cruelty free products

Youth To The People Minis kit

I recently purchased The Youth Minis Kit since I wanted to try other products in the Youth To The People product line and they don’t disappoint!

To read my previous YTTP post click here.

I am familiar with the Super Food Cleanser, and Adaptogen Moisture Cream (my two personal faves)

The Maqui+Acai Facial Oil absorbs into my skin effortlessly which is one main component when it comes to picking a facial oil.

Superfood Air-Whip moisturizer is a light weight moisturizer and hydrates my skin pretty well before makeup application.

The Super Berry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask works as an overnight treatment with more hydration giving that “morning glow” appearance the next morning. They all have a distinctive “YTTP” fragrance it’s rather clean and pleasant without being too strong or irritating.

The minis kit is great for young adults, or anyone interested in trying the YTTP product line without splurging on full size since it can be a bit pricey. Also use sparingly as alittle goes a long way. The minis are also travel friendly and all of the products work effortlessly in conjunction with one another so you can custom create your own skincare routine like a mock-tail for your skin!

Kat Von D: True Portrait Foundation Review

The new Kat Von D True Portrait Foundation can best be describe as Light as a feather, truly it is! I used to be a die hard full coverage foundation fan but as my skin is maturing I find most full-coverage formulas uncomfortably sit on my face, back then I layered on my foundation like I was putting butter on toast! So the older I get the more breathable and light weight I like my makeup to feel and that’s exactly what I found when I purchased this foundation.

Just the other day after a grocery run I ended up taking a nap and comfortably slept forgetting I had the True Portrait foundation on! so I say it’s cat-nap approved (haha)

The formula is oily upon applying it however it is buildable and dries down to a powder finish, I usually get my desired consistency after two layers without getting caked. While you can let it set on it’s own as is you can also finish it off with a pressed powder (for a fuller finish) or a loose setting powder.

I went for a soft-neutral look with my makeup using the True Portrait Foundation, KVD Tattoo Liner, and Colourpop eyeshadows in ‘wattles’ and ‘wake up call’

Youth To The People

My first Youth To The People purchase was the Kale+Green Tea Vitamins cleanser, it’s a gentle cleanser and works pretty well for my sensitive/combination skin. I wish I could splurge and buy everything from the Youth To The People line!

I was in need of a new moisturizer and purchased the Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream and I love it! It’s great for my sensitive skin (no post breakouts) and I find it to be hydrating without making me oily, it seeps into the skin perfectly. Because it’s light weight its great for a nighttime skincare routine because no one likes that heavy feeling after you’ve layered on all your night time products. I also want to mention this moisturizer will be a savior and must have for the winter season!

Btw YTTP is vegan and cruelty free and packs all their products in glass containers which can be repurposed or recycled I’m actually going to use the cleanser bottle as a hand soap dispenser once I’m done using it!

Lush: Rosy Cheeks Face Mask Review

What Is It?

A calming face mask from Lush

Product Claims

Product Description:

“Find the happiness you seek by cleansing cheek to cheek with this gorgeously soothing fresh mask. A simple blend of kaolin, calamine and Turkish rose oil delicately calms the skin and restores balance. Whether you’re feeling hot and bothered or just love showering your complexion with roses, cleansing calamine and kaolin will gently remove dirt while exquisite rose oil nourishes and tones your face. Calm, matte skin, here you come!”

Pros

Calms irritated skin
Pleasant scent
Leaves skin squeaky clean
Travel size
Vegan
Cruelty free

Cons

Small size

Price

Only available in shop*

Overall Rating 2.7/5

This was a one time purchase for me! I currently ran out of my mask of magniminty (a personal favorite) and decided to try Rosy Cheeks since my skin is dull, new skincare products caused minor irritation and I’m having occasional breakouts. It was a very mediocre facial mask, I certainly don’t love it. It smells like roses, or rose-water which I don’t mind but not everyone is a fan of the scent.

It dries down very quickly so it can be difficult to “massage” into the skin as suggested in the directions, it looks like calamine lotion once applied and dried.

Now onto my biggest disappointments, the amount of product you get for $12 is ridiculous, The batch I brought wasn’t even filled to the top and the 2.1 oz is tiny, like fits in your palm tiny which to me doesn’t justify the $12 price tag for $3 more you can get twice the size of product for the mask of magniminty and it lasts longer. Rosy Cheeks is one of the few facial masks made only available for in-store purchase which isn’t as much of a big deal for me because I live in the city and because I won’t bother buying it again but I can see the consumer frustration if you don’t live anywhere near a lush location.

So all in all I wasn’t super impressed with the product, I’m certain their are other better face masks out their and for less than the price.

Wet N Wild Color Icon Review

I love how affordable Color Icon Eyeshadows are by Wet N Wild. I had the old formula of “Walking On Egg Shells” when it was just a trio. Now reformulated as a quad Wet N Wild added a matte transition shade which blends well, it practically matches my skin tone.

This is my simple everyday eyeshadow quad for daytime looks. With the exception of the nude transition shade the other 3 (browbone, crease and eye lid shadows) are mostly shimmer. I love how they are labeled which adds a helpful guide to the consumer as to where to apply each color although you can use them however you’d like! I personally like to also use the shimmer shades for highlighting the bridge of my nose, and qupids bow.

Pros

Affordable

Multi purpose

Easily blendable

Cruelty Free

Vegan

Cons

none

Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Considering this is my second time purchasing I would say I am quite the fan and for $2.99 it’s got a great price point, the colors are great for creating a everyday look and easy to take when traveling, no need to pack a big eyeshadow palette. Other than being stoked on the price I also like how easy these apply and blend together.

I am not too sure if this specific eyeshadow quad will accommodate all skin tones however they do have 5 other quads with different shades.

Have you tried any Wet n Wild products? I would love to hear your recommendations!

Hourglass Ambient Luminous Bronze Light Review

What Is It?

A powder bronzer by Hourglass Cosmetics

Product Claims

“• The airy, lightweight bronzers fuse the illuminating effects of Ambient® Lighting Powder with bronze pigments to deliver buildable color and a radiant finish.
• While traditional bronzer tends to be flat, Ambient® Lighting Bronzer uses Photoluminescent Technology for seamless blending and color transitions.
• The hand-made powders are formulated using an advanced miscelare technique – which means “to mix” in Italian – creating the perfect balance of pigment and powder, and no two look alike.
• Ambient® Lighting Bronzer can be used alone for subtle warmth and contouring or paired with Ambient® Lighting Powder to create depth and dimension.
• .04 OZ / 1.3 G”

Pros

Easily blendable

Pigmented

Quality

Formula

Not tested on animals

Offers vegan options

Cons

Color range

Price

Overall Rating 5/5

I use bronzer all year round, and this is one brand worth checking out. From the packaging to the esthetically beautiful marbled bronzer this product just screams lux! The Ambient Light Bronzer offers the versatility to contour and bronze and easily play up how much or subtle you want it to be. It offers a healthy glow meaning you won’t look over done. The Hourglass brand also went a step forward beyond the luxury look to also remove common toxic ingredients,So you wont see the use of Talc which is often a concern for consumers as talc can be contaminated and toxic to our health. I am however little taken back by the price of $50 ( I normally would never buy a $50 bronzer) but Sephora and the Hourglass website offers travel-size with a price point of $25, which I was at first glance disappointed for the amount of product and I thought “is quality better than quantity?” and in this case, I would say so. Overall I am pleased with the product, and Hourglass’s luxury sleek designs are one you want to showcase on your makeup vanity.

Rainy Day Detox

Well it’s raining here in New York as much as I wanted to start my day with a morning run and stop at my local coffee shop I opted for indoor activities such as my morning yoga routine followed by some cardio and then showered and pampered myself all in the comfort of my own home [apartment]

I started with the Apottera Herbal Detoxifying Facial Steam which you can read my full review here

Relaxing it was indeed! I love using the herbal steam facial when I am in need of a “pick me up”, congested or bad breakouts. The Herbal steam bath was followed by the Aztec Secret Healing Bentonite Clay which also helps rid the body of toxins, impurities, heavy metals and chemicals. [I’ll have a full blog review up next week]

Now I’m going to drink my Pukka Detox Tea and watch some Netflix😃

What is your favorite rainy day activity or favorite detox?

Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub Review

Derma E is a skincare company that delivers natural,cruelty-free, eco-friendly products.Derma E is a company striving to lessen the impact on the environment by using wind power which reduces the company’s environmental footprint to sustain clean, renewable energy.
What Is It?

A microdermbrasion scrub with dead sea salt to help retexture the surface of skin.

Product Claims

“Immediately improve the appearance of your skin using this gentle yet effective multi-award-winning Microdermabrasion Scrub. This salon-perfect formula uses an exclusive crystal blend including Dead Sea Salt and Volcanic Sand (rich in Silica) to buff away dull surface cells, help diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars, and absorb excess skin oils. Enriched with natural astringents Lime and Lemon Peel plus antioxidants Grapeseed and Vitamin E, this pro-grade treatment retexturizes skin, leaving it soft, smooth and younger-looking. May also be used on your hands, elbows, knees, heels or any part of the body to promote soft, smooth and healthy skin. Ideal if you’re looking for immediate results from a salon-perfect treatment in the privacy of your own home. Please note: The crystal blend used in this product is a large molecular structure and is therefore not bio-available to the body, so there is no possibility of absorption through the skin.”

Pros

Effective

Removes dead skin

Softens skin

Salon Quality

All skin-types

Even skin tone

Diminishes the look of blemishes/scars

Vegan

Cons

None

Overall Rating 5/5

The Derma E Microdermabrasion scrub is a must have! If you’re looking for a salon quality exfoliant then look no further. I use this once a week to kick-start my skincare routine because it removes all the dead skin cells that build up and rough patches on my face from healed acne so it resurfaces my skin for a smoother softer texture. I have also used this on stubborn rough patches on my skin like my elbows and it does wonders! personally speaking as someone with sensitive skin I wouldn’t recommend using it everyday but I find using it once a week does the trick. I cannot really comment on the product alone about its claims of diminishing fine-lines as I use other products but perhaps the microdermabrasion scrub coincides with a anti-wrinkle moisturizer. As someone who is in her late 20’s early 30’s I do believe this product is a must-have for people who are looking for a good exfoliant, or if you tend to go to the spa for a microdermabrasion treatment I say you can skip it and do it at home for less than what you would pay based on service. Derma E makes a big range of skincare products and I have used 3 products from the brand all which I am very satisfied with when it comes to down the products performance.

Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment Serum Review

What Is It?

The Ole Henriksen invigorating night treatment is an overnight skincare treatment infused with vitamin E for younger, smoother looking skin.

Product Claims

“This overnight resurfacer accelerates cell turnover to dramatically smooth texture & fine lines, even skintone & minimize appearance of pores with a 12 source AHA complex including glycolic, lactic & citric acids. Suspended in soothing purified algae & vitamin e, this concentrated blend delivers rapid results without irritation. Wake up to radically smoother, younger looking skin.”

Pros

Evens skintone

Reduces fine lines

Cons

Tacky texture

Can be irritating

Price point

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

If I reviewed the Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Serum 2 years ago one would assume I was a promoter for the brand because at the time I used it I could only speak highly of the outstanding performance from less blemishes and most importantly clearing up my acne. However it seems over time the packaging and formula got a face lift of its own, this once called gel is now considered a “serum”and the glass jar changed to a glass bottle with a pump dispenser. The Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment consist of AHA complex (alpha hydroxy acids) which helps with cell turnover to revive skin and diminish lines and wrinkles. Most skincare products contain 10% which is less potent and less irritating than AHA complex with higher concentration of 20-30% used by certified cosmetologist, though the higher percent of AHAs can be more effective it can also be very irritating to certain individuals. You will also find The Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment has Algae extract which contain antioxidants. I decided to incorporate the invigorating night serum into my skincare routine but it just isn’t as potent as it once was, I’m 2 weeks and 5 days into using the product and seen minimal results. (Most skincare products takes 3-6 weeks to see results so theres still time) I have oily/sensitive skin, enlarged pores and blemishes around my cheeks and jaw line, a few blemishes have diminished but I still have a good amount of stubborn blemishes that just won’t fade away. My face feels taut soon after I apply the treatment which I’m not complaining! And it delivers a slight glow. I notice the days I skip the treatmeant my face looks dull. The gel texture can be displeasing considering it gets tacky the more I worked it into my skin but I use it at night so I don’t mind wearing it as I’ll be in a deep slumber for 8hrs so the texture of the night treatment might be bothersome for some people. I gave this treatment a fair 3.5 as I think it’s a hit or miss, you either love it or you don’t, it either works for you or it doesn’t. I will continue to use the Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment and if I notice any changes I will post back on this post with an update.

Have you used the Invigorating Night Treatment or any products by Ole Henriksen?

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade Product Review

What Is It?

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade is a smudge free waterproof pomade formula for eyebrows.

Product Claims

“This creamy, multitasking product glides on skin and hair smoothly to create clean, defined brows. The standout formula works as a brow primer and provides color, sculpture, and shading. It is ideal for oily skin and in humid climates.”

Pros

Creamy texture

Very pigmented

Long-lasting

Can be used as eyeliner

Cons

Can be difficult to work with (beginners)

Dries quickly

Waterproof/smudge-free?

Overall Rating 4.7/5

I like this Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade, but it took me a few tries in the begining to learn how to use it, Allow me to further explain…

I brought the Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade due to the hype of the product. The first time I purchased it the shade was too light, so I exchanged it for a darker shade and not having much experience using it my goodness it can be intimidating! My eyebrows were so dark and bold they literally look like I used a paint brush dipped in black, they were horrendous I remember looking in the mirror and thinking “Eww why do people swear this is the next best thing for brows, and why would Anastasia even put out a product like this” so I closed it up and set it aside to return to the store. At the time I just couldn’t wrap my mind around why this product got such praise so then I went to YouTube and browsed numerous youtubers using the dip brow pomade and a handful also had similar first impressions of the product, so if they could learn to work with it and end up likeing it, whats the harm in trying one more time.

Although I already develop an opinion on the product I gave it one more chance this time using less product and it turned out pretty good!!! I took my time using it learning what techniques worked and didn’t and lets just say I ended up not returning it AND I even use it as eyeliner from time to time. The texture is very creamy and glides on the eyebrows effortlessly but I did notice after 2-3 times of use it tends to dry out however its still useable, I also want to mention that though it states the product is smudge proof, I personally don’t think it is but as I mentioned before I tend to get oily around my forehead/brows. If you use the pomade I recommend being light handed with it, alittle does go a long way.

So if you are a first time buyer, Beware that it will take some time to develop a technique thats suited for your brows but if you have thin eyebrows I personally suggest the Anastasia Brow Wiz, you can read my review here.