Review: Medusa's Make-up

Autumn is officially here (although it is more like winter for some) and I have been turning to warmer, nude shades in my makeup case.  But let's face it, we all have our basic browns and so I am always on the lookout for "new nudes" - the warmth and simplicity you love from nude shades, but in updated colors.  Luckily, I just so happened to purchase some "new nudes" from Medusa's Make-up.

Medusa's Make-up has a romantic history.  A husband and wife team opened a boutique back in the 90's and created signature cosmetics for their shop.  In 2005, the duo launched their full makeup line.  Their products are all cruelty-free and many options are vegan, and they offer a little bit of everything: glitter, lipstick, skincare, etc. 

I was initially drawn to the Safari Eyeshadow set: 12 pressed shadows in coordinating shades for just $35.  I also ordered a lipstick at $12, and a vegan eye makeup remover, 4 ounces for $8.  First up, the eyes.

The above swatches are done on bare skin without primer or lotion underneath.  The colors from top to bottom:  Jungle Fever, Black Gold, Tarzan, Desert Rose, Headhunter, Maneater, Liger, Xtinct, Venom, Voodoo.  (Note: I am actually giving two of the shades, Amulet and Midnight Oil, as gifts so they are not pictured.)

The Pros:

These shades range from bright blue and green to rust, pink and brown.  As you can see from the swatches, however, all of the colors work beautifully together and they would be positively ideal on any skin tone.  I was amazed at how wearable these colors are.  All of the colors have a sheen to them but, again, very subtle.  I adore the sparkle without the glitter.  These are surely going to take the place of your daily colors.  The consistency is like butter and, though somewhat powdery, they are very easy to blend for subtle smokey eye looks.

The Cons:

Of all of the eyeshadows I have reviewed, Medusa's are the least pigmented.  You're going to end up with a soft wash of color versus extremely bright, solid colors.  The above look was done using an eyeshadow primer and a sponge applicator.  Sadly, all of Medusa's Make-up's eyeshadows contain talc, a filler I am not too keen on, and beeswax, so they are not vegan friendly - No worries, however, there's no animal testing!

  
Medusa's Make-up currently offers 8 shades of lipstick, all of which are vegan.  The above shade is Baroque, perhaps best described as a pale sangria shade: a mix of magenta and burgundy.  It is pictured in the look above and below. 

The Pros:

With a semi-matte finish, this smooth wearing lipstick feels more like a balm when applied.  It is fragrance-free and long wearing.  I wore this out to dinner and only needed a single touch up despite eating and drinking!  It also has a nice base color about it that just so happened to whiten my smile.  I really like the packaging, it's sleek but unique and just a touch vintage.  In addition, Medusa's has also added lip gloss to their lineup although I have not yet had the pleasure of trying it out. 

The Cons:

Again I find myself disappointed when inexpensive fillers find their way into otherwise awesome cosmetics - in this case, mineral oil.  Mineral oil is not a deal breaker, but it is worth noting.  

Afterthoughts:

I advise you to join Medusa Make-up on its various social media channels, as they announce sales and the like there.  You can also keep updated on new product releases and see photo swatches.

I rarely comment on the websites themselves as I'm far from a graphic designer; however, I find Medusa's website terribly confusing and difficult to navigate. For example, if you visit the "eyeshadow" page, you will find the Safari set priced at $59; however, if you visit the "deals" page, it's $35.  There are absolutely no swatches to be found either so you will be guessing, at best, on the way the colors really look when applied.  One bonus is that Medusa's offers free shipping with orders of $25 or more.  You can also give an e-gift certificate in any amount you choose so gifting is ridiculously easy. 

Review: My Pretty Zombie Cosmetics

Despite some recent dental woes, I am absolutely feeling the Fall season.  Pumpkin spice is everywhere from my candles to my kitchen, I've busted out the autumnal decor, and now as we near closer to my favorite holiday, Halloween, it seems only right that I review My Pretty Zombie cosmetics at this time.  Started in 2010, the self proclaimed underground cosmetics company has creativity to spare.  From their Butcher Shop Collection (ironic since some of the shades are vegan) to the WTF Collection, the unique colors and mantra of the brand are just plain fun.  MPZ cosmetics also offers blush in addition to their loose mineral eye shadows, and a wonderful little thing called Mr. Pickles Miraculous Beauty Dust.

Chances are you are wondering about the photo at top.  The five shadows I purchased came packaged in a black, Chinese food takeout style box with MPZ's signature "severed finger" attached with a pink ribbon.  Needless to say, I got quite a kick out of it.  

The photo above was taken in artificial light and, as they are mostly pastels, it's a bit difficult to capture their true beauty.  From top to bottom:  Tenderloin, Fatback, Celery and Bile, Law Firm Lamb Cake, and Rabid Weasel (I chose the You Pick 5 Eyeshadow Set for $20).  Tenderloin and Fatback are from the Butcher Shop Collection.  Tenderloin is a gorgeous shade of red wine with a purple/blue shift and Fatback is a surprisingly feminine, baby pink with an iridescent quality to it.  Celery and Bile is a mint green with a white gold shift, and Rabid Weasel is a matte gray with a blue undertone to it.  I must address Law Firm Lamb Cake separately for several reasons:  1 - I'm a lawyer and "law firm" has never, EVER made it into the cosmetics realm in this fashion.  2 - This is an extremely unique formula.  It's a mix of iridescent white/gray shadow with bits of iridescent glitter mixed in!  It requires a primer, preferably a glitter adhesive, but it's absolutely amazing on.  I fully intend to mix it into some lip gloss just for fun one of these days.  3 - It makes an excellent highlighter.  Just perfect.  It is my favorite of the lot.

Above is a quick eye look I did using Fatback all over, and Tenderloin in the crease.

The Pros:

If you're a gal that likes unique makeup that's just a touch on the dark side, MPZ is for you.  I just love how this brand doesn't take itself too seriously and has fun, exciting color options for every taste.  There are many ways to purchase eye shadows, too.  Although I can't see how you could resist buying multiple shades, you can purchase one single pot, a whole collection, or colors from the entire line.  The website clearly states what is safe for eyes and lips, and also which shades are vegan.  Have an adventurous cosmetics lover in your life?  MPZ offers gift cards, which is a perfect way to let a friend try this loveable line.  5 gram eyeshadow pots are $5 each, and I received 2 sample shadows and a sample of Mr. Pickles Miraculous Beauty Dust (finishing powder) - LOVE.

The Cons:

The website recently got a makeover and although it is easy to navigate, things seem to be in strange order... Prices are also confusing in that a collection of 4 or 5 shades may sell for $20, but choosing 3 shades runs about $15.  You'll want to check around to be sure you're getting the best deal, whatever route you're taking.  I'm a rather clumsy person and I prefer my loose shadows to come with a sifter for that very reason (fyi - sifters are the little plastic covers with the holes in them that's just under the lid of the eyeshadow pot).  There are no sifters with these shadows and so it requires a little extra caution when opening as there's nothing to hold the shadows in place once the lid is off. 

My Pretty Zombie is a little bit creepy and a lot pretty.  There's no need for a lot of fluff or fancy advertising here, just quality cosmetics... and fun.

Review: My Beauty Addiction Cosmetics

I have a tiny obsession with lipstick, stains, glosses, etc.  I find lip cosmetics a simple way to update your look in a flash.  In my never ending search for fun and fabulous lip colors, I am always pleased when I stumble upon cruelty-free brands that offer various formulas and tons of color options.  I was delighted to find 5-year-old handmade brand MBA Cosmetics.  With over 600 items to choose from including eye shadow, body products and, of course, lipsticks galore, I was sold.  Lip sticks and glazes range from $4.75 to $7.50 - how affordable!  Not to mention bundle specials (5 for $20 on Sugar Babies? Yes, please!).

As pictured above, I purchased the Whipped Soap Souffle in "Hello Sugar," Petite Lip Paint in "Burlesque," and Sugar Babies in "Breathless."  The "Passionfruit" loose shadow was a freebie sample.  The souffle is the consistency of room temperature butter, all creamy and smooth.  The first two ingredients, glycerin and almond oil, are incredibly moisturizing and leave skin feeling soft even without a separate moisturizer.  Delicious!  But onto the cosmetics...

The HD lip paints are described as being the most highly pigmented lipsticks of the bunch.  Velvety smooth and hydrating, they offer superb, opaque coverage with a semi-matte finish.  The photo above is "Burlesque" and was taken in natural light, no flash and no filtering or editing has been done.

The Pros:

This little tube is packed with pigment and feels wonderfully smooth on the lips - no dry out!  I got wonderful coverage from just one coat and didn't feel the need for a lip liner.  There are so many colors to choose from; novelty colors like brilliant green and banana yellow, and nudes and pinks galore.  There are also various forms of the lip paint.  You can purchase the same formula in a tube or in a pot for application with a brush.  Depending on what you choose, prices range from under $5 to $7.50.  For the price, this is a must have.

The Cons:

The main issue for this lipstick is staying power.  Because this is a very hydrating formula, you may not get the longest lasting wear without a lip primer.  If cutesy packaging is a must for you, this very functional brand may not initially catch your eye - however, it appears from some of the photos on the seller's site that the packaging may be getting an upgrade to sleeker black tubes.

The aptly named Sugar Babies apply like a gloss but deliver the pigmentation of a lipstick.  They smell like a sugary vanilla cupcake and offer a shiny, non-sticky finish.  The photo above is "Breathless" and was taken in natural light, no flash and no filtering or editing has been done.  Depending on how the light hits it, it's a dark, stormy gray/blue/purple.

The Pros:

They smell sweet enough to eat and come in an amazing selection of colors.  Given the reasonable price tag, I wanted to try a color I'd never consider otherwise.  This jojoba oil based gloss is not sticky, yet delivers lots of shine.  This formula mixes easily with other lip glosses to boot!  At just $4.75 I could easily see myself stocking up on many of the colors available.  The coverage is quite impressive for a gloss, though not quite what I'd consider a liquid lipstick.

The Cons:

Again, don't let the simple packaging fool you - unless simple packaging just isn't doable for your personal collection.  This particular color, "Breathless," does temporarily stain my lips, but can be wiped away easily with makeup remover or plain old cleanser and water. 

If color and value are important to you, look no further than MBA Cosmetics.  I am quite sure I'll be placing another order in the near future. 

FYI: 5 Common Animal By-Products You Didn't Know Were There

So, you're doing your part and checking your companies out to be sure you're buying cruelty-free products.  Hooray!  However, as you may have read (see my earlier post on cosmetics labeling issues) "cruelty-free" is not as all-inclusive as it seems.  Another concern plagues the cruelty-free beauty lover: hidden animal by-products.  Although listed in the ingredients, most of us don't know exactly what we're looking at.  We can't pronounce it, we've never heard of it, we don't know where it comes from - it seems quite daunting, then, to weed out what we don't want to put on our shopping lists.

This list is far from exhaustive, but should help get you familiar with common ingredients you may be staring down the next time you're reading your labels.  Oh, and speaking of labels, "naturally sourced" is another term you should become familiar with.  As with many other phrases that lack any legally enforced definition, be advised that "naturally sourced" ingredients does not mean plant derived or plant based. 

Carmine

What it is:  In a nut-shell, ground up insect bodies.  Carmine creates a red coloring and is used as a dye.  To create carmine, insect bodies are ground up and boiled to extract the carminic acid and various further chemical processes create color variations.

How to spot it:  Look for ingredients that read "crimson lake," "cochineal," or "natural red 4."

How to avoid it:  Back in 2006, the FDA considered requiring products that contained carmine to call it just that: carmine.  They were also considering requiring manufacturers to list that the product was insect-based.  Needless to say, that did not go over well and the FDA ultimately bailed on the potential requirement.  However, if you see "cochineal extract" or "carmine" listed, consider this code for insect-based.

Shellac

What it is:  More bugs!  It is actually an excretion of the female laccifer lacer bug and comes in various colors.  It is used in cosmetics and hair products to provide shine, such as in hair spray or nail polish.  If you're concerned about the environmental impact, The Vegetarian Resource Group estimates that 300,000 lac bugs are killed in the production of just 2.2 pounds worth of lac resin. 

How to spot it:  Look for additive number "E904," "resinous glaze," and "confectioner's glaze" (in food).

How to avoid it:  The ingredient "Zein" is a corn based alternative to shellac.  If you find shiny products like lipsticks, glosses, etc., check to see if the product is vegan (no animal by-product use) or see if the shine is derived from another source, such as "Zein."

Lanolin

What it is:  The word "lanolin" is actually from the Latin word "lāna" which means "wool" - "oleum" means "oily birth."  Put that all together and you get an oily substance secreted by the oil glands of sheep.  Although sheep are not usually killed to obtain the product, improper shearing of sheep has been the cause of death, disfigurement, pain and trauma in these animals.

How to spot it:  Lanolin is often listed as is: lanolin or lanolin oil.  However, look for "lanosterols," "triterpene," "lanogene," or "laneth."

How to avoid it:  Any time you see "sterols" listed, be wary of lanolin.  If the ingredients state "plant sterols" it is a good indication that the oily substance is coming from plants.  Since lanolin is generally used as an emollient, look for plant based oils like coconut oil and olive oil instead.

Guanine

What it is:  Used to create a shimmery effect, guanine is extracted from fish scales and is most commonly found in nail polish.  It's also used in eye shadows and skin care creams and serums. 

How to spot it:  Guanine, like lanolin, is labeled as is.  You may also see "hypoxanthine" or "2-aminohypoxanthine."

How to avoid it:  "Mica" is a common mineral used to create that glittery effect we all know and love.  "Bismuth" and "sericite" are other alternatives to look for when you see something shiny.  If you have a sensitivity to mica, seek out "titanium dioxide" or "zinc oxide" which are common substitutes.  Mica treated with "methicone" is another great way to avoid mica sensitivity AND guanine - win, win.

Apitoxin

What it is:  Ever been stung by a bee?  Then you have experienced the irritation and inflammation associated with apitoxin, or bee venom.  It is believed that apitoxin increases blood flow and creates a plumping effect, so it is used in various skin care products and lip balms/glosses designed to plump lips/skin.  The biggest concern for cruelty-free beauty lovers is that, once a bee stings, it dies.  Recent findings suggest that bees are already in serious trouble as their numbers decline from pesticide usage and declining habitats. 

How to spot it:  If it is apitoxin you're looking to avoid, watch out for "melittin," "apamin," and "adolapin."

How to avoid it:  Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately, depending on how you look at it) the makers of "bee venom" cosmetics and products are proudly touting the ingredient.  Alternatives are easy to find, mostly herbs and spices that produce that tingly heat sensation: peppermint, cinnamon and menthol are all readily available.

Tutorial: Peach and Gold Look

Saying goodbye to Spring can be difficult - heat and humidity are up, cool, crisp evenings are down.  What to do with all of those pretty pastels you stocked up on for Spring?  Try this makeup look in peach and gold that is perfect for a daytime look.  This quick tutorial is just 5 steps, so it's a great time saver!  Give it a try today!  I'd love to see your finished looks, so please send photos to me to be featured on the blog: BenevolentBeautyBlog@gmail.com

Enjoy!

Tutorial: Neutral to Night Out

You already know how versatile makeup is.  You can easily go from a soft daytime look to something more dramatic for an evening out.  We all want to amp it up a bit for a night out on the town, but have you tried neutrals at night?  Neutral... The word doesn't exactly stir visions of sexy smoky eyes, but try this look out for yourself and you may just be pleasantly surprised. 

Step 1: Foundation 

Any good look begins with a good foundation.  I have seen my fair share of fashion magazines trying to convince women that "a dab" of concealer is all you need - false.  The reality is even supermodels wear a full face of foundation, or enjoy the glories of Photoshop.  Your skin produces oil naturally, and environmental factors can dry out your skin; all of this can be controlled by foundation.  Foundation suggestions?  LORAC Cococin' Cream Foundation, Bare Minerals Original Foundation, or The Body Shop's Oil-Free SPF 15 Foundation  

Step 2: Base Shadow

Once your foundation is set, select your eye shadow palette.  Since your eyes are the focal point of your face and, therefore, your makeup, starting there helps you build the total look.  Prime eyes with your favorite, pre-shadow primer.  My current favorite? NYX HD Eye Shadow Base (did I mention it is under $10? Bonus!).  

Select a shimmery neutral shade, something to add light to your eye without heavy glitter.  I'm loving Pacifica's Duo 1:

Swipe the lighter shade from the inner corner of your eye all the way along the brow bone, blending with a soft brush toward the outer corner.  Next, apply the darker shade across your eyelid.

Step 3: Eye Shadow

Any shade from copper to dark chocolate is in the "neutrals" family and can be a part of your nighttime look.  I chose two shades from Urban Decay's Mariposa Palette: Rockstar, a purple-based dark brown, and Gunmetal (don't forget to go to your Naked palettes for other choice shades).

Follow the crease of your eye - the space between your eyelid and your brow bone.  Blend Gunmetal along the crease of your eye and follow up with Rockstar around the outer 1/4 of your eye lid.  Remember to use a fluffy shadow blush to blend everything together.

Remember the shimmery neutrals you started with?  They'll help to make blending easier and give the entire look a glow.  Tip:  Note how I've applied the darker shade at an angle starting from the outer corner of my eye and angling up toward the end of my eyebrow.  This helps to give your eye a naturally lifted look.

Step 4: Liner, Mascara, Brows

No look can be complete without a swipe of eyeliner and mascara.  Urban Decay's 24-7 eye pencils are soft and smudge-able, making it more difficult to mess up a smoky eye liner.  Simply drag the pencil along your upper lid, staying close to your lashes.  Use your fingertip or an eyeshadow sponge to gently smudge the liner.  Next, add your favorite mascara.  Start at the root of your eyelashes and wiggle the brush upward to the tip of lashes. Don't forget to comb your brows and set them with a brow gel (colored or clear depending upon your preference).

 

Step 5: Bronzer

A woman who loves her makeup cannot live without a matte bronzer.  These beautiful creatures add color and are perfect for contouring.  Too much shimmer in a bronzer can draw attention to enlarged pores and fine lines whereas a matte bronzer draws attention to your cheekbones.  I'm loving Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer.  Suck in your cheeks and find the angle of your cheekbones.  Brush your matte bronzer along this angle, which is below the apple of your cheeks (the apple is that wonderful, pinch-able part of your cheek that is front and center when you smile).  Blend upward toward your hairline.

Step 6: Lips

Apply a neutral gloss or shimmery lipstick in a neutral shade.  I used Impulse Cosmetics (see my review on these lipsticks) Opaque Matte Lipstick in Ever After.  Voila!  Your look is complete!

All of the angles you added will give you a quick face lift and add subtle sheen that won't age you.  You can experiment with the shades you already used and lighten your hand for daytime.  Now, bust out your favorite neutrals and get your night started.

Review: Impulse Cosmetics Lipsticks

The moment I saw bold, bright, matte lip colors come strutting down the runways early this spring, I was sold.  From neon hues to pretty pastels, there were colors galore and colors to suit everyone.  I suddenly wanted to try every possible shade, but found many mainstream brands just hadn't caught my rainbow fever and were playing it safe with bright pinks and peaches.  Enter the wonderful world of "Cult Cosmetics" - the relatively unknown but much loved cosmetics lines available for sale online.

One of the first "Culties" (read: my word for internet cosmetics brands you need to know but haven't met yet) I came across in my search was Impulse Cosmetics. Based in Pennsylvania, PA, Impulse Cosmetics offers a range of products from matte and metallic lipsticks to eye shadows and glitters.  The Impulse Cosmetics shop on Etsy boasts almost 4,000, 5-star reviews and over 16,000 happy admirers.  Of their 30+ lipstick shades, I purchased 6; 2 from their metallic finish, Metaluxe line, and the other 4 from their Opaque Matte Finish line.   

The Colors:

Note that all photographs are not Photoshopped or filtered so as not to alter the colors shown.  In addition, all photographs were taken using natural light at the same time, in the same place, to give you the truest possible depiction of the shades.

The Pros:

These vegan lipsticks, whether metallic or matte, apply smoothly right from the tube with minimal drag.  They don't feel excessively dry, and they boast a long wear time - "TEXAS TEA" lasted me an entire dinner without reapplication.  These babies pack major pigment so brights are very bright and pastels are very pastel.  BIG color payoff!  Another plus?  At under $7 a tube, you can afford to try several shades without breaking the bank.

The Cons:

As with any matte lipsticks, dryness and peeling can be an issue.  This is actually one of the least drying formulas I've tried, however.  If you're a girl who loves fancy, girly packaging to your beauty products, you will be disappointed with the very basic, very homemade plastic tubes these lipsticks come in.  

Application Tips:

At first these super-pigmented shades can seem a bit daunting as they are opaque and don't have the shiny, glossy quality you may be familiar with in lipsticks.  For the best, most even application, exfoliate your lips prior to application (I use a warm, wet washcloth and simply rub in a circular motion until dry skin is removed).  If you have a lip primer you love, use it.  Have trouble with lipsticks that bleed or settle into fine lines around your mouth?  A clear lip liner, or lip liner in a similar shade, would work wonders with these lipsticks.  Unfortunately, Impulse Cosmetics does not offer lip liners in corresponding shades at this time.  

The Bottom-line:

I have had a lot of fun with these colors and at such a reasonable price, I can play with runway-worthy color.  Impulse Cosmetics ships in safe, durable packaging and all orders come with tracking information.  Although Impulse Cosmetics seems to be swamped with orders at this time, the 4 to 7 day turn around time is reasonable in light of all this seller offers: high quality, highly pigmented, cruelty-free cosmetics in a wide range of colors and finishes.  Trust me, you'll be glad to add Impulse Cosmetics to your beauty routine.

Impulse Cosmetics can be found at: Impulse Co on Etsy.