clean beauty products Archives - Food, Booze, & Baggage

Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine~Part 5

April 17, 2014 by Mariah 5 Comments

Part 1: Chemicals to Avoid, Where to Shop, Deodorant
Part 2: Shampoo/Conditioner, Body Wash, Face Wash
Part 3: Hair Products, Body Butter/Lotion, Face Lotion
Part 4: Foundation & Eyes
Part 5: Lips & Nail Polish

This concludes my five-part series Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine. I hope I got you thinking about what you are using during your beauty routine, and have provided you a good place to start if you decide to make a change. Be sure to follow my Cleaner Greener Beauty Board on Pinterest for new product updates and other finds. For other blogs and more information on how I started cleaning up my routine visit this post.

Lips

True story, after switching to natural lip products, I’m not nearly as addicted to them. Before switching my lips would sometimes feel dry and a little like they burned if I was not applying Chapstick every hour. After switching I don’t feel the need to apply balm so often. My lips still get dry in the winter and I like to apply balm in the morning, maybe after lunch, and before bed, but not throughout the day like before. I really urge you to look for a product that is petroleum free, because that is apparently what causes your lips to feel the need for more product.

Osmia Lip Gloss: I have this one, it is a very nice color but it fades quickly
Pangea Organics
Opas Beet Berry Lip Balm
Stark Skincare Argan Lip Treatment
Tata Harper Be Adored: this is my next product to try
Kjaer Weis Lip Tint
W3LL People Color Stick (lips or face)
100% Pure Lips
Beauty Counter Lipstick
Sally B’s Lip Gloss
Vapour Beauty Organics Lip Products
RMS lip2cheek
ILIA Lip Products
HoneyBee Garden Lip Care
Ecco Bella Good For You Gloss
By Valenti Organics Lip Balm
Faerie Organic Lip Products

Find more lip balms and lipsticks on the EWG website and see how your current lip products rate

Nails

Nail polish is listed as one of the worst beauty products for toxins. The ones listed below are supposed to be less toxic, and better for the environment than the traditional brands. I have worn polish on my toenails nonstop since I was in Middle School. Within that time period I have went a day or two without painting my nails but that time would not even add up to a month. I like my toes painted, end of story. While I have switched brands, I have not done a ton of research into this area, because I’m not giving up polish and I don’t want to think about it. If I get a pedicure, I cheat and use whatever the salon carries; there are few salons in our area that carry cleaner products. I just read an interesting blog post on Pemberley Jones about how she brings her own supplies to the salon. I’m not sure I’m quite that brave, but it is a damn good idea 🙂

PRITI NYC: this is the brand I have gone with, mainly because it was one of the first ones I discovered. Their polish stays well, the remover is a bit harder to use than traditional remover, but it works. You have to let the remover sit on the nail for a little while (maybe a minute) for it to work best. Side Note~I love their crystal glass nail file-LOVE!
Scotch Naturals Nail Polish
RGB Nail Polish
Keeki Pure & Simple
100% Pure Nail Polish
Vapour Organic Beauty Nail Polish
Acquarella Nail Polish
HoneyBee Garden Nail Polish
Rescue Beauty Lounge Nail Polish
Piggy Paint Nail Polish
NARS Nail Polish

Find more nail polishes on the EWG website and see how your current polishes rate

Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine~Part 4

April 4, 2014 by Mariah 5 Comments

We are now moving into the make-up portion of the Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine series. I’m far from an expert on make-up. I use it, but my routine is (and always has been) fairly simple. I never understood how to properly apply a smoky eye or use bronzer, I’m just not that girl. I didn’t even know that contouring your whole face was a common make-up practice until I saw it on Pinterest. Do some people really do this everyday?

I have always worn foundation, I am one of those that will not leave the house without it. I wore Bareminerals for years, until I started cleaning up my make-up. Honestly, it would not have been at the top of my list to change out, but one of my friends mentioned to me she didn’t use it because of the risk associated with breathing it in. I had never thought of that before. One of the great claims of Bareminerals is that it contains SPF, which I was like great, two-birds with one stone! Bareminerals contain Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide in a very fine dust form and both of these ingredients come with warnings not to be inhaled and to be careful of the dust if handling. This is just something to think about, and I wanted to share because it really got me thinking when my friend shared it with me (thanks T). Some of the powder forms of the below contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, so this is something to keep in mind.

I am not including blush or bronzer in my make-up section but most of these brands will have a blush or bronzer option if you look around. I have noticed a few companies offer products that could be for lips or face, so I will include some of those in the next section.

Make sure to follow my Cleaner Greener Beauty Board for new product updates and other finds.

Mascara

Mascara is a hard one for me and I feel like a lot of reviews mention this as a hard product to replace. I think women get quite attached to their mascara brands or is that just me. I really like the tubing mascara but I don’t think a very clean one of those is coming out soon 🙂 I like the tubing mascara because it does not flake and it is easy to remove. I’m still experimenting with finding what works.

W3LL People Mascara
Kjaer Weis Mascara
Ava Anderson Mascara
100% Pure Mascara
Afterglow Mascara
Tarte Mascara: not the cleanest but I tried it and stays well and does a nice job of adding volume
Jane Iredale Mascara
Physicians Formula Mascara
Rejuva Minerals Mascara
RMS Mascara
ILIA Mascara: this is one I have currently, and I’m not in love. It stays well enough though sometimes I still get a few flakes. It doesn’t give me enough volume.

Find more mascaras on the EWG website and see how your current mascara rates

Eye Shadow

I personally dislike the loose powder eye shadow but I’ve included various options here.

Kjaer Weis Eye Shadow: I bought purple in this and really like it, it is pricey but you should note that you can get refills for about half the initial price http://kjaerweis.com/shop/refills.html/
Honeybee Gardens Eye Makeup
W3LL People Eye Shadow
100% Pure Eye Shadow
Afterglow Eye Shadow
Jane Iredale Eye Shadow
Alima Pure Eye Shadow
Sally B’s B Smudged
RMS Living Luminizer: I really like this product, it provides a brightening effect but not glittery. They also carry eyeshadow.
Vapour Organic Beauty Eye Shadow (cream)
Faerie Organic Eye Shadow

Find more eye shadows on the EWG website and see how your current eye shadows rate

Foundation

Here is a short article on how to choose the right foundation for your skin, which gives a little more information on some of the brands mentioned below. Spirit Beauty Lounge offers samples for purchase, just make sure of what you want to add because you can not edit your samples and you have to call to make changes. The samples are very small but I was able to get a at least a full face out of the foundation samples. Some of the brand sites also offer samples for purchase as well so make sure to look around.

Kjaer Weis Foundation (refills are also offered for this too)
W3LL People Stick Foundation and Powder: I currently use the Narcissist 2, which works good but I’m not in love. The 2 is a bit peachy for me and I should have went with the 3. It covers but requires some building and I usually do a swipe of loose powder over it.
100% Pure Foundation and Powder
Vapour Organic Beauty Foundation
Ecco Bella

Powder
Juice Beauty Finishing Powder: I like this powder and it does not contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. I found it a little drying on my old lady winter skin but in the summer it is great. I pair it with their cc cream to provide sun protection , the cc cream gives pretty much zero coverage in terms of using it as a foundation.
Rejuva Minerals Foundation (does not have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). I have tried this powder and was not that impressed, it seemed to settle into lines a bit.
Ava Anderson Foundation
Alima Pure Powder
Faerie Organic Foundation

Find more foundations on the EWG website and see how your current one rates

Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine~Part 3

March 28, 2014 by Mariah 1 Comment

Welcome to the third part of the 5 part series:

One of the biggest things about switching to natural products is getting use to the application. Many natural products require getting use to using a lot less, otherwise you end up with an oily mess. The other factor is that they don’t always feel the same as the products you are accustomed to, this is particularly true switching to a body butter or oil over a lotion. It is like any other change, you adapt and then you don’t even think about it.

For the categories below there are a wide range of products that fall under each of them. Most brands listed carry multiple products in a given category and in some cases I linked to the category page if that was an option. If you are looking for something specific make sure to look around the whole site.

I added a new multi-brand online seller to Part 1, Pemberley Jones and they offer free shipping over $75.

Follow my Cleaner, Greener, Beauty Board on Pinterest to discover new brands and products.

Hair Products

The natural hair products category is somewhat limited or maybe I just haven’t discovered very many brands yet. Argan oil can be used as a hair serum and can be used to help smooth hair after drying or before, just make sure to only use a small amount. Most of these brands have multiple products and many carry hair spray as well.

Dr. Bronner’s Hair Creme: I use this before drying my hair, just make sure to use a very small amount
Poofy Organics Argan Essentials Hair Sculpting Wax
Rahua Hair Wax: P uses this one and it has a very neutral scent
Yarok Feed Your Do Styling Whip
Intelligent Nutrients Organic Styling Gel
John Master’s Dry Hair Nourishment & Defrizzer
Josh Rosebrook Styling Cream
La Bella Figura Bohemia Verde Hair Elixir
Acure Organics Dry Shampoo

Find more styling gel/lotions and hair spray on the EWG website and see how your current one rates

Body Lotion/Oils

This list is primary body lotion but many of these brands also carry body butter. I make my own body butter, and the recipe for that is here. I’ve also included a few body oils, which some people prefer over lotion. Body butters and oil usually require less ingredients than lotions and are more stable because there is no emulsifying that has to take place. I think body butter or oil is the better options since you are exposing yourself to less ingredients but some people really want the feel of lotion.

Acure Organics Body Lotion
Honest Company
Keeki Body Lotion
Nourish Body Lotion
Fable Naturals Body Lotions
By Valenti Lotion
One Love Organics Daily Body Serum
Beecology Body Cream Original (the others have fragrance added)
Meow Meow Tweet Body Oil
Napa Organics
Holly Beth Organics Geranium Jasmine Lavender Body Lotion

Find more moisturizers on the EWG website and see how your current one rates

Face Creams/Serums/Oils

This just scratches the surface of what is available out there. There are SO many facial moisturizers out there and most of the below may have a cream, oil, serum and other specialty products so if you are looking for something in particular make sure to look around these product sites. The prices on these products range greatly. I personally use a face oil that I make myself because it is crazy easy and the one I like is so pricey. I’ll share that secret in a future post.

I did not include mists or hydrosols in this list but I did want to make a note about it. Many brands recommend a hydrosol or toner before applying a face oil (or other product). I do use a Rose Hydrosol from Mountain Rose Herbs. I highly recommend you checking them out because an 8oz bottle it is only $10.25. A bottle that size general last me at least 2-3 months.

Face Cream
Nourish Ultra-hydrating Organic Face Cream
Acure Organics Facial Moisturizers
Pratima Facial Creams
Tata Harper Moisturizers
Welda Moisturizers
SW Basics Cream
Tammy Fender Antioxidant Creme
Pangea Moisturizers
Shamanuti Cream

Face Serum/Oils
Osmia Organics Face Serums
Pratima Facial Oils
Marie Veronique Organics Facial Oil (& Body Oil): I tried this and loved it. I use some of the same ingredients in the face oil I make.
Lina Hanson Global Face Serum
Ann Marie Gianni Anti-Aging Facial Oil
Meow Meow Tweet Facial Oil
Argan Oil with Vitamin C
Mad Hippie Facial Oil
RMS Beauty Oil
Olie Biologique Facial Oils
One Love Supercritical Chia Oil
La Bella Figura Face Oil
Kari Gran Essential Serum
Blissoma Facial Solar Repair Anti-Aging Serum

Find more facial moisturizers and anti-aging products on the EWG website and see how your current one rates

Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine~Part 2

March 14, 2014 by Mariah 9 Comments

Welcome to the second part of the 5 part series:

Part 1~Chemicals to Avoid, Where to Shop, Deodorant
Part 2~ Shampoo/Conditioner, Body Wash, Face Wash
Part 3~ Hair Products, Body Butter/Lotion, Face Lotion/Oil/Serum
Part 4~Foundation & Eyes
Part 5~Lips & Nail Polish

Shampoo/conditioner, body wash, and face wash were some of the most challenging products for me to find less toxic alternatives. I’m not endorsing any of the products below – most I have never tried – but they are cleaner options. I personally like to read through a couple of reviews on products and will often google the product name + review. There is a review, or two (or a million), on most of these listed. I love “No More Dirty Looks” for finding new products, they do a lot of reviews and have people share their routines; many of the below I tagged after reading reviews.

I have linked to the company websites, but if you decide to order I recommend you google the item first to see if you can get it from a general retailer and maybe snag free shipping or another discount. Also, look around the sites, I’m not listing every single product each brand carries.

Shampoo & Conditioner

Surprisingly, shampoo and conditioner was hardest for me to find a replacement for and it was the first product I looked to replace. First things first, if you go down the cleaner/greener rabbit hole of the internet you are going to come across the “No Poo” Method, and it sounds magical and great (cheap, green, natural, a new head of hair-what more can a girl ask for). This must be true for some people and I cannot believe there is so much about the wonders of “no-poo” for it all to be a complete lie, but for me it did not work. My hair was not happy and I’m not 100% sure that it will not damage your hair in the long run. If it works for you I’m not judging and it is certainly a nice money saver. One of the challenges with shampoos and conditioners is many say they are natural/organic but if you look closely they still have parabens or other ingredients you may want to avoid; read the ingredient list carefully! This is true for all products and I will not buy anything unless the ingredients are written out. If you have a question about an ingredient just cut and paste into google to find out a little more about it. I like to google xyz ingredient + EWG, and usually the EWG description of the ingredient will pop up first, I find their descriptions easy to read and like they link to studies. Here are some suggestions of shampoos & conditioners I think seem pretty good. Shampoos with few ingredients are a bit hard to find and even some of these have some questionable ingredients.

Rahua ~Is my current shampoo and conditioner and it works great on my hair. It is on the pricey side, but I only need to wash my hair 2-3 times a week, so a bottle lasts me forever. Rated 2 on EWG
Andalou Naturals Healthy Shine~Is a more affordable option and this shampoo is so gentle I don’t even need conditioner after and I always need conditioner. Rated 2 on EWG
Opas Shampoo & Conditioner
100% Pure Shampoo & Conditioners
Miessence Shampoo & Conditioners
Pratima Shampoo
Josh Rosebrook Deep Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner
Yarok Feed Your Volume Shampoo & Conditioner

Under $20
Acure Lemongrass + Argan Shampoo & Conditioner
Beecology Honey Shampoo~this does contain fragrance so it is a bit questionable but I like how they list out their ingredients with definition links…but notice the fragrance listing does not link
Juice Beauty Shampoo & Conditioner
Pristine Beauty Locks of Fame
Akin Shampoos & Conditioners (see here for ingredients)

Find more shampoos and conditioners on the EWG website and see how your current one rates

Body Wash/Bar Soap

I personally prefer bar soap…I know total freak 🙂 but wanted to list both. P prefers body wash, so we have tried a few. I have also experimented with making my own body wash, and it did not turn out terrible but the results were not outstanding either. The DIY body washes I have made tend to be too thin and not very lathering, but seem to clean well without over-drying. However, because it is so thin you go through it very quickly and it is a bit of a pain to try to keep up with making. I have not tried making soap at home but it is on my list of DIY projects to try out…I’m a bit afraid of the lye. I pretty much try a new bar soap every time I run out and buy some of mine at local craft fairs, so I don’t have a go to favorite for bar soaps. Many people seem to opt for straight castile soap but for me it is way too drying.

Fable Naturals Body Wash
Pangea Organics Body Wash (also bars)
100% Pure Body Washes (also bars)
Lavanila Body Wash
Soapwalla Body Wash
Anto Body Wash
Hollybeth Body Wash

Under $10
Honest Co Body Wash & Shampoo~I have even seen this at Costco, this is what P is using currently
Beecology Lavender and Bergamot Body Wash
Nourish Body Wash

Bar Soap

Osmia Organics Soap

Under $10
Honeybee Gardens Soap
Shea Terra Organics African Black Soap (also body wash)
By Valenti Bar Soaps
Meow, Meow, Tweet Soaps
Kiss My Face Olive Oil Bar (check the other bars ingredients as some list fragrance)
Badger Soaps

There are tons of clean bar soaps around. Etsy is a great place to find hand-crafted soaps, just make sure to read the ingredients 🙂
Find more body washes & bar soaps on the EWG website and see how your current one rates

Face Wash

I use the oil cleansing method (I will share my mix one day) plus a standard cleanser for when I’m lazy or pressed for time. I like to switch up my products because I feel like my skin sometimes needs it.

Hana Organics Gentle Cleanser
100% Pure Facial Cleansers
Pangea Organics Facial Cleansers
The Little Alchemist Wild Apple Mint Purifying Gel
Shamanuti Activated Charcoal Cleanser
Kari Gran Cleansing Oil
One Love Organics Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil and Makeup Remover
One Love Organics Chia Whip Cleanser
Bulgarian Lavender & Mandarin Facial Foaming Cleanser
Beauty Counter Routine Clean Cream Cleanser
Juice Beauty Cleansers-I have tried the exfoliator and found it drying on my skin
Osmia Organics Gentle Foaming Cleansers
Tata Harper Cleansers

Under $20
Nourish Organic Moisturizing Face Cleanser ~recently started using this one and really like it, plus the price is great
Konjac Sponge~this is definitely my next try, I’m quite interested to see how this works
Acure Organics Cleansers~also offers facial wipes which I love for traveling
Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Facial Wash

Find more facial cleansers on the EWG website and see how your current one rates