Why It Took Having a Baby to Switch to Natural Beauty

For at least a few decades, I have considered myself an environmentalist. But, for some reason, it took me awhile to embrace ethical, clean natural beauty.

When I was younger I wasn’t all that concerned with clean and natural beauty. Looking back, it seems odd. I was so immersed and passionate about ethical fashion, eating organic, and a sustainable lifestyle, but I had almost completely ignored natural 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. 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 the idea that what I put on my skin enters my body really hit. Woa.

But I still made very few changes. 

Around this time, I started to see the signs of 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 and breastfeeding were definitely the motivators to find one that worked. It took a looooonnnng time! Trial and error plus a Redmond Clay armpit detox made it possible. But, I still had a ways to go.

Then I had my first 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 put 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 (cheaper and better for my skin!).

I switched my face moisturizer to Argan oil mixed with an essential oil. I have since tried quite a few different face oils and have landed on Cocokind’s Golden Elixir (try this. I promise you will love it. It works on hair, face, body, nails, everything!) and their Watermelon Hemp Oil (fast absorbing – I bought this one because they were out of the Golden Elixir and I love it. It is light and dry. Also great on hair, face, and body!). I love their products because they come in glass, and I am also working on a zero-waste beauty routine (probably more on that later!).

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 little ones get into my products, it isn’t a big deal.

And, sometimes, I miss my favorite lip gloss (I’ve since found one I like more). But most of the time, I love the purity, the smell, and the effectiveness of my natural 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.

The products used above include Solar Translucent Bronzer, Siren Lipstick, 125 Atmosphere Luminous Foundation, Solar Translucent Bronzer.

Why Did It Take So Long To Switch to Natural Beauty?

To be honest, I am not sure.

In the early days of my move move toward a more sustainable 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 never even heard of Pacifica (my favorite mascara now), and shopping for beauty at Whole Foods never once crossed my mind (now it is one of my favorite beauty departments!).

I had a handful of products that I really loved and didn’t want to get rid of. 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.

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.  

Mostly, I was worried that natural beauty wasn’t as effective. But it is. Possibly even more so.

It took a baby to get me to completely make the switch. I am embarrassed to admit that after quite a few years talking a big talk about sustainable living, I still had such a long way to go. But, that was my motivation.

Have you switched to natural beauty?

What was your motivation? Do you have any conventional beauty products that you just can’t get away from? Need some suggestions? Head on over to The Detox Market or Credo for some inspiration, spend some time in the clean beauty aisle at Target, or read Skin Deep, the Environmental Working Group’s page on clean and natural beauty. Or send me a note (hello at unlikelywahm dot come). I’d love to help you make better, safer, healthier beauty choices.