Review: Beauty Bar Baby

No parabens, sulfates, talc, preservatives, fragrances, dyes or fillers.  Almost 400 items to choose from.  Various sizes and prices on products with 5 gram shadow pots as low as $3... I could go on and on and all of these rave reviews are about one shop offering cruelty-free and vegan makeup: Beauty Bar Baby.  I was in awe over the variety and, of course, purchased plenty for sampling.  I've split the review into two parts, eyes and lips.  I have so many lovely photos to share, let's get to it!

The Eyes:

BBB offers an overwhelming range of shades and formulas from duo chromes to glitters to matte finish eye shadows. Below are some swatches for your viewing pleasure:

From left to right, $3 each for 5 gram pots: 'Lectric Pink (glitter) over Sephora's glitter primer, Enchantress (matte) on bare skin, Santa's Suit (duo chrome) on bare skin, and That's Really Bananas! (duo chrome) on bare skin. 

The glitter, like other formulas, does not adhere to skin without some type of primer or adhesive.  Beauty Bar Baby's is a bit different, however.  It appears to be a glitter/pigment hybrid so you're getting an extra bump in color with the glitz of your traditional glitter. 

The above is an eye look utilizing the 'Lectric Pink glitter.  It is far more sparkly in person; it's tough to capture glitter in a photograph.

Enchantress is a lovely, gray based lilac.  Santa's Suit is my favorite of the bunch, a red/gold/green shift with more sparkle then most duo chromes I've come across in the market.  That's Really Banana's is a true yellow to iridescent shift that is surprisingly wearable.  I used it in the look below:

The Lips:

Under the luscious lips category, BBB offers more formulas than colors, and that's just fine by me.  I had to have a lip balm in Pumpkin Spice ($2.75); it's smooth and silky and the fragrance is the finest I have come across in handmade lip balms.  Below are swatches of the lipstick and Lip Potions I got my hands on:

From top to bottom ($6 each): Unicorn Kisses lipstick in Princess Candace, Lip Potion in Stroke of Midnight, and Lip Potion in Ritualistic.  Below are some swatches on the lips for another look at these goodies:

A look using Princess Candace semi-matte lipstick.  This stuff is like butter!  It is smooth and opaque and is the consistency of melted lipstick in a tube.  It is best applied with a brush even though packaged in a lip balm tube.  If you want opaque coverage that is mostly a matte finish without all the dryness, this is the formula for you. 

Above is Stroke of Midnight.  It is packaged in a 5 gram pot and requires a brush to apply it.  It is a very thick, very pigmented gloss texture that can work as a sheer wash of color, or become opaque with a heavier application.  It's a glossy finish, as well.  Same applies for Ritualistic, below:

The Pros:

Everything was priced below $10, and at just $3 for eye shadow pots, you can afford some fun, fashion forward colors you may otherwise pass up if you're on a budget.  The eye shadows - particularly the duo chromes - have more sparkle to them then I am accustom to and I love them.  They are absolutely beautiful and I have found no sparkle to compare as yet.  Princess Candace, from the Unicorn Kisses collection, feels amazing on and that is rare for matte finish lipsticks.  I am terribly impressed with the Lip Potions too, as you can wear them in many different ways.  I swatched them heavily in the photos, but they can be used as a light gloss, or added to a lip balm, the possibilities are endless.  

The Cons:

If you plan on achieving full coverage with the Lip Potions, you'll likely need a similarly colored base lipstick or it can look splotchy.  Without lip liner, the Lip Potions also tend to bleed.  It takes some doing, but they're wonderful and easy to use if you apply a sheer coat.  

Bonus Information:

Overall, I am very pleased with everything I purchased and, if you are reading this now (September 23, 2014) I urge you to rush on over to Beauty Bar Baby's shop because the seller is offering a limited edition Halloween collection!  It is available for pre-order now and is $23 and filled with tons of goodies.  Did I mention it is packaged in an adorable wooden coffin?  I know I'm excited about it!

FYI: Talcum Powder and Cancer

As you may know by now, I'm a lawyer by day and budding beauty blogger by night.  I was genuinely surprised when I realized the two seemingly unrelated activities intersect frequently - but rarely in a good way.  As a beauty blogger, I like to be aware of what sort of ingredients are in the cosmetics I purchase and review.  As a lawyer, I receive information on said ingredients when there's a problem with them.  Enter the talcum powder lawsuits.  Back in 2009, a study by Dr. Margaret Gates and the National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Health led to the first of many lawsuits regarding the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer.  These lawsuits are still ongoing nationwide.  So, what do you need to know about this common ingredient?  Here's the deal.

What is talc?

Talc is a mineral that absorbs moisture and protects skin from friction.  As you can see from the advertisement above, women have been using talc in the form of talcum powder for years.  However, talcum powder is mostly commonly referred to today as "baby powder."  Prior to the 1970's, naturally occurring talc, ground into powder form, contained asbestos.  Although asbestos is banned these days, in a 2013 lawsuit, it was alleged that studies showed that even asbestos-free talcum powder had the potential to cause ovarian cancer.

 

Where is talc?

Most dusting powders for adults or baby powders for infants contain talcum powder as the main (sometimes only) ingredient.  Talc is also a filler in certain eye shadows, face powders, foundations, blush and bronzers, etc.  You should check any powder based cosmetics ingredients list to see if talc is included.

 

Is talc really a threat?

The American Cancer Society summed up some of the research that has been going on in relation to the link between cancer and talcum powder.  So far the research has been focused on use of talcum powder in the genital area and the findings are mixed.  Some research suggested an increased risk to women of as much as 30%, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization, has declared asbestos-free talc to be "possibly carcinogenic" to humans.

How to avoid talc?

I'm no scientist and I don't intend to dictate whether or not people should avoid talcum powder entirely, but it is worth further research and consideration by we the consumers.  If, like me, you prefer to err on the side of caution, check the ingredients in any and all cosmetics you purchase.  If the ingredients aren't listed on the packaging, you may be able to find that information online on the manufacturer's website(s).  Just because a product is cruelty-free does not mean it is talc-free.  Luckily, due to the attention talc is getting these days, many makeup companies proudly declare if/when their products are talc-free.

At the end of the day it is up to the savvy consumer to do his or her homework before making a purchase.  The research on talc is still in its infancy but it is my personal belief that it is an unnecessary "filler" and there are many wonderful brands that don't use it.  Hopefully you find this information useful and it leads you to further research.

Review: Lime Crime

If you're a fan of indies, then you've likely heard of their darling: Lime Crime.  You've also probably read the good, the bad, and the ugly surrounding Lime Crime's founder, Doe Deere.  I, personally, am only concerned about makeup and sharing my opinion on the products.  So, let's just stick to that, shall we?  Lime Crime is a cruelty-free and vegan brand that most people know for their lip products.  However, they offer several palettes in the adorable tin packaging pictured above.  I chose Alchemy, a shimmery duo-chrome lineup that is perfect for building up a solid lineup of autumn colors.

Above I've swatched the Alchemy palette collection of pressed eye shadows.  Whenever I swatch, I use an ordinary eye shadow sponge and do one swipe across dry skin; no primer or lotion of any kind beneath.  I photograph the swatches in natural light (whenever possible) and don't filter the finished photo.  The colors from top to bottom:  Divination, Spellbound, Love Potion No9, Lucky Charm, and Incantation.

My two favorites, Divination, a brilliant, blue-based teal, and Love Potion No9, a dreamy lavender, are peacock-feather perfection, while the curious but wearable additions of Lucky Charm, a grass green shimmer, and Incantation, the color of a pumpkin spice latte or a burnt bronze/orange shift, remind me of an autumnal pumpkin patch.  Spellbound is a classic, blendable highlighter that works wonders in tying all of these shades together. 

A look I did utilizing ALL of the colors from the Alchemy palette.  I am also wearing Lime Crime's opaque lipstick in Coquette.  

A close up look at the above; I used Spellbound along my brow bone, with Love Potion No9 in the crease.  Lucky Charm is the true green on my lid with Incantation along my upper lashes.  The lower liner is Divination.

The Pros:

I love a palette that combines unusual colors one wouldn't normally include in the same collection.  As my makeup collection grows, I find myself seeking out the unique.  This is definitely it.  I didn't really have colors like these in my makeup bag.  The colors are vibrant but the formula is soft enough that it blends well.  You can layer this stuff on there for extremely vivid looks, or, like I did, blend it out for a wash of color.  I was pleased that the pressed cakes didn't turn to loose powder fall-out immediately upon use, as some tend to do.  The packaging is adorable and functional; it's just large enough to house the shadows without wasting space in my ever shrinking makeup case.

The Cons:

Pressed eye shadow palettes are never as budget-friendly as their loose shadow counterparts.  Ringing in at $35 the palette is still less expensive than major store brands, but may be too pricey for budget babes.  Unfortunately, it appears that once these palettes sell out, they won't be restocked.  I've yet to see a sale or promotional codes for Lime Crime, something I always hail indie brands for, but that is not to say they do not have them - just nothing I've come across.  

I'm having tons of fun with this palette, and it seems like that is the goal behind Lime Crime.  Regardless of their "politics" (for lack of a better term) the eye shadows are bold, bright and a great addition to any makeup collection.

Review: CDB Lacquer

As a follow up to my introduction to indie polishes, I figured I'd review one of the first brands I purchased.  I happened upon CDB Lacquer when a follower on Instagram recommended it - and, of course, posted pictures of the fabulous colors.  5-free, handmade lacquers in tons of colors and glitters - if you're a fan of glitter in various shapes, textures, colors and finishes, you'll be thrilled with CDB Lacquer - I was excited.  

CDB Lacquer offers three sizes of nail polish bottles to choose from: petite, mini, and full size.  If there is a color you're lusting after but aren't quite sure it suits you, the petite bottles are ideal for sampling at a reasonable price.  The full size polish is 13 ML (the same amount as an Essie polish) and is pictured at top; however, CDB Lacquer has recently upgraded its bottles to a square shape with flat brushes for easier application.  

Pictured above is "Radiant" from the "Vivid Vixens" collection.  Gnarled cuticles aside, it's a yellow/gold shifting polish with a faint glitter sheen to it.  I purchased this in the mini size just to try out.  I used two coats of the polish with a clear top coat.  It applied buttery smooth and was not thick or lumpy in any way.  

Pictured above and at top is "Nothing is Impossible," a very pale white/blue crelly with turquoise and black glitter with larger iridescent/silver, circular glitter.  I was impressed with how smooth all of those various glitters laid once the polish dried!  I have tried some glitter polishes from mainstream brands (e.g. OPI, Essie, Sally Hansen...) and had issues with the glitter raising up or peeling - not the case with CDB Lacquer.  After a clear top coat was applied, my nails felt almost completely smooth to the touch.

The Pros:

CDB offers a reasonably priced lineup of very creative nail polishes.  Most full sized polishes are around $8 each.  They have sales pretty routinely and free shipping options all the time so you're sure to get a great deal.  The polishes are 5-free (see my previous post on what that means for you and your health) and have very little odor to them (you know, that "nail polish smell"). The glitter in these polishes didn't settle at the bottom, so there was no fishing to be done upon application.

The Cons:

If you prefer to shop for your nail polish in store or simply don't do any shopping online, you won't be able to get your pretty little hands on CDB Lacquer.  Shipping may be limited or unavailable depending on what country you're in.

Overall, I was impressed with the quality of these polishes.  They last for a good two weeks without chipping.  If you want to dip your toes into the indie nail polish waters - literally and figuratively - the many options at CDB Lacquer will make it a very pleasant experience.

FYI: Indie Nail Polish Decoded!

It bears repeating: I love indie brands.  What is an indie brand?  Quite simply an independent brand most people associate with small businesses.  It may be a one-person shop or a rather large sized operation, but they all offer unique and fun products that you won't find at your local drug store or supermarket.  Indie nail polish is a vast market where creativity knows no bounds and there is glitter galore in colors and shapes you never knew existed.  But sometimes it seems like those indie polish gals are speaking a totally different language.  So, what's it all about and what are you getting into?  Here are a few "translations" that may help you as you begin, or expand, your journey.

Common Terminology:

Jelly - This is a description of the consistency of the nail polish.  A jelly polish is, well, like jelly you spread on toast!  It is glassy and generally somewhat sheer; it takes several coats to get opaque coverage.  It is a great vehicle for floating tons of creatively shaped glitter.
 

Crelly - Pictured above, a combination of the terms "cream" and "jelly" = "crelly." It relates to the consistency of the polish.  Like a jelly polish, it is not entirely opaque and, in addition, is creamy or cloudy.  Crelly polishes can be glossy or matte but are all milky.

Holo - Short for "holographic," these polishes shimmer and shine like no other.  No thick or chunky glitters here, it's more of an overall sheen that shifts color in varying lighting.

Undies - Just a cute way of referring to a base coat (you know, the clear polish you may or may not put down first before your color of choice).

3-Free - There are potentially harmful chemicals in nail polish, a topic of debate that recently caused even big name brands to change their formulas.  3-free nail polish is formulated without Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde, and toluene. 

5-Free - Taking it a step further, 5-free nail polish nixes all the above, but also excludes camphor and formaldehyde resin.  Many 5-free polishes boast vegan and even pregnancy-safe formulas (be sure to check all labeling to be sure as these are not requirements, just nice bonuses).

Why Indie Nail Polish:

There are so many benefits to most any indie brands.  You're supporting small businesses and most all indie companies offer cruelty-free nail polish; many are vegan.  Because these small companies are all about the creativity of the maker, there are countless colors and styles of polish that are completely unique; everyone will be asking, "where did you get that nail polish?" These guys don't have the overhead of major brands either, so sales are abundant.  If a new collection is coming out or the maker wants to clear out some discontinued shades, you can save more than 50% off regular prices, which are already lower than store brands.  Ever wanted to design your very own nail polish?  Indie brands will often do custom orders!  That's right, you tell them exactly what you are looking for and they will design a nail polish for you.  Imagine what great gifts custom polishes would make, the possibilities are endless.

Where to Start:

If I've talked you into giving indie nail polish a shot, here are a few brands you must try!

Candied Apple Polish - 5-free polishes and tons of crellys!  This shop is particularly fun because the owner/maker of the polishes offers "Mystery Apples" - a surprise color you get to see when it gets to your mailbox.    

Rain City Lacquer - 3-free polishes for the pastel lover in you.  They ship internationally.

ella + mila - 5-free polishes in a wide range of shades if you're not big on glitter. There is a color for everyone here from brights to neutrals and they offer a "mommy and me" line with coordinating mother/daughter polishes.  Great for gifting.

CDB Lacquer - This is one of those shops that will do custom colors.  They offer polishes in three different sized bottles so you can choose just to sample, or go all out with a full size product. Some formulas are 3-free, others are 5-free.

drip drop nail paint - Often found teaming up with Candied Apple Polish for their popular duo collections, these 3-free polishes ship to the U.S. and Canada.  Drip drop also offers "prototype grab bags" where you can try a mystery assortment of one-of-a-kind polishes.

Review: Pleasant Earth Soap Company

Obviously, I am a huge fan of cosmetics.  Beauty products and I have shared a love affair for many years and I love introducing people to cruelty-free brands they can add to their collections.  I find it particularly enjoyable when the products happen to be made in my own backyard.  In doing my part to support local businesses, I often peruse the farmer's market and on a recent trip, I stumbled upon a wonderful little brand called Pleasant Earth Soap Company. 

Made right here in Central Florida, Pleasant Earth Soap Company offers various bar soaps, masks and facial treatments - even a gentle shampoo bar for your furry friends.  Some of the particularly noteworthy products include their bug repellant, an all natural blend of essential oils without all of the chemicals found in store bought repellants, and their fragrance-free Raw Organic Shea Butter.  I also found their coconut milk soaps in various fragrances (and fragrance-free options) to be moisturizing and soothing to sensitive skin.

I'm a sucker for facial treatments and masks, so I simply could not pass up the Dead Sea Mud Mask (sorry, it doesn't appear to be on their website at this time but you could likely contact the sellers to purchase it.)  It's thick, creamy, and free of any fragrances.  In about 10 minutes, it dries to a matte gray finish and rinses easily away. 

The Pros:

This brand is skin-loving and targeted to sensitive skin.  Most of the products offered either help with skin issues, such as eczema and psoriasis, or are free or fragrances and dyes that could irritate skin.  The Dead Sea Mask relaxes facial muscles instantly; I noticed an immediate softening of fine lines.  A bonus?  The mud naturally has some grit to it so by adding water to your palms and massaging skin while washing the mask off, you get a gentle exfoliation treatment to boot!  All of the bar soaps offered are under $5 and are 4 - 5 ounce cuts - you can afford to try different items without going broke.  Last but not least, PES Company uses earth friendly packaging options.

The Cons:

The Pleasant Earth Soap Company's website is a bit sparse where available inventory is concerned.  You may look into contacting the seller directly to find out what other products are available (for example, the dog shampoo bar I purchased at the farmer's market shop). 

If you're looking for a local, small business that supports local farmers, you will love Pleasant Earth Soap Company's soothing, mild bath offerings.

Review: Concrete Minerals

Lately I have been falling in love with loose eye shadow.  Although I find it more difficult to work with, the range of colors and formulas seems endless: a makeup lover's dream!  It allows for truly creative looks.  Couple all of that with skin-loving ingredients and you've got Concrete Minerals.  Founded in 2009, Concrete Minerals boasts a generous line of 56+ eye shadows, both matte and shimmer, and 14 lip tints.  CM is also 100% vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, and made with pure pigments and ingredients without fillers.  

 

The above photo was shot without a flash but under artificial (indoor) lighting.  The swatches were done on dry skin without any primer or moisturizer.  The photo has not been retouched or edited/filtered in an attempt to capture the true colors.  Colors from top to bottom:  Deviant, Storm, Sweet Catrina, Brat, Blood and Guts, Black Metal

The top two colors (Deviant and Storm) were free samples included with my order of the other four, full-size shades.  Each pot contains approximately 1.5 grams of product.  Deviant and Storm are wonderfully wearable gray tones; Deviant has a shimmer while Storm is a lighter gray matte.  Sweet Catrina, the most flattering shade, is a gorgeous pink champagne color with hints of silver shimmer.  It is wonderful for blending or highlighting.  Brat is a must have for girls who love all things pink and girly: the perfect shade of shimmering magenta!  Blood and Guts is a curious shade of rusty brown with a very faint green shift/shimmer, definitely a conversation starter.  Finally, Black Metal is most accurately named.  It's a deep, dark black with a silver/gun metal shimmer that is ideal as a liner or for a sultry smoky eye. 

The above photo was taken in artificial (indoor) light, but hasn't been edited/filtered.  I used Brat, blending well, which proves that even a vibrant shade can be totally wearable for day or night.  I smudged Deviant along my lashes as a liner.

The above photo was taken in artificial (indoor) light, but hasn't been edited/filtered.  For a base shadow along the lid I used Sweet Catrina.  I used Storm for the crease and then topped it with Blood and Guts across the brow bone.  By dipping an eye liner brush in water or primer, Black Metal makes a gorgeous liner!

The Pros:

First off, these shadows are a steal for the price, just $7 per full-size pot.  Considering there is no talc or fillers, you're getting true, honest-to-goodness mineral shadows that even sensitive skinned beauties can use.  There are also various promos and coupon codes ongoing that make for an even better value.  If you want to discover a "just right" amount of shimmer, Concrete Minerals is it.  Even the brightest colors are completely flattering and shine in a "grown-up" way.  These shadows are versatile: use them dry as usual, or wet as a liner or for a more vivid look.  Lastly, the packaging is fun!  Their collectible tins will surely appeal to the consumer that craves cute and sexy on the outside.

The Cons:

To be fair, I always try to look at the ups and downs of products; however, it's difficult to complain about such a quality line.  As with any loose shadow, it can be difficult if you're used to pressed eye shadow - there's fall out during application and storage can be an issue.  With a little practice and a big plastic bin to store it all in, you'll easily avoid those minor concerns.

Overall, Concrete Minerals offers a fun and flattering line of products that are perfect for us health conscious consumers that want the total package.