2021 Natural Makeup and Skincare Routine
I’ve been using natural makeup and skincare products almost exclusively for several years. Here’s the 2021 update on what I’m still loving and what’s new.
What changed in the past year?
The yearly natural makeup and skincare blog post has happened every early Spring since 2017. Throughout 2020–the pandemic and being pregnant–I truly streamlined my products and process. While many of the products remain the same (mascara, foundation…), I stopped using many items completely, and even my keystone product got booted for a $7 product.
Having more time at home with less social obligations and no work travel (there are times where I’m flying somewhere every two weeks over several months), it let me take a more analytical look about what products I use and if they deserve to stay.
I still love many of the products I had in my 2020 routine, but I just found I didn’t need them and didn’t repurchase them. I’ve left a small number of those items in this post if you’re looking for my recommendations within that category (masks for example), but they’ll contain a note that they’re not in my current rotation.
WHY NATURAL MAKEUP?
This became even more important to me once I was pregnant last Spring. If you’re pregnant, you’ll soon see there’s a laundry list of products you’re advised to discontinue using. Since I’ve been using natural products for so long, this didn’t impact me at all. I think the fact I didn’t have to disrupt part of my routine to make these changes with all of the other hurdles that come with pregnancy was a great relief.
I add the below paragraphs every year, so feel free to skip if you’re not new around here:
Your body absorbs what you put on your skin. While a lot of sources quote 60-70% absorption of product, I've seen conflicting numbers so I won't state a definite here. So let's go into this knowing some of the product ingredients are going into your body. And the ingredients...they're not good. The US is decades behind cosmetics ingredient regulation. There are over 1000 ingredients banned in the UK while in the US...it's only about 30 ingredients on the banned list.
WHERE SHOULD I START?
Switching from conventional makeup was overwhelming for me. I didn't know everything to stay away from (I still don’t know all the ingredients that are to be avoided). I wanted products that worked as well as or better than conventional. Especially since it's not exactly an inexpensive foray into the natural product world. I'm currently 95% natural in my makeup and skincare routine. I’m leaving 5% for a questionable hairspray and 1-2 products I’m using.
If you're a beginner and don't have the same skin type as me (normal to dry in winter) or are looking for other products, I highly recommend Follain which is basically the Sephora meets Whole Foods of natural makeup. It's a curated website with several physical locations in major cities that only allows certain standards of product and ingredients in the shop. You should absolutely use the chat function on their website and if possible, book a one-on-one consultation with them.
SKIN TYPE NOTE
These 'Holy Grail' makeup items are based on what has worked for me. I'm mostly normal skin type but in winter I am dry...so there are lots of cream based vs powder products here. If you're 'greasy', this is probably not a good selection for you. I also want to say these smaller brands don't necessarily have an inclusive shade range. Many of these products are also on the lower coverage side of the spectrum. I, thankfully, have 'good skin'. I don't have a lot of pigmentation or textural issues, so the selections in the face section below are not full coverage. I will also say that compared to conventional products which now boast 24 hour wears (why???), natural products are definitely not as long lasting for wear period. So go into this knowing you cannot wear this make up from 7 AM to 9 PM and have it look flawless without a touchup.
Older natural product routines
Skincare
Facewash, Bodywash, hand soap and baby soap:
I’ve gone from not caring about facewash to kind of finding one I liked in 2020, but in actuality, landing on using Follain’s Everything Soap is probably where I’ll stay. And we truly do use it for everything. It’s our bathroom hand soap. It’s my facewash. It’s what we use on the baby. It’s what we use in the shower. And now that you can buy their soap refills online vs only in-store (I guess one positive of the pandemic?), it simplifies so many products in our home and you can buy it via Follain or Amazon Prime. I still use this little antimicrobial, recyclable scrubber with these washable, reusable makeup pads to remove eye makeup.
Daily moisturizers:
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: Let me start off by saying this product is $8 and it is fantastic for dry skin. Better than SO many products I’ve tried. Squalane is naturally found in the skin. It’s used in this capacity as a hydrator that also prevents the loss of additional hydration. This is a new add for me in conjunction with another product I’ll mention later.
Follain Replenish + Protect: I rotate with this product depending on whether I’ve recently put in a Follain order or I’ve run out. I started using this in 2020 and if you have dry skin you’ll love it too. This product is lightweight (not greasy) and absorbs quickly but is very hydrating (said as someone with dry skin). It also contains bakuchiol which is a non-irritating retinol alternative and in combination with the peptides also included it improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Depending on how deep you want to get into skincare jargon, the Follain moisturizer also contains sodium hyaluronate which is a humectant that helps the skin retain and attract moisture. It’s also cruelty-free.
Chris’s Daily moisturizer (and what we use on the baby sometimes):
Weleda Skinfood Light Nourishing Cream: Chris still loves and uses this product and he dislikes most things. The fact that he’s still into this product after over a year speaks volumes.
Treatments and Serums
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA: This product is SEVEN DOLLARS and has fully replaced the most expensive product that I’d been using for years (Sunday Riley’s Good Genes). I had been using Good Genes for clearing skin congestion and evening skin tone and The Ordinary product (at like a tenth of the price) does the same thing. It works to even skin tone, reduce fine lines and dullness and uneven texture. Is it an exact dupe? No. But in conjunction with other products it is. Which begs the question- which products had I been using that were overkill when used together?
Tammy Fender Capillary Strengthening Oil: NOTE: THIS IS NOW TAMMY FENDER PLANT MILK WHICH IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. BUT WHAT REPLACED THE OIL. Still glorious and wonderful. If you suffer from skin redness (mild rosacea, broken capillaries, etc), you will love this product and it will make a major difference. I have some facial redness on my cheeks and this has helped decrease it significantly. I use this as my nighttime moisturizing step.
MASKs
I’m currently not using any masks, mostly due to time constraints (which sounds crazy until you have a newborn so we’ll revisit this category in a few months) and also lack of need. I’m not sure if it’s pregnancy/postpartum hormones, or to be honest, not drinking as much as I did, but my skin doesn’t really need a mask right now. I still highly recommend both of the below masks.
Farmaesthetics Herbal Hydration Complex: Hydrating, redness reducing- it’s the mask you need after wearing makeup or traveling for a few days in a row. It’s so good even Chris can tell right after I use it. Now I will say, I have a feeling Follain’s new hydrating mask may beat it- I just haven’t tried it yet!
Follain Dual Detox Mask: Purify + Resurface: I had just finished a product that was more than double the price and a smaller size and this product is SO MUCH BETTER. It’s a clay mask with AHAs and BHA in a very creamy formula. I cannot get enough of this mask.
MAKE UP
FACE MAKE UP
Under-foundation glow/highlighter: RMS Living Luminizer: A hydrating highlighter that’s noticeable but not insane looking. I do not use this product for day to day.
Foundation and concealer: RMS uncoverup : I use this as my concealer and foundation. With that said, I do not use this all over my face. I only use under my eyes, to spot conceal and blend outwards with a sponge blender. I use the color 22 in summer and 11 in winter mixed with 22.
Setting Powder: RMS unpowder: In the heat of summer I will use this to set certain areas of my skin (where my sunglasses sit mostly) but never in winter.
Bronzer: W3ll People: BIO bronzer chubby stick: An essential for me in cooler months to bring back warmth. It’s fantastic for blending and can double as eyeshadow if you’re trying to limit your products. I will say, you cannot use this as a contour since it’s more orange tone.
EYE MAKE UP
Day to Day Mascara: W3ll People Expressionist: I'm so thrilled with this as a day to day mascara. It separates and evenly coats lashes. There's nothing clumpy about this. If you have lots of lashes you’ll love this for a day look. I do several layers to get the effects I’m looking for.
Eyeliner : Ere Perez Jojoba: This one replaced my eyeliner from last year which drove me crazy with it’s too heavy metal cap that always fell off. It glides on well (I’d probably set it with a powder if I was going out), and stays.
Brow Gel: Jane Iredale Purebrow: This colored brow gel is easy to sweep on and use a clean spooly to brush through. I use the color 'blonde' as a medium brunette. I only use this product if I’m on camera or in photos- not day to day.
Eyeshadow: W3ll People Nudist Palate: The best natural palate with basic nudes. I only wish it had a black pigment.
Lip Color
Ere Perez Beetroot: I’ve always been a bit bashful about red lipstick. As someone who eats and drinks constantly, I don’t want to worry about brightly colored pigment all over my face. But this TRULY has staying power. I’ve worn it to conference cocktail hours and never worried.
W3ll People Optimist Semi Matte lipstick- Soul Mate: Great texture, easy to apply and an excellent ‘pink but nude’ color if you’re on the fair skinned side. This is what you’d carry in your bag without a mirror.
Nail Polish:
Palate Polish in Earl Grey (color Cayenne pictured): It’s small batch, 10 free and vegan. It’s also one of the polishes the only salon I visit uses (Nothing In Between which is a non-toxic salon. Their natural gel manicure and minimal nail art is beyond). The coverage is fantastic.
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