I am embarrassed to admit this, but it took me years (a decade?) to completely embrace ethical beauty.

When I first started Future:Standard, I wasn’t all that concerned with clean and ethical beauty. I know. Seems odd. I was so immersed and passionate about ethical fashion, eating organic, and a sustainable lifestyle, but I had almost completely ignored clean and ethical beauty. I had a few items here and there that I would still consider green, and definitely a handful of green-washed products, but was still using my drug- and department-store favorites (it’s a journey!). I was moving to more sustainable products, but I was doing it for the earth, rather than my own health.

Fast forward a few years. I discovered the EWG’s beauty guide, read “No More Dirty Looks,” and realized, “woa. What I put on my skin enters my body.” But made very few changes. 

I also started aging. And with that realized that what went in my body made as much of a difference as what went on it. I was single (and living a life that many single ladies live), and could see what a big night out (or a girls’ night in) did to my face. 

I was still using conventional products, but was buying fewer of them. I was probably still being green washed, but had discovered that there were less expensive clean beauty brands that I worked as well.

Fast forward a few more years after that. I had cleaned up a lot of my beauty routine and had really simplified what products were “necessary.” I had made many lifestyle changes that helped clear my skin from the inside out. I finally even made the switch to a natural deodorant that worked (pregnancy was the motivator here. And an armpit detox made it possible). But, I still had a ways to go.

Then I had my little guy. 

Here he is:

That lipstick on his head? It has lead in it. Yep, lead. Gross. 

Here is my little one a year and a half later:

That spoon in his mouth? It is my face mask. And it is completely edible.

After I had my little guy, I realized that I needed to be as close to perfect as possible. Why? Because babies put their mouths on everything, especially you, their mama, in the early months. And, in those early months (affectionately dubbed the “Winter of a Billion Kisses), I realized how often I was kissing, nuzzling, snuggling him.

Once I saw that picture, I knew I needed to completely make the switch. If I was wearing it, he was too. And with his perfectly soft baby skin, he was absorbing everything, faster than I was. I rethought my beauty routine and I determined that,

If I can’t eat it, I shouldn’t be putting it on my skin.

What I did:

At that point, I really started reading ingredient lists. I looked for ingredients that are pronounceable, organic, and familiar. And edible, if possible.

I  completely stopped using any body lotion, and switched to coconut oil only.

I switched my face moisturizer to Argan oil mixed with an essential oil. 

In my fourth trimester, I just didn’t wear much makeup – I was tired, so that was easy. Once I went back to work, I made sure that everything I possibly could was edible. Makeup isn’t as easy as skincare, but it’s possible. Take a look at what the magicians at Vapour did: 

I got rid of all but my favorite special occasion lip colors that weren’t edible.  

And now, if my toddler gets into my products, It isn’t a big deal.

And, sometimes, I miss my favorite lip gloss. But most of the time, I love the purity, the smell, and the effectiveness of my ethical beauty products. And I love the confidence I get from knowing that what I am putting on my body isn’t hurting my little guy or the new little one on the way.

My favorites (used above):

 

 

Why did it take so long to switch to ethical beauty?

I am not sure.

In the early days of my move move toward a more ethical lifestyle, cost was a big concern (still is). And at the time, I don’t think there were as many low cost options. You certainly couldn’t find W3LL People and other great natural beauty brands at Target!

I had a handful of products that I really loved and didn’t want to get rid of. And if I am honest with myself, I don’t think I truly believed that clean beauty is as effective. I always said that I was a hippie that didn't look or smell like one. I think I had a bit of resistance because it was the one area that felt "too hippie," even for me.

And, I was worried that ethical beauty wasn't as effective. It is, possibly more so.

I was loyal to the colors and products that were tried and true.

And I was lazy. I didn’t want to start over testing and trying new products and colors and reading ingredients seemed like a lot of effort. It was easier to just buy what I know.  

It took a baby to get me to completely make the switch. I am embarrassed to admit that after quite a few years advocating for ethical style, I still had such a long way to go. But, that was my motivation.

What was your motivation to switch to clean beauty? Do you have any conventional beauty products that you just can’t get away from? Need some suggestions? Take a look at the Big List of Ethical Beauty or read the Ethical Beauty Starter Guide. Or head on over to The Detox Market for some inspiration. All of my Vapour products listed above are available there.