How is it that I've gone twenty-two years on this planet and not stopped to consider the ingredients in my face and body products? I've been wearing makeup for as long as I've been allowed. Growing up, I could makeup twice a week and on special occasions. I used to stash makeup in my backpack so I could put it on in the school bathroom without getting caught. Today, makeup is my passion. Makeup is how I express myself and showcase my creativity. Every approaching holiday, most people get excited about the food or celebrations. Meanwhile, I can't contain myself over the new product releases and makeup looks I'm waiting to create. While I don't wear makeup every day, I can't go one day without other products, including deodorant or lotion. For years, I've had a consistent daily skincare routine.

Yet, it wasn't until recently that I took the time to research my product ingredients, the daily items that absorb into my skin and seep into my pores.

At this point, you're probably picturing your bathroom cabinet, wondering which products are safe. Don't worry, you don't need a Ph.D. in Chemistry to differentiate safe products from harmful ones. Recently, I attended an event when the owner of Skin Owl Cosmetics introduced me to Think Dirty, an app that scans products and rates them on a numerical scale, indicating the safeness. The app lists ingredients and color codes them to illustrate toxicity.

I was devastated to find some of my favorite brands and products contain Talc, an ingredient known to cause cancer. More heartbreaking was the realization that on average, drugstore makeup contains worse ingredients than high-end makeup. As a college student, I'm accustomed to cheap everything. Cup of Noodles is a weekly meal.

I bet you're curious if I tossed ALL my unsafe products. The answer...nah. While I would normally use any excuse to shop, I'm still balling on a budget.

By no means does this change my love for makeup. I will continue wearing lipstick and lashes until I die. Catch me in my grave with full GLAM because in no way am I leaving this world in any other fashion. Still, it didn't hurt to toss out my most toxic products that were probably expired anyway.