The Ultimate Guide to Switch to Safer Beauty

Many of us like to think we treat our bodies in the best way possible. We exercise at least five days a week, we eat right and cut out many negative habits of all forms to live a clean and peaceful life. I want you to sit back and ask yourself; have you ever looked at the label for your beauty products?

Seriously, I know that sounds crazy at first, but just sit back and think about it. When was the last time you checked the labels on your beauty products the sway you do that sugary snack at the coffee shop? Most of us don't! I will be honest as a professional makeup artist in the industry for over 9 years, I just like you trusted that big beauty brands were very safe and were using ingredients not chemicals. Well, I was WRONG and it was a scary reality to face. For almost a decade I have been giving my clients beauty advice and selling them products that were actually TERRIBLE for their skin. I immediately knew I had to do something quick! But what? I thought to myself, you are only one person and other artists are not going to give up their favorite products just because of "some chemicals" that haven't been proven to cause life-threatening issues, yet.

Just when I felt like my whole career was for nothing, everything changed instantly. I found Beautycounter! Now I know some of you have already been DM'd on IG or Facebook about Beautycounter and how awesome this company is but that's how I found it! I have to say, that wasn't my first time being recruited by a direct sales company. So at first I was reluctant about joining the business but still wanted to try the products. All I could think about was, is healthy makeup the FUTURE? Could I start replacing my luxury brands in my professional kit as well as educating my client base on how healthy this product was!

The answer was YES! When I got my hands on the key products that I will be sharing in this post, I immediately purged my old kit that contained MAC, Bobbi Brown, Fenty, YSL, Marc Jacobs, NARS, and many more. My fellow makeup artist friends still can't believe I made the Clean Swap. However, I can believe it! I have a passion for what I do and I want to make sure if I use or recommend a product to my client it is something I can stand behind 100% and feel safe using on myself!

When I first used this foundation on myself, I was a little hesitate simply because I had some serious hyperpigmentation and was used to using a full coverage foundation to hide my issues. Using this foundation was the perfect solution for simply because of how buildable it was for me. I was able to achieve my normal flawless complexion with full coverage but also shockingly able to create a beautiful finish for my every day on the go looks.

How to Use:

For lighter coverage, apply with Retractable Foundation Brush. Dispense a dime size amount of Tint Skin into the palm of your hand. Dip and swirl the brush to distribute the product. Apply to the center of your face with a light dabbing motion before blending outward with light even strokes. For fuller coverage apply with Flat Complexion Brush.

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Coco-Caprylate, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isostearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Isoeicosane, Propanediol, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire d'abeille, Dimethicone, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Oil, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit , Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

Earlier I mentioned how I purged my YSL from my professional kit, and this is exactly why! I loved using my YSL Concealer Pens for years in my professional kit for weddings, photo shoots, and just everyday makeup lessons. The control of the pen is easy to use and the coverage is flawless. I never found another concealer that I enjoyed using more until I got my hands on these babies! Beautycounter literally NAILED IT with this concealer pen. The style of the pen is gorgeous, let's be honest we purchase products for our vanity. Not to mention the quality of the product is unbelievable. Not because it's a new brand only 6 years old, but because the major selling point is that this product is graded as safe yet it's the same look and quality of a luxury brand such as YSL. It was seriously mind-blowing!

How to Use:

Press the click-pen button until brush tip is filled with concealer. Apply concealer to dark circles or imperfections. Lightly pat with ring finger to blend. Wear alone or on top of the foundation.

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Coco-Caprylate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Oleyl Oleate, Gluconolactone, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire d'abeille, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lecithin, Polygonum Aviculare (Knotweed) Extract, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

Game changer is the best way to describe this product! First of all, the brush on this baby is perfect for creating the perfect brow. And when I say perfect brow I don't mean, the overdrawn or dramatic looking brows. I'm talking about a fresh face brow when you have the shape but you want to fill them in just a little. Or you have very light brows and sometimes a pencil is just too much. We all have our version of the perfect brow and I promise this product will help you achieve that look. Ok if you like a defined brow but to keep things more natural, just apply this gel before adding any additional brow products.

Once the gel has dried go back in with eyeshadow the color of your natural brow hairs, or with a pencil to give that defined look under the brow and to add shape to the brow. Of course, brush back through your brows to blend the product. Don't worry if you have questions I offer a complimentary 20 minute virtual 1:1 for anyone that makes a Clean Swap!

How to Use:

Apply micro brush directly to brows, combing the product through and following the natural shape of your brow. If using a tinted shade, add additional coats for more fullness and definition. Brows will set where you place them.

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Coconut Alkanes, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba*, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Glycerin*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Magnesium Myristate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Levulinate, Tocopherol, Sodium Phytate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499). *Organic/Biologique.

After experiencing a traumatic breakup with my lash extensions, I noticed how my natural lashes were broken and extremely weak. I have to be honest, as a beauty expert I was FREAKING OUT! All I knew wondering was how the in the hell did I not know my natural lashes were being damaged with those extensions. I mean I was the studio director so I knew about the proper lash extension aftercare and took it very seriously.

Using this mascara not only gave me the look of still having my extensions even though my natural lashes were trashed. Surprisingly, this mascara has helped my lashes heal and grow. We still have some serious work to do but within just three months, I noticed a huge difference in my natural lashes!

How to Use:

Apply mascara at the base of lashes and wiggle upward. Turn brush vertically to apply to lower lashes. Build optimal fullness with multiple coats.

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Cera Microcristallina/Microcrystalline Wax/Cire microcrystalline, Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Behenate, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Palmitic Acid, Cera Carnauba/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Cellulose, Methylpropanediol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Dimethicone, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Rosa Centifolia Flower Wax, Jasminum Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Flower Wax, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Wax, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Oenocarpus Bataua Fruit Oil.

Personally, this blush has the best pigmentation than most of my NARS and MAC blushes I once used in my professional kit. The saying a little goes a long way is so true with this blush. The formula is so rich and soft it's almost like a cream blush when applying to the skin. From my personal artistry technique, I prefer the "draping" style for applying my blush. I know that when I normally introduce this technique to my clients they are a little taken back by the technique so I also included the most common way to apply your blush. Please keep in mind of the pigment with these blushes when applying at the apples of your cheeks, the last thing we want is you looking more like a clown than enhancing your natural beauty!

How to Use:

Using the Angled Blush Brush, press and tap the blush onto the apples of the cheeks, and along the cheekbones.

Ingredients:

Mica, Talc, Boron Nitride, Lauroyl Lysine, Cetearyl Dimethicone, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Zinc Stearate, Magnesium Stearate, Methicone, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Trimyristin, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360).

Lip gloss is always a deal breaker for many women. If the gloss is too sticky or too much sparkle, you name it I've heard it before. I am here to tell you this is the perfect blend! I LOVE MY LIP GLOSS! As a makeup artist, I was never a huge fan of lipstick anyway so when I used to love being able to add my favorite gloss with my makeup looks when I wasn't working at the counter. Now I wear my Bare Shimmer Lip Gloss every day, and my daughter loves it too!

How to Use:

Apply to lips as needed. Perfect worn alone, but even better layered on top of Sheer Lipstick.

Ingredients:

Polybutene, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cera Alba (Beeswax)/Cire d'abeille, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Mica, Tin Oxide, Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil.

Just for you, and the love and support I want to provide you with a simple offer! I'm sure many of you are ready to make that clean swap but didn't know exactly what products to replace initially. I hope this post has made this transition a little easier for you. At Beautycounter, we know how much we invest in our beauty products, I mean I get it I was investing in a full professional kit and my personal collection. So here is a special offer of all six products mentioned in this blog for only $150! YAY!!!

Let's say you purchase the kit and aren't sure of how to get the most flawless look, just contact me and we can schedule a complimentary 20 minute virtual one on one just for you!

Schedule Your Complimentary 20 Minute Virtual 1:1

Contact us!

Be sure to add Jacquie Verbal as your consultant to make sure you get your complimentary 1:1—this offer is exclusive to my clients only! Happy Clean Swap my Loves! :)