It's funny how the look of my Empties, over the past year, have shifted. I still use more beauty products than your average bear, however, I am simplifying my routine. There's a few reasons, actually. The first is because I noticed that the makeup and hair looks I loved were simpler, effortless, and more natural looking. I'm not going to look like a glowing Parisian girl if I've got seven pounds of spackle on my face, now am I? I, also, wanted my products to actually BE MORE NATURAL. Now, this part was actually caused by a dear family member that was diagnosed with ovarian and uterine cancer. After poking and prodding, the doctors told her that the cause wasn't genetic, but that it was "environmental". What the?!?!!!? That got me thinking about my personal environment. Work, home... I mean, isn't that MY environment? I'm surrounded by and use beauty products every day, and that's why I decided to start using less products, but with purer, better ingredients. It's for my health.
That's why I wanted to share some of my empties with you, but also share what I swapped them out for and why. Sound fun? ok, lets go.....
I had seen several of my favorite Celebrity stylists use Reverie Haircare products, this is a California made line with super clean ingredients. I'm still personally enjoying a couple products from this boutique line, however I was not a fan of their shampoo and conditioner. Even though the ingredient list is flawless, the shampoo left my color treated hair dry and rough. The conditioner adds slip to the hair, but isn't overly moisturizing to parched ends (like mine). Thats where I love the Yarok Feed Your Volume Shampoo and Conditioner. The shampoo gently cleanses so that you can achieve big, voluminous hairstyles, but it does so without depleting the hair of moisture. It's safe for color treated hair and is good for hair on the thiner, puny side. Feed Your Volume Conditioner replenishes the hair without ever weighing it down, Fabulous! If you aren't familiar with Yarok, it's a non-toxic haircare line that's based in New York. I love it because the products actually work and you don't have to worry about sticky, gross chemicals getting on you, it's only the good stuff.
Any of you that know me personally, probably realize that I'm literally surrounded by a group of friends that are obsessed with skincare, estheticians galore! One of them, for privacy purposes lets call her Marie, introduced me to the lovely Beauty Counter Facial oils in Hydrating and Balancing. My naturally oily skin loved these. Some believe that a reason that oily skin produces so much oil is because it's actually depleted and is trying to rehydrate the skin itself. So, when you use a facial oil at night, you're giving your skin exactly what it needs, so it stops freaking out and doesn't have to produce so much blasted oil. Not only did I notice my skin being less oily in the day time, but my skin would heal faster if I had a hormonal breakout and the overall texture was as beautiful as a baby angel's booty. I will absolutely repurchase these oils again, and highly recommend them, but a girl has to play the field. I had to try more oils! When I ran out of my BC Oils, I picked up the Herbivore Lapis Oil and this restorative serum from 100% Pure. This serum from 100% Pure is gently hydrating and soothing, I actually use it after I wash my face in the morning as a daytime moisturizer. I did want a bit more moisture for nighttime, though. That's why I picked up the Lapis Oil from Be.Pure.Beauty. This is a balancing oil thats great for oily and acne-prone skin, its soothing and healing but imparts deep hydration to the skin. Simply, lovely!
When it comes to lip balms or salves, I'd like to keep the ingredients very simple. Think about how much of these products we are ingesting throughout the day? It's crazy to think about, thats why its nice to know what you're putting on and in your body. I've had this Smith's Salve for a while, and it does give the lips light moisture and slip, however, I've never felt like it penetrated my lips and gave them deep moisture. That's not the case for the Glossier Balm.com. This soothing skin balm can be used on dry skin, burns or even parched lips. When I use it on my lips they are so hydrated and not goopy. I love it! I keep it on my nightstand and I even have one in my car. The lip balm that I've been using before I put my makeup on is this one from R.L. Linden & Co. I received it my Petit Vour box and have loved it ever since. This non-toxic alternative to chapstick glides on the lips smoothly and gives deep penetrating natural moisture to the lips. This is a green beauty gem!
Over the past year I've been in a passionate relationship with the Purifying Charcoal Mask from Beauty Counter. This mask reaches deep into my pores and draws out excess oils and grime, and the ingredient list is flawless! I know people in the beauty community are all about the Glam Glow masks...... they don't hold a candle to this. You get better ingredients and a lower price point, what's not to love? Now that temperatures are cooling off here in North Carolina, my skin has shifted and my skin needs more calming and balancing properties from masks. Enter Hidden Forest Theo Mask. Theo is a multipurpose product, however, I only use it as a mask. I mix this mask with a bit of water in the lid of the jar and then paint my face up. My skin feels cleansed, toned and balanced after this mask. It's truly a beautifully crafted mask.
Dry shampoo..... how I do love thee. When I started looking into green haircare products, Captain Blankenship was a brand I kept hearing about (thanks Kaitlin). This brand is sold at Sephora, so its easy to get your hands on. This dry shampoo performs beautifully, it absorbs moisture, adds texture and smells fresh and clean. When I finally finished up my Captain Blankenship dry shampoo, I switched over to the Yarok Feed Your Style dry shampoo. These are both fabulous products, however, I think the Yarok works into the hair a bit better and has a finer texture to work with if you're not super comfortable with non-aerosol dry shampoos. The Yarok revives my fine oily hair and is easy use, it has my heart!
For a comprehensive review of every empty that I had, check out my video below. Have you ever dabbled into green beauty? Write any products that you'd love to recommend in the comments below. Thank you so much for stopping by,
~Shana