While I Love My Make Up...

I love my dogs more...

Like the saddo I am, last night I ended up watching Legally Blonde 2 (absolute disaster of a film) on the television. This morning while doing my college essay I began thinking about today's post. Animal Testing. Anyone will tell you that I'm against wearing fur, but strangely animal testing in regards to cosmetic companies was never something I paid attention to. I would never buy a make up product knowing it was tested on animals - BUT - being the slight makeup snob that I am, I was under the insane and inaccurate belief that because the products I buy are more high end, no animal testing would be carried out to produce them.

Fail, Julie.

After doing a small amount of research on the subject (my poor college essay!), and watching some really disturbing videos about the treatment of animals being tested on, I thought I'd share with you some of the information I found out. There's little point in debating the pros and cons of it, as in my eyes its just wrong. Pixiwoo have a list of companies that don't test on animals in full here, and those that are safe include MAC, Nars, MUFE, Eyeko, Beauté, Laura Mercier, Urban Decay, Sleek, Estee Lauder and Illamasqua. Phew! Thank God, if they tested on animals most of my make up would be in the bin.

Those that are ambiguous in their animal cruelty policy include L'Oreal, D&G, Max Factor, Rimmel and Benefit. As much as I loved my Benefit foundation and was ready to repurchase, I definitely won't be doing so now. As for the others they've been removed from my make up drawer. For a list of all the companies that DO NOT test on animals click here. While I love make up and the little collection I have going on, not at the cost of an animals life. This time the price of beauty is too high.

Image courtesy of weheartit



What do you think about animal testing? Do you knowingly use products tested on animals?

Eyeko Haul and Review

I recieved my Eyeko order yesterday, and as with every package I get, I was really excited. Postman thinks I'm a freak, btw. 

Anyway, I got a few things as there was a deal of 25% off with a free gift, nice one! I love most of the Eyeko products I have already, and the packaging is really adorable. I ordered the Fat Balm in Toffee and two of the new Liptastik lipsticks.

Fat Balm in Toffee

The Fat Balm's are something I've been really interested in for ages, but never remembered to order. There are loads of colours but the one I went for was the Toffee, as its the most nude out of them all.

What They Say:

Creamy caramel for a polished nude lip look and incr-edible toffee scent-sation!

What I Say:

While this is a lot more pigmented than I thought, I really like it. It's not as moisturising as some of my other lip products, but it does the job. The packaging is so cute and its small enough to fit in your bag and can be used on your cheeks too, result!

Liptastik in Hot Lips and Loud Mouth

After seeing a review on Natalya's beauty blog, I just had to have these. Although bright coloured lipsticks aren't usually my thing, I've been getting more and more used to them over the Winter months.

What They Say:

Following fashions trend for bold lips is easy with Eyeko Liptastik Glossy Lip Pen. Just line and fill
in one easy sweep for liner, colour and gloss in one! 

What I Say:

These were described on Natalya's blog as a lipliner, lipstick and lipgloss all in one, and they really are. While I haven't got the biggest lips (sadly), I still need to line my lips because the stick is quite big. The colours are very highly pigmented and are truly stunning! When they arrived I wasn't sure about them, and for me they are definitely not daywear, but for nighttime they are perfect. 

Loud Mouth

 Hot Lips

The free product I received was the London Lips Lipgloss in Shoreditch.

 

What They Say:

Creamy rose makes for a flirty lip look! Whether you’re browsing in Brick Lane or partying in Hoxton Square.

I uploaded an everyday makeup tutorial to Youtube today..If you would follow it would make my day!

Click here to go to my channel!

 

Maybelline Full 'n Soft vs Eyeko Mascara

Eyeko Big Eyes has been a favourite mascara for a good while now. When I got Maybelline's Full 'n Soft Waterproof Mascara from winning Kellie's giveaway I decided to see if it could take my favourite's place.

L-R (Maybelline Full 'n Soft, Eyeko Big Eyes Mascara

While I'm a fan of both, there's still a favourite in my mind. I would wear them each for different purposes.

What they say: Maybelline's Full and Soft Waterproof Mascara This mascara builds full, soft thick lashes without the brittle feel.

• Prevents loss of lashes with patented Quick Dissolve System that allows easy mascara removal
• No clumps, no globs
• Contact lens safe and hypoallergenic
  
• Washable; also available in waterproof formula

What they say: Eyeko Big Eyes Mascara

Long & luscious lashes in 1 easy squeeze.

Transforms lashes in the twinkle of an eye! Lash friendly formual combining natural oils and silicones with added Panthenol (Vitamin B).
Designed to prevent dryness, premature breakage and to promote lash growth. The brush has widely dispersed bristles for evenly coated perfectly separated long lashes.

L-R Eyeko Big Eyes (see how full they look?), Maybelline Full 'n Soft

What I say:

I would consider Maybelline Full 'n Soft to be the more natural of the two, the classic daytime look; it feels like "lashes" while Eyeko, although not hard, buy if applied too thickly can have that "spindle-effect". You can't apply more than one coat of Eyeko, as your lashes become slightly brittle.

Maybelline Full 'n Soft has a larger brush and therefore I find it harder to coat the inner smaller lashes, whereas the Eyeko mascara is perfect at this. I prefer smaller wands as I feel I have more control and can get into those hard-to-reach places. DiorShow was a nightmare! One swipe and you're ready to go! With the Maybelline mascara you need to build up the coats to achieve anything near what you get with Eyeko.

Maybelline Full 'n Soft
(its a nice wand that doesn't get clumpy!)

Eyeko Big Eyes
(looks a bit like a screwdriver but it somehow works!)

Maybelline doesn't have the va-voom factor that Eyeko does at all. Its a very sedate mascara, while Eyeko is probably more of a night-time one.

Feck it, wear it during the day too, you've nothing to lose! Eyeko wins!

September Favourites!

I've always been reluctant to do a "favourites" post because mine rarely change. Once I find something I love, I rarely look for something to replace it, guess that philosophy has to change!

Here's what I've been loving this month:

Urban Decay Naked Palette - Yeah, I know..Everyone keeps ranting about this one, I'm sorry but I have to aswell. It's amazing! Its happiness in a block of colours..Containing Urban Decays most popular neutral shades, its a must-have for those who love the neutral look. If you hate shimmery colours, its definitely not for you, as there are only two matte shades, but each is highly pigmented and beautiful. Rant over!

"Mud" Nail Varnish - (in picture Essie Mink Muffs) While this had been a trend over the past few months, it is the colour of my life. I kid you not. That minky-murky-muddy brown-grey is my favourite colour and I've bought at least six or seven almost identical nail polish shades to show my solidarity to it. I don't care what other trends come, I'm sticking to it.

Arabic Perfume? - I think it is anyway. I got it in Dubai over the summer and completely forgot about it as its so small. At the start of the month I found it and, huzzah, love it! Like all Arabic perfumes, its so so strong. Literally all you need is it placed on your neck or wrists - too overpowering. But its beautiful. Wish I could read Arabic so I could find out the name...

MAC Angel Lipstick - I've worn this almost everyday this month, when I first bought it I was afraid it was too pink (neutrals girl, obv) but alas, I frickin' love it. It brings a nice change to my usual MAC Creme D'Nude look.

MAC Melba Blush - No need to explain. Perfect peachy blush.
Eyeko Mascara - If you want massive lashes without having to re-apply (don't btw, you'll get spindles for lashes!) this is the best mascara I have ever used. Can't recommend it enough, I did a review here if your interested!

MAC 217 Blending Brush - I though the blending brushes I had were grand..I was wrong! Its only until you buy this one that you realise nothing compares to it. Its soft but firm and creates the perfect smokey eye. Love.

YSL Teint Resist - This was in my recent Out post. How wrong I was! While I still think it is a summer foundation (for me, anyway) if you mix it with another foundation (I use Nars Sheer Glow in Siberia) it really is perfect. Use a base and its even more amazing. I apologise for doubting you, YSL!

Mac Angel Lipstick

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Arabic Perfume

Eyeko Mascara Review

I bought the Eyeko Tube Mascara about ten days ago and thought I'd share my views with you. First off, its a frickin' squeezy tube, how mad is that?! I'd heard only good things about it, that you only needed one coat of it to get amazing and full lashes, so was eager to try it out.

What they say:

"Long & luscious lashes in 1 easy squeeze.Transforms lashes in the twinkle of an eye! Lash friendly formual combining natural oils and silicones with added Panthenol (Vitamin B).Designed to prevent dryness, premature breakage and to promote lash growth. The brush has widely dispersed bristles for evenly coated perfectly separated long lashes."

What I say:

I was a bit skeptical at first, as was my sister, because its in a squeezy tube (I still marvel at this!), which strikes me that there's a lot less product there and that it may dry out quicker than a normal mascara. I haven't had any problems with it so far and I absolutely love it! I usually use brown mascara, but this only comes in black so I decided to chance it.

The first day I used it, I lightly coated my eyelashes with the wand and was met with instant va-va voom voluminous, massive lashes. I was literally blown away by how different and "open" my eyes looked, and had to run down to my sister to tell her (who immediately decided to order some, typical!). In work I had no less than four people ask me if I was wearing fake eyelashes, and one who works with me has ordered a tube since.

As far as their claim that the mascara promotes lash growth, until I've used it for a while I can't really say. Not sure I believe a mascara can do that, but I'll keep using it and keep you updated!

Now, obviously, this product isn't with its downside, but so far I've only found one. Removing it. Its quite difficult to remove, and you really have to scrub to get it off. Other mascaras I have used are removed much more easily, but don't give anywhere near the same payoff. I'm literally in love. The Eyeko mascara is priced at £8/10euro, and the company ship free to the UK and Europe. Result.

Eyes With And Without Mascara

With Flash

Left (no mascara) Right (Eyeko Mascara)

Without Flash

You get the picture anyway. I'm in love with this product and would love to try more Eyeko stuff. Has anyone else tried this mascara or any Eyeko products?

mini haul..

I did a bit of shopping over the last week in MAC, Eyeko and Barry M. I ordered the Eyeko from their website because you can't get the products here. The package ( yep, another one!) arrived really quickly and the packaging was adorable. I will be doing a review of the Eyeko mascara in a few days, when I've used the product for long enough. I've found my neutral nail varnish for the winter, Posh Polish. Move over Essie Mink Muffs, you have been replaced.

I also got two Barry M Dazzle Dusts, usually pots of eyeshadow scare me because I usually drop them everywhere and their so so messy. But I decided, feck it, I'll get these. I got dd53 Chocolate and dd98 Petrol Black. I'm so excited about Petrol Black, its amazing and has flecks of blue, purple, green in it. Love it. Apart from the fact that their really messy, I think I'll invest in a few more of these.

.

And, finally, I got two lipsticks in MAC. One was part of Back To MAC, so it didn't come with a box (does anyone know why this is?!) I love the packaging and I keep all my MAC lipsticks in their boxes..I really really wanted to get Painterly Paint Pot but its sold out in all the MAC counters near me. Sob. Anyways, back to the lipsticks, I got Creme Cup and Angel. They look the same in the picture, but Creme Cup has a more nude/peach tone while Angel has a pinker tone. Love them. I'm in love with everything at the moment.. What products are you loving?

L-R- Angel, Creme Cup