Take It All Off: Two Cruelty-Free Nail Polish Removers We <3

One thing that I promise will continually surprise you along your cruelty-free journey is the kinds of things still tested on animals. Topping that list for me? Nail polish remover. It breaks my heart to think that something (traditionally) so harsh and, in my mind, nonessential, can cause immense suffering for our animal friends.

Thankfully, we can say “no” to a cruel mani with these two great options from No Miss Cosmetics and Mineral Fusion. Rest-assured that both brands are 100% cruelty-free, safe for vegans and certified by the Leaping Bunny.

Almost Natural Nail Polish Remover by No Miss Cosmetics

This is the first nail polish remover I tried after going cruelty-free. It has a fruity, vanilla scent, and is the nicest smelling nail polish remover I’ve ever used. No more stinking up your bathroom with gross acetone! I found that while this formula did the job, I needed to soak the cotton ball more than I would have for a traditional remover, and had to scrub a little extra to completely remove the nail color -- likely because it’s ethyl acetate-free. But don’t worry -- I’ve found that it stands up to even the most stubborn of glitter polishes, so it’s a great option for someone looking for an all-natural option. 2 fl oz. bottle $4.99; 4 fl oz. bottle $7.99

Acetone-free Nail Polish Remover by Mineral Fusion

I’ve only just recently tried out Mineral Fusion’s nail polish remover, but it really works like a dream. It has a more chemical smell than No Miss (this formula DOES contain ethyl acetate), but is still far less offensive than any non-cruelty-free option out there. I find that this brand takes off polish faster and with less effort than anything I’ve tried. I can clean one hand easily with a single cotton ball no problem -- even the dark stuff! Also, given the bottle size, it offers a little more bang for your buck. 6 fl oz. bottle, $7.99

 

 

 

Never Leave Home Without It: 5 Cruelty-Free Purse Picks

I am one of those women who carries a gigantic purse almost everywhere I go. And while my bag’s contents are mostly ever-changing, there’s five cruelty-free, easy-to-find essentials I never leave home without.

Everyone® Peppermint & Citrus Natural Hand Sanitizer Spray

I live in New York City, meaning I touch really gross things on the regular. While I’m not a crazy germaphobe, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t desperately want to wash my hands after putting them on a greasy subway pole. Even if you don’t live in a germ-infested metropolis, this travel-friendly 2 oz. bottle of natural sanitizing spray can really save the day when you can’t get to soap and water as fast as you'd like. $2.99 a bottle; also available in Lemon & Coconut scent

J.R. Watkins Shea Butter Hand Cream in Aloe and Green Tea

Fast-absorbing hand cream is an absolute essential in my book. This J.R. Watkins formula smells nice and a little goes a long way – this is a thick and rich formula, so a 3.3 oz. tube lasts you a good long while. $9.99 per 3.3 oz. tube, available in 5 scents

Milani Brilliant Shine Lip Gloss in Coral Crush

With Brilliant Shine in Coral Crush, Milani has provided me with a super affordable version of my "splurge" lip gloss. While I love Urban Decay's Naked Lip Gloss in Streak, Brilliant Shine is a quarter of the price and works just as well. Added bonus? Milani is a common drugstore find. $4.99 per tube, available in 15 shades

Milani Even Touch Powder Foundation

While this compact stays in my purse for touch-ups, it really works great for everyday use. Even Touch is a pressed powder that offers foundation-level coverage without being too heavy or cake-y. I love the multi-layered compact design -- when you flip up the powder tray, you've got a dust free mirror for touch-ups on the go. $8.99 per compact, available in 9 shades

The Leaping Bunny Cruelty-Free App

Okay, so it's not a beauty product per se, but it helps you find cruelty-free products anywhere you go! Scan any product’s barcode with this FREE app and easily find out whether it’s cruelty-free or not. Click the link above to download, and never buy another questionable product again.

 

 

Balmy Weather: 5 Cruelty-Free Lip Balms to Replace Your ChapStick

Just as the colder weather will dry out your skin, it’ll surely dry out your lips as well. While a common household staple, ChapStick, is not cruelty-free, rest assured that there are plenty of lip balms on the market that will keep your mouth happy all season long. Below are five popular options for a variety of specific needs -- that are all Leaping Bunny-certified.

Are you looking for PROLIFIC & EASY?
Try Burt’s Bees Lip Balm

For many cruelty-free newbies, Burt’s Bees offers a great, easy-to-find ChapStick alternative. Chances are, your local pharmacy or grocery store stocks one or more of their lip balms. Unfortunately, Burt’s uses beeswax, so it’s unsuitable for vegans or anyone who’s allergic to the common ingredient. It may also be worth noting that, while Burt’s Bees remains a Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free company, they are now owned by the Clorox Company, which is not. You can read their statement on their ownership here, and decide for yourself if you are comfortable supporting them.

Want to DESIGN YOUR OWN?
Try Eco Lips

Eco Lips touts itself as the world’s first Create Your Own Lip Balm, offering 2 billion combinations (that’s billion with a ‘b’!) and a fully-customizable label for your creations. Eco Lips is gluten free, organic, and offers both vegan and beeswax formulas. If you aren’t feeling creative, the company also offers plenty of pre-made combinations and collections in their online store.

Looking for a BURT’S DRUGSTORE ALTERNATIVE?
Try YES TO Lip Butters & Balms

Though there is not a wide selection of flavors, YES TO is a great drugstore alternative to Burt’s Bees. Three flavors are currently available: Coconut, Grapefruit and Pomegranate with SPF 15. They also offer two shades of tinted balm, and a pomegranate lip butter. Do note that their formula contains beeswax, so it is NOT suitable for vegans.

Want a BIG SELECTION?
Try Crazy Rumors Lip Balms

Got a crazy flavor craving? Chances are, Crazy Rumors has you covered. Candy Corn? Check. Spiced Chai? Check. French Vanilla coffee? Check. They’ve even partnered with a couple charities on flavors -- try the Plum Apricot and 50 cents of the purchase price will go to Leaping Bunny. All balms are vegan and gluten free, too.

Looking for something GENTLE & BASIC?
Try Booda Butter Naked Lip Balm

Maybe you’re NOT looking for a ton of flavors -- you’ve got sensitive skin or allergies; maybe you’re a dude. If so, Booda Butter has a slightly different formula of their popular daily moisturizer made especially for lips -- it’s gluten, soy, bee, scent and flavor free, and 100% vegan.

 

Love Mail? Two 100% Cruelty-Free Beauty Subscription Boxes to Try

Everyone is talking about beauty subscription boxes these days. Maybe you’ve wanted to try the popular Birchbox, but you hate their position on animal testing (selling products that require testing in certain countries means you’re NOT cruelty-free, no matter how you try and spin it!).

[Attila the Bun with September 2015's Vegan Cuts Beauty Box]

[Attila the Bun with September 2015's Vegan Cuts Beauty Box]

Thankfully, Birchbox isn’t the only subscription game in town. Two companies -- Vegan Cuts and Petit Vour -- prove that you don’t have to sacrifice your moral standards to stay beautiful.

The Basics

Vegan Cuts Beauty Box: 4-7 products ~ Mostly organic and natural ~ Mix of full and sample-sized products ~ Paraben-free
Cost per box: $19.95 [recurring charge, month-to-month]
Subscription options: In addition to the month-to-month option, you can pay a one-time charge for a 3 month ($59), 6 month ($115) or 12 month ($215 - one free box!) subscription
Shipping costs: FREE to the U.S. ~ +$8 to Canada ~ +15 for International
Online Shop?: Yes -- with tons of discounts

What I like about the box: Though it costs a little more than Petit Vour, I’ve been very happy with the variety of products in each box (it’s been closer to 7 than to 4 items in each of the four shipments I’ve received thus far). I’ve also found some of my favorite new brands through Vegan Cuts, including the best-ever Schmidt’s Deodorant.

Petit Vour Box: 4 personalized products ~ Mix of full- and sample-sized products ~ Reward points program for the Petit Vour Shop
Cost per box: $15 for U.S. subscribers and $23 for Canadian subscribers [recurring charge, month-to-month]
Subscription options: 3 month ($45) 6 month ($90) [USA only]
Examples of Featured Brands: From the September 2015 box: Blissoma cleanser [two options based on skin type], MAHALO Pele mask, MSC Skin Care Exfoliating Body Scrub, and a full-size tube of Elate Cosmetics lipstick [8 shades are available for purchase; unsure if colors were different per subscriber profile]
Online Shop?: Yes -- with 20% store credit on every purchase

What I like about the box: Though I’m not sure how specific the alterations to the box get, I do like that they use a questionnaire to personalize products. Nothing like getting a cleanser for dry skin when you’re oily, or a curl enhancer when you’ve got stick-straight hair! I also appreciate the points system that rewards you for reviews and for shopping.

Subscription boxes are great for any level of cruelty-free shopper, but I imagine they’re especially helpful for people who are just starting out and need to try lots of different brands before they find the perfect product for them. Also, in this digital age, who doesn’t love a little monthly surprise in the mail?

Fantasy Makers from Wet N Wild: Making a Cruelty-Free Halloween a Reality

Halloween is all about the thrills and chills, and while animal testing is a real-life horror story, it shouldn’t have to be a part of your holiday.

&nbsp;[Source:&nbsp;WetNWildBeauty.com]

 [Source: WetNWildBeauty.com]

PETA-certified cruelty-free brand Wet N Wild offers a great collection of super-affordable Halloween makeup under their Fantasy Makers line. The 2015 collection includes 5 kits: Queen of the Dead, Broken Doll and Widow, Egyptian or Snow Queen. The company even offers free tutorials for perfecting a frightfully good look.

In addition to the kits, Fantasy Makers offers additional color paint palettes, black and crimson lipsticks, glitter palettes, face jewels, nail stickers and false (synthetic) eyelashes -- among other spooky offerings.

Though it appears you can’t buy the collection direct from the Wet N Wild, I’ve seen it at Walgreens, Target and Harmon’s Discount Beauty, as well as Amazon.com. A kit should only run you $5.99, while the other supplies range in price, starting at a mere 99 cents.

My only complaint is that I can’t find the complete 2015 collection all in one place. Has anyone spotted any other great Halloween offerings from Wet N Wild?

Shave the Day with Kiss My Face 4-in-1 Moisture Shave

Maybe you’re down with body hair or maybe you’re not, but if you’re looking to do a little grooming, try Kiss My Face’s 4-in-1 Moisture Shave, which I liken to rubbing my body with soft, pillow-y clouds. And really, who doesn’t want to rub their body with soft, pillow-y clouds?

KMF Moisture Shave, unlike that gross canned foam stuff, is like a cross-between conditioner and lotion that offers a light lather and helps the razor glide easily over skin, whether you’re removing fine or coarse hair. I find it leaves my legs super smooth and hydrated -- the first shave product I’ve ever used where I don’t feel desperate to slather on lotion afterwards. Husband, who has a coarse beard, even uses it on his face (seriously guys, the man gets 2 o'clock shadow). Moisture Shave is his favorite so far in a range of products -- some cruelty-free, some not (before we made the switch, of course). For a number of years he used animal-friendly Lush’s “Dirty” Shaving Cream -- which is awesome, but is much more expensive than KMF, coming in at $13.95 for 3.5 oz. But if you’re looking to splurge, both ladies and gents are encouraged to give it a try.

We share an 11 oz. bottle and it lasts us about 3 to 4 months. I love that Kiss My Face is pretty easy to find in grocery stores and other retail chains, but you can also score yourself a deal by looking at online offers. Moisture Shave in the pump bottle retails for $7.95, but I swear I’ve bought it at the grocery store for about $4.99. Look at your usual online retailers to see if you can score yourself a package deal.

Moisture Shave comes in at least 7 scents, including a fragrance-free option, and is available in the 11 oz. pump bottle or a 3.4 oz. tube. Our favorite scent to share? Green Tea & Bamboo.

Less Breakouts, More Compassion: BWC Aromatherapy Skin Care AHA Facial Cleanser

Everyone wants glowing skin, right? The first component of good skin is a good facial cleanser, which, a lot like finding the right moisturizer, can be a bit of a challenge.

After trying out a few different cruelty-free options, I’ve landed on Beauty Without Cruelty’s Aromatherapy Skin Care AHA Facial Cleanser. I have sensitive skin, and needed something that would wash away makeup and dirt without drying me out. What I like about this face wash is that it’s so easy on my skin -- my face never feels tight or dry after cleansing, like it did when I used other non-cruelty free brands. I also don’t get zits very often and Husband, who has combination skin and is more prone to breakouts, has watched his skin clear up drastically as well. He hasn’t had any dry spots and it evened out redness.

My only complaint with BWC is that I have yet to find it in stores (at least here in New York City). I have been buying online, and go to the source that’s offering a package deal on multiples at the time, like Soap.com or Amazon. I’ve been buying in sets of two, and find that each 8.5 oz. bottle lasts us at least 3 months, if not longer.

Aromatherapy Skin Care AHA Facial Cleanser retails for $11.95 on BeautyWithoutCruelty.com and elsewhere. I encourage you to look at their full site as they offer a wide range of products, including several different facial cleanser options so you can find the formula that’s right for your skin type.

Soapy, Happy People: JASON Body Wash Review

I don’t know about you, but a good smell means a good start to my day -- meaning that the soap in my morning shower is some important aromatherapy. I’ve tried several brands of body wash in the last couple of years, and the JASON brand is by far my favorite. The 30 oz. bottle comes in 10 different scents – plus unscented and gluten free options. At home, we’ve tried out Purifying Tea Tree, Invigorating Rosewater and Moisturizing Herbs, which we agree is our favorite. It’s a little spicy and has a pretty gender-neutral smell -- I loved the Rosewater but Husband found it a little too perfume-y. If we had room for more than one scent in our little Brooklyn apartment shower, we’d definitely make use of it.

Because it doesn’t use any harsh chemicals or detergents, this body wash leaves skin feeling soft without drying it out -- or leaving a residue. One pump is more than enough to get a good lather -- for me at least. Husband is a taller, hairier man, so he needs a little extra. One bottle easily lasts us six months and retails for around $14 on the JASON website. Our current supply was bought in the fall for a buy one, get one deal at Whole Foods, but you can also buy it online at Soap.com and Amazon.

Added bonus: JASON body wash is completely biodegradable, so Mother Earth will thank you.