On my Natural Living post Kristin suggested writing about the natural beauty products I use. I though that was a fantastic idea, thus the post you're reading right this moment.
The list below is every product I'm currently using. My goal when choosing beauty products is for them to be simple, natural, and inexpensive.
Hair
Homemade Castile Soap Shampoo
I've had oily and flaky hair problems for many years now, and I've found that this shampoo works the best for my hair. I tried going no-poo for a while, but my scalp is just too greasy even after I adjusted from using regular shampoo.
I make my own shampoo using unscented liquid castle soap and water. I put one part soap to three parts water in a plastic squeeze bottle. It still gets foamy like regular shampoo, which I like. The peppermint kind made my scalp smell funny, so I switched to the unscented and haven't had a problem since.
Apple Cider Vinegar as Conditioner
When I was still using store bought shampoo I switched from conditioner to RACV. I put half water and half vinegar in a plastic spray bottle to spray on my hair after washing it. The brand I get is Bragg's.
Trader Joe's Oatmeal and Honey Bar Soap
Nothing spectacular to note, but I've been using this soap for years and really like it.
Face Wash
This might be kinda weird, but I don't "wash" my face regularly. When I shower I'll do a light wipe all over my face with a wet washcloth and that's about it. I have lots of skin problems on my face and I found that when I stopped washing it regularly it feels much better. Sometimes I do need something more though and I'll use some raw honey.
Toothpaste
Nature's Gate Natural Toothpaste in Peppermint
After realizing the toothpaste I had been using had sodium lauryl sulfate, I set out to find a new one (A.K.A. browse the natural toothpaste section at Fred Meyer) that didn't and this Nature's Gate one fits the bill. It doesn't have flouride, SLS, or any artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners. And it actually tastes like real peppermint!
Lip Balm
Homemade
Currently I use lip balm that I made using honey, coconut oil, and beeswax. It's the cheapest and has the best ingredients.
Makeup
I'm currently working on converting all my chemical filled makeup to homemade makeup. Right now it's a bit of trial and error, tweaking recipes a tad here and there. Once I've come up with recipes I like, I'll be sharing them here.
As far as store bought brands go, I really like the brand Colorevolution. I bought their 3pc Starter Kit (foundation, blush, and shimmer) they had for Christmas at Fred Meyer on a whim and I ended up really liking it. They're made in the USA and have just a few ingredients. My mom really likes their eye shadows, so when they were on sale I picked some up to try.
And that folks is all of the beauty products I'm currently using. Until now I didn't realize how little commercial products I use. I love being able to make my own, so I'm happy with that.
I love products like Pure & Basic (their lotion is to die for), Burt's Bees and Giovanni.
ReplyDeleteIn the last year or so, I had some trouble with make-up brands so for now, I use either Almay or Physician's Formula. Thanks for the post, Sereina! :)
Never heard of Pure & Basic. I do enjoy Burt's Bees too, although a lot of their products are hit or miss for me.
DeleteA friend recently told me that the Physician's Formula brand has a good mascara. I've never tried any of their products, though.
Great post! I mostly use a combination of Burt's Bees and homemade products (except for my toothpaste, which I think is the Tom's fluoride-free kind). I finally figured out a system for my hair where I can use homemade flax seed gel without getting awful tangles, though I would at some point like to find a cheaper alternative to Burt's Bees shampoo and conditioner. I found a recipe for a ph-neutral shampoo that's basically raw honey and water (and maybe one other ingredient?) that I'd like to try, but I'm afraid of that greasy adjustment period. :) The only product that I'm still on the lookout for, as I mentioned in a previous comment, is a good deodorant. I'm currently using a natural kind but I'm not very pleased with how it's working.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your figured out the gel! That homemade shampoo sounds super simple. If you have a week or so in the near future when do don't have many plans to go out, I say give it a go! If the shampoo works for you it will be totally worth it. :D
DeleteIf you want to try another shampoo Yes to Carrots has a fantastic shampoo: http://www.yestocarrots.com/product/yes-to-carrots-daily-pampering-hair-care-regimen?product_id=1003 (note: the link goes shows shampoo and conditioner. I've only used the shampoo myself). It's very reasonably priced for a natural shampoo ($7-$8 for 16.9 fl oz) and is the only store bought brand that I feel comfortable using, ingredient wise. Plus is easy to find in the stores (Target, Wal-mart, Wallgreens, Fred Meyer, and more carry it).
Have you though about using apple cider vinegar instead of shampoo? If it works for you it would be really cheap.
this is such an awesome post! I've been trying for a few months now to go all-natural when it comes to beauty products and the like, and this is so helpful!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Glad to hear you found it helpful. :)
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