1. The Jellies (US $39 – 35% off – $60 value – 5 brand new shades)
What is it? OMG! These are going to be the top-seller, and I predict they sell out before the season’s up! Remember Lancome Juicy Tubes? These are your safer swap. High-shine, universally-flattering, hint-of-color glosses in pocket-friendly tubes… and they’re flavored without any creepy ingredients (flavors/colors are Raspberry, Butterscotch, Orange Cream, Peppermint and Sorbet!)
Who’s it for? Um, anyone. Who wouldn’t love these? Have a 3-year-old interested in “lip floss” like me? Rest easy knowing her first lip gloss is tested for allergens and heavy metals. Teens, young women, my mom (I won’t disclose her age) will love these… for me they’re the perfect combo of a gloss, lip balm and sugar-free treat ha Hey – we eat our lipstick and gloss – it doesn’t just evaporate! The flavors are so yummy too and really taste like the “real” thing without any harmful ingredients, sugar or flavorings.
Why’s it safer?These Lip Jellies are tested for gluten, soy and peanut allergens (which can contaminate products that don’t even include those ingredients) and the flavors are made without any harmful synthetic flavorings. I jokingly called these Keto Lip Glosses since they don’t contain sugar (many sweet flavored lip glosses do).
2. Counter+ Skincare Favorites (US $89 | BEST DEAL 32% off | $130 value) 4 products | NEW! Lotus Glow Cleansing Stick
What is it?Eeeek! This is usually my favorite Beautycounter holiday set because it always contains the best-selling products I’ve been loving for years. This year they included a BRAND NEW product I have a feeling ya’ll will adore: the Lotus Glow Cleansing Stick. This Cleansing Stick allows for cleansing on-the-go (perfect for holiday travel, after work workouts, anytime you need a quick cleanse). You’ll also get 3 other best-sellers, the Overnight Resurfacing Peel (anti-aging, brightening treatment), Charcoal Mask (pore detoxifying, skin-smoothing treatment), and the Brightening Oil (skin evening, dark spot fading face oil).
Who’s it for? Either the current Beautycounter skincare lover who wants a discounted kit of their favorite products + the new Lotus Glow Cleansing Stick (not available separately) OR the new to Beautycounter woman or man who’s looking for a streamlined but super effective age-reversal, brightening and detoxifying skincare routine!
How to use all 4 products together:
STEP 1: How to Use the Lotus Glow Cleansing Stick: Gently massage stick directly onto dry or damp skin in light, circular motions. Add water to transform into a milk. Rinse well.
STEP 2: How to Use the Charcoal Facial Mask: Apply an even layer to clean skin. Let dry for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Use 2-3 times per week.
STEP 3: How to Use the Overnight Resurfacing Peel: Apply 1-2 pumps to clean face and neck 3-4 times per week. May tingle upon application. Allow product to fully absorb (3-5 minutes), follow with moisturizer.
STEP 4: How to Use the No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil: Apply 4-6 drops onto face, alone or under moisturizer.
Why’s it safer? Beautycounter formulates all of their skincare products with any harmful or potentially harmful ingredients (like carcinogens and hormone disruptors), tests their ingredients for contaminants and maintain EWG Verified status (top safety rating from the Environmental Working Group).
3. Bright Eyes Treatment (US $89 – BEST DEAL 32% off – $129 value)
What is it?It’s baaaaack. The Eye Revive Cooling Masks (6 of ’em) from last year are back and paired with my second favorite Countertime product (after the Mineral Essence): the full-size Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream. Holy smokes, that eye cream is what crow’s feet’s dreams are made of (it contains Beautycounter’s own Retinatural Complex to reverse aging)… if that makes any sense at all. It works like MAGIC for brightening up dark circles and decreasing fine lines around the eyes. Pairing it with last year’s popular brightening and de-puffing eye cooling masks was a no-brainer.
Who’s it for?I would recommend this set for the 30+ crowd (and especially any tired mamas… or grandmas). I didn’t have crow’s feet until 3 years ago after the birth of Grace and they came on QUICK. Only thing that helped me reverse them was Beautycounter’s eye cream, and I’ve seen even better results with the new Countertime Eye Cream.
Why’s it safer? Free of harmful Retinol, PEGs, parabens, petroleum, BHT… all the ingredients Beautycounter would never use in their products!
How to use the Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream:Gently dab or massage eye cream on with your ring finger, starting at the inner corner and working outward toward the brow bone. Never pull the skin.
How to use Eye Revive Cooling Masks:Remove protective film from both sides of masks and apply masks to clean skin under each eye. Leave on for 10-15 minutes then discard. Gently pat the remainder of the product into skin. Use once weekly or as often as desired. You can also keep in the fridge for more of a de-puffing effect!
What is it? A celestial-inspired, limited-edition 5-shade eyeshadow palette featuring good-on-any-skin tone long-wearing matte, satin and shimmer shades. Constellation is the sparkler topper in the center of the palette that turns up your daytime look into holiday party worthy.
Who’s it for?Beginner to advanced makeup wearers – use the soft pink shades (Lunar and Aurora) as your base and inner corner brightener, the perfect grey-taupe Satellite as a liner or crease shade, the deep navy Eclipse for a bolder look or liner (I did that this weekend with the Precision Liner Brush – gorgeous!!) and the sparkler Constellation on top for a beautiful but natural sheen.
Why it’s safer: Beautycounter tests all of their color cosmetics multiple times throughout production and post-production for 12 of the most harmful heavy metals (like immune and neurotoxic lead and mercury), setting industry-leading standards while always aiming for non-detectable levels.
5. Mini Lip Gloss Vault ($89 for 10 shades ~ less than $9/gloss or gift, if you plan to split up and gift ’em – 30% off)
What is it? One of last year’s top holiday kits re-vamped – 9 brand new shades plus a fave from last year (Camellia) in a limited edition Mandarin scent. Beautycounter’s lip glosses are the best I’ve ever used – great shine but non-sticky – and this mix of shades is perfect for any mood. I recommend keeping a few for yourself and breaking up the rest to gift to friends, teachers, sisters, and your alternative healthcare team (I know my community here knows what I mean… we have our crew we need to thank!)
Who’s it for? Like I said above, there is such a gorgeous mix of shades here – some more neutral and some deeper, some shimmers, and cool, warm and neutral tones. This is my TOP VALUE GIFT – you’ll want at least one on hand for a quick hostess gift, teacher gift, etc. I place them in a cute bag with 1 of the Holiday Hand Creams from the yearly trio, and every recipient has always been delighted! Much more useful than a bottle of wine, huh?
Why’s it safer? Heavy metal tested like all of Beautycounter’s cosmetics and uses vitamin E as a preservative instead of harmful BHT.
6. Travel Companion Kit (US $35 – 4-piece set including hair!)
What is it? Your holiday travel better beauty set complete with 4 hair & body products: Daily Shampoo and Conditioner (for me they’re clarifying and hydrating at the same time – LOVE this line!), Citrus Mimosa Body Wash, and Citrus Mimosa Body Lotion.
Who’s it for? “Who is it not for?” is the question. Having a handy, non-toxic travel toiletry collection makes packing a breeze. I traveled with these last year and also brought them with me for Maya’s birth. This is the first time I’ve seen them include the shampoo/conditioner (which I estimate will last at least 12 applications) in addition to the Citrus Mimosa Body Wash and Body Lotion (2 weeks of use – the body wash suds up really well – you don’t need much).This is also for the traveler who refuses to check a bag (that would be me) because we’re cynical flyers and the airline is sure to lose our bag and only our bag.
Why’s it safer? Free of the usual harmful suspects in hair/bath/body products: sulfates, parabens, phthalates and fragrance/parfum.
7. Fresh Faced Trio (US $45 – 31% off – $65 value)
What is it? A trio of Lengthening Mascara, Brow Gel (clear) and Sorbet Lip Jelly for a fresh-faced, natural look… and it’s a friggin’ steal at under $50!
Who’s it for? Teens or women who like the minimalist, polished look and a super quick, eye-opening makeup routine.
Why it’s safer: Lip jellies are tested for soy, gluten and peanut allergens, the Mascara is formulated without harmful eye irritants, and the Brow Gel contains ECOCERT plant-derived polymers rather than harmful ethylene oxide (eye and skin irritant).
What is it? This affordable dry lip care set is adorable, convenient and useful! Beautycounter’s first age-reversing lip balm in a stick (more sanitary than a pot) is called Better Balm. It’s paired with a gently exfoliating peppermint Lip Scrub made from organic sugar and plant oils as well as a Crystal Lip Gloss – a clear non-sticky, moisturizing gloss.
Who’s it for? Anyone who suffers from dry, scaly lips in the wintertime or likes a little lip TLC at home. Fresh from Sephora (ingredients include BHT and Fragrance yikes!) used to have a lip polish I couldn’t live without in high school, and I totally forgot it existed! Here is your safer replacement!
Why’s it safer? Conventional lip products often contain mineral oils like petroleum, paraffin, acrylic acid and propylene glycol. Anti-aging lip balms often contain Retinol. You won’t find any of that in Beautycounter’s Pout Perfecter Trio!
9. Glow Getters Trio (US $89 | $112 value | 20% off)
What is it? A seriously money-saving trio of glow-y goodness including the Instant Glow Illuminating Cream from last year’s holiday!! I had wanted them to bring it back after holiday – they never did – and I’ve been hoarding my one bottle for an entire year (saving it for special occasions and nighttime dewy looks).The other two “glow getter” products: the Overnight Resurfacing Peel (everyone’s fave) and the Rose Glow Illuminating Cream Highlighter (a rosy cream highlighter/blush combo that can be used on eyes, lips and cheeks).
Who’s it for? This is a fun one – I think it would be great for any gal you know who loves a dewy, natural look or who has an affinity for BB creams and in-office derm treatments. The Peel is your friend, sister, or coworker’s solution to their expensive in-office treatments without any of the actual scary peeling effects. I would gift this for anyone post-undergraduate years as aging and dullness starts around age 25. The cream highlighter formula won’t settle in creases either which makes it a lovely blusher option for older women too.
Why’s it safer? The Overnight Peel contains plant-derived glycolic and lactic acid to safely reverse signs of aging, dullness and dark spots without causing irritation or peeling. No synthetic polymers or silicone in the Illuminating Cream either!
10. Counterman Carry-On (US $45 – 4 piece travel collection)
What is it? Four travel-size men’s skin and haircare products including one new product – Counterman Purifying Shampoo. Men have naturally oily skin – it’s why they age slower than women – and the Exfoliating Cleanser, Energizing Body Wash and Oil-Free Lotion are designed for their skin. They also contain free radical protecting sequoia stem cell extract (because men want to slow aging down too).
Who’s it for? Well, men… but specifically the man you’ve been trying to convince that using safer doesn’t mean sacrificing on product performance. My husband is price-conscious and still has the belief that safer household cleaning products, personal care products etc don’t “work as well” as the harmful chemical ones. That’s simply not true and why Beautycounter holds such a unique corner of the personal care product industry. Science-backed AND safer. Perfect for my Enneagram 5 husband who needs the hard facts on why letting go of his Suave Men’s body wash is important.
Why’s it safer? Men’s skincare and hair products are notably filled with allllll the harmful chemicals including Fragrance/Parfum (I find even more so than female products), parabens, formaldehyde releasers and neurotoxins like methylisothiazolinone (a mouthful I do not want on or in my body or his!)
My husband is a hard sell…
If you need some convincing material for the health skeptical dude in your life, I like to educate on how men’s exposure to environmental toxins impacts their fertility (i.e. how fast and intact their sperm are). Here’s just two articles (of many) from PubMed showing a negative impact on sperm health in men exposed to environmental toxins like lead, BPA and parabens.
Want it all but not in your budget right now?
Consider joining the Band of Beauty rewards program so you can earn:
~ a free $49 Charcoal Mask with your first order of $50+ (USD) or $75+ (CAN)
~ 10% product back on every order (15% CAN) – so you can save on your next order and every order after that!
~ free shipping on orders of $100+ (USD) or $125+ (CAN) – this saves you at least $7 every time you shop
The free Charcoal Mask ($49 value) is one of my favorite products and one I’ve been using for years. I suspect it’s the main reason I haven’t had any major breakouts even throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. Only free through end of October!
Okay and the remaining 9 kits which are amazing *but I forced myself to choose 10* are…
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Rosewood Lip Trio: Beautycounter’s most popular lipgloss shade turned into a sheer lipstick, matte long-wearing lipstick and a mini gloss.
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Eye Sparklers Palette: coming in November!
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Better Balms Duo – clear and tinted balms coming in November!
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Transforming Duo – fastest selling kit last year coming in November!
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Glow & Go Mini Oils (34% off) – trial size of all 3 face oils – Brightening, Plumping and Balancing
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Special Edition Cleansing Balm – ginormous Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm at a $25 discount – perfect for cleansing, makeup removal and moisturizing – your all in 1 product
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Hand Cream Trio – 3 purse-friendly hand creams in 3 new scents – Soft Neroli, Petal and Mandarin Violet
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Body Butter Trio – new whipped texture body butter in 3 new scents – Soft Neroli, Petal and Mandarin Violet
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Lemongrass Body Scrub & Body Butter – deliciously scented lemongrass sugar scrub paired with a new whipped lemongrass body butter – one of those scents that just makes you HAPPY!
Would you like personal help selecting safer products for your skin (and help with makeup color matching?) Just email me at alaena@grazedandenthused.com, and I’ll reply within 48 hours with my recommendations!
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