Health goes beyond the food you eat. Over the years, researchers discovered that the chemicals in grooming products, such as makeup, shampoo, deodorant, lotion, lip balm, and even cleaning products are linked to a variety of diseases and health conditions.
I think it is so important to be an educated consumer – regarding every product you purchase. It can definitely be challenging in more than one way. First, you have savvy marketers behind many of these brands. Labels that say “Organic”, “Cruelty-free” and even “Paraben-free,” but likely those products still have harmful ingredients in them. Other stigmas about chemical-free products are that they are too expensive and do not work.
Luckily, more and more people are becoming proactive about the way they shop. We are seeing brands use their natural ingredients and wholesome products as a way of leveraging themselves above their competition. In fact, there are now hundreds of natural brands out there to choose from – which creates another problem for educated consumers: how do you choose?
Like many women I love getting dolled up. Most of the week I go from workout clothes to jeans and a t-shirt back to comfy clothes. Since I can conduct my job virtually from anywhere, it’s not necessary that I put my “face on” every morning and do my hair every day. There are definitely some perks to this, but on the other hand, I get eager to get ready. For years, I’ve used cosmetic brands such as MAC, Benefit Cosmetics, and NARS. Although these are all great brands with beautiful products, but they are (unfortunately) full of harmful ingredients.
For those of you who love pampering yourself, but are like me and want to use products that nourish your skin and don’t harm your health, here are a few of my favorite non-toxic beauty swaps:
Trust Fund Beauty not only has witty polish names like “I look good nude” and Khloe Kardashian’s favorite pastel color “Put a ring on it,” but this product is also 100 % vegan, cruelty-free, GMO-free and free of any harmful chemicals!
In addition to their polish, Trust Fund Beauty has a line of LIPGASM lipstick, which comes in a variety of gorgeous deep and bright highly pigmented colors. I also love how moisturizing this lipstick is and I favor this brand over a few others due to its matte like finish.
W3ll People Bio Correct Concealer
If it were a contest between all the concealers out there, regardless of its ingredients, I would hands down always choose W3ll People’s Bio Correct Concealer. It is ammmaazzzzing!
This concealer sets like a dream without creasing or budging for all day wear. And it actually depuffs, brightens and improves skin texture while it conceals! Most importantly, it is free from artificial preservatives, parabens, chemicals, dyes, fragrance, silicone, dimethicone, phthalates, sulphates, petroleum, talc, bismuth oxychloride, nanoparticles and bad mojo. Lastly, it is made right here in the US of A and not tested on fur babies.
I’ve worn everything NARS since I started even wearing makeup. I have to say, Honest Beauty’s Lip Crayon outshines NARS’ lip pencil tenfold. Honest Beauty’s lip crayon is packed with antioxidant-rich jojoba seed oil, murumuru butter, and shea butter to help moisturize and cushion for a demi-matte finish.
It is honestly (pun intended) free of parabens, paraffins, silicones, talc, petrolatum, mineral oil, or synthetic fragrances.
More and more I’ve moved away from buying eye shadows and such products, and now maintain a more simple and polish look by only using a few staple products. When I want to dress up my look, I opt for a fun winged eye or use my eyeliner to create a bold smokey eye. Gabriel Cosmetics’ makes a wonderful eyeliner in a variety of colors like black, brown, grey, blue and green. It is formulated with Jojoba Oil for smooth and easy application with the added benefits of keeping the skin around eyes hydrated. And it blends super well and actually lasts! Gabriel Cosmetics is an NPA certified skincare that is also 100% vegan and gluten-free.
Q: If you were stranded on a desert island, what makeup product could not live without?
A: Mascara – hands down!
Seriously, though. Mascara is my number one, ride or die makeup product. And boy, have I tried them all! MAC, Benefit, NARS, Chanel, drugstore – you name it! And they all seem to work for a little while… but for some reason, I can never get the perfect length, volume or thickness. I usually end up combining all of them to get the look I want. Ridiculous, right?
Until now.
Now I have found THE PERFECT MASCARA. Honestly! W3ll People’s Expressionist Mascara Pro creates big, bold fluffy lashes instantly. AND it nourishes thanks to a synergistic botanical blend. You can feel confident in this brand because there are no harsh artificial chemicals or petroleum derivatives that can irritate the sensitive eye area. W3ll People is 100% cruelty-free, petroleum-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, coal tar-free, aluminum-free, fiber-free, and clump-free!
In the comments section below, share with me your favorite natural beauty product!
