Pure + Pretty: Makeup Brands We Trust
If you're anything like us, your journey into non-toxic living may have started with eating cleaner food or finding safer household cleaners. Clean and nontoxic makeup products are not always as obvious, but here's something that often surprises people: our skin absorbs up to 60% of what we put on it. That means your daily makeup routine could be introducing dozens of questionable ingredients into your body before you've even had your morning coffee. PHEW. Now that's a scary thought.
When we first discovered this more than 3 years ago now, it completely changed how we approached our makeup routines. The conventional makeup industry isn't as regulated as you might think - the FDA has banned only 11 ingredients in cosmetics, while the European Union has banned over 1,300. Shocking, right?
Traditional makeup products often contain ingredients like parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances that can disrupt our endocrine system, irritate our skin, and potentially contribute to larger health concerns. As health professionals working with children and families, we believe that what we put ON our bodies is just as important as what we put IN them. To bring our best energy to what matters most - whether that's nurturing our families, reaching fitness goals, or excelling in our careers - we need to prioritize our own wellbeing. Making mindful choices about our daily routines helps us show up fully present and energized for life's important moments.
But here's the good news: you don't have to sacrifice beauty for safety anymore. Today there are many beauty brands that have revolutionized the industry. We have so many favorites that we have tested out ourselves and have grown to love!
In this blog post, we're sharing our absolute favorite clean makeup brands and products that have earned a permanent spot in our beauty routines. Whether you're just starting your clean beauty journey or looking to refine your existing routine, we've got you covered. Let's dive into our top picks…
When I was diagnosed with my thyroid autoimmune disease (Annie), I dove into cleaning up my everyday products. This is when Crunchi Makeup enters the chat—a brand that seamlessly combines high-performance formulas with clean, non-toxic ingredients to create products that nourish your skin and help you feel your best.
Due to the lack of regulation in the US, there is no standardized definition for the term "toxin-free." Crunchi has defined toxin-free as the following: a product is considered toxin-free if it does not contain any ingredients known to cause harm or health hazard based on available ingredient data and research. Each ingredient in their products undergoes a rigorous 30-step screening criteria to be considered safe for use… such high standards, hence why I love the brand!
If you’re someone who’s looking for makeup that’s free from harmful chemicals but doesn’t sacrifice on quality, then Crunchi might just be your new favorite brand. I wanted to share my top 5 reasons why I fell in love with Crunchi.
#1 Clean, Non-Toxic ingredients you can trust
#2 A high performance formula that lasts all day long
#3 Wide shade range for all skin tones
#4 Cruelty Free and Environmentally conscious
#5 Skin nourishing-benefits (their makeup doubles as skincare)
My favorite products include the foundation and primer (gives you amazing coverage if you need/still lets your skin breath and looks like your skin) and the makeup balm remover. If you want an added bonus, get yourself the foundation brush. It blends the foundation perfectly leaving you with an air-brushed look. Here is our affiliate link to order from Crunchi https://crunchi.com/?als=AnnieDeGreeff
Go grab some of our favorites to try for yourself!
About 5 years ago now, a good friend of mine introduced me (Kylie) to Ilia Beauty. At this time, my wellness journey and curiosity about clean beauty products had not fully begun. This was just sort of a coincidence that I had been introduced to this brand. Needless to say, I have been using Ilia ever since (yes, even before I knew (or cared) about how great the ingredients in the products were!)
There are many reasons why I love and trust Ilia Beauty. While many brands hide behind vague ingredient lists, Ilia proudly displays every ingredient in their formulations right on their website. When I go read the ingredients that make up my mascara, for example, I see trustworthy and familiar ingredients such as water, beeswax, and jojoba esters. (Pro tip: when you can actually pronounce and recognize the ingredients in your makeup, you're usually on the right track!) Their products prove that you don't have to compromise on quality when choosing clean beauty. I can still use all of my favorite products in my beauty routine including mascara, eye shadow, brow gel, foundation, the list goes on and on! Each item in their line is thoughtfully formulated to nourish your skin while providing the coverage and staying power we all want from our makeup.
After trying countless products from their line, I've found my perfect Ilia collection. The True Skin Priming Serum creates the ideal canvas for makeup, while the Limitless Lash Mascara gives that perfect balance of length and volume without any questionable ingredients. For a flawless finish, the Soft Focus Setting Powder is my go-to, and the Necessary Eyeshadow Palette offers beautiful, buildable colors for any look.
While makeup isn't part of my daily routine, I love knowing that when I do get dressed up for a night out, I'm using products I can trust. Ilia makes me feel confident both in how I look and what I'm putting on my skin.
Quick but important tip: Never skip removing your makeup before bed! Your skin needs time to breathe and repair overnight. My simple yet effective method? Clean Skin Club towels and water - that's literally all you need. No harsh makeup removers required!
Let us know if you give any of these brands a try! We only recommend things that we use in our daily lives!
