Best of clean beauty: Makeup

Spring/Summer 2023

If anyone knows how overwhelming it can be to navigate clean beauty, it’s me. We are in a time where there seems to be a plethora of “clean” beauty options on the market, and it is starting to seem like all beauty products marketed as such. This complicates the situation even more, as how do we know what is actually clean?

Truthfully, there is no set definition of what constitutes a clean product and definitions are going to vary significantly. You’ll notice labels such as “Clean at Sephora” and “Clean at Target” at popular retailers. These companies have different guidelines of ingredients that do and don’t fall into these categories. In my opinion, neither are great and don’t carry a lot of weight in terms of ingredients.

My Clean Beauty Picks…

To ease some confusion you may have, here are my current clean beauty favorites for Spring Summer 2023 that are actually clean.

The best moisturizer ever! Can’t explain how moisturized this has made my dry skin. It is hydrating without feeling heavy or oily on the skin. The best skincare base for makeup too.

I have tried dozens of “clean” spf options and nothing has come close to this. It is glowy, a beautiful base for no makeup days or under makeup. Can’t say enough good things about this. I know the price point seems intimidating but I promise it is worth it.

This has been a staple in my makeup routine for a couple of years now. It gives a great even skin tone without having the coverage and weight of a normal foundation. It makes my skin look healthy and plump.

If you want a fuller coverage, I will always recommend the Kosas foundation. It is buildable and I always get a ton of compliments when I wear this. Bonus points because it doesn’t break me out.

Wow, just wow. As far as clean concealers goes, this takes the cake. It has amazing coverage and is so, so creamy. Truly lives up to Kulfi’s claim that it does not crease. Amazing concealer.

I always struggle with bronzers looking chalky and muddy on my skin. This cream bronzer from Saie is the only one I keep repurchasing. You must use it with Saie’s brush because the combination is incredible. So natural and gorgeous.

I love the price point of this Honest Beauty cheek + lip tint and the shades are gorgeous. I love Peony Pink for the summer.

Cakey makeup is my biggest pet peeve so finding a good powder is super important to me. For everyday makeup, Saie’s Airset is everything to me. It is a radiant powder, and I know this can be intimidating but it does not appear glittery whatsoever on the skin. It takes care of areas I don’t want dewy without looking like I have powder on.

I love the soap brow look, but hadn’t found a clean option that kept my brows upwards all day. This brow product from Tood works amazing and my brows don’t move.

I love the versatility of this Caliray palette. I use it for eyes and my face and think it should be a staple palette in your beauty routine.

There is nothing better than a blush + highlighter combo. Saie did it again with Glow Sculpt which even features a refillable compact to reduce waste. Obsessed with Mauve Glow and Pink Glow right now.

I am pretty picky when it comes to mascaras, mostly because my lashes stick straight out, but also because mascara that leaves black under my eyes throughout the day is my biggest pet peeve. This Caliray mascara does not move, and not in an annoying waterproof way, but it actually is life-proof.

This Tower 28 mascara went viral earlier this year, and for good reason. It lifts my stick straight eyelashes and doesn’t weigh them down. It does everything my lashes need.

Clean lip liners can be tricky. It is hard to find a good formula that lasts, applies smooth, and has great shades. Tower 28’s is the first clean lip liner I really love. This is a fairly new product so I hope they launch more shades soon.

I was so impressed when I tried the new Kosas Wetsticks. They are lightweight, super hydrating and give the same effect of a lipstick. They launched a huge shade range and they are truly stunning.

I love the Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment so much. It is thick, lasts forever, and I love the way it feels. Make sure you choose the Fragrance- Free version.