The Safe Skincare + Beauty Brand I Trust
When Reaghan was born I really dove headfirst into learning about making our home as non-toxic as possible. From eating better foods, to natural ways to treat illness to cleaning our home and personal care products. I really wanted to transition as much as I could to all natural options, and I succeeded with a lot. I threw out most of our over the counter medicine and switched to essential oils, herbs and supplements instead. I looked at all the labels in our pantry and refrigerator and threw away everything with loads of sugar content or ingredients I couldn't pronounce. We started experimenting with gluten free, dairy free and a high protein-high fat diet along with lots of veggies. We switched to non-toxic cleaning supplies. I even started researching how to transition my make up and personal care products. But unfortunately, this is the one area where I felt stuck.
I did all the DIY's and not only was it time consuming, many of the products I created honestly didn't work. I have since found a great deodorant and use the curly girl method for my hair, but when I went to research safer make up, there were such limited options. I've tried lots of different things from making my own to buying some natural products from small shops. To be honest, since I couldn't find products to replace all my make up and personal care needs, I kind of gave up. I never washed my face, wore drugstore make up brands, and just didn't think twice about it.
Until my friend introduced me to Beautycounter. I fell head over heels! She sent me some products to try and the first thing I noticed was how gentle yet effective the Nourishing Cream Cleanser was. I was shocked, and seriously impressed. I'm such a skeptic at heart, and with everything, have to research it to death before I can commit. When I popped around the Beautycounter website, I read their Never List which really opened my eyes to the products I was putting on my face and body. Not only that but I saw a noticeable difference in my skin within just a week of using their products. My skin has never been more radiant and even toned.
Finally I have found a brand that is committed to safety and transparency, while also creating great products that work just as well as any department store brand.
Here's the other part to this story. Y'all know over the last few months of 2017 I found out I had candida overgrowth in my body. It was progressively making me sicker and sicker over the course of a couple years and caused me to have much more severe PPD after Everett was born, rashes that wouldn't go away no matter what I tried, and worst of all, excruciating stomach pain that seemed to come out of nowhere. When I started seeking help for these symptoms, I found out about the candida overgrowth but also went through a screening process with my chiropractor. Her findings (confirmed by blood work with my doctor) showed that my thyroid was also sluggish, liver overworked and adrenals fatigued.
One of the first protocols from my chiropractor? Check our toxic load at home. This puzzled me because I thought most of what we were using was non-toxic. But to be completely honest with y'all, I had gotten really lax. We just finished a Whole30 a few months prior and our food was the healthiest it's ever been, but I had completely dropped off the wagon when it came to protecting our home from toxins. We started using shaving cream from the dollar store, and dish washing pods that honestly smelled toxic to me even while using them.
The level of sickness I experienced over the last two years coupled with my chiropractors warning has been a wake up call to tell me that things needed to change. Obviously, the biggest area for me has been my diet - what I put in my body and taking supplements to aid in healing. Anything I can do to support my immune functions and my overall health has suddenly become one of the biggest priorities in my life. After that appointment with my chiropractor, the first thing that came to mind was my skin. I knew that skincare and make up have been the last thing to transition that I honestly sort of gave up on. It didn't feel worth the effort to search and spend money trying things that didn't work.
Y'all know I love to live a whole healthy lifestyle. It's why I've partnered with amazing brands like Branch Basics (after being off the market for a couple years, I'm finally switching over to them for household cleaners again!) and Hyperbiotics, and why now, I'm beyond thrilled to partner with Beautycounter. I'll get to educate about an important issue and share an amazing mission - and y'all know I love to share all the things I'm loving and resources with you all the time!
This company is not only trying to get their amazing products into our hands, they are also trying to legislate for lasting change in our government, allowing for more and more companies to follow a higher safety standard and cut harmful ingredients out of the personal care industry at large. Watch this short video to see what I mean.
products I've tried and love
Charcoal Cleansing Bar
I use this bar every morning. I've noticed that though it feels gentle while using it, it does a great job at purifying my pores and getting rid of any break outs, without making my skin dry. It leaves my face feeling refreshed and clean.
Nourishing Cream Cleanser
I'm obsessed with this cleanser. When I first tried it I was super skeptical because of how gentle it feels. It reminds me of cetaphyl (high school anyone?!) with a light lotion-like texture. Yet it succeeded in taking all my make up off with just a pea sized amount.
Nourishing Cream Exfoliator
I use this in the shower a couple times a week and love how smooth my face feels afterwards. Non-abrasive jojoba beads help slough off dry skin and wont clog your drains!
Tint Skin Hydrating Foundation
I use the color linen. I haven't used liquid foundation since middle school (yep, I started make up young) and I have been pleasantly surprised by how much I like this. It is medium coverage and is buildable.
Touchup Skin Concealer Pen
I use the color fair. This is one of the best concealers I've ever tried. Most of the drugstore brands I used to buy would require that I applied so much product to brighten under my eyes. Just 2-3 clicks does the job.
Powder Blush Duo
My blush color is tawny/whisper. This is another product where a little goes a long way. I love that these products seem to last a while. This blush is very pigmented and doesn't fall off during the day.
Lengthening Mascara
I love that this mascara goes on smooth and is buildable. The skinny wand seperates my lashes well and these really do make my lashes longer. I love bold eyelashes so next time I will get the volumizing mascara instead.
products next on my list to transition
Lip Conditioner in Peppermint
Hydrating Body Lotion
Body Wash in Citrus Mimosa
Volume & Shape Conditioner
Super-Duper Clean Kids Body Wash
Nice Do Kids Shampoo
Not a Knot Kids Conditioner
What you can do to take part in this mission:
- download the healthy living app and scan your products to see how they rate for safety
- join my Safer Skincare Newsletter below for once a month inspiration and tips on safer skincare + a free safer skincare consultation with me to help you get started
- join my Safer Skincare FB group for my skincare and make up routines and bite sized education
- start transitioning your products to safer options! Make a list and start small, but whatever you do, don't wait as long as I did
- host a FB social with me! This is a great opportunity to earn FREE and 50% off product if you want to try Beautycounter! I have about 4 spots open a month for socials, so email me if you are interested in booking! natasha@natashared.com
- become a Beautycounter consultant and work with me to educate and inspire others to do the same!