Completely eliminating animal testing in cosmetics...

Okay little guy, hold still. This might hurt a little. It might also kill you. 

So, yeah, humans still test cosmetics on animals.  I don't like it, nobody really likes it, but aside from heaps of people complaining about it and even boycotting most products, there isn't much anyone can do about it simply because of how often it's "necessary".  The biggest thing animals are tested for in the cosmetic industry is skin allergies, because we don't want to use products that could harm our skin.  (Let me take this time to add that in most parts of the world, even in our own country, cosmetic products are sold that contain possibly harmful ingredients that are simply there because the required testing was not done, or was done and overlooked.  I don't approve 100% of the efforts the FDA puts forth in determining which cosmetic products are safe for use, but if you're interested in what sorts of things they look for, check out this page.)

Since January of this year, great breakthroughs have made it possible to now administer the skin allergy tests and other similar tests to a chip that can simulate the necessary conditions needed for proper results.  

"The chip is intended to replace a local lymph node assay, that is often done on new chemicals used in cosmetics. Today, the tests are generally performed on female mice. (Though some labs use an older method involving guinea pigs..."

(From Technology Review)

 Skin allergy tests in most animals are done by detecting allergic responses by stimulating T cells, all of which is done within the lymph nodes and lymphatic fluids.  This means this tiny chip that could possibly be not only easier, but far cheaper than animal testing, may soon be able to replace tests on many, or ALL animals in the cosmetic industry.  This is just the sort of breakthrough that the Humane Society has been just dying for, because it can, and hopefully will, save thousands of animal lives every year.

A good read into the GEARI website (Group for the Education of Animal-Related Issues) will make it clear that there are many alternative ways many companies can do their testing without harming animals or even using them in any way.  Check it out!  ♥

Using hemp & hemp seed oil to vastly improve your skin's health!

No, I am not exaggerating when I say you can "vastly" improve your skin's health using hemp products and extracts!  There are many products made using hemp oils and hemp seed oils that are used for severely dry skin, as well as skin conditions like eczema, excessive acne problems, and problems with blotchy skin.

There have been testimonials of people for years and years (since it became legal to grow the crop again in Canada in 1998, anyway.)  of people that have had fantastic results with hemp seed oil and hemp oil.

The craziest part about it though, is that when you search the internet far and wide, you can only find very minimal negative reviews of hemp seed oil products, and it's almost ALWAYS by someone who's a puff-chested anti-drug that can't muster the brain cells to tell the difference between hemp and cannabis.

I won't go into all the hemp plant's many other uses that could not only enrich our lives, but stimulate a dying economy, so instead I'll just focus on it's great uses in the beauty world.  I wrote a helpful article on using hemp oil &  hemp seed oil at home yourself to greatly improve the health of your hair and skin.  You can read it here.  If you're interested in what popular high-rated products use hemp seed oil and/or hemp oil as a main ingredient, here are a few:

Body lotion and bath products from Yaoh! Organic Products
Hempz Haircare Products (AMAZING products.)
Good ol' Burts Bees hemp Res-Q lip balm
GiGi Hemp Skincare Products  (Ultra-moisturizing wax & lotions)

There's plenty of simple ways to use the extracts and oils of the hemp plant right in your own home to get great results.  If you've got a skin, hair, or other condition and it's possible to cure it with hemp oils and extracts, shouldn't you give it a try?

Yes, that is a hemp wiimote. Stay cute, smart, & green! ♥ xoxo

Great & cheap beauty buys that don't suck! ♥

So, yeah, it's tough to buy all the cool stuff that I want, what with the economy in shambles and all.  Luckily, there are a few companies that continuously pump out the quality products at a wallet-friendly price.  Cosmetic & skincare companies like e.l.f, Rimmel, and Alba consistently keep my attention with new good quality, affordable stuff.  Here, I'll name and briefly discuss a few of the very best beauty buys I've been able to find...


Cosmetics

e.l.f Luscious Liquid Lipstick
(Favorite shade: Ruby Slipper)

They smell nice, they go on glossy and smooth, and they last a surprisingly long time.  The applicator is a sponge type point that filters slow shots of liquid lip color up from the tube and through the soft sponge.  It's unique, it's good quality, and it's CHEAP.  Yeah, I mean cheap.

Price: $1.00







Rimmel Lasting Finish (16hr) Foundation
(Favorite shade: True Nude)

This is another great find, a long lasting foundation for under $10.00.  I use the 10 dollar mark on foundations, because the quality for me seems to halt at 10 dollars.  It doesn't get any better after that mark, and all the rest of the money you pay for a brand over that is just fluff name-spank that I don't care about at all.

Rimmel is a drugstore beauty brand, and it's a great one.  I own this foundation and I still buy it every time I run out.  It's thick and creamy, and it stays on for a while.  Sure, 16 hours is a pretty big push, but I have experience with it lasting over 6 hours without even fading, so that's pretty darn good.

Price:  $7.29




Application

e.l.f Kabuki Brush

I own this brush.  It's awesome.  Like most Kabuki brushes, the way the bristles are set up has a lot to do with how the handle is shaped.  Kabuki brushes boast the ability to cover huge areas of your face as flawlessly as possible, and a small stocky handle makes it easier to apply using this big fan-type brush.  It's a high quality brush for an incredible price.

Price:  $5.00





e.l.f Sugar Kiss Eyelash Curly Tool

A high quality eyelash curler that's not put together like any other cheap curler.  It doesn't squeak, the handles are soft and easy to use, and it has no harsh tug.  It's a great find, and certainly a great buy.

Price: $1.00









Skincare

Alba Deep Sea Face Mask

I have to say that this face mask is one of my favorites.  That's saying a LOT for me, because I'm a huge advocate of DIY beauty routines at home.  The face masks that work the best (and are obviously the most natural and best for your skin) can be made at home, where you know EXACTLY what's going onto (and into) your skin.  This is one of the few product exceptions, mainly because it's got so many goodies from the sea in it.

Price: $7.65

Freeman's Beautiful Face Peel-Off Masque

(Favorite: Cucumber)

This is another great face mask that goes above and beyond when it comes to end-result and price.  It's cheap, and it's got lots of natural goodies inside, which makes me not hate it.  Also, it smells GREAT, and leaves your skin completely smooth with a light fragrance.

Price: $3.99









Well that's about it for my great beauty buy post...there's lots more that I've found, so stay tuned.  Happy shopping!  ♥

Hard Candy's GINORMOUS Lash Mascara & Maybelline Dream Mousse Shadow ♥

Hello beauties! ♥

I recently discovered two items that go so perfectly together, I had to spotlight them at the same time. Behold the poor quality of my sidekick camera:




Those two blurry awesome things are Hard Candy's GINORMOUS LASH MASCARA! I put it in caps because it truly does make your lashes friggin' GINORMOUS! The color is Carbon Black, ofcourse.

This mascara does exactly what it says it's supposed to do.

When I first used it, I expected big fat clumpy lashes that would go great with my dark gothy eyes that day, but what I ended up getting was something so much more wonderful, and far less clumpy.

In fact, there are no clumps, at all! (Not that I've seen so far in almost a week, anyway.) I believe it has something to do with the shape of the brush. I can't take a picture that shows anything on my awful camera, so I'll just say that it's pointy, properly bristled, and PLASTIC.

So, plastic applicators haven't always been my favorite thing, but when it comes to smooth application of a thick-ass mascara like this one, plastic totally fits the bill.

I've also noticed that it adds length to the tips of my lashes without adding sticky residue that would otherwise come off on my upper cheeks. That didn't happen, and it dried quickly on my lashes without flaking.

This mascara takes the cake. And we all love cake.

Oh, and if you're looking for some shots of what this looks like applied, check out the Muse's November post on this product here.


The other little pot that's there is Maybelline New York's Dream Mousse Shadow in Black Spice. Though I absolutely love this shadow, I have to be clear before one of you go buy it, open it, and wonder how the heck I wear it every day when it looks (and feels) so clumpy.

Well, it's a mousse by name, but more of a cream by texture. It applies easily if you use a small eye brush, or in my case, a flat lip brush. (I have oily eyelids.) Now let me name a few things about this shadow before I say how much I love it:

• Not good for finger application. This is a bit iffy for me, because when it comes to any shadow that isn't dry packaged, I like to apply with my fingers.
• If you tip it over, some of it will actually fly out. And it stains. Bad.
• Sometimes the sparkles clump together, and take a bit of evening out before you get the "starry sky" look instead of the "i put crayons on my eyelids" look.

Those things being said, I can now elaborate on why it's better than it seems:

• Using a small brush, the application is MUCH easier. Takes a few minutes, but it's easier.
• The color lasts ALL DAY. It doesn't fade, and it's a PERFECT BASE for many other dark gothy shades.
• It's SUPER SMOOTH, so if you want to give the ends of your eyes a little wing action, you can easily just use a small lip brush and get profesh looking eyes from a $3 eyeshadow pot.
• It's sparkly black. Love.

Super sexii right?? So go out and buy both of these right now!! ♥

webcake xoxoxoxo