Heading Home + Dirty Products

Twenties

It’s a short week for me because I’m heading to Baltimore to visit my grandma tomorrow! After that, I’m traveling home to NC for a wedding. It will be the first time I’ve gone home since I moved to Texas, so I’m pretty excited. I can’t believe it’s been a year. I’m pumped to see family and do some celebrating with friends.

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I wanted to post about cleaning up my beauty routine because I think it’s an interesting topic. Since reading this post on my sister’s blog and this blog, I’ve been trying to clean up my products. And boy is it hard! Partly because it’s difficult to find affordable products and partly because switching products means breakouts and bad hair days in the process. I also didn’t want to switch everything at once, because that would simply be too expensive, so I’ve been slowly trying samples of things. I made the mistake of trying a bunch of stuff at once, and my skin got really irritated and dry, and then I didn’t know which thing was causing the problem! Same with greasy hair (my hair is just blah in general these days – might be time for a big cut).

Anyway, this is what I’m using as of now:

Paula’s Choice Resist Ultra Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum – I’m liking this so far, although it stings my face at times, so I’ve started using it every other day.

Paula’s Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser – Love this!

Paula’s Choice Hydralight Lotion – I’m still having some dry skin, but I think I like this. My skin craves my old Aveeno some days and I give in and put a little on the dry spots.

Alima Pure Luminous Shimmer Blush (Leigh) – I like this a lot so far, although it might be a bit rosy for me – there are lots of colors though.

Acure Moisture Repair Shampoo and Triple Moisture Repairing Conditioner – I love the price point for these ($8.99) and love that I can get it at Whole Foods. I really like the conditioner, although it only feels like it’s working when I comb though my hair in the shower. I’m not crazy about the shampoo, simply because I think my hair looks dull when I use it. And I’m not a fan of the smell!

Finding a better shampoo and a foundation with sunscreen are next on my list.

I’d would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations!!!

PS: here’s a Paula’s Choice referral link if you want to get $10 off – I used my sister’s link to buy my first samples and that’s how I got hooked!

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  • Marissa
    June 10, 2014 at 9:53 pm

    I love this topic as I switched to much cleaner beauty products about a year ago! It takes a bit of trial and error, but I’m quite happy with all of my products now. I use Acure’s mint shampoo and love it. For foundation, I use a company called 100 percent pure, and for powder, Everyday Minerals. For lipstick, Zuzu Luxe and Gabriel cosmetics are both good. I use the oil cleansing method to wash my face, and for this I use avocado oil. Some other brands that are pretty clean are Eminence Organics, Be Natural Organics, and Rawceuticals. There are many more out there, too. Just have to do your research. Good luck with trying new products!

    • Laura
      June 11, 2014 at 1:38 pm

      Thank you for all the recs.! I’ll have to try the mint shampoo next!

  • Talia
    June 10, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    Favorite topic of mine! I am obsessed with MyChelle facewash/moisturizer. It takes a few weeks to get used to but the scent, quality, and clean ingredients in this product are awesome (and it smells super fresh too!) The stuff is definitely pricey though.

    Hair is a little tricky. Avalon Organics makes really affordable shampoo that works for a lot of people (myself excluded.) I happen to really love Aubrey Organics, which has some really heavenly products. I especially recommend their Honeysuckle conditioner which is super thick and luscious–almost like a deep condition. I tend to switch between these two brands.

    • Laura
      June 11, 2014 at 1:36 pm

      Awesome information… It seems like it’s hard to find a clean, thick conditioner. Thank you!

  • Carla
    June 11, 2014 at 10:55 am

    The referral link is broken 🙁

    • Laura
      June 11, 2014 at 11:00 am

      Oh no! It worked for me just now? I’ll look into it when I get to a computer!

  • Anon
    June 15, 2014 at 9:21 pm

    You look just like Buzz, and have Kath’s mannerisms.

  • Michelle
    June 20, 2014 at 8:28 am

    Not sure if all Whole Foods are the same, but at mine they have a great beauty/personal care supply backing. If you buy a product–even if you use the entire bottle–and don’t like it, you can return it for a refund. Makes it a little safer to try new things.

    • Laura
      June 20, 2014 at 11:04 am

      that’s great news! I’ve returned things there before, but didn’t know you can use that much of the product and still exchange!

  • Kristina
    June 23, 2014 at 3:15 am

    I really like the Shea Moisture line, which you can find at Target and some CVS stores (for a great price!). The shampoo and conditioner are really nice and don’t leave a build up, and I especially love their restorative hair mask. I also like the Olive & Green Tea shower gel and body oil.

    I’m also trying to clean up some of my products, but prefer to do a gradual shift like you mentioned. Too fast, too furious is never good for my face or my wallet! Good luck on your search for new products : )

    • Laura
      June 23, 2014 at 1:19 pm

      Thanks for this rec.!