To test or not to test? That is the question...

Hello lovelies! 

Today I thought I would talk testing, and no, I don't mean swatches. I'm talking animal testing. I am strictly against animal testing. I'm not naive, and I do realise that a lot of cosmetics do still test on animals, however I do not condone it, and where I can, I always try to go for brands who don't test on animals. I've gotten together a little collection of brands who don't test on bunnies and pooches for you, so without further ado...

(Apologies for the creased sheets! - Oops!)

The Body Shop 

The Body Shop have been against animal testing for as long as I can remember, and are always a safe bet if you want naturally sourced ingredients too! 

Lush 

Not only are Lush against animal testing, they actively fight it, and even have 'against animal testing' printed on their bags. Lush's ingredients are sourced ethically, and are all handmade. They may be a little more pricey, but by paying that little bit more you get so much more in quality. 

Good Things 

Good Things are a brand that are aimed only at young skin, and pride themselves on using no animal ingredients, SLS or parabens. Good stuff, Good Things! 

Sanctuary Spa 

I was actually surprised to find Sanctuary in this list, however when reading the back of a gift set I received for Christmas, there it was in black and white; 'Not tested on animals'. Hurrah!

Sleek
I only own a sirum from Sleek, however since finding out that they are cruelty free, I have my eye on a few blushes! 

Jergens 

Jergens are a new found love for me, I received the Aloe moisturiser for my birthday and love how fresh and clean the scent is, so I was very happy to discover that I can slather this on with no guilt! 

Soap and Glory 

Another brand I was actually very surprised with. Soap and Glory can be found in Boots stores and feature some of the greatest smelling products in the world! 

REN 

Ahh REN, my new love. The 'Invisible Pores Detox Mask' is a firm new favourite of mine, and boasting no nasties as well as no animal testing, my conscience is as squeaky clean as my face! 

Liz Earle

I recently ordered the 'February Favourites' and have to say, I'm seriously Impressed with this range! 

Urban Decay

I'm so happy that I can add Urban Decay to this list. Apparently they were in talks with a company in China about selling the brand, however pulled out as they found that selling would go against their beliefs and morals about testing. Good on yer, UD! 

Rimmel 

I was utterly shocked to hear about Rimmel - I have a feeling it was a recent change with the new laws that have forced this brand to find alternative methods. I may be wrong, but I always presume that make up brands automatically test...I know, I need to move with the times! 

Barry M 

I guess you dont really think about mainly nail polish brands testing, but I guess they have to. Thankfully Barry M have taken a stance against testing on the furry ones and have found other ways! 

Bourjois 

Again, another popular high street brand I'm happy to report are cruelty free!!

Bumble and Bumble
Possibly one of the most hyped brands of 2013, I highly recommend you try them out if you haven't already, especially now you know their products come without a side order of guilt! 

Illamasqua

Finally, Illamasqua. I own one of their blushers, and absolutely love the formula and pigmentation, so i'm over the moon that I can colour my cheeks without thinking about what else might have had a makeover in the process!  

Obviously, this list is only naming a few, as animal testing in Europe has been banned (Yay!), and generally, only brands who's products are made outside of Europe are still tested (MAC, I'm lookin' at you!) But we now have a much wider variety of non tested choices and can now shop safe in the knowledge that no animals were harmed in the making of our appearance! 

Empties | January

Wow, yet another empties post, these come around so often, which is weird a January has dragged so much for me! 

Anyway, I'll crack on, these are the products I've used up during January! 

Herbal Essences Uplifting Volume Conditioner

I can't say that this conditioner really gave me much volume, even paired with the shampoo, however it smells lovely and left my hair feeling soft. 

Would I repurchase? Probably not as a volumiser. 

The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter 

This stuff is amazing! I wasn't overly bothered at first, but once you actually start using this, the smell is incredible. If you like smelling like frubes and having super soft skin, this is the body butter for you! 

Would I repurchase? I was lucky enough to receive this as a birthday present in full size so I won't need to for a while! But I definitely would in future! 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Exfoliating Pads 

I am absolutely gutted that TBS have discontinued these, I have rationed them like nobodies business but finally used the last one up. This was such a great little product and I just wish that I could repurchase! 

Fake Bake Rough To Buff Body Polish 

I got this in a Fake Bake set, and I have to say, I hate it. I don't like the smell or the texture, as I like my scrubs to have more of a gritty texture to them, so I can actually feel them doing so good. 

Would I repurchase? Safe to say no. 

Rimmel 5 in 1 clear Top/Base Coat

I loved this when I first bought it, however after a few months it's just gotten gloopy and sticky to the point where I cant use it anymore. 

Would I repurchase? Probably not. 

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover 

I'm devastated to let this one go as it's just a miracle worker. It's lasted about 8/9 months which I think is really good going, and I'm pretty sure there is still some remover left, but the sponge has gotten tattered and my nails come out covered in little grey bits so it's time to say goodbye. 

Would I repurchase? Definitely! 

Rimmel BB Cream in Shade 'Light' 

This was a little light for my skin, however for lazing around at home, this was great at just covering enough to make you feel a little more fresh faced. The formula was a little thick, however, and took a lot of buffing and blending into the skin. 

Would I repurchase? No. I'd probably go for a tinted moisturiser in future. 

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 'Soft Beige'

Oh my I love this foundation. I've heard that it's a dupe of the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation, which is on my wishlist, so i'll be interested to see how it compares. It's a satin finish foundation which smells quite fruity and has just enough coverage to hide blemishes yet still look natural. 

Would I repurchase? Yes

The Body Shop Mango Body Mist

This body mist is perfect for summer. It's fruity yet floral with a slight hint of musk, and the smell lingers really well for a body mist. 

Would I repurchase? Yes

Garnier Ultra Dry 48 Hour Deodorant 

I know deodorants aren't all that interesting, but I think I've found my perfect one. I love everything about this, down to the scent. I wouldn't agree with the 48 hour claim, but a full day at work/Uni is more like it. 

Would I repurchase? Yes 

There we have it, another month of empties, what have you been using up this month? 

Bourjois Colour Boost Lipstick in 'Orange Punch' | Review

Hi! 

Little mid-week review for you! For those of you who haven't already met, let me introduce you to Bourjois' latest addition to their ever expanding family; the colour boost lipsticks. 

You might know I actually bought the shade 'Orange Punch' along with a few other Bourjois goodies about a month ago when these lip crayon's first came out. After a month of usage, I think I have a pretty good grasp on what I think about 'Orange Punch'. 

First of all, the packaging I initially really liked. The 'chubby stick' style twist up applicator makes the lipstick easy to apply and fuss free. However, I'm not sure if you can see in the images, but after a month of living in my make up bag and various handbags, the silver writing has started to wear off - one of my pet hates with make up! Not good enough Bourjois! 

Thankfully, it's only packaging problems I have with this product. As you can see from the swatch above, the colour is a very sheer peachy orange, but can be layered up to create a slightly bolder lip. Be aware that over skin looks a lot different and a lighter shade to how it will look over pink lips. I can sometimes find that I'm wanting a lighter wash of colour like the swatch, rather than a slightly deeper orange on the lip, and have been pairing this with a lighter lip product, such as The Body Shop's Coconut Lip Butter as a base, to give more of a peachy tint. There isn't anything wrong with the darker orange, it's just in the summertime I tend to lean towards lighter shades. I imagine through Autumn I will be sporting this on it's own quite a lot!! 

The formula is very smooth and creamy feeling, and once applied, feels almost like a mix of balm, gloss and lipstick, all rolled into one. If you're not a fan of glossy lips, maybe this isn't for you, but I love a bit of glitz so it's right up my street! It's not in the last bit sticky, which is always a bonus for such a glossy finish! 

I would say that the staying power on this product is pretty good for a glossy finish lipstick; around 2-3 hours without eating or drinking, but it's foolproof to reapply so it doesn't bother me too much. I definitely have my eye on 'Peach on the Beach' as my next purchase! There are 4 colours available at the moment, and don't quote me, but I have a feeling Bourjois may be releasing more colours for the Autumn and Winter. I'm hoping a deep berry shade will be winging it's way to the stores soon! 

If you fancy delving into the world of the chubby stick but don't fancy paying too much, these retail at only £7.99, and boots always have 3 for 2 offers!! For such high quality products (bar slight packaging flaws), I'd say these are quite the bargain! 

Have you tried the Colour Boost Lipsticks? Which is you favourite shade? 

Self ConGRADUATION Present | Free Gift With Purchase.

Hello! 

So Tuesday was a pretty special day for me. I graduated from University with a 2:1 BA Hons Degree! A full post series of the day will be coming shortly including face, hair and outfit posts! 

Anyway, yesterday I had the chance to relive the day again by seeing all of my gorgeous friends graduate and join in with the photographs and celebrations, and afterwards, had a chance to nip into town and pick myself up a little post-graduation treat in the form of Bourjois goodies!

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation: I have wanted this for so long, but I have this weird thing with foundation. I always finish a bottle before buying a replacement. Until now. Yesterday I basically Told myself 'screw it!' and bought it.

Bourjois Colour Boost Lipstick in 'Orange Punch': The newest addition to the Bourjois family is the latest in the chubby stick range, but the first one I've picked up. I have to say I am not disappointed! 'Orange Punch' is the most perfect peachy orange tone and although i've only worn it once, I'm loving it so far. I'll give a full review once i've had a chance to get some wear out of it.

Bourjois So Laque Glossy Nail Polish in 'Adora Bleu': Boots had not only a free gift with purchase offer, but also were on a 3 for 2 offer. This nail polish was my free item. I have lusted over this shade for a while, however £6.99 for a nail polish is a tad steep, so I've held off. Whilst picking out my free item, I came across this shade again and realised it was the perfect opportunity to get it. The most perfect cornflower blue, it's different to anything else I own, and I just love the colour!

I also got a free gift, which was a pair of Bourjois sunglasses. I was pleasantly surprised with the style of these glasses; I didn't expect them to be so nice. They've definitely gotten a place in my sunglasses collection!

If you're in Boots any time soon, I'd definitely have a look at the Bourjois stand. There are some really great products from them at the moment, and with a 3 for 2 offer and a free pair of sunglasses, I'd definitely take advantage!

Beauty Wishlist | Summer Edition

Hi guys and gals! 

So, I'm not exactly on the ball with this little blog lately. I apologise for that, and have even made a list of blogpost ideas to stop it from happening again! My latest excuse for not blogging was these glorious few days of sunshine. Whenever the sun comes out to say hello, I usually head for whichever sunny spot I find first, and remain there until I am crispy and tanned. That's what happened this weekend and this week so far. Unfortunately for my blog, it resulted in slight neglect. I'm back now with a whole list of coveted items i'm pining after this summer! 

1. Essie Nail Polish 'Mint Candy Apple': Can a girl ever have too many minty nail polishes? Certainly not!! I have my fair share of aqua/minty shades, but that does not stop me pining over this beaut! It will look beautiful paired with a tan and some denim shorts, don't you think? 

2. Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation/Serum: I'm a little late on the bandwagon with this one, having been trying to get through my Rimmel Match Perfection. I'm not one for piling on the slap, so it takes me ages to get through foundation, however the dewy, healthy glow that this foundation claims to give is definitely on my radar. 

3. John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Range: I have blonde hair, some of it natural, some of it not so natural. Either way, sometimes the colour slips into the brassy end of the blonde chart, which can make it look somewhat dull. To inject some life back into my blonde, I've been eyeing up these goodies from John Frieda; purple toned, colour correction haircare. Sounds right up my street!

4. Revlon Lip Butter 'Juicy Papaya': I don't know how I can express in words how much I need this in my life. Practically every time I'm in Boots, this little baby gets swatched on the back on my hand, and I'm literally counting down the days until make-up is in the 3-for-2 offer again. I just don't see the point in buying make up unless I can get a freebie anymore. Boots, what have you done to me?

5. La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo: I may well be the last person on earth to try this. Believe me, I've wanted to, but there's always been a reason not to buy it. My skin is by no means bad, but sometimes I do feel a little...clogged up. From the tens of thousands of amazing reviews of this product, I do feel it's something worth trying, and maybe I can add to the reviews, giving my two cents on this legendary product. 

6. Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask: This is one that Alix over at I Covet Thee raves about all the time, and I have drooled over the thought of an overnight mask to leave me waking up the next morning with radiant, glowy skin thats full of moisture. I already have so many face masks on the go at the minute it's crazy, but one more can't hurt...right? 

7. Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser: Another cult product worming it's way into my virtual basket is this cleanser from Liz Earle. I'm currently working my way through an array of hot cloth cleansers, hoping to find my holy grail, however i'm yet to try Liz Earle's offering. Everything about it screams that I should love it though; not tested on animals, natural ingredients... the list goes on...

So that's my summer beauty wish list! What are you pining after this summer?

What's On My Face | The Everyday Edit.

Since breaking my finger, it's been made clear to me just how much I rely on my left hand for simple things like putting on my make up. Because of this, I haven't been switching my make-up around as much as usual, and have been using the same look, as it's easier. 

Bases

- Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 'Soft Beige': This is my go-to foundation for this time of year, as it gives a nice medium finish, with an SPF factor; always important!

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer: This concealer has a peachy tint, which is great for counteracting the dark circles, although I wish it had a little more coverage. 

Soap & Glory Trick and Treatment Concealer: I'm suffering from some pretty impressive dark circles at the minute, hence the two concealers. I like to use this one on top of my Rimmel one for extra coverage. This one has a slight shimmer which illuminates the area, making dark circles appear reduced. 

Contour & Blush

Bourjois Chocolate Bronzing Powder: At the minute, i'm favouring a more matte finish, which means a bronzer with shimmer is a no-go. This one from Bourjois only has a very slight shimmer, which isn't really noticeable, and can be used as a sheer layer of warmth, or built up to create a more contoured look. 

Revlon Matte Blush in 'Rose Rapture': I bought this about 3/4 months ago, and have made a serious dent in it already. I absolutely love this blush - it's perfect for everyday wear, and as it has a matte finish, it's not too showy for the daytime, which is what I prefer. 

Eyes

It's About Prime Eye Primer: I bought this on a whim from Soap & Glory when they had an offer on. I think it retails at around £9, and I bought it as a cheaper alternative to the Urban Decay Primer Potion. It does create a base which helps the shadows to stay a few hours longer, however once this has run out, I think i'll be going back to the Urban Decay counter. 

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette: I'm not going to bore you with yet another rave about how amazing these shadows are, I think it speaks for itself as to why these are a staple in my routine. 

Benefit They're Real Mascara: Again, there's no point telling you how amazing this mascara is, all I'll say is you need this in your life. 

Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara: The only reason I've included this mascara is because I'm trying to use it up. It's one of the worst mascaras I've used in a long time. Not only is the formula dry and flakey, it just does nothing for my eye lashes other than make them clump together. 

Lips

ELF Studio Lip Exfoliator: This lip scrub is so convenient. It comes in lipstick form, which is so easy to use, and doesn't involve scooping product out of a tub, making priming my lips for lipstick so easy. It also leaves behind a balm-like finish, which moisturises. 

Calvin Klein Delicious Truth Lipstick in 'Illusion': I've been doing the minimal make up look thing lately, and this lipstick is the perfect colour for that effortless look. It's sheer, yet has a gorgeous light pink tone which just brightens up the face. The formula is very moisturising and doesn't feel too heavy on the lips. 

So there we have it, my everyday face of the moment. 

What have you been wearing lately?