Category Archives: Brand Spotlights

Organic Natural Skincare ft. Beauty by Earth

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Clean beauty is not a new concept, but it has grown and evolved in recent years. The clean beauty movement came about because of consumers’ fear of toxic chemicals being used in traditional skincare products. There is much fear of toxins entering the bloodstream and causing allergic reactions, interfering with hormones, or even causing cancer. 

What is clean beauty? 

What it boils down to, is that a product is “clean” if you can use it without risking your health. All ingredients must be safe and non-toxic.

“Clean” is interpreted in different ways by different people. For many, the best way to ensure that a product is clean, is to verify that all ingredients are natural (not synthetic) and organic.

There is definitely comfort in reading an ingredients list and recognizing every ingredient as something found in nature! Organic natural skincare has grown in popularity, because if all ingredients are grown organically, there is no risk of chemical residues getting into the individual products. 

What’s the catch?

There are cons associated with some “clean” or natural skincare products. They have a reputation for being less effective than traditional skincare. This is true in some cases. However, it comes down to which ingredients are used. Like all skincare ingredients, some natural ones will perform better than others. 

Natural skincare also is not always “safe.” For example, many essential oils can be irritating to the skin. Just like with the efficacy argument, consumers must pay attention to which ingredients are being used. If you know your skin is sensitive, avoid products with ingredients that will irritate your skin. 

Where I stand on natural ingredients

Personally, I think there are both good and bad natural ingredients, just like there are good and bad synthetic ones. I have a combination of traditional and natural products in my collection. As previously stated, I look for what works without causing any adverse effects. I think most of the skincare products I own would be considered “clean” in the most basic terms, but they are not all natural.

I am interested in trying more natural beauty, especially skincare. A brand dedicated to creating quality natural products that I’ve been introduced to somewhat recently, is Beauty by Earth.

natural ingredients

Beauty by Earth’s history

Beauty by Earth opened in 2014 in Dallas, TX with a single product launched on Amazon: organic argan oil. In 2015, Beauty by Earth had a team of only four people, but they worked hard to create more innovative, natural, and organic products. In September of that year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) awarded Beauty by Earth products their top rating. Beauty by Earth expanded to sell its products in Canada in 2016. In 2017 the company’s catalogue expanded to include 40 products! Beauty by Earth won TWO awards in 2018: Official Best Skincare in Texas and Indie Beauty Awards (Best in show Eye Treatment). 2019 was another huge year for Beauty by Earth! The team expanded to 16 people, their collection expanded to include 70 products, and the company was ranked among America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies by Inc. 5000.

What makes Beauty by Earth so special?

Beauty by Earth makes its products with 100% natural organic ingredients. All products are USDA certified organic! To get that certification, a company must use at least 95% organic ingredients in its products. Most of their products are vegan, too! The only products that aren’t vegan (like their lip balm) contain beeswax that is harvested responsibly. 

They are also cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified. 🙂 Products are gluten-free, and only non-GMO ingredients are used. All formulations are manufactured in the USA in a FDA certified facility.

Most products labeled as “clean,” “natural,” or “organic” are very expensive! Beauty by Earth is committed to keeping prices low so their products will be accessible to all. Their goal is to encourage more people to join the clean beauty movement by making it more approachable and affordable.

You might be waiting for an explanation about the EWG rating I mentioned in the last section. The EWG rates products based on the level of health hazard from ingredients. “1” is a very low health hazard while “10” is a very high health hazard. I looked through the Beauty by Earth products on the EWG website and there are eight products with a rating of “3,” 23 products with a rating of “2,” and the other 46 have the coveted rating of “1!” This doesn’t sound all that impressive until you look at some other brands. You will be astounded by the difference! You can search for any product’s rating here.

Beauty by Earth collections

Beauty by Earth has really come a long way since 2014 and now has over 70 products available on BeautybyEarth.com. They started out only selling argan oil, but now they have a variety of products in the following categories:

  • Skincare
  • Body care
  • Hair care
  • Lip care
  • Sun care
  • Tools for face and body

Boss Beauties Elite rewards program

Beauty by Earth has a rewards program very similar to those of other beauty brands I’ve discussed here. Points (or “Beauty Bucks”) are easily earned in several ways:

  • Sign up for the program
  • Birthdays
  • Follow on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook
  • Place orders on BeautybyEarth.com
  • Refer a friend
  • Leave a review

There are three statuses in this program. This seems familiar…noticing a trend? 😉

  • Everyone starts out at the “Admirer” status in this program
    • 1 Beauty Buck earned per dollar spent
    • Birthday reward 100 Beauty Bucks
  • Once you reach $250 spent, you’ll upgrade to “BFF” status
    • 1.5 Beauty Bucks earned per dollar spent
    • Birthday reward 150 Beauty Bucks
    • Two free shipping vouchers
    • Early access to new products
    • Exclusive promotions
    • Welcome gift (valued at $10)
  • “Soulmate” status once you’ve spent $500
    • 2 Beauty Bucks earned per dollar spent
    • Birthday reward 200 Beauty Bucks
    • Early access to new products
    • Exclusive promotions
    • Free shipping on ALL orders
    • Welcome gift (valued at $25)

Every 100 Beauty Bucks can be redeemed for $10 off! You can let them accumulate for a larger discount, or use them right away.

This rewards program is extremely similar to others I’ve seen lately, but I still think it’s worth mentioning. It’s great getting some extra perks when you shop!

I have only used two products from Beauty by Earth so far, but I’m very impressed by both and look forward to trying more very soon! 

My mom is the one that really got me interested in Beauty by Earth and I’m so glad she did! The last time I was at her house, I saw her Beauty by Earth moisturizer and checked the ingredients label (I’m always curious about ingredients). I was blown away! I recognized nearly every ingredient and they are good ingredients.

I look forward to bringing you some Beauty by Earth product reviews soon! 🙂 In the meantime, if you’d like to check out Beauty by Earth, please use my referral link to get $10 off a $50+ purchase! I will also receive $10 in Beauty Bucks if you use my link.

Have you ever tried natural beauty products? What did you think of them? Please share your thoughts with me in the comments below!

Lauren

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Cruelty-Free Skincare Backed by Science and Thoughtfully Formulated ft. Paula’s Choice

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DISCLAIMER: At the time this blog post was written, Paula’s Choice was owned by TA Associates, a private equity firm. Unilever, which is not cruelty-free, announced on June 14, 2021, that it would be acquiring Paula’s Choice. Since I do not support cruelty-free companies owned by parent companies that are not cruelty-free, I will no longer purchase or review Paula’s Choice products.  I am not removing this review since I know many of my readers will still want to support Paula’s Choice.

Microsoft, Canon, BMW, Disney, and Rolex all have something in common. They are all trusted companies that have a high level of brand-recognition around the world. When I think of skincare, the most trusted and well-known brand that comes to mind is Paula’s Choice. While Paula’s Choice is certainly not as commonly recognized as the other brands I mentioned, it has grown over the past 25 years to be very well-known and trusted and is now available in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many European and Asian countries.

Paula’s Choice History

The story of Paula’s Choice began in 1975 when the founder, Paula Begoun, was fired from her job working at a cosmetic counter because she was telling clients the truth about what products could and could not do for skin. Paula suffered from acne and eczema and struggled to find products that delivered on their claims. That is what inspired her to pursue a career in the research and development of effective skincare.

Paula Begoun launched Paula’s Choice in 1995 as one of the first online direct-to-consumer brands in the world. Paula’s Choice released its innovative 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant in the year 2000. That product remains one of the company’s top-sellers today, 20 years later.

Paula is no longer involved in the daily operations of Paula’s Choice, but the company continues her legacy of creating effective, innovative, and safe products for consumers.

Paula’s Choice Philosophy

I have a high level of trust in Paula’s Choice that I do not have for many companies. The principles of Paula’s Choice are unwavering and transparent. 

The following are the principles of the Paula’s Choice Formulary Philosophy from PaulasChoice.com:

  • Science & Truth
    • Paula’s Choice doesn’t follow the trends; formulas are supported and verified by extensive research
  • Highly Effective
    • Products are formulated with active ingredients in proper concentrations, with stable pH levels, to deliver results
  • Formulary Excellence
    • To guarantee effectiveness, products are developed using hundreds of independent studies, safety data, and extensive consumer testing
  • Non-irritating & Fragrance-free
    • Formulas are created with only the ingredients needed to be effective; no Paula’s Choice products contain fragrance or other irritants
    • All products are tested on people by an independent laboratory for irritancy and safety
  • Multi-faceted Formulas
    • Every Paula’s Choice product is formulated with antioxidants, skin-replenishing ingredients, and skin-restoring ingredients
  • Cruelty-free Always
    • Paula’s Choice is Leaping Bunny certified and owned by a private equity firm
  • Packaged for Potency
    • Paula’s Choice doesn’t use jars or transparent packaging since vital ingredients become less effective when exposed to air and light
  • Environmentally Conscious
    • Paula’s Choice is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and actively seeks sustainable ingredients and recyclable packaging

There are a lot of fleeting trends and misinformation in the beauty industry. Paula’s Choice challenges ideas, beliefs, and myths to provide consumers with products that are both smart and safe for healthy skin.

Paula’s Choice Collections

Paula’s Choice has several skincarecollections with products to address every skin type, skin concern, age, and preference. The following are all of the Paula’s Choice collections:

  • Resist for anti-aging
  • Exfoliate for revealing fresh glowing skin with leave-on products
  • Clear for acne treatment
  • Boosters enhance results with concentrated ingredients
  • Clinical for advanced signs of aging
  • Defense preserves youthfulness through environmental protection
  • Omega+ Complex nourishes and strengthens all skin types
  • Skin Recovery locks in hydration for dry or very dry skin types
  • Skin Balancing reduces shine and enlarged pores for combination or oily skin types
  • Calm reduces redness
  • Earth Sourced protects and preserves skin with 95% natural ingredients
  • PC4Men features skincare products designed for men (note that all other Paula’s Choice products are gender-neutral)

In addition to skincare, Paula’s Choice also offers some body care and hair care products.

The variety of products on PaulasChoice.com can be overwhelming, but it’s easy to find products that meet your needs. You can search by product type, skin concern, collection, or skin type. If you still feel confused after searching on your own, Paula’s Choice offers resources to educate and guide you to the best products for your unique skin. Look under the “Discover” tab on the main navigation bar of PaulasChoice.com to find these tools.

Routine Finder

The first “Discover” resource is the Routine Finder which is designed to curate personalized routine for your skin. The results of the Routine Finder are based on your age group, skin type, and skin concerns (you can select one primary and one secondary skin concern).

You will be provided with two routine options. The first is called “Essential” and only includes three steps. The second is called “Advanced” and that routine includes five steps to provide optimal results. Once you’ve selected the routine you are most interested in, you can save it to your account, have the results emailed to you, or talk to a Paula’s Choice skincare expert if you have questions about your routine.

Decode My Skin

If you are unsure of your skin type, you can use the Decode My Skin tool. This is another quiz similar to the Routine Finder, but this one starts with a question to determine your skin type, then moves on to ask about your main skin concern that you’d like to address.

The results provide you with your skin type and the most suitable collection for you. You will have the option to choose a curated kit with specific products chosen to meet your needs, the option to shop from the entire collection suggested, or you can choose to select some of the products chosen from the curated kit.

Expert Advice – Skincare Advice

There are many educational articles in the Skincare Advice section if you are interested in learning more. These articles provide information on skincare basics, skin types, skin concerns, skincare myths, sun care, and more. While Paula’s Choice is a skincare company, there are also articles here for makeup tips! These articles are very interesting and informative. I highly encourage you to check them out if you are interested in learning more about skincare (or makeup!).

Expert Advice – Ingredient Dictionary

I love “geeking out” and researching the ingredients in my skincare products. The Paula’s Choice Ingredient Dictionary is one of the main resources I use to find out more about my skincare ingredients. You can search for an ingredient alphabetically or by category. Once you find the ingredient you’re looking for, you’ll be able to see the rating (poor, average, good, or best), categories, and description.

This tool is great to have handy while shopping for skincare products from Paula’s Choice or anywhere else. If you see an ingredient that looks suspicious, you can look it up to see its function and also find out if it’s a good ingredient or not. 

Availability and Special Offers

Paula’s Choice products are available on PaulasChoice.com, as well as from several other online retailers including Amazon. The only in-store retailers that carry Paula’s Choice are Pharmaca and Nordstrom. 

I recommend only buying directly from PaulasChoice.com because they almost always have some sort of sale going, or offer a free full-size gift with purchase. Keeping in mind that most of their products are $20+, it’s always a great deal getting a free item from Paula’s Choice! You can see information on all current sales and free gifts under Offers.

I think Paula’s Choice is such a special company because they do not compromise on quality, safety, or research. I appreciate that they continue to create products with only the best ingredients and don’t waste time following trends that aren’t based on science. 

When you buy a Paula’s Choice product, you can feel confident knowing that product contains some of the best skincare ingredients available. Paula’s Choice stands by all its products and offers a 100% Money Back Guarantee.

I have tried quite a few Paula’s Choice products now and have been pleased with all except for their Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50. Even though that product didn’t work so well for me, I still think it is a good product for many people. 

I enjoy the Paula’s Choice products that I currently have in my collection and I look forward to trying more from them in the future. Have you tried any products from Paula’s Choice? Let me know what you think of them below!

Lauren

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Cruelty-Free Beauty on a Budget ft. e.l.f. Cosmetics

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There is a common misconception that quality cruelty-free beauty products can only be found at high-end prices. That may have been true many years ago, but there are many budget-friendly cruelty-free brands available today. When I think of high-quality cruelty-free beauty brands that are also affordable, e.l.f. Cosmetics is always the first one that comes to my mind.

e.l.f. Cosmetics assorted products

e.l.f. Cosmetics history

E.l.f. Cosmetics was founded in 2004 with the goal to produce high-quality cosmetics at affordable prices. There were many “drugstore” brands available before e.l.f. Cosmetics’ debut, but none of them could boast the very low prices that e.l.f. was offering. At that time, all e.l.f. products could be purchased for less than $5.00 each! 

While e.l.f.’s prices have increased through the years, they are still lower than all of the more well-known competitors’ prices. E.l.f.’s overall quality and variety have also improved greatly, which explains the need for price increases. 

E.l.f. is an innovative company that is always growing. The company has expanded rapidly over the past sixteen years and e.l.f. products are now available in eighteen countries!

Cruelty-free beauty products that won’t break the bank

How does e.l.f. continue to keep their prices reasonable while making such high-quality products? They were kind enough to provide a little insight on their website:

  • E.l.f. states they “take a small, indie approach to working, learning, and testing. fast.”
  • They also have relationships with some of the best manufacturers in the world, to meet demand and support their ever growing collection of products. 
  • E.l.f. listens to customer feedback to improve formulas that need some help and to bring us new products that we want!

E.l.f. also keeps prices low by using more basic/inexpensive packaging than other brands. I enjoy nice packaging, but it isn’t necessary for me. I don’t see e.l.f.’s lower-end packaging as a bad thing because it is still perfectly functional and helps me spend less money on products I enjoy.

What kind of a name is “e.l.f.” for a cosmetics company? 

I went many years seeing e.l.f. products at every drugstore and grocery store without knowing the origin of the company’s name. You might be in the same boat, so I have to mention that “e.l.f.” stands for “eyes lips face.” I think it’s brilliant and memorable! 

E.l.f.’s name alludes to the idea that they make products for all of your face’s needs. They definitely deliver on that expectation!

e.l.f. Cosmetics’ wide range of makeup and skincare

E.l.f. Is a great company to check out, particularly for young people just starting a collection of products, or anyone shopping on a budget. At elfcosmetics.com, you can find everything you need to build a whole makeup collection or skincare regimen, all at affordable prices.

E.l.f. has all of its makeup products categorized on the company’s website by “eyes, lips, and face” to be consistent with their name. It is very easy to find any type of product you might be looking for. As e.l.f.’s formulas have evolved, their makeup is now most well-known for primers, concealers, and blushes. Don’t let that keep you from trying other products, however. There are all kinds of unexpected and amazing finds within e.l.f.’s makeup collection.

e.l.f. brushesDon’t forget tools! E.l.f. is also known for their high-quality brushes. They offer a wide range of face and eye brushes to blend all of your liquid, cream, and powder products. I currently have six brushes from e.l.f. and they are all very well-made (see photo to the right). In addition to brushes, e.l.f. offers other tools like sponges, tweezers, bags, brush holders, and more!

E.l.f. originally only offered makeup and tools, but in recent years they have launched many interesting skincare products. I was skeptical at first, since I always knew e.l.f. as a makeup brand, but I have heard many promising reviews for their skincare. 

E.l.f. includes a lot of ingredients that can be found in much more expensive brands’ skincare products. All of their skincare is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. They even have a wide-range of fragrance-free products that are great for anyone that has sensitive skin. I have not tried any of e.l.f.’s skincare products yet, but I definitely plan to! I will be sure to provide reviews of any e.l.f. skincare products that I test.

e.l.f. Beauty Squad

E.l.f. has a loyalty program called “e.l.f. Beauty Squad” that offers some great perks and opportunities to save even more money on their already affordable products! There are several ways to earn Beauty Squad points:

  • Create an account (that’s right, you get points just for signing up!)
  • Complete your beauty profile
    • This is to your benefit because e.l.f. will be able to provide a more personalized shopping experience if they know more about you
  • Subscribe to e.l.f.’s email list
  • Subscribe to receive text messages from e.l.f.
  • Purchase e.l.f. products (2 points earned per dollar spent)
    • You’ll get bonus points for ordering from elfcosmetics.com four times per year
  • Refer friends to elfcosmetics.com
    • You get a lot more points if they make a purchase!
  • Add products to your wish list
  • Connect on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
  • Write a product review

A unique thing about e.l.f. Beauty Squad is that you can earn points from in-store purchases in addition to purchases made on elfcosmetics.com. There is a “receipt upload” feature that allows you to take pictures of your receipts. I’ve never seen this option from any other beauty brand, so I think this is very cool!

What can you use all those points for? Points can be redeemed for rewards that are worth increments of $2.00 off. Rewards range from $2.00 off (100 points) to $10.00 off (300 points). $10.00 off doesn’t sound like much, but when you consider how inexpensive e.l.f. products are, $10.00 really is a good discount.

There are three tiers in the Beauty Squad program, called “extra,” “epic,” and “icon.” These levels are based on the number of points you’ve accumulated. There are special perks for each of these tiers:

  • Birthday gift (all tiers)
  • $5 off $20+ purchase (bonus offer for epic tier)
  • Double point events (epic and icon tiers)
  • Early access to sales (epic and icon tiers)
  • 25% off purchase (bonus offer for icon tier)
  • Early access to new products (icon tier)

I signed up for the e.l.f. Beauty Squad today and look forward to enjoying the benefits!

e.l.f. Discovery

E.l.f. has a very cool page on its website called “e.l.f. Discovery.” This page includes the following resources that are great for those discovering e.l.f. products for the first time or anyone that is new to the beauty world:

  • Tutorials for a variety of makeup looks
  • Lookbooks provide an overview of product collections and some individual products
  • Quick tips are recommendations for the best ways to use e.l.f. Products
  • Skincare finder will help you select the right skincare products for your unique skin type and concerns
  • Primer finder suggests primers based on your skin type and preferences

e.l.f. Cares

e.l.f. toolsE.l.f. Is dedicated to supporting diversity, communities in need, and animals! They are doing a lot of great things and I’d like to share a couple of statements directly from their website.

“Celebrating the beauty of every eye, lip and face is fundamental to our DNA. It’s in our name and inspires us as a company. 

We are committed to creating a culture internally – and in the world around us – where all individuals are encouraged to express their truest selves, are empowered to succeed and where we do the right thing for people, the planet and animals.”

These are some of the steps e.l.f. has taken to make the world a better place:

  • Partnered with the “It Gets Better Project” to empower and bring together LGBTQ+ youth around the world
  • Donated to several civil rights organizations working to support black communities
  • Donated to food banks across the United States
  • Donated $15,000 in profits from Jkissa’s “To the Rescue” eyeshadow palette to Angel City Pits which is an advocacy group for pit bulls
  • All e.l.f. products are, and always will be, vegan and cruelty-free!

E.l.f. Cosmetics is close to my heart for many reasons, but the biggest reason is their business model. E.l.f. continues to make high quality, innovative products, while keeping their prices affordable. I appreciate that they keep their prices low to make their products accessible to all…every eye, lip, and face. 

I recognize that many people do not have room in their budgets for makeup or skincare items. While many see these items as “frivolous,” I see them as self-care items that shouldn’t be out of reach to anyone. E.l.f. makes that possible, without compromising on quality.

I’ve used many e.l.f. products through the years, and I look forward to trying more! I’d love to hear what you’ve been enjoying from this amazing cruelty-free brand. Please comment below to share your thoughts!

Lauren

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Mindful Beauty ft. Pacifica Beauty

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Recyclable packaging. Free recycling program. Cruelty-free. Vegan. Clean ingredients. 

Pacifica logo

All of these things and more can be found in one affordable,accessible, and often overlooked brand–Pacifica Beauty. Pacifica is all about mindful beauty and offers a wide variety of products. Pacifica has been one of my favorite independently-owned cruelty-free brands for years. I love what they stand for and have enjoyed using many of their products. Not only are Pacifica products high quality, but they also come in cute packaging that looks great sitting on your bathroom counter or vanity! 

Pacifica products

Pacifica is a very impressive beauty brand. Not only do they maintain high ethical standards, but they have created a line for almost every beauty product you could imagine. You can find all of the following types of products on PacificaBeauty.com:

  • Skincare
  • Suncare
  • Makeup
  • Lip care
  • Nail care
  • Hair
  • Bath & body
  • Perfume
  • Wellness

I have not tried Pacifica products from all of these categories, but I can tell you that I have enjoyed the products that I have tried so far. I mainly gravitate toward their skincare, bath, and body products.

Pacifica’s FREE recycling program

I always knew Pacifica was a great company, but they are doing more than I realized! I recently learned about an amazing program they offer to make their products easier to recycle. Not only is their packaging recyclable, but Pacifica also offers a free recycling program that comes with perks! I am so excited to try this program for the first time soon.

This is how Pacifica’s recycling program works:

  1. Gather empty Pacifica containers
  2. Go to https://www.pacificabeauty.com/pages/recycle and enter up to eight products that you want to recycle
  3. Fill out your name, email, and address to get a prepaid shipping label
  4. Return your containers to Pacifica using the prepaid shipping label
  5. Receive 100 loyalty points once package is received (you must be logged in to your account to receive loyalty points)
  6. Plastic containers will be recycled and given new life as Preserve brand razors and toothbrushes

I was particularly excited to see that Pacifica’s containers are being recycled to make Preserve razors and toothbrushes, because I made the switch from my old Gillette razor to a Preserve razor a couple of months ago! (Fantastic product, by the way.)

If you wish to take advantage of Pacifica’s recycling program, please ship your empty containers within 30 days of receiving the prepaid shipping label. Otherwise, it will be voided. 

Girl Code Rewards Program

It seems like every company has a rewards program these days and Pacifica is no exception! Pacifica’s is called the Girl Code Rewards Program. It is a fairly straightforward program with many ways to earn points:

  • Create account
  • Make purchases on PacificaBeauty.com
  • Refer a friend
  • Birthdays
  • Follow Pacifica on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
  • Participate in the recycling program
  • Write a product review

Points can be redeemed once you reach 100 points or you can let them accumulate for a larger discount later. Points are redeemed for vouchers that are worth increments of $3 (that is the smallest voucher that you would receive with 100 points).

Pacifica has three different levels within the Girl Code Rewards Program:

  • Friend status – no minimum amount spent
    • 1 point per $1 spent
  • Girl crush – spend at least $200pinky promise
    • 2 points per $1 spent
    • Early access to new products
    • Free gift ($10 value)
    • Two vouchers for free shipping
  • Bestie forever – spend at least $500
    • 3 points per $1 spent
    • Free shipping on all orders
    • Early access to new products
    • Access to exclusive events and private sales
    • Free gift on birthday

While the name of this program and the names of the three levels within the program are quite silly, the rewards are actually pretty generous!

Keep in mind that you will only be able to earn points for the Girl Code Rewards Program if you purchase Pacifica products directly from PacificaBeauty.com.

Where to find Pacifica products

Pacifica Beauty was formed in 1997 and has gained a reputation as an innovative and sustainable company. As they have grown, their reach has also expanded. Pacifica Beauty products can be found in Ulta Beauty (of course!), Target, Whole Foods, and Sprouts stores in the United States. Pacifica has a store locator on their website if you want to find your nearest Pacifica retailer. You can also purchase some Pacifica products from Amazon! To shop the full range of Pacifica products, you’ll need to visit PacificaBeauty.com.

Unfortunately, Pacifica’s products are currently only available in-store in the United States, and online orders from PacificaBeauty.com can only be shipped within the United States and Canada. My apologies to international readers!

I appreciate the wonderful things Pacifica Beauty is doing, and also the fact that their products won’t break the bank! Every time I go to Ulta or look at the “new” section of Pacifica’s website, I find more products I want to try. I look forward to supporting their efforts by recycling my empties and purchasing more products in the future.

Please comment below if you’ve tried any Pacifica products!

Lauren

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Beauty Products That Give Back ft. Thrive Causemetics

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It’s always exciting to find a company that creates high-quality products. What’s even better? When those companies exhibit compassion toward others and sell products that give back in some way.

The majority of companies out there only care about the bottom line, but occasionally you’ll find special companies that are doing their part to make the world a better place. One of those companies is Thrive Causemetics. They are having a positive impact on thousands of women and communities in need across the United States.

Ways Thrive Causemetics helps women and communities thrive

Karissa Bodnar officially launched skincare and makeup brand Thrive Causemetics in 2015. Charitable giving has been at the heart of Thrive Causemetics since before this fledgling company made its first sale. Karissa initially focused on women fighting cancer as she had just lost a close friend to cancer.

On New Year’s Eve in 2014, Thrive Causemetics held its first giving event. Women battling cancer were invited to receive professional makeup applications. Thrive also donated 1,000 sets of faux lashes and lash adhesive.

The donations given by Thrive Causemetics are made possible with every product sold. For each product sold, Thrive donates that same product, a different Thrive product, or a monetary donation to one of their giving partner organizations.

Through the years, Thrive has partnered with many charitable organizations to help thousands of women by donating products. In addition to supporting women battling cancer, they’ve expanded to help cancer survivors, domestic abuse survivors, women that have been homeless, and women that are actively serving or retired from military service.

In 2018, California was experiencing wildfires that displaced many residents and animals. Thrive made its first cash donation to many of the organizations that worked to assist those affected by the wildfires.

Thrive celebrated its four-year anniversary in 2019 by donating $250 million worth of products to over 50 partner organizations!

Not surprisingly, Thrive is still at it in 2020. 100% of profits from March 27 sales, which totaled $350,000, were donated to Meals on Wheels, Baby2Baby and Feeding America. These organizations assisted those people that needed it most at the onset of COVID-19 here in the United States.

The Thrive Causemetics COVID-19 Response Fund was created to provide ongoing assistance to women impacted by the pandemic. Thrive has committed to donating a total of $1,000,000 which will be split between cash and product donations. These donations will go toward helping frontline healthcare workers, women-owned small businesses, and employees of those small businesses.

For more details on how Thrive Causemetics is giving back, visit their website here.

Thrive Causemetics is doing great things, but are their products worth the investment?

I think we can all agree that Thrive Causemetics is a wonderful company that has helped a lot of people, but you might be wondering about the quality of their products. Fortunately, with Thrive Causemetics, everyone wins. Thrive products are top-notch! Thrive products boast the following:

  • 100% Vegan
  • 100% Cruelty-Free
  • Formulated without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or fragrance
  • Formulated with skin-loving ingredients
  • Many of their makeup products are waterproof
  • Shade ranges are inclusive for all skin tones

An added bonus is that you get a cute makeup bag for free with every purchase!

Where to find Thrive Causemetics products

The full range of Thrive skincare and makeup products can be found on thrivecausemetics.com. Ulta is currently offering a limited range of Thrive products that are available in-store only, so remember to take a look the next time you stop by your local store! I’m hopeful that someday Thrive Causemetics will partner with Ulta or Sephora to offer all of their products in-store and online so that the brand will be accessible to more people.

Thrive Causemetics is a company that I believe in and I’m proud to support. I am excited to see what they do next!

Please comment if you’ve tried any skincare or makeup products from Thrive.

Stay tuned for Thrive Causemetics product reviews. 😉

Lauren

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