THREE (NON-TOXIC) PRODUCTS FOR PERFECT BEACH BEAUTY

Beach days are the best days. Yet, its important to balance getting your Vitamin D with protection. I always bring a beach umbrella, sunglasses, and a hat or visor when I visit the beach. I still want to get a little glow and do like soaking up some sun in limited quantities. When I do, these are my go-to products. Apply the bronzer pre-beach to give yourself a little color and help resist the urge to tan under the sun. Next, apply a broad spectrum SPF to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. Finally, a quick spray of heat protector on your ends (or entire head if you have color treated or bleached hair) will keep your locks sealed and vibrant. 

24 HOUR BRONZER, Skinny Tan #natural #nontoxic (gifted)

BROAD SPECTRUM BODY SPF 30, Suntegrity #physicalblocker #nonchemical

HEAT PROTECT OIL SERUM, Shea Moisture #parabenfree #natural (gifted)

Winter time Skincare & Makeup

Spending the winter in Jackson Hole, my skincare needs have drastically changed. I found that I needed a gentler and more hydrating routine. If you are thinking of changing up your beauty routine for a drier climate and perhaps colder environment, I can't recommend these products enough!

INSTANT FOAMING CLEANSER, Caudalie, $32. This cleanser is super gentle and effective at removing makeup without stripping the skin of all its natural moisture. If your skin is dry, I would recommend the Cleaning Milk. It is even more mild and moisturizing. 

TIME RELEASE VITAMIN D MOISTURE MIST, Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics, $39. Great for reducing redness and helping to keep skin in check throughout the day.

ARGAN OIL, Josie Maran, $48. People swear by this oil! If you have sensitive skin that is acne- prone, this oil is actually one of the best things for your skin. I have very sensitive skin and food, lack of sleep, or an environment change can trigger a breakout. I recently was dealing with some irritated dry skin with a touch of acne around my mouth and after two days of using this oil, it started to heal (when I had been 'letting it be' for about 2 weeks already!).

START OVER EYE CREAM, Sunday Riley, $85. For whatever reason, this year I started to see bags under my eyes. I have always used eye cream, but with the new appearance of bags, I knew it was time to use a puffiness reducing cream. Start Over has been touted as the miracle eye cream when it comes to reducing puffiness and giving your eyes an overall lift. I'm still early on in my use of this cream, but almost instantaneously you can see a little lift and tightening. :);

REFLECTING LIP GLOSS, Juice Beauty, $15. A touch of sparkle goes a long way during the holiday season, and this tinted lip gloss is both hydrating and festive!

STEM CELLULAR MOISTURIZER, Juice Beauty, $65. Sometimes the argan oil is enough moisture, but on really cold or dry days, I do need another layer of moisture. This Juice Beauty moisturizer nourishing skin and also gives it an anti-aging boost!

SKIN PERFECTING SCREEN SPF 30, Radical Skincare, $55. All of these great products would be rendered useless without including a skin protecting sunscreen to help prevent damage from the sun and environmental pollutants. What I love about this product is that it is super lightweight and once applied has a matte finish. 

NATURAL MOUSSE MAKEUP CREAM, Lavera Organics, $20. Whipped and light, this foundation is great for evening out skin tone and covering any small blemishes without looking like you've piled on makeup. Apply with a foundation brush for the most even and natural look.

PRO MAKEUP BRUSH SET, Andre Lorent, $20. Having the right makeup brushes are as essential as a carpenter having the right tools. The precision and flawless application they help deliver makes all the difference. This set is great because it includes all the basics.

LUMINIZER, Bare Minerals, $37.50. With a puffy blush or bronzer brush swirl on a touch of shimmery luminizer on your cheekbones, brow bones, and décolletage for a snow bunny sun-kissed look.

EYE PENCIL, Tarte, $19. Smokey grey is one of my favorite eye pencil colors. It is so versatile and can be applied with a light or heavy hand to get a desired effect. For a more natural look during the ski season, I lightly line my upper lash line and blend it into my lashes with the smugger end so that my lashes appear slightly thicker without a harsh line. Finish with a light swipe of mascara.

GLOSSY LIPS, Lavera Organics, $18.50. Once you've got a touch of a ski tan going, a lighter lip color is just the thing to finish your look! I always opt for one that is a couple shades lighter than my natural lip color, and will even combine colors to get the right hue. There is something so sweet and fresh about wearing a light lip color in the winter!

Clean Sweep Beauty Routine

I've long been hearing about these face wipes that help remove makeup and rebalance the ph levels in your skin, but had yet to try them until NatraCare sent me samples of their new sensitive skin face wipes. After a day of full makeup, I know the benefits of getting skin clean and letting it breathe. I washed my face with Dr. Hauschka's Cleansing Cream (using a wash cloth too), and then did a pass with a NatraCare Cleansing Make-Up Removal towelette. They didn't feel moisturizing, but they didn't sting or irritate my skin either. It was like using a lighter wash cloth, and after I wiped my eyes and the rest of my face I was pleased to see it did its job at removing any traces of makeup that were left.

I followed this double cleansing with a layer of California Natrurel's Nourishing Cream and a touch of Dr. Alkaitis Eye Creme. The next morning, I awoke to very happy skin. I may have to stash these wipes in every bag for when I am traveling or coming off a photo shoot!

* Thanks Natracare for the samples! This post reflects my personal experience with this product.

Three Non-Toxic Nail Polish Colors from Aila to take You Effortlessly into Fall

Here it is August 1st and we are already thinking about fall... c'est la vie for fashion! While I tend to stretch my summer for all its worth, I do get excited about these fun fall colors from Aila. I was recently introduced to Aila and lucky enough to sample their nail care system. Aimed to go beyond simply good looks, the Aila nail polishes promote better nail health.

The application is super smooth, and the coverage rich. The bottles feel like little geographic statues, and the colors are lighthearted yet sophisticated. In addition, Aila is 5- free formulated and vegan. This multi-faceted nail care line is quickly becoming one of my favorites! Use the white color (Mackenna) now, the mauve (Kelly) in September, and the muted black (MIster Pookies) in October. Done and done. 

Four Makeup Products for an Effortless Summer Look

Whether you are taking a summer holiday (and need to pack light- those zip lock bags are so frustratingly small!), or are sweating it out in the summer heat, a lighter makeup regimen is perfect for getting a natural summer look. Boiled down to just four products- these organic beauty enhancers are all you’ll need.

ARGAN TINTED MOISTURIZER, Josie Maran, $38. Summer skin typically requires less moisture, and a tinted moisturizer packed with hydrating argan oil and broad spectrum SPF is the perfect prep for creating an evened complexion while offering sun protection. Be sure to layer a little extra product around your nose and under eye area for slightly more coverage which will act as a lighter weight concealer.

ANDREA’S BLUSH, Sappho Organic Cosmetics, $24. A coral colored blush with some ‘rust’ undertones works well in the summer. The dusty apricot is a great compliment to sun-kissed skin for various skin types. Swipe across your cheeks from the apples out to the ears, and then pull the color downwards into the hollows of your cheeks to create a slightly ‘bronzed’ affect. You can also use this color across your eye lids- blending up and out into the middle of the eye for a little contouring. Finally, if you want to subtly enhance your natural lip color pat the blush into your lips and top with a clear lip gloss or chap stick.

100% NATURAL ORIGIN MAKEUP, Physicians Formula Organic Wear, $10.95. For a daytime look, use a light hand when applying a single coat of mascara to darker and lengthen your lashes. For evening, apply two or three coats and wiggle the wand side to side while pulling through to create thickness and volume for a more defined eye.

BE TRUE, Tata Harper, $28. Your natural lip pigment is usually the best lip color your could ever wear- especially in the summer when you want your look to be natural and carefree. A hydrating lip conditioner adds a touch of shine, and blends wonderfully with your overall no fuss look. This chap stick from Tata Harper packs an added punch with lip plumping benefits. Use a swipe across your eye lids for a slightly dewy affect.

Stranded on a desert island (and wanting to look our best of course), these are the four products that would make the cut. Do you have any favorites that would make that list?