LETS TALK CLEAN BEAUTY. First of all, what is it?
I will be the first to tell you, I hopped on the clean beauty movement late in the game. We all know what’s good for us; Drink water, exercise, don’t each like shit, take your vitamins, and don’t put chemicals on your largest organ. Ya know, common sense. But it can be hard... Because damn, some of those makeup products just WORK and honestly, some I may never fully leave behind. I have been a makeup artist for (how many?) years and a makeup lover for even more. I'm talking “did my friends Prom makeup freshman year” years. I loved (and still do) brands that perhaps, aren’t exactly “clean” and that’s OKAY. My husband, Kyle told me something he read; “Improve yourself one percent a day and over a year you improve 36 times over” (or something like that). You don’t have to be a Raw Vegan that doesn’t drink and meditates daily in order to make better choices and most importantly, you don’t have to sacrifice quality. Using these delicious, natural, oil based, serum infused, ethically sourced products will just make you feel GOOD. Like that feeling you get when you leave a yoga class and the sun is shining good. This is not just skin deep. It’s deeper.
ILIA BEAUTY TRUE SKIN SERUM FOUNDATION.
PRICE- $56.00.
KEY INGREDIENTS- ALOE, SQUALANE, MASTIN. 100% NATURAL DYE, DERMATOLOGIST TESTED, CRUNCHY CREDS- NON-COMEDOGENIC, VEGAN, CRUELTY-FREE, GLUTEN FREE.
This formula is so beautiful and velvety. I would call it a light to medium coverage. It is very buildable yet virtually feels weightless on your skin. The main ingredients Aloe and Squalene Oil provide intense hydration. Mastic Oil has anti-inflammatory properties which reduce redness and plump fine lines. WHAT IM SAYING is this makeup is GOOD for you. Like you can fall asleep in your makeup and not feel too guilty good (but you should still always wash your face before bed, of course) This foundation looks like SKIN and a little goes a long way. which is good bc this stuff aint cheap. But it’s worth it. APPLICATION- I find it best to apply this foundation with my fingers. Give this formula a few minutes to set into the skin before applying your blush/ bronzer/ highlight on top. I recommend setting it with powder in areas you normally get more oily through out the day.
RMS Beauty UN-COVER Concealer
PRICE- $36.00.
KEY INGREDIENTS- ORGANIC COCONUT OIL
CRUNCHY CREDS- NON-GMO, NON-NANO, SOY FREE, GLUTEN FREE, CRUELTY FREE
I absolutely love this concealer. With its coconut oil base I feel like my skin is taking a drink of water throughout the day. It is the perfect amount of coverage for under eyes, around the nose, chin and any other areas that have discoloration. If you have a big daddy blemish or bags from partying all night you might want to reach for something with more pigment. Otherwise this stuff is great. And melts into the skin like a dream. The price is a bit on the steep side but this tiny container will last you forever. And this glass packaging is weighted. As in it feels expensive, and we like that.
APPLICATION- I find it best to use fingers or a small synthetic makeup brush. If you worry about creasing I would definetely set this concealer.
ILIA BEAUTY ILLUMINATOR (Polka Dots and Moon Beams)
PRICE- $34.00
KEY INGREDIENTS- CASTOR SEED OIL, SHEA BUTTER, AVOCADO OIL
CRUELTY FREE, GLUTEN FREE
RMS LUMINIZER X QUAD
PRICE- $48.00
KEY INGREDIENTS- CASTOR SEED OIL, COCONUT OIL
SOY FREE, GLUTEN FREE, CRUELTY FREE
KOSAS COSMETICS LIPSTICK (Rose Water) PRICE- $28.00. KEY INGREDIENTS- MANGO SEED BUTTER SHEA BUTTER, COCOA SEED BUTTER
GLUTEN, EGG AND CRUELTY FREE
If you’re looking for a traditional lipstick than this one is for you. This formula is so smooth and moisturizing. The pigment really packs a punch but can also be sheer if you pat the product on lightly. Satin Finish. Has great staying power and such a subtle sweet cocoa scent. It’s delicious. The packaging is so chic and the magnetic enclosure is such a huge selling point for me. This lipstick just makes me feel fabulous. It’s perfection.
W3LL PEOPLE STICK STICK FOUNDATION PRICE- $28.99 KEY INGREDIENTS- CASTOR SEED OIL, SAFFLOWER SEED OIL, OLEIC ACID CRUNCHY CREDS- GLUTEN FREE, NON GMO, NATURAL, CERTIFIED ORGANIC
BURTS BEE’S ALL AGLOW (Opal Mist)
PRICE- $12.99
KEY INGREDIENTS- COCONUT OIL, JOJOBA OIL
1005 NATURAL, PARABEN FREE, CRUELTY FREE
ILIA COSMETICS LIP CONDITIONER (Arabian Knights)
PRICE- $28.00
KEY INGREDIENTS- SUNFLOWER SEED OIK, COCOA SEED BUTTER, ORANGE PEEL WAX
100% NATURAL DYE, 85% ORGANIC, CRUELTY FREE, GLUTEN FREE
This little number is a cult favorite for a reason. It is SO incredibly moisturizing. The name truly described this product. I feel like wearing a luxurious colored lip balm (which essentially I am). One swipe and it gives you a sheer wash of color, 3 swipes for when you’re feeling bold. The packaging doesn’t have a magnet which would be my only critique. The color Arabian Knights is so stunning. If Sasha’s (the founder of ILIA) favorite color is Arabian Knights also, you know its good.
BURTS BEE’S SATIN LIPSTICK (Brimming Berry) PRICE- $8.99 KEY INGREDIENTS- MORINGA OIL, RASBERYY SEED OIL
100% NATURAL
STARTING A YOGA PRACTICE
Learning something new as an adult is difficult. And going to a yoga class alone with the thought of whats going on is scary and can be very frustrating. Practicing yoga has changed my life for the better in so many ways. It is my Church. And I want everyone to experience the magic that happens when you introduce a yoga practice to your life. I put together a list of things that I think will help you get into the yoga swing of things if you are a beginner or first timer.
Buy a good yoga mat.
I have had a million yoga mat in my life. They have ranged from $10.00 mats from TJ Maxx and an $80.00 JADE yoga mat. Once I found the mat that was right for me it truly changed my practice. I have bad knees and I like to really push into my mat so I need something that is thick enough to protect my knees and “sticky” enough so that my hands don’t slip during down dog. There is nothing worse than slipping around or having to adjust your mat during a kick ass flow. So get the one that’s right for you. It’s worth it. I have linked a few mats I like at the end of this post.
2. Watch youtube videos.There are SO many resources online. There are thousands of yoga videos on YouTube. I would search something like “yoga for beginners” where they will go over the basics. When I first started out I would feel more flustered leaving than when I arrived. Like, isn’t this supposed to make me feel centered or something? Take a moment to see the see the poses and hear the words, that way when you go to your first class you will feel more comfortable with the verbage and not feel totally lost.
3. Research Yoga Studios.There are so many different types of yoga and studios out there. There are places like Core Power Yoga that mainly focuses on heated yoga and there are are places that are super hippie, with crystals and Palo Santo burning. There are studios that do meditation and breath work, chanting, etc. If you go to a studio that isn’t your style it might scare you away. If chanting isn’t your thing then don’t go to studios that chant. Especially, not in the beginning. Most studios offer new student discounts or a free week so you can decide if is it the right space for you.
4. Take a beginners class.Almost all studios have a level one class and some even have a “before beginners” class where they will go over the basics. Those classes move much slower with easy sequences. Trust me, you won’t be the only one in there who doesn’t quite know what you’re doing yet. The teachers will help you because they want you to be there. Welcome adjustments and it will help you in the long run. I still take level one classes all the time because I love a slower pace sometimes. It allows my mind to slow down and relax. And that is my favorite thing about yoga, anyway.
5. Bring a friend.Sometimes new things are just easier if you have someone with you. Call a friend and ask them to join you. This might make you feel more relaxed. Or ask a friend who has been practicing for a while and perhaps they can guide you. For me a yoga practice is something pretty personal so I prefer to do it alone but if you are a people person than bring your person! Go get a juice about it, talk about your experience. Something about having a person with you just makes you more accountable.
6. Don’t give up.Learning something new is always difficult in the beginning. Some things we are amazing at and something things just take work. I will be the first to tell you that I hate not being good at things right away (but who doesn’t). There is a reason it is called a yoga PRACTICE. Be patient with yourself. The long term benefits of yoga will outweigh any minor frustrations you may have in the beginning.
7. Enjoy It.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Practice at your own pace, challenge yourself when you feel ready and just have fun with it. I promise you will be thanking yourself later. Because what’s even better than having a strong body? Having a strong mind.
NAMASTE.
https://jadeyoga.com/collections/yoga-mats
https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-mats-props/The-Reversible-Mat-5/_/prod6750166?color=38392
https://www.amazon.com/BalanceFrom-Purpose-Non-Slip-Exercise-Carrying/dp/B01MQA0EGZ