It's a G-D Shame.

It's been a while since I've posted. I've been wrestling with an ethical dilemma and how I want to phrase my thoughts without sounding like a PETA hypnotized, granola munching, hemp-raising hippy. That being said, I eat a mostly vegan diet, recycle, turn the faucet off, buy organic, shun non-cotton underies, despise sulfates, and make all natural bath and body products as a hobby. Patchouli should be wafting behind me in a perfumed curtain of Aquarian goodness and sunflowers should sprout in my foot prints as sparrows braid my hair. Did I mention I have an herb garden?

I don't think animals are people, although my dog might disagree with me as he watches television next to me with eerily human intent. I do believe they have the right to a life filled with as much freedom and dignity as possible, even if they end up on the dinner table, or are incubating the possible cure for breast cancer. There are, in my opinion, justifiable reasons for animal testing. AIDS, Leukemia, and MS are but a few of these reasons. Thumper can take one for all the kids suffering at Saint Jude's. Don't get me wrong--those animals suffer and live an extremely shitastic existence, it sucks, and if there is any possible alternative for testing it should be taken. End of story.

I don't think that in the year 2010 Thumper should be getting mascara and lipstick shoved in his adorable little eye. My plumping lip gloss doesn't need to be forcefed to rats to make sure it's safe. Cosmetic companies shouldn't be putting crap in my mascara that they think might be that effing questionable. This isn't even a question for me.

To be honest, I didn't even think this was an issue anymore. It's 2010, wasn't there supposed to be a flying car by now? Haven't we moved beyond such asshatery? Well, these cosmetic giants haven't:

CoverGirl
Maybelline
L'Oreal
Johnson & Johnson
Sally Hansen

This only names a few. More information can be found here.

Neutragena doesn't test on animals, but its parent company, Johnson & Johnson does. So the drugstore brands we have left are:

Revlon
Almay
Physician's Formula

These are the brands you will be seeing featured from now on. Hopefully, this will expand. I will also be supporting Neutragena's decision to stop animal testing. As a consumer, my purchases can also be meaningful and just.

Let's face it. This sucks. No more Lashblast. No more Voluminous. Get with the program cosmetic giants! I want to buy your shit. I want to be sucked in by the young starlet in your ridiculous marketing campaigns. I desperately want to purchase your sulfate-free shampoos that infer Sawyer from LOST will take me again and again in a polar bear cage while Jack watches.

Stop poisoning bunnies so we can be BFF's again.

REVIEW: CoverGirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara

We all know I am obsessed with mascara. It is my one beauty must have other than tintes moisturizer with an SPF. I tried the original LashBlast mascara and was not impressed. I was the opposite of impressed. It was gloppy, didn't stay put, and managed to get everywhere during application.

This waterproof version, howevr, lives up to all the hype I've been seeing about this stuff. The brush is still a bit outrageous and hard to control, but the product delivers. Go CoverGirl.

REVIEW: Sally Beauty Supply Hair One Cleansing Conditioner

I've noticed a trend lately, I only blog about stuff I'm in love with. This is no different. I bought the knock-off of Chaz Dean's Wen Hair Care System for a fraction of the cost at Sally's. I chose the Aloe and Cucumber Hair One formula for normal hair. IT IS AMAZING.

Here's what Sally has to say about their freaking great product:

Sulfate Free



All natural approach to hair care


No damaging detergents or harsh chemicals


Formulated with natural herbs and oils


Cleans with an astringent and antibacterial properties

Introducing Hair One ... a salon quality product that provides a new all natural approach to hair care and hair detox that leaves hair cleansed, conditioned and in optimum shape. This conditioner has no damaging detergents or harsh chemicals. It's made with an elixir of natural herbs and oils that clean with astringent and antibacterial properties through a luxurious, penetrating cream without the stripping of detergents. Hair is left with remarkable shine, moisture, manageability and polish. With continued use, Hair One Cleanser Conditioner will stimulate the scalp, promoting better blood circulation, allowing for healthier hair growth and prevention of hair loss.

Sally isn't telling a fib here kids. My hair has more body, bounce, and shine and I have eliminated the use of my conditioner, leave-in, shine serum, and mousse. I just blow dry and throw some styling paste in. It's miraculous. If this product were a man, he would look like Timothy Olyphant, put the toilet seat down, encourage you to have seconds (maybe even thirds) and taste like chocolate.

Amanda

REVIEW: Revlon Colorstay Foundation

I'm a greasy gal. I'm also in sales so I need something that is going to even my skin tone, withstand the oil slick that is my t-zone, and last through a 12+ hour day. I've tried Revlon Colorstay Foundation in the past, but I wasn't sold. It looked clumpy and downright streaky on my skin.

Due to my CVS Extra Bucks (of course) I was able to get a bottle of the Combination/Oily formula on the cheap. I'm pale, but I've got my spring glow going on, so I was able to buy the shade one step up from bloated white corpse. It was very exciting even though it's indicative of sun damage in 50 degree weather while wearing SPF 30. Sigh.

Here are my tips for successfully using a Colorstay foundation:

1. Exfoliate. Long-wearing foundations will accentuate every nook, cranny, and flake you have on your face. Scrub it off!
2. Moisturize and Protect. Slather on your sunscreen (I'm quite partial to Aveeno's Positively Radiant SPF Moisturizer).
3. Use a Foundation Brush. This formula dries quickly and can be streaky, so putting it on with your fingers can be a challenge. I use a fluffy foundation brush and start with my nose and work outward. I just want a thin layer for a little coverage. If you need full coverage, you can definitely achieve that with this formula.
4. If you need concealer, apply it over the foundation. Counter-intuitive I know. Just believe me.
5. I use a liquid highlighter on my cheekbones and a dab on my chin. 
6. I don't finish with a powder. You know me and matte. We don't get along.

This might seem like a process, but in reality it takes less than 5 minutes. I get compliment worthy skin that actually lasts through a business day. I do get a case of the greasies by mid afternoon, but a blotting paper cures that, and the make-up stays on my face, not on the paper.

This is my new go to for work days. Keep on exfoliating ladies!

Amanda

Rediscovering Old Friends

Do you ever pick up a product that you used ages ago and kick yourself for quitting it? I had that experience with Noxema. I haven't used it in years.

Yes. Noxema. Don't hate ladies. This minty, cold cream-ish, goo was a staple of my teen years. I had better skin then than I do now, and use of this product (in conjunction with good ol' St. Ive's Apricot Scrub) is probably why. AND IT'S CHEAP!  You can't get much better than that. Unless it came with chocolate, booze, or Matthew McConaughey. Or if it vibrated.

I also got a coupon for CoverGirl Clean Make-Up and thought I would get super retro (circa '99) and try it out. It was almost free, so couldn't be that bad right?

Wrong. I should have used that 4 bucks to save the whales (and before you freak, I totally do contribute to ASPCA and other funds so back off PETA-breath). If you are going with a CoverGirl line, stick with Trublend. It isn't tragic like its older sister.

Have you guys used something again and had an epiphany that it was totally awesome?

Amanda

Here's Your Once Chance Fancy Don't Let Me Down

I tried using a fancy-pants foundation from Stila. I placed all my hopes and dreams in this fancy little bottle that promised a one-step process to skin perfection. Putting down a decent chunk of change for this, I felt so sure that I would be transformed into a velvety-skinned goddess.

It was not to be. My skin turned into a red, flakey, mess. I looked like I was jonesing for a rock, but really I'm allergic to something in the product. I've passed the product on to one of my dear friends and blog commenter SGY. We will see if she has better luck with the stuff.

On a happier note, Physician's Formula was on sale at CVS and I picked up the Mineral Wear Correcting Concealer Trio. It's amazing. Corrective colors are hard for pale folk to wear, but when used with a light hand and paired with the Mineral Wear Powder foundation, it's magical. My skin is even and glowing despite my alcohol intake last night.

So my lessons learned:

• I'm not a fancy gal. I don't need fancy make-up (nor does it need me apparently).
• Sometimes sticking with what you know isn't boring, it's practical.
• Physician's Formula keeps delivering. I love that brand almost as much as I love CVS.

Amanda

A Sunday Scrub-tacular!

I love to exfoliate. There is nothing like blasting away old, nasty, dead skin cells and  my mortal enemy, the blackhead.

Here are a few of my all time fav products, new and old:

St. Ive's Apricot Scrub: Hello old friend. You never cease to be an effective, reasonably-priced solution to problem skin. Almost everyone I know has used this, or the medicated version. It's a great product, and I always have on on hand.

L'Oreal Go 360! Cleanser: I was not tempted by this until a friend recommended it and I had a dollar off coupon. (Insert shout out to CVS here). I picked up the cream cleanser version and it is AMAZING. This stuff comes with a scrublet, which sounds super lame, but in reality is your face's best friend. It exfoliates without tearing your skin up, or causing micro-abrasions that old school products, sorry St. Ive's, can. And when it's on sale for 4 bucks, it's worth a try.

Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Daily Scrub: This is a bit too hard core for regular use with my sensitive skin, but it kicks ass. Salicylic acid and mirobeads partner up to take problem skin to task.

Blast away at those blackheads ladies and gents!

Amanda