Simplify and freshen your Spring beauty routine!
These products are some of the best I’ve used (and being a product “junkie,” I’ve tried many, and am constantly scanning the horizon for new ones). These products boast all-natural ingredients, but they are also well-priced* and have other excellent properties, such as anti-aging, moisturizing and naturally beautifying.
Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmers ($5) – You won’t be able to resist buying more than one! They’re super-moisturizing, come in a wide range of colors (some which don’t have shimmer), and they’re just the right size for slipping into a pocket, purse or yoga bag. The color shown here is “Strawberry”, a sheer, shimmery pink which has a slight peppermint taste/smell.
Hemp Organics Lip Tint by Colorganics ($6.95) – These tints are similar to the Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmers, but they offer slightly “deeper,” less shimmery colors and I love that there are only six ingredients in them. Like the Lip Shimmers, they’re a super-convenient size and very reasonably-priced. Try “Kiss” for a sheer, cool berry color with barely a hint of shimmer.
Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm ($7) – Last I checked, these came in nine subtly -tinted colors. They’re super creamy, very emollient and lightly tinted. This is the perfect option for when you want a little color and need a little moisture but don’t want to appear as if you’re actually wearing make-up. The super-versatile peachy-nude color shown here is “Honeysuckle.” This color is also the perfect thing for when you want to moisturize and/or subtly tone down a bright lipstick.
Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Eye Shadows ($19) – I love many of Jane Iredale’s products, but I’m highlighting the shadows because they’re excellent quality, go on beautifully (with brush or finger), and wear well. And, of course, they’re all natural. The very versatile, perfect for Spring color shown here is “Slate Brown,” a soft, taupe.
Dr. Hauschka Eyeshadow – The color range is limited, but I also like these completely natural shadows as an alternative to Jane Iredale. The pale gold shimmer (“01 Sunglow”) does magic as a highlighter to the brow bone area or inner lids.
ecotools brushes are the perfect choice for applying your natural make-up. They use soft, cruelty-free bristles wrapped in recycled aluminum with bamboo handles. This “Sharpen & Smudge Duo” blends eyeliner or shadow along the lashline and is a bargain at $3.99!
Andalou Naturals All in One Beauty Balm, Sheer Tint with SPF 30 ($19.95) – OK, I think this may be one of my all-time favorite products. I’ve been looking for a “beauty balm”–commonly referred to as “BB,” and nearly everyone and his/her brother now offers one. However, I’ve immediately discounted all the usual drugstore and department store brands since they contain too many chemicals, synthetic fragrances and other yucky stuff I don’t want to put on my skin. Surprisingly, not very many natural skin care lines have introduced “beauty balms”. I was pleasantly surprised (actually, ecstatic) to try the Andalou Naturals BB. It provides very sheer coverage, blends in amazingly well, gives mineral-based, broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and smells wonderful on top of it all. If you want more coverage, you can apply foundation or powder directly over this product.
Sequoia Beauty Sun Damage Repair Serum ($44) – This is a wonderful product from my new favorite skin care line. All the products in the line are about as pure as they come, made locally to where I live and produced in small batches. Every product smells absolutely amazing and uses high-quality plant extracts and oils. This serum is what I apply each morning before my BB and each evening before going to bed.
John Masters Lip Calm ($6) – This is the last product I use before going to bed. I can’t tell you how many different lip balms I’ve tried, but this one always helps dry lips, doesn’t irritate and doesn’t have a too strong scent or flavor. (Remember, even all-natural products that use essential oils to flavor and scent their products can be irritating to sensitive skin.)
Happy Spring!
Eat Well, Be Well, Live Well 