Category: Better Beauty

The One Product you need in your Beauty routine

“I’ve got a pocket, got a pocket full of sunshine!” Oh great another beauty product, I barely have the time to wash my face! Trust me, I get it and I hear ya sis! You HAVE to believe me when I say the Counter+ Brightening Serum is the number one product your face has been missing! With 2 forms of vitamin C, this sunshine in a bottle is the perfect punch needed to leave your skin glowing and radiant! Not only will you say bye bye to the appearance of dark spots, but the anti-oxidant rich turmeric and camu camu will shield your beautiful face against new spots popping up! Not only will you see an instant brightness to your skin, but your mug will be protected against daily skin agressors too! Can I get an AMEN?!

After just 8 weeks of use, 100% of clients said their skin looked brighter, 94% said their skin looked more even and their dark spots diminished and 97% said their skin looked more youthful!

Droplet of Beautycounter 30ml Counter+ All Bright Vitamin C Serum

So what are you waiting for? Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone! New clients get 20% off right now with code “CLEANFORALL20!” Happy 8 years to Beautycounter! Go on and get your glow on and #findyourbright!

Beautycounter 30ml Counter+ All Bright Vitamin C Serum pump bottle on a white background

Featured Ingredients:

5% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C): Antioxidant that reduces the appearance of dark spots and boosts skin brightening, to reveal more youthful-looking skin.

5% Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate (Vitamin C): Moisturizes skin while providing antioxidant benefits known to protect skin from damaging environmental stressors. Helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract: The serum’s vibrant hue? That’s thanks to turmeric, an antioxidant superstar that helps even skin tone and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Myrciaria Dubia (Camu Camu) Fruit Extract: This powerful antioxidant helps reduce the appearance of dark spots while brightening, to visually improve signs of skin fatigue.

-Briana D.

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the top 7 harmful ingredients lurking in your deodorant

Let’s be honest, sweating is the pits and most of us are desperate to find whatever it is to keep our stink & sweat at bay. However, there’s a difference between a deodorant & an anti-perspirant. Most anti-perspirants traditionally use aluminum, which pretty much just blocks the sweat. Sounds good right? Wrong! What ends up happening is it plugs your sweat ducts, which has long-term adverse effects. Typically the cells end up re-growing and could lead to some pretty scary scenarios. Plus, our bodies never get to really have a natural detox! If we don’t detox, then the heavy metals never leave our body. Scary to think about right?? Deodorants help to absorb sweat & fight odors caused by toxins to keep you feeling fresh as a flower or coconut! Best place to start is with a charcoal mask detox on your pits and find a safe deodorant that works! 

Pit Detox Challenge

Why Detox?

Think about it. Every day you are in constant contact with hundreds of different environmental toxins on any given day. From industrial to pollution, to different types of foods, cleaning products and yes deodorant, you are subjecting yourself to lots of toxic ingredients. Now, I say this not to scare you, but to be mindful of the products you are choosing to place and SIT on your skin every single day just like we choose safer beauty products.

The toxins like to sit and store and multiply in the cells within tissues of your body. This can cause some serious health, hormonal and reproductive issues. 

When we choose to “detox,” we are giving our bodies the permission to release all the toxins from our bodies and improve our overall health and well-being.  

Let’s talk pits…

I know what you’re thinking, well don’t I want to look like a sweaty pig?! The short answer is yes, but we need to let those toxins we talked about be released from our bodies. 

Please remember these two things: 

  1. Our skin, which is our largest organ is constantly absorbing all of the things. Simply layering harmful ingredients to our bodies suppresses their functionality and leaves us subject to illness and disease. 
  2. When it comes to our armpits, where our lymph nodes like to hang out, switching to a clean and non-toxic deo is a great way to put an end to the possibility of toxic and harmful ingredients entering the body. 

Steps of Detoxing and what you can expect: 

Step 1: The Detox 

In this stage you’ve got to consider mind over matter. Your pores are going ot open up and let out all of the toxins. You will probably sweat more and even stink a little. Using the Beautycounter charcoal mask should help to speed up the process some! 

It could take up to 2 weeks before you fully release all of the toxins. Stay strong and drink lots of h20. 

Use the clean deo just as you would your regular one and reapply when you feel like it. 

Feel free to use the deo at night too, bc you’ll definitely be doing some detoxing in your overnight rejuvenation process!

Remember to STAY STRONG! The heavy sweats and stinky pits means your body is working to release the gunk! Mind over matter, YOU GOT THIS! 

*Quick Tips: 

Drink lots of water during the detox process! 8 cups at a minimum. 

Ditch the processed foods and alcohol whenever possible to make the transition a little smoother. The less your body has to detox the better equipped to make the transition to clean deo seamless. 

Let your body sweat! It’s a natural occurence and needs to happen and don’t sweat the small stuff! K?

The most harmful thing you can do is clog the pores that are working to cool and regulate your body and its temperature!

Step 2: Adjustment 

At this point your armpit has rid of more than 50% of the toxic yuckiness stored and believe it or not your pits are starting to work the way they were intended to! That’s a win! At this point the smell and sweats will begin to subside! 

Step 3: Acclimatization

At this point your pits are able to regulate themselves. Most of the toxins have said their goodbyes to your pits and and your lymph nodes are pretty clean. Although you may not be as sweaty, you will still sweat, because we our jobs are never done when it comes to detoxification. 

Important to note*: Try not to introduce toxins back in, this is a lifelong commitment and journey to your health and well-being. 

Give yourself some grace: 

There will be instances when you need to reach for that anti-perspirant when necessary or on special occasions. The most important thing to remember is to NEVER GIVE UP! Your mind is stronger than you think and your body will thank you in the long run! 

Have questions? Just ask! Shoot me a message at brianabeautycounter@gmail.com or visit my site to order yours today!

*I do make a commission based on sales as an independent consultant with Beautycounter.

-Briana D.

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4 steps to your best skin!

4 steps to your best skin!

I feel like I get this question all the time…what do you use on your skin?

Let me start off by saying that no two skins are alike and all skins aren’t created equal!

Here’s the thing, I don’t care what products you use, but you should most definitely wash your face at least twice a day! Think of all the dust, grime and pollution you face daily, it’s important to wash the crud to not only feel good, but to keep your skin looking radiant and young! Isn’t that what we all want?

Here is the 4 step process you should commit to at least daily:

Step 1: Cleanse- Remove any makeup or excess oil.

Step 2: Prep- Get your skin ready for treatment. When you cleanse your skin, especially with hot water, those pores open up. It’s important to shut those puppies back up so you can get your face ready for the real deal!

Step 3: Treat- This step packs powerful benefits and is often times overlooked. Do you have dull skin? Dark spots? Wrinkles? Whether you’re in the market for a serum or peel it’s important to stay focused on keeping this a step as a part of your regimen!

Step 4: Protect- Last but not least it’s the step that locks it all in. The moisturizer step! Whether you need a cream that’s going to counteract your oily skin or one that will boost hydration it’s important to understand your largest organ to treat it with only the best. You can skimp on a pair of earrings or jeans, don’t skimp on your face!

Not sure where to begin? Take this quiz, enter your concerns and see what is recommended.

Remember, your regimen is like an ingredient to you favorite recipe. If one item is missing, then it won’t give you the optimum results you’re in search of!

You wouldn’t make chocolate chip cookies without the chocolate chips right?

It’s important to get adequate sleep, h20 and minimize the stress as best you can! I know what you’re thinking…ha! You got this! I like to double cleanse with the Countercontrol Cleanser and Countertime Cleansing Oil.

*Video features Countermatch Toner, Overnight Resurfacing Peel, Countertime Supreme Cream & Countertime Eye Cream. Music by Outkast.

*I do make a commission based on sales as an independent consultant with Beautycounter.

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You don’t work for one of thoseee companies right?

As I sit here and wait for the election results to come in and I’ve already bit a nail, removed the polish and ate some chips today, lol, I can’t help, but think of one thing. I’m fortunate to live in a nation where I have my freedom of speech and the ability to use my voice. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing, since I could mutter my first words!

If you would have told me 10 years ago, that I would be working for myself, pushing cosmetic reform and leading a team of badass entrepreneurs, I would have laughed in your face! I always thought I would forever work long production hours, making not so great pay and finding someone to look after my children. I couldn’t be more proud of the company I work for, especially now. Beautycounter is affording men and women the opportunity to stay at home with their children during a worldwide pandemic, while fighting for #betterbeauty laws and making a significant income. It’s not lost on me that working in this sort of industry takes dedication, it takes grit and it takes so much confidence in yourself to continue to forge on. This year, Beautycounter’s CEO Gregg Renfrew was chosen to testify as an expert witness on Capitol Hill in a landmark cosmetic reform hearing. That is HUGE! So much so, because a federal law hasn’t been passed since 1938. Companies aren’t required to disclose the ingredients that make up a product and only 30 ingredients are banned from the list as it stands. Although The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee passed The Cosmetic Safety Enhancement Act and California has passed The Safer Fragrance Bill and Toxic Free Cosmetic Act, we still have a ton of work to do! For now take a look at all of the accolades Beautycounter has managed to get under our wings. Enjoy this little video put together by the #bcdolls.

Music Cred” BTS “Dynamite”

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Top Father’s Day Picks

Father’s Day is next weekend and it’s time to show the men in our life some gratitude. I’ve put together my top 5 Dad’s Day gifts that are sure to please!

Stainless steel yeti

Allen Sports Deluxe 5-Bike Hitch Mount Rack

Counterman Daily Exfoliating cleanser

Purchase any men’s product by 6.15 and get a FREE Charcoal Body Bar ($19 value)

Surker Mens Hair Clippers Cordless Hair Trimmer

Best DAD in the galaxy T-Shirt

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Your greatest success is on the other side of fear!

FEAR! It’s almost like a swear word. We are so afraid these days of not measuring up to the Pinterest, Instagram worthy world. Afraid we don’t have enough followers. Afraid we’re not good enough. Good enough spouses, parents, moms, dads, entrepreneurs. What if I told you that your greatest success could be on the other side of that fear? What if you “acted” like you weren’t completely petrified of the unknown? I know it’s a far fetched idea and often times fear is what paralyzes us the most. However, that fear is exactly what your subconscious is telling you to do. Do you have something tugging at your heart strings? Something you keep pushing aside no matter how hard you try? To start losing that weight? To start that new business or side hustle? To start writing that book? For me it was to create this space. (I’ve got some others, but we will tackle those on another post) :). Although I had the foundation, I always felt like I was too busy or too out of the loop, or the best one…who made me an expert that people would want to hear what I had to say? I decided to look fear in the face and dive in anyway. I started this space almost 3 years ago out of the sheer purpose to bind other parents and moms going through what I had gone through. I told myself at the very least, I would have a journal, a space for my children to look back on as an archive. Fast forward 3 years later and no I am not the biggest blogger on the block, but I am now being recognized by my peers as a finalist in the Blogger Union at the South Florida Blogger Union Awards. I’m up for an award in the parenting, lifestyle, health and inspirational categories! Me? Inspirational? I chuckled…but then it dawned on me. I had done it. I faced fear head on and managed to come out on top. Now I don’t say this boast or to give myself a big high-five, I say this to inspire YOU! What speaks to YOU! What fuels YOU!

When I received the news of one of America’s greatest basketball players had passed away in a helicopter crash, I was sad. Sad for Kobe, sad for his his daughter who died too, sad for her sisters, sad for his wife and the mother of their daughters, Vanessa. It hit me like a ton of bricks. It snapped me back into shape to say, no matter how successful we are, we are not invincible. However, Kobe fought the good fight, he followed his passions and for what he believed in. At the end of the day, we all only have one life to live. I know that story made me feel grateful in this moment and I will be darned if I go down without a fight. I hope you won’t go down without a fight, with me.

If you enjoyed this article, please don’t forget to vote for me here, in the parenting, health, lifestyle and inspirational categories. I would love to be recognized in this space and continue to deliver content you all have been enjoying over the past 3 years. Thank you so much!

-Briana D.

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2020 Must-Have Supplements

2020! New decade, new year, new YOU! I’ve put together my top 5 supplements I love and swear by. Whole Foods Market is having their annual supplement sale January 3rd-5th, but if you can’t make it to the store, feel free to shop through my Amazon links! Reach out if you have any questions and here’s to feeling and looking your best in 2020!!

New Chapter Daily Multi-Vitamin

Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Fish Oils

Garden of Life Once Daily Probiotic

Gaia Kids Elderberry Syrup

Rainbow Light Counterattack

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Top 10 Holiday Gifts under $50 for everyone on your list!

Season’s greetings! I’ve narrowed down my top 10 holiday gifts for everyone on your list for under $50! Some of these sets can be broken up and used for significant others, teachers, parents, friends, aunts, uncles, grandparents, teens, children, the list goes on! Hope you enjoy and happy shopping!!!

Brouk and Co. Duo Travel Organizer for Cosmetics and Jewelry: One of “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” this top Lower zippered jewelry compartment features two enclosed pockets, rings/earrings pillow, and mirror.
9.5” (L) x3.5” (W) x 6” (H)
Made of premium vegan leather
Nylon lining on top, soft-Suede lining on bottom
A smart solution for the savvy traveler
$48, plus save and extra 20% with a coupon!
These four essential men’s products, conveniently sized to take on-the-go, feature Sequoia Stem Cell Complex to help protect skin and hair from everyday stress.
Counterman Carry-On Includes:
Counterman Purifying Shampoo: This daily shampoo cleanses away dirt and oil without stripping the hair or scalp.
Counterman Energizing Charcoal Body Wash: Made with an invigorating blend of natural rosemary, mint, and citrus oils and activated charcoal, this energizing body wash purifies and detoxifies skin.
Counterman Daily Exfoliating Cleanser: This gentle daily cleanser, featuring exfoliating jojoba beads and soothing Aloe Vera, removes dirt, oil, and other impurities while sloughing away dead skin cells to help unclog pores.
Counterman Oil-Free Face Lotion: This lightweight and non-greasy daily moisturizer absorbs quickly and boosts hydration. Corn starch helps to minimize shine while Taurine helps to boost skin’s resiliency.
$45
Sony SRS-XB12 Extra Bass Portable Bluetooth Speaker:
On “Oprah’s Favorite Things” list and an Amazon Exclusive!
Extra bass for Deep, punchy sound
Waterproof and Dustproof (IP67 rated)
Up to 16 hours of battery life
Compact portable design with included detachable strap
Add an extra speaker for stereo sound
In the box: USB cable, strap (attached to product body), card
Smack, pucker, and pout—these universally flattering lip glosses glide on easily and pack a delicious punch. The lightweight, cushiony texture delivers an ultra-glossy hint of color. Sweetened with Stevia, each of the five shades has its own unique scent experience: Raspberry, Butterscotch, Orange Cream, Peppermint, and Sorbet. $39 for the set! These WILL sell out!


Shades Include:

Raspberry
Butterscotch
Orange Cream
Peppermint
Sorbet
Burt’s Bees Organic Argyle Christmas Pajamas:
I’m always on the hunt for matching family Pjs! These Burt’s Bees pajamas come in every size, for every member of the family! Plus, they’re 100% organic! Safe and in style…what more could you ask for?
$10.15-$39.95
Achieve an easy, polished look in seconds with these three essential products.
Fresh Faced Trio Includes:
Brilliant Brow Gel in Invisible (3 ML / 0.1 OZ): Groom your brows with our invisible, flake-proof, light-hold formula made with organic conditioners that leave your brows soft to the touch. A tapered applicator makes for a precise, fool-proof application. Suitable for every brow color.
Lengthening Mascara (5 ML / 0.2 OZ): Add length and definition with nourishing plant-derived ingredients, including rice bran and carnauba wax to help condition lashes. Our unique precision brush perfectly separates, defines, and coats each lash. 
The Jellies in Sorbet (6 ML / 0.21 FL OZ): Get an ultra-glossy sheer wash of color with this lightweight, cushiony, and universally flattering lip gloss in Sorbet.
$45
Ecoffee Cup Red/ Red Silicon:
Another “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” made the list!
300 billion single-use cups are manufactured each year. Only 1% are recycled
Reusable Over And Over With ‘No-Drip’ Lid
Light, bright and beautiful with no flavor taint, so your coffee won’t end up tasting like plastic or metal
BPS, BPA, phthalate, and latex-free. Proudly LFBG, FDS, Japan Food Compliant
Made with natural fiber, corn starch, and resin. Fully dishwasher safe
$13.99

This trio of lightweight hand lotions—enriched with shea butter, grapeseed and jojoba oils, and squalane—deliver rich, non-greasy hydration that protects hands against winter weather’s drying effects. Gift as a set, split up into multiple presents, or pair with our coordinating Body Butter Trio for an ultra-hydrating treat.


Three limited-edition Holiday scents include: 
Fresh Petal
Mandarin Violet
Soft Neroli
$34
Cozy Winter Slipper Socks Women & Men w Non-Slip Grippers Faux Fur Sherpa:
WARM & COZY, Unisex, 75 different designs & 100% animal friendly! Pamper and treat your feet by slipping into warmth and comfort in a pair of Pudus Slipper Socks. With an elevated level of softness, the thick and extra-fluffy Sherpa lining provide a cozy pillow feeling with every step!
$24.99
The ultimate travel companion for skin and hair that’s clean, soft and cared-for—anywhere. Includes travel-size versions of our most popular body and hair care products, all in our signature citrus mimosa scent, to tuck into your toiletry kit, gym bag or work tote.


Beautycounter Travel Companion Includes:
Daily Shampoo: This purifying shampoo gently cleanses without stripping hair.
Daily Conditioner: This daily conditioner is designed to help nourish hair, smooth strands and leave hair looking shiny.
Body Wash: This creamy cleanser leaves skin feeling soft, hydrated, and refreshed.
Hydrating Body Lotion: This lightweight, fast-absorbing body lotion helps keep skin feeling soft and supple.
$35

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Breast Cancer Awareness Safer Switches

October is Breast Cancer Prevention/Awareness month! If you follow me on Instagram, I’ve been giving you daily tips with regards to safer switches. Below are my top 5 safer alternatives to limit your toxic intake!

Food Prep Containers with Lids: Research shows, plastic can leach harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates into your food and beverages and then into you! Using glass is a much safer alternative and helps with food prep for the week! Win-win!

S’well Water Bottle: Same goes for plastic water bottles! I always try to carry one around wherever I go! Keeps you hydrated and you’re not drinking any potential toxic ingredients seeping into your water!

Tulip Perfume: The word “fragrance,” is a cocktail of ingredients, masking countless carcinogens and hormone disrupting chemicals. Fragrance can be found in almost HALF of all personal care products! Be especially cautious when it comes to children’s products! Use the EWG app to scan products around your home to see its level of toxicity. If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me where I got this perfume! It’s the perfect blend of lemon and sugar, without being overpowering and minus the harsh fragrance!

Safer Makeup: It’s perfectly legal for companies to use ingredients linked to cancer, endocrine disruption and reproductive harm in cosmetics and personal care products. With Beautycounter’s makeup you don’t have to choose between safety and performance!

LODGE Cast Iron: Some toxic compounds are used in non-stick cookware. While they keep food and stains from sticking, they stick around your body for a very long time and have been linked to cancer. I absolutely LOVE my cast iron skillet! You can literally cook anything you want in it AND it’s oven safe! It’s time to ditch the teflon and non-stick pans!

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Top 5 reasons to Become an Entrepreneur

  1. Get to do what you’re passionate about. Life’s too short to do spend your precious time doing things you don’t enjoy. Find something that fuels your passion and do it!
  2. Create your own hours. Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. However, it does provide you some great flexibility. You can work around your children, spouse or partner’s schedules, work from your pajamas and best of all you don’t have to put in time to take off work. However, you do have to show up every. single. day.
  3. Endless tax benefits. Gas? Write off. New Computer? Write off. Owning a business, you do have to make some initial investments, but the best part is that you can write most of them off! Talk to your CPA for more information. 
  4. Present for your family and the things you love most. Nothing gives me greater pleasure, than being able to take my daughter to swim and gymnastics and my son to t-ball and help him with his homework. When you go into business for yourself, you can pick up and put down the business whenever you want. It’s important to stay present in these moments. Something I’m definitely working on all the time. 
  5. Make as little or as much $$ as you want. 
  6. No one says you have to work yourself to the bone to achieve massive success. However, it’s important to know your worth and reach for the stars. You can’t equate  the amount of “hours” you put in on the daily. You just have to have a vision and goal and seek out to make it happen!

Top 5 reasons to join Beautycounter:

  1. Build a business with meaning. At Beautycounter our mission is to get safer products into the hands of everyone. It’s not often you get to work for a company, where you can make a significant social impact and money at the same time. Our products are also highly luxurious. 
  2. Advocate for change. Meet with members of Congress to help enforce the Personal Care Product Safety Act. As it stands the U.S. only bans 30 ingredients in personal care products. At Beautycounter, we ban 1,500. Every formula goes through a rigorous test and is screened for safety. The work our army of advocates do is  incredibly important, because it affects everyone. Everyone means everyone. Fast Company recognized Beautycounter as one of the top 50 innovative companies in the U.S. and number ONE in the beauty category. Google also recognized us as the #1 trending brand of 2018! There’s no better time to jump on this fast moving train then now!! 
  3. Change lives. One of our pillars is to educate people on the topic of safety. You can change someone’s life by arming them with information to make better and more informed decisions. People work out, eat healthy foods and then unknowingly douse themselves in products that contain harmful ingredients. It’s our job to help the one we love, make the switch to safer, Beautycounter or otherwise. Educating people with regards to changing their products from one’s that contains harmful and unnecessary ingredients like Parabens, phlatates and formaldehyde most commonly used in beauty products that is now a $60B industry!
  4. Community. Our incredible advocates or consultants are amazing. The network of women I’ve met along the way are not only inspiring, but are here to help. Whether you want to work the business part-time, full-time, you need ideas or just someone to vent to. I’ve made lifelong friends through this company and for that it’s been worth it! 
  5. The amazing icing on top! As a consultant you receive 25% off everything you buy and are eligible to make up to 35% commissions on everything you sell. You’re eligible for bonuses, incentive trips, free products. Each kit comes with everything you need to get started, our hero overnight resurfacing peel, a long wear color intense lipstick and your back office training through Counter University. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Some ways I’ve been able to incorporate the business into my day to day…

  1. I do product drop offs to and from events and schools drop offs and pick-ups.
  2. I usually workout and schedule my work time after that until I have to pick up my children from school. I then pick the business back up during quiet time and occasionally at night once they fall asleep. 
  3. I don’t have an immense social media following, but I use what I’ve got to create a small community of people that are interested in what I have to put out. Everyone out there has something they want to share with the world and equally there’s someone out there that wants to hear it. If you’re a graphic designer, a teacher or a finance person you can absolutely incorporate that into Beautycounter’s mission. 
  4. I pick it up when I want and set it down when I want.

Top 5 Favorite Products: 15% off through April 15th!

  1. Countercontrol Pore Cleanser
  2. Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion
  3. Overnight Resurfacing Peel
  4. Rejuvenating Eye Cream
  5. Moisturizing Tint Skin Foundation
  6. The BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY!

If nothing else, support the cause by purchasing through me and using your wallet to urge congress to pass better beauty laws and text “BETTERBEAUTY” to 52886 today!

Briana D’AndreaLeave a comment