bareMinerals BareSkin Review

Every beauty blog has been an absolute buzz over the bareMinerals BareSkin foundation since it's come out-- and for good reason!  BareMinerals' website describes the foundation as a "clinically proven tone-correcting mineral foundation and brightening serum in one" and the fact that it is "made with the bare minimum ingredients and formulated without oil, silicone, parabens or fragrance."  Being that it is the brand's first liquid foundation, it caused quite a stir in the blogosphere.

I'd been in the market for a new foundation from a cruelty-free brand, one that matched my skintone well without orangey undertones, and, since the unrelenting heat of a Louisiana summer is impending, one that featured a decent amount of SPF.  I used a Neutrogena moisturizer during the day with and SPF of 50, but it's quite irritating on my oily skin, so I've gotten back in the routine of using my Clinique moisturizing gel, as it absorbs much easier.  I've been desperately missing my SPF!  And BareSkin's got it.

I went to my local Ulta to get color matched, rather than trying to buy blindly online.  For me, it's a risk I wasn't willing to take.  The girl who matched me was lovely and helpful, and I couldn't wait to take home this new foundation!  
NOTE:  I was not able to purchase the brush that goes with it, here, because my local Ulta was sold out.  But the RealTechniques Expert Face Brush works quite well too for anyone that can't get a hold of it.

Now let's break it down to the important factors:


The look:

It looks incredibly natural.  The color is seamless, and it gives a beautiful glow.  It appears very natural, and gives a perfect finish.  The only issue is that if your skin is oily like mine, you'll need to set it with a finishing powder just to keep everything in place.  Other than that, love.

The feel:

I actually love the feel of it.  That's so rare for me to say about foundation.  Usually I feel like a cakey, orange mess, but BareSkin is so delicate and light that it's comfortable to wear.  Also, whether you want light, medium, or full coverage, this foundation is easily buildable.

The demo:

The foundation comes in a 1 oz. bottle, and my shade is 03- Bare Linen.

The box reminds you to "Shake well, gorgeous."  Make sure you shake this foundation incredibly well!!!  Shake it for a good ten seconds, at least, to make sure it doesn't streak or look liquidy.  Yuck.

Shake it up well and grab your brush.

Here's my face before the foundation:

I put five drops on the back of my hand and dabbed my brush in, buffing it over my skin.

And voila!  Soft, even coverage that is easily buildable.  I love this foundation, and I can say I would definitely recommend it.

New bareMinerals BareSkin Foundation, $29, Ulta + Sephora.

Until then,
xxoo, Alexis

Spring Daisies

Spring is finally here!  The sun has been out and it's time to brighten things up.  What better way to do that than by planting a pot of daisies?

I purchased this Buzzy brand Daisy Grow Kit from Target and am so excited to see how it blooms!  I'll be keeping blog posts as my blossoms (hopefully!) bloom.

This kit came with a small planting pot, a dry soil medium, and a packet of daisy seeds.

To plant these tiny seeds, the kit said to soak the soil medium in a tablespoon of lukewarm water and to let it absorb before placing in the pot, like I did below.  Then, I placed the seeds in the soil and covered them before placing the pot on a sunny window sill with regular watering. 

Soon I hope to have lovely, sunny daisies to look at in my window.  I'll keep you posted!

Until then,

xxoo, Alexis

Animal Testing in the Cosmetic Industry: Why it Should Make You Think Twice

WARNING:  This post contains images that may be disturbing or triggering to some.  Read with caution.

Animal testing is still a common practice in the cosmetics industry, and many turn a blind eye to it, because the public does not explicitly see what these animals are subjected to. 
"Each year, more than 100 million animals—including mice, rats, frogs, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, monkeys, fish, and birds—are killed in U.S. laboratories for biology lessons, medical training, curiosity-driven experimentation, and chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics testing." PETA, on their website.

It is important that this fact comes to light, because as a consumer, I want to know where my cosmetics are coming from.  There are some brands that proudly bear the label "100% cruelty free", such as Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Physician's Formula, and, perhaps the most outspoken advocates for fair treatment of animals, LUSH Cosmetics, which I will mention below.  But if a package doesn't bear the signature PETA bunny, how does one know if a company tests on animals or not?

It's safe to assume they do.

Honestly, as the issue has come more into light, and as a person with an enormous soft spot for animals, I morally cannot support a company that sprays chemicals into the eyes and on the skin of defenseless animals.  It's broken my heart to find that, upon researching, some of my favorite brands' parent companies do support animal testing.  MAC's parent company is Estee' Lauder, as is L'Oreal's, among others, and they do perform animal tests.  MAC themselves do not, and if you read this blog you know that I love MAC products with the white hot intensity of a thousand suns, but since their profits benefit a company that does perform animal tests, I cannot morally purchase from them anymore.

Some may say this is an over reaction.  Some may defend the companies.  That's okay.  This is a matter of opinion and ethics.  But as one researches, one tends to find things that are not pleasant.

As I mentioned before, LUSH is an all-natural, 100% cruelty-free cosmetics company that fights animal testing and offers many vegan products.  Their massive shop in England features a huge window facing the busy street, and as passerby's look on in horror, a scene unfolds.

A woman is stripped down, metal hooks prying her mouth open, terror in her eyes as men in white coats spray her down with chemicals and force feed her strange substances.  [Images courtesy of Daily Mail below]







Animals in labs every day are shaved, mutilated, injected, and experimented on with harsh chemicals.  Jacqueline Traide, the woman above, who is a vegan, activist, and performance artist, volunteered with LUSH to show everyday consumers the heinous acts performed on animals each day.  She went through the same exact treatments as test subject animals, which is an issue very close to her heart, and showed those around her what happens behind closed laboratory doors.  Watch the full video below.




One of the big points of the production as well was that Jacqueline gets to go home after the experiment, but the animals die a slow, painful death.  It breaks my heart to see what animals go through for the sake of business.

If you feel as strongly as I do, don't support animal testing.  Take a stand and do not give them your business.  PETA offers a free cruelty-free shopping guide for consumers who care.

Here is a list of some of my favorite cosmetics companies that are 100% cruelty free:

• Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
• E.L.F. Cosmetics
• LUSH Cosmetics
• Benefit Cosmetics
• The Body Shop
• Bourjois Cosmetics
• Chanel Cosmetics
• OPI Nails
• NYC New York Color
• Philosophy
• Rimmel Cosmetics
• Yves Saint Laurent Cosmetics
• Adorn Cosmetics
• Bare Escentuals
• Anastasia Beverly Hills

A full list can be found on PETA's website here.

To become a member of PETA and to give a donation to support the protection of animals, you can do so here.

Even the smallest action can cause a great change in the world.

Until next time,
xxoo, Alexis

Quick, Healthy Smoothie Recipe

Hello, lovelies!

It's been a little while since I've been able to post, so sorry about that!

May has been an insanely busy month, with prom, finals, and graduation.  (Soon to come- belated prom makeup/dress post, and a graduation ootd with soft, daytime makeup tutorial.)  My last day of high school was this past Thursday, which was very bittersweet.  I have to say the best part of that day (aside from passing my finals, can I get an amen?) was my Sports Medicine class's end of the year banquet-- well, less a banquet than a big family dinner.

Good food, good friends, and a great last day of high school.  It's so great how food can bring people together and put a smile on your face.  Since I'll be headed to college in the fall, I've been gathering bits and bobs for my dorm, like some new clothes (haul coming soon!), organizing stations, and of course, things to cook with!  I'll be doing a massive college dorm haul when all my packages come in the mail, as well.

For now, I've been trying to find quick, healthy things to cook for myself when I'm living on my own, be it an easy breakfast or a quick snack on the go.  I've recently found the perfect thing to satisfy my sweet tooth while being healthy and summer fresh is a smoothie.  You can make them a million and one ways with any ingredients you choose, and they're perfect for the mornings on the way to class.  You can make this particular smoothie in the Magic Bullet like I did, which is easy for one person with very quick clean up, or you can double the recipe and make a bigger batch in a blender.  Either way, this sweet summer fix is sure to hit your sweet tooth.

Mango-Peach Coconut Smoothie for One:

What you'll need:

• 1/2 a fresh mango

• 1/2 cup of coconut water, I used VitaCoco Pure Coconut Water with Peach & Mango
• 2 tsp of honey, you can use more or less, depending on how sweet you like it
• 5 peach slices, canned in syrup
• 1 tsp syrup from peaches, for extra sweetness

Add mango chunks and coconut water to blender.

Pour in your favorite honey!

Add some peaches.

Aaaaaand...

Blend!

And now you've got a healthy, homemade smoothie that soothes your sweet tooth and adds a punch of Vitamin C to your day.

All that's left is to enjoy!  Pop it in a tumbler with a lid for on-the-go, or put it into a mason jar for a cute, tropical treat for one.

I've got more coming soon!  Hauls, tutorials, ootds, the works!  Stay on the lookout. :)

Until then, 

xxoo,

Alexis