Hey guys. Just wanted to throw out a quick thank you for your support and love last week. My car accident was no fun, but I'm lucky to be surrounded by so many amazing people (including you virtual peeps!). I really appreciate it. I'm feeling 100% and my car is in the shop making it's way to 100% as well. Thanks again for the love, y'all are the best!
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Many, many weeks ago, I asked y'all to help me figure out a new makeup and skin care routine. And I'm fiiiinally back to report to you on the skin care side of things.
You guys gave SO much good advice, so thank you. I seriously sat down and took notes as I read through the comments... y'all know where it's at when it comes to beauty routines. You showed me and my teenager-worthy skin care routine up, that's for sure. I'm certainly glad I'm keeping up with my New Year's resolution to stay on the ball and step up my game in this department. Y'all have inspired me!
My problem is that I've (annoyingly) decided to narrow down my beauty options to mostly all-natural products free of certain things like parabens, phthalates and fragrances. I've mentioned it before, but I'm kind of on an all-natural kick lately and I'm trying to implement all-natural products throughout my life (like my all-natural DIY multi-surface cleaner!). And beauty products are no exception.
When I became pregnant last year, I tried to take some "no no" beauty products out of my regime, like anything with salicylic acid, etc. But it wasn't until recently that I decided to get a clean beauty routine going. See, HDawg does this adorable thing where he kisses me on my cheek. Except his version of a kiss is opening his mouth as wide as he can and plopping it on my cheek. I love it. Every time. The more slobbery, the better. But there's a problem with that... follow me. A few weeks ago, David gave me a kiss on my forehead right after I had washed my face. He immediately pulled away and looked like he had licked an ashtray or something. Apparently my face wash and lotion tasted like poison. I realized then that I had no clue what ingredients were in those products... for all I know, it could be poison. Okay, not literally, but you know what I mean. And my little HDawg was literally licking that stuff off my face every night. Hm.
I've done some research and found that a lot of the ingredients in beauty products are not the safest for us. In addition to making sure my face is lick-worthy for H, I want to pick up a regime that I can maintain for the rest of my life, whether I'm preggo in the future or I have more babies making out with my cheek or if I'm just trying to be healthy for myself. Sooooo, to make a long story even longer, I have decided to try and use mostly all-natural beauty products. Unfortunately, that means I had to rule out great products that you guys recommended like Retinol and most name brand aging products. Wah.
And, just for the record, I'm totally not judging anyone who would rather use traditional beauty products. Hey, I'm not totally opposed to those products myself. Just the other day, I dabbed on some of my old acne solution on a problem spot. I just figure that if all-natural, safer products are available that are better for me and my family, I'll try them.
Have you guys fallen asleep yet?
On to the product reviews.
To start, I took Julia's advice and I've started taking my makeup off with a hot (like, steaming hot) wash cloth. No extra makeup remover gunk, just good ol' hot water. It feels great after a long day, that's for sure.
Next up, I use a face cleanser to freshen up. I chose this Origins foaming cleanser for every day use.
To be honest, I'm not in love with it. It's a great cleanser, but it suds up a bunch (too much for my liking) and leaves a film on my face. I love that it's got antioxidants in it and that it's gentle enough for every day use, but I'm still on the hunt for another cleanser once I use this one up.
Every few days, I use St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub for a little extra pick-me-up scrub. I love this stuff. In fact, I would use it every day, but I have somewhat dry skin so I think this would be too harsh for me to use every day.
Just a note, many of you mentioned the Clairisonic Mia as a great face washing tool. I am totally obsessed, as I hear it's great. I'm saving my pennies and it's definitely on my wish list!
This serum is silky-soft and lightweight, which is key in my book. I didn't want any heavy duty anti-aging products as I was afraid they would be too heavy and cause breakouts. This stuff rocks. Of course, it will take awhile for me to review whether or not it helps in the anti-aging category (check in with me in 20 years? will there still be blogs in 20 years?!), but it feels great. I layer it on after I wash my face.
After the serum, I use this Origins product around my eyes. It. Is. My. Favorite. Seriously. I literally can't speak good enough about it. Within a few days, I noticed that my eyes and the lines around my eyes were firmer, no joke. The bags/dark circles that have permanently set up shop under my eyes since I had HDawg have lightened up. My eyes generally seem less puffy. Even David, the guy who didn't notice when I got six inches cut off my hair, mentioned something about the difference. I love it!
Okay, now here's where I'm still having trouble. Moisturizer. Blah. I've tried three different brands over the last few weeks (Origins' A Perfect World, Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer and Kiehl's Ultra Moisturizer- the last two are not all-natural, paraben free, etc. by the way) and I'm still not happy. I've disliked them for various reasons (too heavy, too greasy, not natural). I'm ready to stop playing Goldilocks and find the right fit! I think my next try may be Korres (which some of you recommended in my last post) or bareMinerals. I'd really just love a natural lightweight oil-free daily moisturizer for normal to dry skin. Any suggestions?
*UPDATE*
I have found a new moisturizer that I loooooove. It's Korres Wild Rose cream... it's natural, light, moisturizing and smells faintly of cinnamon and roses. I've been using it for about a week and I highly recommend it. My face has no more dry patches, which is awesome and says a lot more than most other moisturizers. I don't feel like it's too heavy under my makeup. I'm still waiting to see how my skin reacts in terms of bumps or blackheads (TMI), but so far, so good!
*UPDATE*
I have found a new moisturizer that I loooooove. It's Korres Wild Rose cream... it's natural, light, moisturizing and smells faintly of cinnamon and roses. I've been using it for about a week and I highly recommend it. My face has no more dry patches, which is awesome and says a lot more than most other moisturizers. I don't feel like it's too heavy under my makeup. I'm still waiting to see how my skin reacts in terms of bumps or blackheads (TMI), but so far, so good!
Alright, well those are my two cents! I hope you find what I've learned so far to be helpful. And if you've got any more insight, bring it! The more I learn, the better. If you're looking for more skin care or make up advice (I will be doing a natural make up review soon!), check out the comments in this post. They're legit!
Have you signed up for Origin's birthday list? They send you $10 off during the month of your birthday (when it's totally justifiable to splurge)!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a fan of Origins products and I didn't like that some, like you mentioned, weren't truly green (if that's what they are trying to sell, you know... ) I do like Korres, I use the wild rose serum and have used the wild rose and vitamin c night cream. I'm still looking for my favorite greener items and still use some tried and true non-green products. Like I tried to switch to Toms deodorant, but it just didn't cut it.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like how greasy the Origins made me feel. I have been using Boscia products. You can order them online or I buy at either Ulta or Sephora. I have loved the way their line has made my skin feel. http://www.bosciaskincare.com
ReplyDeleteGood for you for switching. I have worked on switching several of my products as well. However, it can be a very daunting task. "Green" "Natural" are not always as they appear. I do like using natural oils (such as Argan) for a moisturizer. Josie Maran has it in her product line. Her cleansing oil is great too.
ReplyDeleteI've used the Kiehls Ultra Facial moisturizer on and off for years - both in London and in the States, and it's always had a nice balance for me. I have tried a popular brand from the UK called Liz Earle and their stuff is super natural, smells great and is really refreshing. I think it was on OVC at some point... ;)
ReplyDeleteI recommend the Olay Pro-X cleansing system. I haven't tried the Clarisonic but I've noticed huge improvement with the Pro-X and it's only $30.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a natural face products fan but I couldn't find a good moisturizer. The chemicals must make the moisturizer good. I'm a big fan of Cerave.
Coconut oil for moisturizer! I know you're probably thinking "oil?? I'll just be shiny all day!" But trust me, it works.
ReplyDeleteI have naturally oil skin, and it works great for me. It will help your oil glands slow down production and find a good balance. Also, it's so natural we cook with it!
Hmmm...that Origins eye product might need to take up residence with me. I recently switched to Burt's Bees products. I'm using the Radiance Day Lotion (it has sun screen in it, though, so not sure if it counts as all natural) and I like it because it is very lightweight and blends right in, unlike other products that I can feel sitting on my skin all day. Then I'm using the Radiance Night Cream at night. I also really, really like the Kiss My Face potent and pure creamy cleanser (I think it smells like a creamsicle!). I alternate that with Burt's Bees peach exfoliating scrub (which I think is similar to the St. Ives product you mentioned).
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love what you've found out so far. Can't wait to hear more about the"green/clean" products. Also so happy to hear you are okay, saying thankful prayers for the safety of your little family!
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing the leg-work for the rest of us!
http://www.eminenceorganics.com/en-us/
ReplyDeleteI love my tomato sun cream from Eminence line for daily moisturizer! Highly recommend it.. Not greasy, doesn't leave any residue feeling.. Lightweight and just feels awesome. Smells delicious too (almost faintly of lemon cake).. I would also recommend consulting the EWG's database "Skindeep" to check the safety rating of any skincare products you use or consider purchasing.. You may already be aware of that site but it's awesome. Best of luck!
I started using BeautiControl products a few months ago and they are totally amazing. They are hypoallergenic, mostly use natural plants and extracts, and most of the products are gluten free. Btw, this company is 30 years old and is owned by Tupperware. I even became a consultant, for friends and family, just to support my habit. You might want to check them out.
ReplyDeleteDr Hauschka makes a great moisturizer. I like the quince day cream- all natural.
ReplyDeleteI gotta try this eye cream!
ReplyDeleteI like YES to Carrots cream cleanser for a face wash. You can find it at Target. It doesn't suds at all and feels unnatural at first since it's a cream, but it's really effective and doesn't dry your face out. I've also used Burt's Bees cream cleanser in the past as well and like it.
ReplyDeleteI also always struggle with finding a moisturizer I like. I once bought the big jar of St. Ives moisturizer and hated it, but recently, I retried it and actually like it! I've also started to give coconut oil a try. It feel so weird at first to put oil on your face, but it does soak in fast, and honestly, I feel like my skin looks awesome after I use it! RIght now, I only use it if I take a shower at night, since I won't be putting makeup on right after, but I think I may start to transition to using it all the time!
I just learned about a new safe product line by beauty counter and thought I'd pass it along. Everything is safe and chemical free, even the packaging. I haven't tried it yet but a friend uses it and really loves it. It's a little pricey but she said a little goes a very long way.
ReplyDelete