We’re talking makeup and getting girly today ?
This particular post has been a long time coming. I had to prepare and really find products I love that actually work before I shared anything with you guys. Lots of my tips are intertwined in this long post so have fun! This post is NOT sponsored by the way, just sharing what I really love.
I LOVE makeup and always have. I could spend hours in Sephora and Ulta.
With that being said, the types of products I put on my skin are super important to me and I want to take the best care of it I can.
Did you know we absorb 60% of what we apply on our skin? Frankly, the toxic ingredients in our beauty products are freaky and have been linked to skin allergies, infertility, birth defects, cancer and learning disabilities. Many ingredients seem to disrupt hormones and create reproductive issues in men and women. I could write an entire post on this…. You would be surprised what companies can get away with putting in their products. They can basically put in anything they want. Europe is FAR more strict than the U.S. when it comes to ingredient regulation and it doesn’t make sense.
You are going to freak. Here’s what I found from this article and these aren’t even the harmful chemicals:
Road kill in lipstick and eyeshadow.
Beetle blood in blush and bronzer.
Fish scales in mascara.
Shark liver in lip balm.
Bull semen in hair products (WTF?)
Dynamite in deodorant, toothpaste and exfoliators (… really?)
Snail ooze in moisturizers.
Sheep “wool wax” (lanolin) in shaving cream and moisturizers like Oil of Olay.
Whale poop in luxury perfume.
If you aren’t using vegan or cruelty-free products, there’s a GOOD chance many of those listed above are in the products you use everyday, not to mention countless other harmful carcinogens, fragrances and preservatives. I hate chemicals. There are SO many alternatives and chemicals are unnecessary. Not trying to be that annoying vegan but it makes you wonder right?
There are countless researched articles online if you want to get into it but having The Honest Life book (by Jessica Alba) has been quite handy when I want to quickly look something up. I highly recommend it. She has an entire line of plant based products called Honest from skincare to shampoo to cleaning products to a new makeup line and even the most adorable diapers. Basically everything you would ever need for your home and beauty care, it’s affordable too.
Okay, on to the makeup!!
I went to Ulta earlier in the week to pick up a few things but I literally wanted everything from Tarte and Too Faced. Pacifica too. There are so many vegan-friendly brands available now (here’s a handy list) but I have a few favorites. Tarte and Pacifica are both 100% vegan and cruelty free. Too Faced is cruelty-free and most of their products are vegan (check out this list of their vegan products).
For an everyday look, I gravitate towards the more natural look, but with mega lashes. Big lashes really make your eyes POP.
Wearing foundation feels so heavy to me… like I just want it OFF my face. During my college days, I wore foundation but the past 5 or so years, I’ve been wearing mineral powder foundation which I LOVE. My skin tends to get oily as well so I opt for mattifying products.
STEP 1: MATTIFYING PRIMER
After my moisturizer, I apply a mattifying primer to help keep my concealer and powder in place. The BEST primer I have come across so far has been the Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-hour Perfecting Primer. It smoothes out your skin by filling in any lines and refines your pores – plus it really keeps away the oil. This is a definite MUST-HAVE for me 🙂 Just recently found out the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer is now cruelty free and vegan too – this used to be my absolute fave so I may have to give that a try again too.
STEP 2: CONCEALER
You need to let the primer set and dry for 5-10 minutes. Then I apply concealer with my fingers to my under eyes and on any spots/blemishes to even out my skin tone. For a while now, I’ve been loving the Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Waterproof Concealer in Medium. It seems to last wayyyyy longer than most concealers! Before that, I used the Mineral Fusion Liquid Concealer but it’s very light coverage; would be best in the summer or at times when you want something lighter.
STEP 3: SETTING POWDER
After watching way too many YouTube makeup videos, I’ve learned that setting your concealer with a transluscent/setting powder can make the world of a difference in keeping it fresh and making it last. I mostly dab it under my eyes (with the sponge provided) and in my T-zone area, very gently. Don’t go overboard with this step! It can make you look pasty white if you use too much. I forgot to take a picture of my powder compact while doing these photos but I use the BareMinerals Ready SPF 15 Touch Up Veil in Translucent. I ALWAYS carry this around with me wherever I go to rid of any extra shine when I’m out, without having to reapply any actual makeup. No more greaseball face! It’s magic.
STEP 4: MINERAL FOUNDATION POWDER, BRONZER & BLUSH
Next up is the BareMinerals Mineral Matte Foundation in Golden Medium – been using it for years! The trick is to really blend it in. Blend in circular motions with a foundation brush. I use the It Blurring Foundation brush. This mineral foundation feels so light but gives the most amazing looking coverage. It buffs away all imperfections and redness. I swear, I’ll never go back to liquid foundation.
After that’s all blended, I sweep some bronzer on my cheekbones and upper forehead. Then apply highlighter down my nose and on my cheekbones. For this I use the Mineral Fusion Bronzer in Luster. The bronzer gives you a sunkissed look and the highlighter is not glittery or super shimmery – just enough for a little extra glow.
For blush, I tend to go with a baby pink color and finally picked up the Tarte 12-Hour Amazonian Clay Blush in Fearless. It’s the cutest pink tone and I sweep on just a little bit to the apples of my cheeks for some color. Plus it’s not shimmery which is ideal for more oily skin types as that extra shimmer can add to an already shiny situation!
STEP 5: MASCARA, LINER & BROWS
As mentioned above, I love big lashes with lots of volume! Otherwise, I usually keep it pretty simple with eye makeup, sticking to mascara, eyeliner and filling in my brows. Using an eyebrow pencil really helps to frame the face, making your eyes pop even more – such an important step! For brows, the Tarte Waterproof Brow Pencil in Taupe is my favorite because it’s a super skinny pencil and goes on smooth.
Wearing eyeliner is not something I wear everyday but when I do, the Bare Minerals Lasting Line Long-Wearing Eyeliner in Absolute Black is my go-to. It glides on easily and doesn’t dry out like some I’ve tried. Before this step though, I always curl my lashes!
For mascara, the Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes Waterproof Mascara is amazing! It conditions, lengthens and volumizes in the best way. Waterproof mascara dries faster, helping to keep your lashes more curled than if you were to use regular. This one is not hard to get off either, promise. I usually apply two coats, pulling the wand towards the middle of my face, rather than pulling outwards – this helps create more volume and avoids clumps. Learned this trick from YouTube 🙂
STEP 6: LIPSTICK & LIP BALM
Ever since high school, my absolute favorite lip balm has been the Rosebud Lip Balm in Minted Rose (adore the Strawberry one too). My friends were addicted to it too. This stuff lasts FOREVER and hydrates like no other. Before bed every single night I smear a bunch on – feels so soothing and healing. My lips are never dry because of this stuff.
Lipstick is one of those things I was never into until recently. I love nude colors and that whole look with the bold lashes – makes you look more tan. Too Faced has the creamiest, super-luxe lipsticks called La Cr?me – the Naked Dolly is my fave shade. Their formula is ultra-hydrating and smooth, not too glossy but not too matte either. Feels so fancy! Can’t wait to try a few more.
For the days when I don’t feel like wearing lipstick, I like a little lip tint! I’ll use the Tarte LipSurgence Matte Tint in Lucky. Leaves you with a velvety-matte finish and no sticky feel, plus it stays put forever.
Hope all this has been helpful and makes you feel a little better about navigating through all the makeup out there! When in doubt, just google if a product is vegan or not, usually the brands will have a FAQ somewhere on their site.
Let me know what your favorite vegan and cruelty-free products are in the comments below!!
Hayley
Hi Shannon! I just wanted to let you know that Tarte isn’t actually 100% vegan. They are indeed 100% cruelty free, however most of their products do contain animal derived ingredients. They do have a whole section of vegan products on their website if you look under the “collections” tab.
Have a good day!!
Shannon Leparski
Hi Hayley!
Yep, just found this out and I’m so disappointed… the Tarte marketing had me thinking they were a 100% vegan company but unfortunately, I was wrong! Thanks for the heads up.
Shannon
Emma R
Hi,
Wondering if you can shed some light on the paraben situation? I’m confused as to how a product can be classed as cruelty free when it contains methylparaben, butylparaben or propylparaben. These parabens have all been previously tested on rats and hamsters to see the effects caused?
Thanks for your help!
Read more at http://www.crueltyfreekitty.com/cruelty-free-101/the-revolution/#YXALRF1ekhoulOdo.99
Rebecca Muir
Gals, you should look at Benecos & Lavera for makeup. Most of their products are Vegan but they’re 100% Certified Natural and Organic which means they’ve NO nasty chemicals or toxins in them. Something being Vegan doesn’t mean it isn’t packed with chemicals unfortunately 🙁 I use these two and I’m sure all their stuff is free from parabens etc too!
Tim Hordo
Hi Shannon, great post! What’s your advice for someone who’s just learning about the nature of some of these repulsive and cruelty-derived ingredients, in terms of ‘turning over’ their makeup collection. There are a lot of women I know who are starting to become aware of this, and don’t know if they should give their old makeup away, throw it out, or just keep using it until it’s finished. Do you have any advice I can pass along? Thank you!
Shannon Leparski
Hi Tim, thanks! I’ve been there. What I did was slowly add in new cruelty free vegan makeup/products as I ran out of old ones. I threw out a lot of old products but if they have any unused makeup, that could be donated to a women’s shelter. It’s sort of unique to each person, depending on their budget… some women can ditch everything and buy all new makeup while others add in new products with time! Hope that helps. Thanks!
Michelle M
Where did you verify that Bare Minerals Loose foundation (the matte and original) are vegan? I am trying to find out if it is. Thank you!
Hannah
There is beeswax in lights camera splashes 🙁 so disappointed I really wanted to try it
Athena
Before you repurchase any of these items check out the EWG rating or the same can be done on the Think Dirty app. Even though they are vegan, it may still contain harmful chemicals.
Niral Amin
I use products from Younique. I am looking for vegan makeup brushes since Younique brushes are so expensive need alternatives for myself and my customers to use. I had searched for so long for Vegan/Vegetarian makeup products that are also high quality. I stumbled upon Younique after a friend of mine told me about it. And I have been hooked!! Absolutely love majority of the products. The products are very pigmented so a little goes a long way and last all day. I can use all but the Eye Palettes 1-4 (since it contains eggs)…which I am okay with since there are plenty of eye pigments and also I use the liquid lipstick and blush sometimes on my eyes. All the products are all natural, paraben free, made in USA so without all the harsh chemicals. Unfortunately the company is not Cruelty Free certified but the products are not tested on animals. Have done my research and if you interested feel free to do your own. Customer Support will answer any questions you have or you can definitely reach out to me directly would love to help. If anyone is interested please check out my site http://www.youniqueproducts.com/niralamin.
Denise Hendershot
The set that Arbonne offers is nice..if you don’t mind mixing brands ..fewer brushes but all I need..
Just another option– Good Luck..
Chelsea
Hi Shannon,
Check out my fav brand, COVER FX (sold in Sephora). They are 100% VEGAN!!! Also, GLUTEN-FREE, fragrance free, paraben free and talc free. Cover FX doesn’t sell in China and is not owned by a parent company. I LOVE the Illuminating primer, setting powders (they make your makeup water-resistant and no transfer!), custom cover drops and the concealer pencils.
Shannon Leparski
Hi Chelsea! Yay thanks for sharing this! I’ve definitely heard of them but have yet to try their products. They sound amazing 🙂
xoxo
Paloma
Have you considered using Beautycounter products? They have a lot of variety, skincare, cosmetics and body products, are all plant-based and EVERY ingredient is tested for safety for humans and the environment, and cruelty-free! Most ingredients in personal care products have not been tested on humans. Take a peek, you’ll see that they balance safety and performance perfectly!
Andrea Hill
To Shannon,
May I asking questions please about cruelty-free of waterproof foundation in hot Summer and in swimming pool. I not want other foundations who not have waterproof that can smudge, budge and that make rubbing foundation comes off on face. I thought Revlon cosmetics is cruelty-free but I found out that I upset that China worst-strict law to testing on animals that I NOT happy. I shocked why Revlon is not cruelty-free. I wish Revlon is become cruelty-free back again.
Now I must asking you questions please is: which one is drugstores have cruelty-free of waterproof/sweatproof and rub-proof foundations which one brands, please???
My waterproof foundations is Revlon that have “ColorStay” and have good pink undertones too. Now I need find other new one to using instead Revlon ColorStay to instead other waterproof foundations with cruelty-free and I not know which what name brands of waterproof?!? I can’t find.
I want buying waterproof foundation of cruelty-free is Becca but Becca is very expensive cost $44 and Kat Don D foundations is expensive cost $35 dollars. That very expensive. I stuck that crazy China law that animals testing on Revlon that I using waterproof of ColorStay that I stuck with expensive one of other waterproof foundations with waterproof if drugstore not have cruelty-free of good guality cheap foundations with waterproof. Revlon foundation waterproof only $10 cheap but I upset angry with this China to testing on animals that I not know that until I found out.
Thank you for big help me! I hope you can found!
Thank you, Andrea Hill.
Jayme
Hi Shannon, I stumbled upon this post after finding your mashed chickpea salad on Pinterest (can’t wait to make it!). You should check out Kat Von D beauty, she has many vegan products and her entire beauty line is not tested on animals. Her liquid lipsticks are the BEST!
Kyrena
Hey there! I just wanted to let you know that Tarte is not a 100% vegan brand, though they do have vegan friendly products! Unfortunately, the blushes are not vegan, as they contain carmine (beetles!).. They do have a section on their website that you can look at, which has all their vegan products. If you are looking for vegan blushes, Milani and Too Faced both have a couple, and 100% Pure is a vegan brand with excellent reviews (in a similar price range!).
Erin
Adding to this, Too Faced also uses carmine. The big brands literally get away with murder by advertising as cruelty free (which means no animal testing, not no animal ingredients).
Sakura
BareMinerals parent company isn’t vegan unfortunately, and neither are their brushes. I definitely see the benefit in supporting making lines that are vegan even where the parent company is not, because that way perhaps the companies will recognise the demandand go completely vegan one day. It’s a personal choice we all have to make and I don’t think there’s necessarily a right or wrong way to go about it, but there are also companies out there that are 100% vegan. Have you tried Elate? I’ve been using their products lately, they’re vegan and made with sustainable containers to boot, and do really pale shades in their foundation/concealer/powder range which is GREAT for pale English rose girls such as myself. I’d definitely recommend giving them a try.
Madison
I thought tarte only had a vegan line, not that all products were vegan? It may be mentioned and I just missed it 🙂
Kyrena
Tarte is not 100% vegan, though they offer vegan products. There is a section on their website where you can see them! Unfortunately, their blushes are not vegan.
Josie
Kyrena’s right. There’s carmine and lanolin in their blush. I don’t know for the rest of their product, but they are absolutely not vegan. It’s easy to be mistaken since they’re in Peta’s cruelty free brands and if you ask for vegan makeup in Sephora, they will probably show you Tarte products.
Kristen Harden
Hello! I too have gone cruelty free and use bareMinerals, Too Faced, Tarte, NARS, and a few other “cruelty free.”
I unfortunately am at a quandary after learning most of these brands’ parent companies DO still test. I’m so discouraged. Bare minerals and NARS are owned by Shiseido, which test. Tarte is owned by Kose, who test. Too faced is owned by Estée Lauder now, which we all know Test. I’m so discouraged. I have still heard great things about Physicians Formula and the new Kat Von Dee line looks to be cruelty free as well as vegan. So it looks like I’m starting all over in the makeup department. I hate hate when companies are against testing them end up selling out to a company that does. It’s like going backwards. Thanks ya’ll for the other suggestions!!
https://logicalharmony.net/cruelty-free-vegan-brand-list/#N
Kathy
I love Pacifica! I will have to check out some of these other brands, too. Thanks! I hope cruelty-free products rule the world. They always get the power of my consumer dollar over cruelty brands.
Emily
Thank you SO much for sharing all of this info. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time (switch over to cruelty-free makeup) but kind of didn’t know where to start. Like you, I also don’t wear that much makeup so this post was really helpful to me! I’d love to learn about the hair products you use…
sophie
Aw, I was excited for this but I don’t buy from companies like Tarte where the parent company still tests on animals. 🙁
Shannon Leparski
Hi Sophie,
I understand, it’s a dilemma for sure… I’m not saying it’s perfect but I like to support any cruelty-free brand. When smaller companies are bought out by larger companies, I like to think of it as a good thing as they are able to get their products out to more people. Tarte promises to remain cruelty-free and they haven’t changed their policy.
Of course I would prefer that their parent company is cruelty free as well but for me, it’s more about the bigger picture. I know people will disagree with this and that’s okay, I just feel like it’s impossible to make sure EVERY single product we buy is owned by a parent company that’s cruelty free and vegan, whether it be food, clothes, furniture, cars etc.. We can try our best, but making better choices is my goal rather than being perfect.
XO,
Shannon
Brina
I like to think that the more people buy cruelty free products from a company that is not, it sends a message. My hope is that it will make them consider stopping cruel practices on their other brands if the consumer demand is high for such. I don’t buy products for this reason at all, but that is why I still buy some products whose parent brands are not in line with my beliefs. I know many wouldn’t agree but that’s my reasoning
Moira
While I totally respect others’ perspectives on this issue, I personally don’t want my money going to a company (even if it’s a parent company) that supports animal testing. I used to love Tarte products, but there are plenty of really great alternatives!
Josie
Sadly, Tarte’s blushes are not vegan. They contain lanolin and beeswax 🙁
Tiffany Brenning
>I just feel like it’s impossible to make sure EVERY single product we buy is owned by a parent company that’s cruelty free and vegan
Yeah this is what I was thinking… I’m all about veganism but some people just get way too strict with it.