Welcome!
In the summer of 2012, I attended my 30th high school reunion. Laughter, food, wine, and conversation flowed freely, and a professional photographer captured key moments of the evening. A couple of weeks later, when I received the photos, I was shocked to see just how much my skin had aged.
Where on earth did all those wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and bags under my eyes come from?
I’d been using top luxury skincare and beauty for decades – how could my skin have aged this much?
I pulled out my skincare products and started scanning the bottles for ingredients. What I found were chemicals I couldn’t pronounce. A little research on the web disclosed that some of these expensive products I’d been using for decades were filled with potentially harmful chemicals.
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Tricolsan
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Toluene
- Formaldehyde
- Propylene glycol
- PABA
- Homosalate
- Ethoxycinnmate
Some of these chemicals are associated with breast cancer, ADHD, dermatitis, respiratory distress, a suppressed reproductive system, poor immune system function, and Toluene can cause delayed developmental challenges for fetuses.
How are these chemicals legal? Why do we purchase products, and support companies, that contain these chemicals? I remembered back to what my dear Nona Anna used to say, “Never put something on your skin you wouldn’t eat.” A few days later, at a monthly dinner with my circle of friends, I told them what I’d found out. They too were using many of the same products I was, and had no idea that they contained such potentially hazardous compounds.
So, we started to discuss what is important in a skincare line. On the back of a napkin, this is what we came up with:
- Natural and organic ingredients
- No hazardous chemicals or compounds
- Effective
- Money back guarantee
- Affordable
- Made in the US
- Not tested on animals
We all began searching for lines that met the criteria. We’d fine one that had natural ingredients, but was made overseas. We’d find one that was made in the U.S. but was tested on animals. We’d find one that met the criteria, but was expensive. I decided then that I would find a way to bring an effective, affordable, and natural skincare line to market.
Surely, if we wanted products that met our criteria, so would other women across the globe. For over 6 months my girlfriends acted as testers as we refined our knowledge of skincare products, and the ingredients we found most effective. And when we were finally pleased with results, over dinner one evening, we named the blog Monica’s Beauty.
We strive to give you honest professional reviews every week.
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// Mon