Cruelty-Free Beauty Favorites This Autumn (AD)

It's that time of the year again — the rain has arrived, and so has the wind and 4:30pm sunsets. I love the autumn and winter but despise the way it affects my skin and hair. Everything dries out and I end up having to moisturize my face three times a day. Here are a few of my favorite beauty/haircare products that I have been loving as the weather cools down.

Maple Holistics Tea Tree Shampoo
I'm not going to lie, I was hesitant about a Tea Tree shampoo purely because it reminds me of the Tea Tree solution that my mum used to lather all over my hair when I came home with head lice as a kid. But the lovely folks at Maple Holistics offered to send me their Tea Tree shampoo and oh my! It's so great. The smell doesn't conjure up my head lice days at all. It's spicy and invigorating and works up such a good lather. I've been trying it out for a couple of weeks and love the way my hair has looked. It's kept its volume but is much softer and more manageable. Big thumbs up, I'll be repurchasing!

Mario Badescu Facial Spray
I picked this up on a whim at Urban Outfitters this summer, and boy am I glad that I did. I use it morning and night, just a light spritz all over my face/neck/chest. It wakes me up in the morning and soothes at night. It's also great under or over makeup, and smells so herbal and fresh. Plus, it's a bargain at only $7 for the travel size (I have the full size, which is still only $12)!

Liz Earle Signature Foundation
I bought this when I was living in Scotland, and now it's almost empty and I'm really sad because I don't think they ship it outside of the UK. I must find a way! I've never actually enjoyed wearing foundation but did it just because my face was red and spotty. After trying this, though, I love wearing it most days! I only use the tiniest bit on my nose and chin, and it is super buildable so on any given day I can step it up if I'm feeling extra red. It's not matte but feels really hydrating without looking like I'm wearing anything. Ahhh I just can't explain my love for it enough. Need more. ASAP.

Formula 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure Mask
I have grown up seeing this brand in most drugstores, but I never tried it out. Last month, though, I was having a really bad breakout and saw this bad boy at the drugstore for only $5, so I picked it up. It's vegan/cruelty-free and uses natural ingredients. It smells amazing, and helped zap away a lot of my spots. I've been using it 2-3 times a week for about a month, and I have to say it has really evened out the redness and splotchiness on my face. It's highly-rated everywhere so definitely worth giving it a try!

Lush Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub
My beautiful friends bought me a Lush package for my birthday in August, and when I opened it up and saw it included Rub Rub Rub, I was overjoyed. I have loved this product ever since I tried it out a few years ago. It's bright blue, smells AMAZING, and really works at scrubbing away dead skin. I feel like a fruity cocktail every time I use it, and am already dreading the day I finish this tub.

If you've tried any of these products, what did you think? What are your go-to items to make the winter weather more bearable?

x B

My Daily Beauty Routine

So makeup has never been a big part of my life, although I am partial to a browse around the Sephora website every now and then. That said, lately I've been using a few products that I just adore, and tend to wear most weekdays. It's very minimal but I really love how it all looks together.

Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF 30+
I had been searching for a cruelty-free, lightweight SPF that works well on its own or layered with other products. It's super hydrating and non-greasy, and I'll definitely be buying it in the bigger tube.

RMS "Un" Cover-Up in 00
I thought about buying this for the longest time (it's on the pricy side for a concealer) but I am so glad I did! The base for this formula is coconut oil, so it's super hydrating and lightweight, and really buildable.

Anastasis Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
This remains the only brow product I've found that matches my brow colour perfectly. I use it to fill in sparser areas, and it's super buildable to suit anyone's needs!

Pacifica Mascara
I have this in brown and black because I love it so much. Day to day I wear 'stardust' which is a dark brown colour. It's a lil bit lengthening and a lil but voluminizing, so it ticks all boxes. Lasts all day and doesn't smudge, perfection!

Ardell Brow Gel
This was super duper cheap on Amazon, but it's actually really great. It keeps my brows nicely shaped all day long and smells strangely delicious.

x B

A Few Thoughts on Self-Love

The first photo of myself I can remember loving, double chin and all.   

June is the first month is the first I've been home from college in quite a while, and as such I've had a great deal more time alone with my thoughts than I usually do (the other day I was so overwhelmed by my wandering mind that I quite literally burst into tears... more on this another time). I'd say I live pretty much entirely inside my head, and if I don't communicate my thoughts and feelings it can all get to be a little much. Sometimes I'll be on the train, or watching a YouTube video, or reading a novel, when a thought crosses my mind and I just need to write about it in some way or I think I might explode. So I thought I'd share some of that here, just fragments of what I've been thinking.

This month I've been thinking a lot about self-love: what informs self-love, what promotes it, how it functions in today's society. I've read a number of articles with varying titles: 20 Ways to Practice Self-Love and the like. It seems that mass media wants women to exist in a self-perpetuating identity crisis. We're told to love ourselves, and then bombarded with messages of what we should eat, wear, buy and strive to be (very rarely should we strive to be ourselves, according to the articles I've seen). That said, I had the sudden realization earlier this year that without trying or even really thinking much about it, I found myself very much a promoter of self-love and respect, because I honestly do love myself, and I don't think it's nearly as challenging as mainstream women's magazines want us to believe.

In my experience, no guide to self-love will ever be effective. It's as simple as it sounds, really: the key to loving yourself is just to love yourself... and everything that it encompasses. There are no steps to take. It's as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. Love the best bits, love the imperfections, love the parts of yourself that you're working on, love the fact that you are trying and love that you will keep trying no matter what. Love everything that you are, always. If you're struggling with body positivity, just remind yourself that your body is capable of climbing mountains and carrying you through your life. Start right now, and never stop. Swap negativity for love, and don't look back. Don't ever become angry with yourself, don't regret decisions that you consciously made, and don't compare yourself to others because this only leads to toxic downward spirals.

One harsh truth I've learned, and I'm glad I've learned it early in life: you need to look out for yourself, because sometimes you're the only one who is. While it is important to surround yourself with positive people who promote self-love, it needs to come from within first.

Once you make this commitment, the opinions of others seem to pale in comparison to how you feel about yourself. On days when getting out of bed and putting two feet on the floor seems like a daunting task, remember that it was you that made it through every tough day you've ever had before. Love and embrace that. Love the courage it takes to keep moving when things are hard, but also love the courage it takes to speak up and say "I'm not okay and I need some help." In my experience, that's the hardest part of all. And that's when self-love is most important.

On a wider scale, I think that accepting everything that you are has hugely positive effects on the people around you, and every interaction you will have for the rest of your life. If you're comfortable in your own skin, and you're comfortable making mistakes and even embracing them, then others around you are more likely to be as well. That's some of the most positive change you can promote, and it all starts with you.

Favourites: November 2015 (Belated)

I'm sitting at my desk, looking at the gloomy grey sky outside. Perfect study weather, but naturally I'm procrastinating. Finals are this week and yes, I'm pretty stressed out, and yes, I have bronchitis, but I've had a strange rush of productivity today, which is nice! So here are my super late November favourites.

In no particular order...The Pai Camellia & Rose cleanser. I took advantage of the Black Friday sales and splurged on some Pai skincare, and love it all (post to come). This is my favourite of the lot, it's a lovely cream that you massage into dry skin. I have been looking for a cleanser that doesn't dry out my skin and I think this could be the one!The Mission Grove Clementine and Clove lotion. I bought this on sale, and good thing too because it's tiny! That said, I fell in love with the scent. It's a perfect blend of citrus and spice (and all things nice, hehe). FAB Ultra Repair Cream. This stuff is so good. SO good. I've been sick all week and naturally my skin has been a little neglected. Yesterday I put this on my face and I'm so glad I did. It is so soothing and hydrating.HANA Eye Oil. I received this in a Petit Vour box, and I have been using it most nights. It is heavy when you put it on, but it soaks in overnight and I feel like it's making a difference. They recommend 3-4 drops, I've been using 1/2 a drop. Something to consider!OPI polish in Do You Take Lei Away? I can't find a link for this, sorry! It's the perfect neutral for my nails and I've been loving it lately.Twinings Lemon & Ginger tea. Doesn't need a ton of explanation. I've been sick. This is my saviour. Add some honey and fresh lemon and you're golden.Origami cranes. I've been making lots lately, and they all sit in a jar on my window sill. It's a super relaxing hobby and one I've come to love. Little gold jewels. my two favourites this month have been my new-ish ring from Datter Industries (close up below); and my old elephant necklace, which I believe was a gift from a friend. Love these smaller statement pieces. What have you been up to lately? x B

My Skincare & Beauty Basics: November 2015

The weather has been dreadful in the PNW lately, so I've been paying extra attention to my skin so that the cold winter air doesn't dry it out!

Some of these products I use everyday, others every week, but they are all part of my routine and I love them so much!

Up first: face. I use my Clarisonic Mia 3 (previously the Aria) with the 'Radiance' brush head. My cleanser changes almost daily, I have about three I use in rotation because I've yet to find one I really love. I then use the Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Toner. I found this a few months ago at a supermarket actually and love it so much. The packaging is delightful, it smells great (none of that awful alcohol smell that most toners have) and it really does work. When my skin feels a little dry or I just feel like a pampering, I use the Caudalie Grape Water. I love this product but I recently learned that Caudalie is not cruelty-free so I need to finish this and then find a cruelty-free alternative. For moisturizing, I start with the Fresh Seaberry Oil (not pictured, but link to previous post about it). I have also started using the Hana Eye Oil that I received in a Petit Vour box and it's so great! Plus, it's made in Bainbridge Island so it's a local brand! Next I'll use either the Belif Aqua Bomb (mornings) or Burt's Bees brightening moisturizer (nighttimes). Would recommend both! Also pictured is the Origins charcoal mask, which I really like. I bought a trial size and I don't think I'll buy it again but I really like how it feels on my skin.

For my body: I was such a devoted fan of the L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate (this is my third jar), but like Caudalie, they're not cruelty-free, so once I'm done with this one, that's it! They also increased the price recently which is pretty uncool. The consistency is PERFECT though so I need to find something similar that is cruelty-free. The other moisturizer I've been using is from Coconut Revolution, their coconut oil for the body. I was given this (really big) sample at a market a couple of months ago and it's great! The only thing I don't like is that you need to warm it up to use it, so you can't use it in a hurry.

Finishing touches: the perfume I've been wearing a lot lately is Urban Rituelle's Ginger Apple. It's an Australian brand so it's much easier to find when I'm at home in Melbourne. This must be my third bottle and I have a few more stashed away for when I finish this one! To me it smells like Christmas so it's perfect for this time of year. I also really like the Anastasia Beverly Hills brow wiz pencil. I wear it in Soft Brown and the consistency is perfect, as is the little spooley brush it comes with. Lastly, this Habit nail polish was also in the last Petit Vour box and it's all natural, cruelty-free goodness. I love it!

What are your go-to products?
x B

Wish List: November

This month has been one of those where I just want everything! Do you ever have those? I feel like whenever I see something I like, I start thinking about whether I can afford it, and it's not a great state of mind to be in. I've started keeping a wish list on Pinterest that I update often, which helps me avoid impulse purchases. I thought I would share a few things I wish I owned right now!

1. LL Bean Donegal Wool Blazer. This is so pretty and honestly I may just buy it. I think it would go with everything and be good dressed up or down.
2. Porselli Oxblood Suede flats. Classic, they don't really need an explanation! I love a good pair of ballet flats.
3. The North Circular Marl Beanie. Lily Cole started this brand a few years ago, and I love it. They use sustainable materials, and everything is handmade by 'Grannies' in the UK.
4. Lily Lambert Pavo perfume. I tried this on months ago and fell in love with it, but can't find it anywhere! I may just buy it online! To me, it smells like the perfect mix between a relaxing yoga afternoon and romantic evening. It's dark and lovely.

Favourites: October 2015

This month I've been very busy, with lots of study, midterms, and fun social things too! As such, the things that I've been loving most this month reflect how I've been living lately. Simple things that make my life a little easier, happier and less stressful.

First of all, I've been loving this Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil, which I bought at Sephora. I bought the smaller size, because my skin is quite sensitive and I didn't want to commit to spending $50 on the larger size when I don't know that my skin likes it! I'd been looking for a more natural product to help even out my skintone and reduce hyperpigmentation, and I think this could be the one! It's light, absorbs quickly, and smells great. It's packed full of good things (including Omega fatty acids) that smooth and moisturize your skin. I feel so luxurious when I use it, too!

Next up is this Topshop Glow Highlighter in 'Polish'. I really wanted to buy the RMS Living Luminizer but couldn't justify spending $40 on something I'd never tried before, so I went with the cheaper version first, and I really like it! It's the perfect colour for my skin, and I just dab a little above my cheekbones and I instantly look more awake and lively.

My next favourite thing is tea! It's finally getting cooler in Washington and so when I was at Target last week I picked up this Vanilla Comoro Tea from Harney & Sons. If I'm being honest, it was the packaging that drew me in, but when I opened the tin, it smelled SO good! And it's decaffeinated, so I can have a cup before bed and not lie awake for hours. Next time I'm at Target I'll be checking out this brand again, because I love this one so much!

And I can't have new tea without a new mug to drink it from! I ordered this adorable 'Felix the Fox' mug from Urban Outfitters (still available right now) and it arrived this week. I'm already in love! It's just the right size, and I love the little fox and Scandinavian style. It will be perfect this winter as I drink about 10 cups of tea each day!

I'm also loving this dainty little clover bracelet from Dogeared. I ordered it early this month and have been wearing it nearly every day. It's perfectly simple and makes me feel so lucky! It honestly matches everything, so I wear it all the time.

Two skincare saviours! This tea tree mask from the Body Shop has always been a love of mine (and the whole tea tree range, really) but this month I've used it a few times and my skin has cleared right up! Also, it's bright green so I feel like Elphaba from Wicked when I have it on, and am therefore prone to bursting out in a rendition of Defying Gravity.The Bare Minerals powder is new but I love it! I finally found a powder that matches my super pale skin! The packaging is great (minimal spills!) and I love the coverage: not too much but still enough.

My last favourite is not a thing so much as an activity. While I do adore the journal itself (Leather Sagitta Journal from Anthropologie), I've really been enjoying keeping a journal. I make time a few times a week to jot down my thoughts, what I've been up to, and what I'm looking forward to. Sometimes I include a quote that's been inspiring that day, or something that made me laugh. It's so nice to look back through it and see what I was doing on a certain day and what I was thinking about!

What are your favourite things this month? What have you been up to? Hope all is well!

x B