Jane Iredale ‘Ready to Wear’ Fall 2015 Collection

As always, Jane Iredale has unveiled a beautiful new collection of seasonally appropriate products. For those of you who are not familiar with Jane Iredale products it is a full range mineral product line intended for even the most sensitive of skin. It is also cruelty free, many of their coverage products (foundations, powders, etc.) have effective SPF coverage, and all products contain clean minerals. The line was developed with the medical community to create a “skincare” makeup line that would not aggravate skin conditions such as rosacea or acne, and is even safe to use on skin post cosmetic surgeries and facials.

The fall 2015 collection relaunches some much loved products that were thought to be permanently gone, new shades of line staples, and a couple new products. In this launch there is: 7 shades of the ‘Play On’ Jumbo Lip Pencils, ‘Smooth Affair’ Primer for Oily Skin, 4 new shades of the ‘PurePressed’ Eyeshadow, and a newly redesigned application wand for the ‘Purelash’ Lengthening Mascara.

The ‘Smooth Affair’ Primer for Oily Skin

What makes it great? It helps to dispel the myth that if you have oily skin you need to look absolutely matte. It’s a myth that makes individuals with oily skin feel like their skin has no dimension and looks lack lustre. It has the same lovely components of it’s predecessor, the original ‘Smooth Affair’ Brightening Primer, such as the grapefruit extract to add life and vitality to the skin, and nourishing oils such as jojoba and sunflower to help the skin maintain it’s health. It also contains some proprietary complexes unique to Jane Iredale such as the PoreAway™ technology that visibly reduces shine and pores to create the ideal makeup canvas. The unique combination of ingredients also helps fight blemishes. Creates a smooth, naturally-matte finish for an even skin tone while employing advanced mineral technology that color-adjusts to your skin.

Draw backs? The only one I can think of is that if you don’t like the smell of grapefruit this will bother you for about the first couple minutes after you put it on, then the smell dissipates. OTHERWISE, I think that anyone who loves mineral makeup and is in the market for a new primer should definitely check it out. It retails for $60CAD on the Jane Iredale website and will last you a long time. I recommend only using about the size of a dime and working it outwards on the face, starting in the T-zone.

The ‘Play on’ Lip Crayons

What makes it great? Butter. They’re like freakin’ butter. Typically, in the world of lipsticks and lip crayons, when you get the more hydrating products and the creaminess, you lose pigmentation. These 7 lip crayons are so incredibly hydrating and extremely pigmented. They all contain castor seed oil which is the main component that keeps your lips silky and smooth.They offer a great shade selection appealing from the coralista, to the sultry vixen who loves to rock a dark plum lip, perfect for fall! My top 3 shade selections are Naughty – a true deep plum, Saucy – a fuchsia and hot pin hybrid, and Charming – the perfect daily wear pinky nude.

Draw backs? Like any jumbo lip pencil when you compare it to a standard twist-up style lipstick is that you need a Jumbo pencil sharpener. Jane Iredale does make one which will only set you back about $8CAD and will last forever…or until you lose it. This draw back can actually be also taken as a positive. The ‘Play On’ Lip Pencils are a great staple for any freelancing kit as they are extremely easy to keep sanitized. The pencils retail for $24CAD.

The ‘PurePressed’ Eyeshadows

What makes it great? One of my all-time favourite Jane Iredale products have always been their ‘PurePressed’ Eyeshadows. They have a wide variety of colours from shimmering nudes, matte transition browns, and bright bold purples – none of which skimp on pigmentation. With this introduction on these four new eyeshadow shades, they are also revamping the packaging, swapping out the frosted Jane Iredale pop up lid for sleek and beautiful rose gold packaging. I die. Anyway, back to the minerals at hand! The four new shades are perfection for the fall: Mermaid – a hybrid between aquamarine, gunmetal, and opal pigments; Forest – a matte, deep green; Iris – a true royal purple; and Steamy – a muted copper. Out the the four new shades my favourites are Mermaid and Steamy. Both are very unique shades with a beautiful creamy texture which is only enhanced when used wet or with a mixing medium. Like many of their other mineral powder products, their eyeshadows contain a mineral compound called boron nitrate, which naturally diffuses light to give an angelic, ethereal look (the mineral is also found in one of my other favourite products the ‘PurePressed’ Mineral Powder).

Draw backs? The only drawback I would say with this product is it is on the hight price end (when paying in Canadian). Online they retail for about $24CAD, typically when you purchase it at a retail location it can range anywhere from $28CAD – $30CAD depending on the current exchange rate. However, you are getting 1.8g of mineral eyeshadow which is .3g more than a standard MAC eyeshadow. Yeah, doesn’t really sound like all that much but considering how little you use in a single use, that .3g will last you about an extra 2 – 3 months longer than that MAC shadow AND Jane Iredale is cruelty free, clean cosmetics. It’s worth the investment.

The Redesigned ‘PureLash’ Lengthening Mascara

What makes it great? So, from what I understand the formula is exactly the same – which is awesome. The unique formula contains seaweed lipids and wheat protein to strengthen and curl lashes. If you have ever used the Jane Iredale ‘PureLash’ Lengthening mascara you know that it is a really awesome non-drying formula that feels light on the lashes and does not flake. The only complaint I never had when using the old ‘PureLash’ Lengthening Mascara was the amount of excess product you end up with on the brush, making your application extremely difficult. The mascara angels answered my prayers and they changed the application wand! Not only did the change the wand but they made it a rubberized-plastic wand – MY FAVE! The applicator is dual sided, offering two different styles of bristles. On one side you have standard length mascara wand bristles allowing for easy application to your lashes. The other side offers smaller shorter bristles, great for lower lashes and building up darkness right at the lash line.

Draw backs? I literally can’t think of any. The formal rocks. I love the new applicator. It comes in different colours if you want to have some fun. Just an all around great product and a great improvement made to it by Jane Iredale.

Don’t forget to follow Jane Iredale on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with new launches, promotions, and trend reports.

Cruelty Free Skincare

“Let’s start at the very beginning
A very good place to start
When you read you begin with A B C
When you sing you begin with Do Re Me”
– Do Re Me, The Sound of Music

Literally the most important part of looking healthy, and feeling great is taking care of your largest integumentary organ: your skin. It covers you body, keeping all your important parts in place and keeping your temperature regulated. Your skin is composed of many layers, each with specific jobs and needs. All of your layers of skin are considered semi permeable which means there is selective passage permitted between layers. The most important particle that transfers between the layers of your skin is water. Water acts as the uber driver for the vitamins and minerals your skin receives, taking it where it is needed. This is why a huge part of skincare is to be adequately hydrated. If your body does not have the optimal amount of hydration, nothing will get where it needs to go. Your cells then become malnourished and no matter how much product you apply if there is no water to transport, you won’t see any results/improvement.

The layers of the skin contains various different types of cells, all with specific jobs. Let’s start from the bottom and work our way up:
1. The Hypodermis – If we are going to be completely correct and technical, this is not actually part of the skin. It is the layer that unites our skin, a major organ, with blood supply as fells as muscle and tendons. This layer is approximately 50% fat. So. I’m going to tell you one of the biggest points of having great skin: have a healthy supply of body fat. Optimal blood supply to the outer, more visible layers of skin ensures a beautiful glowing complexion as well as adequate nutrition to all the cells within the skin. Without a healthy hypodermis all the vitamins you ingest have a lower rate of absorption into the skin cells.

2. The Dermis – The dermis is our hardworking middle man. The dermis is vital to reducing the physical stress the body may incurr. It cushions the more delicate hypodermis and provides flexibility to the skin. In this skin layer we find many of our glands, lymphatic vessels, and hair follicles. This layer is also where we find the all too important collagen and elastin fibres. A healthy dermis, with optimal blood supply, ensures the health of surround cells as well as great waste removal for both the dermis and the epidermis.

3. The Epidermis – Technically not one single layer…the epidermis is a complicated lady, full of many sections and layers. They all work together to protect the body. The epidermis regulates temperature, keep water in the body, and keep pathogens out. 95% of the epidermis is made up of keratinocytes. Healthy keratinocytes ensure the skins ability to resist UV radiation, dehydration, and disease. They are also the majority of the cells that reproduce through mitosis, a process which produces a daughter cell which is an exact copy of the original, and then they original is sloughed off or is exfoliated off.

We are cells. That is what our bodies are built with. In order to respect our bodies and organs we must adequately supply our body with the essential vitamins necessary for proper cell function. The cells in our body are continually reproducing, copying themselves to make sure that the body is working properly. If our cells become malnourished and weak, the newly copied cells will be replica of inadequate cells. It then becomes like continually photocopying a photo copy. The quality continues to deteriorate. You need to nourish yourself from the cell level up! Remember to fill your diet with foods high in essential vitamins and choose skincare with essential vitamins in it.

There are 13 you need to be concerned about:
a. Vitamin A – helps form and maintain healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucus membranes, and skin.
b. Vitamin B6 – is also called pyridoxine. Vitamin B6 helps form red blood cells and maintain brain function. This vitamin also plays an important role in the proteins that are part of many chemical reactions in the body. Eating larger amounts of protein may reduce vitamin B6 levels in the body.
c. Vitamin B12 – like the other B vitamins, is important for metabolism. It also helps form red blood cells and maintain the central nervous system.
d. Vitamin C – also called ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that promotes healthy teeth and gums. It helps the body absorb iron and maintain healthy tissue. It also promotes wound healing.
e. Vitamin D – is also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” since it is made by the body after being in the sun. Ten to 15 minutes of sunshine three times a week is enough to produce the body’s requirement of vitamin D. People who do not live in sunny places may not make enough vitamin D. It is very difficult to get enough vitamin D from food sources alone. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which you need for the normal development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones. It also helps maintain proper blood levels of calcium and phosphorus.
f. Vitamin E – is an antioxidant also known as tocopherol. It plays a role in the formation of red blood cells and helps the body use vitamin K.
g. Vitamin K – without it blood would not stick together (coagulate). Some studies suggest that it is important for promoting bone health.
h. Biotin – is essential for the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, and in the production of hormones and cholesterol.
i. Niacin – is a B vitamin that helps maintain healthy skin and nerves. It is also has cholesterol-lowering effects.
j. Folate – works with vitamin B12 to help form red blood cells. It is needed for the production of DNA, which controls tissue growth and cell function. Any woman who is pregnant should be sure to get enough folate. Low levels of folate are linked to birth defects such as spina bifida. Many foods are now fortified with folic acid.
k. Pantothenic Acid – is essential for the metabolism of food. It is also plays a role in the production of hormones and cholesterol.
l. Riboflavin – (vitamin B2) works with the other B vitamins. It is important for body growth and the production of red blood cells.
m. Thiamine – (vitamin B1) helps the body cells change carbohydrates into energy. Getting plenty of carbohydrates is very important during pregnancy and breast-feeding. It is also essential for heart function and healthy nerve cells.

So! It is important to select nourishing, vitamin rich foods, as well as skincare to ensure we are happy and healthy from the inside out.

Here are a few of my favourite cruelty free skincare companies and the products that made me fall in love:

**for reference: My skin type is dry (generally dry to the touch, sometimes flaky in areas – in extreme cases cracking or extreme irritation on the cheeks and forehead). It also tends to be dehydrated (appearance can often be lacklustre or dull, and prone to congestion. This tends to be a condition related to lack of water consumption) and sensitive (due to the combination of my skin type and the dehydration, my skin tends to be tight and itchy in areas, reacting with redness and irritation to non moisture rich products), which are both CONDITIONS of the skin, not skin types.**

Eminence Organics Skincare – There is not enough time in the world to describe why I love this company. It is completely organic, based on the idea that beauty should be natural, fur baby friendly, and ecologically responsible. The strength of natural ingredients are to be celebrated, not hidden amongst chemicals and additives. Their line of skin care is all encompassing, including solutions for individuals with painful active acne to corrective products for aged skin. Want to know what I love?

1. STRAWBERRY RHUBARB MASQUE: Replenish your skin’s youthful appearance  with our Strawberry Rhubarb Masque. The strawberries gently exfoliate while the rhubarb and vegan-friendly hyaluronic acid calm and plump, for a refreshed appearance.

2. LINDEN CALENDULA TREATMENT: The extracts derived from fresh linden and calendula plants deeply nourish and refresh the skin’s appearance, and fine herbal oils and honey restore the look of youthfulness and elasticity.

3. LEMON CLEANSER: Find your moisture balance and gently clean your skin with our Lemon Cleanser. Lemon and herb oils hydrate to leave normal-to-dry skin soft and velvety. Cruelty-free and formulated without parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, animal by-products, phthalates, GMOs and triclosan.

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Skin Dressing – This company, based in Pasadena, CA, uses the most beautiful floral essences and oils to create a great cruelty free, healthy alternative without skimping on luxury. The recyclable gold and white packaging is fit for a princess which the treasures inside are just as beautiful. The price point for the quality if phenomenal and if you are a rose lover like I am, there is lots of good stuff for you to choose from.

1. REALLY GOOD™ ULTIMATE ROSE BUTTER: Designed to provide a naturally fragrant and nourishing skin care experience, our Really Good™ Ultimate Rose Butter* will soften and rejuvenate your skin in the most luxurious way. It’s made naturally fragrant with 100% USDA certified organic rose essential oil——and it takes TWENTY DOZEN organic roses to distill enough oil for just one jar! The scent is purely of roses and the skin benefits are extraordinary. (Not to mention the gold jar is suitable for royalty.) Once you try our Über-nourishing rose formula you’ll know why fresh is best!

2. REALLY GOOD™ SKIN REFRESHER / ROSE BLEND WITH EXOTIC PLANT ESSENCES: Really Good™ Skin Refresher: Über-Nourishing Rose Blend With Exotic Plant Essences Really Good™ Skin Refresher — Rose Blend — is a hyaluronic acid spray made naturally fragrant with a bouquet of floral distillates.* We infuse it with our signature combination of exotic plant essences——rose, lotus, passionflower and tropical hibiscus——to use with or without, our Really Good™ natural skin butters for a truly hydrating skin care regimen. Designed to do more than just maintain——it rejuvenates your skin while imparting a dewy glow.

3. REALLY GOOD™ SKIN SERUM / ROSE & CUCUMBER WITH EXOTIC PLANT ESSENCES: Meticulously designed with organic rose oil and organic cucumber extract, and infused with our signature combination of exotic plant essences, Really Good™ Skin Serum will provide long-lasting hydration———softening and replenishing even the most sensitive skin. Vegan sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid)———known for its unique ability to dramatically aid in hydration———is another from the stellar list of ingredients in Really Good™ Skin Serum resulting in a highly effective product. Use it alone or with any of our Really Good™ skin butters. When applying a skin butter this serum will aid in the most smooth and silky application of the butter——especially when a lighter application is necessary. (Please refer to “Your Skin Type/Our Products” or click on the icon below: “…for more information”.) And, once you try our Über-nourishing formula you’ll know why fresh is best! Our serum will last approximately 3-4 weeks when used twice a day on face & decolletage.

4. REALLY GOOD™ SKIN REFRESHER / WILDFLOWER BLEND WITH EXOTIC PLANT ESSENCES: Really Good™ Skin Refresher — Wildflower Blend — is a hyaluronic acid spray made with a bouquet of wildflower distillates.* We infuse it with our signature combination of exotic plant essences——rose, lotus, passionflower and tropical hibiscus——to use with or without, our Really Good™ natural skin butters for a truly hydrating skin care regimen. Designed to do more than just maintain——it rejuvenates your skin while imparting a dewy glow.

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Caru Skincare – Caru Skincare is based in NYC and is a small company that has devoted itself to creating high quality, conscious soap and skincare. They are not made with any “mysterious” ingredients or chemicals! Making taking care of your skin really straightforward and simply beautiful!

1. FRANKINCENSE FACIAL SERUM: Formulated to balance + hydrate your skin. Made with potent botanical oils of frankincense, geranium, pomegranate, evening primrose, and hempseed (just to name a few!), this serum will take seriously good care of your skin. When applied in the morning and night, this serum will help balance your skin and liven a dull complexion. It will leave skin feeling smooth, supple, and may help increase elasticity and decrease the visibility of fine lines. This serum is a perfect choice for those with dry, mature, or combination skin.

2. ROSE FACIAL OIL: Formulated to hydrate + nourish your skin. Made with potent botanical oils of rose, geranium, carrot seed, evening primrose, pomegranate, and rosehip (just to name a few!), this serum will take seriously good care of your skin. When applied in the morning and night, this serum will help keep your skin looking fresh and vibrant and will help liven a dull complexion. It will leave skin feeling smooth, supple, and may help increase elasticity and decrease the visibility of fine lines. This serum is a perfect choice for those with dry or mature skin but also a great option for anyone that needs extra nourishment for their skin.

3. DRY SKIN FACIAL KIT: The 3 piece kit includes the (a) Rock + Rose Facial Toner -This toner is a great option for combination skin that tends to be on the drier side. It is balancing, hydrating, and will leave your skin feeling cool and refreshed. Damascus rose hydrates and clarifies, geranium rose calms and balances, and rock rose rejuvenates your skin. All our toners are formulated to restore the PH balance of your skin and are suitable for sensitive skin. (b) French Green Clay Face Soap –
French Green Clay is an all natural gentle yet detoxifying clay. It will leave your skin feeling soft and clean. This soap also contains lavender and cedar essential oils which help keep skin nourished and free of blemishes. (c) Either the Rose Facial oil or the Jojoba Facial oil

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Juice Beauty – A Californian company that is USDA organic certified and purchases their ingredients from locally sourced West Coast farms, minimizing their fuels expenses. They offer skincare, make up, and hair care, and are continually expanding their product range. The quality of their ingredients are uncompromised, making them extremely potent and delicious.

1. CLEANING ORGANIC MILK: This creamy formula deeply cleanses and removes makeup with organic grape seed and sunflower oils, while soothing normal, aging, or sensitive skin with organic chamomile and calendula. A Daily Essential perfect for cleansing and removing makeup.

2. GREEN APPLE ORGANIC PEEL SENSITIVE: The Juice Beauty bestselling, patented GREEN APPLE™ Peel with alpha hydroxy acids exfoliates and refines to reduce the appearance of dark spots and discoloration, and visibly brighten hyperpigmentation. Delivers spa grade exfoliation revealing a brighter looking complexion.

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Pangea Organics – This company creates their products with both the consumer and the environment in mind. They strive to create effective fur baby friendly products that celebrate the beauty of simplicity, as well as build the products on a base of arometherapeutic principles.

1. EGYPTIAN CALENDULA & BLOOD ORANGE CLEANSER: When it comes to delicate facial skin, Pangea’s number one goal is to bring your skin into balance. We start with a bounty of organic compounds that are rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids to support a healthy, radiant complexion. Optimal amounts of organic essential oils and herbal extracts help to soothe irritation, balance oil production and rejuvenate the skin. Our gentle yet effective Facial Cleanser removes excess oil, dirt and most makeup. It nurtures the skin with vital plant-based nutrients that nourish, protect, soften and soothe. Natural cleansing agents bind with existing dirt and oil molecules, break them down and loosen them up, allowing them to be rinsed away. The best part? This Facial Cleanser leaves your face fresh, soft and lightly moisturized without stripping your skin.

2. ITALIAN RED MANDARIN WITH ROSE FACIAL CREAM: Avocado and Pumpkin Seed Oils deeply hydrate while offering an array of skin-beneficial nutrients. Argan and Evening Primrose Oils balance and restore mature, sun-damaged skin. Shea Butter and Sunflower Seed Oil amplify moisture with rich, essential fatty acids while working overtime as skin-protectors. Beneficial both morning and night, this concentrated cream offers robust moisture and thirsty-skin-specific essential oils and extracts. Hydrate and nourish your precious face with the highest quality organic nutrients and botanicals that nature has to offer.

3. TURKISH ROSE AND WHITE TEA EYE CREAM: Crème de la Crème: A rose a day helps keep fine lines away. A vital component to your daily skincare routine, this eye cream contains the essential nutrients needed to protect, soften and nourish your delicate eye area. Skin is the body’s first line of defense. Day in and day out it battles environmental toxins, UV rays and, for many of us, recycled air that often leaves it high and dry. This eye cream was designed to work with the daily cycles of your skin – prevention and protection by day while soothing and regenerating at night. Packed with antioxidants and potent natural hydrators to help you combat signs of aging while providing much needed nourishment to this unique and oh-so-delicate area. A softer, smoother, more youthful appearance awaits you. And that’s a beautiful thing.

4. JAPANESE MATCHA TEA WITH ACAI AND GOJI BERRY FACIAL MASK: Synergy of Land and Sea. This multi-award-winning mask embodies the essence of our approach to Ecocentric Skincare. Green and white clays work together to restore, balance, cleanse and detoxify; four sea vegetables re-mineralize, hydrate and oxygenate; sugarcane serves to exfoliate, unclog pores and support the skin’s natural production of elastin and collagen; acai and goji berry extracts lend their extraordinary super-powers as antioxidants, functioning as revitalizing super-foods; jojoba and sunflower seed oils nourish and moisturize; three teas are employed in both whole leaf and extract forms to ensure maximum potency for antioxidant, restorative and energizing effects; and a harmonious blend of extremely concentrated herbal extracts and essential oils further nurture the skin and senses.

5. HIMALAYAN GERANIUM AND POMEGRANATE BALANCING OIL: We’re all looking for a little more balance in our lives. It’s the key to being at our best. Same holds true for our skin. It’s in this spirit that we created this Balancing Oil a truly unique combination of beneficial oils derived from whole, organic, cold-pressed vegetables, seeds and nuts. Rich in naturally occurring antioxidants, essential fatty acids and vitamins, it nourishes, protects and combats the signs of aging. Beneficial for all skin types and an absolute MUST for dry to mature skin, this treatment absorbs deeply to preserve intrinsic moisture and bring your skin into sweet harmony.

(All product descriptions and images are available at the company websites which are accessible by clicking the company name)

This post concludes my cruelty free 4 part series! I loved doing the research for these posts, I have learned a lot and it has made me more knowledgable about what exactly is available to those of us who want to be more fur baby and ecologically friendly. There is so much available for the conscious consumer and I can’t wait to use my money to support companies with such beautiful business and product philosophies!

Thanks for reading!

Til’ next time,
le grá go deo

Cruelty Free Cosmetics

One of my largest passions in life is makeup and beauty. It’s trans-formative ability to instantly make you feel confident and comfortable is something that is completely amazing. It is an art form that is completely different from person to person, taking on different colors, shapes, and intensities with each individual. It is a massive market and part of it’s charm is it’s accessibility. From high price point to low, they is so much choice and it is so readily available.The exceptionally good news is that there is amazing quality, vegan, cruelty free products being introduced to the market every day and for reasonable pricing. It is becoming clear to cosmetics businesses that there is a market for consciously created cosmetics.

Since it is something that we put onto our skin and therefor is distributed through out our system, there are things we should be aware of to keep our health and our cruelty free standards in the forefront of our minds. Some things to be aware of when purchasing cosmetics are:

1. BHA and BHT – BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) are used as synthetic antioxidants and preservatives. They sometimes serves the claim purpose that something is anti-aging and contains antioxidants. They are a common cause of skin related allergens and dermatitis. Their real danger lies in their hormone blocking abilities. The European Commission, an agency responsible for upholding the interests of the European Union including the preservation of the environment, listed BHA as a Step 1 Priority Substance which indicates that the particular chemical was responsible for endocrine disruption. BHT is a molecular twin for estrogen. This at young ages and large does can result in early onset puberty in females and can prevent the expression of male sex characteristics.This, and other estrogenic chemicals, need to be taken seriously. The average age of puberty onset (ie. first menstration) was 10-14 years of age in girls in the late 90’s. Now, the NORM for onset of puberty in girls in 8-12 years of age. What’s important about this is to understand how it effects the girls. There is an inherent loss of childhood that comes with puberty. Girls are losing 2 years of innocence and being children.

2. P-Phenylenediamine and Colours listed as “CI” followed by a 5 digit number (strictly speaking between 75000 and 77000)  – All of these colourants are coal based. Yes, you read correctly. These colours are a by product of processing and burning coal. Products created and labelled in the states use a different system and typically show coal based dyes as “FD&C Blue No. 1” or “Blue 1”. These dyes are very unpredictable as far as their chemical composition goes and their very commonly contaminated with heavy metals, such as lead, which can be toxic to the circulatory and nervous systems.

3. DEA and TEA Related Ingredients – As already discussed in my last post, DEA and TEA are commonly occurring ingredients in the beauty world. Diethanolamin and Triethanolamine are commonly used in moisturizers and skincare products to restore the natural pH level of the skin. What is typically not disclosed is that these two chemicals are known to disturb natural hormone levels and cause allergic reactions. When washed down the drain they are also harmful to fish and other wild life.

4. Dibutyl Phthalate – Dibutyl Phthalate is described as a ‘plasticizer’, which means it is added to products to increase the fluidity of whatever product it is added to. Currently, DP is banned in the European Union. The United States has listed is as a “suspected” endocrine disruptor; however, it is still added to many beauty products such as nail polish. Please don’t bite your nails if you’re wearing nail polish.

5. DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine and quarternium-15 – The most sneaky of all the chemicals! Formaldehyde releasers! Obviously we don’t want formaldehyde anywhere near us, it preserves deceased things, but what else does it do? Well, it can be extremely detrimental to your immune system and can lead to skin allergies. Fun fact: The formaldehyde products found in cosmetics are also in toilet bowl cleaners and vinyl flooring.

6. Parabens – As already discussed in my last post, parabens are a commonly occurring chemical in the beauty world. Propyl, Methyl and Butyl parabens are typically used to preserve products and prolong their shelf life, making it easier for companies to distribute large quantities of products and ensure that they will be able to remain on the shelf for a long, long time. They have been linked to cancer in many studies but any one who has taken a research based course in their life knows the age old adage ‘correlation does not mean causation‘; however, it is important to know that the molecular composition of parabens mimic estrogen which can lead to early on set puberty in young girls.

There are many other chemicals in cosmetics, many suspected to be hormone disruptors and reproductive toxicants (can interfere with the reproductive system of both males and females). A great resource is the David Suzuki Foundation’s list of the ‘Dirty Dozen’ Cosmetic Chemicals.

Now that all the sad stuff is out of the way onto my favorite part! Sharing with you all some of my most loved cruelty free cosmetics brands and the products that they make!

ColourPop Single Eye Shadows $5USD ColourPop Lippie Sticks $5USD
ColourPop Cheek Shocks $8USD

ColourPop – born and raised in the Californian sun, ColourPop cosmetics is one of the most affordable cruelty free brands. Relatively new on the scene, ColourPop has quickly become the favorite of YouTube beauty gurus and beauty bloggers. With a low price point and extremely satisfying pigmentation, their colourful products are the perfect addition to your collection.

What’s my favourite product? Take your pick! The formulations of all of their blushes and eye shadows feel like no other I have purchase. They feel very soft, almost mousse-like but apply like a finely milled powder. Their lip sticks and lip liner have the most beautiful creamy texture, including the matte formulations. The best news? None of the products are over $10. Yes. I know. Amazing.

Jane Iredale – Jane Iredale is a mineral makeup company established in 1994 and founded on the idea that beauty can be natural and simple. Jane has made a successful presence in the spa industry, being one of the most popular spa makeup lines. Much of the popularity is due to it’s ability to care for the skin while perfecting the appearance of it. This year they have launched their 7th SPF product and continue to create sensitivity-conscious cosmetics. Want some reasons to give it a try?

Jane Iredale Lip Fixation Duo in ‘Compulsion’ $39CAD

1. Lip Fixation Duo: By a complete fluke I happened to fall in love with this product. I was at a training and launch session for the newest collection from Jane and I happened to win one of these lip duos. I have never been one for touching up my lip colour and get very annoyed at rings of lip gloss on my coffee cup. This product is perfect. It dries much faster than a lot of other lip laquers that I have used and it much lighter in texture. The lip laquer is paired with a lip gloss in a complimentary shade. I love a matte lip for day, and for a easy transition to a more sultry pout the lip gloss adds a beautiful shine and sparkle. None of the colourants used in these lip colours are coal based and they are made with Tahitian vanilla extract for a subtle, yet very appealing scent. My three favourite colors are ‘Relish’ (discontinued), ‘Compulsion’, and ‘Craving’

Jane Iredale Glowtime Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream $60CAD

2. Glowtime Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream: Before I begin, you need to forget everything you thought you knew about what a BB cream is. Finished? Good. The JI Glowtime BB Cream is what all BB creams should attempt to be. The consistency is thick enough to effectively neutralize the skin, hiding imperfections and evening skin tone, just the proper fluidity to blend to perfection into your skin. It is loaded with healing essentials like green tea, aloe vera juice, grapefruit extract, and sunflower seed oil. It also has an SPF of 25 for both UVA and UVB rays. I’ve found the best application for medium coverage (which is perfect for me as I have a considerable amount of pink and red tones with typically no blemishes) is to lightly buff the product onto the face with a synthetic duo fiber brush, then press it into the skin with a damp foundation sponge. This gives the perfect medium coverage with a natural dewy finish. I then set it in the t-zone with a pressed powder of my choice.

Jane Iredale Purepressed Eyeshadow in ‘Rosegold’ $24CAD

3. Purepressed Eyeshadow in ‘Rosegold’: Listen up you any beautiful people reading with green or blue eyes – you need this eyeshadow in your life. Why? Let’s have a chat about the magical thing that is the colour wheel. This wheel is your best friend for two reasons: correcting and enhancing. When considering either you look directly across the wheel from the colour you are beginning with. In this case we are looking across from blue and green. The opposing colours are orange for blue eyes and red for green eyes. Placing these tones around your eyes will enhance and intensify the colour of your eyes, almost like a sort of optical illusion. Because the colours are in such contrast with one another, they enhance each other when placed side by side. The simplicity of the wheel is a beautiful thing. We can cover the correcting in another post! My favorite method of using this colour is an all over lid colour and along the lower lash line. I never get as many compliments on my eyes as I do when I am wearing a shadow of this tone. If you want a more dramatic look for night, try wetting your brush to intensify the pigment.

Jane Iredale Purpressed Mineral Base $65CAD

4. Purepressed Base Mineral Foundation: Hooray for sun protection in an adorable compact! This light weight, SPF 20 pressed mineral foundation is perfect for any makeup lover. It is so versatile and is perfect for the sporty girl on the so who needs to not worry about protecting her skin from the sun to the makeup junkie who wanted to set her foundation after she’s successfully completed the perfect winged eyeliner. It also contains pomegranate extract which is extremely high in antioxidants, great for keeping the skin vibrant.

TooFaced – One of my favorite brands at Sephora is TooFaced, which has possibly the prettiest packaging out there. Something extremely inspiring is that cruelty free is built into their mission statement. It is something they live by and embrace while creating innovative, on trend cosmetics. As a full cosmetics range, they have some of the most pigmented products for a reasonable price. A couple things that keep bringing me back…

TooFaced La Creme Lipstick in ‘Honey Bear’ $26CAD

1. La Creme Lipstick in ‘Honey Bear’: Hiding in the sleek gold tube is one of the most luxuriously creamy lipsticks I have come across. The base is made from vegetable oil and pomegranate sterols, and comes in 23 shades. ‘Honey Bear’ is probably my most loved shade as it is a darker, mauve based nude with a bit of shimmer. It enhances your lips with out taking attention away from other facial features, perfect for pairing with a sultry cat eye or dramatic eye look.

TooFaced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzing Powder $38CAD

2. Milk Chocolate Soleil Light/Medium Matte Bronzing Powder – It’s matte and it smells like chocolate, how could you ever wish for more. This is the perfect bronzer for warming up light to medium complexions. Many bronzers on the market contain shimmer which can make you look oily, and enhance imperfections or creases in the skin. Another appealing trait of this powder is that it applies relatively sheer, allowing you to custom build and blend your bronzer.

Becca – Based on the idea that perfecting the skin shouldn’t mean covering up all traces of it, Becca cosmetics used thoughtfully curated ingredients to compose light weight products to enhance the natural beauty that already exists. These particular two products never fail to impress…

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in ‘Opal’ $46CAD

1. Shimmering Skin Perfector in ‘Opal’: This is probably one of the most popular products in their entire line. I am a sucker for a goo highlight powder along the top of my cheek bones and on my cupids bow. This stuff is so finely milled it give you an angelic glow without looking glittery. The opalescent base give it a pink undertone which is perfect for all skin types. This product is a bit more pricey for a highlight powder; however, you get enough product to last you the entire shelf life.

Becca Ultimate Creme Eyeliner in ‘Romanesque’ $24CAD

2. Ultimate Creme Eyeliner in ‘Romanesque’: The most satisfying makeup to wear is winged eyeliner sharp enough it needs a warning sign. I find that this is easiest with a slender angled brush and a potted gel liner. I don’t particularly care for a glossy finish to my liner so this matte black eyeliner by Becca is perfect. It dries quickly, ensuring a smudge free application, and is long wearing, perfect for a full day of cat eye sultry stares.

Ecco Bella – Born out of a struggle to find eco and animal friendly beauty, Ecco Bella was built on the foundation of creating better beauty. Not simply better for the consumer but better for the environment and other living creatures. Ecco Bella creates beautiful cosmetics as well as skincare, organic perfume, and haircare, offering a full range of beauty products to meet the needs of all.

Ecco Bella Paperback Duo Compact $8.95USD

1. Paperback Duo Compact: One of the newest cosmetics delivery and storage systems that has become the most popular is the idea of customizable palettes. Many of these palettes are made of hard plastic and become garbage when they are finished being used. EB has come up with a recyclable palette to hold their blushes and eye shadows, reducing the garbage and wasted plastic packaging that is found with traditional cosmetics. Once the palette is finished being used, it can go in with your paper recyclables.

Ecco Bella FlowerColor Blush Refills $15.95USD

2. FlowerColor Blush Refills: I love blush. I think it can make a huge difference in the look of your complexion, adding a youthful brightness and glow. The blushes come in 8 colours, some of which are vegan and all are gluten-free. They are also talc free and fragrance free. These blushes are EXTREMELY pigmented so unless you are going for a clown inspired look be light handed in your application.

Ecco Bella FlowerColor Eyeshadow Refill in ‘Camel’ $14.95USD

3. FlowerColor Eyeshadow Refill in ‘Camel’: I love my warm browns for my blue eyes. This shade is the perfect crease shade for a natural yet defined eye look. These eye shadows are naturally moisture resistant which prevents them from creasing throughout the day. All of their eye shadows are gluten-free and vegan! Similar to the blushes, EXTREMELY concentrated, be careful! You can always add more but taking away often means starting over.

Ecco Bella FlowerColor Lipstick in ‘Rosewood’ $17.95USD

4. FlowerColor Lipstick in ‘Rosewood’: All of the EB lipsticks contain one of my favourite things – Calendula oil. Calendula is a magical plant with the phenomenal ability to hydrate and heal. All of the lipsticks are gluten-free and vegan, with the exception of their pink shades with are not vegan. The feel a lot like lip balm when they are being applied as they are extremely soft and hydrating, full of vitamin E and jojoba.

The cosmetics market is extremely saturated and it continues to grow every day. The easiest way to navigate yourself away from companies that test on animals and become familiar with company names that are cruelty free. It will allow you to be more focused when shopping and know what brands to shop within.

I hope this was even a little bit helpful.
Til’ next time,
le grá go deo