Sustainable & Creative Living
About a year ago I made the conscious decision to only buy cruelty-free makeup. I’ve mentioned it in other posts before, but I’ve never talked about why.
I have been a vegetarian for about 9 years so I’ve been pretty aware of animal cruelty for a while now. What really changed it for me though was my dog.
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If you are a blogger or a collector of makeup and beauty products like me, you may know how hard it is to actually finish a beauty product. I am constantly trying new products, I receive products from Ipsy and I change it up because I want to see what else is out there. Often times it’s rare that I find a product I like so much I finish it! It’s also rather rare that I finish the product and want to buy it again.
So today I want to talk about my empties and whether or not I would buy them again.
I’d like to start out by saying that I am all about affordable makeup products. There are some products, like eyeshadow palettes, that I will splurge on. But for products I use every single day, I am much more likely to gravitate towards the drug-store brands and drug-store prices. While I love makeup products, they can get pretty expensive and I’m not about that life right now.
$4.99 at Ulta
I don’t know what I was thinking before I used this product. Well, actually, I thought that if I had a good coverage foundation and the right primer I wouldn’t need a product like this. I’d used one in the past that was a concealer stick and I hated the consistency so I stayed away. But I’m so glad I tried this because it’s such an effective color correcting face product. Even though it’s liquid, it dries quickly so it doesn’t move around when I apply foundation over it. I use it on red spots on my cheeks and nose and then on any blemishes I might have.
Would I buy this again? I actually just did! I don’t think I could ever go back to not using a green color correcting product. I like NYX because they don’t test on animals and I always have a good turnout with their products.
$7.49 at Ulta
I have struggled for years with oily skin – which I think is mostly from the terrible humidity in Florida – so all of my foundations felt incredibly dewy on my face. For most of my adult and makeup-wearing life, I have been on the hunt for the right foundation. It was last year when I tried NYX’s Stay Matte Not Flat for this reason. I think I had seen in a youtube video to try a matte foundation. This product has great coverage, I’d say medium to buildable. It’s smooth and long-lasting. And best of all my face no longer feels so dewy and moist all the time.
Would I buy this again? I have actually bought this product over 3 times and I highly recommend it for anyone with oily skin or skin prone to humidity reactions.
$6 at elfcostmetics.com
As you read above, I was already in love with a foundation, so why did I buy this? I had heard from multiple sources that it was a great product for all different skin types, so I thought why not give it a try? It’s only $6 and it’s a brand that I already love and trust. And I was not disappointed. First of all, it smells so good. Second, it matches my skin tone better than any foundation I’ve ever used. It applies almost velvety, it’s such a soft application with really great coverage. It doesn’t feel dewy at all but it’s also not super mattifying.
Would I buy this again? Yes! Even though I love NYX’s above foundation, I can’t beat this price or the fact that it matches my skin tone so well.
$9.99 at Target
This is the first time I’ve ever tried a “finishing powder.” I know, I’m behind. I’d always just used a powder foundation to set my liquid foundation if I used any at all. This has been another one of those times where I don’t know what I was thinking before I used this. I’ll never go back to not using a finishing powder. It’s a lighter finish that actually sets my makeup versus the powder foundation that feels cakey. The application is almost that same velvety feeling except in a powder.
Would I buy it again? I just did a few days ago and until I find either something cheaper or something I’ve just got to try, I’m going to keep buying this product.
$3 at elfcostmetics.com
Up until about a year ago, when I decided I was only going to buy products not tested on animals, I had always used the same Maybelline mascara. Then I started experimenting with different brands. I’ve tried a few different brands but e.l.f. is a go to. As I get out of old makeup habits, I wanted to try a brand at least I know I like. And have I mentioned that e.l.f. is cheap? This mascara is only $3. While I was using it I liked it, I was content with it. It wasn’t until I tried another drugstore brand that I realized it wasn’t all that great. The application was super light, hardly anything came out, and it didn’t do much for lengthening and volumizing.
Would I buy this again? No. While it’s cheap and not terrible, it’s also not great and not worth the $3.
$4.99 at Ulta
This was the product I tried directly after the e.l.f. mascara and it made such a difference in both lengthening and volumizing my lashes. It’s not heavy but definitely thicker and volumizing. I also really like the longer plastic brush application. So far, it’s been the best mascara I’ve tried in my quest for makeup not tested on animals.
Would I buy this again? I think I would. I liked it and it worked. However, it’s not my favorite mascara, so, for now, I’m going to keep looking.
$5 at Walmart
Before I bought this product I had never tried Hard Candy before. It’s a fairly new Wal-Mart/drugstore brand (at least in my neck of the woods). I needed more eyeshadow primer and I wanted to try this brand. So I bought it. That was months ago because the container is so big and has lasted forever. It’s got a velvet finish but that makes it dry faster so as soon as I apply it I have to start eyeshadow application right away. But it works. It lasts all day and well into the evening.
Would I buy it again? Yes! I haven’t bought another one yet, but in the future, I definitely would. It’s a fairly cheap price point and you get a lot of product that actually works.
Related: September Ipsy Review
While I would purchase most of these products again, that doesn’t mean I will. I love to try new makeup products and different brands but it does help to have a go-to at the end of the day.
I hope these reviews have given you some insight into the different products I like and use. Let me know if you have any recommendations or if you’ve used any of these products. What did you think of them? Let me know in the comments below!
This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links help support From Under A Palm Tree and help pay for web hosting, email delivery, domain registration, and other various fees that help keep From Under A Palm Tree operational. We appreciate your support!
I am so excited to review this month’s Ipsy bag! I was almost afraid something happened to my bag because I got it so late this month. But I think with all the hurricane commotion here in Florida, it might have been pushed back a little. I don’t know, but I’m happy I finally got it!
If you don’t know what Ipsy is you are seriously missing out! It’s a $10 monthly subscription service where you receive 5 makeup products in a cute makeup bag. The products range from drugstore brands to high-end brands. They are also a decent mix of sample size and full-size products. It’s such a good deal and a great way to try out different products.
So let’s jump into the reviews!
July’s Ipsy bag is so adorable, the design is perfect for this hot summer we’ve been having. It’s exactly how I feel.
If you’re interested in trying Ipsy – it’s only $10 a month and you get to try 4 sample size products and full size. It’s perfect for trying new things and testing out expensive brands. You can sign up with my affiliate link here. I get points for every person that signs up and then get free stuff with those points! And you can too if you sign up!
Ipsy also offers amazing discounts on the products if you decide to buy them. Ipsy is definitely one of the best makeup subscriptions out there and it’s only $10!
I’ve been wanting to try making my own DIY makeup remover wipes for a while now. Meagan has used DIY baby wipes for little J since he was a baby and I always thought that DIY Makeup remover wipes would be a great idea. Not only are they beneficial for the environment, but they also save a lot of money.
Plastic-free July finally got me motivated to make the switch to these wipes. The other day I was pulling out a makeup wipe from its packaging, and I realized I’d cut down on a lot of plastic use if I eliminated that package from my life (not to mention the wipes themselves, of course).
I came up with this easy to make DIY makeup remover wipe because, if you’ve read any of my other posts, you know I’m all about simple and easy.
I recently bought quite possibly the cutest purse I have ever seen. It’s called a MulticSac – a backpack purse that converts to a cross-body and a handbag. It has about 75 pockets (okay at least 11). It’s a beautiful gray color with a texture that looks like leather but is all manmade materials so I didn’t feel guilty buying it.
Upon switching purses I realized I could fit so much more in this bag and it’s still comfortable and easily accessible.
That’s everything in my bag right now, but having a bag with so many pockets and compartments, that is likely to change. As the rainy season approaches, I’m sure a mini umbrella will find its way in there.
I’d also like to point out that I don’t keep a wallet in my bag. This is probably really weird. I do have a wallet, it’s pretty cute too. But it’s huge and full of stuff that I hardly ever need everywhere I go. I keep my credit cards, extra cash, and ID in my phone case wallet and keep the big guy in the car. It’s just easier than toting my wallet around when I never use it.
So what’s in your bag? Do you have anything weird? A crazy collection of lipsticks or a lucky feather? Let me know in the comments below!
This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links help support From Under A Palm Tree and help pay for web hosting, email delivery, domain registration, and other various fees that help keep From Under A Palm Tree operational. We appreciate your support!
Baking soda is one of the safest, simplest, and most gentle cleaning products available. It has so many different uses that it’s also one of the most versatile products you’ll ever buy. While it’s effective and inexpensive for many home cleaning chores, it also an excellent useful and a versatile personal care product.
Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) regulates and neutralizes pH. It cleans, neutralizes, and deodorizes. The best part is that when it washes down the drain, it won’t pollute our water supply.
You probably already have a box or two in your cupboards, but after reading this you’ll want to stock up!
This month’s Ipsy bag was interesting, to say the least. I don’t want to give away too much before I review the products so let’s dive right in.
It was the day after Christmas and Tarte was having a 60% off sale. Our eyes met from across the screen and I just couldn’t say no to Swamp Queen.
I don’t know what exactly inspired me to buy this palette. I’ve never tried a full face palette from Tarte before and I guess it was too cute to pass up! So I was really excited to try the Swamp Queen Palette with Grav3yard Girl palette!
The palette has 9 eyeshadow shades ranging from peachy to purple-y tones. It also has a cheek section with a bronzer, blush, and highlighter.
The packaging is amazing. It’s made of something that’s like a mix between hard cardboard and plastic. The outside has a beautiful woodgrain texture that just adds to the southern feel. The inside surface is a golden mirror. It also has a nice big mirror when you open it with the quote “Believe in yourself, love yourself, embrace your individuality.” It’s beautiful and inspiring. Overall, I love the packaging.
The eyeshadows are also amazing. Shadows include:
I love those names! They’re so southern – but funny. The colors themselves are all super pigmented so they blend really well. Even though you can’t see the shade big baby too much on my arm, it’s there. And even with 9 different colors, they all mix and match so well together. You could do a soft lavender look or go bold with purple and shine. Or just a soft peachy look with or without shine works too! Even a mix between the two sides brings together something beautiful. My favorite shades are Sassy bun and Sippi sippy. But even Dogman and Mancat too, they’re so gorgeous!
I admit I was skeptical at first because these aren’t shades I normally wear. I usually gravitate more towards neutrals and nudes but I’m glad that I decided to try something different. This palette has definitely gotten me out of my eyeshadow comfort zone.
I was most excited about the highlighter – gator wings (again, the names!). I didn’t think I would care much for the blush because the color is so bright and I thought the bronzer would be too shimmery. But actually, they’re amazing. Shocker, right? The blush is quite pigmented so I have to use a gentle hand when applying, but it’s a still a really pretty shade. It’s a warmer pink with hints of southern citrus – think more orange than red.
The bronzer does have a little bit of shimmer to it, but it’s not overwhelming. It’s definitely not matte, but it works. I also have to use a lighter hand when applying the bronzer. The highlighter, though, is every bit as amazing as I thought it would be. It’s got a golden shine to it that is so beautiful and shimmery – definitely not subtle. It’s my favorite part of the whole palette.
I did forget to mention that this palette comes with a brush. It’s a small eyeshadow brush with the same woodgrain texture on the handle and it’s just too cute.
Overall, I am totally in love with this Swamp Queen palette. I’m still toying around with all the different eye shadow looks but I love how versatile it is. I’m glad I took a chance on something I wouldn’t normally buy. I would 100% recommend the Tarte Swamp Queen by Grav3yard Girl full face palette!
Tell me in the comments below if you’ve tried this palette and what you think of it!
This post contains affiliate links. But it is NOT sponsored. Affiliate links help support From Under A Palm Tree and help pay for web hosting, email delivery, domain registration, and other various fees that help keep From Under A Palm Tree operational. We appreciate your support!
If I had to rate my January Ipsy bag, it would be a 9 out of 10! While I wasn’t expecting to love every product, I was pleasantly surprised that I did, for the most part.
Here’s what I thought of this month’s Ipsy bag: