When I first started to “clean up” my bath and beauty products, I quickly learned that some products are much easier to replace than others. Foundation and concealer were two very tricky categories where I had to try a lot of things I didn’t love (and waste some $$ – boo!) before I found some real winners! So I am hoping this will be helpful to someone out there. 🙂
I love body oils. I don’t use them every day, but I like to use them after showers all over my body. When I was in high school, I had an experience where I scraped up my face pretty bad (and knocked out a tooth – did you know I have a fake tooth?), and my mom gave me vitamin E oil to put on my face. It healed INSANELY fast (like in a week) with no scars. So I have always been a big believer in vitamin E oil and use it as much as possible.
Disclaimer – I am not pregnant and did not realize that this oil was at all intended for pregnant women until reading its description on Amazon just now. Oops! That is kind of embarrassing, but not embarrassing enough for me to take it out of this post. Ha! I still think it’s a great body oil (for anyone). Feel free to make fun of me as much as you want, though. 🙂
I like to let my hair air dry sometimes (although it’s not always possible), and when I do, I use this sea mist spray in my hair while it’s drying. It smells amazing and beachy, perfect for summertime!
Like I said before, I had a lot of misfires in this category. I tried a couple that were far too oily and a few that were just too weak and didn’t do the job. I wanted something relatively full coverage, but natural looking enough to wear daily. These are my favorites I have found, and I will probably wear them for years to come.
Note – if you live in Nashville, you can try these out and pick them up at Poppy & Monroe. I buy so much of my makeup there now, and it’s definitely one of my favorite local businesses. The people are kind and helpful and care SO much about green beauty products and have tested a LOT of products so you don’t have to.
Credits//Author and Photography: Elsie Larson. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
18 Comments
Elsie!
I bought the deodorant you mentioned in your first post and I was blown away! I have tried natural deodorant before with no luck but this stuff is fantastic. Thank you so much! (My white shirts also want to thank you!)
I’ve been looking for natural foundation but they are so difficult to find in the UK! Big fan of Burts Bees though 🙂
Katie
http://www.flawd.co.uk
If it makes you feel any better I use the “baby bee” lotion daily….and clearly I am not a baby 😉 I bought it for our boys and started using it myself because the scent and consistancy is just so nice (and it’s easy to pick up at target when we run out) I have really been enjoying this series!!
I wish sea mists worked on me 🙂
Elsie – these posts are fantastic! I’m always so inspired after reading them! Quick question – what do you do with beauty products that you’ve purchased only to discover that you don’t like them? I always prefer to donate perfectly good products like that instead of throwing them away, but I am never sure where to do so. Any suggestions? Thanks!! 🙂
AH! Thank you for this foundation recommendation! We’ve been making the switch in our house to vegan & cruelty free products. Makeup has definitely been the hardest for me! I’ve not been very happy with my current $40 foundation (Tarte) & have been looking for a new one to try. I also find it interesting that you really have to be careful because a product that isn’t tested on animals isn’t always vegan & vise-versa! I just assumed going into this that surely all vegan made products would be cruelty free (because duh!) but it’s so not the case. Anyway, thank you!
I’m so happy you are liking it! It’s the best one I’ve ever used. 🙂
xx- Elsie
Wohoo! So glad to hear it is helpful! 🙂
-Elsie
I guess it depends on if it just isn’t MY thing or if it’s actually a bad product. Laura and I pass things around and try each other’s stuff. And I sometimes save it in a box and try to give them away to my house guests- haha! But if it’s a crappy product I say just return it or trash it!
xx- Elsie
I saw that was called “Mama Bee” and I was like “OH LORD here come the pregnancy questions!”
I am loving this series – thanks so much!
Speaking of products for pregnant people and moms – my organic “cold cream” is marketed for belly stretch marks and baby bums, but it also works as an amazing occasional evening moisturizer. The name is a mouthful: “Medicine Mama’s, Sweet Bee Magic, All In One Healing Skin Cream.” It’s basically Egyptian Magic without being as tarry in texture, and all organic! It has royal jelly, beeswax, olive oil, honey, propolis, and bee pollen. Definitely worth checking out if anyone needs an occasional boost for dry or combo dry skin!
I love natural products! I just started using salt spray on my hair and love the texture it creates.
I made a DIY version recently. If you’re interested:
http://meatsandsweets.net/meats-and-sweets/2016/6/20/sea-salt-spray-for-beachy-hair
xo Mea
Elsie, I Just found out about this website called http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ (Environmental workers group) that rates EVERYTHING based on how “toxic” it is for your body, the environment etc. I’ve gotten into a vicious cycle of looking up everything in my makeup cabinet to check if its good or bad which lead to a massive overhaul of all my makeup, skincare and cleaning products! Thought I would share it with you!
xx
I’m gonna need to try some of these out too!
http://www.petiteandhungry.com
I would love to hear if you’ve found a leave in conditioner that you love. I currently use Garnier Sleek & Shine (a travel size bottle which I snagged from my hubby – ha!) which works great for my thick, wavy hair but would love something without all the added junk. 🙂 I wash every three days and always air dry, and the Garnier product helps keep my waves intact and keeps the frizz down. Thanks!
That’s so funny! I have that mama Bees, I bought it because I was pregnant. I hate most of the cocoa butters that help with stretch marks, I mostly hate the smell. So I loved using this oil instead, plus it smells amazing, the smell is what enticed me to use it after every shower. I had to buy a second bottle, now I still have a ton left after baby but I’m not mad. I used some in a sugar scrub I made as Chrismas gifts for friends too.
Love Poppy & Monroe! Gonna have to check out that concealer and foundation next time I’m there.
This series is a real eye-opener, and so helpful, thank you. And gosh Elsie, I for one did definitely not realise you had a fake tooth! If it’s not too personal to ask, which tooth and what happened? (But please don’t feel you have to answer!). As someone with ongoing orthadontal problems you are an inspiration haha. I’m so glad you healed up ok. Thank God for for the healing power of mother nature.