Clean Beauty: because ingredients matter, whether they’re in my food or on my skin.
**If you’re only interested in knowing what products I use + recommend, simply scroll to the bottom! I’ve included links + info on all of my favs!
The last few years of my life have been hugely impactful. I’ve gotten married. I’ve moved internationally multiple times between Uganda, the US + the UK. I’ve changed jobs + started new things (including “Jessica Eats Real Food”). I’ve grown, I’ve grieved + I’ve tried my best to jump in with both feet.
And through all of it, I’ve been sick.
Not perpetually ill, not debilitatingly ill, but still sick. I’ve been really honest over on instagram about my struggle with wellness, whatever that means. I’ve taken you with me on my quest for answers, even publicly embarking on my Gluten Challenge. I’ve been open about my ongoing digestive woes, my struggles with energy + my fight to be really heard by a doctor.
But the one thing that hasn’t wavered throughout my entire health journey has been my desperate belief in the power of food, namely real food.
Food has been one of the only tools I’ve had easy access to. Changing my diet has allowed me to shift my symptoms more than anything else, to comfort my raging tummy + to feed my tired body. It isn’t perfect + I’ve still struggled with flare ups + setbacks. But largely speaking, changing my diet has changed my life.
Over the last two years, I have made as many switches in my kitchen as I possibly can, but somehow switching my other products, particularly the shift to “clean beauty”, has felt too big.
Ignorance is beautiful bliss…right?
In all honesty, I’ve avoided clean beauty on purpose. Non-toxic skin care + makeup has been on my radar for years, but I have happily lived in beautiful, mainstream makeup ignorance for the entirety of my teens + twenties. Mostly because it was easier.
I’ve read the magazine articles about the chemicals that we’re ingesting through our lipstick or the heavy metals that are in our favourite foundations. Believe me, I’ve heard it. But I chose not to listen because I didn’t want to. I wanted to spend my money on fun lattes + Naked palettes, not on nontoxic skincare in ugly bottles + hippie foundation that didn’t cover my hormonal breakouts. Plus, I watch what I eat + I work out. That’s enough, right?
But this year, as my health has felt a bit like a continued liability, I’ve experienced a new wave of compassion for my body. Rather than being upset that it isn’t functioning how I want it to, I’ve become so aware of the stress that it’s under. Some of this stress is self-induced: international travel, late nights working, too much technology, not enough sunlight or stillness + not enough grace. Other things, though, are slightly less in my control: toxins in my water, in my meat, on my produce, in my shampoo, in my AIR.
It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed when it seems that everything is going to give us cancer or Alzheimers. I know we’re all just trying to love people + feed families + maybe keep our houses clean. Sometimes the information overload can feel like too much.
And guys, it’s just not reality for me (or for you) to remove ALL of the toxins in my life. Firstly because I’m a human who lives with other humans in a broken world + also because I’m on a limited budget. Rather than feel overwhelmed by all of the things that I can’t control, I’m choosing to offer my body support where I can. And one of the easiest ways to do that is by changing what I put in it + on it.
So, at the end of November, I cleaned up my makeup bag + I’d make the safer + clean beauty choice again + again. My skin (and the rest of my body) are already thanking me.
Why I Chose Beautycounter for Clean Beauty
I’m going to keep this section really simple because I think that’s what most of us need. When I decided that I was ready to begin transitioning to safer beauty, here’s why I chose BeautyCounter:
- As a company, they’re open about what IS and ISN’T in their products. Beautycounter boasts a NEVER list of 1500 ingredients that they promise to never include in their beauty products, not because they aren’t allowed to, but because they believe they’re harmful. I’m looking for integrity like that.
- I saw a lot of women that I admired + trusted using it. I’m still so new to this journey + I fully believe in embracing the knowledge of those that have gone before me. There are some really great resources out there, but Kezia at The Whole Food Diary has been so honest about her journey + is so practical in her guidance.
- It performs just as well as mainstream beauty. If I’m going to invest in nontoxic skin care + makeup, I really wanted it to be at least as good as what I was using before (since they cost roughly the same). To my delight, it’s better.
- They offered a guarantee. Because I was dipping my toe into non-toxic beauty + had no idea what to expect, I wanted to know that my investment wasn’t going to be a waste. Like I said, I’m on a budget + so every penny does count. Beautycounter offers a 60-day, no questions asked, return policy on all of their products, so you can try them risk free.
What’s in my safer makeup bag:
For Beginners or Bargain Hunters: The Flawless in 5. This set includes 6 products that are the perfect foundational pieces for a nontoxic makeup routine: foundation, concealer, brow gel, blush, mascara + lip gloss. They’re bundled together at a discounted rate + are SUCH a good deal to try. This is what I started with + how I got my hands on most of the items below.
Foundation: Tint Skin Foundation in Linen. This foundation is light on the skin with a natural finish, however its buildable to offer great coverage + looks like real, glowy skin.
Concealer: Touch-up Concealer in Light. I’ve never found a concealer that doesn’t crease + crack under my eyes. A few swipes of this concealer pen + my under eyes are bright + smooth!
Eye Brows: Brow Gel in Light. I never knew I needed brow gel until I tried it. It fills in my sparse spots + sets my brows into the perfect face framing shape. I love, love, love this stuff.
Blush: Satin Blush in Nectar. This blush looks exactly like Nars Orgasm without any of the nasty ingredients.
Bronzer: Radiant Bronzer in Dune. I was never much of a bronzer girl, but I’ve been converted. Dune adds the perfect amount of healthy warmth to my cheeks + doubles as a gorgeous eyeshadow.
Highlighter: Luminous Highlighter in Halo. I thought that this product might not be worth my money, but GUYS its like youthful radiance in a powder. I wish I’d been using this for years.
Eyeshadow: Romantic Eye Shadow Palette. As a blue-eyed, blonde with cooler skin, this pallet has the most perfect, pretty shades for my coloring. Plus, they have great color payout + range from highlight to liner shades.
Mascara: Lengthening Mascara. Truth be told, this mascara requires a bit more work to build up some dramatic lashes, but its totally worth it. Plus, it wipes off at the end of the night without all sorts of scrubbing, which I love,
Lips: Lip Gloss in Rosewood. I haven’t been using lip products recently because I didn’t want to ingest all sorts of weird ingredients. This cleaner gloss is so pretty on + super moisturising. I’m back to lippy!
Other Skincare Switches
Cleansing Oil/Makeup Remover/Moisturizer: Chia Seed Facial Oil. I have been using this oil for nearly 3 years now + I am obsessed. It’s so gentle + its made from ONE ingredient. It easily removes my makeup and contrary to popular belief, cleansing with oil does not make your skin oily. (Plus, for $16 it’s 3 products in 1!)
Hyperpigmentation/Fine Lines Treatment: LIFE CHANGING Overnight Resurfacing Peel: I have never been a big skincare girl. In fact, before this year I never really used anything on my face. However, THIS PRODUCT has been a game changer. After only 3 uses I could already see an improved texture + tone to my skin. It’s helping with my acne scars with no toxic chemicals.
Deodorant: Schmidt’s Rose + Vanilla. Y’all I have tried a billion natural deodorants and 99.9% of them still leave me stinky. This Schmidt’s does have baking soda in it, so it can irritate some sensitive underarms, but its the only nontoxic deodorant that makes it acceptable for me to be in public after I workout, ha!
All Around Miracle Cure: Matcha Stick. I’ve been using this stick for my chapstick + to brighten my under eyes for a few years now. It’s the most moisturising thing ever + its $9 and 3 ingredients. WIN!
If you’re overwhelmed or excited or just curious about what this clean beauty switch has been like for me, don’t hesitate to send me a DM on instagram or shoot me an email at jessicaeatsrealfood@gmail.com. So many women have been willing to share their experience with me + I want to do the same with you.
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