This has been a long time coming…my initial Green Beauty Guide was written longer ago than I care to admit!
Today’s post is a little different, as it contains my very favorite cosmetics (skincare coming soon!) that I’ve procured over the past three years or so. You know, the kind of products you use until you’re scraping the very last bits from the container, only to repurchase again. And I don’t know about you, but that’s what I really want to know in regards to beauty bloggers. What they are truly using again and again and again.
Well, these fit that criteria for me. Naturally, I receive a lot of products to test, but the percentage that actually make it here on the blog and/or my Instagram account is pretty small. (15%, maybe?)
All to say, I love these products.
(A side note regarding ingredients. All of these brands are considered “clean beauty,” but it’s up to you how far you want to take it. Let me give you an example…a few of these products contain Phenoxyethanol, which is a preservative that some choose not to use. It scores a 4 on the EWG for possible irritation and toxicity issues, but personally, after much research, I’m okay using it here and there in a select few products. And that’s the thing, you need to research what you will and will not use. It’s a personal choice. BUT I can tell you that every product listed in this roundup is light years better than conventional beauty products, so never fear.)
Let’s get this party started!
Tinted Moisturizer/Foundation:
Gressa Minimalist Corrective Serum Foundation – This foundation is my MVP. It is unbelievable to me how one single drop of this serum foundation can create the most beautiful coverage. One drop! I started wearing it a year ago and have never looked back. The 2.5 shade works very well on my skin except for summer when I get a little darker. This foundation is truly a game changer. Here’s a photo of me wearing it. (For samples, just click “Sample It” on this product page and you can try different shades. 4 samples at Detox Market for $7.99)
Beautycounter Tint Skin Foundation – This was included in my original post, and I still love it for those reasons. Has less coverage than the Gressa foundation.
W3LL PEOPLE Bio Tint SPF 30 – I usually wear this or the Suntegrity during the summer months due to the SPF component. Gives a nice evenness to the skin with a bit of glow.
Suntegrity 5-in-1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen – Another great tinted moisturizer with SPF. Although, I feel I’m right between Fair and Light. Light usually works for me when I’ve got a bit of color in the summer.
Primer:
Vapour Soft Focus Stratus Skin Perfector – I use primer very infrequently, but when I do, this is the best. I constantly hear how great this is from friends I’ve suggested it to – good stuff. I wear the S904.
Concealer:
W3LL PEOPLE Bio Correct Multi-Action Concealer – Once I found this concealer, I tossed every other one I owned. It’s just perfect – the consistency, the coverage, and the Light shade works perfectly on my complexion.
Powder:
Ilia Fade Into You Powder – Like primers, I don’t use powder very often as oil and shine are not issues of mine, but I do enjoy “setting my makeup” with this powder on nights out.
Highlighter:
Maya Chia Highlight of the Day Illuminating Serum – Love love love this highlighting serum. Wrote all about it here.
W3LL PEOPLE Bio Brightener Stick – As you move down this list, you will see that makeup sticks are a thing with me. They are just so easy to use and apply! Love this highlighter because the shade is very natural on the skin, and again, STICKS.
Rituel de Fille Rare Light Luminizer – Holy moly, the shade Phosphene is ethereal on the cheekbones. Wearing it here.
Bronzer:
Maya Chia Illuminating Serum – The After Hours shade gives a great bronzed highlight to the face.
W3LL PEOPLE Bio Bronzer Stick – Bronzer in a stick. Need I say more. (Great for contouring too.)
Blush:
Rituel de Fille Inner Glow Cream Pigment – I wear this blush in Lovesick EVERY. DAMN. DAY. It is the perfect dusty rose on my complexion, and the application is a dream. (I’m wearing it here, and FYI, this brush is crucial for cream blush application.)
Antonym Baked Blush – On the days I’m feeling more of a powder blush vibe, the shade Rose is lovely. Wearing it here.
Vapour Aura Multi-Use Classic – Hello, it’s a stick. And the shade Spark is perfect for spring and summer.
Fitglow Beauty Pressed Blush – Another pressed powder blush that I enjoy in the bright pink shade Joy.
W3LL PEOPLE Universalist Multi-Stick – STICK. Nude Berry is gorgeous.
Eye Shadow:
Before we start here, I should let you know that I detest sparkle and larger glittery-type specks in eyeshadow. It is an absolute deal-breaker for me if I apply an eyeshadow and immediately see ANY sparkly fall-out on my face. However, I do appreciate a finely-milled sheen. All of these shadows fit the bill.
Lily Lolo Laid Bare Palette – Such lovely natural colors. This is my most-used palette.
Honest Beauty Eye Shadow Trio – Followed closely by this trio in Heather Mauve. Makes brown eyes pop! (Also, my sister, who’s a bit more oily than me loves the Everything Cream Foundation by Honest…it’s a lot less “dewy” than Beautycounter Tint Skin, and works great on oiler complexions.
Antonym Quattro Shadow – This Quattro is great. Croisette is my fave! Especially love the pink and bronzy-brown shade.
Ilia Essential Shadow Palette – This is a new palette for me. Love the Prima shade – great neutrals.
Kjaer Weis Eye Shadows – These wear very well, but also have a fairly hefty price tag. Wisdom is my favorite shade.
Eye Liner:
Jane Iredale Jelly Jar Gel Liner – OMG, they discontinued this product and I use it almost every day of my life. I’m crying. Someone tell me about a clean replacement for this, pleeeeaaaaaase.
Antonym Eye Pencil – The best color payoff and staying power in a pencil. So good for smudging.
Mascara:
Per-fekt Lash Perfection Gel – Have yet to find any clean mascara that works as well as this. I repurchase again and again.
Lashes:
Georgie Beauty – In the rare event that I wear faux lashes, I love the Bridal style by Georgie. I’m wearing them here.
Lipstick:
My favorite category! As many of you know, I love all shades of lipstick. But it doesn’t end there. Lip gloss! Lip pencils! Lip treatments! Lip crayons! I DO NOT DISCRIMINATE, FOLKS. Changing your lip color is the easiest way to completely transform your look.
Kosas Lipstick – Biggest find of the year. I am OBSESSED with this line. My absolute favorite lipsticks, of which I have 4 shades. (Want the rest, though.) Stardust is my go-to, always-in-my-purse, everyday lipstick. Wearing Stardust here, Royal here, Thrillest here, and I love Darkroom, although can’t find a photo of me wearing it. Each holds a special place in my heart. #itoldyouiwasobsessed
Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon – Been wearing these for years, and I love the creamy, matte finish on these. Aubergine, Fraise, Red Velvet (also wearing it here) Framboise, Leche, and Pastille are my faves. (The lipstick photos never end!)
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick – Yet another Bite Beauty product, love these lipsticks too. Radish, Beetroot, and Liquorice are tops with me. Also love Chai and Meringue, but can’t find photos of me wearing those.
Nudus Lipstick – 27 Kisses is your lips but better. Wearing it here.
Red Apple Lipstick – So creamy and pigmented. Wearing Rebel here.
Lip Crayon:
Juice Beauty Lip Crayon – Salinas is gorgeous, everyday color. Wearing it here.
Bite Beauty High Pigment Lip Pencil – Great pigment. Wearing Chablis here and here.
Jane Iredale Play On Lip Crayon – The shade Luscious is my jam. Wearing it here.
Lip Gloss/Stain:
Au Naturale Lip Stain – This lip stain is like nothing I’ve ever felt. It is packaged in a tube like a gloss, but doesn’t have a slick gloss feel at all. On Pointe is a gorgeous nude that makes my lips look really full.
Ilia Lip Gloss – Sheer and lovely. Peek-a-Boo and Love Buzz are my favorites.
Vapour Elixir Plumping Gloss – I love the shade Trust, which is a pinky coral. Great for the warmer months.
Lip Pencil:
Jane Iredale Lip Pencils – I have these in multiple shades. Love ’em.
Lip Treatment:
Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask – I mean, I don’t want to brag or anything, but I do have some soft lips. I owe it all to this product. Put it on every night before bed without fail!
Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm – Keep this one in my purse because the stick form makes it easier to apply on the go.
Kari Gran Naked Peppermint Lip Whip – Mmm, this smells and tastes so good. Also love her Lip Buff. (Again with the soft lips!)
Makeup Brushes:
Been enjoying these cruelty-free makeup brushes lately, and I’m going to be honest, I have no idea why they are giving Whoorl readers such a great deal. Enter the code whoorl and you’ll get the entire set for $24 + shipping. Yes, you heard me…it’s a hell of a deal.
Final Thoughts:
If I was forced to choose 4 brands only for the rest of my life forever and ever amen, they would be Rituel de Fille, Kosas, Gressa, and W3LL PEOPLE. (But wait! I need my Per-fekt Mascara! Can’t I have 5? Please ?! I HATE THIS SCENARIO DO NOT MAKE ME CHOOSE.)
Online Green Beauty Retailers:
Unless you live in a major metropolitan area, many green beauty cosmetics need to be purchased online. Luckily, there are some great online retailers that carry fantastic brands and whose employees are super knowledgeable. I have purchased from many green beauty retailers, and these are tops in my book.
Citrine Natural Beauty Bar – My favorite. Expertly curated brands, customer education, reward perks, and super fast shipping…I am such a fan of Citrine. They also offer a sample program – 5 samples for $15 dollars, including shipping. I know buying cosmetics online can be daunting, so the sample program is key. They also do consults! Free shipping over U.S. orders over $75, and use the code whoorl10 for 10% off your entire purchase. Boom!
Beauty Heroes – Another great curation of green beauty brands, and Jeannie the founder is very particular about brand inclusion. The shop exemplifies responsible, ethical, high-performance green beauty brands AND if you are a Beauty Heroes member (you’ve heard me talk about this, right? The monthly beauty box that ships with full-sized products?! THE BEST), you get 15% off everything in the store 365 days out of the year. So worth it! It’s the only monthly subscription box I receive.
The Detox Market – This shop is amazing. The sheer number of green beauty brands is impressive, and I have purchased from The Detox Market many, many times. (I’ve also visited the brick and mortar shop in LA, which was like waking up on Christmas morning as a child.) You can accrue “detox” loyalty points which go towards future purchases, and you get free shipping over $80.
Pharmaca – The great thing about Pharmaca is its wide selection of cosmetics, skincare, supplements, homeopathy and more. It’s like a green beauty buff’s Target. Plus, there is a wide range of price points, which is super helpful. (Parents of tweens and teens looking for more natural beauty options that don’t break the bank will love Pharmaca.)
A couple more fabulous retailers are Credo Beauty and Integrity Botanicals.
There you have it, fellow green beauty enthusiasts! All of the above products are sitting on my vanity as I type this. They are certainly my best of the best. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions in the comments section, as always!
