Ever since discovering the crunchy lifestyle, you can’t stop talking about it.
Sure, “essential oil queen” wasn’t who your childhood self aspired to become. All-natural cleaning products and non-toxic skincare have truly changed your health for the better.
But you’re hiding something.
Deep within the dark cabinets of your vanity is a bag filled with toxic chemicals that you just can’t bring yourself to toss. It’s your makeup bag.
In our experience, the makeup bag is almost always the last thing to go when transitioning to a cleaner lifestyle.
Why wouldn’t you be attached to products that make you look good and feel confident?
We’re here to walk alongside you with ideas on how to ditch the toxic makeup without ditching your confidence.
What’s Hiding in Your Makeup Bag?
The FDA puts minimal restrictions on the ingredients of makeup products in the United States. Many toxins in our products are banned in European countries due to dangerous side effects.
Let’s have a peek inside that makeup bag…
- PFAS — Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS have been found in makeup products like mascara, foundation, and lipstick. These toxins collect in the body and are nearly impossible to break down. They’re known cancer-causing agents and release toxins into your body and the environment.
- Formaldehyde — Used to preserve makeup, it’s a known carcinogen. People with sensitive skin can react to formaldehyde and experience rashes or breakouts. Since it's a gas, this chemical is most toxic when inhaled — making it particularly dangerous when it hangs out on your face all day.
- Hormone disruptors — Common makeup ingredients like parabens and phthalates can imitate the body’s natural hormone patterns and cause disruptions. The increase in chronic illnesses — especially those relating to fertility health — may be closely linked to these hormone-disrupting products.
- Sneaky synthetics — Even brands claiming to sell “clean” makeup may expose you to synthetics and lab-made ingredients. While these ingredients are less toxic than drugstore brands, they’re not necessarily good for your skin. To uncover these synthetics, look for ingredients you can’t pronounce, including synthetic waxes, isolated nutrients (usually unnatural) triglycerides, and vitamin derivatives.
Use this information as a tool to protect your health over time — not as a reason to heighten your anxiety. Knowledge helps us to become better stewards of our bodies — but fear can be just as unhealthy to us as chemicals.
If learning about hormone disruptors and PFAS compels you to purge your makeup cabinet, go for it. But it’s just as acceptable to take your time and replace your makeup bag with patience and intentionality.
Switching to Non-Toxic Makeup Is Easier Than You Think
In a world full of airbrushed Instagram models and lash-boosting mascara, who isn’t attached to their makeup routine? We were hesitant to make the switch at first, too. Here are a few things that helped us finally transition over to organic makeup:
Take It Slow: Ditch One Product at a Time
We love a good “all or nothing” mentality, don’t we? But living with this ideal can cause serious burnout and keep us from experiencing positive change. Small adjustments added to your routine over time are powerful — and enable you to make real changes on a budget.
To those who are new to organic makeup, we recommend replacing your products as they run out. Or, choose one new product to try every month. You’ll be surprised by the new habits you form — and how great you feel after ditching the chemicals!
Start with a Splurge: Choose Exciting Makeup Products
If you could splurge on any new makeup product, what would it be? It might be tempting to start with the most practical makeup options, but it's way more exciting to choose what you love.
Joy is an awesome motivator and will positively align your feelings toward organic makeup. Channel your excitement and splurge on something that makes you giddy.
Our favorites:
- Nourishing lipstick in the color of your choice
- Bestselling long-lash mascara
- Cream cheek tint
- Foundation sample kit
What’s the best thing in your makeup cabinet?
Organic Makeup Products Are Drastically More Effective Than They Used to Be
When organic makeup and skincare products first entered the beauty scene, they were… less than ideal.
We wore cakey foundation with pride — and overlooked the suspicious breakouts caused by bismuth oxychloride in mineral makeup.
Yep, those were dark days.
Thanks to tons of experimentation and amazing women pioneering chemical-free products, organic makeup has made leaps and bounds over the years. The effectiveness of these products now competes with drugstore brands!
If you found organic makeup to irritate your skin ten years ago or didn’t love the cakey look, it may be time to give it a second chance.
Don’t Settle for Mediocre Results
It may be tempting to settle for mediocre organic makeup in the name of natural health. But if your makeup products don’t make you feel confident, you’ll end up running right back to those old products.
Opt for makeup that makes you look good while offering value to your skin. Don’t be afraid to keep trying products until you find the right ones for you.
Many brands (including Toups and Co) offer sample size products you can experiment with before you make a full bottle purchase. This is a good way to make sure your new makeup functions exactly how you want it to.
Take a Close Look at Society’s Expectations
There’s nothing wrong with using eyeliner as a creative outlet or to enhance your natural features. We’re obviously big fans of organic makeup!
But the narratives surrounding women’s beauty need to change.
If feeling self-conscious is depleting your quality of life, we’re here to tell you that you’re perfect the way you are. Our makeup is intentionally made to enhance your natural beauty, rather than change it or cover it up.
Your job is to radiate confidence, be yourself, and support healthy and glowing skin with nutrient-dense skincare.
Every woman deserves love and joy — no matter what they look like or what they wish was different.
You contribute a lot of good to the world, so stop investing your beautiful energy into wishing you looked different. Go live a life you’re proud of.