Making the change seems like a farfetched idea to most. However, as a black woman, taking extra precaution in your beauty regimen may be a matter of life or death. Deep, I know. But hear me out…
The ugly truth is, we are unknowingly exposed to toxins and chemicals each and every day. It’s simply a part of life and living on earth. However, what about our makeup, haircare, and skincare? We can blatantly see the chemicals each is made with on the label, so why aren’t we paying attention? Why are we putting so much emphases on alcohol drinking limits, but never considering those same limits for our hair, skin, and nails?
Every single thing, little to big, that makes up our bodies, are living entities and should always be cared for in the highest regard.
Curious as to what it takes to make the switch? Check out these 5 real tips for navigating your way to a more holistic and conscious beauty regimen:
1. Start Reading Ingredients
No one is saying to throw out your favorite MAC palette today. However, what I would suggest for starters is to simply turn your palette to the back and read. Go through each and
every ingredient and truly ask yourself if you know what any of these things are. If not, take to Google and do an investigation on your products you hold so dear to you. Not only will you find out what you are applying to your skin every day but you may also find the backstory to your beloved brands.
2. Simplify Your Products
First, start with simplifying your beauty regimen. Instead of doubling up on lipstick or foundation, simply apply one application a day. Yes, this means no touch-ups, reapplies, or baking. Try this for 1 week, then move on to an even simpler regimen. Try no foundation for the next week. You can still apply concealer to spots, eyebrows, lip and mascara. After that eliminate your corrective concealers, then lipsticks.
This process is only to start the process of eliminating toxic products from your arsenal and to get you comfortable in your own skin! After this step, don’t worry, it gets better.
3. Find Your Community, Your Tribe
It may sound cliché, but finding like-minded individuals that support and believe in what lifestyle you’re choosing to switch to is imperative. They will help you navigate your
challenges, new discoveries, and changes. Don’t know where to start? Subscribe to places of wellness and the health of black women in mind. BlackDoctor.org, Vibrate Higher Daily, Black Girl in Om, OmNoire, and JackieGLDN are just a few of a vast array of online communities and support systems with a wealth of knowledge.
4. Utilize The Internet
The good news is that yes, there are all natural beautiful and bold lipsticks and makeup out there for you to consume. They just aren’t readily available to the masses. If you must have something, go for water or plant-based products. Many products can be found at your local health food store or sites like BLK + GRN and storefront/e-commerce brand, Vivrant Beauty.
Don’t know where to start? Look into EWG’ Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. This site is a platform that takes your store-bought products and sends them through a hazardous and toxic testing process. Each product is taken through a rigorous screening test and categories them into 17 general hazard categories: cancer, reproductive/developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption potential, allergies/immunotoxicity, restrictions/warnings, organ system toxicity, persistence/bioaccumulation, multiple/additive exposure, mutations, cellular/biochemical changes, ecotoxicity, occupational hazards, irritation, absorption, impurities, and miscellaneous.
They then assign each product a score between 0 and 100 based on the weight of evidence. For example, a “known human carcinogen” is assigned a 100 for the cancer category while a “probable human carcinogen” is given a much lower score of 55. If you have some time on your hands, this site will be a bible to your holistic beauty journey.
5. Think Positive
Have fun with it! There are so many cool products and brands now available and completely dedicated to you and your well-being. Feel special and grateful for this exact moment in time. Our ancestors were forced for years to take the “lesser than” option. Our decisions are now fully in our own hands. Make this a new and exciting chapter in your life. Think of it as you finally making room for your soul and inner beauty to take flight and glow.
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.
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