Answers to the “Questions”.

Beauty should be good for you!  Yep. All this and a bag of chips. (Well, maybe the chips aren’t good for you, but darn it! Beauty should be!) I believe this with all of my heart.  Beauty should be safer, and I am walking proof of that.

I often get asked some of the same questions about this company and more specifically this business.  At Beautycounter’s recent L.E.A.D conference, our SVP of Social Mission, Lindsay Dahl, gave us some great information about these specific questions. I thought I would spend a little time addressing what she shared with us regarding a few of them.

Question #1

How can I verify that Beautycounter is safer than other companies?

This is a great question! Yes, you always want to do your research when you are searching out cleaner, safer options.  Here is why I believe Beautycounter is the best option. First of all, their ingredient selection process. You can find it on my website HERE.  But, I’ll share it for you as well.

This is what Beautycounter does. They…

Ban Intentionally

The Never List is made up of approximately 1,500 harmful or questionable ingredients we prohibit formulations, including the nearly 1,400 ingredients banned in the European Union.

Screen Rigoriously

Using the best available sources, we screen every potential ingredient for information on specific hazards like cancer, developmental toxicity, hormone disruption, and infertility.

Learn Constantly

There are major data gaps on most cosmetics ingredients, so we review emerging data regularly and even commission our own studies.

Source Responsibly

We choose the bet organic, natural, sustainable, and synthetic ingredients that meet our standards. Over 80% of the ingredients in our products are natural or plant-derived.

Share Transparently

Every formula ingredient, including known components of fragrances, flavors, and intentionally added preservatives, are listed on our product labels or on Beautycounter.com.

Beautycounter is also working with researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine to study many of the ingredients that we use in our formulas.  Tufts is known for their work in studying hormone disruptors.

Beautycounter also holds the EWG verified status with the Environmental Working Group.  This certification ups the level of trust in the companies that meet these standards.  The EWG is essentially saying that when a company is considered “verified” then their products meet their strictest standards.  

Beautycounter also earned the highest score in the Chemical Footprint Project.  They were successful in reaching the benchmarks set by this organization’s survey showing that they are striving to replace harmful ingredients with safer alternatives.  

And lastly, Beautycounter is a certified B Corporation.  We put people and planet first!

Question #2

You use preservatives. Is that safe?

All of the preservatives Beautycounter uses are screened for safety.  They also want to be sure that the final formulation is safe.  If a product isn’t preserved properly it can expose you and your family to yeast, mold, and bacteria.

Question #3

Are you trying to scare consumers into buying your products?

Definitely not!  Beautycounter mission is rooted in science.  As mentioned earlier, they work with reputable organizations like Tufts University to study potentially harmful ingredients and how they can negatively affect our health.  There are many other valid organizations such as the University of Berkeley in California, Harvard University, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Nurses Association that have been weighing in on this issue for years.  

Question #4

Aren’t you an MLM (multi-level marketing) company?

That is a very common misconception.  Beautycounter is so much more than that! Our business model is very different.  We are a direct to retail brand that uses a combination of independent consultants, an e-commerce site, and retail locations.  Our mission is to get safe products into the hands of EVERYONE. We want to give consumers every available way to have access to our products.  

Beautycounter believes that their network of consultants is their most important piece, because this mission is best shared person to person.  It’s education first. What better way to do that than through relationships.

Question #5

What exactly am I paying for?  I could get a “cheaper” product from Target.

Your health is your biggest asset, and I believe using safer products is a great way to take care of your health.  Our products may cost a bit more than others you may find at the local drug store, but safer ingredients are often times more expensive than conventional ingredients.  We also have a limited number of manufacturers we can use because the company is so careful about how our products are made. Beautycounter also likes to formulate the products in the United States, and source from North America as much as possible.  

I have found that because our products are so well made, you only need a TINY bit for each use.  Therefore, they last much longer than other, more cheaply made, products you may find somewhere else.  

So there you have it!  If you have any other questions or are interested in learning more about our products or the business opportunity contact me!

I’m Not Good Enough

I’m not going to lie. I struggle with this. I’m in the middle of writing a book, and it has been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. The level of vulnerability and persistence that it takes to follow through with this process was something that I was not ready for. 

I’ve made it to the editing stage, and I think this has been the scariest part so far. Up until now, I’ve held this little “baby” close to me, protected and guarded, as I pour out my thoughts. That moment when your “heart” leaves your hands and is now in the care of someone else, is terrifying. I feel like it’s a baby bird leaving the nest. The momma knows that it is time for that baby to spread their wings, but the big bad world is waiting to swallow it up. 

What I struggle with most is my innate need for perfection. I believe that God calls us to do things with EXCELLENCE, but the “perfection” I expect from myself is oftentimes a bit on the unhealthy side. And with a project that means so much to me, this has been a difficult beast to tame.

However, I had an epiphany the other day when I was preparing for the book cover photo shoot. Up until this point, I was stressing. I mean BIG, TIME, STRESSBALL, stressing. There are so many details that go into something like this. What should I wear? Will my makeup look ok? Will my crazy, growing out, hair cooperate? Will the lighting and location be right? I’m an extremely visual person so the “look” of something matters a lot to me. 

But then, as I was praying about it God gently reminded me of one of His truths. IT’S NOT ABOUT ME. 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 says; “Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” 

The purpose behind this book is to help other women and point people to Christ. I absolutely can’t do this on my own, or make it great based solely on MY abilities. My competence comes from God. Only He can take my humble attempts and turn them into something that will bring HIM glory. 

My writing coach and mentor, Staci Wallace, so beautifully put it when she told me that the “performance of your book will never equal the value of your obedience.” God just asks us to be obedient with what He has asked us to do. It doesn’t have to be perfect. 

Once I let myself off the hook, and stopped expecting perfection, I felt a peace about this project that I’ve never felt before. Will some people hate it? Yep. Will I have to remind myself of this again when the book is finally released and I’m freaking out? Yep. But, for now I’m going to trust the process, and ask God to breathe His life into my imperfections and weaknesses. 

And keep repeating my daily mantra. 

Less of me. More of HIM.