Ever since these Au Naturale lip stains launched, everyone has been talking about them! They’re formulated with super clean ingredients and are one the first nontoxic “lip stain” products on the market.

I’ve reached the bottom of a few (skincare) bottles since switching to clean beauty earlier this year, but here are five items that I’ve repeatedly used until the very last drop.

I can’t believe it’s almost August! We’ve still got a little summer left, though (and where we live, it’s basically summer year round), so I thought I’d share some of my faves and essentials that I’ve been loving the past few months.

Hey guys, this is my absolute favorite shampoo and conditioner right now! I’ve been seriously struggling to find a clean haircare line that *really* works like I expect it to since I started cleaning up my self care & beauty products about 6 months ago.

Okay, so I made the switch to clean beauty just under three months ago, and I can already say that I’ve found a product that is a 10/10 in my opinion and I recommend wholeheartedly to everyone I know! These are my favorite clean/green/nontoxic skincare product that I have tried so far. 

Hey guys! So I have a new addition to my everyday essentials, the Sensitive Unscented Deodorant by Primally Pure. It is the first “real” natural deodorant that I’ve tried, and I really like it! (I was using aluminum free deodorant already, but it still had triclosan and some other bad ingredients in it.)

I’ve been seeing lots of deodorant posts on clean beauty blogs and social media lately, and it is kind of overwhelming which one to choose! My biggest concern is scent, since that is basically always my number one make it or break it aspect of a product (especially with natural products, where scents can be so strong and herbal sometimes). I chose this deodorant to try first because the ingredients are super clean and simple, it comes in an unscented option, and I love the design and packaging. I chose the sensitive formula because most baking soda based deodorants suggest trying the lower strength first (if they offer it) to avoid possible irritation. I also ordered the brand’s Everything Spray to try, and my thoughts are below!

Primally Pure Sensitive Unscented Deodorant

Ingredients (unscented): Organic Arrowroot Powder, Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil*, Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows, Organic Beeswax, Baking Soda, Non-nano Zinc Oxide, White Kaolin Clay
*fair trade

Packaging: BPA free plastic twist up tube with screw on cap.

Product info: “Primally Pure deodorant will keep you smelling fresh while also pampering your pits with good-for-you ingredients like tallow from grass-fed cows and organic + fair trade coconut oil. This deodorant is not an antiperspirant – sweat is a HEALTHY and NORMAL part of being human! And since our deodorant doesn’t contain any of the toxic chemicals found in conventional deodorants, it won’t interfere with your body’s natural and necessary detoxification process (also known as sweating).” From product page.

Smell/texture: Because it is all natural (and therefore doesn’t contain chemicals to mask fragrances of ingredients), this deodorant has a very mild coconut smell in the packaging. I don’t notice a scent while wearing it, though, so it is as close to unscented as I imagine any natural product can be. This makes it great for men, women, teens, everyone! The texture is like a creamy thick paste, but it applies surprisingly well and similarly to a conventional stick deodorant. If you over apply, there is some residue and balling, but duh and it isn’t the end of the world.

Review: It’s a good product and does what it claims! I don’t run marathons or do cross-fit, but this deodorant fits my activity level and sweat/odor production. I usually don’t sweat very much or smell too bad, even when exercising. But I live in south Florida and love beach days and being outside, so I am more comfortable wearing a deodorant than being au naturale 24/7. With it being unscented, I feel like it kind of just mutes any odor rather than masking it or mixing with it (which can be worse than just regular BO sometimes). It is a simple product and I really like how it preforms. Your armpits will sweat, though. It will not hide or mute super strong body odor like if you spend all day at the beach in 90 degree weather and haven’t showered in a couple of days (been there, no regrets). If you apply a lot and then immediately put on a tight black shirt/dress, you may get white marks. Don’t apply directly after shaving, or you might have some irritation. FYI, this also comes in Lemongrass, Lavender, and Tea Tree scents. Primally Pure also makes a higher concentrated version of this deodorant and it comes in all three scents and unscented as well.

Primally Pure Everything Spray

So the other product that I bought from Primally Pure was their Everything Spray. I LOVE the ingredients and really wanted to love the product. I got it because I am looking for an aftershave type spray for my underarms and bikini (basically trying to find a nontoxic version of a BikiniZone spray I have used for years to prevent red bumps after shaving those areas). This product did not help with or prevent red bumps after shaving my underarms. I tried to give it to my husband to use on his face as an aftershave/toner, but he hates the smell of vinegar (and this smells strongly of vinegar), so that was also a no-go. I already have a face toner that I like, so it is unnecessary for me there. I haven’t really found a use for it yet, but I’m guessing it could be a nice relief for bug bites in the summer maybe? Anyway, the ingredients are great and mostly organic, so if this is something you are looking for and you don’t mind the smell of vinegar, I’d still say give it a try.

Ingredients: lavender hydrosol*, distilled water*, witch hazel*, aloe vera juice*, raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar*, magnesium oil, essential oils of grapefruit*, lavender*, and tea tree*
*ORGANIC

I’m still on the look out for an aftershave spray or toner, have any recommendations?? I’ll let you know what I find and try next!

Xo, Edie

I am so excited that 100% Pure sent me a sneak peek of their Blood Orange Cleansing Balm that launches on February 21! This product is 100% natural, vegetarian, gluten-free, cruelty free, and USDA certified organic.

Product Description: This delicious orange-scented cleansing balm gently cleanses whole leaving skin soft and supple. Organic coconut and olive oils melt into a silky texture. Sweep away stubborn make up and impurities.

Directions: Warm up Cleansing Balm between fingertips and massage gently onto skin. Wipe away excess Balm with a warm damp cloth or konjac sponge and rinse with warm water.

Ingredients: Persea Gratissima (organic avocado) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (organic coconut) Oil, Olea Europaea (organic olive) Oil, Cera Alba (organic beeswax), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Blood orange essential oil), Polyglyceryl-3 Palmitate (derived from coconuts)

Review: First if all, this Cleansing Balm smells amazing! As you can see, I had some actual blood oranges around when I was photographing the product and the scent is spot on. I used the product as directed, and although it doesn’t specify applying to wet or dry skin, I find it is best to apply oil-based cleansers and makeup removers directly to your skin without any water. That way, you can really feel the luxurious texture and literally see the makeup melting off! This product does exactly what it claims to do and is a pleasure to use. I have allergies right now and have been washing my hands a lot so they are so dry, and I actually just used this Balm on my hands (after washing them to not contaminate the product; always have clean hands before putting them into a jar product) and wiped off the excess and my hands and cuticles look and feel amazing. This balm is so soothing and moisturizing! I live in south Florida where temps are in the 80s and 90s regularly, and I honestly can’t see myself using this every day especially during the summer (it would probably be awesome for removing sunscreen, though). I think this is a must have if you live somewhere that is cold right now and you have the heat on inside and your skin is super dry. Also, if you regularly wear a full face of full coverage makeup, this will be a super soothing and luxurious way to take it off without stripping your face of all moisture. I did need a little help from my eye makeup remover at the end to remove my conventional waterproof mascara, but this cleansing balm will definitely melt off any and all natural makeup for sure! Bottom line: if you have dry skin or are worried about stripping your face of oil and moisture during cleansing, love the smell of oranges, like cleansing balms, and/or oil cleansers, this product is a definite yes for you! 100% Pure is a super clean and awesome brand, so definitely check them out if you haven’t already. I just placed my first order for a couple of different products and am so excited to try them out as well! I’ll let you know how I like them.

Xo, Edie

You’ve decided to switch to nontoxic makeup. Awesome!! When I made this decision, I was really excited but quickly got overwhelmed. Where do I start? Are there any stores near me? Where do I shop? What products should I buy first? What shade(s) am I? How do I know if the product(s) will work for me? You get the point. Well, it really doesn’t have to be complicated, stressful, or expensive to get started with clean beauty. In this post, I’ll share a few tips and my favorite places to shop so far.

One of the most awesome things I have learned so far about the clean beauty community is that pretty much everyone “gets it”. Bloggers, brands, store owners–they all understand that 1) you are making a conscious choice to switch from what you are using now to products and brands you are less familiar with, 2) it would be much easier for you to just keep using the readily available and sometimes much more affordable products despite the fact that they might be toxic and/or harming your health, and 3) shopping for things as personal as skincare/makeup/fragrance online can be intimidating (and discouraging when you do make a purchase and are not happy with it).

My first tip: if you have a question, just ask! Almost every brand and person I have had contact with so far in the clean beauty community has been incredibly accommodating and helpful. I have asked multiple bloggers questions via instagram and email and they have all gotten back to me within a day. I have asked store owners questions and they have responded quickly–some stores will even color match you and recommend products based on a picture you send them. I responded to one brand’s request for reviewers and have already gotten my first product to try even though I’m totally new to this. So everyone’s pretty cool and very approachable so far, and for the most part, we all just want to help each other and use/share healthier and safer self care products.

My second tip: buy sample kits before you buy the product. If you have used a brand before, know the place has a great return policy, or are super wealthy and don’t mind being wasteful, then ordering everything online at once will probably be great for you. If you are someone who likes to see, smell, and feel something before you commit to wearing it on your face all day everyday for the next month, trying a sample kit is literally the best (and most fun) way to get started. I try to be pretty thorough when deciding on a beauty product/makeup color; I try to find multiple reviews and swatches on skin that is similar tone to mine before deciding what to buy. I can’t tell you how many times multiple reviews have said something performs well (or especially ‘smells amazing’) and when I get it home I am disappointed. I am very lucky to have less picky friends and a little sister who have no problem taking my hand me downs when this happens, haha.

To make sure you like a product before buying the full size, here are some awesome sample kits for getting started in clean beauty:

1. Crunchi Foundation Sample Pack $10 (free shipping)
You can try out every available shade of this awesome light/medium coverage foundation. The little pots can probably last about 3 applications each if used sparingly. They even include a sample of their primer.

2. Hynt Duet Perfecting Concealer Sample Set $6 (free shipping)
This is like *the* concealer everyone uses, apparently. It has been sold out everywhere lately. This sample set comes in your choice of two shades (Fair and Light, Light and Medium, Medium and Tan, Tan and Dark, or Dark and Deep). I got Fair and Light. I also ordered a sample of their Aria Lipstick in Shiraz for $3. Click here for the link to all of their samples.

3. Gressa Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation Sample Kit in Fair-Light $15 ($5 shipping, so $20 total)
This kit is also available in shade choices Light-Medium and Medium-Dark. The kit is advertised as coming with two lip colors; as you can see, I got four. It also comes with a 10% off coupon to go towards your full-size purchase.

4. Vapour Organic Beauty Sample Kit $15 ($2.75 shipping if purchasing no other products)
This is the most customizable kit. You can select 5 products to try at a time. Any shade of any of their products, I think, and it includes skincare, primers, their organic lip balm, and even a perfume. I have ordered two different sample kits and been really pleased with this line so far. Once you place your sample kit order, you will receive a $10 off promo code to use toward your full-size purchase.

All of these brands and samples will give you a great start for transitioning to cleaner and safer beauty products. Even when sending a picture to be color matched to a professional makeup artist, lighting or different computer/phone screen colors could be misleading. The best possible way to choose colors that are a match for your skin is to try them out.

Finally, my third tip is to take your time! For most people, it isn’t realistic to make a complete switch to 100% clean beauty overnight. Give yourself time and a budget if you want, and go at your own pace. If you have to interact with the world on a daily basis (have a job or are a mom) and care about how you look, don’t throw out all of your current/previous makeup and skincare products right away. Even if you are able to buy everything all at once, you aren’t guaranteed to find everything that you need, want and are used to. For example, I used Proactiv forever and really counted on a couple of their products to clear up a breakout quickly. I know what to do and what results to expect/when my skin will be clear when using them. I don’t work and stay at home most days, so a pimple or two won’t kill me if they come up. But if I have an important event or something coming up, I have kept those products and will use them if I need to until I find a comparable replacement. Same for hair products and this one Chanel lip color I spent forever trying to find. They are toxic and I plan to stop using them when I am satisfied with their replacements.

Bottom line, becoming more aware of what we put in and on our bodies and deciding to choose cleaner and healthier products kicks ass. It’s a great choice for our health and hopefully sends a message to the food and beauty industries that we aren’t ok with ingesting or applying certain ingredients and so many potentially harmful toxins. It isn’t necessarily easy and won’t completely happen overnight, though. But that’s how it is with all great things, right?

Xo, Edie

 First things first, I had to clean up my everyday skincare routine.