Anya's Natural Beauty Challenge

Not only am I going all natural this month, this week I have promised to ditch all my makeup. I have to attend three beauty launches each with a bare face, which shows the shocking state of my skin (obviously that $250.00 face cream isn’t working!). When I tell people that I am going without makeup for a week they say things like “Wow I didn’t even notice!” I, however know they are lying! That said by day three I am feeling really virtuous and my skin is starting to clear up, obviously my best friend foundation is not that great for it.

 

My big focus for week one was skipping the makeup something so shocking to the system I barely noticed the difference between my new Trilogy moisturiser and my old Lancôme favourite. That said the new regime is different; Trilogy cleanser followed with Dr Hauschka toner and Trilogy Skin Boosting capsules as moisturiser. My skin seems to be balancing itself out, with a few acne flare ups that I can cover with Dr Hauschka foundation. But half way through the week I have an event and cave slapping on some dark purple MAC lipstick. I feel so guilty I wipe it off a half an hour later.

 

Natural beauty - it has got to be good for you. In to week three and I am annoyed that I can’t use my favourite face mask whilst I relax in the tub as it has a whole lot of chemicals that end with ‘lyne’ and ‘al’. A couple days later I realise what this actually means and while cleaning the bathroom check the backs of my favourite products. Sulphates and parabens are in tonnes of them, as is the concerning ingredient palm oil – natural, yes, but also linked to massive deforestation in Malaysia which is causing habitat loss for a whole bunch of monkeys.

Less than good. My regime that I thought was mostly natural is obviously not when so many of my favourite products are in the cupboard because I can’t use them. And then I start wondering about things like my mascara – should I really be sticking that stuff so close to my eyes?

 

My skin feels and looks better but that said I miss my face mask and hair products. I plan to have a little at home spa session as soon as the week ticks over and layer myself in my favourite products I've missed (I’ve learnt nothing!). That said I’ve decided not to go back to my normal cleanser, toner or moisturiser – to the point that my expensive face cream now has a new home with one of my best friends. I also love my natural soap so much that I’ve decided that’s a keeper too.

When it comes to the world of makeup I've started culling back my products, and I’ve switched my foundation over for a natural one. Not only that, but I’ve also made a promise to myself to wear less of it all in general!