Why Buy Two When You Can Have The Whole Palette?

The Perfect Palette

I will be honest, I am a MAC girl at heart. I love everything about MAC, I even love just going to the MAC counter. But, sigh, MAC can get pricey for a beauty on a budget. Luckily, I have a conscious alternative to pricey eyeshadows! The first brand I love is a palette by Coastal Scents, http://www.coastalscents.com/. On their site you will find a variety of amazing palettes filled with dozens of beautyful colors, for only, brace yourself..........$25.00! I know! I couldn't believe it myself when I first heard of these palettes. But, of course, I had to try them and once I did I became a believer! The palettes have every color you can imagine, and the pigments are comparable to MAC eyeshadows. I personally own the following palettes:




The first one is called the 88 Piece Makeup Palette. 88 awesome colors, from gold to green to hot pink.

This second palette is called the 88 Piece Warm Palette and it comes with every color imaginable for the perfect smokey eye. Do I want to go with a subtle brown smokey eye or a sultry black smokey eye? Hmmm, decisions decisions, but at least the one decision you won't have to make is to either eat or buy a new set of eyeshadows!

Another great, beauty conscious palette line comes from Bitch Slap! Cosmetics. Ok, maybe not the most modest of makeup companies (and I would highly suggest not shopping on their site while at work). You can choose from many beautyful palette combinations, or you can mix and match your own into a self-designed palette. I especially love the names of some of their palettes, like the Devious Bitch palette below:

Check them out at http://www.bitchslap-cosmetics.com/. And if you absolutely MUST look at this site while at work, at least turn the volume down. ;)

A Beautyful Conscious Look I Am Loving Today!

This Bohemian style dress from Alloy is adorably fun, flirty, and of course, it comes with a conscious price tag at only $36.90.

http://store.alloy.com/item.do?categoryID=2101&itemID=51362&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter

Add these sandals by Soda, only $26.97 from Shiek Shoes, with this dress, and you have the perfect Summer outfit, for under $75.00. Who wouldn't want that?!http://www.shiekhshoes.com/store/p-31887-soda-either-s.aspx

If Katherine Heigl Loves It, Would You Buy It?

Let me think about that one for a...Hell yes I would! And I did! I came across an article in Glamour Magazine recently in which Katherine Heigl mentioned that she loves the Arcona Tea Tree Mask, and that since using it she never breaks out and doesn't need facials (since she has no time anyways). I figured, hey, if Katherine uses this stuff and raves about it, I need to try it myself! Luckily, I discovered that this mask is only $30.00! Good news for a conscious beauty, right? I have been using this mask 2-3 times a week and I am a believer! My skin has cleared up significantly and I love the fact that the ingredients in this mask are natural, which is very important to me. You can find this mask, along with several other beauty-enhancing skin care products at: http://www.arcona.com. I mean, come on, if Katherine Heigl uses it, why wouldn't you?! ;)

Going Au Natu-Really?

Sometimes the best products can be found in your very own kitchen. One of the most amazing beauty products I have discovered in my pantry is a good ole bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This is the hands down best eye makeup remover I have ever used. It takes off any and all eye makeup, including waterproof (because I admit, I am a big baby and can cry at the drop of a hat), and leaves your skin hydrated and soft. No need to spend big bucks on an eye makeup remover, when you have a natural, budget-friendly bottle of EVOO sittin' on a shelf!

In need of a facial scrub that won't burn a hole into your Kate Spade wallet? Grab a lemon, a little bit of sugar, and some cotton pads! Lemon juice and sugar make a great, natural scrub. Take a cotton pad, moisten it with the juice of a lemon, sprinkle some sugar on top, and scrub all over a clean face. This scrub not only clears your pores and helps acne issues, it can also help to lighten any dark spots on your face.

Who says you need to spend a fortune at the beauty counter?? I bet you have a few amazing products in your kitchen, just waitin' to be used!

Melie Bianco Tutti Frutti Handbag in Lemon - $95.00 : Fashion Handbags at LuLus.com

Melie Bianco Tutti Frutti Handbag in Lemon - $95.00 : Fashion Handbags at LuLus.com

Suhwoooooooooooooon! Say helloooooo to Summer with this delicious lemon yellow bag from LuLus. This is THE perfect bag to carry around all summer long, whether you will be stuffing it with a towel and shades for the beach, or toting it around town with the girls. You definately can't go wrong with this price tag, only $95.00, and, for all my animal-loving earth-conscious beauties, it's vegan! Better jump on the Tutti Frutti Handbag train soon before this precious gem disappears! http://www.lulus.com/products/melie-bianco-tutti-frutti-handbag-in-lemon/18451.html

What's in Your Shampoo?

What's that? No, you say? Can't say I'm surprised. I dare you to turn that bottle over and list two ingredients you can actually define! Well, I can almost guarantee that you will find Sodium Laureth Sulfates (SLS) listed as one of the many ingredients in your shampoo, facewash, toothpaste, and laundry detergent. Um, say what? Yes, you read that right. SLS are used in detergents! Now why would you want to put something like that on your face?? You don't, contrary to what all the beauty product companies would like you to believe. Sodium Laureth Sulfates are added to facewashes, shampoos, and toothpaste to give the products a foaming consistency, and you can usually attribute that "squeaky clean feeling" to this chemical. These companies would also lead you to believe that products with SLS will leave you with beautiful skin and healthy hair, when in reality SLS can actually cause damage, and is only used in their products because the chemical is so cheap. Those bastards! It can be tricky trying to find products that are SLS-free, but, here is where I step in, to lead the path to products that are not only SLS-free but are tried and true, by yours truly, Miss Beautyful.

The shampoo I currently use, I learned of while watching The View one morning. I know, I know, but I was unemployed and there is nothing else to watch at 10:00am on a weekday, sheesh! Know Hair & Body has a shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that are SLS-free as well as low toxicity. I use the shampoo everyday and I love it. My next purchase will include the conditioner and the body wash since I really don't think you can go wrong with these products. You can find them at http://www.knowhairandbody.com/.

If you would like to research other low-toxicity products, check out http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/. You can research almost any product you use, so if you are wondering the toxicity level your shampoo or body wash, this is a great resource!

Welcome to Beautyful Consciousness!

Love all things beauty, but aren't really sure where to start? Love makeup products but not their price tags? Need some new tips and tricks to break you out of your beauty rut? Then stay tuned because I have loads of cool things to share, and would like nothing more than to share it with you! As I get this blog going, I may also try my hand in a few "vlogs"...oooohh such a rebel! Haha. But, in all seriousness, if you love beauty products, then I think you will love (ok, ok, maybe rrrrreally like) my new blog. Stay tuned my conscious beauties!