Guiltless Goodies: SELF's seasonal sparkly suggestions

Hi all:

SELF Magazine's December issue featured all that sparkles in both clothing and make-up. I previously posted on the clothing, but here is the make-up feature - thankfully, the majority of products featured in this editorial are cruelty-free, so there is a fantastic range of sparkly, glittery cosmetics here for both body and face! For full feature, click here.

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

BODY
AVON Spotlight Moisturizing Shimmer Gel, $10

This gel is a clear winner, with see-through sparkle and a delicate floral scent.

NYX Cosmetics Glitter Gel, $4

Feeling festive? Gild yourself with NYX's glitter gel. Smooth one pump into palms, then spread evenly over your arms, legs and neck.

Soap & Glory Glow Lotion, $10

Brighten pale skin with rose-coloured body highlighter Soap & Glory Glow Lotion. Spray on right after moisturizing; rub in a circular motion to blend.

Victoria's Secret Garden Holiday Shimmering Powder Puff in Sparkling Sugared Pear, $8

Gold-flecked shimmering powder imparts a heavenly halo effect and aroma.

HAIR

Organix Smoothing Shea Butter Liquid Glass Serum, $7

Go from lacklustre to glossy in an instant with the silk protein and avocado oil in Organix's serum.

Ultra-thin gold Revlon headband, $6 (comes in a 2-pack with a silver band as well)

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Prettify any style by adding a bit of bling.

MAKE-UP

Revlon DoubleTwist Mascara, $9

Chose a volumizing formula with a wide wand such as this mascara to cover every lash - from inner to outer corners- with a single swipe. (You'll use less, so it's economical, too). Comb out clumps, then cover lower lashes with clear mascara to avoid raccoon eyes.

Sephora Glitter Pot in Silver, $8

Swipe a wet eyeliner brush into the ultra-fine glitter pot. Brush across lids to achieve eye-catching allure.

Mark Mini Mark It Stick for Eyes eyeliner and shadow in Gold Opal, $8

For golden, smoky eyes, line lids with this supersoft eyeliner and eyeshadow and lightly smudge.

Femme Couture Mineral Effects Baked Eye Colour in Pure Platinum, $7

Chemical-free Femme Couture eye shadow goes on sheer; layering creates an opaque effect.

Mehron Metallic Powder, $8

Accessorize eyes with silvery metallic powder.

Smudgeproof e.l.f. Liquid Eyeshadow in Sexy Silver, $1

This eyeshadow glides on easily while the noncreasing finish equals that of pricier brands.

Hard Candy Lash Tinsel Glitter Mascara in Gold Digger, $6

If sparkly shadow seems a bit much, dazzle them with a swipe of Hard Candy glitter mascara.

Guiltless Goodies: Guiltless gifts for the holiday season!

Hi all!

It's been a while since I last editorialized on the reasons I am doing this blog, so I thought I'd preface this post with a reminder about my motivations. Please bear with me, it's an important message that I will restrain from repeating too often but it is, I feel, worth a read as a reminder from time to time.

It is important to have a conscience. Especially in today's world, which is often corrupt and capitalist.

Companies like to make money; the bottom line is that they are entirely focused on their bottom line. Sadly, in order to meet their financial goals, many of them look for the cheap way out - not caring who or what they hurt in the process. There are all kinds of problems that have emerged because of this competitive attitude: sweat shops, fur farms and child labour are just a few. The cruelties of the leather and fur industries, the realities of poorly-regulated animal testing that still takes place in overcrowded laboratories - it is overwhelming and can make any consumer feel disturbed and powerless. However, if the companies' concern is their bottom line, that is something that everyone, as a consumer, can impact.

Major designers such as Max Azria (owner of the BCBG group) and Stella McCartney (whose line is vegan, meaning fur- and leather-free) have taken stances against the use of fur in the fashion industry. Brands such as Almay and Origins boast natural, often organic and always cruelty-free products at drugstore prices. Cosmetics giant Revlon has trumped its competitors - L'Oreal and Maybelline among them - by banning animal testing in the production of its products.

For guilt-free purchases this holiday season, below is a list of festive products that would make an ideal gift for anyone and everyone. Using purchasing power for good will ensure everybody wins – including the animals.

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

A COSY KNIT SWEATER:

Expensive Elegance: Stella McCartney’s wool cashmere ladder knit V-neck sweater, $825, StellaMcCartney.com (shown here in round-neck version)

Ideal Investment: BCBGMAXAZRIA’s cable-knit long cardigan, $198, BCBG.com

Bargain Buy: Old Navy’s women’s cable-knit V-neck hoodies, $34.50, OldNavy.com

AN EYE-CATCHING CLUTCH:

Expensive Elegance: Matt and Nat’s Kogan clutch, $150 (Canadian), mattandnat.ca

Ideal Investment: Bebe’s satin bow clutch, $59, bebe.com

Bargain Buy: Charlotte Russe’s studded chain clutch, $16.99, CharlotteRusse.com

THE ULTIMATE PAIR OF PARTY SHOES:

Expensive Elegance: Mink Shoes’ Bull pump, $355, minkshoes.com

Ideal Investment: Charmoné’s Cinnamon – Black shoes, $179, charmone.com

Bargain Buy: Payless ShoeSource’s Miss Puerto Rico by Payless Divina sandal, $34.99, Payless.com

A RED LIPSTICK FOR ALL:

Expensive Elegance: Estee Lauder lipstick removed after more research discovered the company partakes in animal testing

Ideal Investment: Too Faced Cosmetics’ Drop Dead Red lipstick, $18, TooFaced.com

(Too Faced's Lip of Luxury lipsticks)

(Drop Dead Red)

Bargain Buy: Revlon Colorstay soft & smooth lipcolor in Red Velvet, $9.99, Revlon.com

HIGH-SHINE NAIL POLISH:

Expensive Elegance: OPI’s Designer Series DS Reflection, $12.50, OPI.com

Ideal Investment: Sally Hansen item removed (the company is owned by Coty, Inc. which does animal testing)

Bargain Buy: Avon’s Nailwear pro nail enamel in Ruby Slipper, $5.99, Avon.com 

Guiltless Goodies: H20 refreshes the face with these beauty boosters!

Full feature in October 2009 issue of FITNESS magazine (www.fitnessmagazine.com).

Hi all:

In the October 2009 issue of FITNESS magazine the mag's beauty editors focused on H20-quenching beauty products that do wonders for your face. Guiltless & Glamorous weeded through the picks to reveal the cruelty-free options that you can feel guiltless about adding to your make-up bag!

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

In the Clear - Add a drop of cleanser to Mark Berry Grand Exfoliating Beads ($9, meetmark.com). The fine fruit seeds and rice powder buff skin.

Tester says: "It's perfect for blackhead zones like the nose, especially after a sweat session." - Leah Wyar, beauty director

Make-up Multitasker - Powder lids with Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner ($10.95, drugstores) or apply it with a wet brush to your lash line.

Tester says: "The many colours offer a new look every day." - Cassie Chellis, Cedar Grove, New Jersey

Solid Choice - Bye-bye, bulky bottles! Each Lush Shampoo Bar ($9.45 each, lushusa.com) is packed with nourishing essential oils and lasts for 70 washes. Rub onto damp strands and rinse.

Tester says: "It foams up like liquid shampoo, plus it leaves hair soft." - Irma Villasana, Provo, Utah

For more on Lush's cruelty-free policies see post "Caring Companies: LUSH comes up clean".

Guiltless Goodies: AVON beauty buys are Bargain Buys!

Hi all!

AVON's make-up items are one of its best-kept secrets. However, with spokesmodels like Lauren Conrad (for its mark line) and Reese Witherspoon, its make-up probably won't be secret for long. It always surprises me because, at the prices you pay for it, I always expect it to be fairly low-quality. And yet, as I said before, the brow pencil is one of my make-up bag must-haves (I included it below in case anyone was curious).

See my fave picks from the newest catalogue below. I haven't tried all of these but some of them look too cool not to feature!

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

This eyeshadow glides on cool with a smooth applicator but lasts for hours. Looks super cool! The shades are beautiful too - try Waterfall for a crisp blue or Bronze for a flattering-for-every-eye-colour shade.

Perfect Wear Extra-lasting Powder Eyeshadow, in bronze, champagne, coral beat, mocha, pearl, soft mint, steel, sunshine and waterfall, $8, Avon.com

I'm not one of those people who ever really looks for a mascara to thicken or curl my lashes - thicken? What's the point? I never understood that. And as for curling - well, isn't that what eyelash curlers are for? No, I always want them to make them unbelievably long. And that's something this mascara claims to do (it says they can look up to 65% longer) - but please note, I haven't tried this one myself...YET...

Astonishing lengths mascara in brown, brown-black or black, $7.50, AVON.com

These next two products make at-home manicures a breeze...though note that the corrector pen doesn't last too long. I LOVE the smell of the quick dry spray though, don't ask me why! (It works great too!)

Nail Experts liquid freeze quick dry spray, $6, Avon.com

Nail Experts Neat Nails nail enamel corrector pen, $6, Avon.com

Back on the topic of mascara, this new Avon product (I haven't tried it) looks perfect for those rushed morning mascara jobs which leave more of it on your eyelids than your eyelashes...

MistakeProof Mascara, $9.50, Avon.com

I just thought these were a great idea - you can never have too many nail files lying around and how cute are they for gift tags for the holiday season? Plus, at this introductory price they really could be gift tags...

Gift tag nail files, $0.99 each for a limited time (regularly $1.99), Avon.com

And saving my favourite product for last, it is my can't-live-without brow liner. It sounds like such a simple product but it's actually remarkably hard to find a brow liner that will give you an accurate shade while not being too heavy or too light. Obviously-drawn-on or filled-in brows are never a good look. This one gives just the right amount of pigment. Myself, I use the dark brown shade but there are lighter and darker shades for those who need them. Heck, at this low price, buy all shades and experiment till you find your best match. Maybe it's blending two together?

Ultra Luxury brow liner in blonde, light golden brown, dark brown and soft black, $5, Avon.com

Guiltless Goodies: AVON goodies are Bargain Buys!

Hi all!

A friend of mine messaged me today to recommend I feature some AVON products: her sister is a representative and she informed me they don't test on animals. I had read that elsewhere as well, and am supportive of AVON as AVON, mark (its cosmetics company) and Lauren Conrad (the official face of mark) are all animal-testing and fur-free. The other great thing about AVON? It's really reasonably priced - and, if you use your representative, the stuff is delivered right to you! Plus, it's great quality. My brow liner - now sharpened down to just a stub - is AVON and I would never use another (clearly, though, I need a new one).

The brow liner and other AVON beauty product goodies will be coming up, but for now, I am featuring some AVON fashion. They've stepped it up in the fashion stakes lately ... taking a gander through its latest catalogue I noticed double-page spreads devoted to a 'look' that the company has put together, from clothes to accessories, jewellery to handbags. No longer just selling straw totes for the beach and decorated flip flops, AVON has really branched out! So check out my picks below...all available at Avon.com or from your local representative (to find yours, visit www.avon.com).

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

Shades of Grey long necklace, $14.99, Avon.com

Multicoloured acrylic weave fashion scarf, $9.99 for a limited time (regularly $14.99), Avon.com

Sitting Pretty slingbacks (3.5-inch heel), $34.99 for a limited time (regularly $39.99), Avon.com

Soft sequin slippers with faux fur trim, in ivory (pictured), purple or grey, $9.99 for a limited time (regularly $14.99), Avon.com

Coil metal pendant necklace gift set (with earrings), $19.99, Avon.com