Beyond My Plate: Healthy Skin and Beauty Decisions

My whole foods living lifestyle goes far beyond food.

I also try to make healthy decisions when it comes to skin care products, makeup and hair care. I even opt for non-toxic nail polish and at-home manicures.

The past few weeks several friends have asked me to elaborate on how I choose "healthier" products and what I like to use.

Here's a quick primer on my decision making process and a few of my favorite makeup bag goodies and bathroom essentials.

How to Choose Healthier Beauty Products 

My method for choosing healthy products of any type is actually very simple. I peek at the ingredient list and try to read it aloud. If I stumble over any 16-letter words, it doesn't go in my shopping cart.

I look for products created without animal testing or animal byproducts. Sometimes it's difficult to find affordable vegan options, but I do my best within my budget. 

I also avoid the "popular" offenders that all beauty bloggers eschew because they either disrupt hormone functions, claim to be carcinogenic with prolonged use or clog our pores and interfere our body's natural cycle of sweating and breathing. (Peek at the photos above for a few ideas.)

When in doubt, choose simple one-ingredient products.

My Favorite Natural Products 

Lotion: I rarely use products labeled as a lotion anymore. Instead I turn to noncomedogenic oils (that means they don't clog pores) to naturally hydrate my skin and nails. My top favorites include pure coconut oil, pure jojoba oil, pure cocoa butter (it smells like chocolate!!) and extra virgin olive oil (yes, straight from the kitchen cupboard).

Body Wash: Look for castile soaps. They're vegetable-based and very gentle on sensitive skin. Right now I'm in love with the invigorating scent of Kirk's Original Coco Castile Body Wash Grapefruit and Ginger. It's the perfect morning wake-me-up soap!

Makeup & Nail Polish: As a beauty blogger, I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to try so many great products for review purposes. In the last year alone I've discovered brands that will stay in my beauty bag forever. Here's a few products for you to investigate:

• jane iredale cosmetics - Makeup created for sensitive skin
• Honeybee Gardens - Mineral-based makeup and nail polishes
• Scotch Naturals - Non-toxic nail polishes in fabulous colors
• Lotus Moon - Facial washes and pampering
• Perfectly Pure - a variety of beauty products
• Nature's Gate - a variety of products
• Tom's of Maine - natural deodorant and toothpaste

Hair Care: I like to try different types of shampoo and conditioner every few months. My hair gets bored and seems to perk up when I make a switch every so often. 

I look for organic hair care products because as I rinse all those chemicals are being whisked away into our public water system. If I can reduce my impact on the local water supply, I do it. Lately I've been using Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil or Organic Italian Red Grape shampoos and conditioners.

So, how do you keep your beauty routine healthy? Tell me (and my curious readers) in the comments below!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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Enhancing Natural Beauty with Jane Iredale Cosmetics: Magic Hour Collection Makeup Review

I'm not the average cosmetics consumer. If the product promises a bold, vibrant look, I'm usually not interested. I prefer to enhance my features with subtle, defining makeup. Each time I put on eyeliner, lip color or eye shadow, I want to look natural and healthy-- not overdone or flashy.

Photo Credit: jane iredale cosmetics

I was thrilled when jane iredale asked me to test the company's Magic Hour collection, six new beauty products focusing on the eyes, cheeks and lips, in honor of the company's 20th anniversary.

Honestly, when I first looked over the makeup I was intimidated. I've never used gel eyeliner that requires an application brush or a creamy cheek blush. But after experimenting with the collection, I'm in love.

About the Makeup
As a photographer, there's a special time of day we love to go outside and create portraits. It's when the setting sun casts a warm bronze glow over the skin, mutes any blemishes and creates a warm feel to the images. This is called the 'magic hour'. So, it's no surprise when jane iredale decided to release a new collection with this name, it captured the essence of this special quality of light.

The Magic Hour collection consists of six beauty essentials:

• In Touch Highlighter in the color Comfort
• Lip Fixation in the colors Craze and Compulsion
• PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple in the color Golden Girl
• Jelly Jar Gel Eyeliner in the colors Black and Brown

After applying some mineral-based foundation, I decided to create a warm, inviting daytime look with the cosmetics. I dipped into the jar of brown Jelly Jar Gel Eyeliner first because I was anxious to experiment with the eye makeup infused with tiny flecks of golden shimmer. While lining my first eye, I noticed the makeup glide on smooth and even. I worked slowly and by the time I got to the second eye, applying this type of eyeliner felt like second nature. The best part? This eyeliner has no odor and lasts forever without smudging. I forgot to remove my makeup that evening, and the eyeliner was in place the next morning. Wow!

Next I experimented with the PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple. I adore the subtle cocoa and golden hues. I layered the medium tone on my eyelid, then used the lighter tone for some highlighting on my brow bone and the darkest tone to accentuate the corner of each eye. The look was a perfect neutral for daily wear.

Then I used the In Touch Highlighter to give a little definition to my cheeks. The rosy-brown shade was subtle yet added a nice healthy glow to my winter-pale skin tone. This makeup has a light fragrance that reminds me of my summer flower garden.

Finally, I finished my look with the Lip Fixation lip tint and gloss combo in the color Compulsion. It seemed to coordinate best with the In Touch Highlighter. First of all, this is the most moisturizing, lightweight lip tint I've ever used. Bonus! Second, the mauve shade gave my look a polished, ready-for-the-day feel without looking overdone.

A few days later, I tried the Lip Fixation in the color Craze--a lighter coral pink--which was perfect for an understated yet flirty evening look. When I applied the accompanying shimmery lip gloss, my smile stood out. The look was feminine but not too bold.

Overall, the Magic Hour collection could easily become a go-to color palette for everyday wear when you want a splash of color that transcends all seasons, leaving you with a polished, healthy look.

Last month I had the chance to catch up with Jane Iredale and learn more about her makeup and the Magic Hour collection. You can read our exclusive interview HERE. And, don't forget to look for the Magic Hour collection online and in stores at the end of March 2014.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

Disclosure: The makeup mentioned in this blog post was provided free of charge from jane iredale for review purposes. No monetary compensation was sought or awarded in exchange for the review. All thoughts expressed on Whole Foods Living are solely my own. ~Angela