Recent Beauty Favorites Vol. 1

Over the past few months I’ve discovered some really great beauty products that have quickly become favorites!

6 New Beauty Favorites, In No Particular Order:

1. This Versed Body Scrub is 100 percent the best body scrub I’ve ever used! It’s really more of a polish than a scrub as it’s a finer grit than a lot of other body scrubs, which I prefer. I want to buff my skin not tear it off, you know? Also, because I once had a near death experience thanks to a body scrub that left an oil slick on my shower floor, I’ve been anti-oil-based body scrubs for years. And I’m happy to report that this one is NOT oil-based. So it’s basically perfect. P.S. If you’re not already using Versed’s Retinol Body Lotion, add that to your cart, too! Trust me. You won’t regret it.
2. I do not understand the technology behind ColorScience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex, but it’s pretty much magic in a bottle. It’s a tinted sunscreen and yet, it’s so much more! It’s easily become my new beauty holy grail. This one product has replaced my sunscreen, my foundation stick, and my concealer. It somehow comes out of the tube white but blends to match your skin perfectly! Like I said, it’s magic. I use the shade medium. And it provides such a nice, medium coverage that I just don’t feel like I need any other face makeup, which is such a bonus for both my budget and my morning routine.
3. When all the influencers were raving about this Colleen Rothschild Illuminating Tinted Eye Cream last year, I’ll admit I was giving them all major side eye. Like how can an eye cream be that good. But I get it now. This stuff is pretty amazing! Between the ColorScience Face Shield Flex and this eye cream, I’ve stopped using concealer under my eyes all together. Which is crazy because I’ve been using under-eye concealer since I was 19. This Illuminating Tinted Eye Cream brightens the eye area really nicely. I’ve been applying it over the ColorScience, and I think it wears great throughout the day.
4. I guess there’s something about the word illuminating that draws me in like a moth to a flame, but if you like a “natural nail” look, I think you will love this Illuminating Nail Concealer by Londontown, too. It’s become my signature nail look. I typically wear three coats, and it gives me a soft white milky look that lasts for up to 10 days without chipping.
5. Back in December I asked for hand cream recommendations over on Instagram Stories, and so many people recommended La Roche-Posay’s Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream. And they were so right! This is the perfect non-greasy hand cream that leaves my hands feeling so soft, and the bonus is that it’s formulated with niacinamide, so it’s also great for combatting those pesky age spots that have started to pop up. This cream comes in a larger size and can obviously be used all over the body, but I like this small tube that fits perfectly in my handbag.
6. Last but not least, yes, I’m still a Beautycounter Brand Advocate, but I’m not a loyalist, as you already know. I use what I love. Period. But, I have to say, Beautycounter’s new lip liners are awesome! I wasn’t sure if I was going to be into the thick size of these pencils. But I love them! They sharpen enough to give you a nice precise line, if that’s what you prefer. But the formula is so nice and creamy that you can fill in your lips and wear them as lipsticks as well. I really like the versatility of these pencils. I currently have two go-with-everything warm neutral shades – Blush Rose and Golden Honey. But, I will definitely be adding more colors to my collection.

Are all of these products “clean”?

That’s a question I get a lot whenever I share beauty products on social media, likely because many people know I’m a Beautycounter Brand Advocate. And Beautycounter is known to be a clean beauty brand. But here’s the truth. There is no industry standard for “clean” beauty. What is “clean” is completely brand or store defined. So, you really can’t trust that word or self-labeled designation because it means something different at every brand/company.

Instead, I think it’s more helpful to look at actual ingredients, and figure out for yourself what ingredients you would rather not use.

For me, I try to steer clear of synthetic fragrance, phthalates, parabens, chemical sunscreen ingredients, and sulfates. Why?

• Synthetic fragrance is not needed for the efficacy of any product. It’s also a word that often hides a whole host of ingredients that brands don’t have to share under trade secret law. This doesn’t mean I opt for fragrance-free products. I just prefer to use products where all of the ingredients, including those that scent a product, are transparently shared on the label.

• Phthalates are chemical compounds that work as solvent or binding agents and are often seen on labels as abbreviations – DINP, DIDP, DEHP. They’ve been linked to endocrine disruption and allergies. Because I have Hashimoto’s, I try not to mess around with anything that may disrupt the endocrine system since mine is already a mess. 😉

• Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in skincare, and they’ve been used in beauty products since the 1920’s. It seems to be hotly debated if they are “safe” as they have been linked to endocrine disruption, though many would point out that the dose needs to be taken into consideration. I’m not opposed to preservatives in beauty products as I want my products to have a shelf life and not start growing mold and bacteria. I’ve just personally opted to use products that utilize phenoxyethanol as a preservative as opposed to parabens.

• Chemical sunscreens. I’m not saying they’re bad, although oxybenzone has been banned In Hawaii because of it’s effect on ocean life. I just prefer to use physical/mineral sunscreen ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Because, gone are the days when mineral sunscreens would leave a white cast on your skin, formulations have greatly improved! ColorScience has pretty much mastered mineral sunscreen formulas. And Beautycounter’s Countersun line is also pretty great. Their sunscreen spray is awesome!

• Sulfates are typically found in cleansers and shampoos. I personally find that they leave my skin feeling super tight and dry and then cause my skin and scalp to overproduce oil because they strip away natural oils.

To summarize, I’m not an expert. I’m just a skincare/beauty nerd that loves learning about ingredients. I try to make the best decisions possible taking into consideration both my health and the results I’m after. Any product I share here will always be one that has passed my personal test. I hope someday the beauty industry is better regulated and that the word “clean” stands for something more than a marketing campaign.

One of the reasons I personally love Beautycounter is because they are one of the only beauty brands working with Congress to pass safer beauty laws.

*Affiliate links used in this post.