These are a few of my favorite things....

Ok, so I will confess. Here is my plan. Now that I have this blog, I can't wait to spend hours online and in stores seeking out the best new (and old) beauty and fashion finds for you! You will be immensely impressed, and many people will realize what a wide array of product options they have open to them in this day and age, and will check my blog regularily with a hungry look in their eye, pining for the latest news. Ok, so I'm thinking big. :-)


In the meantime, however, having made an effort to buy only cruelty free whenever possible for a while now, I have managed to find some gems that are already a staple in my home. I will now share them with you...

(At the top of my list for so long was Tresemme hair care products, because they were supposedly cruelty free, were TOTALLY cheap, and work great, but I recently found out that Alberto-Culver apparently DOES test on animals. So no Tresemme, St. Ives, or Alberto VO5 folks. Bummer)

But on to the fun stuff :-)

1. PROACTIV SOLUTIONFor years and years, I had bouts with breakouts. Nothing insane, but once I got into my 20's I felt I had paid my breakout dues. So I tried a ton of things, but nothing was great. Then a girlfriend of mine recommended proactiv to me, and she was so enthusiastic about it I broke through my fear of informercial-releated products and ordered some. And... it is GREAT! My skin is no longer an issue ever. It is in the best condition it has ever been in. AND, proactiv states on their website that they do not test on animals, so I'm good to go. :-) The price is so worth it with this product, and when you think about it, it actually breaks down to like 20 bucks a month, which is not bad at all.

2. REVLON COLOR STAY FOUNDATION

For many sad years I didn't know that Revlon was a cruelty free company. Then, one fine day, I was informed of this, checked on it, and the heavens parted :-) I love Revlon. They have quality products for decent prices all around. This foundation is a great mainstay. It doesn't go on too heavy, doesn't clog my pores, and keeps my face fresh all day long. I also love their Color Stay pressed powder too.

3. REVLON COLOR STAY NAIL ENAMEL

Ahhhh... the perfect nail solution. I don't have a dishwasher, and I'm a little bit of a germaphobe, so my hands are in soapy water far more often than I would prefer. Most other nail colors, regardless of the amount of coats, are chipping within a few days. This 2-pack from Revlon is available in a bunch of great colors, and when used with the sealer shine stays PUT for me for at least 2 weeks. Seriously. This was a miracle find for me.


4. ALMAY MOISTURIZING EYE MAKEUP REMOVER LIQUID

I've playing the field with my makeup remover for a long time. I like to wear eyeliner and waterproof mascara every day, and shadow on many a day, and having spent a nice chunk of change getting laser eye surgery a few years back I have been on a quest to find the perfect remover that will take off everything easily enough to not have to stretch the delicate skin around my eyes with too much rubbing, but that is gentle enough to not irritate my eyes. I picked this up at the drug store about a month ago, and, just like that, my search has ended. Voila! Seriously, if you wear eye makeup at all, GET THIS PRODUCT. Your eyes will thank you. And Almay (which is owned by Revlon) has been cruelty free for a long time.

5. NIVEA VISAGE Q10 ADVANCED WRINKLE REDUCER EYE CREME

This is such a great basic eye cream. It's totally reasonably priced (as opposed to what most eye creams cost!!) moisturizes like crazy, and has sunscreen in it. This is the only day eye cream I ever use anymore. I'm actually still looking for a good night eye cream, so if anyone has a good suggestion, shout it out! Really, everything Nivea makes moisturizer-wise is fantastic. There is a reason why they have been moisturizer staples for so long - they work extremely well! And Biersdorf, their parent company, is, of course, cruelty free.

6. BURT'S BEES LIP SHIMMER in "RHUBARB"

Burts Bees, an eco and animal friendly company, has these great lip shimmers I discovered last year. I have actually been about 50/50 on the colors I've purchased so far (do NOT get the frosty ones), but the shade called "Rhubarb" is THE perfect pink flush that looks natural, but not too pink. AND they tingle on your lips with a healing feeling that is great! I go through this stuff like candy.

That is just a few staples to start with, but each one is well worth your time and effort, take it from me.