As I mentioned in last week's post, I have been working on "touching-up" my makeup routine over the past few years by choosing products listed in the "low hazard" category on the Environmental Work Group's (EWG) website Skin Deep.

The reason makeup matters is because everything we put on our skin eventually works its way into our blood stream. So, if we use toxic makeup, our body absorbs those toxins--ugh! We have other options. We can make a few swaps with our makeup and nourish our body in the process.

Alima Pure is the makeup I use daily, and I love it. I have now been using their products for almost three years and have learned some tricks along the way that I'm excited to share with you.

Recently my 10-year-old niece asked me "Why do you wear makeup?" I've come along way from my self-conscious days of middle and high school when I felt the need to hide behind my makeup, so I thought for a moment before I responded to her question.

See I wanted to answer her question honestly while preserving and protecting her own self-imagine as a woman and image-bearer of God. I said something to the effect of "I wear makeup not because I feel like I HAVE to or NEED to, but because it is fun to put on. I prefer to put very little makeup on and have it look natural." Do I feel prettier with my makeup on? Yes, but I've reached a place where I love myself regardless. I don't NEED to wear makeup to the grocery store, but I do feel a bit more comfortable with it on. Hey, I'm a work in progress :)

Anyway, in my pursuit to remove unnecessary and harmful chemicals in my life, I discovered one daily routine that needed serious attention...my makeup. Have you ever looked into what is in your makeup?