Affordable Eco: Natural Beauty Finds Under $10 + Money Saving Tips

Whether you're on a budget or not, I'm pretty sure every girl out there loves to find beauty products on the cheap. Seriously, there's nothing better than a great steal. And when it comes to adopting an eco beauty lifestyle, money is definitely a hot topic. So many of my readers have expressed concern about the high cost of natural and organic beauty items. While this is definitely true in a lot of cases, I assure you, there are affordable options out there! I've dedicated this post to helping you ladies stick to both your budgets and a clean beauty routine :)

First, I would like to defend the natural/organic products that do sport high price tags because most of them have every right to charge more. Clean beauty brands generally use high quality ingredients that are both effective and safe. Obviously, high quality = more money. We live in a society where if something's cheap, we ignore questions like what's in it? or where did it come from? I try my very best to shop responsibly and support companies that are honest. When it comes to my personal care routine, I would much rather splurge on something that's full of nourishing ingredients than save money on a bottle of harmful chemicals that make my skin and hair look like crap. What's really silly is the fact that many women splurge on "luxury" brands like Chanel or Nars that contain the very same garbage as their cheap counterparts! I understand that not everyone can afford top notch organic beauty (I know I can't!). But if you do choose to splurge, just make sure your money is going to something that's truly worth it.

Okay! Now that I got that out of the way, here are some natural picks that are all under ten bucks. See, I wasn't lying. They do exist!

Jane Iredale Lip Crayon - $10.00
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Tinted Moisturizer - $8.79
Whole Truth Solutions Bath Bar Raw - $6.50
Acure Calming Body Lotion - $9.99
Tarte Lash Hugger Eco-Friendly Mascara - $10.00 (originally $18.00)
Everyday Minerals Blush in Like Lady Bird Lake - $5.99
Sula Natural Eye Shadow in I'm In Heaven - $8.00
Love&Toast Daily Shampoo - $9.99

Before you go, I also want to leave you with a few money saving tips. My goal is to help you realize that it's definitely possible to be an eco beauty without breaking the bank.

Tip #1: Sample, sample, sample! Nothing's worse than spending money on a truly awful product. Most natural beauty brands are happy to give out samples so you can find your right shade or formula. Spirit Beauty Lounge is amazing for this. You can order a custom package of trial sizes for $25 and as always, they send you free samples with every purchase. Want to test out stuff in person? Go to your local Whole Foods Body to sample in store. They also have sample packets to take home and try out. Another good idea: be familiar with return policies to ensure extra safe shopping.

Tip #2: Invest in a multi-purpose plant oil. Argan, coconut, and jojoba are all really great options. You can use these to moisturize your face and body, remove make-up, soften cuticles, tame frizzy hair     the possibilities are endless! Try to shop for multi-purpose products in general. Lip to cheek colors, shower & shaves, 2-in-1 shampoos, etc. Less items = less money spent.

Tip #3: The ladies at No More Dirty Looks really opened my eyes to this concept: don't splurge on things that you wash right off. Why spend money on powerful active ingredients and then watch them go right down the drain? Save your money for the stuff that stays on your skin. That way, the ingredients will actually have a chance to sink in and do their job. Examples: I use a cheap Burt's Bees shampoo but then treat my locks with a great leave-in conditioner by Intelligent Nutrients. I wash my body with a simple $3 bar of soap but use the best natural deodorant out there.

Tip #4: Don't you dare buy a sugar scrub. Easiest thing in the world to make! 2 parts raw sugar to 1 part plant oil. Done. Other easy items to make? Lip balm, facial toner, sea salt spray for hair. You don't have to be a chemist to make these things at home. Plus, they make great gifts and it's a neat little hobby to get into.

Tip #5: With natural beauty, less is always more. The cosmetic industry has brainwashed us into thinking that we need a product for every little flaw and that's just bogus. Stick to the necessities, don't slather on every cream and lotion on the planet. Heck, go a day without make-up and let your skin breathe! And if you're feeling extra brave, maybe experiment with movements like no-poo (aka not shampooing). Our bodies are very capable of balancing things out and keeping everything in check     we just need to give it a chance! Once again, less items = money saved.

Tip #6: I know this is cliche and you're probably sick of hearing it but there's no product that can do the job of a healthy diet. If you approach issues such as acne or dull hair from the inside out, you'll discover that you won't need as many products. Drink tons of water, take omega supplements and vitamins, eat your veggies, exercise and I swear you'll feel gorgeous.

H&M's Conscious Collection: Spring 2012

It's just about here! H&M's widely popular Conscious Collection has been set to debut on April 12. This time, the line will feature red carpet ready looks in vibrant colors made of organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester. Amanda Seyfried, Kristin Davis, and Michelle Williams have already been spotted wearing the collection. Here are a few of my favorite pieces. I especially love the first dress.

Check out the rest of the looks here at Teen Vogue's site.

Affordable Eco: Organic Cotton T-Shirts by Zara

An organic item of clothing for under twenty bucks?! It's practically unheard of. That's why Zara's organic cotton tees are usually sold out before you even realize they're available. But after constantly stalking their website, I'm happy to announce that there are some that are up for grabs! The colors are perfect for spring.

Solids are only $14.90 while the striped ones go for $16.90. You can't get any better than that. Of course, I am a little bummed that the mint green is no longer, but one can only hope that it'll return again.

Acure Organics Dry Shampoo and Leave-In Conditioner Review

Good morning everyone! After a busy (and fun) weekend, I'm ready to continue with my reviews. Next up are some hair products from the very affordable Acure Organics. I gave their leave in conditioner and dry shampoo a whirl. This is my first experience with Acure Organics so read on to see how it turned out!

First off, I am cursed with horribly thin hair so I'm always at war with greasiness. Dry shampoo is a god send for me. This powdered miracle helps me tame the greasies and keeps me looking fresh in between washes. For the longest time, I used Oscar Blandi's dry shampoo from Sephora    not very clean girl friendly. This stuff worked well, but smelt like lemon furniture polish. Gross. On the other hand, Acure's version smells wonderful. Made with organic corn starch and french white clay, Acure's dry shampoo soaks up oil and dirt in mere seconds. The texture is similar to baby powder, but blends well into hair without leaving behind any residue. Overall, it works just as well as Blandi's, minus the aluminum starch. And for $11, you can't beat it.

Next up, is the leave-in conditioner. Made with argan oil, this lightweight spray softens and protects your hair with natural nourishing ingredients. Like the dry shampoo, it smells great, thanks to the acai berry, pomegranate, and blackberry. Leave-in conditioner is a must for me because of all the flat-ironing that I do. My all time favorite leave-in is by Intelligent Nutrients, but it's pricey and requires an online order. For around 9 bucks, Acure's leave-in is an affordable alternative. However, it can be a tad bit heavy. At first, I sprayed it on like I would with Intelligent Nutrients', but woke up to oily hair the next day. Now I just spritz some on my hands and apply it only to my ends. My hair is left shiny, soft, and gorgeous. Love it.

Both of these products were found at Whole Foods in Madison, New Jersey. Currently, neither product is available on Acure Organics' website, but can be found on Amazon and other stores online.

Evan Healy Rose Cleansing Milk Review

Alrighty, here's review number two!

I've always been an exfoliating addict. If I'm not scrubbing off the top layer of my skin, then it doesn't feel clean. Trouble is, this isn't exactly so great for your face. Despite all the hype about exfoliation being the key to a great complexion, scrubbing excessively can do some serious damage. The top layer of your skin, called the epidermis, essentially acts as a shield, protecting your skin from the elements. Now, I'm not entirely opposed to the occasional sugar scrub, but moderation is key! Once a week, at most, is enough to get your clean fix.

Anyway, in my quest to exfoliate less, I decided to invest in a gentle cleanser. Evan Healy's Rose Cleansing Milk seemed to be a good fit. I have bipolar skin: one minute it's oily and I'm breaking out, the next I'm dry and flakey. It can't make up it's mind. This cleanser is designed to remove make-up and impurities without disturbing the skin's natural pH balance. Full of plant oils and floral water, this cleanser is chock full of good things for your skin.

So how does it measure up? Well, so far so good. I've been using it for the past few days and my skin feels super soft and balanced. The consistency takes a little getting used to. It basically feels like you're washing your face with lotion. But I have to admit, it feels rather luxurious. The rose scent is a little on the strong side. My mom, who detests the smell of roses, gave it a try anyway. Both of us enjoyed the cleansing, but still felt we needed to moisturize afterwards. I figured with such a creamy cleanser, I wouldn't feel the need to moisturize. Regardless, I was happy with the product and will continue to practice gentle cleansing :)