cruelty free series: cosmetics // eyes

Happy Wednesday! Half way to the weekend ;)

Continuing on with my blog series on cruelty free products - here are some great cosmetics for your eyes - including products I currently love and products that I want to try in replacement of the brands that I will no longer buy...

Eye Shadow - Urban Decay (I love the Naked palettes) and Bare Minerals (the loose pigments are my favorite!)

Liquid Liner - Physician's Formula makes an awesome eye liner marker that has lash boosting serum included in it

Brows - after years of dedicated use of Rimmel's brown pencil, I am disappointed to learn they test on animals in foreign countries...but I have heard amazing things about Anastasia brow products, so I'll be picking up one of her pencils next time I'm at Ulta!

Base / Primer - Urban Decay is always a good choice, but if you are looking for a more cost-effective option, NYX makes a great jumbo pencil that acts as a great eyeshadow base. I use the white "Milk" color every day

Eyeliner - I've used Prestige Total Intensity for probably 5+ years now and I'm happy to find out they are a cruelty free brand! You can pick this jet black liner up at Ulta and many drug stores...it comes in a variety of colors and has great pigmentation and staying power!

The biggest bummer in this transition was finding out my beloved L'oreal mascaras were not cruelty free. I had finally found my favorite combo - but oh well, not worth it! The hunt begins for a great new cruelty free mascara.

I've done some searching online, and here are some options I will be trying over the next few months - all with good reviews from those who have used them...

Tarte - Lights, Camera, Lashes
Physician's Formula - Organic Wear (lash boosting)
NYX - Doll Eye Long Lash
Younique - 3D Fiber Lashes 

Finally, here are some great eye brushes that are cruelty free - ranging from affordable to higher end.

Ecotools - Essential Eye Set, found at Target, Ulta, and many drugstores
Sonia Kashuk - found at Target
Real Techniques - Eyes/Enhanced Starter Set, found online or at Ulta 
Too Faced - found at Sephora and Ulta
Urban Decay - found at Sephora and Ulta

Remember to look for the following logos to identify cruelty free products...and do your research online and with the Leaping Bunny app!

 

Ulta Haul & Bare Minerals Review

I had an epiphany the other day. I decided that since I am almost 30 years old...well 26 to be exact {yikes!}, and technically a grown up with a "big girl job" (even though I don't feel like one)...I have reached the point in my life where I am going to focus more on high end makeup and beauty products.

Don't get me wrong, I will still use drugstore products and I do have my trusty favorites that will never change, but I'm no longer going to be scared of paying over $10 for foundation or always thinking I need to find a cheaper drugstore alternative of something. If I want a $30 foundation, I'll buy it :)

This decision occurred while I was at Ulta the other week...I know, of course something this life-changing would occur at such a fabulous place ;) I went in for foundation and ended up picking out quite a few things...

Bare Minerals Destination Glow Kit ($39)

I saw this sitting out and thought everything looked so perfect for a bronzed summer look, plus it was under $40 for almost $100 in product! See below for a detailed look into the little beach bag :)

Waterproof Mascara (perfect for summer)

Magenta Vibe Lip Balm

5-in-1 Cream Shadow in Soft Linen (perfect eyeshadow base)

Riviera Sun Baked Bronze Pigment Eyeshadow

Faux Tan all over face color (aka bronzer)

Magenta Vibe Lip Balm

Bronzer and Eyeshadow Swatches (day light, no flash)

Bareskin Foundation and Brush in 03 Bare Linen

(Foundation $29 and Brush $28)

Ok, I bought this after it was recommended by one of my best friends, Andrea. She has been a makeup artist for years and is very picky, so I always believe her when she finds something she likes. I'll be honest though, I was skeptical at first since I "had to" buy the almost $30 brush and the formula seemed really light (and I like full coverage)...

...but I have to say I am VERY happy with this foundation! It feels light and I do use a few more drops than recommended (because I like fuller coverage), but it is definitely build-able without feeling like you are packing the make up on! 

I was talking to Shelby about it (since she recently purchased it too) and she mentioned that the powder you use to set it really makes the difference, which I totally agree with! This foundation does give a dewy / glowy look to your skin - which is beautiful, but it definitely needs finished off with a nice, light powder set. 

All in all, I'm very happy with this purchase and I honestly think I will be repurchasing once it runs out. Side note: the brush is vital - I wasn't on this bandwagon at first but now that I've used it, I can see why. It's very dense and the light consistency of the foundation needs this dense of a brush to apply properly and not seep down and get lost in the brush.

While browsing around Ulta, I also picked up a few more little things...

You can never have to many pairs of fake eyelashes stocked up ;)

Free Samples: Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter and Bare Minerals Domination Mascara

Gel Eyeliner Brush (Real Techniques)

NYX Dark Brown Gel Eyeliner

Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil

NXY White Eyeliner Pencil (ps - HATE this)

Magic Lumi Concealer

Prestige Black Eyeliner Pencil

L'oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara (AMAZING)

If I have to rave about one item, it would be the Butterfly mascara. Hands down BEST drugstore mascara I've ever had! I tried it on a whim...I think they were out of my typical Carbon Black and this had a sales sticker on it...but I'm so happy I grabbed it! It makes my lashes look jet black, and longer than they ever have. I never thought I would like the new rubbery-type mascara wands, but the shape of this does wonders for my lashes! I've already got all my girlfriends to buy it and they love it too!

What are some of your favorite makeup items / brands?? 

I'm always looking for new things to try! xx

Friday Favorites ~ 7.11.14

Time for another Friday Favorites Link Up! I missed out last week because of the Friday holiday so I have a bunch of things saved up for this week :)
1. Favorite Show - Ladies of London

I'm obsessed. My mum is British (from Scotland) and I spent 1/2 of my childhood over in the UK, so I completely identify with the way of life! I honestly feel deep down that I'm meant to live in the UK, or somewhere in Europe...maybe one day! ;) 
Side note: I CAN'T STAND Juliet. Someone teach that chick basic manners already! How many people have to tell her she is being rude before she gets it?
 

 2. Favorite Outfit 

This is actually an off-shoot of Ladies of London because it was pulled from Marissa Hermer's facebook page (yes, I follow...did you not hear me? I'm obsessed) haha! Love this look she put together! Especially the jeans, white tee, leather jacket, and wedges.

3. Favorite Beauty Item

Went to Ulta this week and picked up the new Bareskin foundation from Bare Minerals (along with many other things)...keep on the lookout for a haul & review post next week!

4. Favorite Summer Treat

Has anyone tried these before? They are so delicious, come in tons of different flavors (lemon and grapefruit are my faves) and are only 70 calories! The perfect summer treat!

5. Favorite Funnies

Why do most of the funnies I post always seem to be about food? ;)

 

 Every day...

I am most definitely the latter...

 

   

Pay close attention:

Happy weekend my lovelies!! xx 
Link up with these lovely ladies and share your posts!! 
 

Friday Favorites ~ 6.27.14

Happy Friday! It's been a long week and I've been looking forward to this weekend since...well last Sunday evening ;) 

Let's jump right into this week's Friday Favorites...


{1 music}

Anything by Ziggy Marley...
...who Aaron and I just happen to be going to see in concert tonight right after work! Super excited for this...it'll be a great time to just relax, have a couple drinks, and listen to great music :)

{2 drink}

I have re-discovered my love for tea this week...and gone through an entire box of Peppermint Herbal Tea. It is so delicious and perfect pick-me-up in the early morning right when I get to work (I am not a coffee drinker) ...and helps me relax in the evenings before bed. I'm going to have to go pick up some more this weekend! What types of tea do you ladies drink? Although I'm pretty obsessed with the peppermint right now, I'd love some other suggestions!

{3 purchase}

Since Christmas, I have been saving money every paycheck, like a good little girl ;) 
It was actually a New Year's resolution of mine to start to build up some sort of savings...but it's starting to burn a hole in my pocket. 

So what to buy?? Well, I'm desperate need of a new purse - since I haven't had a new one since Christmas of 2012! Sooo, I think I'm going to treat myself to one...but nothing too over the top though. 

I've had my eye on this Michael Kors Jet Set Tote for awhile now, and it's reasonably priced, so that might be the winner! What do you think? Any purses you have that are a great investment and classic pieces to own, but aren't going to break the bank??

{4 beauty}

I am in the market for a new foundation and concealer...and possibly new mascara too. I've been a loyal user of Revlon's Color Stay liquid foundation for the past 4 years and I'm getting tired of it. Just want to mix it up and try something new. 

I like med/full coverage, build-able, liquid foundation and liquid concealer with a brightening effect (for those pesky dark under eyes).

I am really interested in the new Bare Minerals and have heard from a couple people that it's pretty great, has anyone tried it??


As for mascara...I've used L'oreal Carbon Black for as long as I can remember. It's great, but again, I'd like to try something new. I always end up coming back to it though, so maybe I should just stick with it ;) 

What are your foundation, mascara, and concealer suggestions??

{5 funnies}

And of course...have to wrap it up with this week's favorite funnies :)

#bigboobproblems 
The struggle is real.

 
While some girls count calories, I'm over here like...

Deedee to a T...except not with cheese, but when I have corn, peanut butter, or apples...