(Level 2 post. I attended the event and received samples from the vendors to review. #sponsored)
I have been writing about beauty for nine years now and have tried hundreds of products from the major companies and the small indie brands. When I first started, there were only brands that still tested on animals and fill their products with cancerous and noxious ingredients. I also recently received a message from a friend that many of the products, geared towards African-American women, have even more ingredients that are hazardous to our health. These products cause hormone disruption, allergies, reproductive damage, and cancer. (Read about this here.)
Thus I am cleaning up my beauty act and am delighted that now there are literally hundreds of healthier, clean beauty options. Thus, for the most part, unless it is a brand like Clinique or Philosophy that I have been using all my Life, I am going to be filling my beauty pages with only clean brands.
Fortunately, I just attended the Beauty Square: Spring Edit and checked out some new brands that are ethically sourced, natural and organic. And the best part is for the most part, these brands are all women-owed.
Saturday Lashes
A lash a day makes your peepers slay! These lovely lashes are housed in fun modern packaging. t Each pair of Saturday Lashes is 100% handmade, cruelty free and contains the softest and lightest hairs. I really love this brand and can’t wait to beauty road test them!
BUY IT NOW: Available in two weeks from: https://www.saturdaylashes.com
Cote
The late Horst Rechelbacher, Founder of Aveda and Intelligent Nutrients, hipped me to the fact that our nails are just skin and thus anything we put on them does directly into our bloodstream. I have been more conscious of what I put on my nails ever since. I am mad for these colors and there are dozens of them. All of Côte’s polishes and treatments are free of the major toxins often associated with nail polish. Yet, you still get all the chip-resistant, long lasting shine without sacrificing your health!
BUY IT NOW: Book an appointment in NY or LA or order the polishes from: https://coteshop.co
Beau Brummel
A simple method of grooming for men founded by two entrepreneurial brothers, Zack and Daniel, who had a lifelong dream of working in the men’s health and wellness industry. The products are crafted in small batches at their laboratory in New York, to ensure the highest quality and consistency. The brand is named after the first metrosexual and dandy, Beau Brummel.
Muni Muni
Clean skincare for both sexes. I am using the Cleansing Oil every night now and it is changing my skin for the better.
Blackout Mask
Fun application with a must-have series of purifying, charcoal based masks with aloe vera and coconut oil, these are also perfect to take on the road for those summer vacays. I love the tiny practical towels that come in a condensed little circular form and expand when you wet them.
River Organics
Made with organic plant oils and butters and produced in small batches and formulated to be safe for all skin types, this line of facial oils, body oils and lip balms offers a simplified approach to maintaining and nourishing your skin. I am mad for the bronzing stick.
Petite Historie
Petite Historie is a lovely line of distinct fragrances. I love Hollywoodland, a smooth blend of patchouli and rich vanilla bourbon that captures the warmth of the sun drenched Hollywood Hills. A floral bouquet of ylang ylang, lavender, and rose.
Marie Hunter
Adorable luxury cosmetic, skincare and home fragrance line from a wonderful woman and Mompreneur. Each lipstick is named after a beloved family member or other important woman in her life. My fav is Willie Mae, named for her grandma.
Deco Miami
Great packaging that you will love on your dresser houses a 100% cruelty-free brand. Deco does not engage in any animal-testin or purchase raw materials from suppliers who do. All Deco products are vegan friendly and the company says they have no plans to introduce non-vegan products in the future.
CBD For Life
Everyone knows I am all about CBD and cannabis products in general right now as I am getting ready to launch my own. CBD For Life is on the cutting edge and was one of the first brands to make it to market in the cannabis wellness space. CBD For Life produces highly innovative, natural, luxurious, and effective Cannabidiol (CBD) infused pain management and beauty products using 99% pure CBD extract derived from stems and stalks of industrial hemp. I had a slight sprain in my foot so am mad for the lemongrass scented pain relief balm.
Klei Beauty
According to their website: “Klei is a natural and cruelty-free self-care line, focused on providing exceptional product with minimal waste. All Klei products are small-batch made from natural ingredients, each of which is carefully researched and chosen for its specific skin-nourishing qualities. All packaging is created with environmental impact taken into account. Klei products are only tested on the founder’s friends and family, never animals.” Now that’s a brand philosophy, I can get behind! My fav product is the Detox Flower Facial Steam.
Iremia Skincare
Iremia is good for the niche of people with sensitive or reactive skin, who need their beauty products to be clean and simple, bit want to still be luxury and sophisticated. With no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petrochemicals, artificial colours, fragrances, or synthetics, this is the perfect line.
Apothecary 90291: 10 Degrees Cooler
One of the few brands that is made from 100% certified organic ingredients. From the luminous skin oils to the overnight mask to the repair mask of marine algae, I am crazy for this whole line.
Curata
I met this brand at the last Beauty Squared and it was great to see her again. Lovely products in lovely packaging, Curata offers Made Safe tested products that do not sacrifice luxury. The multi-radiance oil with an intoxicating scent of vanilla, white grapefruit and tuberose, leaves you sumptuously scented for hours and can be used on both hair and skin.
Stare Cosmetics
I love the beautiful foundation which was a perfect match to my skin and also the deep rich luxury lipsticks from this awesome brand that bridges the gap between skincare and make-up. Why get a facial then have you face ruined by bad cosmetics full of skin irritating ingredients? Use Stare Cosmetics!
20East Botanicals
Another wonderful line and I love their very simple packaging. These are luxury products without the fillers handmade and ethically sourced. The brand hipped to the dangers of using palm oil to the environment. According to their website, “Palm harvesting has contributed to large amounts of deforestation, climate change, and the destruction of vital habitats.” Their products are made from nut oils, like almond and organ. And they brand wisely offers one free sample with the purchase of a full-sized product, so that customers can get to know the line.