What’s In My Cosmetic Drawers? Should I Call It A Cosmetic Graveyard?
OK, I can’t believe I’m showing you all of this mess. That is one embarrassing photo! My cosmetics drawer is big and deep and there’s stuff I haven’t seen in years, no kidding! I wanted to see what I’ve used in the past compared to now, a good time to really purge and get organized. If it isn’t cruelty-free it’s gone.
One thing I did realize is that I’m a packrat and not only is some of this stuff NOT cruelty-free, but it’s also plain old and gross and has gotta go! Yes, I do in fact have a cosmetic graveyard.
Once I started my cruelty-free journey, it wasn’t as easy as replacing everything I used right then and there. I had to stay budget conscience, and I began very gradually. I’m happy to say the products I use now are all cruelty-free and I’ve got my family on board with my quest as well. A small victory but it’s a victory, and I’ll take it.
Alrighty, with all of that said, here we go folks, the good, bad and the ugly of my cosmetic graveyard, I mean drawer.
The cosmetic bags
It’s ridiculous how I’ve been storing my products. Whether it’s in really old bags that I don’t use or floating around in the bottom of my drawer something has to change. It has to be easy, it has to be manageable. I don’t want cute mini shelves to carefully put things back where they came from, that just won’t work for me. There has to be ease of use where I don’t have to dig around or empty my stuff out onto the counter to find what I want. I really I’d like something I can use at home and travel without any fuss or muss. I went hunting and I found this style of the bag I need.
This is a 2 pack with travel bottles as well! Reviews are all 5*, an example…
5.0 out of 5 stars holds a LOT, seems durableByMom of Two Girls on March 14, 2018Very satisfied! Quick delivery, great product, lays flat…holds a LOT more than expected. Large size—multiple foundations, compacts, lotion, lash curler, tunes of lipstick, and so much more!
.
About the product
A Pat on the back for me
I’m happy and relieved to say that I do not have any skin care products that are animal tested. Rodan and Fields are my
This may go to my head
I’m feeling pretty smug right now because all my oils are indeed cruelty-free. You and Oil Acai, Fig and Marula Oil as well as
Just when i was feeling pretty darn smug
NOT cruelty-free! Neutrogena’s parent company is Johnson and Johnson, and they sell in mainland China which means it’s involved indirectly in animal testing. I now use eye makeup that comes off when I wash my face, so I don’t use eye makeup remover anymore. It’s also pretty clear that I haven’t used the cloths in a coon’s age because they are dry as a bone! The verdict = gone to the garbage, and if I need makeup remover, there are a ton of cruelty-free options. Fig and Flower have a ton of makeup remover wipes and Gabriel has a liquid eye makeup remover that looks really nice!
I was a very Sad Panda
Here’s where I went from really sad to happy. Let’s start with my sad news, Jo Malone. Although the company states,
“We do not conduct animal testing on our products or ingredients, nor ask others to test on our behalf, except when required by law.”
Here’s the deal with that statement. Jo Malone has many boutique locations across Mainland China which means they are aware that animal testing is occurring as per China’s current laws. Add to that; Estee Lauder a purchased Jo Malone, Estee Lauder still tests on animals. I guess that one is going from the back of my drawer to my wastebasket grave, sigh.
Now my happy…..DefineMe Fragrance. I love their choice of scents, the packaging, the customer service. I’ve blogged about this company because I’m a convert. I’ve recently affiliated with another scent company called Skylar that has personal fragrances that sound amazing as well as scented candles. The sample pack of candles will be in my next order of things to try I think!
Yes, I have a lot
Since this was second to skin care in my search for cruelty-free products I’m happy to say that ALL of it in my drawer is cruelty-free. Why do I have so many mascaras you ask? Well, I wanted to gradually try different brands to see if any of them stand out heads and tails above the rest.
The Cherry Blooms system is very cool and works like crazy, but I’ll warn you it’s pricey.
PUR Cosmetics mascara goes on well and washes off easily.
Physicians Formula has many formulations for you to look over. I’ve only tried the one in the photo, and it was a pleasant, simple mascara but, one to try would be the instant lash booster system because it’s much more reasonably priced than Cherry Blooms.
Uniful from Love Goodly I just received so honestly, I can’t tell you much yet.
So far my
Batting 500
I’m 50/50 here. The two Nuskin liners are NOT cruelty-free because they sell in Mainland China. My Nuskin eye-liners have gone bye-bye.
Sonia Kashuk liners I’ve been buying forever so when I first started out on this journey I was genuinely happy that they are in fact cruelty-free! You can see from the photo my Olive is down to a nub and I need to order more!
Antonym is a brand new liner for me; it came in my recent Love Goodly box. So far so good, it glides on effortlessly and smooth and has an excellent sharpener on the other end of the stick. It sharpens to a sharp point which is a bonus and not always the easiest result to get with soft liners.
Bye Bye old friends
Well, I’m happy to say I have more cruelty-free than not.
Here I go again with Nuskin (see eyeliner). I have lip plumper and pink lipstick. Gone, bye bye.
The old lip plumper is to be replaced by a new order of Winky Lux Pucker Up Lip Plumper in Pink Lemonade. I’ve also run out of Flower Balm, so that’s on order too, I love that it colors to your pH to give you a personalized pink! Shown here in my collection is their Lip Velour Matte Lipstick which packs a massive punch of color!
Pacifica Devocean Natural lipstick is new to me and also came in a Love Goodly box. I love the neutral pink and creamy feel, it’s a keeper!
Don’t Judge me
If you look closely you’ll see that a couple of these have been in the bottom of my drawer for quite some time. Good thing because neither pass my criteria and have been thrown away.
Maybelline is a no go for cruelty-free. They sell in Mainland China, and it’s parent company L’Oreal has a history of animal testing. Nothing more needs to be said except that thing is in rough shape and I should be embarrassed haha.
Chanel, this one is as old as dirt too, I’m talking YEARS old plus it is NOT cruelty-free, so I’m deep-sixing that one as well.
Smashbox is a bit of a puzzle. It’s listed as cruelty-free by PETA and doesn’t sell in China, but it’s owned by parent company Estee Lauder which does have a record of animal testing and selling in China. Hmmmmm. Upon looking at the fine print, it’s made in China, hmmm. So who to believe is what I want to know. PETA usually stands pretty firm on this, but it seems that they are stepping off their path. I think I’ll have to classify this one as NOT cruelty-free just because there are too many factors leading me there. Bye-bye.
That leads me to the two I’ll keep, both of which arrived in Love Goodly subscription boxes, Antonym Baked Blush, I ordered Peach, and it is a beautiful
Yes, now I’m embarrassed enough!
Are you embarrassed for me yet? These are awful, and these are insanely old! Cruelty-free or not they’ve got to go because it’s just plain gross!
Maybelline is the purple set. It’s at the bottom of my drawer without a lid, and it took me a while to figure out who made it. I got out the magnifying glass to see that it is, in fact, a Maybelline product. We’ve already been over why they aren’t cruelty-free, and it’s gone.
The other set is called Teye Minerals made by a local spa called Oasis Wellness. Try as I might I can’t find any information on whether they have cruelty-free practices. Since this set is so bloody old, I’m not bothering to contact them directly to find out because health wise it just needs to go. There are way too many beautiful products out there to choose from to mess around with this! However, if anyone is wondering, I’d be happy to contact them directly to find out their animal testing policy, just say the word.
Not sure what to do
I’ve had this for a while, yes, but it’s still in good shape. I have a problem though; I don’t know if it can be honestly classified as cruelty-free anymore. IT Cosmetics is PETA certified BUT, in 2018 the company sold to L’Oreal for $1.2 Billion. IT doesn’t in anyway participate in testing, but their parent company does. PETA is confusing me yet again because that’s the kiss of death for some companies, but not others. What to do, what to do?
I’m going to err on the side of caution and look into Cover Fx, 100% Pure, or Afterglow to help find my perfect shade. My beloved IT will just have to go.
Going Non-Toxic
My
Nail and Bone again came from Love Goodly. Seriously, what would I do without these boxes? They let me try so many things on a budget! Anyway, these were custom made for Love Goodly in collaboration with Kaley Cuoco. The price point is better than butterLondon but my daughter and I both agree it’s a different consistency. Nail and Bone polishes are also 8 free!
Sally Hansen and Essie are popular brands at your local pharmacy or drug/cosmetics store but they
Sydney
Recent Comments