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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at York U chapter.

People have been using makeup and beauty products alike for thousands of years and, thankfully, our technique has greatly improved. Not only has our knowledge for how to apply fake lashes or how to properly blend out your foundation changed, the technology behind making the cosmetics has drastically improved as well. Nowadays, users are becoming more and more aware of the products that they use on their face. Because of this, the idea and trend of clean beauty began. More companies are jumping on the clean beauty bandwagon and are producing products that don’t contain the same chemicals as other companies. This includes vegan products and products that are not tested on animals. I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite clean beauty products, some drugstore and higher end, to introduce products that are considered clean and to get you away from something that could be harming you.

Clean at Sephora

In 2018, Sephora launched Clean at Sephora, a new category on their website that allows shoppers the chance to look through products that Sephora deems “clean”. This means shoppers can check to see if an item that they’re interested in contains parabens, sulfates, phthalates and anything else that they may not want to put on their bodies. The products that Sephora believes are “clean” are displayed with a sticker that gives customers an easier time when searching the site for beauty products that will make you look and feel beautiful. 

Some of my favorite “Clean at Sephora” items include the following:

First Aid Beauty Cleanser and Ultra Repair Cream

The First Aid Beauty Cleanser, which is fragrance-free, and removes all of my makeup and any other dirt I’ve come across during the day. The cream transforms into a bubbly mixture when combined with water and spreads wonderfully across the face. The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is perfect for replenishing your face and body with the moisture you need to make your skin look healthy and plump. It provides relief from dehydration which is especially useful in the cold and dry Canadian winters! The cream quickly vanishes into the skin without leaving any greasy feeling afterwards. I use both of these daily! Both items are not only gentle on my skin but also keep it looking and feeling fresh.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush

Another Clean at Sephora item that I love is the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush. This super soft and silky powder lets you layer on a healthy glow with no harsh lines or patchy sections. It is created without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate and it’s gluten free! My favorite shades are paaarty and exposed.

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask

This overnight lip mask is rich and nourishing for even the driest of cases. Available in five shades, you can apply the product as simply as a regular mask or use it as your lip look for the day, all the while hydrating your lips. During the cold Canadian winters, I take comfort in this lip mask during the day and night whenever I feel like my lips need rejuvenation. Bite Beauty products do not contain parabens, phthalates or sulfates. Additionally, Bite Beauty is cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified.

Cover FX High Performance Setting Spray

This product is a lightweight, alcohol-free setting spray that allows you to run wild during your day without worrying about the condition of your makeup. With the promise of 24 hours of wear (I wouldn’t suggest wearing makeup that long but you do you), I personally get a solid eight hours of wear time with the help of this spray. The spray protects your skin from pollutants including heavy metals and free radicals.

Drugstore Clean Beauty Goodies

You don’t have to just buy clean beauty products at high end stores like Sephora! Clean beauty can be found at local drugstores like Rexall, Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart. Burt’s Bees in particular is my favorite drugstore makeup and skin care company that is responsibly sourced and sustainably made with all natural ingredients! A few of my favorite Burt’s Bees products include the following:

Burt’s Bees Satin Lipstick

Available in 18 versatile shades, this lipstick is not only stunning but it also keeps your lips moisturized all day long. It’s formulated with moringa and raspberry seed oils and its completely natural ingredients work to keep your lips looking their best. Fun fact: this lipstick’s packaging is made from 60 percent recycled materials, so you’re not only using natural ingredients but you’re also helping save the planet!

Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Eye Shadow

With four shade options, these easy to blend eyeshadow trios have rich mineral colors that resist creasing, fading and smudging for an all-day wear. Made with bamboo, honey and vitamin E, it nourishes the skin and enhances your natural glow for beautiful results! My personal favorite trio is Blooming Desert, perfect for a neutral look for both day and night (and stunning on green eyes, I should add).

Burt’s Bees Hydrating Sheet Mask

This hydrating mask is infused with clary sage to instantly moisturize, balance PH levels and improve the texture of your skin, leaving your skin soft and supple. This is one of my favorite natural masks that I’ve used from the drugstore that leaves my face feeling fresh and clean!

It’s important to remember to do your research about a product that you are considering applying to your face or body. Understand what “clean” means to you! Whether it be cruelty-free, vegan or has 100 percent natural ingredients, create an understanding of what you want out of the beauty product community and support brands that share the same values as you do. Happy shopping!

Alexa Burban

York U '20

Alexa is a fourth-year undergraduate student at York University, majoring in Communication Studies. She is an avid reader of the latest contemporary romance novels and is currently working on a book of her own. After her degree, she hopes to work in PR and move to London, England.
Kaitlin is a bilingual (French and English) writer originating from friendly Thunder Bay. They are in their seventh year at York University, where they study professional writing with an emphasis on journalism. They live with their partner of nine years and their cat, Tessa. They started writing with a passion and a poem that eventually won third in a contest 12 years ago, and started editing not too long after. When not at the keyboard, Kaitlin can be found reading, cooking, playing video games, or holding Tessa. Their favorite movies are scary and their favorite television genre is reality. Kaitlin's passions include copyediting, anything scary or spooky and adding to her collection of dolls, magnets and cups. Their favorite part of writing/editing is giving others a chance to share their story or achieve their dreams and offering insight on "the little things." Some of Kaitlin's favorite topics reflect on their personal life, including health/disabilities, fringe topics and social issues.