Why I Threw Out Thousands Of Dollars Worth Of Makeup

Have I lost my mind? No, I have done some research and learned some shocking truths about the ingredients in makeup & cosmetics a few years back!

Yes, this is not a recent event, as many of you know: I am a natural, organic & cruelty-free makeup artist, owning a huge selection of only the best green beauty brands from across the globe and love working with these beautiful products. Supporting boutique businesses with quality cosmetics has been so rewarding. But it's not always been this way. (see picture above, my kit many years ago)

I know first hand how the so-called "high-end", "luxury" brands use their marketing and packaging to make you believe you are buying something good!

I too had a professional makeup kit boasting with Chanel, Nars, MAC, Dior, Laura Mercier, Stila, Make Up Forever etc... but not only DO THEY ALL TEST ON ANIMALS!!!! The ingredients are also very cheap and nasty, nothing luxurious is found inside those formulas once you do your homework!

So into the bin, it all went. Thousands of dollars of makeup & cosmetics. Well, to be totally honest I did pass a lot of it on to other artists, who are still happy to use these conventional products.
As it wouldn't really be green to just throw them out...

I thought it was important to mention that I do know all these products too well myself and have worked with them for many years in my career. It was a conscious choice to get rid of them and to find products that perform, yet are truly luxurious! Products that actually are benefitting your skin, as well as the environment and also don't harm any animals. It wasn't the easiest journey to find replacements for all the trusted products I used to own, but time, lot's of trial and error and determination got me there!

Are you ready to change to healthier, better makeup?

If you are curious and want to make the change to healthier & better beauty products, follow my steps & tips on How To Become A Green Queen here! (Of course, you don't need to throw everything out at once...)

And please feel free to comment and engage and ask for advice! I am more than happy to help :)
I thought of working on a little blog post series about my best natural beauty swaps if you are interested...?!
 

Discovering Mádara Organic Skincare

It makes me so happy how there is an abundance of natural and organic skincare popping up everywhere, so much choice and beautiful products, something for everyone yet all toxin free.
Have you tried Mádara yet?

On our trip to Europe, I discovered Mádara skincare for the first time. It was stocked in most pharmacies in Stockholm & Copenhagen and I learned to love their PEEL mask, which quickly sorted out my skin which was breaking out from all the travels & changes. As the brand is a nordic company from Latvia, it makes sense that it was so widely available over there.

Back in Australia I didn't see it anywhere for a while and almost forgot about it.
BUT there are stockists here now, which got me to dive into the brand and try out a little more variety from their brand.
The range is actually huge, from Skincare to Haircare, Babycare and body products...
Everything is certified organic and the formulations are certainly very premium.
The packaging doesn't give away that the products are natural, which is a plus, they look like any other upmarket cosmetics, so if you are not into hippy-dippy bottles you probably love how simple, sleek and "normal" the products look.

As a makeup artist I am mostly interested in skincare, so that's what I have started with but I am still excited to try the other ranges.

So here is what I have tried & tested:

 

Micellar Water
(vegan!)
Micellar Water is a staple in my makeup kit this one is possibly my new favourite. I wish I could buy huge bottles of it! They should make a pro-size (hint-hint!) If you haven't heard of this type of cleanser yet, it is a makeup removing water, super easy to use and therefore used by all makeup artists, but it's also great to have on hand for a super quick and gentle cleanse at home.
It removes makeup with ease, smells wonderful and is gentle yet hydrating.
Natural oil micelles dispersed in a soothing aloe vera juice remove makeup whilst providing a toning effect. Antioxidant-rich Northern peony root extract and hyaluronic acid soften, protect and hydrate the skin.

PLUM PLUM
Lip Perfection Balm
(not vegan/contains beeswax & propolis)
A luxurious lip treatment & primer that leaves a slight sheen. Feels very nice on the lips and reminds of the expensive department store balms, yet this one is toxin free and filled with organic goodness. If they could work out how to make it vegan it would become another makeup kit staple.

Superseed Soothing Hydration
(vegan)
As the name suggests this is a very soothing oil perfect for dry and irritated skin. Isn't the simple bottle just so beautiful? Like with any face oils, a few drops are enough to quench the skin. Perfect for Winter.

SOS HYDRA mask Moisture+Radiance
(vegan)
Instant Moisture for dehydrated skin. Perfect as an in-flight mask too ( I always wear hydrating masks on planes, I know, it might sound weird and I sure get some looks of fellow passengers, BUT I get off fresh as a daisy) Your skin will really drink this one up. You can wipe any excess after 15-min with a warm cloth or cotton pad!

Exfoliating Oil-To-Milk scrub
(not vegan/contains beeswax)
It's a gentle hydrating scrub suitable for all skin types. This product is not vegan.

Ultra purifying mud mask
(vegan)
This mask is a deep cleanse, that decongests the skin. Really great for blemishes, clogged pores, oily and dull skin. I will keep mine for troublesome times, everyone needs a good mud mask in their skincare regime. If you have dry skin they are different and better options, though. This is a winner for oily skins.

Face Tan Water, best invention ever?

I am usually not a fan of any fake tans on the face. They clog pores, dehydrate the skin and they also don't last, so I usually do tell clients not to bother and to simply match the makeup to the rest of the body if they are getting a spray tan.

Even if you are having a natural suntan, the face usually stays lighter, as we (hopefully!) protect it that most with sunblock, makeup, glasses & hat.

That's why most people have darker skin on the body than in the face.

But I am getting sidetracked....! As this Summer consisted of multiple heatwaves, my face hasn't seen much sun this year, I only went to the beach in the evening and tried my best to stay cool with this big belly.

I saw the Eco Tan Face Tan Water and needed to try it. I was intrigued by the texture, that it is actually a liquid and of course that it is toxin-free and full of great ingredients.

I already mentioned it briefly here, but I found it to be amazing!
I simply apply some with a cotton pad at night after cleansing and leave it on after night.
The tan is very light and can be built up when used a few nights in a row. Then you can maintain that colour by using the water 2-3 times a week.I t is definitely a subtle result but enough to even out the skin and give it a bit of a glow. Hardly any makeup needed afterwards!

The texture is very light and feels hydrating and cooling, sooooo nice now in Summer!
The best thing is that the formula is anti-acne (it won't cause clogged pores or breakouts!) and anti-aging (it keeps the skin very hydrated and supple)

I am not surprised it already won awards! It's such a unique product and it really works.

I just ordered myself a whole new bottle, for when baby arrives and I bet it will make me look less tired in those crazy but beautiful weeks as a new mama. Does that sound really vain? I am sure I will be all consumed by baby love and not caring too much about my appearance a, but after a few weeks/months there is nothing wrong with making yourself feel good, is there?

So my roundup: It's amazing and highly recommended!
I can't see myself stopping to use it anytime soon.

Max and Me - Highly Vibrant Skin Care For Your Soul

I recently had the chance to learn about Max and Me, an award winning Austrian natural skincare line with a very different approach. Far from the mainstream, these products are working on an energetic level.

It's a family business owned by the inspiring Tanja & Max, who are dedicated to only using the very best, purest and most potent ingredients. They move beyond just organic ingredients and work with a team of health and plant specialists to ensure that every ingredient is the most potent and best quality possible. This Luxury skincare line that treats body & soul.

If you are into Crystals, Colour therapy or any forms of alternative energy healing or yoga, you might just love this holistic approach. If you are a science freak, simply enjoy the beautiful smell and textures of the products! And let the results convince you :)
I tried a few products and each one I loved. I am also into the cute & beautiful packaging with little elf illustrations and the use of lilac, which since pregnant I felt really drawn to.
(Can you tell, I am constantly wearing my purple/lavender Spell dress? )
But back to the topic:

The smells are divine and stem from only the purest natural ingredients, but they also fairly powerful. If you prefer neutral non-scented products, this line won't be for you, but if you appreciate wonderful well done all natural scents that uplift, you might get addicted really quickly.

The hero product which recently won the "Best In Show" Award at the Indie Beauty Expo in NYC is the "Enchanted" Face oil. That really says something, as pretty much every natural skincare brand has a face oil it's range, so there was certainly lots of competition. Enchanted is an oil that can be used day & night. Perfect for even sensitive skin it suits and nourishes all skin types and smells of Jasmine & Frangipani. But words can only tell you so much, if you are looking for an outstanding face oil this is it! Try for yourself. (vegan)

My personal favourite, possibly because it feels so protective and balancing is "Circle Of Protection" which is a body treatment. Using it on my belly right now and inhaling the magical scent makes me feel very good, grounded and happy.
Quite a winner for any pregnant lady. The blend of essential oils in “circle of protection” increases the resilience of your skin, protects and pampers you. With the particularly beautiful characteristics of magnolia, skin-enhancing manuka, Bourbon geranium, Qi-enhancing, repairing jasmine, litsea, protective and nurturing vetiver, rejuvenating and moisturizing rose and highly vibrant silver fir. (vegan)
(Having said all that there is a whole range of body oils which I haven't tried yet! Please share if you have tried any of the other blends, I would love to hear about it)

The range also contains two different balms to treat difficult skin conditions, which sound and feel amazing. Luckily pregnancy suits my skin very well and I don't have any issues to report, so I can't comment on how effective they are.
But I keep them safe and have a feeling they might help me once Winter comes and my hormones will once again change after birth. (not vegan, contains propolis)

What I can comment on though is the wonderful Serenity Mask & Wash. I already recently featured it in my Instagram stories. (A little heads up, though: This product does contain Manuka Honey and is therefore NOT vegan. If you are okay with that that you are in for a treat. Otherwise, it's good to know that the whole range is not tested on animals and most products are vegan.)
This product is amazing as a face mask, it lightly exfoliates, hydrates and balances all skin problems. My skin was radiant and refreshed afterwards without any redness. The mask feels soothing on and is not drying although it does contain clay. It can be used as an exfoliating face wash as well. If you want to remove makeup and/or eye makeup, it's best to use the Purity & Grace cleansing oil as a first step.

Before this post gets too long to read, I better wrap it up. There is so much to say about this line, but I hope I have stirred your curiosity and given you a little insight of my own experience.

Heatwave Skin Care Tips

Phew... this truly is a HOT Summer! If you are living around Sydney, you know what I mean.

On days where the heat is just sweltering day & night I can be a great idea to temporarily modify your skincare routine. If you don't spend your days in aircon chances are your skin will sweat and also won't be as dry as during the Winter months.

I usually still keep up a regime but with the extreme temperatures lately I have simplified my routine and think this could work for others too!

My number one favourite product in this heat is

No. 3 Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum is possibly my favourite, as I haven't been able to find such a light textured plumping serum in a natural product before. It plumps the skin with Hyaluronic Acid and Beta Glucan. I like how it feels on the skin and instantly decreases fine lines with a hydration boost. It's so lightweight and hydrating, yet gives my skin that great protection from premature aging.
Of course, usually I would follow up with my moisturiser afterward but I have lately used on its own on the hot days and it has worked a treat!
Heat Wave Tip: Use on its own on scorching hot days , day & night.

No.2 Citrus Rhapsody Radiance Tonique
is a citrus based toner containing antioxidants fruits and herbs.

Soooooo refreshing! I use it after cleansing, prior to my serum but also during the day when my skin needs a cooling refresh.
Heat Wave Tip: You can keep it in the fridge too, for some extra cooling action!

Keep Cool & Hydrated! xo