Non toxic makeup. As I started my health and fitness journey, I incorporated yoga, running, and clean eating into my day to day, and eventually that lifestyle turned into what is now our wonderful Love Sweat Fitness community.

But what I didn't change for probably an embarrassingly long time was my makeup.

You girls all know how long it takes to find your favorite tried-and-true products that never let you down: during a sweat sesh, a night out, or giving you amazing lashes or lips that don't quit. So once you find those miracle products, letting go feels like you're ending a loving relationship. You feel me!?

I'm not going to lie. It has been hard to switch away from my favorite makeup products to non-toxic ones. Honestly, I still have some of my old go-to's that I use regularly (gasp!?) and I just can't give them up…yet! Slowly but surely, I am trying to add in more of the good and clear out the bad. It's a process… and honestly, it's expensive, too! Switching out a whole skincare and makeup routine is Not cheap, but definitely worth it in the end.

So… Why Bother?

Our skin is our largest organ. That gets overlooked all of the time. Too often we just take it for granted and focus on our fitness and clean eating. And that is important, but only once piece of the puzzle.You guys! I even make my own deodorant! I felt like I had it all under control!Wrong.

We can't, myself included, continue to look to put the best food and exercise routines in place for ourselves and still neglect our health by coating our skin in toxic makeups and lotions.

For a long time, my go-to natural product line was Tarte. I've always been a big fan of their brand and their products, and while they're certainly better than others on the market in many ways, there has been some controversy over just how "natural" they really are. Marketing can do a lot to make us all think it's a lot more natural or good for you than it really is. Just like in food products, "natural" is one of those words you can't totally trust.

What's a Girl to Do?!

First of all, take a deep breath. It will be okay… (this is a "note to self" if nothing else!) It's overwhelming, I know. Not only to part with our beloved potions, but also to research and replace… and spend the cash on it, once you finally make up your mind!

My Faves… So Far…

If you take a peek into my makeup bag, you'll find these beauts stealing the show. It took a bit of personal R&D into the category to figure out some new substitutes for my old favorites, and I'm so happy to share them with you!

Face

Foundation is so important, as we all know, so this was a big change for me, but I found a winner in Lilah B Flawless Finish Foundation. I love the coverage and the natural glow this helps me achieve.

I love a good product that does double duty and this lil mama is it: ILIA Multi-Stick. It works as both a blush color and lip pigment full of avocado oil, vitamin E, and organic cocoa and shea. I also love that they're transparent and flat-out state they are 72% organic, and fully cruelty free.?

Eyes

Antonym Eyeshadow Quattro— for starters, it's gorg, comes in 3 different palettes, and is certified organic! That is not an easy certification to get, so you know it's good!?I love the Noisette palette for my everyday look, and it fits in perfectly with my existing routine. Once I found it, it's been such an easy swap.

Okay, this one is hard. Mascara is everything. I love, love, love lashes. But I've found the most amazing mascara and get this! My lashes look like I'm wearing falsies using this mascara. It's certified organic and vegetarian. Whoop whoop! Grab a tube for yourself from 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara!

Tips on Making the Best Choices

I am by no means an expert in this area… yet. But I am learning! I have found, exactly like with food, ingredients are your best resource. Read the label and if you can't pronounce it or don't know what it is… it's probably not something you should be putting in or in this case, on, your body. (The caveat here is sometimes they use the scientific names and they're actually not bad for you… for instance:Tocopherol is Vitamin E. But looks scary when written Tocopherol!)

Another great resource is EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. It ranks makeup and its ingredients based on toxicity without being distracted by shiny marketing campaigns or throwing around the word "natural".

A Work in Progress

In summary, I am a work in progress on this front… and as we all are in so many things in life. And I am okay with that. I know that I am continuing to make better choices, educate myself, and put better products in and on my body. That said, I'd love to hear what you ladies are loving in the non-toxic makeup and skincare arena! Share the love below so I know what I should try next!