Falling into My Clean Beauty Rabbit Hole
It’s hard to believe that cosmetics have become such a big part of my life. Growing up as a student-athlete, I never wore makeup. I was probably the last of my peers to even think about wearing it, because it just didn’t feel right on my face when I was playing soccer or working out. Sweat and makeup simply don’t mix.
As an athlete, it was important for me to eat clean and use only clean products on my body. I didn’t want to worry about makeup smearing or adding toxic chemicals to my skin.
Fast forward a couple of years, I heard about Beauty Bus, a nonprofit that provides free beauty services to individuals who are sick or terminally ill. I immediately loved their mission of making patients feel good and joyful, even if just for a moment or a day. Moreover, Beauty Bus extended care to the caregivers as well — what a concept! Sometimes we forget that those who work tirelessly to care for the sick have very little time or energy to care for themselves. Oftentimes, they are living and breathing the pressures of providing care: giving medicine, calling doctors, cooking meals that are both healthy and comforting.
It was at Beauty Bus that I first started learning about clean beauty, and I instantly jumped into curious mode. This was an intersection of health, advocacy, chemistry, and art that resonated deeply with me. The more I read, the more I realized there was a lot of conflicting and confusing information out there.
As I went down this rabbit hole, I noticed how many young teens were experimenting with cosmetics and beauty products, often leading to massive breakouts. It became clear that there needed to be better, more digestible information for young people about both the short-term and long-term effects of the products they were buying and using.
That’s how I began my clean beauty journey. What started as a personal curiosity grew into a passion for education, advocacy, and helping others make more informed choices about what goes on their skin.
Volunteer Day at
Beauty Bus