Category Archives: Beautycounter

Supporting each other

It’s a weird and scary time, isn’t it? Like many of you, I have spent the recent past trying to keep up with the news, trying to sort out fact from fiction, and trying to do what’s best. We have all witnessed our worlds get a little smaller, temporarily. Our schedules and routines have been thrown out the window.

I’m fortunate to have the ability to work from home. I know not everyone has this opportunity and I am extremely grateful to those who are still showing up to work every day — especially our health care workers and the people working to keep our daily lives running.

I’ve been trying to think of things that I, as one person, can do to help, from the comfort of my couch (because, #physicaldistancing and all). It doesn’t feel like enough, but here’s what I came up with. If you want to help – feel free to like/share this post or pay it forward in whatever capacity you can.

Share my love of food

I love food – cooking, eating, socializing, and trying new restaurants. I’ve been organizing a Restaurant Club with friends for nearly 15 years. Since 2006, we have gotten together every month to try a new (or new to us) restaurant. This month will be the first time since January 2006 that we will not be getting together. Instead, we are each buying a gift card to a favorite restaurant or donating to a local organization. I donated to the Boston Resiliency Fund.

I am also going to use the equivalent of my monthly grocery and restaurant budget each month to help while we’re in the midst of this sh*tty situation.

  • If you need groceries, DM/email me (karacooksandeats@gmail.com) and I’ll send you a GC (gift card).
  • If you need a meal, DM/email me (karacooksandeats@gmail.com) and I will send you a GC – bonus points if it also supports a local restaurant.

It’s your preference, as long as I can send it electronically. The only caveat is that you’ll need to share an email address with me (don’t worry, I’m not saving or collecting them in any way). If I hit my budget for the month, I’ll start a list for the next month!

If you want to help, there are many restaurants and organizations doing great things. A few other that are on my radar include:

If you’re not in a position to donate or advocate, consider posting great reviews for your favorite restaurants!

Share my love of clean beauty

I am passionate about clean skincare and beauty products. I believe beauty should be good for you, and that’s why I love Beautycounter. We’re on a mission to clean up the beauty industry and advocating for more health-protective laws for everyone. This is not your stereotypical MLM – they just got recognized (again) on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list, coming in at #1 in the beauty category. They’re also a certified B corp.

  • There’s a 10% off sale going on through the end of March, if you’d like to check it out or stock up!
  • If you’re in need of some self-care, DM/email me (karacooksandeats@gmail.com) and I will send you a little care package, no strings attached, though you’ll have to share your email and mailing address (I’m not saving or collecting them). Teachers, healthcare workers, and folks working to keep essential services running – I see you! Anyone who is in quarantine or practicing physical distancing – I see you too!
  • If you recently lost an income source and want to learn about creating a Beautycounter business, DM/email me (karacooksandeats@gmail.com) and let’s chat. You can start from your home and it’s a great time to join the movement.

We’re all trying to figure this thing out and I think it’s important to remember to give each other grace, and to especially remember to give ourselves grace. Kindness and empathy matter, especially in times of uncertainty. Let’s all do our part to #flattenthecurve and #savelives and also remember our shared humanity.

New year, better you

As we hit a new year, many of us turn inward to refocus on self. You’ve probably seen or read countless “new year, new you” articles already. This is not one of those articles because I don’t think you need a new you, you’re fine just the way you are. Actually, you are more than fine…fantastic! Fabulous!

Many people are making new year’s resolution: lose weight, exercise more, meditate, be healthier, etc. Well I want you to know I applaud your better you and would love to hear what you hope to achieve in 2016 in the comments below.

I always consider myself a work in progress, and don’t ever want to stop learning or growing. So here are some things that I will be focusing on for myself in the upcoming year. 

Simplify and Declutter
As I sit here writing, my copy of Marie Kondo’s “The life-changing magic of tidying up” is staring at me from my coffee table. My untouched copy. I’ll get to it eventually, along with another book that was just gifted to me from a friend, Little Changes.

I got a pretty good start toward the end of last year with my closet. I donated a LOT of clothes, which is what led me to join Stitch Fix since I don’t love shopping for clothes (and/or I’m just not very good at it). I budget a modest amount of money for clothes every month and I ended 2015 with almost $500 extra. I’m certainly not complaining about that, but at some point I can’t keep getting rid of clothes without replacing some of them.

Photo credit: Beautycounter

I thought that one of the first places I would start is my top dresser drawer – makeup, toiletries, and all of the other junk (I mean very important stuff) that ends up in that catchall drawer. I don’t know about you, but I have quite a collection of products that I just never use, but can’t seem to bring myself to throw them away (or recycle them). That gold MAC eye shadow that seemed like a good idea at the time? I’m pretty sure I bought that in Las Vegas, the *first* time I was ever there (circa 2003). Yeah, eye shadow not be a souvenir. So I am cleaning out, and looking forward to replacing my makeup with cleaner, safer Beautycounter products.

If you are like me and keep products around for a long time, then you might find this guide to when you should throw away makeup super helpful.

Photo credit: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone


Wanderlust
I love to travel, so I hope that 2016 brings some new adventures and stamps on my passport. I already have two trips on the books (fingers crossed), one to Machu Picchu and one a cruise to the ABC islands…very exciting! 

Blog makeover
I have been the proud owner of karacooksandeats.com for over a year. The slight problem is that I have no idea what to do with it and how to get all of my stuff off blogger and onto a new site. But this is the year! I am going to figure this out, fingers crossed ;).

Beautycounter – hello Canada!

Photo credit: Staci Kalvaitis

Woohoo! I am so excited that Beautycounter is going international and will be launching in Canada in early 2016! Our mission, to put safe products in the hands of everyone, is expanding beyond the US borders! Who do you know that might be interested in learning a little more? I cannot wait to help educate others about our company, our mission, our products, and our incredible ground-floor business opportunity!

If you want to be in the “know” and become part of changing the personal care industry so we all can live safer and healthier…stay connected via this link and please share with your friends: http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/. You can also contact me directly (karacooksandeats@gmail.com) for more information or if you have any questions!

Before our upcoming launch in Canada, you are invited for an evening of free cocktails and conversation that will change the way you look at the beauty industry. You can meet the Beautycounter team, learn more about our high-performing products, the business opportunity, and our upcoming launch. Registration is required and you can sign up at www.beautycounter.com/events.

We will be visiting these cities in January/February 2016:
  • Toronto, Ontario – January 26
    Four Seasons Hotel
  • Kelowna, British Columbia – February 1
    Wine + Art Bistro and Wine Bar
  • Calgary, Alberta – February 2
    Hotel Arts Calgary
  • Edmonton, Alberta – February 3
    Ampersand 27
  • Vancouver, British Columbia – February 10
    Photo credit: Beautycounter

    Opus Hotel Vancouver

And if you live in the United States and want to join me in the better beauty movement and help to spread our mission of getting safe products into the hands of everyone, we have some fantastic incentives for new consultants who sign up in January! If you sign up in January and accumulate $750 in personal volume, you will receive:

  • Potential retail commission of up to $225
  • A bonus of $100 in product credit
  • The Jet-Set bag collection, our trio of 3 beautiful Beautycounter bags (retail value $86) which are perfect for transporting your Beautycounter products
Contact me for more information about joining this incredible company!


    Beautycounter – Lustro face oil

    Photo credit:
    http://www.beautycounter.com/skin-care.html#oils

    The Lustro face oil is my latest obsession, and I know I’m not alone! With this product, I quickly went from “Why would I want to put oil on my face?” to “Where have you been all my life?” I cannot really begin to describe how my skin feels after I use this, I think you just need to try it! 

    And don’t worry, if the thought of putting “oil” on your face sounds strange (it sounded strange to me at first!), these are essential oils so it will not leave your skin oily or greasy at all. It absorbs quickly and leaves skin smooth and soft.

    You can use it alone or mixed with your face moisturizer, which is what I like to do. A little goes a long way – you only need a couple of drops. 

    There are 3 formulations…I’m a big fan of the Lustro 3.

    • Lustro 1: Calendula, an ingredient that adds a leafy herbal scent and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, soothing sensitive or irritated skin
    • Lustro 2: Jasmine, an ingredient that adds a subtly sweet floral scent and helps improve skin’s elasticity, a great option for anyone with dry or mature skin
    • Lustro 3: Ylang ylang and wild chamomile, which impart a delicate herbal-floral scent while rebalancing combination skin
    The rundown
    www.beautycounter.com/karabecker (click on “Start your order here”)

    Beautycounter – upcoming events

    Guys, I’m so excited to share with you two fun events that are coming up here in Boston…hope to see you there! Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

    Spin and sample – December 5

    Photo credit: http://www.velo-citystudio.com

    My colleague Robin and I are partnering up with our friends at Vélo-city for some spin and sample – come for a spin class and learn about and try Beautycounter!

    Vélo is one of my favorite spin studios. It is conveniently located right near Copley Square and they have great playlists, great instructors, and it’s a great workout. I recently went to a Beyoncé, Bieber, and Britney class. So fun!

    Walk-ins are welcome, but you will definitely want to reserve a spot in advance on their web site or via Class Pass! If you’ve never been to Vélo before, you can take advantage of their new rider special (single class $12, 3 classes for $30)…that is 50% off the regular price of a single ride, such an awesome deal. 

    The class schedule for Saturday, December 5 is:

    • 8:15-9:15 
    • 9:30-10:15
    • 10:45-11:30
    • 12:00-12:45

    Cocktails and Conversation – December 9, 7-8:30 PM

    Photo credit: Beautycounter

    Join the Beautycounter team, including Founder and CEO Gregg Renfrew, for an evening of cocktails and conversation, and experience our high-performing products firsthand. This event will be held at the Harborside Salon at the State Room (60 State Street, Boston, MA). 

    Space is limited, so RSVP today at www.beautycounter.com/events. 


    And in other news…
    In the press
    Today: 20 holiday gift ideas for under $20
    Access Hollywood (video)

    Beautycounter on Capitol Hill
    CBS News (video): Congress fights to ensure safety of personal care products
    PR Newswire: Beautycounter CEO Gregg Renfrew Heads to Capitol Hill to Expose the Ugly Truth About the Beauty Industry
    Yahoo Beauty: Your Beauty Products May Not Be Safe and Congress is Finally Stepping In

    The rundown
    beautycounter.com/karabecker