A Beginners Guide to Good-for-You Makeup

In an age of technology and a wide variety of information at our finger tips, it's easier than ever to become conscious of our health in ways we never considered before. One aspect of our day-to-day lives that is so important is our beauty products. Most people who wear makeup wear it without any idea of the ingredients added into their favorite products. So, today I'm going to break down for you the things to look for when you are shopping for healthier makeup options, as well as the things to avoid.

First off, what exactly determines if a product is "natural?"

The simple answer is ingredients. An important thing to know is you can't trust a product's label. If a product says it's "Natural," you can't assume it's a healthy product. Many companies use false advertising tactics to make a product seem "Natural," as they are under no legal regulation to prove a cosmetic's ingredients being natural. Really anything can be considered natural, as everything comes from the Earth, therefore, ingredients like lead can be labeled as "Natural." So, in order to know if a product is truly "Natural" in the sense that it lacks unhealthy ingredients, you have to look at the ingredients list.

So, what are the ingredients I should avoid?

For my personal shopping, the main ingredients I avoid are:

• Parabens
• Propelyene Glycol
• Synthetic fragrances and other additives
• Lead
• Sulfates
• Alcohol
• Preservatives

However, there are a lot of different levels of ingredient consciousness, and it's up to you as for where you stand. Another thing I try to look for—for more ethical reasons—are "Cruelty-Free" and vegan products. Sometimes it can be hard to find the right, truly natural products, but don't get deterred as it's super important for your health to avoid these ingredients. This is why some find ingredient evaluating websites and apps like Skin Deep, Think Dirty, and The Good Guide.

How to Minimize Cost When Shopping for Natural Makeup and Beauty Products

One of the biggest issues I see people run into when shopping for natural makeup is the cost. Anyone who's looked into buying natural beauty products quickly realizes the price. Just like any other good-for-you thing, like organic food or that yoga class your friend has been raving about, natural makeup is usually not the most budget-friendly item. It does, however, pay off as being conscious about what goes on or in your body will help protect it in the long run. As a student with a tight budget, I have found some good ol' tips and tricks to finding the best deal and saving a few bucks on the products you really want—without compromising for things less good for you.

Know your money saving websites like Iherb and Amazon, and always check to see if the product you want is on one of these sites.

Follow your favorite companies on Instagram and check often to see if they are having any sales or giveaways. Subscribing to a certain brand's mailing list can also be really helpful.

When shopping online, make use of filters and sorting options such as setting a price range and sorting it from least expensive to most expensive.

When shopping in store, know where has the best deals and learn to look out for your favorite brands in pharmacies, drug stores, and department stores (like Target or CVS). Places like Whole Foods or your local natural food store will usually have a bigger selection of natural beauty products, but will also usually be at a higher price, so I try to only buy sale items from theses stores—and theses stores will (sometimes) have really good sales.

Compare prices! And really make sure to take your time deciding on what to buy and where to buy it from. Also, make sure to check the amount of product in a container. (I learned this early on after purchasing an excellent all-natural concealer online for 40 dollars, thinking I would get a lot of product, but it ending up only being the size of a large lip balm tube, or small eye cream.)

Use sites like eBates, get cash back, and buy from stores like Ulta beauty through these sites as they usually have good deals and other cash back opportunities.

My Favorite Natural Brands So Far!

Over the years, I have found many brands that I love the products of and that I can afford—my all-time favorite brand being Pacifica Beauty. I absolutely love their products and highly recommend this cruelty-free brand. Other amazing brands are Burt's Bees, Andalou, Alaffia, Giovanni Hair Care, Alba Botannica, Ecotools (for makeup and hair brushes), and Vapor Organics.

Thank you for reading this article and make sure to follow me for more writing on topics like this. I hope you enjoyed! :)

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