Holy Schmidt, Dry Pits!

I don’t know about where you live, but it’s been HOT in New York City this summer. Multiple-official-heat-waves hot. So hot the breeze from an approaching subway train provides zero relief. So hot -- well, you get the idea.

With this in mind, I think it’s pretty fortuitous that I signed up for a three-month subscription of the Beauty Box from Vegan Cuts at the beginning of the summer. In my first box that arrived in June, I received a sample of Schmidt’s Deodorant in Ylang Ylang + Calendula. At first, I was a little leery of it. It came in a jar, not a nice, familiar stick, and forced me to apply it with my fingers. But if I’m going to do something, I’m going to go all in. I took the leap and test-drove it on the very first 90-degree day we had, and hot damn, was I impressed.

Before I went cruelty-free, I tried a lot of your average NOT cruelty-free drugstore deodorant -- Degree, Dove, etc. Most deodorants are actually antiperspirants which use aluminum that prevents you from sweating. As much as we might not like it, humans are supposed to sweat, because it helps us rid our bodies of toxins. I’ve tried a lot of deodorants with varying success throughout my cruelty-free journey, but now that I’ve had Schmidt’s, I’ll never go back.

Here’s why: Schmidt’s holds up on the hottest, sweatiest of days. I apply a tiny bit each morning and I’m dry all day long and even better, all pit-stank is neutralized. No fears of lifting my arm to hang onto a subway pole. Pretty impressive for “just” a deodorant.

According to their FAQ, Schmidt’s keeps you dry because it contains “natural plant powders to absorb wetness, so even though Schmidt’s doesn’t prevent you from sweating, it will still keep you dry.”

I was sold from day one, and went and ordered a full size jar of the Lavender + Sage scent as soon as I neared the end of my sample. Even though Schmidt’s is across the country, my order arrived in about three days. I’ve been using my jar for a month now, and it’s not even close to finished. I’ll probably have it until the end of the year, which I think is incredible for just $8.99.

Schmidt’s Deodorant (a homegrown operation based in Portland, OR) offers four scents plus a scent-free option. Your pits can smell like Cedarwood + Juniper, Lavender + Sage, Bergamot + Lime or Ylang Ylang and Calendula, or you can get real crazy and order a Deluxe 5-Pack to try them all.

You can order here on the Schmidt’s site. As of this post, they’re offering 10% off your order with the code “HEATINGUP.” Give them a try -- I bet you’ll never look back.

Say "Yes" to YES TO

Hello cruelty-free compatriots! It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to make an update, but I’m back and ready with reviews for a whole slew of products.

 First up: YES TO, a great company that became Leaping Bunny certified in 2014, and which I’ve been using more or less since their inception.

 For the past month, I’ve been using the Yes to Carrots Nourishing shampoo and conditioner and it’s been lovely to my hair and scalp. Added bonus: It smells terrific. I was using Giovanni’s Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating shampoo and conditioner for a while, but found that it dried out my scalp and made it itchy. A no-go for my short, fine and non-oily hair, but it hasn’t gone to waste – my husband, who has extremely thick, curly hair, finds that the Triple Treat keeps his hair and scalp clean without over-drying.

But back to YES TO.

The Yes to Carrots collection is targeted for those with normal to dry hair (your “standard” hair care regimen), but if you’re looking for something a little more specific, the company offers a “color protection” regimen (Yes to Cucumbers), “healthy hair repair” (Yes to Blueberries) and “ultra moisture” (Yes to Coconut). If you’re dealing with an itchy, flaky scalp, there’s also a “scalp relief” Yes to Carrots collection. Personally, I’m hoping that they’ll add a volumizing line for my fine hair, but in the meantime, Yes to Carrots is doing its job.

The Daily Pampering set of Yes to Carrots 16.9 fl oz shampoo and conditioner retails on the YES TO website for 17.98 and is Petroleum, SLS & Paraben Free. If you’re looking for it on your local store’s shelves, I’ve spotted it in plenty of stores including Walgreen’s and Target. 

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YES TO isn’t just about hair care – they’ve got your whole body and face covered, too. One of my most favorite recent finds has been the Yes to Tomatoes Roller Ball Spot Stick, which works wonders on zits of all shapes, sizes and tenacities (gross, I know, but whatever). One of my longest struggles since going cruelty-free has been finding the a truly effective zit-buster, and until I found the Yes to Tomatoes Spot Stick, I’d been using Burt’s Bees Herbal Blemish Stick or Desert Essence’s Tea Tree Oil Blemish Stick with mixed results. The latter two are both blends of all-natural botanical extracts, and I found that they worked best on the occasional rager of a pimple, but not as well on the smaller zits. And boy, do they burn going on!

The Yes to Tomatoes Spot Stick, however, seems to work for me on all levels. I bought it because it claimed the following:

• Improves the severity of blemishes in 3 days!
• Reduces the size appearance of blemishes in 3 days!
• 98% of users love that this product is gentle and non-irritating but works!

And they weren't kidding. I’ve been using the Spot Stick for a couple months now and have been pretty pleased with the effect it’s had on my skin. Noticeable size reduction and redness, and I find that most blemishes clear up in just a few days – it works far better than the Clearasil or Neutrogena creams I’d been using throughout my youth. It is worth noting that the active ingredient in the Spot Stick is salicylic acid (along with that multi-faceted tea tree oil), so if you’re looking for something 100% natural, you’re better off with the Burt’s Bees or Desert Essence sticks mentioned above. 

The Yes to Tomatoes Spot Stick retails for $9.99 on the Yes to website and in addition to being 97% natural, is Petroleum, SLS & Paraben Free. The Yes to Tomatoes line isn’t just limited to the Spot Stick – they’ve got everything from cleansing wipes to a clearing mask in the collection, which is targeted for oily or troubled skin.

Cruelty-Free Bag of Tricks: Six Beauty Samples from Whole Foods

I was pretty stoked to find this bag of goodies while on a recent food shopping trip at Whole Foods. It’s rare that I can find a whole bag of samples that are cruelty-free, so it seemed a no-brainer to pick up this 7-piece “Hello Beauty” promotion for $18 (and retailing at $60).

First up, Giovanni 2chic Blackberry & Coconut Milk Ultra-Repair Shampoo. According to the product sheet that came with the bag, this shampoo’s “botanical compounds pamper damaged, overprocessed hair.” I’ve been using Giovanni products for a while now (a different formula of shampoo and conditioner, as well as a volumizing mousse) and was pretty pleased with this shampoo, although my hair is normal and healthy. I washed my hair with this a couple times in the past week, and each time it left my hair feeling clean but very moisturized – so much so that I decided to forgo conditioner. If you’re looking for a product that can treat damaged or dry hair, this could be the formula for you. I’ve been very pleased with the Giovanni brand in general, and happily, Giovanni is Leaping Bunny-certified.

Next, Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub, which is described as “salon-quality skin treatment with Dead Sea salt and volcanic sand.” I’ve used this twice in the last week, and I really love it. A small dollop is more than enough for my face and neck, and it left my skin feeling remarkably smooth and even. I’d be willing to shell out the bucks to buy a regular size tub when the sample runs out. It reminds me a lot of a similar product Mary Kay made that I had tried out many years ago, except cruelty-free and with a lot less chemicals. Derma E does not appear to be certified by Leaping Bunny; however, according to their website, “Derma E does not test, and has never tested on animals, and Derma E skincare formulas do not contain animal by-products of any kind. As such, the entire Dderma E line of products is vegan and cruelty-free. You will find a cruelty-free symbol on all of our boxes and labels.”

A full-size tube of Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream was also included, and is described as a “versatile moisturizer with rosehip seed oil, marula oil and orange flower.” The formula gives this lotion an herbaceous scent, which is light and not overwhelming. It’s also a richer, thicker cream than the Alba Botanica Sea Moss moisturizer I swear by, so you’ll use less lotion to get the job done. My biggest complaint is that it doesn’t have any kind of SPF – something that I desperately need, especially since I’ve switched my powder foundation to something without sun protection. While Trilogy is not Leaping Bunny-certified, they are a Choose Cruelty Free accredited company.

Also included were two makeup samples: A Pacifica Eye Shadow Duo (in Unicorn and Moonbeam) and a tube of Gabriel Mascara – the latter of which I’ve been meaning to try for some time. I thought the eyeshadow colors looked better on my skin than anticipated – the Moonbeam appearing more golden than white as I had expected. The Gabriel Mascara was the real treat for me, however, and has replaced the Milani Grandissimo Lashes that I’ve been using for the last month. Though I prefer a bushier brush for volume, the Gabriel brush seems designed more for length and I can see more eyelash than I thought I had. The formula also doesn’t appear to flake, which is awesome. Gabriel is a Leaping Bunny-certified company (and 100% vegan and gluten-free). Pacifica, while not a Leaping Bunny-certified company, does claim to be 100% vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free as well, and I’ve found no evidence contradicting the claim.

The only product I’ve yet to try is the Acure Cell Stimulating Facial Mask, which claims to “purify, moisturize and renew with French green clay, sea buckthorn oil and Moroccan argan stem cells.” According to the Leaping Bunny-certified company’s website, Acure Orgnaics is “a family owned and operated company founded on sustainable principles to provide the highest quality fair trade, natural and certified organic personal care products. Our products are created with great care and are a reflection of our values. Each of our products is free from animal testing, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, harmful preservatives and artificial colors.” I’ve definitely got a date with this and some cucumber slices in the near future.

All in all, $18 was not a bad deal for 6 products plus an organic cotton makeup pouch made by RIJIGreen, “a company committed to ending human trafficking.” Below, I’ve linked out to each company’s website so you can explore their range of cruelty-free products, along with the retail price for the full size product reviewed above. As always, do a little searching to see if you can find a coupon or sale at your favorite retailer.

Giovanni 2chic Blackberry & Coconut Milk Ultra-Repair Shampoo ➤ 8.5 oz. tube, $8.99

derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub ➤ 2 oz container, $32.50

Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream ➤ 1.69 oz. tube, $44.00

Pacifica Eye Shadow Duo ➤$20 for an eye makeup trio, including mascara, eye pencil, and eyeshadow duo

Gabriel Mascara ➤ $15.20

Acure Cell Stimulating Facial Mask ➤ 1.75 oz. tube, $15.99

RIJIGreen Beauty Bag ➤ $9.99-$11.99

Alba Botanica Even Advanced Sea Moss Facial Moisturizer

Why I love it...

When I first went cruelty-free, one of the initial challenges was finding the right facial moisturizer. I have pretty even, normal skin, and finding something that moisturized without leaving my skin greasy and shiny wasn't the easiest (just like my pre-cruelty-free days -- I used a Neutrogena facial moisturizer for years, which is NOT cruelty-free). I've tried several facial moisturizers in the years since, but Alba Botanica Even Advanced is by far my favorite. Just a nickel sized dollop does the job and leaves my skin feeling nice and moisturized. The lotion soaks in quickly so I can apply it out of the shower and start doing my makeup almost immediately after. This moisturizer does have a scent, but it's very light. Each tube lasts me about 4 to 6 months.

Where to buy...

I purchased my most recent supply from Soap.com: Two 2 oz. tubes cost about $26.00, or $13.00 apiece (on sale). Online retail prices as of this post run from about $10 to $17 and this moisturizer can be purchased at most chain pharmacies, Amazon, Target or Soap.com among others. A quick search can usually net you an online retailer selling at a discount, or you can go to the product directly on AlbaBotanica.com and either buy directly ($16.99) or click 'Find Store' underneath the product and find it in a brick and mortar location near you.