The beginning of my own clean beauty journey began in 2013 after my family and I relocated from NYC to Los Angeles. We moved into an old rental house, and, shortly after, I kept getting sick with severe allergies and chronic sinus infections, including one that landed me in the hospital. In addition to seeing every highly-recommended doctor. in town, I finally decided to see an Integrative Medicine Doctor to try and get the root of the problem. After getting the results of my bloodwork, we soon realized that there was toxic mold and asbestos in the house causing a bad reaction that left me with giant external and internal hives, and trouble breathing.
I learned that what you breathe in, and use on your skin daily, can make its way to your bloodstream and cause various health issues. So, one of the things I did was educate myself and find clean high-performance makeup and skincare, and I haven’t stopped since! It started with simple steps, switching out a few products here and there. Turns out, that what you put ON your body is as important as what you put IN your body.
I have successfully managed to transform the majority of products in my beauty cabinet to about 90% clean. At a minimum, the products I use are all free of parabens, sulfates, talc, fragrances, and phthalates. It’s been a long road of testing to find amazing brands to replace my old cult (but toxic) faves. There is a lot of clean beauty out there now, but all the products are not created equal. I’ve used beauty products over the years that I now know are considered “dirty” according to the Think Dirty app, and found incredible nontoxic alternatives that perform the same yet don’t contain harmful ingredients.
Below are 10 of my personal makeup product switches that are worth noting for a complete makeup look. It's important to mention that I have lots of favorite clean makeup products, but these particular ones listed below perform, look and feel similar to the more toxic ones I used to have in my makeup bag. You can find all my clean beauty favorites on The Glow Girl Certified List which is updated monthly.
xxMelissa
1.
NOT THAT: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
This contains Butylphenyl Methylpropional (toxic to reproduction and may cause skin irritation), Methylparaben (toxic to reproduction and endocrine disruptor), & Parfum/Fragrance (possible carcinogen and respiratory irritation)
Think Dirty App - Rating of 10
USE THIS: Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation
This weightless foundation powered by skincare actives offers a silky coverage to visibly smooth and soothe with every wear. Vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free.
Think Dirty App - Rating of 3
2.
NOT THAT: Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer
This contains Fragrance (possible carcinogen and respiratory irritation) & TBHQ (possible carcinogen and skin irritation)
Think Dirty App- Rating of 8
USE THIS: Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer
This is a creamy and lightweight concealer that evens and brightens the look of your skin tone with Vitamin C. Vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free.
Think Dirty App - Rating of 3
3.
NOT THAT: TWO FACED Better than Sex Volumizing Mascara
This contains contains Polyester-11 (possible carcinogen and skin irritation)
Think Dirty App - Rating of 8
USE THIS: KOSAS The Big Clean Mascara
This clean volumizing mascara is formulated by a hair-care serum that contains castor oil, Vitamin B5, and Biotinyl Tripeptide-1 which all support stronger and healthier lashes. Offers lots of volume and length for thicker, fuller lashes plus it’s gluten-free and cruelty-free.
Think Dirty App - Rating of 3
4.
NOT THAT: Charlotte Tilbury Darling Eye Palette
This contains Talc (possible ovarian cancer carcinogen and respiratory irritation)
Think Dirty App – Rating of 8
USE THIS: Ere Perez Chamomile Eye Palette
This 6-shade eyeshadow palette is talc-free and contains a formula infused with chamomile which helps sooth the delicate skin around the eye area. This palette will take you from day to night as it has beautiful natural colors with three matte base shades and three shimmer shades.
Think Dirty App - Rating of 3
5.
NOT THAT: Hourglass Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel
This contains C13-14 Isoparaffin (possible organ system toxicity and allergic reactions)
Think Dirty App – Rating of 9
USE THIS: Ilia Essential Brow Gel
This is a tinted brow gel that contains Aloe Leaf Juice, Shea Butter, and Sunflower Seed Oil which all help to fluff and fill your brows. Vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and fragrance-free.
Think Dirty App - Rating of 3
6.
NOT THAT: Chanel Soleil Tan De Sheer Illuminating Fluid Sunkissed
This contains Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (skin irritation and endocrine disruptor) & Fragrance (possible carcinogen and respiratory irritation)
Think Dirty App – Rating of 8
USE THIS: Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Highlighter
This gel-based luminizer contains Vitamin C to brighten skin’s appearance and Rose Hip Seed Oil to help moisturize skin, both leaving you with a gorgeous dewy look. Gluten-free and cruelty-free.
Think Dirty App - Rating of 3
7.
NOT THAT: NARS Blush Orgasm
This contains Butylparaben (possible carcinogen and endocrine disruptor), Methylparaben (toxic to reproduction and endocrine disruptor), Propylparaben (toxic to reproduction and skin irritation) & Talc (possible ovarian cancer carcinogen and respiratory irritation)
Think Dirty App – Rating of 9
USE THIS: RMS Dimension Hydra Blush
This nourishing powder blush contains Jojoba oil and Buriti oil which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants and help to give you and silky and luminous finish. Vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.
Think Dirty App - Rating of 3
8.
NOT THAT: Dior Lip Glow Oil
This contains Fragrance (possible carcinogen and respiratory irritation)
Think Dirty App – Rating of 8
USE THIS: Lilah B Tinted Lip Oil
I love this lip oil—you can watch my reels HERE showing it in one of my fave shades. It contains Bilberry Seed Oil, Milk Thistle Extract, and Vitamin E which all help to hydrate and nourish skin’s natural moisture barrier. Vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free.
Think Dirty App - Rating of 3
9.
NOT THAT: Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick
This contains Fragrance (possible carcinogen and respiratory irritation)
Think Dirty App – Rating of 8
USE THIS: Ilia Multistick
This creamy multi-use formula for lips and cheeks contains Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, and Orange Peel Wax to soften and nourish skin. Gluten-free, cruelty-free, and fragrance-free.
Think Dirty App - Rating of 3
10.
NOT THAT: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer
This contains Talc (possible ovarian cancer carcinogen and respiratory irritation)
Think Dirty App – Rating of 8
USE THIS: Well People Superpower Bronzing Powder
This lightweight, talc-free baked bronzing powder warms your complexion and hydrates skin with plant-based ingredients including Squalane, Mica, and Corn Starch.
Think Dirty App – Rating of 3
There are so many amazing clean beauty products that I use and love so remember to check them out and shop them on The Glow Girl Certified List HERE.
