10 Natural Makeup + Beauty Product Swaps to Make ASAP

Beth Wischnia
Mar 13, 2016

Paraffin, formaldehyde, parabens, synthetic fragrances and talc are just a few of the toxic ingredients found in beauty products lots of us use every single day. Unfortunately the list of nasty — and often harmful — ingredients goes on and on, so it’s important to understand exactly what goes into the stuff you’re trusting enough to put on your skin and in your hair. Keep those all-natural beauty tips in mind and take a look at what you’re workin’ with at home — don’t be scared to read those labels! Then consider making green beauty product swaps. Here are 10 green products that can replace your everyday beauty staples, so you’re left looking fab and feeling good about the stuff you’re using.

1.W3LL PEOPLE Narcissist Foundation Stick ($30): Instead of smearing on emollient-based formulas that can contain lanolin, denatured alcohol, talc and even wax (um, sick), give this natural stick foundation a try. It’s made with pure, organic ingredients, is gluten-free, contains no GMO and is produced using sustainable energy. As if those reasons wouldn’t convince you, this foundation seriously covers up your imperfections and is packaged for busy girls on the go. What’s not to love?

2. Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée ($13): This coconut water-infused cream blush is a great replacement for the chemical-filled one on your vanity right now. It offers a gorgeous, buildable, blendable color that doesn’t contain any parabens, sulfates or phthalates. The stuff also packs serious staying power: It’ll last on your cheeks for up to 14 hours!

3. 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara ($25): Your eyes are an extra sensitive area of your face, so it’s really important that you’re comfortable with the ingredients in your eye makeup. This formula’s color comes from black tea, berry and cocoa pigments, which coat your lashes in an inky color while keeping them free of smudges and flakes.

4.RMS Beauty Buriti Bronzer ($28): This gorgeous, glowy cream bronzer should replace your current go-to STAT. Beyond containing vitamin A, Buriti oil, coconut oil, cocoa and rosemary, this stuff makes you look like you just got back from a vacation. Pro tip: It also makes a killer eyeshadow or liner.

5. Goobsi Lavender Organic Toner ($24): It’s best to go super natural when it comes to face toner (apple cider vinegar as face toner included). Organic lavender water is the only ingredient you’ll find in this toner, so you know what you’re putting on your skin is good for it. I personally used this stuff, and became addicted to the fresh scent and clarifying effect it had on my skin.

6. Schmidt’s Deodorant ($9): More and more people are making the switch to all-natural deodorant because of the negative effects the chemical-filled kind can have on the body. Schmidt’s makes natural stick and jar deodorants that come in a bunch of interesting scents (bergamot + lime, cedarwood + juniper and lavender + sage, to name a few).

7. Graydon Green Cream ($32): The best way to get silky smooth skin is by using a lotion that is overflowing with natural, good-for-your-skin ingredients (that you can actually pronounce). This intensely moisturizing lotion is infused with broccoli, avocado, coconut and olive oils, aloe and fresh herbs, so you’re basically giving your skin a green smoothie.

8. Kimberly Parry Organics All-in-One Bar ($9): If you’re after a one-stop-shop product you can feel good about using from head to toe, this is it. This unscented soap can even be used on babies — that’s how gentle it is. The natural ingredients in it allow for gentle cleansing without stripping any of those good natural oils from your skin and hair.

9. Lily Lolo Lipstick ($18): There’s nothing worse than putting on a beautiful lipstick only to be left with lips that are in worse shape than before you put the color on (dryness + flakes, I’m talking about Y’ALL). Lily Lolo’s blend of 100% natural ingredients — like organic vitamin E and rosemary extract — will nourish your pucker while giving it gorgeous color at the same time.

10. NUDE Conditioner ($40): Swap out conditioner that will weigh your hair down with chemicals for a lighter alternative like NUDE Conditioner. This stuff is made in California (hayyyy) and contains organic, sustainable ingredients like pracaxi, babassu and acai oil. It has a fresh, clean scent that’ll wake you up thanks to pink grapefruit and lemon myrtle essential oils. Follow up your shampoo with this conditioner, and your locks will totally thank you by looking on point.

Follow us on Pinterest for more green beauty + hair inspo.

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4 Ways to Avoid Makeup Mistakes That Age You

If you’re like us, then you fondly remember sneaking into your mom’s makeup bag and swiping on the brightest blush or lipstick in order to look older. Now that we are older, though, we’re trying anything and everything to make ourselves look younger — pretty ironic, huh? While skincare can work wonders for evening tone and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, there’s nothing like a few makeup hacks to really knock it out of the park. Keep scrolling for five tips to avoid common makeup mistakes that can age you.

DEFINE YOUR BROWS

Although it may feel odd to start with something other than foundation, Alexa Chung’s go-to makeup artist Tamah Krinsky recommends beginning your makeup routine with your brows. By defining your arches first, you’re less likely to cake on products (since you’ll have to work around them), which is usually the cause of an older-looking complexion. “The shape of your brows are the frame to your face, so you want to make sure they are flattering for your [bone structure],” she explains. Once you have the shape down, it’s all about definition. “Giving brows a little structure will add lift to the eye area, ” explains Marc Reagan, the director of artistry and education for Hourglass Cosmetics, noting how that can help turn back that clock on your appearance. (Photo via I love Images/Getty)

PREP WITH MOISTURE

While we already know that drinking water is important for healthy skin, a hydrating skincare routine is vital for a complexion that screams eternal youth. “In my opinion, the key [to younger looking skin] is exfoliation and hydration. A regimen of hyaluronic acid, a hydrating oil, moisturizer, and SPF are my go-tos for locking in moisture for the daytime,” explains Krinsky. Starting with a moisturized canvas prevents your concealer and foundation from clinging onto dry patches — a common culprit for an older-looking appearance. (Photo via Svetikd/Getty)

FOCUS ON THE BASE

Knowing your undertones and finding a shade match is a solid start to perfecting a radiant, even-toned complexion, but there is much more to consider. Chanel Temple, an Hourglass global makeup artist, explains that it’s all about the finish. “The number one mistake I see people make is choosing the wrong foundation for their skin [goal],” she says. “If you feel like your makeup is aging you, try a foundation with a dewy or luminous finish.” (Photo via Svetikd/Getty)

LESS IS MORE

Celebrity makeup artist Julie Cuomo, who works with Danielle Fishel, explains that being too heavy-handed with your makeup application can lead to older-looking skin. Instead, she recommends opting for the less is more approach. “Start by dampening a beautyblender ($20) with water. Use it when you’re applying foundation, either all-over the face or spot correcting,” she advises. “When [following up with] powder, only tap it into the areas you really need it, like where you get shiny.” By doing so, you’ll avoid caking product onto your skin and prevents the makeup from settling in fine lines and wrinkles (ultimately bringing more attention to them) as your makeup wears throughout the day. (Photo via PeopleImages/Getty)

RELATED: How to Master Eye Makeup When You Have Hooded Lids

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Chick-Fil-A’s “Iconic” Valentine’s Day Heart Trays Could Be Back Sooner Than You Think

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, meaning we’re gonna be seeing a lot of heart-shaped everything. One heart-shaped item I patiently await every single year is none other than Chick-fil-A’s iconic Valentine’s Day trays – they combine my undying love for chicken nuggets with the season's cutest shape, and they’re always perfect for sharing with my besties!

Rumor has it that the Chick-fil-A heart-shaped trays will hit restaurants super soon – here’s everything you need to know about their return.

Chick-fil-A

So, exactly when do the Chick-fil-A heart-shaped trays come back? There’s no official word on the timeline for 2025, but last year, Chick-fil-A locations started rolling them out on January 29. The trays were available to order through February 24.

Based on 2024’s heart-shaped tray rollout, I expect them to launch around the last week of January – though there are rumors that some CFA’s have already started serving them. 👀

Chick-fil-A

The Chick-fil-A heart-shaped trays are typically order-able in four different varieties, and the best part is there’s something for every craving, from sweet to savory!

You can find the Valentine’s trays in 30-count nuggets, 10-count Chick-n-Minis (only during breakfast hours), 12 brownie halves, or 6 chocolate chunk cookies. I’m especially excited about the nuggets.

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A post shared by Snackolator (@snackolator)

Famed foodie Instagram account, @snackolator, recently shared the news about the Chick-fil-A heart-shaped trays with their followers, and everyone seems to be just as thrilled about their return.

“I need that 30pc ASAP!” one person said.

“I'm eating all those nuggets I'm not sharing at all,” another commented.

“As a teacher I would be getting the brownies 🫶,” one more user shared.

Chick-fil-A

The Chick-fil-A heart-shaped trays are only available “while supplies last” at certain participating locations. The price of each tray may vary based on your location.

Last year, this Los Angeles-based Parade reporter noted that the 30-count nuggets cost $18, while the 10-count Chick-n-Minis went for $12. They also shared that the 12 brownie halves sold for $12, and the 6 chocolate chunk cookies cost $9.

Will you be picking up a heart-shaped tray from Chick-fil-A this year? Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for the official drop!

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4 Celebrity Bridal Beauty Looks to Copy for Your Wedding

When it comes to bridal makeup, no one does it quite like celebrities — and their teams of fairy godmothers (AKA glam squads), of course. Just take Mandy Moore’s pink eyeshadow that matched her pink wedding dress for example; or Kaley Cuoco’s seriously dreamy highlight (more on that below). To help inspire your own wedding beauty, we chatted with the makeup artists behind four celeb bridal beauty looks. Keep reading for the exact products the pros used, plus their inside tips to achieving your most radiant #MOTD yet.

Danielle Fishel

The Boy Meets World actress approached her big day with glowing skin, an understated dramatic lid, and the most flawless dusty rose lip. Celebrity makeup artist Julie Cuomo began by prepping with a hyaluronic acid and rose facial mist, layered with La Mer Créme De La Mer Moisturizing Cream ($175) to help lock the hydration in. (Photo via Julie Cuomo)

Cuomo used a damp beautyblender ($20) to prime Fishel’s skin with Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow ($55) topped with Chanel Vitalumière Foundation in 3.5 Bisque ($60). Prior to sealing the base makeup with a dusting of Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish in #2 ($45), Cuomo concealed and highlighted Fishel’s face (specifically under her eyes, along her cheekbones, across her brow bone, and at the center of her cupid’s bow) using Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer ($32).

To warm up the Girl Meets World star’s complexion, Cuomo used Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer Luminous Light ($52) and followed a three shape starting at her forehead, sweeping down towards her cheek, and ending along her jawline. As for the natural rosy flush, Cuomo dusted Jouer Cosmetics Blush Bouquet Dual Blush Palette ($30) across the apples of Fishel’s cheeks.

To define her lids, Cuomo traced MAC Prolongwear Fluidline Gel Liner in Black Track ($18) along the upper lash line, followed by Ardell Lashes in Demi Whispies ($12). Next, she popped open the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette ($42) to add depth to the bridal statement eye. “I applied concealer on the ball of the eyelid and set with a neutral powder, then I swept Orange Soda on the crease and intensified the outer corners of the crease with Rustic to add more drama,” Cuomo explains. Lastly, she traced over the eyeliner with Cyprus Umber and swiped on a coat of Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara ($29).

“Danielle wanted kissable luscious lips for her first kiss at the alter, so we prepped with Fresh Sugar Lip Balm ($26), then applied Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Cheat Lip Liner ($22) and Matte Revolution Lipstick ($34) and topped with Jouer Cosmetics Lipgloss ($17),” Cuomo explains.

For the final touch, Cuomo gently swept two colors from the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette ($80) on Fishel’s cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and collar bone. “I then tapped a little of the La Mer Moisture Cream with my fingertips over it to give a natural glowy finish,” she says.

Ashley Greene

The Twilight star’s wedding day beauty was all about barely-there makeup and a defined brow with an ethereal highlight that played into her fairytale theme. Makeup artist Emma Willis prepped Greene’s complexion with Murad Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil ($72) and Becca Cosmetics Backlight Priming Filter ($39). “You only want to apply a few drops of the oil and I like to warm it on my fingertips and then press the residue over the entire face,” she notes. (photo via Emma Willis)

To create Green’s base, Willis used Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation ($46). “Apply the foundation with fingertips or a brush and then with a very wet (but slightly squeezed out) beautyblender, pat and buff into the skin,” Willis says. “For even more of a dewy glow, I also love to spritz my blender on top with Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist ($48).”

For bronzer and blush, Willis relied on Malibu Soleil from the Becca Cosmetics Becca x Chrissy Teigen Glow Face Palette ($46) to develop a warm contour. In addition to the hollows of the cheeks, she suggests applying bronzer to the forehead and temples too. “It will give structure to the face and balance it out,” she explains. Next, she applied Hibiscus Bloom (from the Becca x Chrissy Teigen Palette) to the apples of the cheeks and Beach Nectar to create a glowing highlight. “For added highlight, I used Becca Shimmer Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter in Opal ($41),” Willis says. “Add some water or mixing medium to apply wet. It will give an incredible glassy highlight.”

Greene’s subtle burgundy and rose lid look was mastered with Surratt Beauty Artistique Eyeshadow in Marron and Ingenue ($20 each), accentuated with lots of individual eyelashes.

On Greene’s lips, Willis got creative with Glossier Generation G Lipstick in Crush ($18) mixed with Tom Ford Blush Nude ($55), sealed with Laura Mercier Lip Glacé in Bare Pink ($27).

Willis completed the Greene’s glam with a light dusting of Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder ($48) and NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder in Translucent Crystal ($37).

Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore turned to makeup artist and longtime BFF Jenn Streicher to perfect her pretty-in-pink bridal beauty. “I knew I wanted the makeup to be timeless yet not boring, and her to literally look like a blushing bride,” says the co-owner of Beverly Hills beauty studio STRIIIKE. “We had been obsessing over this Tom Ford single eye shadow called Fuchsia Foil ($36) and [were] waiting for the right time to use it and thought this was the perfect time.” She applied the color sparingly with her finger to add the lightest dusting of shimmer and color across the This Is Us actress’ lids. For a monochromatic effect, Streicher dusted Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush ($40) on her cheeks and Dior Lip Glow in Raspberry ($34) on her lips. (Photo via Jenn Streicher)

Kaley Cuoco

Bold brows and an inner eye highlight were the standout stars of The Big Bang Theory actress’ bridal beauty. But before those accents were applied, celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg began with Cuoco’s complexion. Greenberg started with Skyn ICELAND Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels ($30) and La Mer Créme De La Mer Moisturizing Cream, then focused on Cuoco’s arches, using Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer ($23). (Photo via Jamie Greenberg)

“We wanted the lids to be a little bit natural so I took these Shimmer Veils ($28) from Cover FX in Celestial and Magic, because that’s what the night was all about,” Greenberg notes in a post on YouTube. While Magic was reserved for the lid, to add an extra touch of sparkle to Cuoco’s glam, Greenberg dotted Celestial in the corner of each eye and made it all pop using 24K from the Cover FX Gold Bar Highlighting Palette ($39). “I went over the corner where Celestial was and just buffed it out and did a little bit of this on the whole eye,” details Greenberg. “What it does is it kind of fuses the two textures so you have no beginning and no end to the textures — it’s just kind of a wash on the eye.”

To fill in Cuoco’s lash line and give her flutter a little extra oomph, Greenberg reached for Burt’s Bees Nourishing Eyeliner in Soft Black ($10) and Burt’s Bees Nourishing Mascara in Classic Black ($10). “Kaley wanted [to look very] natural so instead of doing eyeliner on the top, we did it underneath in the lash line,” Greenberg explains. “We filled in the lash line, made it really dark, and that just defined her eye area.” For additional flair, Greenberg cut Ardell Eyelash Demi Wispies ($7) into three sections for more control, then fused them with her natural lashes with another coat of mascara.

Once Cuoco’s eye makeup was complete, Greenberg applied Cover FX Blurring Primer ($38) to her complexion, followed by the Cover FX Power Play Foundation ($44). “We used three different colors. We did the darker colors on the outside and then the lighter colors on the inside,” Greenberg points out. “This is something you can do when you want things to be a little bit more 4D in your pictures. It’s like contouring but not as obvious because she has to look just as good in person as she does in the pictures so it’s a very faint play on [the shadowing technique].” To blur any lines, Greenberg blotted a damp beautyblender across Cuoco’s complexion. Next, she went in with Cover FX Power Play Concealer ($30) under the eyes and over any imperfections.

On Cuoco’s cheeks, Greenberg blended Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Rose Gold ($42). She followed up with the 24K and Rose Gold shades from the Cover FX Gold Bar Highlighting Palette and finished off Cuoco’s face with Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder in Translucent Light ($35), as well as a spritz of Cover FX Mattifying Spray ($31).

To seal her statement beauty look with a kiss, Greenberg layered Burt’s Bees Matte Lip Crayon in Sedona Sands ($9) and Burt’s Bees Moisturizing Liquid Lipstick in Niagra Nude ($10) across Cuoco’s pout.

RELATED: Mandy Moore’s Romantic Wedding Style Includes a Pink Dress and a Floral Hairstyle

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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Um, ‘Bridgerton’ Star Phoebe Dynevor Almost Got Arrested Filming Her New Movie

Ever since Daphne Bridgerton became Duchess of Hastings (and actress Phoebe Dynevor exited the show after season 2), fans have been taking every opportunity they can to see her onscreen. And in addition to a new thriller with Zac Efron and a shark movie that sounds downright terrifying, Phoebe stars in Inheritance — a new January movie that was entirely shot on an iPhone...and that Phoebe committed a real crime for.

Here's everything you need to know about Phoebe Dynevor's new movie Inheritance.

What is the Inheritance film about?

Inheritance follows Maya, whose world gets turned upside down when she learns her dad is actually an ex-spy. But things get even crazier when she gets sucked into the middle of an international conspiracy herself. Armed with tons of questions (and a killer pair of sunglasses) Maya has to stay alive long enough to find answers.

The movie filmed all over the world, which director Neil Burger calls a "true adventure."

"Shooting around the world and taking risks to achieve the ‘you are there’ feel," he tells The Hollywood Reporter. "Phoebe delivers a phenomenal performance in the movie, and I’m looking forward to audiences seeing her as they’ve never seen her before.”

Now, those aforementioned sunglasses (which Maya steals in the movie) might only be the focus for a moment, but they were a pretty big deal IRL because Phoebe Dynevor actually stole them. “I remember feeling really nervous and afraid that they would think I was actually stealing, but at the time, we wanted real reactions from the staff. It was very scary,” she says in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

Director Neil Burger explains the team's "contingency plans, excuses, and explanations" in case Phoebe got caught (including buying the same pair of sunglasses so they'd have a receipt). And after Phoebe knocked it out of the park, the glasses were returned, of course!

“There was a safety net that came with the camera being there because it felt like this isn’t real. We’re shooting something,” she continues. “We only had one take to get it right. I’d have to be very cognizant of whether the camera was getting it. You don’t want to have to do that twice.”

IFC Films

And not only did Phoebe Dynevor nab an accessory, but she also almost got arrested for a totally different reason after she played drunk in the middle of New York City. "It was an experience I’ve never had before, and this mother pulled them away understandably," she says. “It was just very, very strange knowing that it wasn’t real, but our director wanted it to feel as real as possible, so sometimes we would keep going and see what we could get out of the exchange with people on the street.

But when the police showed up, and she was worried she'd actually get arrested, she tells EW she immediately switched into her English accent: “I would then come out of [Maya’s] accent and turn on my poshest British actor and be like, ‘I’m an actor.’”

When is Inheritance coming out?

You can see Inheritance in theaters starting January 24, 2025.

Who's in the cast?

The Inheritance cast includes Phoebe Dynevor, Rhys Ifans, Ciara Baxendale, and Majd Eid.

A movie set wouldn't be complete without a crew. And Inheritance's crew was only made up of 10 people!

Stay tuned for the latest news on Inheritance and read up on The 12 Most-Anticipated January TV Shows Coming In 2025.

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OMG, You Can Read Part Of The New 'Hunger Games' Prequel Right Now

We're headed back into the world of Panem with Suzanne Collins' fifth Hunger Games book, Sunrise on the Reaping. The new 2025 novel comes out March 18 (along with a new movie that's already scheduled for November 2026!) and it follows the one Hunger Games everyone's been dying to hear about since Catching Fire was published: the 50th Games, AKA the games Haymitch won.

We already know that the novel takes place 24 years before Katniss' first games and that as a Quarter Quell, there's a twist: Haymitch is up against twice as many tributes as normal. People was given an exclusive excerpt from the new book, and it makes me even more excited than I already was.

Here's what happens in the first excerpt from Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

'Hunger Games' fans will love the first 'Sunrise on the Reaping' excerpt from chapter 1.

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- YouTube

The Sunrise on the Reaping excerpt opens the morning of reaping day — which is also Haymitch's 16th birthday. (Which could explain his behavior during the day Prim's reaped and Katniss volunteers. What a horrible birthday!). Haymitch hopes to spend the free parts of his day lounging around with his girlfriend Lenore Dove, if his mother and the Gamemakers don't get in his way.

The excerpt continues with a really beautiful depiction of District 12's Seam, which is modern day Appalachia. It's a tight-knit (albeit struggling) community covered in a "protective" mist as the sun rises. Haymitch knows that this reaping will take twice as many children and fights to stay calm.

"No way to control the outcome of the reaping or what follows it," he thinks. "So don’t feed the nightmares. Don’t let yourself panic. Don’t give the Capitol that. They’ve taken enough already."

And 'Sunrise on the Reaping' proves Haymitch and Katniss' similarities.

We also learn more about Haymitch's family. All we know from the original trilogy is that President Snow killed them after he won, but this prequel actually introduces us to them. Haymitch's mother was widowed after a coal mine killed his father. He also has a 10-year-old brother named Sid who I can already tell is very energetic and very loud.

This really proves that Haymitch and Katniss are two sides of the same coin, and that they're able to understand each other more than any of the other characters. Not only are they both from the Seam, but they also lost their fathers by the age of 16.

And the most important detail to me is the fact they both have younger siblings they'd do anything for — they were simply destined to be a father-daughter duo. Sacrificial love is the beating heart of the Hunger Games series, and I can't wait to see all the complexity and nuance Sunrise on the Reaping brings to the franchise.

Stay tuned for more Sunrise on the Reaping news, and check out the 10 Most-Anticipated Book-To-Film Adaptations We Can't Wait To See In 2025 for more movie updates.

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