All posts tagged cruelty-free

My Urban Decay Addiciton

I might need therapy.  But I just can’t help but love Urban Decay.  From their gorgeous packaging to the oh-so-clever names, I’m regularly tempted to splurge/binge on their products.  Add to the mix that their stuff is cruelty-free and it’s even harder to resist.  Honestly, the only thing keeping me from amassing a huge collection of their stuff is my budget…

Not pictured: All the stuff I've bought my daughter and reserve a right to borrow.

Not pictured: All the stuff I’ve bought my daughter and reserve the right to borrow. Also: The full-size “De Slick” spray I put into another container.

 

Curse you, Urban Decay:  As if the above-mentioned reasons aren’t enough to cause a problem, they regularly offer amazing deals on products in their sale section.    Seriously, a palette of 6 eye shadows that normally would cost $18 each for $24.  Who can resist that?!?!  (OK, the $8.95 shipping makes it slightly more resist-able, but still…)

As if Things Aren’t Bad Enough:  I’ve now enabled my daughter onto a path of Urban Decay addiction.  I keep buying her stuff and now she’s bought herself the Naked 2 palette.  Not that I’m saying $52 is a ridiculous amount of money to spend on something like that.  Because it’s not – if you have the $52 to spend.

It Gets Worse:  I got a rare good-on-anything coupon for Ulta before Christmas.  Somehow, I managed to restrain myself and only buy 2 eye shadows.  My son got me an Ulta gift card for Christmas.  I bought another eye shadow.  My parents gave me money for Christmas.  I bought a 4-shadow palette (that came with an eye shadow) and another eye shadow.  And I’ve got my eye on a kit that’s exclusive to a specific retailer.  (It’s on sale!!!)

I’m Not Alone:  Tons of beauty bloggers swear by Urban Decay’s stuff.  Obviously, Urban Decay is aware of this, because they now have a whole line of “fan gear”.    If I surfed (in the ocean, not just on the internet!), I would probably be tempted to buy the UD surfboard.  Oh, and it’s a good thing my kids are teenagers, or I’d be ordering that UD onesie!

Someone Help Me:  I kind of wish I would hear something bad about Urban Decay so I’d have an excuse to boycott their products. (It would be hard, but I have principles and will not give my money to companies that support hate groups – no matter how much I love their waffle fries.)

OK, Seriously:  Urban Decay makes great stuff. While I’m too old for some of their products (glitter eyeliner and all other things “sparkly”), some of them are perfect for me.  If it weren’t for Urban Decay’s “Blackout” eye shadow, I’d still be frustrated on a regular basis, trying – unsuccessfully – to put on eyeliner in pencil form.

Thank You, Urban Decay:  I appreciate your amusing product names.  I love that your stuff is cruelty-free.  I think the packaging is lovely.  While I may wish it were more affordable, I’ve never felt that any Urban Decay product I’ve purchased was a total waste of money.  And that’s more than I can say for any other company’s stuff.

Leave a comment
by Bridgett on December 30, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Random Thoughts, Review
Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Bridgett on December 30, 2013

https://bridgettsbeautyblog.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/my-urban-decay-addiciton/

Love This! Urban Decay Eyeshadow (in “Blackout”)

I have needed to get out and buy a new black eye shadow for a while now.  You see, I’m eyeliner-challenged.  I cannot “get the hang” of using an eyeliner pencil to save my life.  So, my solution is to use an angled eyeliner brush and black eye shadow to create a “liner”.  A recent rash of what I call “eye allergy attacks” (intensely painful, burning sensation that occurs suddenly – sometimes while I’m driving!) has motivated me to take the leap and spend a little money on a good eye shadow.  (The one I’ve been using is good, but very old.)  Also, I got a $10 Sephora gift card for $5, which I used to justify spending the money on this product…

Pros:  Vegan. Cruelty-free. Paraben-free.  Not made in China. Deeply pigmented. Matte finish makes it versatile for use as an eyeliner, or as a way of “darkening” lighter colors. (Note: Also available in not-matte black shades.)

Cons:  Expensive.  Container is a little difficult to open.  (I have long fingernails and am always worried about damaging them – or my nail polish…)

In Summary:  This eye shadow works perfectly for what I need.  Although I haven’t used it as an actual eye shadow (only liner), its deep, dark color is impressive.  It goes on smoothly and stays in place.  I may even invest in some more colors in the near future – if I can get a good deal on them!

Rating:  5 out of 5 stars  5-stars

Note:  Normally, I would only give it 4.5 stars, because of the price.  However, since it’s a great product AND it’s cruelty and paraben-free, I think it’s worth the extra money.

Price:  $18

Available at:  UrbanDecay.com, Sephora.com, Ulta.com, beauty.com

urban decay blackout eye shadow

 

Leave a comment
by Bridgett on September 2, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Love This!, Review
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Bridgett on September 2, 2013

https://bridgettsbeautyblog.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/love-this-urban-decay-eyeshadow-in-blackout/

Review (Love This!): Ferro Cosmetics Blush

I’ve been needing to find some new blushes.  I have some that I’ve been holding onto for WAY too long and they’re getting a little “cakey”.  Some of the others I don’t even like, but I’ve kept them because they’re a color I need/want.  So, I was glad to get these in my sample collection of products from TotalBeauty.com… 

Pros:  100% natural.  Vegan.  Made in USA.  Dermatologist-tested.  Cruelty-free (PETA). Paraben-free. Finely milled.  Smooth texture.  Several shades available.  Company supports charitable organizations.

Cons:  Expensive.  Loose/mineral powder can be a little messy.  Limited availability. Website doesn’t list how much product comes in the container.

In Summary:  I think this is very good blush.  I like the texture more than all of the “drugstore brand” blushes I’ve used.  Add to the fact that it’s paraben and cruelty-free, and it’s definitely at the top of my list of blushes I would buy.  If budget weren’t an issue, I’d buy it in every color.

Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars  4.5-stars

Price:  $17

Available at:  ferrocosmetics.com

ferro cosmetics

Leave a comment
by Bridgett on July 22, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Love This!, Review
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Bridgett on July 22, 2013

https://bridgettsbeautyblog.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/review-love-this-ferro-cosmetics-blush/

Review: Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer

I’ve started using these as a go-to product for when I don’t want a “made-up” look on my lips.   Decide for yourself if they’re right for you…

Pros:  100% natural. Cruelty-free. (Leaping Bunny approved, although the parent company isn’t.)  Made in USA.   Comes in a great selection of colors.

Cons:  A little expensive for what they are.  Not very good at moisturizing. (I usually put lip balm on before using these.) Can have a “heavy” look if you don’t apply the least amount possible. Not long-lasting color.

In Summary:  I like these as long as I can get them on sale.   (I got a bunch of different colors for under $2 each a while back at a discount store.)  They’re a happy medium between lipstick and lip gloss, which makes them good for everyday use.

Shopping Tip: If you love these, the best deal is to try to get the “kits” or “sets” that are often available at stores that carry full lines of Burt’s Bees products.  Of course, if you’re a discount store shopper, you may be able to find them at stores like TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Ross, and Big Lots, too.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars  3-stars

Price: approx. $5 each (have seen them priced up to $7)

Available at:  Target, Ulta, sometimes at discount stores

BB lip shimmer

Leave a comment
by Bridgett on July 15, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Review, Shopping Tip
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Bridgett on July 15, 2013

https://bridgettsbeautyblog.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/review-burts-bees-lip-shimmer/

Love This! Urban Decay Urban Defense (tinted moisturizer)

I got a sample of this product a loooong time ago and just recently had a reason to try it.  Reason:  I was out of other tinted moisturizers, too lazy to put on full makeup, but had an errand to run.  (No, I don’t leave my house without SOME makeup.)  After trying it, I decided to go online and see the price (bracing myself) and was happy (and sad – keep reading) to find it was 70% off the original price.  So I bought two.  One for my “year-round” color and one for my hopeful “maybe I’ll get some sun” color…

Pros:  Paraben-free.  SPF 20.  Fragrance-free.  Cruelty-free (PETA and Leaping Bunny approved – also helps contribute to PETA efforts.)  No glycerin. Has ingredients that fight free radicals (aging).  Light-diffusing ingredients give skin a healthy “glow” and minimize the appearance of flaws.  Light, smooth coverage.  Great for makeup “down days” when you want to improve your appearance without a huge time commitment.  If you want a little more coverage, you can put some powder on over it.

Cons:  Parent company – L’Oreal – isn’t cruelty-free.  Can’t tell if it’s oil-free.  (I’m not an ingredients expert, but there isn’t anything listed with “petroleum” or “oil” in the name…)  Only available in 4 shades. Color swatches on the container make it hard to tell the actual color.  Although I ordered 2 different ones,  the swatches are almost identical, although the colors aren’t.  Observe:

"Halo" on left, "Bodyguard" on right.

“Halo” on left, “Bodyguard” on right.

Note:  I’m pretty sure this has been discontinued, based on its lack of availability at Sephora and Ulta, as well as its very low price at UrbanDecay.com.  It got great reviews, but I’m guessing they’re phasing it out to market the “BB” and “CC” creams that seem to be so popular.

In Summary:  I really, really like this product.  It definitely solves a problem/need I have on a regular basis.  No, it’s not the only tinted moisturizer on the market, but I love that this one is paraben-free and cruelty-free.  I’m secretly hoping Urban Decay is just revamping the packaging (which they’ve done with lots of their products recently, including some of the ones they put on clearance) and the product will come back.  Not that I’m complaining about getting 70% off, mind you…

Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars  4.5-stars

Price:  $9 at UrbanDecay.com, $30 at Beauty.com, prices vary elsewhere

Note:  Urbandecay.com shipping is a little expensive (and slow!) at $8.

Available at: UrbanDecay.com, Beauty.com, some other online retailers

urban decay urban defense

 

Leave a comment
by Bridgett on July 5, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Love This!, Review
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Bridgett on July 5, 2013

https://bridgettsbeautyblog.wordpress.com/2013/07/05/love-this-urban-decay-urban-defense-tinted-moisturizer/

Review: NYX Color Lip Balm

I received this item in my recent Total Beauty Collection “mystery” box.  I would not normally buy this product, because of its country of origin, but since I had already paid for it and I really like colored lip balms, I decided I would try it…

Pros:  Smooth texture.  Good amount of color.  Paraben-free.  Cherry flavor/scent, which some may or may not like.

Cons:  Kind of greasy.  A little bit large/bulky, making it difficult to get onto small areas. Made in Taiwan (a Chinese-controlled country. It’s safe to assume the same lack of safety oversight that has caused so many safety concerns with Chinese-made products applies to Taiwan’s factories as well.)

Note:  This item carries the PETA “Cruelty-free” logo, but Chinese laws require animal testing on cosmetics products, so some people choose not to buy products that are marketed or made in China.  That is not to say that this item is tested on animals.  If it’s only made for export to other countries, it wouldn’t be required that it be tested on animals.  The law applies to cosmetics products sold in China.

In Summary:  This is a decent product for what it is, and for the price.  If it weren’t for the country of origin, I would probably keep buying it.

Rating:  3 out of 5 stars  3-stars

Price:  approx. $3

Available at:  drugstores, mass merchandisers, Ulta, NYXcosmetics.com

nyx color lip balm

Leave a comment
by Bridgett on June 24, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Review
Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Bridgett on June 24, 2013

https://bridgettsbeautyblog.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/review-nyx-color-lip-balm/

Want to Shop (truly!) Cruelty-Free?

It can be hard to “shop your conscience”.  You may try to buy products that say “cruelty-free” or “not tested on animals”, but according to a recent report, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has almost no control over these labels.  Some companies are a bit more honest and will label products with a phrase like “Final product not tested on animals.”  That means the ingredients are probably tested on animals.   If you don’t want to use beauty products that were tested on animals, there’s an easy way to check up on the products you buy (or want to buy) …

Leaping Bunny:  The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (who runs the Leaping Bunny program) has tons of information about this important cause.  Their website has a list of cruelty-free companies, including partner companies that donate a portion of proceeds back to the program.

Resources:  You can check their online PDF, order a portable copy, or get the Leaping Bunny app for iPhone (at the iTunes store) or Android.

Social Media:  You can also find them on Facebook and

Look for the Logo:  Check the back/bottom/side of products for the Leaping Bunny logo.  It looks like this:

Leave a comment
by Bridgett on September 5, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Consumer Information, Shopping Tip
Tagged , , , , ,

Posted by Bridgett on September 5, 2012

https://bridgettsbeautyblog.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/want-to-shop-truly-cruelty-free/