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 moreThe 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
The Natural Deodorant I've Been Loving
Thank you, Kopari, for sponsoring today’s post. As always, all thoughts & opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands who support Pine Barren Beauty! xoxo
As you may or may not know, I’ve been working towards switching my beauty products to cleaner, non toxic options, deodorant included. Throughout the process of ditching and switching, I’ve found a few clean beauty brands I have grown to love. Kopari is one of those brands! They have an entire line of natural beauty products that are coconut oil based and actually work. Some of my long time favorites are the coconut body milk (smells so yummy), the coconut lip glossy (super hydrating), and the coconut cleansing oil (takes off all my makeup)! When they came out with an aluminum free deodorant, it was immediately on my list of products to try, especially since it has over 1,000 five star reviews!
Needless to say, I was thrilled when Kopari reached out to work together on their #TheTruthStinks campaign. They are truly making a difference by bringing awareness to the fact that your deodorant does not have to contain harmful ingredients like aluminum and other chemicals to actually work (just check out this video to see why). The key ingredients in the Kopari coconut deodorant are:
*coconut oil: antimicrobial and antibacterial, also hydrates and is great for sensitive skin
*100% plant based active: natural and nontoxic active that wards off bacteria and aids in odor protection
*sage oil: aids in sweat and odor reduction
*coconut water: hydrates & contains electrolytes, vitamins, minerals and amino acids
After testing their deodorant for the past few weeks, it is by far the best clean deodorant I have tried yet! A little bit goes a long way; you only need a couple swipes and you’re good to go. It goes on SO smooth and does not feel sticky or wet. It wears well ALL day and keeps you smelling fresh, even at the gym! I also sweat minimally with this one which is major. There’s just something about the formula that makes it feel like such a luxe product, without the high end price tag.
So what are you waiting for?! Ditch the current deodorant you’re using that probably contains a bunch of toxic ingredients and switch to this all natural one by Kopari! You can use my code PineBarren25 for 25% off your first coconut deo purchase or coconut deo subscription! The subscription is perfect because it guarantees you’ll never run out & you get it at a discounted rate! Kopari is also donating $1 for every coconut deodorant sold during the month of October to the F Cancer Organization; talk about a good product and a good cause 🙌🏻
As always, thank you so much for reading!
xoxo
this post contains affiliate links
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
Skincare with One Love Organics
Today's post is in partnership with One Love Organics. Thank you for supporting the brands who support Pine Barren Beauty! As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. xoxo
One love organics
Hi babes! I'm so excited to share a review on the skincare products I have been using for the past 6 weeks! If you've been following along, you know that I am trying to make the switch to safer beauty products. You can read more about why I decide to make the switch in this blog post.
When I began researching clean beauty brands, I came across One Love Organics. I loved their packaging and after reading more about the brand and their products, I knew I had to try them out! The first two products I tried were the vitamin c facial serum and vitamin c body oil. The serum became a quick favorite and it is definitely a must have product. I also fell in love with how nourishing the body oil is. These two products made me want to try the rest of line, and trust me, I was not disappointed! I've been using their line morning & night and my skin has never felt more fresh! Keep reading to see which products I'm loving, when is best to use them, and what they are good for! One Love Organics was also kind enough to give me a special discount code for you girls so keep an eye out for that at the end of this post! <3
MORNING ROUTINE
Let's start with a fun fact. For years, I'm talking throughout high school & early college, I didn't really have a morning skincare routine. My skin was healthy and my routine consisted of me waking up & putting my make up on first thing. As long as I washed my makeup off at the end of the night, I was golden. And that was totally fine because it's what worked for me at the time. Over the years my skin has changed, and so has my daily routine. I now I have a morning skincare routine that I never skip.
EASY DOES IT FOAMING CLEANSER
One of my favorite parts of my morning skincare routine is cleansing. I love the feeling of clean skin after hitting the gym in the AM. It also feels good to apply my makeup to a fresh face.
I'm pretty particular when it comes to cleansers. They have to be gentle but still work. Enter: the easy does it foaming cleanser by One Love Organics. I typically prefer a cream cleanser because foaming cleansers have been a little to harsh on my skin in the past. HOWEVER. The name of this one speaks for itself: easy does it. I have been loving this cleanser because it leaves my skin feeling clean and soft, NOT dry.
VITAMIN E EYE BALM
If you've been following me for a while, you know that eye cream is the most inconsistent part of my skincare routine. I have tried SO many that just don't live up to my standards, until now! This vitamin e eye balm is different from the rest because it's a balm, not a cream. It has a waxy texture but absorbs into the skin so nicely, making it great for both day and night.
I love it the most because it wears well under makeup!! This has been the biggest problem for me and it's finally solved. My makeup does not crease or look cakey with this eye balm underneath - finally! Also, don't let small container fool you - a little bit goes a long way. I've been using it for over a month and haven't made the slightest dent in it.
SKIN DEW COCONUT WATER CREAM
When it comes to morning moisturizers, I like them to be lightweight, quick absorbing, and wear well under makeup. The skin dew coconut water cream checks off all of those boxes. I was looking for a cream that was comparable to the Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Cream, just with safer ingredients, and I can say that I have found it! Although it's not as weightless as the PTR, it's still lightweight and just as hydrating, if not more. It has a creamy texture and is the perfect base for makeup. After applying this, I go right into my makeup routine with primer then foundation, or just tinted moisturizer if it's a no makeup makeup kind of day.
NIGHT TIME ROUTINE
VITAMIN B ENZYME CLEANSING OIL + MAKEUP REMOVER
I love an oil based cleanser for night time because they are SO good at removing makeup. Because this one is organic, I feel confident lathering it on my skin. I use two full pumps and put it on my skin dry then remove it with a warm wash cloth or this cleansing sponge. Trust me when I tell you, it removes every bit of makeup and dirt, even stubborn mascara! If you try any product from One Love Organics, let it be this!!
VITAMIN C MOISTURIZING FACIAL SERUM
This was the first product I tried from One Love Organics & I fell in love! I was looking for a vitamin c serum that brightened my skin and did not plateau after a couple weeks and I found a winner. My skin has had a consistent glow because of this serum! It has also reduced dark spots from occasional breakouts within a week! Talk about a must have product - this is it.
It does have a more oily consistency to it, which is why it's part of my night time routine. I was using it in the morning, but it did not wear well under makeup for me. I use one full pump and mix it with the love springs eternal serum below for a winning combination.
LOVE SPRINGS ETERNAL YOUTH PRESERVATION SERUM
This youth preservation serum is more of a preventive step in my routine. It claims to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, so I can only hope that it will do just that. It also claims to be hydrating, which I can assure you that it is! It's the perfect last step in a summer skincare routine because it's lightweight and adds just enough moisture without having to apply moisturizer on top. It is a perfect mix with the vitamin c serum I talked about above. One pump of each and you're good to go!
SKIN SAVIOR MULTI-TASKING WONDER BALM
When I'm feeling like my skin needs a little extra night time love, I end with the skin savior wonder balm and it's amaaaazing! The citrus scent is so yummy. I've been loving it after days spent in the sun because it's super nourishing. It has a soft, waxy texture and goes on so smooth. It also doubles as a makeup remover and reminds me of the Damn Good Face Wash that you've heard me talk about in the past!
MASK
LOVE & CHARCOAL MASQUE
When it comes to masks, I typically gravitate toward ones that are hydrating, brightening, or nourishing. I never go for the detox/exfoliating masks because of past experiences where my skin has gotten really dry, irritated, or broken out because the mask was too harsh on my skin.
Naturally, I was nervous about this mask since it has activated charcoal in it, but I was also intrigued because of the word love in it's name. When I asked Alannah about it (the PR coordinator for One Love Organics), she said that in addition to the charcoal, it has alpine rose, cupuacu butter and an amaranth protein to also nourish your skin while the charcoal is drawing out the dirt and debris!
After hearing that, I set my fears aside and gave this mask a try! To start, I only left it on for about five minutes. I did notice it pull out some underlying dirt & debris, but I knew my skin had to detox and get rid of it. I put tea tree essential oil on the couple spots that surfaced, and that cleared them right up, along with the help of the rest of my night time products.
REWARDS
Needless to say, I have been seeing AMAZING results from using all of these products as a system. It's comforting to know that these products contain safe ingredients AND are effective. Not only has my skin been hydrated, nourished, and glowing, but I have not had as many breakouts as I was experiencing before. I'd say that's a definite win!
Another win when it comes to One Love Organics is their rewards program. They treat their customers SO well when purchasing directly from their site! There are so many different ways to earn points that can be used on future purchases. They have by far one of the best loyalty programs I've ever come across. Read all about it here.
You can also get 10% off of your one love organics purchase using my code: PINEBARRENBEAUTY10
As always, thanks for reading! If you have any questions at all, leave a comment!
xo
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