Considering clean makeup but not sure where to start?

In case you haven’t noticed, I’m on a clean beauty kick (but this is more than a fleeting thing and I’m sticking with it). With more chemical-averse makeup brands to choose from than ever, making the switch can feel like a daunting task, but I have a few tips. And for the record, you don’t have to toss everything you own and drop a bundle for a brand-new makeup bag full of good-for-you goodies (although that would be fun).

Step 1: Assess the “cleanliness” of the makeup you use every day.
For me, this amounts to less than 10 products, and it’s pretty easy to determine if there’s anything bad lurking in them. Search the Skin Deep database (if your specific item isn’t in there, you can create your own report by copying and pasting the ingredient list into the handy-dandy tool on the site) or Skincarisma. I was really surprised when I did this, because several of my products were A-OK.

Step 2: Know where you’re shopping.
If you find one of your favorites is more toxic than you’d like and you want to swap it out ASAP, just check out Detox Market, Credo, Goop or Shen Beauty. (Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Net-A-Porter and Target have “clean” sections, too.) I suggest starting with a site that carries several brands because you might come to discover a line you’re already familiar with or already use is actually nasty-free.

Step 3: Replace as you run out.
You can make the move to a clean makeup routine gradually. I’ve decided to replace products with potentially harmful chemicals when it’s time to replenish. Case in point: I’m running low on my Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath (since I use it every day without fail), so I picked up Kosas’ Wet Lip Oil Gloss in “Jellyfish” at Neimans. Seriously, I can hardly tell the difference but I feel a heck of a lot better slathering this on my mouth multiple times a day. (It’s awesome layered over Kosas’ “Pulse” Lip Balm, too—and you can use this tinted stick on your cheeks as well.)

Step 4: Consider a kit.
If you want to knock out several toxic products at once, a “starter set” of some sort can be a huge help. The newly-launched brand Saie’s Go-To Kit includes a mascara, lip balm, brow gel (clear or tinted) and an eyelash curler (since you probably need a new one anyway).

Step 5: Relax.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you probably won’t rebuild your makeup routine in a day either (unless you’re willing and able to spend a bit of time and a lot of money at a clean beauty boutique). Trust me, once you start learning more about what you’re putting on your skin every day, it’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole. Just focus on the products you use most first and clean up your act from there.

All Kosas products are free of parabens, phthalates, BHA/BHT, mineral oil, propylene glycol , polyethylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, petrolatum, vitamin A, retinoids and retinoid derivatives. All products are also gluten-free, egg-free, cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified.

All Saie products are free of petroleum-derived ingredients, chemical sunscreens, GMOs, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, talc, synthetic fragrance, synthetic flavors and a shockingly long list of more.