(Article as seen in “Wicked Pretty” Magazine)

“Green Beauty”, it’s a phrase many of us have heard being thrown around on YouTube, Pinterest and most of all, packaging labels; filled with the words, “Natural”, “Non-toxic” and many more. But why the hype? What should you know? And what are my faves?!

More and more women everyday are looking for better and healthier options for their food, household products and yes, beauty. Many brands are filled with harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients that have no place on or in our bodies. Did you know that about 60% of everything we put on our skin is absorbed into our blood stream within seconds? That means we might as well fill an IV bag with every detergent, lotion, and makeup product we use.

Companies are catching on to the shift in the market, and while some are rising to the occasion, others are taking advantage of the demand and inexperienced green beauty gurus. While many companies plaster the word “Natural” all over the fronts of their boxes and bottles, there’s no regulations for using the word “Natural” in marketing. So how can you tell if a product is actually green? Well, these answers you’ll find on the back of the packaging; in the ingredients. You might be thinking, “I can’t even pronounce half of those ingredients!” That’s where apps like “Think Dirty” and databases like EWG.com’s “Skin Deep” come in. You can search specific products and get an analysis and toxicity rating from 1-10 before making your purchase. Another important piece of information is that “fragrance” or “parfum” unless stated to be made from essential oil blends can be made up of 100 different chemicals. This means even if a product has relatively natural ingredients, if it contains fragrance, it may not be as clean as you’d like. A great example of this is epsom salt. Many companies add “aromatherapy” fragrances such as lavender for a relaxing bath. However, there’s no actual health benefit to the scent because they aren’t made from essential oils which give your body the desired reaction, so instead you’re soaking in a warm chemical bath.

So now you might be thinking, “Well now where do I start?! Everything I use seems off limits and do these other products even work?!” I can assure you that natural products are just like normal products; there’s good and there’s bad. So to get you started I’ve listed 5 of my favorite beauty swaps that you’ll love!

 

 

 

 

Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage BB Cream $48
This “BB Cream” beats any foundation I’ve used and is most similar to my past favorite Makeup Forever HD Mat Velvet +

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ecobrow $26
Dramatic eyebrow lovers rejoice! The perfect replacement for the Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara $26       This mascara leaves your lashes long and full without clumping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silk Natural  Tahiti Sweetie Matte Bronzer $6.50
This loose powder bronzer is an amazing dupe for Benefits Hoola and check out that        price tag!

 

 

 

 

Silk Naturals HD Cream Highlighter in Limelight or Lemoncello $4.50
Wether you like a pinky hue or golden glow these cream highlights will have you ready to shine!