While I haven’t yet covered any beauty topics, two neutrals in particular have had me feeling very inclined.

The first is one that was introduced to me while I was pregnant and visiting Becoming Mom Spa + Ultrasound, a pregnancy-safe spa and 3D/4D ultrasound center. It began when my fiancé surprised me with a massage and 4D ultrasound, and, from there, I was hooked, coming back regularly for mani/pedis and facials. More than the services themselves, what drew me to the salon was the assurance that everything I was doing was safe for my developing baby. Prior to my pregnancy, you would never find me void of a gel/shellac manicure, but, having heard of the harmful qualities of acetone (used to remove gel polish) and other nail products, I was wary to continue my tri-weekly ritual of getting my nails done, for fear of exposing my baby to harmful toxins – either via being absorbed through my skin or inhaled via the fumes let off by the products.

The nail polish Becoming Mom uses is Zoya, the first polish to be declared “Big 5 Free” and vegan-friendly. Zoya now carries “Big 10 Free” formulas, meaning they are free of 10 of the most commonly-found toxins in nail varnish. I had originally planned on returning to my usual gel manis once Logan was born, but soon found that the Zoya polish was lasting just as long as the gel did! That, coupled with the motherhood-enforced motivation to stay healthier and avoid unnecessary chemicals whenever possible (just me?), has turned me into a big fan.

On to lips! In this “beauty” post, I wanted to include my current lip cream from Bare Minerals. I’m not much of a lipstick person, so this one provides the perfect happy-medium that I have truly always longed for! Neutral enough to keep me from feeling overdone, its color is just enough to give a modish finish to any look. It glides on so smoothly, and the matte finish is divine, staying in place for hours on end. Bonus points come with the fact that it smells like chocolate! Literally every part of the “experience,” from application to wear, is amazing. Talking about it is making me want to go put some on haha.

Zoya nail polish in Adel

Bare Minerals Matte Liquid Lip Color in Icon