Why do we need Beautycounter Makeup Swaps? Well, if you haven’t seen the flurry of news, Beautycounter closed its doors after mismanagement by private equity. In my Enneagram 8 Solution-Oriented Mama Bear mode, I have been testing and found Beautycounter Swaps that I love just as much (if not more) than my original Beautycounter favorites. And, in most cases, it’ll save you money!
Before you ask, yes – I looked into that brand.
I tested SO many different brands – essentially anything I could find that would be easily accessible via Sephora, Ulta, and Amazon. I cross-referenced with EWG’s Skin Deep database for safety ratings.
Something to consider is that while makeup sits on your skin after skincare, it’s actually even more important to use non-toxic and safety-tested products, because sprays and powders can be absorbed 120x more than topically. When buying makeup, my first choice is always cream – unless the brand is performing heavy metal and contamination testing.
While I found a number of brands that met my safety standards, unfortunately the products I tested by some of the popular “clean beauty brands” just did not hold up in wear tests for my own preference and personal standards (Tower28, Ilia, and Kosas for example). Hence, yes I tried it – and no, I don’t recommend it.
Partnering with Beautycounter was more than a job, it was community, it was my values, and it was a means to help you and those unable to access safer products through legislative change. And while nothing can every replace Beautycounter, I know we all need solutions with other clean beauty products that perform. I hope these recommendations help you find products you can love using just as much.
What to get?
Here is what I can suggest for the most popular Beautycounter cosmetic products:
If you loved the Brilliant Brow Gel,
Try new-to-me brand, Wunderbrow. I tried a shocking number of brow products and didn’t love them as much as I do the WUNDERBROW Fix It Clear Eyebrow Gel, Long Lasting Lamination Effect, which includes a dual-ended brush. It can give you a super soft finish, or you can get the popular full-on laminated brow look without using any time-consuming or expensive treatments.
Current price: $10.40, shop here
If you need to fill in your brows or have greys to cover, also try the Weightless Fiber Filler.
Current price: $5, shop here
If you loved the conditioning Lip Sheer,
Try Honest’s Beauty Tinted Lip Balm. It is EWG Verified and helps keep lips smooth and moisturized all day. Swipe on for nourishing sheer color that locks in hydration with Antioxidant-rich Acai Extracts + Avocado Oil. Dermatologist Tested, Physician Tested, Cruelty Free, Vegan
Current price: $7.00, shop here
Jane Iredale
Before Beautycounter, I used Jane Iredale. My friend Hayley who had been a professional makeup artist for high-definition television recommended it as a clean option, and they’ve been expanding their options ever since. With equal parts premium ingredients, skincare benefits, and no-fade performance, Jane Iredale launched a first-of-its-kind skincare makeup hybrid that revolutionized the beauty industry. You may not have heard of it because it’s a “professional” brand, but it’s accessible in local salons or you can grab it directly from their site or even on Amazon.
If you loved Creamy Concealer,
Try the OG I used back in the day, Jane Iredale CircleDelete Concealer (the duo that diminishes appearance of dark circles and softens fine lines). An eye conditioner and concealer containing moringa butter and avocado oil, both high in vitamins A, C, D and E. Contains green tea extract, a potent antioxidant for healthy skin. Includes two colors for perfect color matching.
Current Price is $36.00, shop here
Or, try the one I’m using now, Jane Iredale Enlighten Plus Under-Eye Concealer (brightens and depuffs with a soothing tip, full coverage and SPF that smooths skin texture and corrects fine lines). Broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sun protection that smooths, depuffs and protects for brighter, youthful eyes. Curved design contours to the eye and won’t tug on delicate under-eye skin. Squeeze tube allows for easy dosing &smooth application.
Current Price is $40.80, shop here
If you loved the Beautycounter’s Eyeliners
Try Jane Iredale’s Mystikol Powdered Eyeliner. I have actually been using this for years and LOVE it. A water-resistant crease-proof cream to powder formula with a built-in brush can deliver either a precise line or a smudged look. Easy to create a stay-all-day smoky eye in seconds. Coco glycerides help to smooth product effortlessly and gives staying power.
Current Price is $23.40, shop here
If you loved the Lid Glow Cream Shadow,
Try Jane Irdale Eye-Shadows in 10 curated shades. These versatile cream-to-powder eye shadow sticks shade, highlight and define eyes with ease for limitless looks.Skin-loving ingredients support skin hydration and improve glide on skin. Adheres to skin and sets quickly for long-lasting smudge-proof wear.
Current Price is $23.80, shop here
If you loved Skin Twin Foundation,
Another I’ve been using for years, Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation is hands-down the best foundation I’ve found for full coverage in a clean flawless finish. I love using a BB Cream (see below) and then spot-treating any needed areas with this powder. Think: an eye shadow brush on a blemish or a big fluffy brush on rosacea cheeks – it COVERS. Made from micronized minerals, oil free and weightless. Refillable compact.
Current Price is $66, shop here
If you loved the Mattifying Powder,
Try Jane Iredale Amazing Finish Powder. Sweep on this airy mineral foundation for a luminous sheer to medium coverage that feels like silk.Designed to provide a smooth, matte finish, this powder is suitable for all skin types. Apply with Powder Brush all over the face blending well.
Current Price is $37.40, shop here
Lawless, the new-to-me favorite
The brand you haven’t yet heard of, but is about to blow up. The packaging is fun and it’s won several Allure Best of Beauty awards. Honestly I didn’t think it could possibly be actually clean when I saw it in store because it feels so high-end. But in fact it rated better than many of the brands known for being clean!
Founded by Annie Lawless. In a world of no-makeup, makeup, Lawless is Yes-Makeup, Makeup! Products are developed so that they exceed the highest standards of makeup performance while also benefiting your skin. Lawless products are infused with a balance of the most efficacious concentration of clinical-grade skincare and the highest quality pigments, possible.
If you loved the original Matte Bronzer or these cream ones never released to the public,
Try LAWLESS Summer Skin Talc-Free Velvet Matte Bronzer. I love Golden Hour, an Ultra-Milled Silicone-Free Formula Designed to Blend Seamlessly into the skin for a natural sun kissed look. Also comes in a darker color, Blazed.
Current Price is $38, shop here
If you loved the Cheeky Clean Blush in Cider
Try LAWLESS Pinch My Cheeks Soft-Blur Cream Blush in Angel. Achieve a healthy, seamless blend with this creamy, talc-free blush seamlessly blends into the skin, imparting a cloudy finish that never looks powdery or cakey. Indulge in the bounciest, velvetiest texture you’ll love. With superior blendability, it seamlessly melts into your skin without any patchiness, allowing you to layer, build, and blend without disrupting your makeup.
Key Active Ingredients: Green Tea Extract is an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals and energizes the skin for beautiful radiance. Hybrid Elastomer Microsphere Powder is a high-performing powder that provides a soft-focus finish with a creamy, velvety-soft, cushiony feel.
Yes, they have lots of other colors, this is the one I tested and color matched for.
Current Price is $29, shop here
If you loved the Cheeky Clean Blush in Chai,
Instead of Lawless you could also try Nudestix Nudies Bloom Dewy and Radiant Cream Blush 3-in-1 All Over Face Colour For Cheeks, Eyes and Lips w/Blending Brush in Bare Back. I find myself reaching for this blush most often, the stick is so convenient and easy to blend with the included attached brush. The multi-tasking balm creates a soft, matte cheek blush as well as natural eye and creamy lip for an easy on the go makeup look.
Yes, they have other colors, this is the one I tested and color matched for.
Current Price is $33.25, shop here
Shaklee Makeup Favorites
I have found a brand I’m proud to introduce you to: Shaklee. It is like New Balance and Stanley: the OG in penultimate reliability; HUGE product list that aligns to a non-toxic approach, and is so synergistic with Beautycounter values. With modern upgrades, it’s just like the dad shoe that has now become super cool.
All items below are EWG Verified skincare and have been tested against 350 contaminants.
If you loved Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer,
Try Shaklee YOUTH Activating BB Cream: Perfect your look. A long-wear 5-in-1 beauty balm that can be used under (or instead of) foundation to cover imperfections and even the look of skin tone. The multitasking formula draws moisture to skin, helps reduce the look of fine lines, and defends skin against damaging UVA/UVB rays (SPF 30). Available in 4 shades for all skin tones.
I’m concerned I might be struck by lightening for saying this – as Dew Skin was one of my top 3 holy grail items from Beautycounter – but I like the BB Cream better. It has fuller coverage while still maintaining luminosity. And there is no orange undertint that many clients didn’t love about Dew Skin.
If you loved the Think Big All In One Mascara,
Try Shaklee YOUTH Lash Revitalizing and Conditioning Mascara: a 2-in-1 lash conditioner and mascara.
Lengthens, volumizes, and lifts to help create fuller-looking lashes. Specially formulated with our Botanical Complex and Lash Protection Complex, this product also helps strengthen lashes and defend against environmental damage. The innovative 2-sided brush enables you to create volume with shorter bristles and add definition with longer bristles.
This is by far the best clean mascara I’ve ever used. It does not budge when wearing – no transfer! But, it easily comes off with the Gel Oil Cleanser.
If you loved the Beyond Gloss,
Try Shaklee’s Pomifera Glaze Lip Oil: a vegan, moisturizing, tinted lip oil. No, gloss and lip oil are not the same, but what I love is that the lip oil isn’t sticky and is super hydrating. It has the shine of a gloss, the comfort of a balm, and a touch of sheer color. Formulated with a proprietary blend of avocado oil and shea butter and infused with anti-aging Pomifera oil to moisturize, protect, and nourish the lips.
If you loved the Flawless in Five bundle,
Try Shaklee Simpli-5: For the Perfect 5-Minute Face. Everything you need to for an everyday makeup look while caring for your skin. Step 1: Apply YOUTH® BB Cream in your choice of 4 shades. Step 2: Sculpt your face with Pomifera® Tone. Next, step 3: Add lip base and blush with Pomifera Tint in your favorite shade. Finally, step 4: Volumize your lashes with YOUTH Mascara. Step 5: Perfect your pout with Pomifera Glaze, available in 3 colors.
Looking for Skincare Swaps?
Why do I recommend Shaklee?
I’ve put up my favorites here – including green cleaning products, supplements, protein, makeup and personal care.
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