Tag: cruelty-free

Mineral Fusion Concealer

While I have many treasured concealers, I generally prefer formulas with a silky consistency packaged in a tube like these. But in certain situations, I prefer a compact. I love throwing a compact in my purse. And non-liquid formulas are much better for travel.

Enter Mineral Fusion’s concealer duo. Also must be noted, this works beautifully in matching as you can blend shades to find your perfect match. The duo also is great for transitioning between seasons as the natural coloring of your face changes.

I’ve been using the Neutral shade and leaning towards using the darker color under my eyes. I blend both shades to cover blemishes and conceal around my nose. And the lighter shade makes a great eye shadow base on my eyelids. What I most appreciate about the formula is the compact actually transforms into a smooth cream for the most seamless coverage. I never get creases or cakeyness.

And lastly, I cannot tell you how many questions I get about natural and vegan products. So, I am happy to report that this concealer is:

100% Vegan
All-natural
Hypo-allergenic
Never tested on animals
Paraben, Phthalate, SLS, & fragrance-free
Whole Foods Premium compliant

Available at Whole Foods Markets, drugstore.com and MineralFusion.com

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Brand Spotlight For The Guys: JĀSÖN Natural Cosmetics

Not to say you ladies won’t want to steal these goodies, but I think Jason Natural Cosmetics is right up a guy’s alley. The natural, but effective products are a look good/feel good kind of situation. And the packaging is largely clean and masculine.

JĀSÖN, meaning healer in Greek, was started in California in 1959. The founders’ mission was to create products without the prevalent harsh chemicals while still preserving efficacy. Some of their core products were:

shampoo fueled by Apricot Oil and Wheat Protein for a naturally aromatic and gentle clean
body lotion with natural Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to soothe and smooth skin
and a whitening toothpaste powered by peppermint oil and bamboo powders.

I had my male testing team try out a couple products and they were universally pleased. First up was the Jason Natural Cosmetics Natural & Organic Satin Shower Body Wash, Tea Tree Melaleuca. First, a word of caution: don’t go in expecting this to work as or smell strongly of Tea Tree. It is more defined by its nourishing ingredients, Vitamin E & Pro-Vitamin B5. The tea tree oil and Aloe Vera subtly purifies and balances skin. I particularly love the giant containers (30oz) this body wash is available in – perfect for families.

Another member of my team checked out the Jason Natural Cosmetics Shampoo and Conditioner, Thin-To-Thick Hair & Scalp Therapy. I too deal with scalp issues so I naturally had to give it a test run myself as well. We love the botanical scent. It approaches herbal but is totally pleasant. Both Shampoo and Conditioner add volume and strength hair with Biotin, Panthenol & Natural Proteins. The Shampoo has a rich later and the plant proteins add shine and bounce. The Conditioner weightlessly strengthens and fortifies with Vitamins A, C and E, preventing split ends.

Also, in the Thin-to-Thick product line, the guy tested out Jason Thin to Thick Scalp Energizing Elixer. Almost like a serum for the scalp, my tester enjoyed using this at night as it is ever so slightly oily. The elixir revitalizes with biotin while natural folic acid and lactic acid help stimulate hair growth and prevent future hair loss. He said his hair was unusually soft and manageable the next morning.

As a note, I have also been a long time fan of Jason Natural Cosmetics Pure Beauty Oil, 5,000 IU Vitamin E Oil (see original post here). When my skin or cuticles need a little extra care, I turn to this nourishing (albeit a little messy) oil containing Black Currant, Evening Primrose, Macadamia Nut and Borage essential oils. It is a truly intensive treatment if you need to heal skin quickly.

All JĀSÖN products are committed to their “Code of Honor”:

Select safe, wholesome, natural ingredients
Rigorously test every formula to ensure safety and efficacy
Never test on animals
Constantly innovate and improve

Drybar Lauches Hair Care Line

Have you heard of Drybar? If not, where in the world have you been? Drybar was started by Alli Webb, after being frustrated with the high price of blowouts at traditional salons. Drybar locations offer only blowouts – no cuts, no color and prices start at $35. Right now, Drybar has 24 locations in New York, LA, San Francisco, Dallas, Scottsdale, San Diego, Atlanta and DC. I confess to having visited more than a handful of them. It is probably a good thing I don’t have a store in my home town because I would literally be there every single week (not kidding one single bit).

But now I can have a little bit of Drybar at home. During my visit to Drybar Dallas last week, I got to experience their brand new product line, exclusively sold at Sephora and Drybar locations. Just like the crafted experience at Drybar (think champagne and chick flicks in girly decor), Alli’s product line was thoughtfully developed and named.

The line was developed in collaboration with Drybar board member and investor Janet Gurwitch, who is also the founder and former CEO of Laura Mercier Cosmetics. “Alli’s clear vision and passion to create a line of products and tools for the perfect blowout has been impressive to watch,” says Gurwitch. “She has identified a real niche in the market and the performance of these products is truly like nothing I’ve ever experienced in hairstyling products.”

The initial product lineup:

Happy Hour Shampoo – Blowout Shampoo: leaves hair free of product buildup, prepped and lightweight for styling
Happy Hour Conditioner – Weightless Conditioner: ultra-light but still smooths and softens
Hot Toddy – Heat Protector & Frizz Fighter: conditions hair while leaving in shiny and bouncy, not flat
Southern Belle – Volumizing Mousse: adds volume without being stiff
Cream Soda – Smoothing Cream: no stiffness associated with this cream, great for thicker hair
The Chaser – Shine Pomade: increases texture for those illustrious beach waves
100 Proof – Smoothing Oil: adds shine but is weightless, even on my fine hair
Money Maker – Flexible Hold Hairspray: brushable and controls frizz, just like my beloved Elnett
Detox – Dry Shampoo: I wasn’t able to try this one, but I hear rave reviews (currently sold out at Sephora.com)

The initial tool lineup:

Buttercup – Blow Dryer: How cute is this pop of yellow?
The 3-Day Bender – Curling Iron: This iron with a rotating barrel gets the wave right every time – this one is high on my wish list.
Smooth Operator – Flatiron: made with silicon and heats to 450 degrees
Lemon Drop – Wet Brush: see Wet Brush review here, I need not say more
Full and Half Pint – Round Brushes: ceramic barrel heats up from the blow dryer, for big, loose curls and shorter drying time
Hold Me – Hair Clips: these guys make portioning hair during a blowout a sinch without damaging hair
The Morning After – Shower Cap: Kinda kicking myself for not picking up one of these while I was there, because my blowout lasted four days!

Drybar products are cruelty-free.Shop the Drybar products here:

Highlights from Youngblood Cosmetics Spring 2013

I applaud Youngblood for their truly distinctive and fresh Spring collection. From a daring eyeliner to a real God-send for those with oily skin, each addition fills a product need elegantly. I’ve been trying out three products: gel eyeliner, new lipstick and anti-mattifier. Here’s the roundup.

I can’t stop hearing about blue for the spring and I was hesitant at first. Well, I’ve come around to embrace this trend whole-heartedly – whether you go for subtle navy mascara or bold turquiose eyeliner, this look is ultimately wearable. The New Incredible Wear Gel Liner in Lagoon is for a look with more impact. I am a huge fan of gel liners as they are easy to apply and last ages. This one is no different and with safe natural ingredients, limiting irritation. The finish has a golden sheen and the iron oxide makes for a deep, rich pigment.

The new lipstick in Debalicious is a petal/bubblegum pink shade – could you get more Spring? I think not. The formula is packed with natural oils and Candelilla wax to soften and hydrate lips. While the finish is on the matte side, the formula glides on creamy. The shade will really pop on those with deeper skin tones, but is totally wearable on my light-medium complexion as well.

Attention those with shine issues: Anti-shine Mattifier is a unique and effective solution for oil control. The formula absorbs surface oil while Nigella and Pumpkin Seed oils purify and balance the skin. So your skin will be oil free throughout the day. I don’t mind the included sponge for application, but I think it is best applied with fingers to spots prone to oiliness.

All these goodies are now available on www.ybskin.com.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Advanced Mineral Makeup

I used to think mineral makeup was chalky and heavy feeling. Now I know better… with one of my all time favorite foundations being bareMinerals READY SPF 20 Foundation. For those wanting a more glowy, liquid option, look no further than Advanced Mineral Makeup.

Advanced Mineral Makeup is a 100% natural mineral makeup line created by Annie Mayo. With its lightweight and high definition properties, the foundation has been a hit on the set of NCIS and Grey’s Anatomy. If it is good enough for them, then I had to try it.

I’ve been using the liquid foundation in Ginger Snap for a couple weeks. What has me most pleased is the way the foundation lets my skin breathe. While the formula is oil free, my dry skin doesn’t feel dehydrated. I’m plagued by redness and the anti-inflammatory properties help calm down angry skin. Not to mention the foundation is free of talc, perfumes, parabens, dyes or preservatives, minimizing irritation.

I’ve been on a bit of a kick applying foundation with my fingers. Make sure to wash your hands. Apply a little on the back of your hand, pick up a little bit at a time with your fingers and work from the nose outward. This “hands-on” approach seems to allow for greater blending and a lighter application. The result is medium coverage with a glowy (but not shiny) finish. I’ve been wearing Chantecaille HD Perfecting Powder over the foundation and getting a full 8 hours of wear.

Note: this foundation is cruelty-free. Please see this post for other cruelty-free options.

You can buy Advanced Mineral Makeup on advancedmineralmakeup.com or click here for locations.

Floss Gloss Nail Polish

Floss Gloss was founded by three students from California College of the Arts. While developing their nail polishes over late nights, the deemed their burgeoning company, Floss Gloss, for nails that ‘Flossed and Glossed like a Boss’. Their spunky, funky attitude translates into contemporary but ultra-wearable shades with sassy names. Floss Gloss will knock your socks off with the best glitter polish (yes, I really mean the best), not to mention awesome color lacquers and adorable packaging. While they are advertisesed as one-coat, I needed two, but the payoff was surreal. Some shades I tried pictured above from left to right: Gloss, Perf, DimePiece, Stun, WavePool and Bassline.

My favorite of their polishes is Stun (a gold glitter). Here, I used Stun to cover some chips in OPI’s My Private Jet.

My next Floss Gloss mani was Perf. I was tempted to do an accent nail in DimePiece but opted to let the sugary pink stand alone. I might have gone a touch too Katy Perry Teenage Dream… But that’s okay because I liked it (see what I did there?).

Below is WavePool and DimePiece. I like the unexpected look of two accent glitter nails. You can see the glitter polishes stand up on their own (this photo from flossgloss.com)

I’ve also been using their nail care collection: Bassline and Gloss. Bassline is designed to be a foundation for polish. Gloss has impressed me as a long wear top coat. Floss Gloss Pro Nail Lacquer is cruelty free and formulated without DBPs, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin and Toluene. Floss Gloss Ltd is designed and made in the USA. You can purchase Floss Gloss Lacquer at www.flossgloss.com.