Beauty Brand Stila Goes Cruelty-Free

What's Happened?...



Interesting news on the beauty front, thanks to blogger Cruelty-Free Kitty for providing the information on her blog. Cosmetic brand Stila, has pulled out of China, which is HUGE as China test on animals where their law permits. With this transition official as of 2017, Stila has been moved to PETA's list of brands who do not test on animals.


The Hope...
With Stila being such a huge brand in the industry, one can only hope more brands will follow their lead.


Not to knock down other brands, but with so many options to produce rich color and product sans testing on animals, why not?


Almost There...


The more I learn about animal testing, the more distraught I have become. As a beauty and lifestyle blogger and past beauty editor for a national magazine, I have sampled a slew of beauty treasures, and that's not to say my makeup bag is completely free of "no animal tested" staples. I am however, more mindful of what I'm putting on my skin; and thinking of the suffering these innocent animals go through to help me look glamorous.


Need Help?...
In this day and age, we have so many options of beauty goodness, and many cruelty-free beauty brands are duping high-end main stream (non-cruelty-free) ones. 
For example:  NYX, Wet "N' Wild, Tarte and of course Stila have several options to choose from. Check them out at your favorite market.


In Conclusion...


CHEERS TO STILA! any victory is a BIG victory in my book!

Stila by ladylisalove featuring Stila

:Makeup Talk: Hard Candy Review

1. Makeup Setting Spray: 

This weightless spray is your very last step to setting your makeup.  It's cooling properties were so refreshing.

Once you've applied your foundation, eyeshadow, blush and powder, spritz a few burst 

all over your face to keep your makeup on fleek. 

$6 at Walmart stores

2. Translucent Finishing Powder:

If you've never used a translucent powder before, this will be your favorite go-to item. I absolutely love it! Use it to dust all over your face AFTER you've applied your cream foundation, eyeshadow, bronzer, 

blush, and BEFORE your setting spray. It will give a soft, matte finish that looks airbrushed. 

$6 at Walmart stores

3. Poppin Pigments:

If you're the girl that loves glitter, these are for you! Dazzle your lids, face or body with these pops of color in highly pigmented, loose-powder form. They come in six duo options. 

$6 at Walmart stores

4. Glamoflauge Foundation:

Infused with Kaolin clay for oil absorption and superfine pigments for incredible full coverage, your face will be transformed into a smooth canvas.

$7 at Walmart stores

All HARD CANDY items are exclusively sold at Walmart stores and Walmart Online.

Select any of the bold links to take you straight to the products, or 

browse through Hardcandy.com to check out their fabulous goodies.

All images provided by Hard Candy

What's in the bag?

Since the IMATS show in January, I haven't made too many new purchases to add to my beauty bag. 

However,  there were a few new discoveries I couldn't resist. 

Thus allowing for me to share these new purchases along with my pre-existing favorites, with you!

1. Smashbox Photo Finish blemish control (small blue tube). 

This little buddy goes on clean, slightly damp, skin. 

You can use it alone or pair it with the pore minimizer by Smashbox, which I like to do. 

I also like the CoverFX's redness reducer (not shown).

Where to find this product:  Sephora or Smashbox.com. 

For CoverFX, check out Sephora or Coverfx.com

2. Smashbox BB Cream (Light/Medium). I prefer the light/medium to add warmth to my skin.

 If your skin is naturally lighter like mine,  be sure to only go 1-to-2 shades darker and blend 

like crazy, blending down into your jawline, temples and neck.

natural glow. 

Where to find this product: Local beauty counter, Sephora or Smashbox.com

3. Neutrogena mineral Sheers (loose powder foundation). It comes with a mini pressed brush

 with handle. Dip bristles into the powder, slide from nose to temples, 

and then start sweeping and blending down before swirling the brush around your entire face. 

The coverage is great and the slight sheen gives a healthy glow. You'll LOVE this product! 

Where to find this product: I found mine at Target.

4. NYX HD Finishing translucent powder. This is the most gorgeous setting powder 

I've found for my skin. This goes on as the very last step. Apply with a big fluffy brush and blend

 in circular motions. 

Where to find this product: Target (other drugstores) or Ulta

5. MAC Blush in Peony. Just use a little to add a bright pop of color. TRUST ME. 

A little goes a long way. 

Where to find this product: MAC stores or MAC online

6. Rimmel eyebrow pencil in Hazel. This easy pencil liner comes with a small brush 

to help blend in brows for a light fill-in to a fuller brow.

Where to find this product: Target. 

7.  Smashbox eyeliner pen. I also like NYX and NYC. NYC is the cheapest price wise, 

and works just as well as the higher end brand. 

Where to find this product: For Smashbox, check Sephora or Smashbox.com. 

For NYC or NYX check out Target or local drugstore. 

8. Maybelline Waterproof  MegaPlush Volume Mascara in Black. 

Where to find this product: Target (other drugstores) or Ulta. 

9. Sigma eyeshadow palette in warm neutrals. Whether you're a professional Makeup Artist (MUA), 

a beautiful woman just looking to try something new, or a young teen about to blossom into adulthood, 

this palette has all the right shades for a sweet look or sultry one. 

Where to find this product: Check out Sigma Beauty 

What's in the bag? by ladylisalove featuring Smashbox

When Acne Attacks, Fight Back!

Every once a while my delicate, sweet precious adult skin breaks out. I know! It's not fair, right? But when I see a challenge, I tackle it head on.

My army trio of choice is all from Mario Badescu...

1. Special Cucumber Lotion (toner)

2. Drying Lotion. (Where while sleeping)

3. Drying cream. (Wear under makeup)

Next time your face tries to destroy your day, fight back with these bad boys. I promise you'll see a difference in one day.

Find them all at Ulta beauty stores.  

All Girl, Day or Night

My Beauty Routine and Style by ladylisalove featuring a body moisturizer

 

 

 

Here's my deal, when you work as a freelance beauty and fashion editor for a well-known publication, you're prone to test hundreds, if not thousands of products.

 

And trust me, I've had my fair share of skin irritations and reactions, sticky hair, swollen lips and well, the list goes on, but aside from my guinea pig experiences, I have to say, I've stumbled on some favorite beauty items that have worked their way into my morning beauty ritual.

 

Hope you get the chance to try one, two or all 12! It may seem like a lot, but when well placed and blended, it's a divine look that can be worn to work and texturized with the richer eye-palete shades to transform into an evening look.

 

 

 

1. My first step is to wash my face using the Clarisonic brush. This oscillating brush is ideal for cleansing your skin of dirt, grime and sebum, and sloughs off dead skin cells, allowing for a fresh, rosey appearance when finished.

 

2. Next, I use two small pumps of Philosophy Miracle Worker anti-aging serum and blend in a circular motion over face and neck. Now that I'm pushing into my early 30s, life is setting in and I need to take care of my money maker.

 

3. Right after the Miracle worker, I apply in circular motion, the M.A.C Mineralize Charged Water Face+Body Lotion.

 

4. M.A.C. Studio Finish SPF 35 concealer goes under my eyes, sides of nose and chin. You can apply anywhere you have dark shadows or red spots.

 

5. Apply, just like the face lotion and serum, the Smashbox BB cream. This five in one cream gives a perfect slate for your next steps.

 

6. Apply M.A.C Studio Fix powder plus foundation all over your face using the sponge applicator included.

 

7. I personally like to swirl M.A.C Tropical Taboo Mineralize skinfinish ont he apples of my cheeks and curve it ever so slightly up into my temples for a sweet glow.

 

8. With a light hand, Do the same thing with the Cargo Bronzer, or any bronzer to add sun-kissed glow. The shimmer from the Mineralize skinfinish will shine through. 

 

9. In soft, circular motions, add Smashbox Blush in Rush to just the apples of your cheeks.

 

10. Add the softest light pink of Smashbox 'Photo Op Softbox' Eyeshadow Palette to your entire lid up to the brow and then add the top left brown shimmer shade and lower far left shade in a plum/brown to the creases of your eyes blending outward for a subtle cat-eye. (sorry, I can't recall the names).

 

11. Finish off your look by adding Baby lips soft chapstick/moisturizer by Maybelline to lips; and

 

12. NYX Round stick lipstick (in Christie) layerd on top.