My Natural Beauty Routine

No company has paid or compensated me to endorse their products. The thoughts expressed are my personal opinion.

When it comes to my beauty routine I choose simplicity and low-maintenance. With three young children I don't have a lot of extra time to focus on getting ready each day. I get asked about what beauty/hygiene products I use. Here is my routine:

Morning

No matter what time it is, at least one of my children will wake up when I do, so my morning routine has to be no-fuss and fast. I shower in the evenings so I mainly focus on my hair, deodorant and brushing my teeth in the morning.

I brush my teeth with Tom's of Maine toothpaste. My kids really like their Silly Strawberry toothpaste. Tom's is a safe toothpaste for us since we have celiac disease. It's my goal to someday make our own toothpaste.

I also use Tom's of Maine deodorant. I like it because it's free of aluminum, Triclosan, and parabens. The scents are natural and it doesn't irritate my skin. This is another product I would like to like to make.

For my hair I finger comb it and then tuck it behind my ears or pull it up.

I don't wear make-up usually, but if I do it's usually a neutral-colored shadow and liner and a very light (also neutral) shade of matte lipstick. I haven't really found a brand that I like so I can't really offer a recommendation.

Mid-Morning through Early Afternoon

Between diaper changes, cleaning and washing dishes (we don't have a dish washer) my hands are quite dry. In the winter, if I don't stay on top of things my hands crack. I am currently trying out different lotions as my former lotion contained gluten and made me sick. Right now I am using Burt's Bees. I have also heard fabulous things about MadeOn Hard Lotion and Apple Valley Natural Soap.

Evening

my facial favorites

I wash my face with a Castor oil/olive blend. If you aren't familiar with the Oil Cleansing Method you can read more about it here. I personally love it because of how it moisturizes while attacking oil and solving a variety of skin problems (blackheads, acne, etc). It's also very frugal. I exfoliate 2-3 times a week, usually with a mixture of organic yogurt and honey. I explain how it works in my post How To Exfoliate Your Skin Without Chemicals. From time-to-time I use an exfoliating pad and with a few drops of almond castille soap to cleanse and exfoliate my face. 

I shower in evenings before bed. I wish I had the time and space to make our own soap but for now I use castille soap, like Dr. Bronner's, for body wash and shaving soap. It doesn't irritate my skin or leave soapy residue. Even though it may feel like you are paying a lot for one bottle, it's thinner consistency helps it last longer than other washes. I have had the same bottle of Dr. Bronner's castille soap for over 6 months now and am still not near empty. Over time it's a great bargain.

For my hair, I use a mixture of baking soda and water. I've been using the Poo-Free Method for years  and love it. I mix baking soda and water and store it in a plastic ketchup bottle. I love how my hair feels and behaves with the poo-free method. It's frugal, too! I wash my hair 2-3 times a week. I rarely condition my hair because going poo-free supports the natural health of my scalp and hair. I go to bed with my hair wet. It helps maximize the natural curl in my hair without the frizz I get from blow drying.

 

What About The Kids?

I get asked a lot if I use the same things on my children that I use on myself. Because they are young, I don't use the poo-free method for fear of accidentally getting baking soda in their eyes. I have used castille soap on their skin and hair before but what I really love using on their hair and skin in California Baby's Shampoo/Body Wash. It simplifies bath time because there is just one product I use. Plus, it's naturally tear-free and comes in unscented or scented (with essential oils only). I love what is not in their products: no pesticides, numbing agents, sulfates, artificial fragrances or dyes.  California Baby products are free of many common allergens: gluten, dairy, soy, peanuts. It's tear free, too.  The wash is pricier than more popular brands but it's pure, great quality, allergen-free and lasts longer than more popular brands. One large bottle like the one pictured above can last us 6 months for three children.

Because of the shampoo methods and soaps we use, we don't have to use conditioner much. When we do I use California Baby conditioner. One of my daughter's has an awful time with tangles so I use the detangling spray (pictured below) on her hair. Both products do a great job without leaving an oily/greasy residue.

Where Do I Shop?

Most grocery stores sell these products but they are usually the most expensive option. I shop for most of our beauty/hygiene products from Amazon or Vitacost. Vitacost can have some great sales and free shipping deals. {A little secret: You can get $10 off your first purchase, too! You are very welcome.}

So that's my routine. 

What's yours? What do you use?