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Haddon Quaye Discusses Why
Clean Ingredients
in Beauty Matter
Model, nurse, and mother Bentley-Haddon Quaye believes in the power of transparency and honesty at every level—and when it comes to shopping consciously for her beauty products, she practices what she preaches. As someone who also lives with lupus, an autoimmune disease that affects the entire body, Bentley knows the importance of making positive choices that strengthen her from the inside out, whether she’s cooking up a vegan meal or looking for the perfect toner.
As a model, Bentley is all too aware of the pressure that women feel about their physical appearance. Becoming a mother changed her entire perspective on beauty, as she gained a better understanding of her body and started to think critically about the way that products affect it. “Conscious beauty equates to ethical beauty,” says Bentley. “The best choices are pure and uncomplicated; that’s why I look for products that are free of harsh chemicals, dyes and additives.” Bentley adds that having children awakened her sense of self. “I learned to be kind to myself, embrace change, and accept the nuances and differences that make me unique.”
Bentley was diagnosed with lupus at the age of 25, which motivated her to become proactive in how she manages her health, including her skin. Inflammation is a common symptom of lupus, so Bentley must be extra cognizant about the ingredients in her beauty products. “Lupus affects the whole body. It’s a systemic disease, so it is all-encompassing,” says Bentley. “At times, my body aches, my joints swell and become inflamed, and I notice changes in my skin texture and tone. To reduce complications from this lifelong disease, I prefer to use naturally derived products that prevent any further breakdown of my skin.”
Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle is essential when living with lupus, Bentley explains. “After years of being a devout carnivore, I had to completely omit dairy, meat and animal byproducts from my diet. Doing this spared my body the harmful additives that are traditionally ingested by animals and transferred during consumption. After turning to a plant-based diet, my lupus flare-ups decreased bigtime.”
Bentley had to be careful of her skincare choices, too, because her lupus medications can cause her naturally oily skin to become dry and sensitive. She also needed to find products with clean ingredients that are vegan to align with her lifestyle. One of Bentley’s favorite cleansers is Bad Habit’s Wake Things Up Matcha Mint Daily Cleanser, a hydrating vegan formula that’s rich in antioxidants. “Matcha is a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient, and it calms my skin if I’m experiencing symptoms related to lupus,” says Bentley. “The mint fragrance is very refreshing and the packaging is sustainable, which helps me to lower my carbon footprint.”
After cleansing, Bentley uses Pacifica Vegan Collagen Hydrating Milk Tonic, an alcohol-free “skin drink” that aligns with her vegan values. “Toners tend to be alcohol-based and drying, but this one is different because it actually soothes and calms my skin,” says Bentley. “The scent is inviting and so yummy, I could lick it! Plus, no animals were harmed in making this product.”
“I love it when products live up to their promises! This hydrating moisturizer soaks into my skin and leaves it feeling supple—not greasy. It’s a mainstay in my everyday skincare routine.”
Bentley is also a longtime fan of Tarte Sugar Rush - Don’t Hate, Hydrate Oil-Free Moisturizer. “Tarte has always been one of my favorite beauty brands because their products feature high-quality, clean ingredients, are cruelty free, and vegan,” Bentley shares. “I love it when products live up to their promises! This hydrating moisturizer soaks into my skin and leaves it feeling supple—not greasy. It’s a mainstay in my everyday skincare routine.”
Bentley explains that the most important part of shopping for beauty is to do your research. “Take baby steps when introducing clean and conscious beauty into your daily routine, and dive deep to learn what’s out there,” she says. “Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty™ makes that process simple. I love the company’s wide range of brands and the way they practice transparency by making product information so accessible. With a wide range of products at every price point, Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty™ truly has something for everyone.”
Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty™ provides more choices and transparency so you can easily find brands that share your values. Brands are certified under five categories: Clean Ingredients, Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Sustainable Packaging and Positive Impact.
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Clean Ingredients:Excludes parabens, phthalates, and other ingredients on Ulta Beauty™’s Made Without List.
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Cruelty-Free:Not tested on animals.
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Vegan:Created without animal products, by-products, or derivatives.
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Sustainable Packaging:Reduced, recyclable, or refillable packaging.
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Positive Impact:Brands with giving back at their core.
SHOP BENTLEY’S SELECTIONS
Visit Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty™ to shop these must-have skincare products.