Animal Free Beauty Products

Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub

2012-08-09T13:05:00.001-04:00

I purchased this facial scrub because :

A. I wanted a facial scrub.

B. I had a coupon.

C. I wanted to try it.

D. The music from the commercial was stuck in my head.

E. All of the above.

If you guessed E, you're right! I've been seeing these products at all the major drugstores for quite a few months now. I finally remembered to pick it up.

I was relieved and surprised to see that the label clearly stated no animal ingredients were used! Upon further review of the website, I read Simple Face Care products in GENERAL contain no animal ingredients. Yay! Another product for us to use!

So, does it work? Yes, it does. I feel like my face looks fresher and feels softer after I use it. It's not too gritty, like some other scrubs, yet it exfoliates well. The scent is interesting though. There are no perfumes or dyes in it, so I assume it's the scent of the rice granules. Yes, we're scrubbing our faces with rice. Welcome to the 21st century.

Organix Teatree Mint

2011-09-23T13:29:00.000-04:00

I rarely write a really bad review, but I'm afraid there's a first time for everything.

I tried the shampoo and conditioner from this collection a few years ago. And I still remember how much I hated it!

I bought this shampoo and conditioner because it said "hydrating". Well, that was not the case for me.

Let me start by saying it smells good. I think Organix has created a lot of products that smell really nice, and I have to give them credit for it. I used the shampoo and conditioner 2 or 3 times before I threw it away.

It dried my hair out! I didn't think it was possible for my hair to be any dryer, but with this shampoo and conditioner, it was! It stripped my hair of ALL moisture. UGH. My hair was also extremely tangled and frizzy afterwards.

Don't buy this product! Yuck!

Organix Brazilian Keratin Treatment

2011-09-23T13:21:00.000-04:00

I saw the Anti-Breakage treatment long before I saw Moroccan Oil. I definitely needed a serum and wanted to try it! It was $7.99.

The Anti-Breakage treatment is great. I don't like it as MUCH as I like the Moroccan Oil Penetrating Oil, but that's because of the smell!

I definitely noticed my hair was smoother and the frizzies were much flatter after using it. I used it especially on the ends, and split ends were less noticeable.

If you like cocoa butter, you'll like this oil. That's what the scent of this oil is.

They also offer a 30 day smoothing treatment. I definitely want to try it! At $15, it can't hurt. A lot of reviews on Facebook say it works, so I'm willing to see if it works for me. I'll do a before and after photo when I try it!

Organix

2011-09-23T12:40:00.000-04:00

The tag line of Organix hair care products is "Beauty Pure and Simple". Well, finding out if we can use it? Not so simple.

Researching this company was a bit of a headache. Sulfate free? Yes. Animal free? Well, sometimes. The FAQ's on this site are a bit annoying and confusing. So I went to the Facebook page to ask them directly, ARE THERE ANY ANIMAL BYPRODUCTS????? This is the response I received:

Yes, some of our shampoos and conditioners do contain animal by-products such as keratin derived from sheep wool and whipped egg white proteins. Our products also contain silk amino acids, but the silk is extracted naturally. This is a very tedious process of unwinding the cocoon by hand. For an animal free product I would recommend the hydrating teatree mint, renewing Moroccan argan oil, Brazilian keratin therapy or the rejuvenating cherry blossom ginseng shampoos and conditioners, but please keep in mind that while they are animal by-product free, they still contain the silk and then that would be a matter of your personal preference. In addition, please be assured that none of our products, nor its' ingredients are tested on animals. We are very proud of that fact and will not change.

Well, what does this mean???? I'll break it down for you. If you are looking for a completely vegan product, this isn't the brand for you. If you are looking for a HALAL product, go ahead and buy it! Since there is no whey, gelatin or anything derived from a pig, you can use it. I will classify this product as VEGETARIAN. This is my personal recommendation.

Organix makes countless shampoos, conditioners and stylers, which I have seen in many mainstream drugstores. I will review the ones I have tried next. There are also body products available, but I have not come across them. I definitely want to try them.

St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub

2011-09-15T11:35:00.000-04:00

I bought this scrub with the hopes of avoiding a breakout

From the St. Ives website:

This dermatologist-tested scrub can actually help to clear and soothe your skin as well as reduce redness. An active blemish-fighting ingredient fights the flare-ups, while 100% natural exfoliants encourage healthier, clearer skin.

I like the exfoliating power of this scrub. Not too gritty, yet not too smooth. It feels like it works. Unfortunately, I did not see a difference in my breakout. It did help clear up a little bit of redness, but not much more than that.

It also really smells like tea. My husband told me it smelled gross when I got to bed. Oh well.

Master Makeup!

2011-01-10T12:23:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I've had this product for MONTHS and never reviewed it. Oh well, better late than never!

I bought the Master Makeup Collection from E.L.F. At $45, it's a great deal, but since E.L.F. always has TONS of coupons, I got it for around $20!

141 pieces? I'm in heaven! I was looking for a palette, and the price just grabbed me. As well as ALL of the eyeshadow colors. Now, if you don't LOVE makeup, or wear LOTS of different colors, I wouldn't recommend this for you. It will just take up space. (Although it is compact and really doesn't take up a LOT of space).

I have used plenty of the products in it thus far. Lots of eyeshadows, lip colors, the blush, and the concealer. I'm not a fan of the applicators that come in the set, as I prefer brushes. The lip brush is a little small.

The colors are great and you can try any look from neutral to dramatic. I've found the golden shadows to be my favorite! I also love the darkest brown bronzer for contouring. The lip colors are nice, but since I need to reapply lip color all the time, it really isn't practical for me.

If you or someone you know is an aspiring makeup artist, or just REALLY loves makeup, this palette is for them!

Brushes!

2011-01-10T11:48:00.000-05:00

I am always looking for good brushes that don't break the bank. I don't know about you, but $20 or more for an eyeshadow brush seems ridiculous. So I was looking for affordable brands of makeup brushes, and came across some reviews on YouTube. The only thing? They weren't makeup brushes at all!

Loew-Cornell is apparently the MAC of paintbrushes. Yes, I just said paintbrushes. Like, for paint. On paper. No, I am not crazy. I have been watching countless YouTube makeup tutorials, and MANY of the makeup gurus have suggested using the Loew-Cornell brushes as a substitute for makeup brushes. And many of them have said they are MAC quality. Well, I think you know where this is going......

I ordered a package of Loew-Cornell brushes to test out. They are made of nylon, so NO ANIMAL HAIR here! I opened the package thinking they would be rough. I was wrong! These brushes are SO soft and they really don't irritate the skin! I haven't used them for makeup yet, as I still have to wash them first! (Wash and condition your brushes before you use them; they will help the brushes from shedding!) The brushes are definitely on par with my Eco-Tools brushes, which I adore.

I also ordered another brush made from Royal Brushes. The brush is a blending brush, and once again, SUPER SOFT. I love it and I will be definitely practicing my blending techniques with this brush!

The best thing about these brushes? THE PRICE! I got 11 brushes for less than $10. I definitely recommend going into your local craft store and looking at and feeling the brushes. Decide which ones feel soft and won't irritate your skin.

Watch EnKore Makeup or Hair and Makeup How To on YouTube to see the comparisons to MAC brushes!

BARRY M!!!!

2010-10-20T13:12:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I know I get a lot of international readers (WHO KNEW?) and a lot of you use Barry M. Well, from what I understand, Barry M is THE hottest makeup in the UK.

From the Barry M website:

Barry M Cosmetics have never tested their finished products or ingredients on animals or engaged another company to do so on our behalf.

All of our products are suitable for vegetarians but some contain animal by-products (like Beeswax) making them unsuitable for Vegans.

Ranges of products not suitable for Vegans are Foundation Creme, Shimmering Body Creme, Translucent Compact (loose powder format is fine), Natural Dazzle compact (loose powder format is fine), Shimmering Eye and Lip Crayon, Lip paint, Touch of Magic Lip Gloss, Super Soft Eye Crayon, Lip gloss Stacking Set and Lip Balm, Blusher Brush & Eye Brush.

Dazzle Dust numbers 3, 5, 6, 7, 21, 32, 33, 36, 48, 64, 85, 86, 90 are not suitable for vegans.

Isn't it fantastic? I am just hoping that it is available in the US soon!

http://www.barrym.com/

St. Ives Apricot Invogorating Scrub

2010-10-20T12:49:00.000-04:00

I boycotted St. Ives products until they specifically stated on their label which products didn't have animal ingredients!

Now, I've returned to one of my original loves: Apricot Scrub! I originally started using this as a teenager, but lost touch with it.

I was looking for a cleanser/scrub and happened to see the Apricot Scrub on the very bottom shelf. I thought to myself, "Well, since I can use it again, why not?"

The Apricot Invigorating Scrub is just that: Invigorating! It is designed for Fresh Skin. I use it once a day and it never fails to leave my skin looking fresh, clean and bright. It's especially great to take off makeup or clean the skin after sweating! I am prone to dry patches, blackheads and whiteheads, and the scrub helps with ALL of those problems. I also notice that my complexion looks more even.

They also make the Apricot Scrub for Sensitive Skin (Gentle), Timeless Skin (Renew and Firm), and Naturally Clear (Blemish and Blackhead Control). There is an Apricot Scrub for every skin type, so there are no worries about hurting your skin.

Another great plus? It's AFFORDABLE! I don't know about you, but I am not about to spend more than $10 on a facial scrub. The Apricot Scrub retails for about $5.99.

St. Ives Apricot Invigorating Scrub

Yes to Carrots Body Butter

2010-09-14T18:35:00.000-04:00

I just realized, I've been carrying this vegan product in my bag for MONTHS and I haven't blogged about it.

I was in Target, when I came across the travel sized beauty products. I'm always looking for fun stuff to put in my bag, so imagine my surprise when I saw the Yes to Carrots Body Butter in a miniature form! For a $1! Well, you probably remember that I did a post on Yes to Carrots products a while back. I thought to myself, "Hey this would be a great review for the blog!". It might be 6 months later, but you guys know I still love ya!

This body butter is FANTASTIC. Rich, thick and creamy, but NOT GREASY. Every body butter I have come across has seemed so greasy and oily. The Yes to Carrots Body Butter is absolutely not those things. I used it on my hands religiously and my 2 year old daughter got accustomed to asking me for it as well! It smells very nice and at $8.70 for 11.83 oz., you can't get a better deal.

I highly recommend this body butter for dry hands and feet. I will be definitely buying more once the winter rolls around and everyone starts to look ashy!

http://www.yestocarrots.com/

New Blog!

2010-09-14T14:12:00.001-04:00

I know I haven't been here lately! I'm sorry :( I've been so busy with school and just life in general, that I haven't had a chance to research or review! I'll be back soon though, I promise!

I haven't given up on writing though! While I was away, I have been writing opinions, reviews and articles. A couple have even been published! I'm pretty excited and wanted to share it with you!

I've created a online blog/portfolio of with links to my writings. Most of it are in compilations with other writers, a couple are entire articles I've written. Please check it out, and show me the love!

http://www.amwritingportfolio.blogspot.com/

Love you all and I'll be back soon!

I've Been Nominated!

2010-04-23T11:57:00.002-04:00

The beautiful Sophie has nominated me for a blog award!

http://ablondeblogger.blogspot.com/2010/04/sunshine-blog-award.html

She's actually quite the writer and really interesting! Check her out!

Thanks Sophie!

MoroccanOil

2009-12-05T00:14:00.005-05:00

I don't even know where to begin with MoroccanOil. I've seen it in my local salon, but I never asked my hairdresser what it was and how much it is. I regret that now! Get ready for a rave!

From the MorrocanOil website:

None of our products use animal ingredients. Our products and ingredients are not animal tested.Whenever possible, we use recycled packaging materials.

I love, love, LOVE the MoroccanOil Treatment. It's the original and founding product of the entire line. It is a finishing oil and it is absorbed into the hair instantly! No more of the greasy look while trying to make your hair look healthy! It also smells great! You only need to run a dime sized amount of oil throughout your hair for it to work!

MoroccanOil also makes different types of products, such as curl cream and styling cream. Check out the website for the full list!

I spent $10 on a 0.85 oz. bottle at my salon.You might think that's crazy, but since you don't need to use so much, and you don't need to use it everyday, I think it's a great investment. I don't know if it is sold in regular stores, so you might want to do a quick search before you go looking for it. The MorrocanOil website also has salon locations that sell their products.

http://www.moroccanoil.com/

Giovanni Haircare

2009-12-05T00:01:00.002-05:00

The Giovanni shampoo and conditioner is pricey. $8 per bottle at my local Rite Aid. Now, normally I wouldn't spend that much on shampoo and conditioner, but I had a coupon, so I figured, why not?! I purchased the "Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture" shampoo and conditioner.

I'm not crazy about the smell. I can't quite describe what it smells like (herbal? tea tree oil?) All I know is that it's not my cup of tea (maybe it's chamomile?)

I don't see anything special with my hair after using it, and since the smell put me off, I'm not really loving this shampoo and conditioner. But at $8 a bottle, I'm not about to buy more shampoo until I've finished this one. I'm not only a beauty junkie, i'm frugal too!

I wouldn't recommend this shampoo and conditioner if you have extremely dry hair, like me. I think if you have normal hair, you might see a difference. And the price is still bothering me. Don't waste your money.

St. Ives Energizing Citrus Body Wash

2009-12-04T23:58:00.003-05:00

I bought this, knowing full well that it is animal free! It smells great, and it's definitely something you would want to use in the A.M. It doesn't smell orange-y or lemon-y (sorry my terms are not more scientific). It smells like a mix of grapefruit, orange, lemon and lime. Very subtle, and it does the job.

Nothing to rant or rave about though. It works and smells nice.

No to Vegetables? How about Yes To Carrots???

2009-10-30T23:36:00.003-04:00

I have seen the "Yes To Carrots" products in Rite Aid. Little did I know that they were vegan, with the exception of a few products that contain honey and beeswax. I haven't tried the products, but I am now intrigued. I don't eat carrots, but why not use it on my face???

They actually have 3 different lines, made specifically for your skin type.

Yes To Carrots is for Normal to Dry Skin
Yes To Tomatoes is for Oily to Combination Skin
Yes To Cucumbers is for Normal to Sensitive Skin

They make Face Care, Body Care, Hand Care, Hair Care and Lip Care products. I have to say, it's nice to see so many options with this specific company.

www.yestocarrots.com

St. Ives

2009-10-30T22:45:00.003-04:00

This is HUGE! I've been boycotting St. Ives for sometime now, since a majority of their products contained animal byproducts. I then see a commercial for St. Ives today, talking about their "natural commitment". Honestly, I didn't give it much thought, until I was able to see they specifically tell us which products DO NOT CONTAIN ANIMAL DERIVED INGREDIENTS!!!! I've compiled a list for you, to make it easier.

This is an amazing advancement in the beauty industry. Instead of having to contact companies constantly and go back and forth, the information we need is available up front.

FRESH SKIN (Facial Cleansers)
Invigorating Apricot Scrub
Gentle Apricot Scrub
Moisturizing Olive Scrub
Warming Scrub Olive Cleanser
Make-up Remover & Facial Cleanser
Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer

NATURALLY CLEAR (Facial Cleansers)
Blemish Fighting Apricot Cleanser

TIMELESS SKIN
Renew and Firm Apricot Scrub Daily Microdermabrasion

PREVENT AND RELIEVE DRY SKIN (Lotions)
Hydrating Vitamin E
Soothing Oatmeal Shea
Soothing Aloe & Chamomile
Replenishing Mineral Therapy
Restoring 24 Hour Moisture Intensive Healing

TOTAL INDULGENCE (Lotion)
Softening Whipped Silk

FLAWLESS BEAUTY
Cellulite Shield Lotion Cellulite Shield Gel Crème

CLEANSING (Body Wash)
Oatmeal Shea
Creamy Vanilla
Energizing Citrus
Exfoliating Apricot
Cucumber Melon
Hydrating Vitamin E
Whipped Silk
Mineral Therapy
Soy Milk & Lotus Blossom

EXFOLIATING (Body Scrubs)
Oatmeal Shea
Mineral Therapy
Collagen Elastin

www.stives.com

Victoria's Secret Pink Energizing Sugar Scrub

2009-10-30T22:29:00.005-04:00

Remember when I told you that the entire Victoria's Secret Pink line of beauty and bath products was totally vegan? (If not, check the archives) Well, when I was on line in the store for a free product, I felt weird and decided I should actually BUY something. This product just so happened to be exactly next to me, and at $10, I didn't mind picking it up to try.

From the Victoria's Secret website:

You need an invigorating wake-up call for your tired, lackluster skin. Our energizing body scrub is the answer. It uses gentle exfoliants, including natural sugar crystals, to slough away rough, dry patches. Packed with U.S.-sourced Citrus, Organic Mint, plus a boost of caffeine from Organic Coffee Beans to refresh, energize and tone. Rub all over and rinse off to reveal smooth, radiant looking skin from tip to toes

I have to say, ONE OF THE BEST PURCHASES FROM VICTORIA'S SECRET EVER!!!!! I cannot rave ENOUGH about this product! It smells beautiful, and it gets the job done! The sweet citrus and mint scent is invigorating without being overpowering. It is the perfect pick me up after a long, and DRY winter day. It really does what it says it does. Very rarely do I find a product that I love THIS much, but I do! I think the coffee crystals help the circulation of blood, so you get a nice and even glow. I used it that night, and I even used it on my face! (Not recommended if you have sensitive skin!!) It is also a great pre-shave exfoliant. I don't know about you, but this winter weather gets my legs SUPER dry. This cures that in an instant!

http://www.victoriassecret.com/

EOS Lip Balm

2009-10-30T22:20:00.004-04:00

I got a FULL size free sample from Evolution of Smooth (EOS). They have a 100% natural, 95% organic lip balm. It comes in flavours of Honeysuckle Honeydew, Summer Fruit, and Sweet Mint. I received the Sweet Mint.

From the EOS website:

Everything about eos – from our ingredients to the why-didn't-anyone-think-of-this-before packaging to the irresistible feel and scent of our lotions and creams and balms – is created to be pretty remarkable...and remarkably pretty.
eos fits a woman's sense of style and also lets her have fun in the process of getting more beautiful.
Try eos and feel the difference.

Unfortunately, I don't feel a difference. Although the packaging IS cute, I don't feel that this product IS remarkable. The mint flavour was a little TOO tingly on my lips. It isn't greasy, though. I guess this is a balm for everyday use, but I don't feel that it would work on chapped lips.

EOS does make other products, such as shave cream and soon, lotions. But I doubt that I will even try them. Anyone try this brand before?

www.evolutionofsmooth.com

L'oreal EverPure

2009-08-29T00:09:00.003-04:00

L'oreal is not a brand that comes to mind when thinking of vegan beauty products. They have a long history of testing on animals and putting animal byproducts into their products.

Not anymore! The new L'oreal EverPure line is cruelty free AND 100% VEGAN!* It's also Sulfate free and specially designed for colored hair.

The L'oreal EverPure line includes:

Moisture Shampoo

Moisture Conditioner

Moisture Restorative Masque

Moisture Leave-in Conditioner

Smooth Shampoo

Smooth Conditioner

Smooth Deep Control Masque

Smooth Frizz Free Serum

Volume Shampoo

Volume Conditioner

UV Protect Spray

I'm really excited to see all of these options! I can't wait to try the "Smooth" line, especially the serum.

It's nice to see that a company like L'oreal is finally realizing the need for vegan products. I hope they keep this up and find alternative ways to make ALL of their products vegan!

*This information was confirmed by the L'oreal website and PETA.

Chapstick 100% Naturals Lip Butter Review

2009-08-28T23:52:00.004-04:00

Hello all! I know it's been a long time! I hope you are all happy and healthy!

I want to write about Chapstick 100% Naturals. If you recall my "Luscious Lips" post, you'll remember that I wrote about many different lip balms that are animal free. Well, I finally picked up Chapstick 100% Naturals Lip Butter.

It's a great lip balm, it doesn't sting (much like Blistex does) and it doesn't really have a smell. It contains 5 natural butters, including Shea, Avacado and Raspberry, but it isn't greasy. It's nice enough to wear before you go to bed, and it lasts for quite sometime. My lips feel nice and smooth. I definitely recommend it to someone who just needs a little bit of moisturizing.

The Body Shop

2009-07-02T23:59:00.003-04:00

How did I not know this???? The Body Shop website states the following:

We also ensure all our products are suitable for vegetarians and seek out alternative sources of ingredients that do not contribute to the destruction of habitat of endangered animals, or cause animal suffering. We just think it's what everyone should do.

It's a vegetarian friendly company!!!!!! WOW, I am so out of the loop! And they do good work by using sustainable resources.

Some of the products contain beeswax, so be sure to check the label when purchasing!

P.S. They have lip products too!

Giovanni Hair Care

2009-07-02T23:42:00.004-04:00

I came across Giovanni hair care products a few weeks ago in my local fruit store! (Suddenly, that place has been my "go to" to find new products!) Apparently, Giovanni is a salon owner in Beverly Hills. The website says:

Giovanni pioneered his hair care with the concepts of:

No animal testing
Products with no animal by-products
Biodegradable formulas
Products using Certified Organic ingredients

I must say, I'm really intrigued. I haven't tried it yet, but I think I just might. If you come across this and try it, let me know how it works out! From what I understand, you can find it in Walgreens and The Vitamin Shoppe.

I'm always looking for the perfect shampoo that doesn't make my hair dry or sticky. Let's see how this one works out. I'll review soon!

Luscious Lips!

2009-07-02T22:35:00.004-04:00

A dear reader asked me about which lip balms are ok to use. From my research thus far, many products contain animal byproducts and a LOT of unnecessary chemicals. So what can you use?

Kiss My Face Lip Care contains "Organic Beeswax" and/or royal jelly (another bee byproduct), which are the only animal byproducts they use.

Avalon Organics Vitamin C Lip Balm is completely vegan.

Lush lip balms contain beeswax. Otherwise, vegetarian friendly.

EcoLips makes lip balms that contain beeswax, but they also make tinted balms that are CARMINE AND LANOLIN FREE!!! (YAY!)

Badger lip products contain beeswax.

Softlips has a new organic line called Softlips Pure and they contain beeswax.

Chapstick 100% Naturals has Lip Butter and Botanical Medley, both of which contain beeswax.

Crazy Rumors makes all natural and VEGAN lip balms and tints.

E.L.F. makes a Therapeutic Conditioning Lip Balm that is completely VEGAN.

That's all I have for today. I know you might not have heard of some of these companies, but click on the above links. You should be able to order online, or find a "Store Locator" or "Find A Store" option.

P.S. Whole Foods sells a lot of organic body care items, it's a good idea to check there!

I want to tell you a secret!

2009-06-17T14:24:00.004-04:00

I have a little secret to share. Well, not so much a secret, but a secret recipe!

Do you want silky smooth feet? Want to get your feet gorgeous for the summer weather and sandals? Can't find a foot scrub without animal byproducts? Neither can I! That's why I make my own. No, I am not Martha Stewart. Yes, I can really make it. And so can you!

Everyone has the ingredients in their home, or can access them easily!

Shiny Happy Feet Foot Scrub:

1 cup of Kosher salt (if you would like a coarse foot scrub) or sugar (if you would like a finer scrub)
1/2 cup of olive oil or almond oil (I like olive oil better because it is richer)
2 drops of peppermint essential oil (this is just for the smell, and you can do without it)
Break open 2 caps of Vitamin E capsules or add a few drops of Glycerin (this can be found at a pharmacy)

Mix all the ingredients together, adding more or less of any ingredient until you get the right consistency. If you use sugar, it will be more like a foot polish.

Put the scrub in an airtight GLASS jar (a plastic container will not preserve the scrub).

Happy Scrubbing!