Spotlight Series: Beautycounter, Pt. 1

Those who know me well know that I am skin care obsessed and have become pretty well-versed on the topic so, when my friend Megan reached out to let me know about a brand I may be interested in called Beautycounter, I was all ears. For starters I was unfamiliar with the name, thus instantly curious on what it had to offer, and secondly, my girl Megan is super-intelligent with excellent taste in absolutely everything (she even makes jewelry - more on her elizabethLyn brand *below!) so I knew she was likely onto something amazing.

Yet, amazing doesn't even begin to describe how incredible Beautycounter is. This lifestyle brand that offers everything from skin care to makeup to sun protection, hair care and shower basics too, blew me away on so many levels. The ingredients are fantastic, totally skin-friendly and safe, and will **NEVER contain the worst of the worst perps of poor health (**they even promote their Never List; a list of ingredients they will never ever be including in products). Upon browsing the products on the website, Beautycounter is the first company I've seen that allows you to not only view the ingredient list but also click on each ingredient to find out even further information about it. Transparency + empowerment are the name of their game and the mission is definitely serving them well! 

So I had Megan and her sweet baby boy over for lunch and, while she bestowed me with a beauty bag overflowing with a variety of goodies to sample, test + try for myself, she also filled me in on everything we need to know about Beautycounter. Read on below and stay tuned for my follow-up post on all the goodies I tried and loved, the amazing experience I had ordering my own products and everything that made its way into my regular rotation!

What sets Beautycounter apart from the crowd?

Transparency, education and extremely high standards in creating safer beauty products. The lack of information given to consumers is astounding - 80,000 chemicals are registered for use in consumer products and most of these do not have ANY health or safety data. It is not required for companies to list the ingredients used in products and "fragrance" is still considered a "trade secret" (aka loophole ingredient) so the ingredients used to produce the fragrance never have to be listed. Meaning, we have NO CLUE what's in it. The European union has banned or partially restricted over 1400 ingredients from personal care products. Canada? Less than 600. The United States? 30. That BLEW MY MIND! Not only does Beautycounter eliminate over 1500 ingredients, the company is pushing for new and strict legislation. As a certified B Corporation, Beautycounter believes businesses can help solve social and environmental problems by voluntarily meeting higher standards of transparency, accountability and performance. 

What was the most impactful message Beautycounter left you with that made you want to share it with others?

Be conscious of what you are putting on your body! We deserve better. Our children deserve better. Products can perform beautifully AND be safe to use! We don't have to compromise our health for beauty. Read labels, ask questions and make informed decisions! When I tried Beautycounter products I loved them but it was learning about the lack of regulations and transparency in the beauty industry and what Beautycounter is doing to educate and change the current situation that made me jump at the opportunity to be a part of this company's movement. As a new mama, I am so conscious of what I put on my babe (Beautycounter has both a baby and kids line for skin + sun) and I realized I wasn't holding the same standard when it came to myself. 

Tell us about the Never List!

The Never List is made up of more than 1500 questionable or harmful chemicals that Beautycounter NEVER uses as ingredients in the products. These are the chemicals you do not want to find in any of your products! Take a look here: 

http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/the-never-list/

What are some of Beautycounter’s best-selling products and what’s new & exciting?

 Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion 

Where has this been all my life?! This lightweight lotion helps skin adapt to day-to-day aggressors by matching the structure of your skin + adjusting hydration levels throughout the day. Translation? It gives you as much or as little moisture as your skin needs, even if that changes throughout the day! Plus it smooths skin texture, smells amazing + leaves your skin glowing! 

Charcoal Cleansing Bar 

The first product I tried and fell in love! This bar deeply cleanses and detoxifies, absorbs impurities and purifies skin. A MUST have!!

Cleansing Balm 

Where do I begin?! This product straight up does it all! Use it as a cleanser, melt away your make up, put it all over for a 10 minute hydration mask, use it as a lip mask, use it on dry spots like elbows, hands, knees (or for eczema, cold sores, small cuts). This is your multi-purpose travel product -- literally! Bonus points for the fact that you can carry it on as it's a solid oil, not a liquid! 

Who is the Beautycounter girl?

Every girl! There truly is something for every skin type and the products perform BEAUTIFULLY without compromising your health and safety. Better beauty is accessible for everyone! 

The top 3 picks to add to your…

Makeup bag:

1. Tint Skin 

2. Glow Shimmer Oil 

3. Sheer Lipstick 

Skin care routine:

1. Countermatch Lotion 

2. Balancing + Charcoal facial mask 

3. Cleansing Balm 

Shower caddy:

1. Charcoal Cleansing Bar 

2. Citrus Mimosa Body Wash 

3. Daily Shampoo + Conditioner 

What is the best way to get your hands on Beautycounter products?

Visit my website at: www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/meganhammond

Email me at: megan@elizabethlyn.ca

Join my Facebook Group: Beautycounter with Megan Hammond 

Follow my Beautycounter IG for sneak peeks, deals + product tests: @beautycounterwithmegan

*Megan also designs her own jewelry under elizabethLyn, which you should absolutely check out because her pieces are STUNNING!!!!!!! I own the necklace below from her new Fall 2017 collection and haven't taken it off since I received it! @elizabethlynjewelry @elizabethlynlastcall