their products. I'm talking known carcinogens and toxic chemicals that have no reason being in the products we use on a daily basis. Is that crazy or what?! WHY would I ever willingly put products on my skin that are made with ingredients we KNOW are harmful? I guess because I never really knew that the ingredients in my products could be so toxic. But now that I'm more aware, you know I'm going to commit to making the switch.
WORD CHOICE
Safe. Clean. Non toxic. Natural. Organic. The list is endless and the words cannot be used interchangeably (so I've learned). Just because a product may be considered safe, does not mean that it is all natural or organic. Be sure to know the difference and make a decision based on what you feel is right for you.
RESEARCH
Making the switch requires a TON of research. Because there are no set guidelines for brands to follow, it's up to us as consumers to do the research ourselves. And believe it or not, it's kind of a double edged sword. Since brands can put whatever they want in their products, it's important to read the ingredients and find out if they are harmful. It's also important to look into the ingredients in products that brands claim to be clean, natural, organic, or nontoxic because they aren't held to a certain standard either.
For example, I received products in the mail from a company that claims to be clean. When I looked at the ingredient list, I saw PEG-4 dilaurate listed. When you read about PEG's - they are an ingredient that more times than not, contain impurities that are harmful, but the impurities can be stripped if the brand is responsible and conscious of what goes into their products. AKA it comes down to making a judgement call. If you believe the brand is making the effort to remove the impurities in PEGs so they can still put them in their products and claim to be clean, then go for it. But if you don't feel too good about it, find another brand who is more reputable.
RESOURCES
It can be overwhelming having to do all of your own research so I want to share the resources I have found to be helpful so far (in addition to google).
Think Dirty App
The Think Dirty App is a great way to find out what's in your current products and if those ingredients are harmful or not. The app rates products on a scale of 0-10, 0 being not toxic at all and 10 being super toxic. You can then read further about each ingredient and find safer alternatives if some of your products are rated high on the scale.
The Detox Market
The Detox Market is a site where you can purchase clean beauty products from a variety of brands. TDM promises to learn about the brands they work with, test all products before committing to them, and select their products based on a strict ingredient standard. You can read more about TDM here.
Organachs Farm to Skin
My friend Jen who writes Red White and Denim recommended this site to me! It's similar to TDM in the sense that you can purchase natural products from a variety of brands. Organachs Farm to Skin promises to deliver brands that have effective products and are made with clean, pure, toxin free ingredients. Read more here.
About pages & Blogs
As you come across brands you may want to try, make sure you read the about pages on their websites. After reading the about pages, you will have a pretty good sense of the brand and if you can trust that their products are what they claim to be. You will also be able to compare brands once you read a handful of about pages. Some may impress you more than others and some might be super basic, making you question their reliability.
Another great resource to utilize when looking at a brand's website is their blog. I love One Love Organic's blog because I found SO much useful information in their posts as I was doing my research. If a brand's site has a blog, read it!
One blogger I follow, Jenna who writes Visions of Vouge, is super into safe beauty. She has an entire section on her blog dedicated to safe beauty and a category called "ingredient of the week." I particularly love her "ingredient of the week" posts because she does a ton of research about specific ingredients that are harmful and shares everything we need to know!
THE PROCESS
Switching over to a completely safe beauty routine is a PROCESS. It can be tempting to ditch and switch everything all at once, but that also means you need to be prepared to spend a lot of money. Taking it one step at a time may be your best bet. As you run out of current products, replacing them with safer options is a great way to comfortably transition your entire routine.
Personally, I am starting with skincare and base layers. I'm talking the products that I use every day and night, that are going right on top of my skin. If I can initially switch all of my skincare products, primers, and foundations to safer options, I will be content with that as a start. It's going to be a lot of trial and error, but I am determined to find clean products that give the same results, if not better than those that contain toxins.
REAL TALK
As a BEAUTY LOVER (and even as a blogger), this transition is harder for me than it may seem. I've always been pretty conscious of the skincare product I use; but giving up my Laura Mercier foundation and Tom Ford bronzer is going to be a hard pill to swallow. And what about my Urban Decay Naked2 Basics palette?! UGHHHHH. Let's not even get started with hair care. So many amazing products, with not so amazing ingredients. Part of the reason I'm even obsessed with these products in the first place is because society tells us we need to use the newest products with the chicest packaging etc etc not even bothering to look at what's in them! Not cool.
As I take you along on this process, I can't promise that I will do everything perfectly and not use my naked palette every now and then. But what I can promise is that I'm going to try my best. I'm only human and as long as I'm doing the best I can for me, that's all that matters. AND the same goes for you! If you are going to join me on this journey, just remember to take it at your own pace, do what you can, and know that even just a small change can make the biggest difference!
As always, thanks so much for reading!
Here's to safer beauty & living well!
xo