[13 Days of Halloween] Day 5 - Cruelty Free & Creepy Cosmetics

It is so cool to find makeup nowadays that is not only unusual with their color choices but also cruelty free and vegan. A decade ago it was harder to find cool cosmetics that satisfied my dark side as well as lived up to my cruelty free checklist. Here are a few of my fave companies and product picks that keep me looking drop dead spooky!


Makeup Monster's Cosmetics: I love their liquid lipsticks. They make some lovely gray shades such as Wolfsbane - a fave of mine. 100% vegan line.

My Pretty Zombie Cosmetics: I heard of MPZ before checking out their booth at Sinister Creature Con but had brought anything. They have some pretty shade shifting colors and wear nicely. They get bonus points for helping cats in need through SNAP CATS. Vegan products marked.

Melt Cosmetics: Has really great colors for the eyes and lips. Their stack in Rust is something I use daily. The quality of their products us top notch so do not let the price tag turn you off. Vegan products marked.

Lunatics Cosmetic Labs: Home of the coffin shaped eyeshadow palettes! The Supernatural collection is perfect for daily use. The colors blend nicely. The lipsticks go on sheer and I like layering them over matte colors. 100% vegan.

Medusa's Makeup: Has great long lasting lipsticks that I really like. Their highlighters are really great and I use them pretty much daily. I subscribe to their monthly box and love the full sized products I have gotten. Vegan products marked switching over to 100% vegan.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge Review/Compare

After years of using those little latex free sponges to apply my foundation I upgraded to the Beauty Blender. After using the Beauty Blender a few times, I was in love. It made my foundation look super flawless. The only downside is the cost - $20 per sponge.

A few people told me that they liked the  Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. I decided to try it out after my last Beauty Blended croaked. I bought a 2 pack at Ulta for under $10.99 during a BOGO sale - already winning! I have seen them elsewhere but Ulta seems to always have them on sale plus even if they are not - they qualify for the promotional coupons you get in the mail. 

Besides the price I like the shape. The flat side is really good for applying foundation. The pointy flat edge really gets into the sides of the nose and is thin enough to do nose contouring. After using the sponge I can note some differences between the brands. This sponge stays damp no matter how much you ring it out. Also it absorbs foundation more, if you like a less coverage look, it may be better suited for your needs. It washes off and stains less in my opinion than the Beauty Blender which stained no matter how much I washed it. It is a good sponge and has multiple uses. Besides foundation I use it to blend in bronzer and concealer.


Would I buy them again? Yes. In the summer when I am more drawn to light foundation these are better for the look/feel I want. The price is also a big factor. They are an upgrade from the little sponges many of us use (or used). If you want to try a sponge without the hefty price tag then pick up these today.

 

A Few Of My Favorite Cosmetic Things Lately

Here are a few of the things that I currently cannot get enough of of at the moment. All vegan and cruelty free - duh!

Lolita: I know - not purple! Shocking! However this is a pretty color that is in the neutral range making it work for a lot of people. This color sells out fast and I was floored when right before the holidays I saw Sephora have a handful in. This is the newest version of Lolita which is a brown-pink rose color and i hope it stays this way because I have been wearing it almost every day!

Makeup Revolution Blush in Nude: . It is hard to find blush that suits my skin tone. Most stuff is to pink or light for me. So this is a nice shade that goes on well and blends nicely. The blush is very pigmented and a little goes a long way. it looks a lot more brown in the photo and pot and I initially bought it to contour but it has a lot of pink once on the face. Also it only $5! Score!

Nag Champa incense roll on perfume oil by Tattooed Geek Boutique: Right before I got this I was burning incense and after being in the same room with it my clothing/hair became softly scented. I was thinking how it would be nice to have it in perfume form. This roll on captures it perfectly - like hanging out for a bit in your fave new age shop. Lightly scented and not overwhelming.

Goth Summer Tips - Cruelty Free & Cemetery Friendly

 

Oh me oh my it is hot out there. I am usually fond of summer, I like being warm, I hate being so cold I feel like a Frozen extra. This summer is different, the heat is sticky and once you leave the house it knocks you off your feet. 

I compiled a list of tips and tricks to keep you looking cool and feeling cool as you make your way through cemeteries, catching brunch at your favorite vegan hot spot or doing errands. Stay cool my friends - do not let the heat or the man get you down.

I am not a fan of my feet, mostly my toes after being stomped on one to many times they are a little sad looking. However once the temps reached 100+ I pulled out my Sanuk Yoga Mat flip flops  - I have two pairs and yes they are both black. I have written about how comfy these are before and they are worth the price. Some people like cheap flip flops - those offer no cushion and after a hour of sweat the rubber starts digging into your toes - ouch! Do not do cheap!

If you are exploring a cemetery flip flops are not a really good option. Especially if the cemetery grounds are not well kept or the grass is very dry. Pull out your boots and once done you can slip back into your flip flops. If you do want to wear your flip flops - make sure you take it slow, no climbing or trudging through the old section where the weeds are thick. Earlier this month I made a trip through my favorite cemetery (Catholic Cemetery in Stockton, CA) in flip flops - not bad but I did get poked and my feet got itchy. 

Drink water!!! You can drink beer (or coffee!!!) too but follow up with water - being dehydrated is no joke! Save that medical insurance for something fun like falling off a mausoleum that you climbed on top of not something wimpy like dehydration! Joking of course - but seriously drink a lot of water. I can tell when I am thirsty pretty fast, my hands get prune-y and my chest hurts. Not fun!

Protect your pits and that new band shirt you just scored by using a natural deodorant. No one likes stinky people (I am sure I am wrong - there is a fetish for everything) so lube up your pits before heading out. Currently I am using Meow Meow Tweets Baking Soda Free Deodorant. It has a super spreadable consistency and does not irritate my sensitive pits. If you are feeling all adventures and junk try making your own with help from The Spooky Vegan. This is another sensitive pit option - it did not make me get a rash like so many other natural deodorants out there.  

SPF - get odd spots like the back of your neck if you are wearing your hair up. I learned this the hard way last year when I got an ouchy burn. So not fun. Also apply SPF to your face and use extra protection like a tinted CC cream with SPF to get you covered. Right now I am using Juice Beauty Cellular Stem CC Cream which I really like. It blends well, comes in 5 shade options and does not leave you looking orange or oily (like a few other creams I have used). 

Also protect your lips - if you are rocking a shiny gloss right now layer it over a SPF balm. The shine will attract the sun and your pout will look more scary than sexy. Right now I am into purple lips and my fave go to long lasting sweat proof colors are from Colourpop - I have a variety of the pencils in purple and magenta shades. I am sure I am breaking some safety rule out there but I also use them on my brows (purple brows! yes!) and they do not sweat off. 

Wear shades - the bigger the better. In my pictures you most often see me wearing my giant Versace shades. I feel like a rich bitch when I put them on and boy do they really help me stop from squinting. Also squinting leads to wrinkles and after buying Versace glasses and cemetery gas money I cannot afford Botox at this time!  

Bugs are cool until they bite you. Save your blood for that date with the faux-vampire you met online and make yourself up a batch of this insect repellent. I heard eating a lot of garlic keeps the bugs off you to but might scare the faux vampire dude away...

Stay safe spooky summer friends. I do not want to hear of anyone melting or bursting into flames. Usually summer posts end with something like 'see you by the pool' in my case though see you in a cemetery near you....

My Top 5 Vegan - Cruelty Free Beauty Products (Of The Moment)

These are the top 5 products that are getting much love in my beauty arsenal right now. These are all products I plan on buying again once I run out! They are that good!

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara   - When I saw this pop up in the Sephora webpage I ran out and bought it. I have been searching for a great mascara since the whole China thing came onto the scene. This mascara delivers a nice black inky color and impact. The only problem is it is a bit messy - or at least the excess always ends up on the tube...but it really is not a huge problem. I just need to wipe the tube and pull the wand out carefully.

Cosmic Bath and Beauty Blush in Sweet Cheeks: Perfect color that gives me the perfect pink cheek look. It blends well, not to shimmery (as in obnoxious teen cosmetic glittery) but  enough to get me glowing. The color gives my cheeks a nice healthy summer glow that will come in handy in the winter months - which I am already dreading!

Fergie for Wet N Wild Eye Shadow Primer:  This stuff is freaking amazing! I was skeptical at first - because most primers just do the minimal for my oily lids and I still have smudges and color transfer. This stuff makes me a eyeshadow primer lover! Once applied - the texture is nice, I can feel a velvety smoothness compared to other more watery primers of the past. The primer really gets everything to stick in place, no more creasing and my black liner stays crisp and clean all day long! Get this product now!

Gnarly Whale Beach Waves Spray in Thai Coconut:Simple ingredients that make dirty no wash hair days into big wavy delight hair days!


Out of Africa Lip Balm in Strawberry: I just got this lip balm in. I was picking Mar up some kitty shampoo and came across this product and had to try it - after all everyone needs a handful of lip balms in their bag right?It is a large tube - perfect for slathering on your lips. The flavor is not sickly sweet or artificial - which is not always a bad thing but I know some people dig on a more natural flavor. So if you like your balms more natural - this is for you. It is very moisturizing and goes on super smooth. 

Do you have any favorite products right now? Let me know - I am always looking to try new things!

Pacifica Products

As you know - I love Target! I could easily spend $$$ left alone for a few hours in there! Target recently started carrying the new Pacifica skin care and and makeup line along with a few of their body lotions. So you know I had to buy a few things.

The Radiant Shimmer collection is really pretty, it is has multiple uses but I like using it on my cheeks for a dewy glow. I like the lighter color as a highlighter on the tops of my cheekbones and the two other colors as blush. It blends very well, has a faint tropical scent and is not greasy.

I bought the Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes for our gym bag, I was hesitant to pass one to Matt because of his dislike of coconut. However he likes the smell! It is light, fruity and reminiscent of a tropical drink. They refresh without being to soapy. They leave a light sent behind along with a refreshed feeling. Even though they are scented my sensitive skin does not freak out or turn blotchy.

I will be buying a few more things shortly! I am hoping they are just as good as these two products!

Face Foward Friday - Vegan Face Care

I usually oil cleanse my face with olive oil and castor oil. However it is summer we are in the 90s now with a 5 day 100+ streak last week. My skin is a bit red and blotchy - something that can be covered up with makeup but I rather treat it! So after receiving samples* of Fresh: Soy Face Cleanser I am hooked. It is gentle, does not really smell and though it is a gel it feels creamy!

Come on - you know you wanna touch it? Have you had the sonic pulsating vibrations run all over your face? Seriously if you have not experienced the Mia then you need to - it is like amazing! Matt bought me the animal print version (naturally!) for my birthday and I have been using it every day - sometimes twice a day!The cleanser it comes with sucks....also the refreshing gel cleanser is not vegan due to sea life.

Urban Decay Naked Skin is really great! At first I thought I would hate it due to reviews but I actually like it and once my BB cream runs out I will buy it since I have been sampling* it. My cousin and I are different undertones while still be light and Naked Skin had a match for both of us...Some companies only have foundation in like 4 colors...Naked Skin has a rainbow of skin tones. it offers good coverage and my skin can still breathe! It is a little watery but I use a damp sponge to apply it with no problem! I am a 3.0 by the way and my cousin who is more pink in tone is a 2.0.

*Getting samples at Sephora is always a good thing! :)

What I have Been Up To

For the last few days the blog was down due to some issues with the domain hosting switch. All is back to normal, except, my computer is acting up and my boyfriend and I are trying to fix things. Computer stuff just makes me angry, I don't understand a lot of it which just puts me on edge!


Enough of that! So last weekend my boyfriend did the second day of shooting for a music video he is working on. He needed hair and makeup for the actress. A nice girl came down to do hair and I lined up a makeup artist. Well, the makeup artist did not show up, I was put on makeup duty to create a simple alien queen look and the actress and I are totally different colors. I had new brushes, new liner and she had her own base so I did what I could given such a short notice and not much to work with. We know the actress, she was really sweet and sportive about the whole thing.



After the day long shoot and dinner I bought drinks and snacks for me and the boyfriend-director. I bought the seasonal flavor of Mike's Hard Lemonade which is strawberry - really good! A lot better than the pink ribbon blend last year and a few others I have tried.


This week I tried recreating the 'super bird' sandwich from Denny's for dinner. I made a few adjustments though. I used Monterrey jack cheeze and a whole grain bread. I used Smart Bacon, Tofurky slices, organic tomatoes and Earth Balance spread on the outsides of the bread to get them toasty. My boyfriend was pleased!


I just tired the new Tapatio Fritos - yummy! The leave a trail of heat behind! I will be eating more maybe with a Mike's Hard Strawberry Lemonade!

Vegan Cosmetics

I started writing about vegan cosmetics 10 years ago. I have always been into makeup and when I made the switch from vegetarian to vegan, I had to replace some of my cosmetics due to bee products. The hardest part was finding a beeswax free mascara, the only one on the market that was easy to get was a mascara by Origins - in fact a lot of my cosmetics came from Origins. Since those days the market has expanded with not only more mascaras but lots of new cruelty free options.

Not satisfied with the makeup I had I started doing research. I contacted companies through emails, calling them and reading a lot of labels. When new products hit the market I go through this process again. Right now the biggest source of vegan cosmetic knowledge is Cruelty Free Face . I added some information on the site and point people there weekly.

Some tips about buying cosmetics that are vegan: educate yourself, take a list of the companies and colors you want, read labels and don't trust associates that are clueless. I went to Sephora over the weekend to pick up some new shadows, everything I wanted off my list was not in stock - boo hoo. The sales associate pointed me to companies stating that they were vegan, they had vegan products - sure but not everything was vegan...She was baffled about how some things were vegan and some were not.

Since I get asked about what my fave cosmetic products are I decided to list a few.


Ricepaper eyeshadow by MAC Cosmetics is a shadow I use everyday, I have to go buy another one, it is almost gone. It is shimmery but not obnoxious and the perfect high light or inner corner color to brighten things up.


Yeyo 24/7 Glide-On eyeliner by Urban Decay is a liner I use daily as a base color for the inner corner of my eye, I like to apply Ricepaper over it and it just looks really nice and I look awake!


E.L.F.Cosmetic's Waterproof Eyeliner Pen (in black): I buy these in bulk! These $1 bargins are so awesome - they stay put and the black is so inky and smooth!

Summer Cosmetics - Vegan Style

The temperature is rising and while I love the longer warm days I can’t handle the weather on most days because it is so damn hot. I hate spending time getting ready to only end up end a pile of sweat and oil a hour later. Here are some must have vegan safe products from SPF to cosmetics that help me get through the days.

SPF is important. I have pretty light olive tone skin and rather stay pale than burn. Most sun blocks for the face leave my oily skin super greasy and nasty. However I am a hugggeee fan and will only buy Murad Oil-Control Mattifer SPF 15 . When you put it on your skin feels less oily and almost velvety in seconds.



To keep my face shine free and looking fresh all day I really love E.L.F.’s Complexion Perfection powder. It evens out any redness in my face and makes the shine go away. At $3 it is a must have buy. To apply it I use a large synthetic fluffy brush.




Too keep my black liner in place all day I turn to Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion. It makes my eye makeup not run down my face during a game of Frisbee.


I am a fan of glossy lips but before I put on gloss I slick my lips down with Merry Hempster’s SPF 18 Lip Balm. Glossy lips attract sun and it is important to protect your lips with a SPF.



Can’t forget the body. I use Eucerin Everyday Protection Body Lotion, UVA + UVB SPF 15 Protection. The formula works for my sensitive skin and has never left my itchy or red.



(I am not getting paid by companies to endorse products - these are what I actually buy and use daily!)