Minimalist Morning Routine
“Smash!” my toddler exclaims as he grabs my face and smooshes it to his. A little while later we cuddle and nurse. I trace his contours and curls. He reaches up to touch my cheeks and pull my hair.
This kind of daily physical contact is my life. And I’m so grateful I can fully enjoy it knowing that what I put on me is nothing but nourishing.
As a mama, I want the safest on my face and body. As a minimalist, I want the fewest products possible.
So, after years of trying and refining, here are my all time favorites that have earned a spot in my morning routine…
Beauty Counter Charcoal Cleansing Bar
This baby just lasts and lasts and lasts…and it’s the only thing that cuts makeup, yet is so gentle. It’s all I need to wash.
Defined brows matter, especially on me. I’ve used many pencils that were heavy handed, so I was thrilled to find this in a medium shade with a brow brush to soften. Update: the brow gel (pic above) was great while it lasted but it’s errs on the travel size. Not a sustainable purchase for me, but if you prefer gels over pencils, it performs beautifully.
Beauty Counter Tint Skin
I don’t like the feel of powders so this lightweight option was a great way to get coverage and even out my skin tone while still seeing my freckles. I like my freckles!
Beauty Counter Skin Concealer Pen
It’s not often that I am out and about and compelled to brighten the area under my eyes, but golly, does this concealer work! So smooth and easy to apply. A definite must have for me!
Skin Foodie Deodorant and Pits Primer
I do not like feeling sweaty. I do not like smelling sweaty *BUT* I also don’t like knowing I’m poisoning my body with aluminium, so…the clinical strength antiperspirant had to go. I detoxed for months, letting my body acclimate and then used Native deodorants for awhile, until my armpits broke out in atrocious rashes for months.
When scouring Etsy I came across Skinfoodie and quickly ordered pits primer (detox) and deodorant. Perhaps what I loved most was her brutal honesty: we are humans. We sweat. It’s not normal to not sweat. Whew.
I still sweat. I even have to reapply throughout the day in the summer. But, my arm pits are moisturized, I’m not poisoning my body, and the scents she offers are wonderful. So far I’ve used: lime + ginger, blossom, blue tansy, litsea, and root. UH MA ZING.
I’m not a big lotion user, but when I do need to grab something for my legs post-shave, this is it. I’ve had Litsea and “Unicorn” (truly lovely) and feel so luxurious every time I use them. Not a price point you can use all over every day, but for once in a while, it’s stellar.
Audrey Caroline’s Apothecary Tallow Balm
This stuff melts like butta. Audrey sources her tallow from local grass fed cows and works her magic in small batches. It’s the first thing that goes on my face after washing and is the cure all moisturizer from daily use to burns and stings. And a jar lasts me, like, half a year, lol. MUST HAVE!
What do you use, friends? Any favorites I should know about?
My eye liner and mascara are sufficient but nothing to shout about, so I won’t shout about them here.
Also, if you want to try any Beauty Counter products, I highly recommend reaching out to Dr. Erin Williams. She is the one in DC lobbying for better beauty standards because she cares about you. You can find her here and on Insta as @the.crunchy.pharmacist.
