Glam and Uncensored

I don’t think I have come across someone who would turn away a beauty product that is cruelty free over a product that is not cruelty free. But how do you define cruelty free? I define it as brand that does not do the following:

1. Test on animals at any point during production;
2. Have suppliers raw materials or ingredients on animals;
3. Have third-party animal tests on their behalf; or
4. Test on animals where it is required (i.e. China)

So which drugstore beauty brands are cruelty free? The search was not as easy as I thought it would be, but I did locate some drugstore brands.

I do not know why, but I was under the impression that the major drugstore brands would be cruelty-free. Boy was I wrong. Here is a list of drugstore beauty brands and information on whether or not the beauty brands tests on animals:

ARDELL – This beauty company signed PETA’s cruelty-free pledge. The products produced by Ardell are cruelty free and vegan;

ELF – This beauty brand signed PETA’S cruelty-free pledge. The brushes which are made out of animal hair are vegan;

ECOTOOLS – The beauty company signed PETA’S cruelty-free pledge. And their brushes are vegan;

HARD CANDY – This independent beauty company is cruelty-free and not sold in China. The company swears they do not test any of their finished products or raw materials used in the manufacturing process on animals. Nor do they require or even ask third parties to conduct this testing on their behalf. Hard Candy is an exclusive product of Wal-Mart.

L’OREAL – Surprisingly enough this beauty company tests on animals. Their products are sold in China.

MAYBELLINE – Again, I am surprised. This beauty company’s products are tested on animals. Their products are also sold in China;

MILANI – This beauty company’s products are cruelty-free and do not have a parent company;

NYX – the beauty company is cruelty free. Their products are not sold in China. But here’s an odd part. NYX is owned by L’Oreal; a beauty company which tests on animals;

REVLON – This beauty company tests on animals. Their products are sold in China;

RIMMEL LONDON – This beauty company tests on animals when required by law. However, this particular beauty company is owned by Coty’ a corporation which tests on animals and sells products in China;

WET N’ WILD – The beauty company does not test on animals at any point of their production. Also, they do not purchase materials from any vendor who tests on animals.

It is so very easy to overlook a beauty company’s back story by getting caught up in the company’s pretty packaging or price point. But, once you become aware of the beauty companies which take that extra mile and vow to never test their goods on animals, it will make the purchasing process that much easier. And do not think that you are out of luck because companies such as Maybelline and L’Oreal test on animals. In 2019, over 350 beauty corporations pledged not to test their beauty products on animals. So let’s all celebrate our animal friendly drugstore beauty brands.

Purchasing foundation seems to be a real pain. If you try to purchase your foundation via the drugstore, more times than not you will not be able to try it before you buy it, as drugstores do not give out samples. So when you choose a foundation you think will be the perfect match, chances are when you get home, the foundation color looks nothing like your natural skin tone. Now, if you go to Sephora or Macy’s, the store will allow you to compare the foundation color against your natural skin tone. This is going help give you a better idea of which shade and brand is closest to your natural skin tone. Using the below guide to choose your next bottle of foundation will aid in the process of picking out the proper foundation for your skin tone:

• THE PROPER FORMULA – Choose a formula which is best for your skin. If your face is usually dry, choose a liquid or stick foundation because it will be creamy and have the most moisturizing properties. But, if you have oily skin, purchase a powder foundation that will absorb extra shine and leave a matte finish. If you have combination skin, the trick to proper application lies in where you apply the foundation. You can place it light over areas which are dry, and place it heavier on patches which are oily. I find that powder foundation is more effective for this strategy with combination skin than liquid foundation.
• KNOW THE COVERAGE LEVEL YOU WANT – Understanding the appearance of every level of coverage is great when it comes to choosing the right coverage level for your needs. You will still see your skin through the foundations. If you are a bit unsure as to the amount of coverage you desire, choose a foundation which will give you light to medium coverage, as the foundation is buildable. However, if you are leaning towards a long-wearing foundation which does not require a mid-day touch-up, or if you have acne or discoloration, aim for the full-coverage foundation.
• DISCOVER YOUR UNDERTONE – Do not know where to start in finding out your skin’s undertone? Try the vein test. Cool-tone people will have a rosy tint to their skin, along with blue-ish veins which are visible via the underside of their neck or wrist. Warm-toned people will have yellow or golden skin tones with greenish veins. A neutral toned person has a mix between the two.
• READ THE REVIEWS – You have to read the reviews of the product and filter those reviews where the reviewer has no constructive comments. Reviews that are angry and/or have been left with heightened emotions, must be ignored because people can be grumpy.

Those are just some of the tips to choosing a foundation. Do you have any suggestions for choosing the proper foundation? What is your favorite foundation and why?

Usually I am careful about the cost of the makeup I purchase. Admittedly, my taste for makeup is on the high end of the spectrum. And to satisfy my taste for the high end makeup, I made a list of the expensive makeup I want to purchase. Below is a list of those products.

MAKEUP WISH LIST

1. Lancome Hypnose Drama Instant Full Volume Mascara Duo ($35) – Want instant lash drama in one coat of mascara? Well turn to Lancome’s Hypnose Drama Instant Full Volume Mascara Duo. The unique, oversized brush gives full contact with your lashes for ultimate volume. It provides intense, deep color with an oversized S-shape, full contact brush. So take your lashes from average to show-stopping.
2. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter Pressed Highlighter ($38) – This highlighter has a buttery texture which melts into your skin to give you a truly ultimate high impact glow. The formula is filled with ultra-fine luminescent pearls which adjust to your skin’s undertones and will amplify your natural radiance.
3. Fenty Beauty Avalanche All-Over Metallic Powder Set ($69) – This is a limited powder set of do-it-all, loose, metallic pigments for your eyes, cheeks and lips. The set features seven shades in an awesome array of jewel tones. And all of the powders are delivered in a very decadent, reusable, collector’s box. Each and every shade is individually packed in a mini, portable jars, delivering luminosity where you go.
4. La Prairie Women’s Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation Sunscreen SPF50 Creme Peche ($240) – The skin caviar concealer foundation with an SPF15 offers a deluxe cream cocktail giving a natural-looking appearance. The matched concealer hides under eye-shadows and deeper flaws. This brilliant fusion of skincare and cosmetics also comes with a 2x magnifying mirror in the cap, a foundation sponge and a precision concealer brush.
5. NARS Skin Deep Eye Palette ($59) — 12 neutral eyeshadows which will define, line and highlight your eyes and brows. Every eyeshadow is capable of being used in many, any ways. You can go from subtle to smokey with opulent mattes, dazzling shimmers and fiery metallic shadows. So wear it, bear it and make it all yours with these neutral shades created for every skin tone.

This is just a sample of the makeup items I am dying to own. I understand, there are people hungry in the streets and I am concentrating on something whose price can feed a small family. But it’s a wish list, that’s all.

Do you have a makeup wish list? If yes, what is included on the list?

Unfortunately, those with oily skin have a mountain to climb when it comes to makeup – finding a foundation which contain pigments that will help balance the oil and leave their face appearing matte throughout the day.  Below please find some of the best foundation on the market for oily skin:

1.  MAKEUP FOREVER MAT VELVET FOUNDATION – conceals skin imperfections, evens out your complexion and will mattify with a non-oily finish.  The breathable, full-coverage foundation will blend with your skin for up to 24 hours of wear ($41.00/Sephora).

2.  ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR STAY IN PLACE MAKEUP –  With its 42 shades, the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Foundation goes on refined, flawless, natural and matte.  The foundation will harmonize uneven skintone and hide imperfections.  The Double Wear foundation has buildable coverage, is oil-free and oil controlling.  What’s better is that it is transfer-resistant, waterproof and lasts though hot and humid weather ($42.00/Estee Lauder).

3.  BARE MINERALS MATTE FOUNDATION SPF-15 – for this foundation, Bare Minerals took its original foundation formula and mattify the formula.  And although the formula is in powder form, the foundation will go on in a very cream-like formulation, will minimize your pores and will clear your pores ($29.00/Nordstroms).

4.  L’OREAL PARIS INFALLIBLE MATTE FOUNDATION – without a doubt, this foundation will aid in the achievement of a matte complexion without making your skin appear flat.  L’Oreal’s demi-matte finish will mask imperfections and will stay on for at least 24 hours ($10.00/Target).

5.  LORAC POREFECTION FOUNDATION – Have complaints about your pores?  With Lorac Perfection Foundation you may achieve a poreless looking, silky-smooth finish accompanied with a medium to full coverage. ($38.00/Kohl’s)

6)  MAYBELLINE FIT ME! MATTE/PORELESS FOUNDATION – this particular foundation has a shade range of 40 colors.  It has micro powders to minimize the appearance of shine and matify pores. ($6.00/ULTA)

7)  NEUTROGENA SHINE CONTROL LIQUID MAKEUP WITH SPF – this is a lightweight foundation with shine control, and a SPF of 20.  It will provide those with oily skin a natural looking coverage with a soft, matte finish lasting about 8 hours. ($14.99/Amazon).

These seven foundations are excellent for people with oily skin. The foundations are oil controlling and lightweight.  If you have oily skin you cannot go wrong by selecting one of these foundations.