Our Chat with Nicole Trunfio, the Founder of Bumpsuit

This incredible Cha Cha Mamma, Nicole Trunfio, is the founder of the ever so gorgeous Bumpsuit brand that creates the most comfortable and stylish layer to every Mamma’s wardrobe. The suits are perfect for pregnancy and beyond. As a powerful woman with many different businesses and careers, Nicole kindly answered a few of our questions on how she juggles motherhood and running her powerhouse business. We hope you enjoy learning from her valuable insight and from all of her tips and tricks when it comes to business, fashion, wellness, and motherhood.

1. Becoming a mother is one of the most transitional times in a woman’s life. What is one piece of advice that you would give to new mammas?

Make sure you have all of your favorite things around you to nurture you - your favorite foods, TV shows, comfy socks. Create a womb like environment for yourself so that you can be present and enjoy the beautiful moments of being a new mother. 

2. What inspired you to start Bumpsuit? Also is there a story behind the ingenious name?

I really just wanted a comfortable uniform that I could wear everyday. I had a catsuit that I loved but it didn’t grow with me, so I took the idea of that and expanded on it. I spent a lot of time perfecting our product- finding the best material for stretching and growing bodies, double lining it and making sure it was seamless. I want women to feel supported when they wear Bumpsuit, before and after pregnancy.

3. What is something that no one warned you about regarding pregnancy or motherhood?

The possibility of pooping while in labor! Haha. And how painful it is when your milk comes in. In regards to motherhood, I never knew how powerful a mother's instinct could truly be. It trumps any information that has been taught to you: it's a primal feeling. It's something that is an amazing tool to guide you through motherhood. 

4. What are the top 3 must-haves that you feel are most important in every mamma's wardrobe?

A bumpsuit for everyday, our support waist trainer, and a comfy bra. I spent a lot of time developing our support waist trainer based on the ayurvedic idea of the 4th trimester, when a woman is healing post birth. This particular item helps guide the body and organs back to a pre birth state and provides support and stability during breastfeeding. It’s also really comfortable, which was a priority of mine when I designed it. 

5. There are so many aspects that go into running a business and being a mom at the same time. What are some tips that you use to help juggle being a mother and a business owner?

I try to be present wherever I am. When I am with my kids, I try and focus on them, and when I am working I try and focus on that. You have to get used to multitasking and accepting the ebb and flow of where you’re needed most. 

6. What is one thing that you are doing to take care of yourself during this time? Any rituals?

Simplifying my entire life! My wardrobe, my home, my social life, my financials, so that everything has a little bit more ease to it and nothing is over-complicated. When life is too complicated, it adds more stress overall. It's all about scaling back on everything and simplifying and finding the joy in that simplicity. 

7. What is one thing that you feel has helped you grow your business? 

What inspires me to grow my business is working in what I feel is a 'new' or 'unconventional' way. We don't have a hierarchy, we work with a fantastic team-oriented mentality that is drama free, positive and uplifting. We are a workplace that welcomes people making mistakes - it's human! I believe that mistakes allow people to grow and not be afraid to take risks and experiment. I find that this is a more inspiring way to run and grow my business - and it makes people happier to go to work in the long run. 

I have always trusted my gut instinct when it comes to business, and it has always served me well. My businesses have been built on the idea of filling a void in the market while simultaneously helping other women to feel good. That is what I keep in mind when making business decisions.

8. Which Bumpsuit pieces are you living in right now?

The Stevie, the Waist Trainer, the Comfy Bra, the Support Brief, and the Cindy! And I also love our newest dress, the Renee, which hasn't launched yet! Stay tuned…

9. Did you have any specific cravings during pregnancy?

Panda licorice - the raspberry flavor! - macrobiotic bowls, and baked blue crab handrolls.

10. Who is one woman that has inspired you in your life?

Both of my grandmothers! And Oprah, Sarah Blakely, and Billie Eilish. I could think of so many more, women inspire me on a daily basis. 

Click Here to shop all of the gorgeous pieces at Bumpsuit!

Our Chat with Valerie Metz

Check out our awesome interview with Valerie Metz, an incredible vintage-loving, business-owning powerhouse mamma. In this interview, Valerie talks about the significance of her Latina heritage, and how it is important to her for her family’s values to be instilled in her children. She also discusses just how she juggles being a mamma and running a successful business, all while getting specific about her gorgeous taste in clothes. We hope you enjoy our chat with Valerie as much as we did! Plus, if you want to buy great vintage pieces, check out her shop @nodiggityshop.

1. Becoming a mother is one of the most transitional times in a woman’s life. What is one piece of advice that you would give to new mammas? 

There are a lot of things I would say to a new mama but one piece of advice I would give is to not be afraid to ask for help. For some reason, we feel like we have to have it all together especially with this new transition but I wish I would've been vocal in the beginning about how much I was truly struggling and how willing family and friends are to help! 

2. We love how you celebrate your beautiful Latina roots. Can you tell us a little bit about what your roots mean to you what you want your children to know about their heritage?  

Thank you, it's taken a long time to feel fully confident as a Latina! My roots are a constant reminder of deep culture value and the hard work my parents did to give me the future I have now.  I want our kids to always feel confident in their brown skin and multicultural household. My parents are both Hispanic/Latinos so it was very easy for me to grow up in an ethnic home. Since I am married to a Caucasian man, the work falls predominantly on me which causes me to truly be intentional about the culture values I am passing down.  

3. What is something that no one warned you about regarding pregnancy or motherhood? 

 Something no one really warned me about motherhood was how difficult the transitions in my friendships would be. When I had my first, I struggled HARD with loneliness and I let it rob the joys you are supposed to experience when entering into motherhood. I am SO thankful to have the relationships that I have now! 

4. Was there anything that you craved during your pregnancies?  

Oh yes, I craved anything potato related when I was pregnant with my son! Tater tots, fries, hash browns, you name it. With my daughter, I craved carbs and fruit!  

5. There are so many aspects that go into running a business and being a mom at the same time. What are some tips that you use to help juggle being a mother and a business owner? 

 Yes it is a juggle for sure! For me personally, my husband and family are my biggest helpers and cheerleaders. I am so thankful to have a partner truly encourage my work, creativity, and self care. Our household is a real partnership and I'm excited to see how that benefits our kids as they get older!  

6. What is one thing that you are doing to take care of yourself during this time? 

One thing I'm doing to practice self-care is exercising (which sounds like a lame answer) but I love getting up early and running outside and making it back in time before the kids wake up.  

7. What is one thing that you feel has helped you grow your business? 

 Something that has helped grow my business for me has been consistency and drive. I try to always treat my freelance business as a strict business with office hours and such which I think has helped! 

8. What is one staple that you always have in your wardrobe? 

One staple I always have is a fun colored blouse! I love mixing it up with denim, shorts, overalls, etc. 

9. How would you describe your personal style? 

 I would best describe my style as funky and vintage. I love collecting old pieces but also making it loud and vibrant!  

10. Who is one woman that has inspired you in your life 

One woman that has inspired me has been my mom honestly! She came into this country in the back of a trunk, no money, and zero English and has worked the HARDEST out of anyone I know. She is a real go getter and I respect her hustle! She's also very stylish and I admire her wardrobe ;) 

Auguste the Label

For so many reasons, one of our favorite clothing brands right now is hands down Auguste the Label. Their effortless, timeless, and totally functional pieces are perfect for every mamma and even for her little Babba! That’s right, they also have a sister brand called Little Auguste, where they feature stunning pieces made just for your little one. They use some of the same nostalgic and simplistic prints in their clothes for the kids as they do in their pieces for adults, so you have fun mixing and matching with your little cuties. All of their items feel luxurious and sophisticated, yet totally comfortable and wearable. They are especially great for any mammas-to-be who have growing bumps!

Auguste the Label was founded in 2015 by Ebony Eagles who's main goal was to create timeless pieces that are made to be lived in. To top it off, they are a proud member of 1% For The Planet and are incredibly passionate about environmental consciousness. Their mission is to raise awareness and create positive change in this world…the clothes are just a really beautiful bonus.

We picked some of our favorite pieces from their collections. Take a look below!

Auguste the Label

Colette Midid Dress

Amalia Franco Midi Dress

Josie Molly Maxi Dress

Meredith Midi Dress

Little Auguste

Margot Mini Dress

Margot Maxi Dress

Bohemian Poppy Dress

“It has been apparent to me for a long time that if you are using the world’s resources, you should be doing something to replenish them. In the beginning, I was driven by wanting to succeed as a young woman in the business world, but now I’m definitely more driven by being a good role model to my two children and leaving the world a better place for them.”

– Ebony Eagles, Founder and Creative Director of Auguste

Shop Auguste the Label and know that your purchase is for the greater good of the environment!

Is Willow Bark Safe for Pregnancy?

Here at Cha Cha Mamma, we are always on the hunt for natural, research-based beauty ingredients that are safe for pregnancy and beyond. While some ingredients, such as alcohol or salicylic acid, are easier to decipher whether or not they are safe for pregnancy, there are also a few very natural-sounding ingredients that are in fact not supported by research to be safe for pregnancy. We must remember that although they seem harmless, plants are powerful, and have powerful effects on our bodies and our babies.  

At first glance, willow bark seems like a luxurious and soothing ingredient that would be super safe for pregnancy. Many mammas (totally understandably) wouldn’t even think to look it up. Willow bark, when ingested actually turns into salicylic acid, which is not recommended for pregnancy (Gautam J. Desai DO et al., 2018). In terms of applying it topically, as it is in so many skincare products, there is simply not enough research to support whether or not it is safe, so we vote that pregnant mammas try to avoid it! Make sure to check your products for willow bark because it may be hidden amongst other ingredients! Always remember to consult your health care provider before consuming anything during pregnancy.

Cha Cha Pajama

Photo by @hatchgal

Every girl needs her beauty sleep. It’s something that absolutely everyone does, so why not look and feel beautiful while doing it? That being said, sleep can be hard enough as it is, but sleep during pregnancy and postpartum in particular can be especially difficult. We did some extensive research and found these gorgeous pajamas that just may help make sleeping a little more luxurious no matter what phase of womanhood you are in.

Eberjey Frida Whip Stitch Short Pj Set

HATCH Classic Pajama Set

Francis and Henry Nursing Dress

Mason Grey LA Jumper in White Stardust

P.J. Salvage Modal Basics PJ Set

Face Oil Frenzy

Here at Cha Cha Mamma, our goal is to give as many women as possible the power of knowledge. We especially want to encourage pregnant women to make healthy choices for themselves and for their Babbas, but we also want to equip women who are not pregnant to make educated decisions about what products they feel are best for them. All women are powerful, but educated women are unstoppable...so why  wait until you are growing another human to start learning about safe products? 

Having dewy skin is everything we want for summer. That ever-so desirable glow which everyone and their Mamma seems to have these days may have something to do with the fact that a lot of women are becoming much more conscious about the kinds of food they eat and how much water they are drinking. That being said, we think it also may have something to do with all of the gorgeous serums and oils that are on the market these days. We feel incredibly blessed to be living in a time where there are so many clean beauty options for us to enjoy. However, there are still unfortunately a whole bunch of products that are better to avoid, pregnant or not.  

Many women talk about that “pregnancy glow”, particularly in the second trimester of pregnancy. This “glow” is usually due to the influx of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which can make your skin clearer, shinier, and rosier (Bozzo, Chua-Gocheco, Einarson, 2011). Our own body is basically giving us those cute blushy cheeks and fresh shine that we are so desperately trying to create otherwise.  

Though this may be the case for some women, in others, the same hormone surge may result in the complete opposite effect! We are talking acne, melasma, rashes….you name it.  

Pregnant or not, women constantly experience fluctuating hormones, stressors, toxins, and whether you are looking to bring back your pre-pregnancy glow, or enhance your current glow, here are some serums that may help keep your skin happy and hydrated during pregnancy and everything in between. 

*We always remind our Mammas consult with a health care professional before consuming anything during pregnancy and beyond. 

Here are some pregnancy safe oils that we are loving right now! According to some awesome new research, these oils may be able to help you with some not-so Cha Cha situations that may be going on with your skin right now (pregnant or not).  

1. Vintner’s Daughter 

We are obsessed with this groundbreaking serum at Cha Cha Mamma. It offers 22 botanicals that penetrate into your skin and work from within. This luxurious serum balances, supports, and hydrates your skin in the purest and most natural way. Some of it’s incredibly special ingredients include Sea Buckthorn, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric), and Calendula Officinalis (Marigold). Many women have safely used this serum throughout pregnancy and beyond, but please remember to consult your doctor before consuming this product during pregnancy. 

2 . Organic Rosehip oil 

Rosehip oil is soothing, luxurious, and it smells amazing! We found a great study that shows rosehip oil to be best for calming red and inflamed skin. It is gentle and calming in all the best ways (Lin, Zhong, Santiago, 2018).  

3. Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil 

Great for soothing the skin and incredibly hydrating. It is also full of gorgeous antioxidants to protect your skin from environmental toxins and pollutants (Lin, Zhong, Santiago, 2018). 

4. Organic Jojoba Oil  

 Fun to say and exciting to use! Jojoba oil is a great way to add some extra glow to your daily routine. It can reduce inflammation and may be helpful in reducing some sign of aging (Lin, Zhong, Santiago, 2018).  

Get your glow on Mammas!

Supporting Black-Owned Beauty Brands

Photo by @lemlemofficial

We are here to listen, to change, to sign petitions, to donate, to support, and to educate ourselves and others. We are proud of the progress that the world has made, but we still have an incredibly long road ahead. Let us not lose steam, let us continue to change the world for the better.  

One of the ways in which we can make a real impact in support of the black community is by shopping black-owned businesses. Here are some incredible beauty brands for you to support now and always.  

1. Mented  

Owned by two fabulous women, Amanda E. Johnson and KJ Miller, this brand features incredible vegan, paraben-free, non-toxic, and cruelty free products.

2. Movita

Tonya Lewis Lee created Movita to help women promote their nutrition, and well-being. Their certified organic, plant-based, incredibly bioavailable supplements are just what you need to help fill in the gaps in your diet. We also love their prenatal vitamins for pregnant Mammas.

3. BLACK OPAL

Over 25 years ago, BLACK OPAL developed the first technologically advanced skincare and color cosmetics line for women of color…and it is still incredible today.

4. Golde

Founded by an incredibly inspiring duo, Trinity Mouzon Wofford and Issey Kobori, this awesome brand promotes wellness and positive vibes through its brightly colored, clean, and effective products.

*Please consult your doctor before consuming any supplements during pregnancy.

Clean Deodorants That Work

We are so grateful to live in a time where there are so many wonderful products on the market. That being said, there are still plenty of not-so Cha Cha products, particularly in the beauty department, that are available. Our goal is to present the research that shows the potential adverse effects of some ingredients, and help give women the power to choose which products they feel are best for themselves and for their families.  

Deodorant has been around for forever, but it only recently has seen some major changes. There are tons of potentially harmful ingredients in some antiperspirants, but the one frequently-occurring and incredibly harmful ingredient that has been receiving a lot of attention, is aluminum.  

This is important for everyone, but it is particularly important for pregnant women. We came across a fascinating study that examined a large group of pregnant women in rural South Africa and looked at the effects of different levels of aluminum in utero at the time of delivery. Their research suggests that aluminum is in fact toxic in all developmental stages and may produce irreversible health effects, when exposed to even very low levels. They also mentioned how aluminum can cross over the placental barrier, so they advise that pregnant women in particular should reduce their exposure as much as possible. The researchers recommend reducing your children’s exposure as well (Röllin et al., 2018).  

The Academy for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has linked aluminum exposure to potentially effecting memory and cognition, and potentially giving rise to bone disease and brain disease. Aluminum levels in healthy individuals who are not pregnant range from 1 μg/L to 3 μg/L, and aluminum levels above 50 μg/L are considered toxic.

The mean aluminum level in pregnant women at delivery in the study mentioned above study was 10.1 μg/L, which is way above what the ATSDR recommends. The researchers also noted that pregnant women who drank citric acid-containing beverages (sodas, some juices, and other drinks) had a significantly increased absorption of aluminum in their guts (Röllin et al., 2018).  

Aluminum is not only found in deodorant, but it can be found in places we wouldn’t even think about, such as in kitchen utensils, pots, pans, and of course…aluminum foil. Try to look for aluminum-free products any chance you get!

It may be hard to cut out aluminum all together, but switching to a clean deodorant (a product that many people put on their bodies daily) is a great place to start!

Here are some aluminum-free deodorants that we are loving right now! They are safe, beautiful, and incredibly effective.

Screaming for Sunscreen

Summertime is quickly approaching and we are SO ready for some sunshine! Lately we have been dreaming about bathing suits, fruity drinks, and clean sunscreen! Protecting our skin from the sun is incredibly important all the time, but it is especially important during pregnancy. Recently, there has been so much more awareness about the importance of protecting our skin, which we love to see.  

Like any other skincare product, we want to be really aware of the ingredients that go into making our sunscreens. Some women worry that sunscreen is unsafe during pregnancy and opt not to use it, but in fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists still recommends that pregnant and breastfeeding women should use sunscreen throughout their pregnancy. The use of sunscreen during pregnancy may help reduce the occurrence of melasma (dark spots on the skin) and other forms of skin damage.  

That being said, we want to make sure that the sunscreen we choose to use is helping to protect our skin without transferring any types of harmful chemicals to your little Babba. Thankfully, the 2 most harmful ingredients in sunscreens, PABA and tolamine salicylate, have been banned in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so you don’t have to worry about those.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are natural minerals that have been deemed as generally safe to use by the FDA. Mineral sunscreens seem to be the safest for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children as compared to other sunscreens.  

Tips for picking good sunscreens 

• Broad spectrum (protecting against both UVA and UVB rays),  

• SPF 30 or higher 

•  Water resistant 

•  It’s best to apply it 15 minutes before you go outside 

• Reapply every 2 hours while you are outside. 

Here are some of the sunscreens that we are loving right now!

Getting Acetone Out of Your Zone

One of the main reasons behind the birth (pun intended) of Cha Cha Mamma was to educate women on specific environmental dangers that they may be unaware of, and that may be impacting their reproductive health and/or general health. The way-too-common toxin that we are going to tackle in this post is acetone. This not-so Cha Cha chemical is best to avoid during pregnancy and beyond.

We want to show everyone how easy and beneficial it is to reduce your exposure of toxic chemicals, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There are numerous studies that link acetone as a potential endocrine and reproductive disruptor, and that is enough for us to want to stay away from it in our everyday lives too. Plus we don’t love the smell. Since many women use nail polish remover quite frequently, many don’t really question its safety.

We try to make sure that as many of the products we use are as clean and toxin-free as possible, especially the ones we use often. If you are pregnant, please feel have an open conversation with your doctor about products that contain acetone in them. It is likely, however, that your doctor will advise this anyway!

*Here are some key items that likely contain this common beauty toxin. Stay tuned for more posts to come on each of these items specifically, but first and foremost, scroll down to see the nail polish remover that we are loving right now!

Items That Often Include Acetone: 

Nail polish remover 

Nail polish 

Hair dyes

Wipes 

Cleaning products

Art supplies 

*We found a truly amazing, all natural nail polish remover that is not only free of acetone, but is free of Acetate, Ethyl Lactate and Petroleum!  It hydrates your nails, and leaves them feeling luxurious. The best part is that it is totally pregnancy safe and has NO SMELL. We want everyone in the world to know about Pure Vitality Beauty’s magical product. It gently removes your nail polish, without damaging your nails or drying them out. We love these kinds of products at Cha Cha Mamma because they are just as effective, and they are safe for your health, your baby’s health and the health of the environment. All of the ingredients are marked as a 0 or 1 on the Cosmetic Safety Review (amazing). If you choose to paint your nails, then you should definitely consider using this product, pregnant or not.

To use it, add a few drops of the product to each nail and let them soak for about 5 minutes. Then take a reusable cotton pad and gently wipe it off, to see your newly cleaned and hydrated nails. They end up looking beautiful and healthy, as opposed to completely dried out. Don’t forget to take a deep breath, because you can be rest assured that this product will not deposit harmful chemicals into your zone.

Happiness is Beautiful

There are numerous studies to support that over half of pregnant women worldwide experience lower self-esteem at some point during pregnancy. It is important to note that there are some factors that seem to influence low self esteem during pregnancy, such as partner satisfaction, education level, and whether or not the pregnancy was planned. While your body is going through so many rapid changes, you can sometimes feel as though your body is no longer your own, which can be scary. Remember that this is just a chapter in your book, and what you are doing is the most powerful and transformative feat any human can do.

In a 2010 study, conducted in Brazil, titled, “The Assessment of Self-Esteem in Pregnant Women Using Rosenberg’s Self Esteem Scale”, they looked at various aspects of pregnant women’s lives, and tracked some of the biggest factors contributing to low self esteem. Here are the 3 main factors that they found.

• The women with less education showed a higher frequency of dissatisfactory self-esteem scores

• The pregnant women who stated that they had an unplanned pregnancy had a higher prevalence of dissatisfactory self-esteem than those that had planned the pregnancy.

• The lack of support from the partner to take care of the baby after its birth was also shown to contribute to negative self-esteem.

It is a common misconception that in order to feel happy, you must feel beautiful, but actually, in order to feel beautiful, you must feel happy. While makeup can enhance your beauty, it can only go so far. Nothing is more beautiful than a smile. Remember that you are where you are supposed to be, you are doing what you are supposed to be doing, you are trying your best...and that is beautiful.

Freezing Your Face Off

Here at Cha Cha Mamma, we are all about low risk, research based techniques that will help you live the most beautiful and healthy life possible during every stage of womanhood. While this is definitely a modern brand that is always looking for the newest advancements in medicine, nutrition, wellness, development, etc, we can appreciate the remedies that humans have been participating in throughout history. One of those remedies is icing. Icing an injury to reduce swelling is probably the oldest trick in the book, and it really works.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? People have been using ice to treat all types of ailments for a very long time, and it still continues to hold true in modern research. I am sure you have heard of all of the different types of cryotherapy clinics and other companies that are using the age-old technique of icing to make an impact. We, however, are interested in icing at a much smaller level, particularly for pregnancy. 

 Ice is an effective way to reduce inflammation on the skin, and that it is free of unwanted side effects. All women have experienced mornings when they wake up feeling red, puffy, and covered in breakouts. Unfortunately, many pregnant women experience these types of mornings rather frequently, and for a million different reasons. Cooling down your face can be a great way to reduce redness, puffiness, and oiliness. It also may help shrink pores and calm acne. Not only is it incredibly soothing, but it is a wonderful way to wake up and freshen up for your busy day ahead. Consider adding a frosty facial to your morning routine to prep your skin before adding in your serums and moisturizers. 

* It is also important to be aware not to leave the ice on for too long, as it can begin to damage the layers of the skin. 30 seconds to 1 minute of distributing an the ice around your face, is more than enough to get your skin feeling alive and awake. We recommend putting the ice in a clean face cloth and lightly patting on clean skin, or even putting a face roller in the refrigerator and gently massaging around the face. Please also remember to consult your dermatologist before applying anything on your body, especially during pregnancy.

*We found some gorgeous icy face tools for you to try! Stay tuned for more research to come on the effectiveness of face tools, which ones are the best, and why.

1. Georgia Louis Cryo Freeze Tools

Super pretty to look at, and fun to use. They are great for increasing circulation and waking that beautiful face up! We also absolutely adore anything Georgia Louis!

2. Jade Roller

Extremely calming and grounding. Refrigerating them makes them adds that magical cooling element that seems to work so well.

3. URYOUTH Ice Roller

These stainless steel rollers get extra cold when refrigerated! They are incredibly cooling and are perfect for really getting into the many little crevices of the face.

Luscious Lips

Dry lips during pregnancy is one of those things that no one warns you about. Many may think that you have more important things to worry about (such as growing an eyeball) than your dry lips, but we want to make sure that every inch of your body feels attended to and pampered, pregnant or not...because you deserve it. 

One of the main reasons as to why your lips are dry is probably because you are using so much water to help develop your baby, and out of all of the things that require water, your skin and lips are actually one of the last places to get that necessary hydration. That is why it is incredibly important to continue to drink plenty of water, especially with the summer months quickly approaching. 

That being said, we have to keep your lips soft and kissable during this time and every other time. Here are some gorgeous products that will help give your lips a little extra love while you continue to hydrate!

1. P’URE Papaya Care

We are slightly papaya obsessed here at Cha Cha Mamma. Now we can eat it AND put it on our lips. This lip balm is filled with vitamin C, and magical papaya enzymes, in addition to other gorgeous ingredients such as macadamia and jojoba. It is also vegan friendly, using candelilla wax, rather than bee’s wax. It is free of petroleum, phthalates, paraffin, hydrogenated caster oil, mineral oil, parabens, propylene, and nano particles. This stuff is the real deal!

2. Kopari Lip Glossy

This lip gloss is incredibly hydrating, and it keeps your lips looking shiny and luscious! It is filled filled gorgeous ingredients such as organic coconut oil, vitamin E and shea butter. It is so easy to throw in your bag wherever you go, plus we are suckers for great packaging, and they really nailed it with this one!

3. ILIA Organic Lip Conditioner

This silky product is make with organic plant botanicals that help heal and repair your lips. It glides on your lips and leaves them feeling irresistible.

4. RMS Beauty Lip and Skin Balm

This chic and sleek lip tub not only fits beautifully in any bathroom or bag, but it also moisturizes your lips in the most luxurious way. The best part is that it is scented with certified organic, Madagascar vanilla rather than synthetic fragrances. Count us in!

Not So Cha Cha Ingredients

There are so many skin care products out there these days! It can be incredibly overwhelming, especially when it is largely up to the consumer to decide what is safe for our bodies. This is one of the biggest reasons why Cha Cha Mamma was created. We want to serve as a reliable resource for women, that gives them the facts and allows them to make the decisions that work best for themselves and their families. You can trust us to give you the most accurate and science-based information, so all you have to worry about is which product looks the cutest on your bathroom counter. 

We are obsessed with clean beauty here at Cha Cha Mamma, and as we have extensively combed through some amazing beauty products on the market, we thought we would give you some basic guidelines that we are using as we are selecting the products we recommend for our Mammas, pregnant or not. Here are the ingredients that we stay away from.

Retin-A/Retinol

Though sufficient research in skincare is relatively new, one ingredient that has been significantly studied, and deemed absolutely unsafe during pregnancy is retinol. While retinol may be effective at clearing acne and reducing signs of aging, in non-pregnant women, retinol contains high concentrations of vitamin A, which has been definitively shown to increase the risk of birth defects in babies. Your doctor will most likely remind you to stop any retinol products 3-6 months before you try to get pregnant, and we too would like to remind you to check ALL of the ingredients in your skin care products very carefully. Sometimes the writing is small and hidden. Should you choose to breastfeed, it is also recommended to cease all retinol use until your doctor gives you the green light. For our non-pregnant or breast feeding Mammas who have been advised by a medical professional to use retinol, we recommend a plant-based one!

Benzoyl Peroxide/Salicylic Acid

These are common ingredients in many acne-clearing products. There really is no adequate evidence to confirm whether or not they are safe for pregnancy, so we recommend giving them a skip for the time that you are carrying your little Babba.  

Hydroquinone

This ingredient is often used to lighten dark spots, which can be tempting during pregnancy, due to the fact that you may be experiencing more acne scarring or melasma at this time. That being said, hydroquinone is also not studied widely enough to definitively confirm the possible effects for your baby. However, what we do know is that the body absorbs this ingredient in relatively high amounts, which means that more of the product can reach your baby, so it is probably best to leave out.

Antibiotic Creams 

Your skin is filled with all kinds of good and bad bacteria. Sometimes that bad bacteria can contribute to creating some acne...unfortunately. That being said, just as we want to stay away from oral antibiotics as much as possible during pregnancy with the fear that we will kill all of those crucial good bacteria , we also want to stay away from it as much as possible topically (on top of the skin). 

Parabens, Sulfates, Fragrances and Other Toxins: 

These ingredients are used to preserve and perfume your products. When we think of a delightfully smelling product, we think rose, jasmine, peppermint etc. We do not need anything “birthday cake scented”, unless it’s an actual birthday cake. We want all of the smells that come from our products to be naturally beautiful. Why should we put synthetic and potentially harmful scents on our skin when there are so many powerful plants and minerals that not only deeply benefit our skin, but make it smell amazing in a natural way!

*We of course want to remind everyone to please talk to your doctor, particularly your dermatologist applying anything to your skin during pregnancy or breast feeding. 

*Check out our other posts to see some very specific and very gorgeous products that are non-toxic, and will keep you looking Cha Cha!

*The information for this post is based off of a 2011 research article titled “Safety of Skincare Products During Pregnancy”, by Bozzo, Chua-Gocheco, Einarson.

Not Your Mamma’s Mascara

When we say that we are leaning into every aspect of womanhood, we mean it…even down to the eyelashes. If your busy day will only allow you to do a quick, one-step makeup routine, mascara may be your secret weapon. It takes seconds to apply, and it can really awaken your whole face.

Who remembers sneaking into their Mamma’s bathroom and trying on her mascara? You’d think that mascara would be totally different today, but in fact, not much as changed in terms of ingredients in mascara since the 1900s. There are tons of potentially harmful ingredients in mascaras such as BHT and BHA (which can be disruptive to the endocrine system), parabens, tar, and preservatives. If you choose to use mascara, here are some of the ones that we are loving right now! We can assure you that these mascaras are not your Mamma’s mascaras. They are completely non-toxic, made with the best ingredients, and they won’t break the bank. Each of these are safe for your body, and for the environment.  Feel free to enjoy them no matter what stage of womanhood you are in!

1. RMS Beauty Volumizing Mascara 

This effective product delivers long and voluminous lashes, and the color is jet black. The best part...it’s made with raw, organic, food-grade ingredients. 

2. Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara

This stunning mascara nourishes and curls your lashes, while avoiding flakey residue (so not Cha cha)

3. Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara

This product is super cool because it acts as a primer and a mascara all in one! It is dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested, and is completely cruelty free. It is free of any parabens, paraffins, silicones, or fragrances and full of tons of wonderful ingredients to help you achieve any lash look.