"Zit no. 1 is long gone but that hasn't stopped a few more from coming. Maybe it was the Halloween makeup? My model friend says my skin has been going through detox. I say, 'Can a girl get some tea tree oil?'"
Discovery: Skin does not react well to change.
Photo 16/19
Day 27
"On a brighter note, rinsing my face with water (versus cleanser) has really softened my skin and kept it otherwise free of breakouts. The occasional honey mask and sugar-olive oil scrub has also kept it from looking as dull as it did the first week."
Discovery: Skin does seem to regulate itself ... if you let it.
Photo 17/19
Day 29
"My hair, while clean, is dry and chemically treated so it has not reacted well to lack of conditioner. It's always tangled into a big knot behind my neck that takes an unacceptably long time to pick out. Plus it just frizzes and balls back up once I'm done picking at it. I've raided the kitchen for answers ..."
Discovery: Massaging no more than a few drops of cooking oil (grapeseed, sesame, olive) directly into a knot can help you detangle it without making your hair look too greasy.
Photo 18/19
Day 31
"Uh-oh. I'm afraid I have a newfound sensitivity to fragrance. In my eagerness to jump back into my routine, I sprayed one of my favorite perfumes in the air and began sneezing. My (new) foundation also smells more noticeable than usual. Maybe I'll get used to it within a few days ..."
Discovery: You really can develop allergies at any time.
Photo 19/19
Day 36
"The challenge has been done for five days and I still haven't gotten used to some of the products in my former routine. The good news: Natural perfume oils, mineral makeup and my beloved Chanel tinted moisturizer don't bother me. And my hair instantly looks healthier after one wash with shampoo and conditioner (see the 'after' shot). Thank you, silicone!"
Discovery: You can live confidently without half the products you use now. It's just a little painful trying to figure out what those are.
We know what you're thinking: Why would anyone in her right mind want to give up her shampoo, conditioner, hairstyling products, skin care products and makeup? But then we thought, with all this talk of harmful ingredients (like the ones mentioned on this list) and the virtue of inner beauty, maybe we could learn a thing or two from a product 'diet.' See what this product junkie discovered when she switched from using 27 products a day to using only body wash and sunscreen for a full month. Her experience may surprise you, and inspire you to think about how many products you really need to look and feel gorgeous every day.
Or maybe after reading this you'll realize that the answer isn't about abandoning products altogether, but looking into your kitchen cabinets for natural ingredients that offer beauty benefits like hydration, oil absorption, etc. These homemade beauty product recipes are all made out of basic edible ingredients -- and they work. Maybe in the spirit of this woman's journey you'll try supplementing some of your bottled products for them.
If you do decide to take a similar challenge, please let us know what your experience was like by commenting on this story.
