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In today’s edition of the Friday Five, I’m sharing my top 5 favorite beauty products!
1. Coconut Oil
Okay, so this isn’t really a “beauty product” per se, but I highly recommend using it as one. Coconut oil has many healthy properties and I enjoy using it in my homemade toothpaste (equal parts baking soda + coconut oil and peppermint essential oil). I also use it in my homemade lotion because it is free of harsh chemicals and keeps my skin moisturized for hours! I’ve also used it on cuts, scrapes, burns, canker sores, and in place of a diaper rash cream.
2. Crystal Essence Roll On Deodorant
I know this one is not typically a beauty product but I like to include it in my routine. Most top brand deodorants contain aluminum which has been linked to breast cancer. I tried using an Arm & Hammer aluminum free deodorant but it seemed to wear off after a few hours. I’ve been able to find this particular brand of deodorant for only $2.85 at Thrive Market which is actually more affordable than many of the name brand options.
3. Ren Pure Coconut Cream Shampoo & Conditioner
I’ll be honest – I first saw these in a friend’s bathroom (#stalker) and since I know that particular friend has a healthy lifestyle, I knew this was a brand I could trust. I found the 16 ounce edition of this product at our local grocery store and decided to give it a try. Between using this combo and not straightening my hair every day my hair has grown faster and is at its healthiest (I’m sure the pregnancy/postpartum hormones also play a role in this).
The 16 ounce versions run for over $4.50 at our grocery store, so next time around, I plan on purchasing the 32 ounce versions online through the Swagbucks cash back link for Target because it’s a better deal, I can earn 2% cash back and pick up in my local store to avoid shipping costs.
4. Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Organic Hand Sanitizer
When I first saw this advertised in Good Housekeeping, I knew I had to try it. As a new mom, I was looking for an alternative to traditional hand sanitizers that are loaded with harsh chemicals. I wanted something that would be easy to tote in my diaper bag and safe to use around my daughter. I LOVE the smell of this sanitizer and how clean my hands feel after using it. This product is also available at Vitamin Shoppe for about half the price listed on Amazon and you can always go through the Swagbucks link to earn 2% cash back.
5. Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lip Balm
Between Dr. Bronner’s and Burt’s Bees, Dr. Bronner’s is my store bought lip balm of choice because it’s much less waxy. I like that this lip balm goes on smoothly and the peppermint is not too overwhelming. These are a little pricey when compared with traditional brands but ultimately, I think it is a worthy investment. I usually buy these at my local grocery store for $2.60 and they are also available through Thrive Market for $2.25. If you are into a DIY option, you can always try making your own chapstick!
Thanks for checking out my Friday Five! What are your natural beauty must haves?
Oh no! Aren’t you making your own lip balm anymore?
I am! This was before I started doing that. I found out Dr. Bronner’s gave a grant of $600,000 to support the legalization of marijuana so I’ve, for the most part, stopped buying their products (I do love their Sal Suds cleaner though so I may keep purchasing that one). It was my search for a natural, affordable lip balm that prompted me to start making my own. I keep them in a bag in the fridge so we can grab one as neeeded or give one to a guest if they need one 🙂
I didn’t check the date on the post. : ( Thank you for the tip about keeping them in the fridge. The texture of my homemade lip balms changed to become slightly grainy, and maybe chilling them would prevent that.
I’m enjoying your Magnolia-inspired series.
I’ve found that mine also get grainy and there are some that end up being really waxy. Maybe it’s just trial and error until the right amount of each ingredient makes it into each tube. Thanks for the compliment regarding the Magnolia series, I had so much fun with it! 🙂