My journey was not a long one, to say the least. Well, it was a long time coming - but the actual transition happened much faster than I had imagined. I thought it'd take me weeks, months, even a year to wean off of my beloved Nars concealer stick, Make Up For Ever blush, Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner and Dior mascara. But the day I switched over to natural beauty products, I zipped up my makeup bag filled with all of my go-tos and haven't opened it since.
Ever since I started to become knowledgable on nutrition and how what you eat affects how you feel (another post coming soon on this), it made me feel weird knowing I was coating my face and body with toxic chemicals. After long hours of research (anyone else have those late nights awake googling things?) and truly looking into the ingredients of my favorite products, I knew it would be best for my health to transition to the non-toxic side.
I wasn't always this way - growing up, I used to get angry at my mom if she "accidentally" bought the organic brand of something - whether it was food, shampoo, or even cleaning supplies. For some reason, it's a common misconception that organic and natural is synonymous with ineffective. Well mom, you were onto something (as mom's usually are), and I wish I had listened to you then and accepted those non-toxic items with ease.
Fast forward to the summer of 2016. I was in Los Angeles for a few weeks on a work trip, and finally living my dream of being a west coast gal. I decided that during this trip (even though I was working a lot of the time), I would really splurge and live that LA lifestyle I always wanted to experience. So during my free time, I frequented all of the yummy, nourishing plant-based restaurants (can you say Cafe Gratitude and Gracias Madre), got a manicure at Olive & June, a relaxing massage at The Now, and had Beaming Cafe acai bowls probably far too frequently than I should have. I was in absolute heaven and never wanted to leave - the self-care made me feel so refreshed, pure, nourished and even made me glow (or so my boyfriend says). It was during this trip that I decided the time was truly never better to make the switch to non-toxic skincare and beauty products.
During one of my last days in LA, I left my work site a bit early and walked over to The Detox Market. This was the store I've been thoroughly researching for months - I knew it had a wide assortment of brands to pick from and a variety of different skincare and beauty options, all non-toxic. When I walked in, I knew immediately that I was in the right place. The environment was bright, cheery, clean and welcoming. I think I looked a little overwhelmed because a store associate instantly came up to me and asked if I could use some help. "Yes! I am looking to buy non-toxic swaps for ALL of my current products," I exclaimed with both excitement and nerves. We went through each and every one of the products I use daily and she recommended her favorites, as well as let me test out as many products as I wanted. I am not exaggerating when I say I was in that store for over 2 hours. I walked around and picked up every single product, looked at the ingredients, smelled, felt, and experienced it all until I knew I was confident in the product choices I was making. I even called my colleague to come meet me there - in that moment, I wanted to share this gem of a store and my excitement with everyone I knew. I left that evening with a bag full of new products and a hop in my step (ok, and a small dent in my wallet - but worth every penny)!
So here's what I ended up getting that fateful day (and my thoughts on each product!), as I'm sure you may be curious:
- Josh Rosebrook Tinted Nutrient Day Cream with SPF 30: My intentions for getting this cream was to start wearing SPF each day (another thing my mom told me years ago that I ignored). This cream would not only serve as a moisturizer, but also a sun protector, and a bit of a foundation with its light, glowy sheen. This product has not disappointed! I use it every single day and it has transformed my skin.
- Province Apothocary Invigorating + Balancing Toner: I wasn't previously using a toner but the store associate suggested this one to me. I really enjoyed the freshness this toner gave my skin, but have since finished the bottle and am trying out some other brands.
- Lily Lolo Black Vegan Mascara: I LOVE this mascara! I was not naturally blessed with thick and long lashes, so finding a good natural mascara was really important for me. This one did the trick and didn't flake off by the end of the day. I have since been getting eyelash extensions (which I could not love more!) so I no longer need to use mascara, but I highly recommend this one.
- Tata Harper Volumizing Lip and Cheek Tint: This product is the best. I was nervous to replace my signature pink cream Make Up For Ever blush, and this one turned out to be so much better. It's the perfect pink (I got it in "Very Charming") and has a really pleasant smell. I love using this on my cheeks for a pretty glowy flushed look, and my lips when I want a hint of color. Tata Harper is a solid non-toxic beauty brand, and is even found in big beauty retailers like Sephora.
- RMS Beauty "Un" Cover-Up: This is a great light concealer that you can also use as foundation. I love that it is sheer, doesn't cake up, and gives your skin a dewy feel. Still use this one daily and would definitely recommend. For a cover-up with more coverage (covers under-eye darkness like a pro), I recommend the W3LL People Bio Correct Multi-Action Concealer.
- W3LL People Bio Bronzer Stick: I was never big on powdered bronzers and always preferred a cream or gel. Enter this bio bronzer stick: the easiest way to apply (non-aggressive) color for a nice hint of bronze glow. The application is so easy and smooth that I've even started to experiment with contouring. This stick lasts a while and is a staple in my routine.
- Kahina Beauty Argan Oil: This high-quality, organic oil is a true skin nourisher. I have since run out of the bottle (and am experimenting with some other brands), but this was a solid first choice for a non-toxic face oil. As far as face oils go - the simpler and fewer ingredients, the better.
- Kaia Naturals Juicy Cloths To-Go: These are effective fresh smelling wipes for your face or body. I like to use these on my face immediately following a workout to avoid pimples from sweat. They are great to throw in your bag for on-the-go moments when you need a little freshening up!
Since my initial non-toxic beauty haul, I've tried a bunch of other brands and products that I have loved and incorporated into my beauty routine. Some are: RMS Beauty Oil (has superfood ingredients like turmeric + ashwagandha to nourish and brighten your skin), Vapour Organic Beauty Mesmerize Eyeliner (simple replacement for a black eyeliner stick), Jane Iredale PureBrow Brow Gel (my brows are pretty fine and this fills them in, in a subtle way), Savor Beauty Brightening Pumpkin Renew Serum (smells amazing and feels so good on your skin), Cocokind MyMatcha Moisture Stick (swear by this - I use it under my eyes to reduce puffiness + on my lips), Herbivore Coco Rose Body Polish (for the most spa-like scrub experience in your own home), and Lulu Organics Hair Powder (dry shampoo is a must for me). Finding natural beauty products that work amazing and make you look and feel amazing brings me so much excitement. A new all-natural beauty and skincare store, Follain, recently opened up across the street from my office. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately?), I won't have to trek across the country to discover and pick up non-toxic products anymore.
Making the switch to non-toxic beauty does not need to be as all-in as my story was. Maybe the next time you find your concealer is running low, you can do some research on what works best for you and find a non-toxic replacement to purchase instead. I know from my own experience that this switch was life-changing and something that needed to happen for me. My skin has never been glowier, I've been getting much fewer breakouts, and my wrinkles (yes, I do have some wrinkles at the ripe age of 25) are softer and more supple. I feel overall so much better about what I'm nourishing my body with from the outside.
If you need any recommendations or have any questions about transitioning to non-toxic products, please feel free to reach out! I am here to support and encourage your natural glowiness in all ways.
xx