A Winter Lipstick Wardrobe | Cruelty-Free

Yay for another lipstick post if you're a lipstick lover like me!

This one was inspired by an article I found on the interwebs when I was looking for 2017 winter lipstick trends and it resulted in one of those fun 'shop my stash' sessions. The article published in Makeup Tutorials (here) lists some 13 lipstick shades and while I didn't pull together a collection of 13, I did come up with 6 shades that I think will meet most of my winter needs when I need to go out and face the world.  I must admit I came away with a few lipstick cravings too but I'll talk about those at the end of the post.

So - I've created my little lipstick capsule wardrobe for the winter - which was surprisingly enjoyable and got me out of my current makeup rut - and being the oversharer that I am I had to show you what I came up with! Can you tell I'm in a bit of a playful mood today?

My winter lipstick wardrobe is organised into 3 categories comprising muted shades, reds and brights.  This might sound impressive but it wasn't intentional!  Funnily enough and also quite accidentally I've also ended up with an even mix of traditional lipstick bullets, lipstick crayons, and liquid lippies, comprising some mattes and some creamy, glossier lipstick formulas. Without trying I really did cover the bases in this capsule...

My picks are listed in the same order as shown above, progressing from muted shades on the left through to the reds and brights:

Too Face Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick (Melted Chihuahua)

These liquid lipsticks have been available for a long time now so the social media novelty has well and truly worn off but I still have a soft spot for a matte lipstick that doesn't dry the life out of my lips. That's beside the point though because this is all about the colour and Melted Chihuahua is a flattering muted shade and just the kind of variation of nude lip that I like to wear in winter as it doesn't erase my lips or wash me out. The official description is dusty rose but it wears more like a brown nude on me and seems to work with warm or cool eye makeup.

Antipodes Moisture Boost Natural Lipstick (Remarkably Red)

The actual lipstick shade doesn't live up to the name but is instead a muted rose red. It has a very cool undertone and it almost looks plum on my lips so I pair this with a cool neutral eye makeup look.  The lipstick formula itself is quite creamy and comfortable to wear.

NARS* Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (Cruella)

Now, this is a true classic RED and it's matte. The end.

Nudestix Intense Matte Lip & Cheek Pencil (Raven)
This matte red is deeper and cooler in tone than Cruella and wears like a deep wine on my lips - unfortunately the swatch below doesn't do it justice.  Raven makes for another classic statement winter lip but I also feel that deep matte red lips are a must in my lipstick wardrobe all year round for an evening option as they add that drama that I like.

Urban Decay Cream Lipstick (Bang)
Moving on to the brights I also love wearing a bright red-orange throughout the year but it's more unexpected and fun during a dreary grey winter's day.  Bang (perfectly named) is a juicy shade in a creamy finish so not only does it look amazing but the creamy formula feels amazing on the lips too. Speaking of the formula, this is one of those one-swipe beauties of a lipstick so I could be tempted to look at the collection again in future...if only I could justify it of course!

Chi Chi Creamy Matte Liquid Lipstick (Drama Queen)
This almost fuchsia shade of bright purple is the most 'fun' bright in my lipstick wardrobe and while I have to summon up the courage to wear it, I enjoy it when I do.  This liquid lippy has a grape scent/taste and is creamy rather than flat matte as it does not dry down completely.  It does stain the lips significantly but the stain is a bright berry, reminiscent of the stain MAC Rebel leaves, which is fine with me as Rebel was my all-time favourite MAC lippy.

L-R:

Melted Chihuahua, Remarkably Red, Cruella*, Raven, Bang, Drama Queen

So, if you are in a lipstick rut and looking to be re-inspired I recommend this exercise.  It certainly has me feeling a renewed appreciation for what I have - I'm reassured I have enough options to comfortably keep up with the lipstick trends this season

And as for what I don't have in my collection?  Isn't it always the way for us makeup enthusiasts/junkies! I was looking for the perfect oxblood and toffee lipstick shades which I don't seem to have...but...I don't know...I think I'll stop here before I justify another lipstick purchase...

Do you follow lipstick trends or do you have your own signature look?

*EDIT - Unfortunately, shortly after publishing this post I became aware that NARS is no longer a Cruelty-Free brand.*

(All products purchased by me)

My Lazy 'No Makeup' Makeup Routine | Cruelty-Free

Now that I'm on a break from working life my attitude to makeup has changed.  I have the freedom to experiment more without worrying about looking work appropriate - Great! - but I also have freedom to wear very little, or no makeup if I want to.  

Who am I kidding? No makeup?!  I've been a makeup junkie since my teens so no makeup isn't going to be a thing I choose very often but 'no makeup' makeup on the other hand is something that I do like.  My skin isn't perfect, as I do have some uneven pigmentation, hereditary under eye circles, visible pores and fine lines, but considering my age it isn't horrible so there are days I just want to look like a fresher version of me.  

Everyone has their own interpretation of low-key makeup and mine has changed over the years so I'm sharing what I've fallen into doing recently.  I was in one of those moods where I was completely over wearing a full face of foundation and was inspired to use minimal products to perfect while still allowing my own skin to show through.  If you're interested in my routine then read on...

After moisturizing I use a teensy squeeze of Om SHE Aromatherapy Pure Magic Primer (at just under 15AUD this is a much more affordable Cruelty Free dupe for Benefit's Porefessional) and rub it into my T-zone to blur my pores on and around my nose.  Then in place of foundation I let a good concealer like NARS Creamy Concealer in Vanilla go to work, just applying it to where it's really needed:  under the eyes, a little down my red nose and spot concealing any other redness or blotches and then I blend, blend, blend it in so I can't tell where the concealed bits end and my natural skin begins. To further even out my skin and take down the shine I lightly brush a tinted pressed powder all over my face and under the eyes to set the concealer (lately I've been using Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder in Natural).  Finally, I don't want to use blush but I do want to bring some subtle dimension back to my face so lately I've been using Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder as a subtle glowy contour (unfortunately I'm really that pale at the moment) and also apply just a touch on the tip of my nose for a subtle glow, to take away that freshly powdered look.

Eyes and lips are even more simple. I just apply a wash of beige shadow over the lids and up to the brow bone to brighten up the eye to look fresher and more awake.  The shade I've been using, Essence The Velvets (03 Smooth Caramel) appears to have been recently discontinued - why do this to me when I was about to shout out that this creamy matte shadow is a favourite? - but any good matte beige shadow should do and I finish off my eyes with a natural looking non-clumping mascara.  I've finally tried Physician's Formula Organic Wear Jumbo Lash Mascara (Ultra Black) which is a good one if you hate clumpy lashes. Now I have heard some say this mascara can be prone to smudging - I've got oily lids and normal/combo skin and have had no issues personally -  so I'm putting it out there just to be fair.

I am obsessed with lip products so I'll always wear something because I like the feel of hydrated lips and I need a little hint of youthful colour somewhere on my face. On low-key lazy days I'll either swipe on a tinted balm or sheer lippy like Essence Sheer & Shine.  The shades Glamour Queen (as pictured) or BFF are current picks.

The whole routine takes around 5 minutes so it's as lazy as I like it to be.  What's your lazy day makeup routine?  Do you go for the 'no makeup' look or do you prefer to go with a punch of colour like a bright lip?


(All products purchased by me)

Bite Beauty | Sweet Cream Amuse Bouche Lipstick

Ever since Bite Beauty reformulated and relaunched their lipsticks in the Amuse Bouche formulation last year I was keen to try one for myself.  Being a big fan of the original Luminous Crème formula I was disappointed at first to hear it was discontinued, then wondered how they were going to top it.

Revisiting my thoughts on the Luminous Crème lippy in a 2013 post I loved it because of the glide-on application, moisture-rich comfortable creaminess and the antioxidant ingredient resveratrol, the free-radical fighter found in red wine. I was raving like a crazed fan-girl in the original post so I won't link it directly but you can find it if you click on Bite Beauty in my blog labels. Also, as the original formula has been discontinued it's more of historical (and hysterical!) reference. 

So, the new Amuse Bouche lipsticks promise "bold, creamy lip color" and are "..made with 12 edible oils and triple milled pigments...", to provide, "...saturated lip color with weightless coverage".

Now, the shade I chose in Sephora called Sweet Cream, reminded me a lot of my old Bite lipstick, Rosé, in the shade at least as this warm coral pink looks very similar in the bullet... 

Sweet Cream:

Rosé (this bullet is all finished now):

...but there are some differences I've noticed in swatching and wear.  The new formula has slightly more drag on application, is less glossy and is definitely heavier in pigment.  It's less of a cream and more of a satin so it looks less luscious on the lips - slightly more ageing on me than the previously creamier, sheerer formula - but it stays put better than its predecessor and there is absolutely no bleeding.  

The colour stayed true on my lips from breakfast to lunch and only a minor reapplication was needed after lunch so it would be a good choice for those who don't want to worry about touching up their lipstick throughout the day and prefer a bullet over a liquid lip colour. Also being a bullet lipstick it faded evenly rather than flaking off or drying the life out of my lips and my lips felt comfortable all day.

Arm swatch:

And a selfie after a few hours of wear. There's slight fading but no bleeding:

So do I love this as much as the original? I feel there's a slight trade-off between that moisturizing feeling and longevity of wear but I do prefer a longer wearing, pigmented lipstick for work wear and Amuse Bouche ticks off those requirements for me.  Yes, this lipstick aficionado grudgingly admits this is a better lipstick.  And yes, resveratrol is still one of the ingredients too.

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  Ingredients:

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil**, Glyceryl Rosinate*, Cera Alba (Beeswax)**, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil**, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter**, Triisostearyl Citrate*, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil**, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax*, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil*, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil**, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax**, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Cera (Wax)*, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil*, Flavor (Aroma), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax*, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax*, Polyglyceryin-3*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil**, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract**, Silk Powder*, Pearl Powder*, Glyceryl Oleate*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables*, Trans-Resveratrol*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil**, Almond (Prunus Dulcis) Oil**, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil**, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil**, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil**, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil**, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil**, Siraitia Grosvenorii (Monk Fruit) Extract*. +/- May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)*, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499)*, Carmine (Ci 75470)*, Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Red 6 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 27 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742)*.

(This product was purchased by me)

Planning On Panning? Tips For Using Up Your Makeup

 So you’re thinking of doing a project pan or something similar to get the satisfaction of actually using up some of your makeup…

If you have a normal – now sometimes called a ‘minimalist’ – makeup collection you won’t need to read this post because you’re probably going to use a product up before you replace it. However if you’re a makeup collector/blogger/vlogger/hoarder/lover like me then you’re less likely to have that satisfaction without applying some kind of focus and restraint.  

Not long ago I was approached by one of my social media friends to share some info on project pans and the like - I’m not an expert but I do like to give myself a focus or target at the start of each year to use up some of my beloved products and as a result I’ve done project pans, beauty ‘diets’, and makeup use-up challenges all with reasonable success.  Through trial and error I've figured out what works, or not, for me so if you’re interested in getting through some makeup here are my suggestions:

• Before you begin you might want to set yourself a SMART goal of what you hope to achieve in your project pan.  In case you haven’t heard the term, SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Rather than having a vague idea you can be a little more organised in how you approach it – last year I set the challenge of 50 makeup empties in 12 months (I'd managed to finish 44 the previous year so I was reasonably confident) and I managed to get there right at the end of the year!  Go ahead and Google SMART if you want to learn more about the technique.

• Go through your collection and look for products  that you have a reasonable expectation to finish (half-worn lipsticks, panned powders, lip glosses etc).  It certainly helped me choosing everyday products that are on high rotation and sticking with those.

• Choose to use what you love and enjoy.  It’s so much easier to keep grabbing for a lipstick that you know is truly flattering. And that means don't keep those expensive products for 'best’ – they expire too (how unfair!) and it’s disappointing when an expensive lipstick goes bad just because you didn’t allow yourself to use it.

• On the other hand it’s always more of a struggle trying to force yourself to finish up a product you don’t like just to be rid of it - if something really isn’t working for you, decide whether to finally remove it from your collection – give it away if it’s hygienic to do so, or toss it in the garbage if it can’t be passed on to someone else.

• Try a ‘one out one in’ approach to get through products more quickly – I have one pressed powder that I use daily and won’t open another until it’s done.  Other things I can keep to a minimum I do too (e.g. I only have 2 concealers, and 3 mascaras - waterproof, everyday, and volumizing – open at the moment)

• Create a list of what you want to use and check the empties off the list as you go – I found this very satisfying because I actually like ticking off to-do lists.  You can create your list in whatever format you wish - it doesn’t have to be anything fancy or high tech. To be honest my list has been handwritten on a notepad! You can add to your list at any stage too if you can see there are additional products you love using and think you can finish.

• Put the products you’ve selected to use in an everyday makeup basket or drawer for easy access and so you don’t have to think about it.

• Give yourself an occasional break from your panning mission e.g. every weekend, one weekend a month, one week every few months depending on your needs to allow yourself the freedom to use whatever you like.

• You might want to take step back from beauty spending and think about going on a low-buy - if not a no-buy - so you can focus on enjoying what you have already. Doing this makes me grateful for what I have and as a bonus my spending habits have changed as a result.

• Finally, if you’re on social media share your progress for that extra support from your audience – they will encourage you as you go and keep you accountable too! They're your virtual support group! I personally love seeing used makeup on social media more than pristine pans and lipstick bullets – it shows genuine love for what the person owns - so I'm more likely to comment on those posts.

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If you're about to embark on your own mission I hope some of these ideas help you too - When I look at them now I don't think they're anything more than commonsense really but it did take me a while to get there myself.

I wish you the best of luck!

Natural Supply Co Haul | First Impressions

Who doesn't love the occasional bit of online shopping? I hadn't done any significant shopping in a while but I recently made a few purchases at Natural Supply Co.  Taking advantage of a discount code sale and free standard shipping over $99 I bought quite a few things that I knew I'd get into using straight away.  I'm being a bit more selective in my choices these days but all of these products are things I use on a regular basis so there's no impulse shopping or buyer's guilt happening here.

While I use these kinds of products I've not tried most of the brands before so I'd like to share my first impressions with you.  Being first impressions I'll try to keep my thoughts short and sweet!

GROWN ALCHEMIST PURIFYING BODY EXFOLIANT (5.7 oz/170ml)

They say:
"Grown Alchemist Purifying Body Exfoliant with Pearl, Peppermint and Ylang Ylang is a revitalising body exfoliant formulated with a sensuous, nutrient and antioxidant rich blend of botanical and pearl bioactive ingredients designed to gently remove dead skin cells, leaving the skin noticeably softened, smooth, deeply cleansed and feeling refreshed."

My thoughts:
I like shower products in squeeze tubes as it makes it easy to get just the right amount without the mess so this was a thumbs up before I even tried it.  I do enjoy the subtle peppermint and ylang ylang scent which made for a refreshing combination and the scrubby particles are effective at doing their job, leaving my skin feeling smooth afterward.


LASH FOOD INSTANT EYE MAKEUP REMOVER (100ml/3.4fl.oz)

They say:
"LashFood Conditioning Instant Eye Makeup Remover is a conditioning dual-phase formula that moisturises lashes and instantly removes even the toughest makeup formulas.

LashFood Conditioning Instant Eye Makeup Remover was uniquely formulated to minimise lash loss and breakage when removing mascara and eye makeup. The dual-phase formula activates when shaken and instantly removes even the most stubborn waterproof formulas. Its gentle yet effective ingredients will leave skin feeling soft and lashes hydrated."

My thoughts:
I always use dual-phase removers so clearly I'm a fan of these.  The Lash Food remover is one of the more gentle formulas I've tried - it doesn't sting or burn (like another luxe brand I've been using lately), doesn't feel overly greasy and it easily removed my waterproof mascara in one application without any tugging or panda eyes afterward.


ONLY GOOD NATURAL HAND WASH - NOURISH (300ml)

They say:
"Only Good Natural Hand Wash in Nourish helps to gently cleanse and condition your hands as it nourishes skin with clever natural moisturisers coconut and shea butter."

My thoughts:
A bit of a backstory:  I have dry, sensitive skin on my hands so I've had to become fussy about what I use to wash them, and make sure I always carry hand cream to keep them from drying out and cracking.  I've found that switching to gentle, more natural formulas has made all the difference and I'm no longer plagued with winter eczema, so you can understand why I've become rather fussy about what I wash my hands with!

I've only been using the Nourish hand wash formula for a few days but I can tell that it agrees with my skin.  The wash has a delicate coconut scent, works up into a creamy lather and leaves my hands feeling clean but not stripped of moisture.  The 300ml bottle is just the right size to fit nicely on the edge of the bathroom basin too and the packaging is a practical plastic but attractive enough to look at home in any bathroom.


LA MAV ORGANIC BIO-ACTIVE PRIMER (50ml.1.7fl.oz)

They say:
"Suitable for all skin types, the new La Mav Organic Bio-Active Primer locks moisture into the skin whilst creating the perfect hydrated base for your foundation application. 

La Mav Organic Bio-Active Primer evens skin tone while creating an even base to aid foundation longevity. It firms and plumps skin, while soothing and nourishing."

My thoughts:
I wasn't sure if I'd like this because I have an oily T-zone but so far I'm truly loving it.  I was worried that a hydrating primer = shiny skin but this primer effectively mattified my skin once I applied it.  It's definitely different to any primer I've tried as the white lotion initially feels tacky on the skin before it dries.  Because it's not my usual silicone-based choice, my makeup seems to "grip" or adhere to my skin better over the primer for more opaque but still smooth coverage and it lasts all day without the need to powder at midday. It's still very early days - and I need to try this under a range of foundations - but this is the product I've been most seriously impressed with. Now I'm curious to try other products in the La Mav range!


PHR  PROFESSIONAL DETOX SHAMPOO (375ml)

They say:
"The PHR Professional Detox Shampoo combats dull and lifeless hair by removing built-up dirt caused by styling products, chlorine, salt water and other daily impurities.

With a combination of soothing Chamomile and Nettle Extracts, this rejuvenating shampoo brings back bounce and shine to the hair. Using natural wheat proteins this product hydrates even the most dry and brittle hair."

My thoughts:
This shampoo is quite a runny formula but it builds up a generously creamy lather and the scent is very subtle to the point that I can't really describe it.  It cleaned all the product buildup from a hair salon appointment the day before and didn't leave my hair feeling stripped or in a matted, overly tangled mess.


BON LUX VOTIVE CANDLE - SWEET SMOKE

They say:
"BON LUX Sweet Smoke combines the mysterious smokey scent of a beehive, and the crackle of a forest fire. This candle blends notes of honey and beeswax with woodsmoke and spice."

My thoughts:
I've picked the perfect winter's night candle scent for the family room and this medium sized candle effectively projects its scent into our high ceiling space. I enjoy how different this scent is as it conjures up memories of an open fire but with a slightly sweet, spicy twist.


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All of these products were purchased by me and are available at Natural Supply Co.

Natural Supply Co provide free standard shipping for all orders over $99 and express and international shipping are also available.  

Until next time!

Dusty Pink Blush Favourites | Cruelty-Free

Since becoming a beauty blogger all those years ago (6 years ago if you check...) one of the biggest changes to my makeup routine was the addition of blush - yes I was one of those people who loved makeup but didn't wear blush. I've seen the light since, especially since I became more serious about perfecting my base with higher coverage products and then having the need to bring the life and colour back to my artificially perfect but nonetheless pale skin!  

There are a few shades of blush that I gravitate towards more often, and as the weather moves through autumn and into winter, dusty pink tones feel more appropriate than the warmer corals I love in spring and summer. I don't think there are too many posts out there talking about dusty pink blush so hopefully this will be interesting for other paler skinned types like me!

There are four cruelty-free options I have on rotation and I reach for all of these blushes quite regularly because they are so fuss-free, natural looking and they consistently last all day without fading. They also pair well with the cooler nude, plums and berry red lip colours I like to wear as the cold weather closes in.

Clockwise from left these are:

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush (Mood Exposure)
It may look subdued in the pan but don't be fooled. This luxe blush is marbled with ambient lighting powder in Mood Light so the soft plum provides a luminous rose glow on my cheeks. The other plus: these Hourglass blushes are so finely milled that a little goes a long way. I barely need to touch my blush brush into the pan - my favourite brush to use is the Real Techniques blush brush because it is so soft - and it picks up enough colour to liven my cheeks.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush (Exposed)
This famous matte shade is described by Tarte as a nude pink and when you compare my swatches below you can see it's ever so slightly warmer and more nude than Mood Exposure.  It's that perfect neutral shade that works with everything so I get why it's such a go-to. It's the blush I wear when I don't know what blush to wear or when I don't want to think about what blush to wear. I've just convinced myself this is the only blush I need to pack for my next trip, whenever and wherever that is...

Illamasqua Powder Blusher (Naked Rose)
Illamasqua calls Naked Rose a neutral beige pink and yes it's pretty subdued when I consider it on its own but in this dusty lineup it practically pops as a cool pink and to be honest I wear this shade from autumn through to spring!  This blush is another matte and looks beautiful on paler skin giving a hint of pink flush. I love pairing it with cooler neutral eye shadow looks.

Natio Blusher (Rosewood)
This blush from Australian brand Natio is almost a dupe for Tarte Exposed, perhaps just leaning a hint more toward peach territory - this is probably more of a dusty peach if there is such a shade. In any case it wears as a neutral, very natural looking blush on me. Rosewood is another quite pigmented powder blush so a light tap of the brush into the pan picks up enough to dust onto my cheeks. The colour seems to meld with my skin somehow too so it looks like my own healthy cheeks rather than makeup sitting atop them.

And now for some heavy swatches on my arm...

 L -R:
 Mood Exposure, Exposed, Naked Rose, Rosewood

To think I never cared about blush! I've certainly made up for it now and I have a drawer full - well, maybe half full...

What blush shades do you wear in the cooler months?


(All products purchased by me)

My Cruelty-Free Experience So Far

I’ve been a cruelty-free (CF) beauty consumer for almost 2 years now – I honestly can’t believe how quickly that’s gone by.  It’s high time I revisit my thoughts on what it’s been like and whether the approach I adopted has worked for me.

You know, I can’t say going CF has been overly difficult or expensive for me, especially as I decided initially not to declutter anything from my collection.  From the time I made the decision to go CF, before I considered culling anything I switched the direction of my spending and because of shifting sands of the beauty industry when it comes to who is and isn't CF at any given time it turned out doing that alone wasn’t a bad idea.  

After finding out who is and isn't CF (my favourite sites are Cruelty-Free Kitty and Logical Harmony) my biggest challenge has been keeping up with the changes in CF status:  Non-CF brands that I previously loved and purchased from became cruelty-free (Stila, and Marc Jacobs are two recent examples that come to mind) and one favourite CF drugstore brand, Burts Bees, actually lost their CF status only to recently regain it. My head was almost spinning over that one.  I would have been especially disappointed to part with products from such brands only to find them on the list again! 

 I’m definitely not judging those who decide to declutter their collections of non CF products as part of the switch and I can see why they do.  Decluttering non-CF products from your collection may be symbolic – cutting the old ties maybe? -  and doing it on social media delivers a strong message to your audience. Until the laws on animal testing change universally it’s a personal decision to go CF and I think it should work for the individual.  

My gentle way of easing in to transitioning my collection has been using those non-CF products up largely outside of the social media space (except for popping up as empties in my Instagram “Makeup Use-up” challenge), and even giving myself permission to enjoy them, then moving on to CF options. Over time as those older non-CF products no longer interest me or expire they’re moved out of my collection. Recently I've become better at parting with things and because it felt like the right thing to do I donated a whole bagful of unused(!) products to a charity. 

For that reason I don’t judge people for being too rigidly CF or not CF enough. If we are all somewhere along the path that is all that matters to me.  As Tashina from Logical Harmony recently tweeted:  "Instead of being upset if someone doesn't fit your standard of cruelty-free, support that they are on their own cruelty-free journey."

The parent company issue is one that continues to divide the community too.  Some consumers decide to avoid brands that are owned by a non-CF parent company (all power to you because a full boycott will hurt!) and some like me choose to support these CF brands in the hope the parent company recognises - if not being moved by the ethical argument alone - that CF is where the dollars are to be made.  In support of the latter approach, I see that Logical Harmony is also encouraging consumers to support newly CF brands like Smashbox where the parent company is not CF.  See the article here.  Again, I'm not judging.  Do what is best for you.

Do I get pangs for the brands that are off the list?  I’m human and after years of spending my money on certain luxury brands I still get a bit wistful when I see pretty new things but I no longer follow those brands on social media and I tell myself that if and when they see the light I’ll support them again. Having said that there are enough luxury CF brands out there to satisfy any cravings for the finer things (like Charlotte Tilbury, Chantecaille or By Terry for some really chic luxe products) and I haven’t really scratched the surface with those.

Anyway my stream of thought is exhausted. What are your thoughts? If you have made the switch to CF, what’s made it easier for you?

Cruelty-Free Empties | Quarter 1 2017

Long time no blog...THE BLOG IS BACK!!!

Because I knew I'd be back here eventually I've been diligently collecting all of my empty Cruelty-Free products since January to share my thoughts with you.  The plan is to do these empties posts quarterly rather than monthly - partly because they can get a bit repetitive, and partly because I'm not planning to post more than once per week at this stage.  I didn't like the idea of 1 in every 4 posts being devoted to my trash.

The overwhelming majority of these products were my own purchases so - as always - you can be assured of my honest opinion.  Of course I'll indicate where products have been sent by PR and, yes, my honest opinion still holds there too.  In this post you'll notice a lot of products are from The Body Shop, mostly courtesy of an advent calendar I've been working my way through.  Also, if it seems some categories are underrepresented (like moisturiser!) it's because I have some old non-CF products I'm using while they're still good and they obviously won't be mentioned here.

SKIN CARE

Natio Cucumber & Aloe Micellar Cleansing Water (200ml/6.7 fl.oz)
I bought a bottle of this last year and liked it enough to snap up two more bottles at the Natio warehouse sale. It's very gentle, has minimal scent, and is very effective at cleansing with no residual stickiness.

Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Wipes (10 wipes)
I don't generally use wipes any more but I bought these for travel.  They did the job of removing makeup well enough although they were quite small - also the cucumber scent was quite strong and I couldn't make up my mind whether I liked that or not.

The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Make-up Remover (150ml/5.0 fl.oz)
This is my favourite eye makeup remover and a repurchase.  It feels as gentle and refreshing as water but it really gets to work on breaking down waterproof makeup.

Face of Australia Gentle Make-up Remover (125ml/4.23 fl.oz)
This was another repurchase I'd picked up on sale.  This is also effective on dealing with waterproof mascara although it did leave some greasy residue behind.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Night Cream (15ml/0.5 oz)
This cream was rich enough to feel as though it was doing something for my skin, without feeling greasy at all.  It is quite heavily perfumed though and my husband - tactful guy that he is, usually - mentioned that my face smelt like hand cream!

Trilogy Rosehip Vital Moisturising Cream (20ml/.67 fl.oz)
I used this little sample tube as my night cream and it lasted weeks! Again, a nicely rich but non-greasy formula that sinks in to the skin and wouldn't be too heavy for daytime use.  This cream had a pleasant orange flower scent, which thankfully was not overpowering at all.

HAND & BODY CARE

Natio Spa One Minute Miracle Body Polish (400g/14.1 fl.oz) 
This was an uplifting lemony scented, super scrubby salt scrub that made body exfoliation a breeze.  This scrub also contains soybean and sesame oil so it's a multitasking scrub and body moisturizer in one. I loved it and can see a repurchase in future.

Uni Organics Lift Me Up Invigorating Body Wash (500ml/16.98 fl.oz)*
This pump bottle lasted me months and months because I only needed 3 or 4 pumps to get a good lather going in my shower puff.  The blackberry extract made for a soft fruity scent and the moisturizing formula cleansed my skin without drying it out.

Natio Wellness Hand Wash (240ml/8.1 fl.oz)
I received this in a wellbeing subscription box and I have purchased it before so I know it quite well.  This hand wash is gentle on my chronically dry skin so I don't have to rush for the hand cream afterwards.  The only issue is the runny formula can get a little messy, dribbling down the front of the bottle and onto the bathroom vanity.

The Body Shop British Rose Petal-Soft Hand Cream (30ml/1.0 fl.oz)
Okay so I really didn't like this. I did enjoy the fresh, rather crisp rose scent - the scent is a great youthful, modern interpretation of rose - but the hand cream seemed to evaporate from my skin rather than absorb and offered minimal moisture. It was no surprise for me to see alcohol in the ingredient listing then!

The Body Shop Frosted Plum Shimmer Lotion (60ml/2.0 fl.oz)
This was one of the surprises in my advent calendar. It was insanely sparkly and I'm well past the clubbing phase so I only wore it, you know, around the house...

The Body Shop Frosted Plum Body Butter (50ml/1.6 oz)
Thankfully this was shimmer-free so I didn't mind slathering the sweet scented butter on my body for some more heavy duty moisture.

The Body Shop Fijian Water Lotus Shower Gel (60ml/2.0 fl.oz)
This shower gel had a rather clean and subtle marine scent and I really enjoy simple, clean crisp scents especially in the shower. I just looked up the website and the full Fijian Water Lotus range is still available - I might be considering a full-size purchase in the future.

The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Body Scrub (50ml/1.75 oz)
Sorry but this was another disappointment. Totally ineffective as a body scrub. There were nowhere near enough scrubby particles, suspended in a thick slippery gel.  I didn't get the point of this product because it didn't seem to do anything.

Norsca Clear Passion Flower 24hr Anti-Perspirant Deodorant (150g/245ml)
This was okay but not as long wearing as it claims to be.  Norsca did have a roll-on version which I'd prefer but I can't find it anymore so I've switched to...

Mitchum Women Advanced Control 48hr Shower Fresh Roll on (50ml)
Now this keeps sweat and odour effectively at bay through anything - and I am a sweaty Betty! I'm using my backup right now.

HAIR CARE

Alchemy Ylang Ylang Shampoo and Macadamia & Wheat Protein Conditioner 
(500ml/16.9 fl.oz each)
I bought these in a pack at Costco and used them together so I'll review them as one unit. As these products are rich in botanical ingredients with no artificial fragrance they have a pleasantly unisex natural herbal scent.  Although having said that, I had them all to myself so these big bottles took months to finish - and they take a lot of room in my compact shower! These were gentle enough to use every day and I noticed how the shampoo cleansed my hair without leaving it feeling stripped and the conditioner did its thing without leaving my fine hair weighed down.

Essano Argan Oil of Morocco Nourishing Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner 
(300ml/10.14 fl.oz each)
Essano products all seem to smell like heaven and that's a large part of the reason I rushed out to buy these after trying out some samples. The sulphate-free formula shampoo felt creamy and rich when lathering my hair and left it feeling clean without being stripped or overly tangled.  The conditioner made my hair feel silky, and left it smelling amazing!

Aesop Classic Conditioner (50ml travel size)
This was a very thick conditioner which was a challenge to squeeze out of the little bottle although somehow it felt quite light on my hair.  It has a very strong herbal oil scent which I liked but might not be to everyone's taste. I'm happy to use complimentary bottles from hotel bathrooms but I don't love this enough to make a purchase.

FRAGRANCE

The Body Shop Italian Summer Fig EDT (10ml/0.33 fl.oz)
I have the full size bottle of this Mediterranean (as my mind imagines it because I've never been there) scent.  It starts off quite sharply green but mellows out and warms up nicely after a while.  Notes are: "...sparkling, refreshing shades of green notes and vine leaves, combined with honey fruit figs. The heart adds floral flavors of rose spiced with saffron while the base calms down the floral-fruity union with warm, woody notes of oak and amber".


COSMETICS

Stila Lip Glaze (Guava)
I liked this but didn't get hyped up over it.  The nude-pink shade is flattering and lovely over a nude lipstick but I wore through the tube in record time.

NARS Translucent Crystal Light Reflecting Setting Powder - Pressed
Again this was like rather than love, because of the packaging.  The powder does a great job of setting makeup without adding any colour or any powderiness (you know what I mean?) but it was hell to get out of the waffle-backed pan towards the end. I may try the loose version sometime in the future when I get through my powder backlog.

ModelCo Fat Lash Volumising Mascara (Black)
This mascara was certainly inky black and effectively volumising too. The brush has a scary ball-tip but once I got used to it, it worked well for separating and getting into the inner corner lashes.

Face of Australia Colour Max Blush (Outback Nutmeg)
For an inexpensive blush this warm peach was a favourite and low-fuss enough for everyday wear.  Medium pigmentation meant I could gradually build it up without fear of too obvious blush.

Bite Beauty Luminous Créme Lipstick (Rosé)
This creamy formula has been superseded by Amuse Bouche so just know that I did enjoy wearing this lipstick and have previously reviewed it glowingly on the blog.

Bareminerals bareSkin Perfecting Veil (Light to Medium)
This mineral powder did a nice natural looking job of setting my makeup, adding a hint of extra coverage.  It did need a little touch up in the middle of the day but I forgave that because I loved the look on the skin.


So that is 3 months' of empties for you!  I look forward to posting here again soon.
Please leave me a comment so we can have a little chat.


(Products marked * were provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)