While the weather hasn’t been entirely favourable, we’re finding refuge in prepping ourselves for when the sun is finally here and we can step out in all our goddess glory, our mineral-sunscreen protected faces to the sky.

There is nothing like stocking up your beauty shelf for spring. Right now we’re favouriting products that help us achieve an all-over,  post-winter glow naturally.

1. Cocoon Apothecary’s Carotene Glow Antioxidant Booster 

If you buy one new and interesting beauty product this season, make it THIS! While serums have been hyped up to no end, the Carotene Glow Antioxidant Booster will take your moisturizing game to the absolute next level. Add a few drops to your serum or cream-based moisturizer and you will see an immediate glow that lasts all day. The carotene base protects skin cells from UV damage and converts to retinol, which is an active vitamin A that keeps skin smooth and firm.

Carotene Glow Antioxidant Booster consists of the organic sea buckthorn, organic rosehip and organic pomegranate seed to repair skin’s barrier, replenish hydration, and protect skin cells. Wild-grown frankincense derived from the resin of the Boswellia tree offers soothing and rejuvenating properties.

2. 1’Lux Body Brush and Velvet Blonde Emolient Oil 

New to the skincare scene, 1’Lux is an actual unicorn of #zerotox product lines that focus specifically on the body. The scents and quality of the capsule product line are immaculately luxurious, formulated with nourishing botanicals such as aloe, apricot, calendula, camellia, chamomile, chia, green tea, jojoba, meadowfoam, rosehip, rosemary and sunflower. Fruit infusions include almond, avocado, blueberry, cocoa, coconut, cranberry, goji, grapeseed, mango, raspberry, shea, squalane, and strawberry.

Our favourite ritual is a quick once over with the SRSLY BUFFED dry brush, followed by the indulgent Velvet Blonde Emolient Oil.

3.Wildcraft Face and Body Scrub

While many drugstore scrubs can rip away your skin’s natural moisture and protection barriers, this mineral rich exfoliant for the face and body from Wildcraft consists of nourishing ingredients that gently remove blemishes for a supreme glow. Ingredients such as arrowroot powder, apricot kernel shells, chamomile flowers, peppermint oil leave skin polished and refreshed.

4. Cardea AuSet AURORA Facial Oil 

AURORA, (aka The Goddess of Dawn) is the the perfect way to embrace the morning with a glow. This skin-firming oil is enriched with vitamin’s A, C, D, E, and lends omega fatty acids from avocado oil, the building blocks of cellular membranes. The presence of jojoba and apricot work to reduce inflammation while firming skin and the refreshing tones of grapefruit will brighten you skin for the day.

We’re thrilled to be going to this Thursday’s True Beauty Talk hosted by The Truth Beauty Company. This is the perfect event for anyone who is looking for the latest and best in green and clean beauty. True Beauty Talk is an exposition designed to bring together thought-leaders in the space and connect them with consumers who are invested in beauty options that are better both for themselves and the planet.

This year’s True Beauty Talk will bring together panelists, tutorials and curated shopping experiences from companies like Rocky Mountain Soap Company, Indie Lee, Well Told Health, Elate Cosmetics, Woodlot, Graydon Skincare. 

“We wanted to delve deeper this year, truly giving leaders in the space the opportunity to share more than just the latest trends and best products for certain results. The independent clean beauty space is a unique market, one that is highly value driven. It is incredibly inspiring to see how brands like Rocky Mountain Soup Company and Elate are able to stay true to their initial values while managing impressive growth and reaching larger markets”, says Jennifer Freitas, CEO and founder of The Truth Beauty Company and leader of the True Beauty Talk.

The event will be held at the Burroughes Building, with doors open to the public starting at 1:30. Guests will have the opportunity to engage with founders, discover the latest trends in green beauty and tools, as well as enjoy make-up tutorials. Also, if you are looking for an intimate shopping experience that allows you to test and try products and learn about them from actual company representatives before you buy, this will the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite and going FAST. Make sure to snag yours quickly and get a head start on your beauty new years resolutions.

While clean/green beauty continues to become a priority amongst Canadian consumers, there still remains only a handful of Canadian-grown trailblazers in the clean/green beauty space and Jennifer Freitas, founder of The Truth Beauty Company, is without a doubt, one of them.

We call her a trailblazer, because not only has Freitas built an online platform (and two brick and mortar locations) where Canadians can shop a carefully curated selection of the best and most current products in the clean/green beauty and eco-friendly lifestyle space, The Truth Beauty Company also hosts regular Masterclasses and Workshops where interested people can meet the faces behind some of the industry’s most coveted brands. For example, JoAnn Fowler, founder of Sappho will be at The Truth Beauty Company’s Guelph Location this Friday. Past events include a meet and greet with Indie Lee, the founder of Indie Lee and a Masterclass with Jessica Burman of Cocoon Apothecary.

All images from The Truth Beauty Company Instagram Feed

We sat down with Jennifer to find out her inspiration, how she selects brands to carry, her advice for brands just starting out and what clean/green beauty products she’s loving for spring.

What led you to start The Truth Beauty Company?  

It was actually a personal need! I had moved from Toronto to Waterloo in 2010 to raise my twin daughters and could not find ‘clean’ shampoo that was not stripping my hair (personally, the brands that I found in health food stores, while they met my ingredients criteria as far as being non-toxic, I didn’t find them nourishing!) I figured I wasn’t the only one in the region who was seeking clean, luxurious and performance-based personal care products. When my minis were 18 months old, I opened our Waterloo store.

When it comes to selecting the types of brands and products you carry at The Truth Beauty Company, what do you look for specifically?

We have a five pronged approach:

1. Is it clean? (free of toxic ingredients)

2. Is it different from other products we presently carry?

3. Is it effective? (like, will the deodorant actually work?)

4. Price-point? (we like to offer a range of prices so price is not necessarily an exclusionary credential, but rather simply something we consider)

5. Is the packaging appealing?

We have different categories at Truth Beauty so it must fall under a type of product we would even carry; we focus on personal care so if it is in that vein and meets the 5 points above, we will review a brand / product.

What Canadian beauty brands do you feel are making an impact in green beauty space?

I think many of them do actually! I know Province Apothecary really looks to source Canadian grown ingredients – hence the name ‘Province Apothecary’. Cocoon Apothecary packages mostly in glass because the founder feels it is important to reduce plastic consumption; it raises an issue so even if it gets you to think about how you are consuming, she is making a difference. Woodlot uses only essential oils in all of its products – including its candles! That is a big deal as it takes a lot of essential oil for the scent to carry and linger – which most people want their candle to do! Sonia, Woodlot founder really believes in the importance of being pure.

Really, I think clean beauty brands all want to make a difference. They entered clean beauty from the outset to make a difference and I think many of them operate from a place of authenticity – and that is certainly true of the brands that I have fallen in love with.

What advice would you offer an independent green beauty brand that is trying to get started in this space? For example, how could one make an impression on you enough to consider carrying it at The Truth Beauty Company?

The market is fairly saturated and I know it’s competitive – so first piece of advice would be: Get ready to hustle.

I would suggest that before you even begin hustling, know your angle. How will you be different? Why will people know about and seek out your line? (This is my prep for newbies, essentially reiterating that it will take a lot of hard work).

Ultimately, a brand needs to stand out. It if stands out and a retailer, like Truth Beauty is interested, it is great when a company is prepared, meaning they should have a press kit, an understanding of the minimums, tester policy, vendor buy-back policy, preferred shipping methods and rates, are able to offer demo support, etc.

Running a business is hard work. Building a brand is even harder.  

What 5 products are on your ultimate must-have list for spring this year and why?

My Must-Haves for Spring! Oh so fun!

I love simplicity with make-up so products that really double up are faves of mine. I am really loving Kosas Duos these days – especially in Velvet Melon; the juicy peach hue I just can’t get enough of! It’s so fresh looking on the cheeks. Get Kosa’s Velvet Melon here. 

Graydon Skincare’s Face Glow is also a staple because it is so versatile. It acts as a primer, offers some sun protection, adds some luminosity and evens out my skin tone. Only thing this gem doesn’t do is the dishes. Get it here 

I really fell in love this year with gel based serums – they offer so much moisture that is long lasting, yet feel fresh upon application and are incredibly light-weight. The one that is on heavy rotation for me these days is the Pai Back to Life Serum.  

Spring also gets me back outdoors. I am out running, gardening and just generally being more active … so a deodorant is a staple. We recently introduced Canadian brand Hola and I think it is my favourite to date! The texture is firm, not gritty and most importantly, it is effective.

Lastly, I am offering a year round must have – the Woodlot Palo Santo spray … for my hair, my linens, my room … I spray this stuff anywhere and everywhere. It just calms me and makes me feel beautiful.

Is there anything Himalayan salt can’t do?  Most of us know that adding a Himalayan Salt lamp to our spaces not only adds a beautiful and calming aesthetic, it also helps to purify the air we breathe in. However, few of us know the benefits of using Himalayan salt on the skin.

Why Use a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar? 

Using a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar on the skin can provide numerous therapeutic benefits, both from a beauty and a wellness perspective. Given that salt is extremely hostile to bacteria, using a salt bar will cleanse the skin in a profound way, pulling toxins from the body while removing dead and dull skin cells for an incomparable glow. Routine use of a Himalayan Crystal Salt bar will aid in increasing blood flow, firm up skin tissue and work towards soothing sore and tired muscles.

Using a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar regularly will also allow salt to be stored in the upper callous layer of the skin, which binds water, ensuring our skin stays moisturized and hydrated.

That said, in order to get the best benefits from this wonderful natural product, it’s important a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar is used properly to get the full benefits. We spoke with Sarah McCain from Canadian holistic beauty and wellness company Earth Luxe to get the exact details on how to use a crystal bar properly and effectively.

How to Use a Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar

1. Place the salt bar directly on damp skin or in a soft/muslin cloth if you have sensitive skin.
2. Rub bar in a circular motion on your body
3. Let the salt dry on your skin, do not wash off. Rub off access once it’s dry.
4. Do not use any creams after applying the salt bar to your skin, but if your skin is dry you can use an organic oil of your choice.

Sarah also states, “for best results keep the bar as dry as possible so that it doesn’t deteriorate (it’s salt, so when wet it will dissolve!)  This will prevent sharp edges for forming. It’s recommended to use a crystal salt bar immediately post shower and only once per day and completely avoiding use  with regular soap or on broken skin. And remember that even though this it is called a “soap” it will not produce a lather!”

We recommend Earth Luxe’s Himalayan Crystal Salt Bar and check out their full range of Himalayan Salt products here.