Top 10 Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands

1. Anastasia Beverly Hills
2. Tarte
3. Too Faced
4.  Jeffree Star Cosmetics
5.  Urban Decay
6.  Smashbox
7. Kat Von D
8. Colour Pop Cosmetics
9. E.L.F Cosmetics
10. NYX Cosmetics

Sleeping With Makeup On?

Hello everyone, Yeimy and I just wanted to let you know a few of the reasons why you shouldn’t sleep with your makeup on!

            We are all guilty of this. I mean, who really wants to wash away so much hard work and dedication after a long day out? We figure that nothing can really happen to us if it’s only a few times. But, your skin is always changing and taking off your makeup is the number one way to ensure that it will not change for the worse.

            So, to scare everyone into scrubbing off their cakeface before bedtime, we found a few interesting facts about what happens to your skin if you sleep with your makeup on:

1.  Foundation: The biggest curse in the makeup world is the thickness of foundation. Basically, the particles and pigments that make you look amazing throughout the day are exposed to pollutants such as bacteria, mold, and mites from the environment around us. This also prevents the skin from refreshing itself which causes breakouts and blackheads.
2. Primers: Look at it this way, a primer acts as a glue to keep your makeup in place. Therefore, it can also attract the same pollutants to your skin that foundation does. But this time, the pollutants stick to your skin.
3. Lipstick: I mean, do you really want to stain and ruin your favorite pillowcases? Sleeping with lipstick, lipstains, or lipglosses, can chap and dry out your lips faster than anything else.
4. Mascara: I recently read that mascara particles can clog up follicles and irritate your eyes. This raises your chances of bacterial growth which further raises your chances of premature eyelash loss.
5. Eyeliner: Sleeping with your eyeliner on can result in the wax of the eyeliner building up and resulting in a wicked infection similar in appearance to pink eye. Usually, you have to take a make-up sabbatical during this time. I should know. This happened to me a few years ago and it was incredibly painful.

I did get a lot of this information from an Instagram account entitled @beautysecretsforall and I highly recommend that you all decide to follow. In total, I would just like to say that before bedtime, you should always remember to take off your makeup, use a gentle cleanser, a nighttime moisturizer, and your favorite chapstick.

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests.

[BriannaAlexzandra]

POREfessional

(Source: Sephora)

POREfessional
Benefit
$42.00

Details:

The POREfessional is currently available in a limited-edition value size through the Benefit Cosmetics website. It is a lightweight balm intended to minimize imperfections such as pores to give your foundation a flawless finish.

Pros:

Easy to use

Lightweight

Cons:

Pricy

First impressions

I have been wanting to try this product for so long and I finally got the chance through one of my subscription boxes. I fell in love the first time I ever used it and I know that I am going to buy it again. Unlike other primers/balms, this feels incredibly natural and silky.

Dropout rating

10/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[BriannaAlexzandra]

Lipsurgence Skintuitive Lip Gloss

(Source: Sephora)

Lipsurgence Skintuitive Lip Gloss
Tarte
$19.00

Details:

This lip gloss is intended to be a personalized pop of color that should be glossy with a natural-looking pigment. Like many products from this brand, the gloss is vegan and is filled with extracts to hydrate and nourish your lips.

Pros:

Highly pigmented

Scent

First impressions:

Tarte is one of my favorite brands so I felt the need to try this out, even if it was the sample size. It is currently one of my favorite glosses because it is not sticky and it smells amazing. But, I’m not sure how impressed I am with the fact that it changes colors. A lot of products do this now.

Dropout rating

9/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[BriannaAlexzandra]

Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette Swatches

Tarte

$44.00

(Source: Sephora)

What this palette contains:

12 x 0.053 oz Shadows

Top Row
Left to Right: Free Spirit (cream), Force Of Nature (nude),
 Dreamer (warm brown), Multi-Tasker (chocolate)

Middle Row
Left to Right: Caregiver (pale pink), Natural Beauty (mauve),
 Best Friend (mulberry), Bombshell (dark plum)

Bottom Row
Left to Right: Super Mom (ivory), Wanderer (light brown),
 Power Player (taupe), Fashionista (black)

I will be posting a review of this palette once I have had the chance to test all of the shades.

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[Yeimy]

Mistakes We're All Guilty Of

1. Contouring!

If you choose to contour, you need to remember to blend and use the correct shades. Finding the right shade is very important and it takes time. It’s not cute to go out with brown stripes on your cheeks. You are not a tiger and do not use your bronzer.

2. Eyebrows!

No matter how dark or light your eyebrows are naturally, your makeup is not completed until they are filled in and perfected. A little goes a lot way. If you don’t know how, we will be posting a tutorial soon! Stay tuned!

3. Foundation!

Blend! Blend! Blend! If your foundation is not blended down to your neck, it will not look right. You don’t want a mask. You want a flawless, airbrushed finish that can only be attained by using the right shades.

4. Moisturize!

You should be moisturizing from the top of your forehead to the bottom of your feet. Your skin can get dry in any season. Dry skin leads to wrinkles, patchy areas, redness, and even acne. Even if you have oily skin, moisturizing is a necessity. It’s best to use something with SPF to protect your skin in any weather.

5. Makeup Removal!

My biggest pet peeve is when people don’t take off their makeup before they go to bed. All you’re doing is horribly damaging your skin. There is literally nothing good that can come from sleeping with your makeup on. In fact, we will be posting an entire article about this important topic soon. Please take it off!

bareMinerals All-Over Face Color

(Source: Ulta)

All-Over Face Color
bareMinerals
$20.00

Details:

These come in a selective variety of shades and provide a shimmer. As usual with shimmers/highlighters, a little goes a very long way. It is suggested to use these powders the way that one would use a highlighter to brighten up the skin for a “goddess glow.”

Cons:

High shimmer

First impressions

One of the only reasons I purchased this was because it was on sale and makeup stores rarely have sales. So, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. The shade is incredibly shimmery and you have to be really careful about the placement. I’m not sure if I would ever buy this product again.

Dropout rating

6/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[BriannaAlexzandra]

Tarte Showstopper Clay Palette Swatches

Tarte 

$38.00

(Source Sephora)

What this palette contains:

6 x 0.04 oz Amazonian clay eyeshadows

0.21 oz Amazonian clay blush in Fame

0.14 oz Amazonian clay waterproof bronzer in Park Ave Princess

0.14 oz Amazonian clay highlighter in Champagne Pink

Left: Park Ave Princess bronzer
Middle: highlighter in Champagne Pink
Right: blush in Fame (Warm Peach)

Left: Showstopper Copper (bronze copper)
Right: Go For The Gold (gold )

Left: You're a Natural (Nude)
Right: Steel The Scene (Steel Taupe)

Left: Rose To The Top (Rose Gold)
Right: Dim the Lights (Black Brown)

I will do a review of this palette in a future post.

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests.

[Yeimy]

NUDE Dude Eyeshadow

(Source: theBalm)

NUDE Dude Eyeshadow (Single)
the Balm Cosmetics
$20 - $36 (full pallete)

Details:

The whole pallete contains 12 shadows that are very similar to other popular nude palletes or neutrals. There are some matte and some shimmer that can all easily be blended to form anything from a smoky eye to a gentle neutral.

Pros:

Packaging

Nudes

First impressions:

I was super happy when I received this product in my April Ipsy Glam Bag! The shadow is full sized and it’s a gorgeous shimmering copper which is one of my absolute favorite eyeshadow shades. It could be used for a simple neutral or everyday look but it would be really easy to dress this up for a night out.

Dropout rating

9/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[BriannaAlexzandra]

Splurge or Purge: Make Up For Ever VS Milani

Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in Copper Red

$21.00

(Source Sephora)

Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow in Bella Copper

$4.49

(Source CVS)

Bella Copper and ME728 Copper Red swatched side by side. 

Similarities

Both of these shadows are very pigmented and metallic, with little to no fallout. When worn on the eyelids they look the same, with or without primer. They are both easy to blend and do not fade throughout the day, and they don't even crease on my eyelids without a primer. When I swatched them side by side (as shown above) without a primer, they did not look different from one another.

Differences

Copper Red is more smooth in texture and feels creamier than Bella Copper. The Milani shadow does feel a bit more powdery than the MUFE, but it is still very smooth. When I swatched them with a primer, Bella Copper is slightly darker and chunkier, while Copper Red is more finely milled. I also noticed that on the primed side of my arm, Bella Copper's pigmentation was better than Copper Red.

Splurge or Purge?

You should definitely purge on this particular shade. The Milani eyeshadow is less than half the price of the MUFE eyeshadow, and they are both very similar in color. The texture of MUFE shadows is better than the texture of Milanli shadows in general, but Bella Copper is a bit more pigmented than Copper Red. The Artist Shadows by MUFE do come in more shades than the Bella Eyes Shadows by Milani, so I would rather spend the $21.00 on a color that is more unique to the Artist Shadow line.

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[Yeimy]

Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation Review

(Source: Sephora)

Tarte

$39.00

Details:

This is a long-lasting foundation with UVA/UVB SPF 15. It has a weightless texture and gives a natural semi-matte finish to the skin. It is available in 25 shades, ranging from fair to deep skin tones with peach, yellow and pink undertones.

Pros:

Natural finish

Weightless

Easy to blend

Good color range

Long lasting

First Impressions:

This foundation gives a medium coverage but can be built up to a full coverage. It does not irritate or break out my dry, sensitive skin. I love the finish of it, and it does not feel heavy at all. 

Dropout Rating:

9/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[Yeimy]

Hikari Cosmetics Blush

(Source: Ipsy)

Hikari Cosmetics Blush
$15.00

Details:

This Hikari blush is incredibly pigmented, smooth, and long-lasting. With this product, less is definitely more and it’s important to remember! If not, your light flush of color can easily turn into Barbie pink!

Pros:

Pigmented

Vibrant

Price

Cons:

Shade received is too bright

First impressions

I received this full-sized product in the shade Tango. As excited as I was, I’m not sure if I will get more use out of it. I’ve used it a handful of times and I can’t seem to get it to work for my skin tone. It’s super vibrant and pink.

Dropout rating

7.5/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[BriannaAlexzandra]

Stila: Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick

(Source: Sephora)

Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick
Stila
$22.00

Details:

This liquid lipstick is possibly one of the best that is out right now. It comes in a small selection of colors but it is a highly pigmented and weightless product that is true to its name. It will literally last all day. In fact, it’s actually a struggle to take it off. It’s creamy, matte, and still moisturizing even though many liquid lipsticks are incredibly drying.

Pros:

Long lasting

Pigmented

Cons:

Difficult to remove

First impressions:

Usually, Yeimy and I are not a very big fan of Stila products. But, the last time we went shopping together, I decided that we should give at least one thing a try. The second I swatched this product in the shade Fiery which is a deep red, we both knew that we had to have in and we both plan to buy more shades the next time we go.

Dropout rating

9/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[BriannaAlexzandra]

Milani Brow Fix

(Source: Drugstore.com)

Brow Fix Brow Kit
Milani
$5.59

Details:

This product comes with two brow powders, one highlighting shade, a mini tweezer, a mini angled brush, and mini sponge applicator. Currently, it is available in light, medium, and dark at most drugstores.

Pros:

Blendable

Long-lasting

Price!

First impressions:

My mom normally only uses drugstore products. So, she bought this for herself without realizing that she had purchased shades that were too light for her. I decided to give it a try rather than turning it down just because it wasn’t a high end brand. I was definitely impressed. It is so easy to use and it’s great for everyday use. I definitely think everyone should try it since it comes in a pretty big range for most skin tones.

Dropout rating

10/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[BriannaAlexzandra]

Clumpcrusher by LashBlast

(Source: Target)

Clumpcrusher by LashBlast
Covergirl
$4.19 - $6.99

Details:

This product is meant to deliver amazing volume and length to your lashes while simultaneously separating your lashes with no clumps! The brush is curved with a small and fine toothed comb to evenly apply to mascara to all of your lashes

Pros:

Price!

Clump-free

First impressions:

This is definitely my favorite drugstore mascara. I was cursed with tiny lashes that require me to pile on the mascara in order to seriously get my lashes to look decent. So, I am super prone to clumping with most mascaras that I have tried. Luckily, this brush seems to successfully get rid of this problem.

Dropout rating

9/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[BriannaAlexzandra]

Sephora Face Mask

(Source: Sephora)

Face Mask (Honey: Nourishing & Balancing)
Sephora
$6.00

Details:

These masks are 100% natural and they each come with different benefits. The masks are fiber and they are able to hug the contours of your face in order for the active ingredients to deliver all of the amazing vitamins to your skin.

Pros

Price

Scent

First impressions:

I had been wanting to try these masks for a very long time, but I do have very sensitive skin, so I was a little nervous when I first purchased it. The only one I have tried so far is the honey one but it left my skin so soft and silky that I can’t wait to try out the rest of them. The price and brand alone is enough to convince anyone to try them. So, I suggest that everyone tries it out and gives it a chance.

Dropout rating

10/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[BriannaAlexzandra]

Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil

(Source: Sephora)

Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil
Bumble & Bumble
$39.00

Details:

The oil is super slick at first and it’s important to remember that when it comes to any hair oils, a little goes a long way! But, by the time it soaks in and settles in your hair, it leaves your hair soft and smelling amazing. It’s perfect for almost anything. It can be used as a heat protectant, detangler, softener, and to prevent or reduce frizz. One of the best parts is that it can be used on wet, damp, or dry hair.

Pros:

Nourishing

Smoothening

Heat protectant!

Con:

Pricy?

First impressions:

Like many other things I have reviewed recently, I received this product via one of my subscription box services. I usually am not a fan of any hair oils because my hair is so thin, but I loved how soft this made my hair. I used it to flat iron my hair and it definitely got me hooked on hair oils! It is a bit on the pricy side, but since you only need a small amount, I think it is worth it.

Dropout rating

8.5/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[BriannaAlexzandra]

Brows are so important

Le Marc Lip Creme

(Source: Sephora)

Le Marc Lip Creme
Marc Jacobs Beauty
$30.00

Details:

These shades are ultra-hydrating, vividly pigmented, and claim to last for up to 10 hours. Currently, they are available in 20 different hues that are said to be named after various iconic women that have inspired Marc throughout his life.

Pros:

Pigmented

Hydrating

Cons:

Pricy

First impressions:

Everyone needs at least one Marc Jacobs Beauty product in their lifetime. For me, I was lucky enough to get this product in a gorgeous rosy shade (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang). For the most part, I was trying to save this for a special occasion but I couldn’t help myself and I was almost forced to use it the other day when I was planning to go out with my cousin. I haven’t been this obsessed with a product in so long. Honestly, I intend to buy it over and over again!

Dropout rating

10/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

 [BriannaAlexzandra]

Lavender-Chamomile Body Lotion

(Source: BeautyBar)

Lavender-Chamomile Body Lotion
Mt. Sapola
$24.00
Details:

This luxury scented body lotion is intended to remind the user of European-apothecary while simultaneously moisturizing the skin. The lotion is perfect for sensitive skin because it is super gentle and it leaves behind little-to-no residue once it is fully rubbed in.

Pros:

Creamy

Gentle

Cons:

Strong scent

First impressions:

I was really excited when I got this product because it arrived in my first ever Allure Sample Society box. Unfortunately, I wasn’t really able to enjoy it. I’m very sensitive to scents and this was actually so strong that I had to wash my hands after I used it because I couldn’t handle it. I ended up giving the sample to my mom since she actually liked it. So, I definitely don’t recommend it.

Dropout rating

3/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[BriannaAlexzandra]

LAQA & Co. Sheer Lip Lube

(Source: Birchbox)

Sheer Lip Lube Pencil
LAQA & Co.
$20.00

Details:

This lip product is another one that is perfect for spring. It’s super glossy, sheer, and creamy. It is described on the Birchbox site as convenient and easy to use because it can be used with any makeup look and it doesn’t require a sharpener.

Pros:

Creamy

Easy-to-use

Cons:

Sheer

First impressions:

I received this product in my April 2015 Birchbox in the shade Honeypot which looks mauve but glides on as a sheer pink. While I have tried it and I do like it, I’m not too sure that I will actually be interested in repurchasing this product purely because it is a little too sheer and I usually aim towards nudes or highly pigmented colors.

Dropout rating

6/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

 [BriannaAlexzandra]

Too Faced - La Creme

(Source: Sephora)

La Creme

Too Faced

$22.00

Details:

The colors are luxurious and come in four basic color shades: nudes, spices, pinks, and reds. They are long-lasting lip creams which are incredibly moisturizing and they are a welcome change from the current trend of lip stains and liquid lipsticks.

Pros:

Creamy

Moisturizing

First impressions:

I purchased this product about two weeks ago when I went to the mall with Yeimy and I fell in love with the color the second I saw it. I purchased one of the spices in Spice Spice Baby with is a gorgeous pink-brown shade that was really good on both of us. I am currently in love with this product and I honestly wish I had enough money to go back and buy every single shade available.

Dropout rating

10/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[BriannaAlexzandra]

Swimmables Water Resistant Blush

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Source: Birchbox)

Cargo

$26.00

Details:

I received this product in my April 2015 Birchbox and it is described on the website as a soft, shimmery tangerine. It is sweatproof, heatproof, and tearproof which makes every single one of us excited. The best part is that the shade, Los Cabos, is perfect for the light summer look that we will all be striving for in a few weeks.

Pros:

Waterproof

Cons:

Sheer

First impressions:

I wasn’t sure what to think of this product when I first saw it. After all, I had never really heard of a water-resistant blush. However, I am incredibly impressed with this product. The color looks so natural and effortless against my skin tone. For that reason, I am definitely thinking about purchasing it again once I finish up this sample!

Dropout rating:

10/10 

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests

[BriannaAlexzandra]

Master Duo Liquid Eyeliner Review

(Source: Ulta)

Maybelline
$7.99
Details:

Finally, an easy way to get a perfect cat eye with liquid liner!! The dual tip allows you to make precise lines with one side but you can also achieve bold lines with the other side of the tip. The product is glossy and it is incredibly user friendly for a beginner or even someone who knows exactly what they're doing with liquid liner.

Pros

Bold

Long-lasting

Easy to apply

Cons

Smudges

Runs

First Impressions:

My mom accidentally bought this when she went out to buy her own eyeliner. She didn’t like it because the consistency wasn’t thick enough for her. So, she ended up giving it to me and I fell in love. I have repurchased this product a million times and it’s definitely one of my favorites. It dries super fast and it is super easy to use. I recommend it to literally everyone I know!

Dropout Rating:

10/10

You can also contact us at briamie624@gmail.com for business inquiries and future review requests.

Remember to follow Brianna & Yeimy on Instagram

[BriannaAlexzandra]