Lauren
Mielle Organics Babassu Oil Deep Conditioner
I have been using the Mielle Deep Conditioner faithfully every week for the past 2 months. Mielle is the truth. My curls do really well with liquid products, and Mielle has achieved a happy medium between a liquid and a custard. My hair is also incredibly soft after I deep condition with this product, and smells AMAZING!
COSRX AHA/BHA Face Toner
I just started using the AHA Toner about 2 weeks ago to find something to tighten my pores. The AHA Toner doesn’t leave my face feeling tight, which is something I am not a huge fan of skincare products. It goes on as a mist, which I find very refreshing, and so far so good for making my pores look smaller! AHA Toner can be found at Ulta.
Shonda Rhimes Year of Yes TED Talk
Oh Shonda, Where Do I Start? I stumbled on her TED Talk after looking for some midday motivation, and I immediately was drawn to her message. Shonda is such a powerhouse, and my new inspiration!
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Grace
Sun Bum Sea Spray
You may recognize this brand from the cool branding on their sunscreen, but they branched out into haircare! I picked up this sea spray because it is UV-protecting AND a sea spray and I’ve been using it for about 3 weeks. It sprays really well/evenly, has a great beachy smell, and really helps enhance my waves.
Fresh cosmetics Sugar Lip Treatment Sunscreen
I’ve been using this for about a year – it’s one of the only lip products that I actually emptied. I finished the honey color and just bought the berry. I love it because it’s moisturizing, tinted, and spf all in one. It’s on the expensive side but the colors are flattering for almost every skin tone (I bought the berry which is usually too dark for my skin but since it’s buildable color it looks great!”>. And it actually moisturizes and gives you a nice glass, unlike a lot of lip products. Perfect for my light and bright day makeup look!
Pod Save the People
It only has 2 episodes so far and it comes from a series of podcasts by Crooked Media that you may have heard of, including Pod Save America and Pod Save the World, which are about politics. It was started by Obama’s former speechwriters and they recently brought on DeRay Mckesson for a podcast about culture, social justice, and politics. Find it anywhere you can find podcasts – I listen on itunes.
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Gerilyn
Long Aid Naturals Tea Tree Detox Clarifying Spray
For the past month and a half, I have been using Long Aid Naturals Tea Tree Detox Clarifying Spray and am loving it. I like that it helps me keep a clean scalp between wash days, which are getting farther apart thanks to my scalp health improving with the use of this spray. I also like that its ingredients are sustainably sourced and that the company is woman-owned.
Pure Lemon Oil Deodorant
A month or so ago, I met local entrepreneur Erin Bee. She created Naturally Deodorizing Honey Butter as an alternative to traditional bar and gel deodorants. What I like most about this deodorant is its contents: organic, unrefined Coconut Oil, unrefined Shea Butter, Hemp seed oil, 100% raw Manuka honey, and other natural ingredients. I am currently using the Pure Lemon Oil deodorant (which will probably last me another few weeks since I don’t need to use a whopping amount per application”>. Erin Bee is currently taking individual and small batch orders at erinbeenaturals@gmail.com, and will be in retail stores soon. For Austin locals, you can find her wares at farmers’ markets and via word-of-mouth.
Bare Minerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15
Last year, I decided to start wearing makeup again… I have not been serious about wearing makeup since my college years. This year, I was gifted Bare Minerals from a friend. I am crazy about it! My skin looks soooo good when I use it. I have two colors that I move back and forth between: Golden Dark and Golden Deep. Sometimes I will blend both colors for color correction. No matter what I choose in terms of color, I heavily rely on this power foundation to help me enhance my melanin!
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Cara
Eden BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Hair Milk
It smells so good, and it makes my hair soft and fluffy, not greasy or weighed down :”> It’s been sitting on the back of my shelf (I’m not crazy about the packaging”> but I finally got around to using it a couple of weeks ago. It’s in the shop!
Organic Wear Mascara
I love that it is bright green and shiny, and allegedly organic (although I’m too lazy to look into stuff like that”>. Been using it for about two weeks. I found it at Target.
Trader Joe’s Spa Natural Facial Cleansing Pads with Tea Tree Oil
These are a daily for me—when I feel all of the dirt on my face but don’t have the time to wash it. These have been in my life for about two years now It’s at Trader Joe’s Also, I’m so glad Silicon Valley is back on!
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Devri
Controlled Chaos Original Curl Creme
Koyvoca Cosmetics Nude Lip Perfection Lipstick in Vanity
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Cristina
RMS Beauty Un-Cover Up
I’m trying to be as vigilant about my beauty product ingredients as I am about my hair products, and in my search I found RMS Beauty. I’ve been using their Un-Cover Up as my foundation and it’s a big departure from my usual high coverage, matte foundation. It’s light coverage and very dewy since it’s coconut oil-based so it might not be for everyone, but I like knowing that I’m not putting harsh chemicals on my face every day.Diffusing oils
Scented candles are so tempting to buy, but I find that the artificial fragrance actually irritates my nose and throat when I burn them, especially in my small apartment. Instead I’ve been diffusing essential oils and I absolutely love the way they make my home feel like a relaxing spa. I diffuse tea tree oil in the morning when I’m getting ready for work, and lavender oil in the evening when I’m going to bed. It makes my normal routine feel much more indulgent.
2 Girls with Curls
Lately I’ve been very into pampering myself by making my home feel as much as a spa as possible, and 2 Girls with Curls has been helping me do that. This brand won an Editors’ Choice award for Best Emerging Brand and their products have a wonderful natural lavender scent that’s unlike any other hair products I’ve used. I’m excited to see what’s next for this new brand!