Ultimate Guide to Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands and Where To Buy

The best way to start going cruelty free is to start recognizing brands that are cruelty free and put them at the top of your purchasing preferences.  When I was an undergrad I had a Political Science professor once inform my class that everything you purchase is equivalent to a vote.  The things you purchase at the store, where they are made, and how they are made is equivalent to checking a "yes" box.  It tells stores, manufacturers, brands, and your elected representatives that you want more of something.

This ultimate guide list of cruelty-free makeup brands is separated into three simple categories: high end brands, drugstore brands, and independent brands. Each of them links to the official site or store where you can purchase the brands and their products.

 Purchasing cruelty-free beauty products does not mean you need to spend large amounts of money on high-end brands alone.  Below are some very affordable and accessible options from both drugstore and independent beauty brands.  Likewise, there are plenty of high-end brands that many don't even realize are cruelty-free, such as NARS and Urban Decay.  It is completely possible to have a budget and still purchase cruelty-free makeup.

The best tips and advice I can give you about starting to purchase cruelty-free makeup: START.  You do not need to immediately throw out all of your current makeup, lotions, hair care and skin care products.  Let's say you run out of your favorite tinted lip balm.  Instead of purchasing your usual one at the drugstore, opt for Josie Maran's Coconut Watercolor Lip Stain and Shine.  When you run out of your favorite foundation, try instead Koh Gen Doh's Aqua Foundation or BH Cosmetics Studio Pro HD Foundation.

High End Beauty Brands

Anastasia Beverly Hills

The Balm

Bare Minerals

Beauty Blender

Becca

Bite

Blinc

Butter London

Buxom

Cargo

Chantecaille

Cover FX

Deborah Lippman

Duwop Cosmetics

Edward Bess

Ellis Faas

Face Atelier

Hourglass

Illamasqua

IT Cosmetics

Josie Maran

Kat Von D

Koh Gen Do

Korres

Lit Cosmetics

Living Proof

Nails, Inc.

NARS

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

Orly

Pureology

Sunday Riley

Tarte

Two Faced

Urban Decay

Wen

Drugstore Beauty Brands

Annabelle

Barry M

ecoTools

ELF

Flower Beauty

Hard Candy

Jane

Jordana

Milani

NYX

Pacifica

Physicians Formula

Pixi Beauty

Prestige Beauty

Sonia Kashuk

Wet 'n Wild

Yes To

Independent Beauty Brands

Beauty Without Cruelty

Bella Pierre

Ben Nye

BH Cosmetics

Charlotte Tilbury

Christopher Drummond

ColourPop

Cult Nails

Essence Cosmetics

Gabriel Cosmetics

Jeffree Star

Lime Crime

Makeup Geek

Melt Cosmetics

Red Apple Lipstick

Sappho Organics

Silk Naturals

Sugarpill

I Want To Know...

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DIY Beauty: Simple Natural Coconut Oil Face Wash

Coconut Oil has become my new favorite beauty ingredient.  I've been using it in my hair care and skin care routines for its ability to smooth my split ends and soften and moisturize my skin.  This DIY Face Wash receipt is perfect for saving money on those expensive store face washes, or a great alternative to face washes that contain many unnecessary and unnatural ingredients.

I have been using this specific DIY coconut oil face wash for a few weeks and have absolutely seen a difference.  In the morning I wash my face with the Fresh Soy Facial Cleaner, and at night I use this face wash recipe after removing my makeup.

In terms of skin care, coconut oil can turn dry, itchy skin into soft, hydrated skin when it is placed in lotions, creams and soaps.  Coconut oil can strengthen the skin tissue, eliminate dead skin cells, and absorbs quickly into the skin.

 Ingredients 

2 tbsp. Baking Soda

1/8 tsp. Coconut Oil

Directions 

Wash your face with water.  Place the 2 tbsp. of baking soda into the palm of your hand.  Add just enough water to turn the baking soda into a thick paste. 

Add the 1/8 tsp. of coconut oil.  Tip: coconut oil will liquify at room temperature. 

Use your hands to massage the paste into your skin for 20-30 seconds and then rinse with cool water. 

Dry your face by dabbing it with a clean hand towel.  You can then continue with your regular skincare regimen of moisturizers and creams.  Make sure to at least apply a gentle moisturize to close pores.

Let Me Know!

What are your favorite go-to natural beauty ingredients?
 

 

DIY Beauty: Easy and Natural Dry Shampoo

Don't have time to wash your hair?  Hair appears oily or needs volume? Dry shampoo is your new best friend!

Dry shampoo usually isn't super cheap, which is all the reason better to try a DIY recipe.  While essential oil is the one thing you may not have easily accessible in your kitchen, it is easy to find in any grocery store and will last you a very long time. 

These DIY recipes will not only get rid of the oiliness in your hair but will also clean it, which is something that baby powder alone will not do.  Plus, as a dark haired girl myself, baby powder alone makes my hair appear lighter and unnatural.  The addition of cocoa powder allows it to remain dark and unnoticeable.

The powder substances will help alleviate any oiliness, while the essential oil will help to clean your hair. 

Dry Shampoo for Light Hair 

1/4 cup Cornstarch

1/4 cup Baking Soda

5-10 drops of your choice Essential Oil

Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair

1/4 cup Cornstarch

1/4 cup Cocoa Powder

5-10 drops of your choice Essential Oil

Directions

1. Chose either the light hair or dark hair recipe and mix all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.

2. Use a makeup powder brush to apply the product to your hair, similar to the way you would apply baby powder or talcum powder.

3. To store, place in an air tight container or mason jar.  Frequently check for any off smells and discard product if expired.

DIY Gift Idea

Turn this DIY into a beauty product that you can give as a holiday gift!

Grab an adorable mason jar from your local craft store, tie some beautiful ribbon around the top, and label!  You can make this a part of a DIY Beauty Gift Set, complete with ELF makeup brushes, a  Sephora green tea face mask, and Eucerin body lotion. 

 

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DIY Beauty: How To Create Natural Hair Masks

My hair goes through a lot.  I dye it every two months, blow dry and straighten it every other day, tease it to create volume, and tie it up in a bun.  You name it, I've done it to my hair.  That is why I've gotten into the good habit of using a hair mask every weekend.

Not too long ago I started stocking up on those little oil-based packets from Sephora and the drug store (Moroccan, Keratin, Argan) to refresh and rejuvenate my strained locks.  Then I had a thought: why not just make these myself?

Hair masks are an awesome way to make your hair feel softer and look shinier and healthier.  Of course you can spend your money on any one of those pre-mixed packets, but why not save a few bucks and make your own using products you already have in your kitchen?

There are DIY hair mask ingredients that can help combat some of the most common hair problems: itchy scalp, dry hair, and oily hair.  You can infuse moisture and hydration into dry and damaged strands, alleviate your itchy or flaky scalp, or stop excess oil by maintaining your lock's pH balance.

Dry Hair

For hair with breakage, split ends, dullness, and damage.

2 Tbsp. Honey

1 Tbsp Coconut Oil

Honey helps the hair retain moisture, which will make it appear shiny and voluminous.

Coconut Oil is also moisturizing, but too much of this ingredient can leave your hair looking greasy instead of shiny.  Less is always more.

Natural Hair Mask: Itchy Scalp

For hair with flakiness and in need of nourishment at the base of the hair follicle.  Removes dead skin cells and infuses nourishment.

2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar

1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Brown sugar acts as an exfoliant and removes dead skin cells and residue that have built up on the scalp and base of the hair follicle.

Extra virgin olive oil helps to give your hair a strong and shiny finish.  However, as with the Coconut Oil too much can have a greasy effect if too much is used.  Less is always more.

Natural Hair Mask: Oily Hair

For hair with greasiness and excessive oil production.

Corrects the pH level of the scalp and hair.

1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Lemon with Rind

Apple cider vinegar with help to rid your hair of reside and build up left by conditioners or other leave-in products.  It balances pH levels and works as a natural detangler.

The acidity in lemon helps to reduce excess oil production and balance pH levels.

DIY Hair Masks: Directions

Pick your mask of choice.  Mix all of the mask's ingredients into a bowl.  Double or even triple each ingredient depending on your length of hair.  Wash your hair as normal with shampoo but do not use conditioner.  With damp hair apply the mask to your hair, and then evenly disperse by running a wide tooth comb through your hair.  Using massaging motions work the mask from the roots of your hair to the tips.  Cover with shower cap, towel, or plastic wrap.  Wait 20 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.

I Want To Know...

What do you do on a regular basis to keep your hair healthy?

 

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DIY Beauty Series: Natural Coconut Coffee Anti-Cellulite Body Scrub

Not too long ago I started searching for some easy alternatives to beauty products that would also be fun and simple DIY projects.  I have been seeing those coffee-based body scrubs all over social media.  I have tried a few myself and liked them, but then thought: why not just make this myself?  Even better, I would know exactly what ingredients I am putting onto my body.

Easy To Make

This natural coconut coffee body scrub is made with easy to find ingredients that you can pick up during your next trip to the grocery store.  Not only in this body scrub made with natural ingredients (that can also be all Organic if you so chose!) but it is much cheaper and more affordable to make than the pre-made ones you see being promoted all over Twitter and Instagram.

This body scrub includes coconut oil, which is moisturizing and will give you soft, baby smooth skin.

The ingredients of coffee grinds and sugar are natural exfoliants.  The caffeine in the coffee adds the anti-cellulite element to this scrub, which tightens skin, increases blood flow, and allows for the minimization of dimples and shadows.

Beautiful Results

I have tried every anti-cellulite cream known to womankind.  This scrub, like every one of those creams and "solutions" on the market, only works if you are consistent with the application of the product.  If you discontinue use expect the cellulite to start becoming more noticeable.

The smell of this body scrub is delectable.  Even if you aren't a coffee drinker, chances are you at least love the smell of coffee.  The addition of coconut adds an overall enlivening aroma that will make you love applying this to your body.

Let's get started!

Natural Coconut Coffee Anti-Cellulite Body Scrub

Ingredients

 2 cup coffee grinds
1 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup sugar

Directions

1. The coffee grinds can be used or unused.  I chose unused Dunkin Donuts Original Blend for this scrub.

2. Melt the coconut oil in a microwave safe dish for 30 seconds and then allow to cool.

3. Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl.  The texture will become pasty.  If you do not like the consistency add more of any ingredient until you are satisfied.

4. Apply with your fingers or one of those cute mini spatulas to the desired body areas.  I usually concentrate this around my upper thighs and hips, but this can be used anywhere you desire to see results!  Expect amazingly super soft skin afterwards.

Storage Tips

If you plan on keeping the scrub place it in an air tight container and store in a cool, dry place.  I recommend not keeping for more than one month.

Holiday Gift Idea!

This makes a fun and affordable DIY gift for the holidays!  Grab a cute mason jar, festive ribbon and a holiday gift label from your local craft store, and viola!  You have yourself a DIY gift that everyone is going to love.

Let Me Know!

Do you enjoy DIY gifts or do you prefer to purchase fully made products?  What are your favorite body scrubs this season?

 

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