:: stepping up to the beauty counter ::

I get that there's bad stuff in our beauty products. And I get that putting weird chemicals in my armpits and near my eyeballs and all over my skin without really knowing what it is/does, is probably bad. And I've heard how Europe has banned 1,100 chemicals in beauty products and the U.S. has banned...10. But it's SO HARD to read all the labels and figure out what's healthy and what's not, all while also making sure the products I buy actually work. As in, I refuse to buy "healthy" deodorant if it's safe but I now stink like crazy. Vain? Yes. But it's the truth.

So, earlier this summer, I visited a health fair and learned a bit about Beauty Counter from one of their reps, Lexie. We chatted about the products and she shared with me how the company has voluntarily banned over 1,500 chemicals from their products, all while ensuring that the products actually perform and are still as indulgent as any luxury brand of shampoo, lipstick or oil on the market.

I tried out the Peppermint Lip Balm (because I'm an addict) and the Anytime Eye Cream (because time marches on):

The lip balm (below) is actually one of my new favorites. It absorbs well and is pepperminty in an herbal way, not a sugary/artificial way. It includes avocado oil, shea butter, meadowfoam seed oil and jojoba seed oil, all which possess natural, regenerative properties. The tingle comes from both peppermint and rosemary leaf oils. I use it during the day but also at night right before bed.

I'm usually not an eye cream fan. Not because I don't think I need it, but because it's one extra step. I buy the cream and then never use it. But I've been pretty diligent with this one so far. It's thick but absorbs quickly, so I forget I even have that extra layer on. And it has no scent, and includes aloe, organic coconut oil, as well as geranium, lavender and green tea extracts. I use it at night, but it's great for touch ups as well. 

I keep telling myself if I'm all over the kale smoothies to keep myself healthy inside, I should probably get a little more serious about what my body is absorbing from the outside as well. I'm so glad I discovered this little gem in the world of heavy scents and bright colors and chemical overload. It's an oasis!