What is Beautycounter and why it matters?

Warning, this is not really a post about yoga. Well at least it is not a post about yoga asana (the poses), pranayama (breath) or meditation, however, this is a post about the choices we make around the products we use, and spend our money on. That to me is part of living yoga.

Yoga is not only about the shapes we make with our bodies, it is also about the Yamas and Niyamas, which are the first two limbs of yoga and can be seen as the foundation of all yogic practices. Yamas means restraints and Niyamas means observances.

Yoga is much more than the physical postures, it is a way of living.

Ahimsa, non-violence or non-harming, the first of the Yamas and Sauça cleanliness and/or purity, which is the first of the Niyamas relate not only to the way that we treat others, but also and perhaps more importantly to the way that we treat ourselves and our inner and outer space.

To me these products produced by Beautycounter speak to these elements of yoga, non-harming and cleanliness. Of course Sauça (Cleanliness/purity) refers to more than just cleaning that outside of our bodies, however, how we attend to ourselves, how we nurture ourselves says so much about the beliefs we have about ourselves and the way that we show up in the world. Actively and consciously choosing which companies we support makes a big difference and Shala overall tries to support local companies, refer to our previous blog on how working with local companies grows the fabric of our awesome community.

Beautycounter is not a local company, but it is a B CORP company. B Corp companies are:

“. . . businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.”

Not bad right. Some other B Corps include: Wanderlust Yoga Festival, Patagonia and Coast Capital Savings. These companies are striving to change the way that business is being done on a global scale. That is part of what yoga is about, becoming a more engaged and aware citizen in your community, wherever that community may be.

Okay, so back to Beautycounter. I have to say that I was pretty skeptical when I was first introduced to the product on one of my retreats to Nicaragua by one of my retreatees and now friend Vairdy Frail However, she really sold me on the company and then once I tried the product I was hooked.

Another incredible things about Beautycounter is that they have what they call the Never List The Never List includes ingredients that Beautycounter does not use in their products. This list is made up of over 1,500 questionable or harmful chemicals. Of this list only 500 are banned in Canada and 80 are restricted. We all know carcinogens cause illness and cancer and many of these carcinogens are in beauty products and we apply directly onto our skin. The Never List is absolutely incredible!

I really like things simple in all parts of my life, especially when it comes to beauty and getting ready. I like it to be quick and easy, while at the same time making me feel fabulous inside and out. Tough customer.

I have tired lots of other products over the years, and I have even had people at this studio offer me different trials of products. Some of them having 6 steps, it would literally take 15 minutes to wash my face, when I am more like a 20 minutes from shower to out the door type of person.

In more recent years I had moved to natural products, for example coconut oil with essential oils for moisturizer and so forth, however, as I was aging (I am not saying that I am old) I was finding that I really needed something more to keep my skin feel young, wrinkle free and wonderful without poisoning myself and the environment.

Beautycounter gave me everything that I was looking for and more!

Since starting to use Beautycounter almost a year ago, I have never received so many compliments on my skin. And the truth is that I have struggled with my skin. As a teenager I had really bad acne, which did pass, but I suppose I always carried with me the story that I had bad skin. Beautycounter made me feel luxurious, as well as making me feel like I wasn’t harming myself or the environment and that I was supporting a social responsible company.

Makeup is not part of my daily routine, however, I have over time begun to use the Beautycounter make up. What I really love from Beautycounter and what I am most passionate to share is their skin care line.

Here are my Top 5 Picks:

1. Nourishing Cream Cleanser
2. No.3 Balancing Collection
3. Cleansing Balm
4. Overnight Resurfacing Peel
5. Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream

I am so thrilled to be offering this products through Shala Yoga. You will be able to sample products in the studio, as well as make purchases online! I hope that you will feel the same way.