Beautycounter Giveaway!

In the past year I have become more and more diligent about ridding my life and our household of toxic chemicals as best I can. I am not perfect at it, but day by day I try to seek out alternative beauty and personal care products and even cleaning products that are better for me and for the environment. I believe in making small changes here and there. So that is what I am trying to do.

Last fall I became involved with Beautycounter - a beauty and personal care company that is committed to getting safe products into the hands of consumers without fail. So many companies say they are 'green' or 'natural' these days but don't really walk the walk.  Beautycounter is different.  With The Never List they have committed to keeping dangerous and toxic ingredients out of their products (even though our government won't even help consumers by doing that!).

I absolutely LOVE these products, everything that I have tried is simple and beautiful and it WORKS.  Today to share the love I am giving away three of my all time favorite Beautycounter products (shown below): a Color Sweep blush of your choice (I recommend "bloom/tulip" it's seriously the best I've ever tried!), the Lip Conditioner Peppermint Balm (so soft and silky with a zing of peppermint!) and one Lustro Face Oil of your choice (my favorite is Jasmine, your face will thank you!).  Once you try these products you will fall in love with them… and you will know that they are safe from harmful ingredients as well.  It's a win win!  For more on Beautycounter's mission - click here!

Other products I am currently using and loving: Vibrant Eye Perfector, Color Outline in Black, Color Sweep Blush in Tawny/Whisper and Tint Skin Complexion Coverage.

To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below… only entries placed there will eligible to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

simple beauty!

A few people have recently asked about my makeup routine. Really I hardly wear much makeup at all and if you catch me working out or running errands - a lot of time I don't wear any, I'm lazy like that!  But I do try to get makeup on everyday - even if it's by 2pm… but not much of it. I'm not so much a beauty minimalist on purpose but because I know absolutely nothing about actually putting on makeup.  If I wear eyeliner it always seems to be crooked and I have no idea how to put on eyeshadow.  So I just work with what I know!

There are a few products I have been using forever (like this face wash and this bb cream), a few products I just can't live without (like this face oil and this amazing mascara) and then a few new products that I don't know how I lived without (like this blush!).

I try to choose non-toxic products when at all possible, I'm not perfect with it but I figure that every little bit counts.  If you are interested about non-toxic products check out Beautycounter or check what toxicity rating your current products have on EWG's SKin Deep website.  I have found that site very useful for trying to make better decisions about my skincare routine… I'm not interested in totally and radically overhauling my skincare routine, but just taking baby steps towards a healthier routine as best that I can.

So here is my super-easy-mostly-non-toxic beauty routine!

wash & ready…

origins 'checks and balances': long time favorite of mine!

rose water: I know I've mentioned it before but this stuff is amazing.

counter time eye cream: I absolutely love Beautycounter and this eye cream is perfect for aging or dry winter skin.

lustro face oil: again, I know I have mentioned this before, but this face oil is life changing. I wear this day and night.

make-up...

dr. jart bb cream: I've worn this for a few years now, I love that it has spf included and feels absolutely weightless on my skin.

well-rested: I think the name says it all, I love this stuff and it's perfect for a mid-day or evening spruce up if need be.

bare minerals volumizing mascara: forget the last extensions, this stuff rocks!

beautycounter color sweep blush duo: ditch the blush that is full of toxins and heavy metals. This stuff is gorgeous on your skin and GOOD for your skin. I love this blush. 

scent obsession...

elizabeth and james 'nirvana': I just discovered these scents recently and I LOVE them… I bought the black version, but I can totally see myself snagging the white version for summer.

currently obsessed: Beautycounter!

Have you heard of Beautycounter?  When a friend recently posted on Instagram about a beauty retailer that publishes a "never" list, I was super intrigued.  Beautycounter is a new-ish beauty brand that takes safety and authenticity in product development to a new level.  Their "never" list lays out all the products that they promise to never put in their products.  It's a startling fact that the United States has not passed a federal law pertaining to ingredients in personal care products since 1938.  The EU (European Union) has a strict code banning more than 1300 additives and ingredients to personal care products but the US only bans 11.  That's kinda scary.  Because if you have read the back of your makeup bottles lately it's practically in a different language.  So who is looking out for the consumer?

Enter Beautycounter - they have committed to not using over 1500 ingredients that they don't feel are safe in beauty products all while offering the consumer a great finished product.  One that is safe and beautiful on the inside and out.  We worry so much about what is in our food, but we often overlook the products and chemicals we are putting right on our skin!

With recent mentions in magazines like Allure, Vogue, Elle and Lucky word is spreading fast about this revolutionary brand. Even J.Crew is carrying a few of their items these days. This is a brand to watch for sure and one that I am seriously falling in love with.  Here are a few of their products that I can't wait to get my hands on… (they even have kids products!).

lip conditioning peppermint balm, lustro face jasmine oil, tint skin & brush, countertime anti-aging skin system, protect face spf, rose water face spray, lustro body oil

Have you heard of this amazing company before?  They also have a great blog that talks about product safety, how to use their products and more… it's such a great resource.

(please note: this is not a sponsored post, I am just super excited about this brand… so excited that I signed up on my own to become a consultant to spread the word!)