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What's Beautycounter?

For those of you who didn't know, I've actually become a consultant for Beautycounter, a skincare and cosmetics brand that stands out for its mission to get safer products into the hands of everyone. I have truly fallen in love with the products and the ways that they lobby congress, trying to push for legislation to pass so there is more transparency in the beauty industry (each time I see pics of consultants at Capitol Hill, 19 year-old Leigh Ann the political science major comes back out!) And let's be real-I'm all about that transparent life. What you see is what you get when it comes to me...

Before I go into my reasons for getting involved with Beautycounter, I wanted to make a disclaimer. I am NOT a beauty guru. I have never been super into make up or doing my hair, or even skincare other than when I am forced to control my finicky skin. I think all of my close girlfriends can attest to watching me get up, brush my teeth and wash my face, and get out the door in 5 minutes or less. I am super simple, and all about comfort and efficiency. The brand name "Beautycounter" is actually misleading because I have to explain...Beautycounter is mission-driven to COUNTER the beauty industry!

I first heard about Beautycounter from my friend Eunice (I actually wrote about our friendship a few years back in this entry right here) Our friendship was kind of like a free-fall...there was no gradual building up. We met, realized we both had PCOS and struggled with infertility, and we were bonded forever as soul cysters! She had recently become a consultant herself and loved how the products were all tested and screened thoroughly, they were eco-friendly and effective and most of all, safe for her daughters. I remember thinking "Oh that's cool, good for you" and said I would look into the items so I could buy something to help her out (I know how hard it can be for a stay at home mom to have a side hustle!) What I didn't expect was that I would become REALLY interested in it! It started popping up in a lot of mom bloggers' instagram accounts, all talking about the safer ingredients and how it was good for the entire family. I didn't realize, but cosmetics isn't just limited to make up. It includes shampoo, conditioner, face wash, moisturizer...the more I did research, the more bothered I was by the facts that were out there. For instance, I did not know:
  • In the EU, there are over 1,400 chemicals banned in the beauty industry for being dangerous, toxic, or questionable. In Canada, there are 600 chemicals banned. In America, there's only 40 partially banned.
  • There hasn't been a piece of legislation to regulate the beauty industry since 1937. That's before World War 2! There are so many loopholes in regards to what is "green" and "organic" and some companies are even getting sued because they aren't delivering the safety they promise. 
  • A lot these harsh chemicals (parabens, sulfates, etc) are linked to cancer, infertility, and are hormone disruptors. Since I have PCOS myself, one of my biggest fears is that 1) my daughters will get what I have, and it will be difficult for them to get pregnant when the time comes and 2) If I continue using harsh chemicals, will I eventually become worse and have something else besides PCOS?
Ever since high school I've had issues with my skin. Dry skin, oily skin, cystic acne, scarring...I remember prescription after prescription, and all the chemicals and peels and even having to get my blood drawn to use Accutane as a teenager (which is now pulled off the market for being dangerous since it goes directly into the blood stream) Recently, my biggest issue has been eczema. I am NOT one to be all crunchy-mama or all organic and natural. I kind of rolled my eyes at mamas like that bc I felt like it was a waste of money or only women in positions of privilege could splurge on stuff like that. Well, when I ran out of options and my hands kept bleeding, I decided ok let's try this stuff out. Also, in this same season, my daughter was trying to always sneak away with my make up and put some on her face or lips. I would explain to her that it's not safe, that make-up chemicals aren't meant for children, and she would smile and say "When I grow up, I will use the same make up as you" And that just didn't sit right with me.

If I was lucky, and if I tried out the same products as Eunice, maybe my eczema and severe dry skin would get better. If I was lucky, maybe I would love the make up and continue buying it so that when Evangeline and Elianna are older, I could say there are better alternatives out there than what you find in a department store. 

And let me tell you--I was LUCKY! I can't thank Eunice enough for sharing with me this information about Beautycounter so I can make more educated choices not only for myself but for my daughters. I have swapped out my daughter's kids' body wash and shampoo, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body soap, hand soap, hand lotion, facial creams and make up (Kevin says I am addicted haha!) and am not regretting any part of it. It feels GOOD to know it's not harsh chemicals being lathered all over my body (did you know it only takes less than 30 seconds for products put on the skin to reach the bloodstream?) I also have peace of mind knowing it's not all over the girls. It took me a few months to finally jump all in, and it was nice knowing there was a 60 day return policy no questions asked if I didn't like the products. 

And why did I decide to become a consultant? I'mma be real! I am LOVING the discounts. Also, since I'm a faithful customer, if anyone wants to buy under my name, it helps my family out. I've already had a couple of family and friends buy under me as a consultant and I am so thankful! But at the end of the day, and I truly mean this, if NO ONE were to buy under me, and I failed as a consultant, then that's okay. Because I did my best to educate everyone about the lack of transparency in the beauty industry, and I can just continue to use the products for me and my family. I love using Beautycounter products.

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