Cruelty Free Makeup and More

This post is dedicated to my daddy, who we lost on 2/7/2014.  He loved all creatures (even bugs!) and was the best man who ever walked the earth!  

I love animals. I love makeup. I don't like, when animals are being tested on, and I don't like companies that test on animals. This year I am making the goal of going cruelty free. I've already been looking into products and brands that do not test on animals, household and beauty. My research has led me to quite a few revelations, some good, some bad.

First off, the bad........ I've already nixed M.A.C.. I hate their customer service and guess what?  They test on animals! They used to be cruelty free and their slogan used to be "tested on models, not on animals". They no longer are cruelty free.  M.A.C. sells their products in China, and in China, the government makes it mandatory to test all products on the poor helpless bunnies in their testing facilities. These poor babies are waiting in cages, in fear, and what happens you ask?.  Makeup companies spray/put horrible things in their eyes and God only knows what else is being done.  I can not stand behind brands that torment defenseless little animals.

My love, Mia

I still have a few M.A.C. products that I have to finish this year, some lipsticks and other things. I spent money on these products and am not going to let them go to waste.  I'm disappointed because I do like their eyeshadow primer in Painterly (and I'm almost out) and I like their M.A.C. Fix Plus. But, until they stop selling in China, I will not contribute $$$$ to their animal testing.

Another bad... drugstore bad. Maybelline and Revlon. I have some products that I bought and I still need to finish, but once I'm done, that's it. My money will not go to these companies anymore. It's a shame because I love the Maybelline Color Sensation lipstick, mascara and eyeliner.  Time to use new lines of products. NYX matte lipstick is an amazing alternative to the Maybelline Color Sensation lipstick.

My love, Samwise Gamgee

Ok, now sorta bad/sorta good?.... Urban Decay, NYX, BareMinerals and NARS. Four brands that I love a lot! While these four lines don't test on animals and from my understanding, are not sold in China, their parent companies L'Oreal and Shiseido do. Again I have a couple of L'Oreal products that I have to finish this year. One beauty blogger says to buy from the lines that do not test on animals, that way the parent companies can see that they do not have to sell their products in China and can still make money.  I will continue to buy, Urban Decay, BareMinerals and NARS, but I'm a bit conflicted with this decision.  Am I being a hypocrite? I want to show my support for the lines which are cruelty free and that our voices are heard.

As I was in Ulta today, the sales lady, Erin, and I were talking about this very subject.  She said that L'Oreal is moving in the direction of being completely, 100% cruelty free.  I'm sending out positive thoughts that they do travel down this route.

Who would test on this sweet face?

The good.....There are some amazing, reasonably priced, drugstore brands that are cruelty free. For example E.L.F., Makeup Academy, Wet n' Wild and Physicians Formula are all cruelty free. Wet n' Wild is made in China, but not sold there. All I see are red flags with this one! Physicians Formula is organic too.

The good....High end.  My favorite high end brand that does not test on animals AT ALL is Too Faced. I think their products are made with cocoa powder and they smell delicious.  I don't own any of their eyeshadow palettes because I'm working on my Gwen Stefani, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Palette.  Their melted lipsticks are PHENOMENAL!!

There is a brand of make up that is a local company, right here is Los Angeles, actually I think they are headquartered in Oxnard, California. It's called ColourPop.  Not only is the brand reasonably priced and is local, they are also cruelty free! The lipsticks and eyeshadows are, I think like, $5 a piece.  As far as I know this brand can only be bought online, which is not my favorite way of purchasing makeup. I am definitely going to check this company out! I love supporting local businesses. Please don't ever sell out.

Speaking of selling out..... The Body Shop. What a disappointment you are. You too were bought out by L'Oreal.  I worked for The Body Shop when Anita was still alive.  She must be turning over in her grave right now, thinking only bad thoughts. I have no words.  To even be associated with a company that tests on animals...L'Oreal (they seem to own a lot!).

This isn't just about makeup.  I am now ONLY going to buy cruelty free household cleaning products and body/hair products as well. You can find a bunch at Target. I heard their own brand (is it Up-Up?) is also cruelty free.

Did you say 'Cookie?"

I will not check on the PETA website.  If you don't know already, I am NOT a fan of PETA.  They kill "euthanize" many of their shelter animals. My dog Mia wrote a disapproving  letter to PETA a few years ago, explaining that she loves her life as a domesticated doggy.  If you'd like to read her letter, here's the link to that post:
http://jonellemariefariaedrosolano.blogspot.com/2010/08/applying-for-job-at-peta.html

No one can tell me that rubbing a lipstick on a rats face can determine if a lipstick is safe for human use.  We're not rats. What works for one person may not work for another.  I'm severely allergic to Penicillin. They tested that on animals for years.  It makes me sick to my stomach thinking about the agony that these poor animals must go through, and it's NOT for our benefit......

For a complete list of cruelty brands, beauty and household, check out these links below. There are SO many brands to choose from, so make good choices!!

Sources and links:

Cruelty-Free Kitty
http://www.crueltyfreekitty.com/start-here/

Logical Harmony---but they list Lime Crime as being cruelty free and I've heard it isn't. So be careful and research
http://www.logicalharmony.net/#axzz3zPB8I1bF

BlogHer
http://www.blogher.com/how-shop-cruelty-free-target

Leaping Bunny
https://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/LeapingBunny

I have a great quote, but I can't read who said it, and I want to clarify, it wasn't me, "Compassion for animals is intimately connected with the goodness of character; and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man" 

Sam and Mia say, "Don't test on animals!

Shop cruelty free!"

NARS Audacious: Daring Colors Finding the Perfect Lipstick

I'm obsessed with makeup. What can I say, except that I feel better when my face is "done up". I have fair skin, dark eyes and dark hair, so a little bit goes a very long way.

I am so behind on this review. The NARS Audacious lipsticks have

NARS Audacious in Greta

been out for over a year, but I never got around to writing a review.

I love NARS makeup.  I always have. The Audacious line is my absolute favorite brand of lipstick.  I wish I could purchase all the colors that I love, but at $32 a tube, I have to control my urges.

The lipstick itself comes in a sleek, all black tube and has a magnetic lid. Surprisingly though, in my purse, the lid stays on better than other lipsticks I've owned. The NARS label is stamped right on the lipstick. When these lipsticks were launched back in September 2014, there were (and I'm assuming still are) 40 shades. Some were exclusive to NARS Boutique Stores and Barney's, while the others could be found in Nordstroms and Sephora.

I originally read a review of these lipsticks in Elle Magazine and instantly fell in love with the colors Fanny and Greta.They're described on the NARS site as a  "Rich Berry" (Fanny) and "Wild Azalea" (Greta). I went to Sephora first, hoping that both colors would be in stock. While there, I only found Fanny and was so disappointed to learn that at that time, they didn't sell Greta. Fanny ended up being way too dark for my skin tone. The salesgirl recommended that I try Janet, described on the NARS site as being a "Deep Magenta". The color looked good on me, but my heart was still set on Greta. So with that, I was out the door without my lipstick (sad panda).

I decided to try Nordstroms next. I was so happy to discover that Nordy's did carry Greta. The color was so amazing on my skin tone, my mother even encouraged me to buy the lipstick and that's a rarity! I still regret that I didn't pick up Janet because that was a beautiful color too. **Now, Greta can also be found at Sephora, which makes me a happy panda.

The range of colors for this brand is absolutely stunning. There's a perfect color for every girl, or boy. They range from barely there nudes to deep vampy. I would have loved Liv, a "Deep Aubergine" during my 90's "Goth" phase.  Everybody on YouTube seems to love Dominique, a "Pink Lilac", but I just can't seem to like the color.  First off it would make me look dead and completely washed out. But Dominique seems to be the color that sells out the fastest and I think that's a color that can only be found at the NARS Boutique Stores and Barney's. They can keep that color because I hate it.  I am curious about Michiyo, a "Vivid Pink" because that color looks beautiful as well.

NARS Audacious in Greta

The formula of the lipsticks can only be described as perfection.  Whatever NARS did, they did right.  They glide on so smoothly and they don't bleed or feather. Most dark, vibrant colors in other brands feather on me. I really hate the extra step of a lip liner, so if I can do without, I'm a happy girl.  I really don't need a liner with these lipsticks. One or two swipes is good enough, because they are so pigmented. I really can't rave enough about them.  I use a brush to scoop out all of it so that it doesn't go to waste.  I did try on Michiyo and that formula felt a little different.  It didn't seem to be as creamy. I wore it around for a bit, but Greta is by far my favorite and I haven't been able to find a dupe for it. 

All in all, I can't rave enough about this line of cosmetics.  I'm always looking for amazing bargains, however I will fork out my $32 for my Greta and maybe one day I'll buy another.

**Updates

The NARS Audacious lipsticks get 5 out of 5 bright pink, Gerber Daisies!   

To quote the very beautiful and very stylish Audrey Hepburn, "I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick."