When I find a new beauty product I love, I can’t stop talking about it.  So taking in consideration that I’m currently utterly obsessed with these five goods, I knew it was only fair that I shared a rundown with all of you. Say hello to my top beauty products on rotation: a the best, miracle-working BB Cream, nontoxic lip gloss, a gentle and luxurious foaming cleanser, Heaven-on-Earth aloe booties (yes they’re a thing) and a life-changing hair masque.  All big claims, I know, but seriously I can’t get enough of them right now!  Truly MKR

No. One.  Tarte BB Tinted Primer.  I’ve never used a BB Cream, or any kind of primer for fear of breaking out.  But then I saw this picture on Womanista’s Instagram and I couldn’t hit up Sephora fast enough.  Tarte’s BB Tinted Primer is just as magical as it appears and so far hasn’t caused any adolescent-esqe breakouts.

No. Two.  Smith & Cult Lip Gloss.  My obsession with Smith & Cult continues as they’ve now launched their nontoxic lip gloss line in the prettiest shades of pink.  And while snatching up a couple tubes, you know I couldn’t pass up adding a few new shades of their nail polish to my collection.

No. Three.  One Love Organics Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser.  This foaming cleanser is perfect for sensitive skin and smells as good as it works.  Pair it with their charcoal heart sponge for a truly spa-like experience.

No. Four.  Aloe Gel-Lined Booties.  With all the damage I’ve done to my feet by stuffing them in ballet pointe shoes for years and pointy-toed 4+ inch heels, the damage is starting to catch up to me.  Luckily, I found these aloe and tee tree oil laced booties that are as refreshing as they are healing.

No. Five.  Macadamia Professional Hair Masque.  Recently I discovered this relatively unknown, but cult-esque brand Macadamia Professional.  While all of their products are amazing, I’m particularly smitten with their moisturizing hair masque.  Smother it on at night, shower it out in the morning, and it’s like all those days of straight ironing and curling have just disappeared.

Especially in the summertime, I find myself striving for a natural makeup look. I love how having a sun-kissed glow gives me the confidence to wear a little less makeup, while still feeling good in my own skin.  Whenever I have that sun-kissed glow, I’m all too happy to turn my back on powder and foundation in favor of light, creamy alternatives.  My beauty arsenal currently includes a tinted foundation that effortlessly blends (while letting my freckles show), and a creamy multi-purpose highlighter and blush that both glide on like a dream. In the slideshow above, check out seven easy ways to nail the natural makeup look, with product recommendations from MKR’s vanity and mine.  Cheers, Kat

P.S. And if you’re like me, a brush-up on the tools and how often to clean them is always helpful. I know I could always be better about that!

The beauty world is abuzz these days with talk of healthy, natural products free of toxins and carcinogens, and that in turn has sparked my interest for starting several healthy beauty habits in my daily routine.   Though there are some beloved products I simply cannot give up, I’ve enjoyed becoming educated in what it takes to have a safer beauty routine, and I’ve started to swear by a few simple practices to ensure that I’m feeling beautiful inside and out. Check out my eight habits below, and let me know what you swear by!  Truly, MKR

No. One, Oil Pulling.  An ancient dental technique, oil pulling involves swishing one-two tablespoons of oil (coconut, olive, or sunflower) in your mouth on an empty stomach for approximately 20 minutes.  The action is said to draw out toxins and improve your overall oral health all while naturally whitening your teeth.   I’ve been pulling, coconut is my oil of choice, for a few months now and I’m obsessed.  And for all you naysayers I spoke to my dentist, and in his words; “oil pulling should never replace your usual dental routine, but there is plenty of research that supports it’s health benefits.  Mainly because your mouth houses more bacteria than anything else and if your mouth is healthy then your system can focus on fighting other issues.” 

No. Two, Dry Brushing.  Introduced to me by my aesthetician, dry brushing is an age old practice of brushing your skin in an upward motion with a firm, natural bristle brush.  The practice, most commonly done before showering, exfoliates and unclogs skin, while stimulating your lymphatic system, and is said to help reduce cellulite.  Just a tad painful, but I’ve really taken to loving my dry brush, and I mean if Jennifer Aniston swears by it, then consider me sold.

No. Three, Think Dirty.  Talk about a game changer. Think Dirty the app allows you to scan or type in products and in return gives you a 1-10 toxicity rating.  So get ready to stand in the grocery store aisles for hours scanning just about everything you’ve ever bought or are thinking about buying.

No. Four, Consistently Washing Your Makeup Brushes.  Ask yourself when’s the last time you washed your makeup brushes?  If you’re like me it’s been too long.  And just think about all of that old makeup, dead skin, and germs of all kinds just sitting on your brushes.  Eew.  Washing your makeup brushes once a week is essential to keeping your complexion clear and your health in tact, so get the suds ready. 

No. Five, Non-Toxic Nail Polish.  When you really begin thinking about what’s in nail polish, and how it’s just sitting there absorbing into your nails, into your skin’s pores, into your system, and not to mention how much we probably accidentally ingest from chipping (especially if you bite your nails), wouldn’t you feel better knowing that polish was toxic free?  Enter my new favorite nail polish Smith & Cult.  Free of the 5 major toxins found in most nail polishes, it allows you to rest easy thinking about all those nasty chemicals, and go back to stressing about if your polish is dry enough to reach in your purse for your keys without smudging.  Plus, it doesn’t hurt that it comes in just about every color we could possibly want and has the most beautiful packaging.

No. Six, Activated Charcoal Pills.  Recently while reading what seemed like my thousandth detox article, I stumbled upon something I’d never heard of: activated charcoal pills.  The pills are used commonly in the ER medical community to treat oral poisoning, and the charcoal’s “pores” make it very effective at binding and flushing out poisons that are still present in the stomach and small intestines, hence the belief of detox.  While there’s research both supporting and negating it’s ability to actually flush your system after an over-indulgent Saturday, all I can say is I’ve taken it a dozen times and have felt better.  Just note that charcoal doesn’t always differentiate between good and bad, so if you want anything to stay absorbed in your system, like your daily vitamin, take them hours apart.  And like everything, do your research; what works for some does not work for all.

No. Seven, Shots.  I admit it, I’m on the pressed juice band wagon.  I’ll drink a juice, or five, all day every day.  And my new favorite thing, the shot circuit.  Seven shots: wheatgrass, E3, turmeric, ginger, lemon, aloe, and dandelion.  They’re not all pleasant going down, but I feel high on health for the rest of the day.  Not to mention my energy is on fire.  Not ready for seven shots?   Start slow with a wheatgrass or turmeric; both easily found at your local juice shop or Whole Foods, or better yet, make your own!

No. Eight, Chemical Free Products.  Letting go of products we’ve used for years can be a difficult thing, but now more than ever there are so many amazing non-toxic choices there really is no excuse.  Two brands I’ve completely fallen in love with are Beauty Counter and One Love Organics.  I swear by Beauty Counter’s sunscreen and eye palettes  and One Love’s Vitamin C Body Polish smells like heaven and their Morning Glory is my new morning savior.