2. Sydne Summer's Mask + Mask Necklace

• Leave it to someone to make masking chic. Well, Sydne has outdone herself with the chicest face mask. You can purchase the mask alone, I opted for the mask and necklace option. I would always start walking into a store or out the door without a mask! It's a mandate that we have to wear them here in STL so I have to have one. Thus, why I loved the option for it to hang around my neck - I'm obsessed. Just look at how cute it is: 

3. Skin Twin Foundation

• I switched to a clean foundation! You have all followed my journey to clean and I'm so excited to have made this switch. So far, I love it. It took me a minute to determine the best method of application - I prefer to use a flat buffing brush (I've tried multiple options and this one provides the best coverage). 

4. Swimsuits

5. Daily Gratitude

• Something I've been doing since the beginning of the year is daily gratitude, as of late, it's been a necessary daily task to keep me sane. I'm in the midst of a waiting period, a lot of unknown is ahead, and I have to continue to remember all of the things I'm grateful for. It puts life into perspective when you start speaking of all that you do have instead of all that you don't.

What I found was unnerving. From the foundation I use to the eyebrow powder, there are so many toxic chemicals, not just harmful to myself but also to the environment. These instinctively reaffirmed my decision to educate myself on "clean" products and make the switch. I plan to share a lot of my findings here and wanted to start with one today - let's talk sunscreen!
 Sunscreen is undoubtedly one of the worst products that are not regulated as it's purpose is to protect our skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays but it does much more than that. To begin with, most sunscreen is absorbed into our bloodstream and with chemicals such as oxybenzone or octinoxate - these are chemicals that have been found in human urine, breast milk, and blood confirming that they are quickly absorbed into our skin. The adverse effects of these chemicals include developmental and reproductive toxicity and photoallergic reactions. Oxybenzone is actually a UV absorber meaning it allows your skin to soak in the sun's rays - thus why your skin tans or why you see white dots/freckles all along your skin. Since sunlight is being absorbed into the second layer of your skin you are more likely to develop a topical allergic reaction to sunscreens! (Source)
In addition to these chemicals being harmful to you, they also have adverse effects on our coral reefs. Any products with oxybenzone have actually been banned from Hawaii! They can trigger virus outbreaks within the reefs, cause coral-bleaching, and disrupt the reproductivity of the coral reef system. Beautycounter offers a clean and safe switch - Countersun Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30.

What I found was unnerving. From the foundation I use to the eyebrow powder, there are so many toxic chemicals, not just harmful to myself but also to the environment. These instinctively reaffirmed my decision to educate myself on "clean" products and make the switch. I plan to share a lot of my findings here and wanted to start with one today - in regards to my foundation. 

I've used a handful of different foundation brands. Until recently, I had yet to switch to a "clean" foundation as I wasn't completely certain on which ones to try (I'm still researching). What I will say is I don't love how my foundation lays. I've finally found a skincare routine that I think works and then I put on my makeup and we go backwards - it's a criminal defeat. Currently, I'm using iT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50. I love that it has SPF and I also love that it is incredibly full coverage. It does nothing for me in the summertime, especially with the humidity and no matter how much mattifying powder I use, it still doesn't work! Anyways, I compared my current foundation with that of Beautycounter's as I'm a consultant, and here are a few things I found:  

Clean Switch - 

From This: iT Cosmetics CC+ Foundation 

• Contains Vitamin A Palmitate, this is absorbed into the skin as retinol (harmful for women who are pregnant). Additionally, photoirradiation of retinyl palmitate by IVA light generates reactive oxygen species resulting in lipid peroxidation (oxidative degradation of lipids) - this results in cell damage. *Verified by EWG  Skin Deep®
• Contains Citrus Lemon Peel Oil, this is a human toxicant and allergen according to the European Union laws. Other concerns with this ingredient are developmental toxicity.
• Contains Phenoxyethanol - This chemical is classified as an irritant, it's restricted in Japan, and can have adverse effects on the central and peripheral nervous system. 

To This: Beautycounter Skin Twin Foundation

• EWG Certified and Leaping Bunny Certified
• Formulated without phthalates, parabens, and formaldehyde.
• No added fragrance
• Contains hyaluronic acid for all day plumping