Tag Archives: cruelty free

Apr27

TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

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TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Hey! Whenever I am gifted with TJMaxx gift cards, I always like to do a full restock on my skin care. While new clothes and shoes are fun, skin care is something that I’m always going to need and buy and I’d rather get it for free! I take my beauty hoard in my bathroom cupboard very seriously and consider myself stocked up when I have: Three moisturizers, three eye creams, three serums, three cleansers, and three micellar waters. Noticing a theme? I have found that a three to four month supply works well for me so I don’t have to shop for skin care monthly. To get myself back in the comfort zone of my hoard because I was running dangerously low on everything, I bought all of the following with the glory of gift cards:

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I have loved skin and bath and body care since I was a teenager. It has always been my favorite form of self care and I have had a solid skin care routine since I was about fifteen. After all of this time, I can still count on my morning routine to invigorate me and my nighttime routine to help soothe myself before bed. Lil Red is, first and foremost, a creature of habit and with that in mind, it only makes sense that I keep a constant supply of products handy!

To begin my restock, I started with moisturizers. I have used the Vitamin C one before but I have never tried any products by Honest or Happy Dance so I decided to add both to my cart. I can’t wait to try the Honest Dew You melting balm because the name itself had me sold – it just felt lux to me and I had to have it! The CBD infused moisturizer was a bit pricey at ten dollars, but it sounded so nice that I couldn’t resist! I wasn’t particularly fond of the CBD serum that I tried a year or so ago, but I have high hopes for this cream by Happy Dance… See what I did there? 😉

Next, it was onto serum and eye cream. I only needed one more serum to get me back to a full supply and chose another Honest product for that. I am excited to try the moisturizer and serum by Honest as I have always been interested in the brand and this is the first time I ever saw it at TJMaxx! In the eye cream department, I went with two brightening formulas by Simple and 40 Carrots. Like Honest, these were both brands that I was familiar with and never tried because they were not available at TJs. This was my lucky day of shopping because I had been using the same handful of brands for a while and was ready to switch things up!

Finally, I needed a few cleansers and wanted something light and invigorating for warm weather. I couldn’t say no to the adorable, poppy packaging of the My Beauty Spot and Clinical Works face wash and I also selected the Hydro Boost cleanser by Neutrogena. I am eager to try out the pink coconut cleanser first because it looks like summertime and I am hoping it feels that way too! However, this will be the last time I use any Neutrogena products as I was disappointed and surprised to learn that they aren’t entirely cruelty free. Every other product in this post is Leaping Bunny certified!

My beauty haul at TJMaxx concluded with more of my favorite micellar water and those stretchy gelly hair ties that I have been dying to try! I have more shoes than I can count and one hair tie to my name so that was a definite must lol. Keep it posted for brand new OOTDs coming soon this week!

What is your favorite cruelty free brand? Which brands have you stopped using that aren’t Leaping Bunny certified? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Mar28

Vitamin C Skin Care Routine

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Vitamin C Skin Care Routine

Hello!! My skin type would definitely fall under the “normal” category. I don’t experience oil, acne, or sensitivity and my woes usually only come from dry skin in the winter. Thanks to this, I get a lot of free range to try new skin care products; I can’t think of any adverse reactions my skin has had from testing new skin care and I don’t need specific products for my skin type. As you all know, I love to try new products out and the skin care I use at a given time ranges from brightening and hydrating to firming and fine line repair. However, I literally just noticed a major difference in my current routine after several weeks!

I wouldn’t say my skin has a “dull” appearance, but I can tell when I am feeling more tired than usual, which is basically all the time lol. For the past few weeks, I have found my skin to be much brighter than normal despite being a chronically sleepy gal. After examining my skin care routine, I realized that I have been using three Vitamin C products and I know I have them to tip my cap to for the brightening boost:

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It has been a good long while since I stacked like skin care products. Honestly, the last time was probably when I was a teenager and trying to figure out what would work for my skin. Individually, I could see that the Clinical Works cleanser, Spa Cosmetics serum, and Bellyssima moisturizer worked well. Then, after other products got used up and their forces combined, I felt like the sun had nothing on my radiance!

With Vitamin C times three, I feel like a whole new me and it has turned what I used to think was a very solid skin care routine on its head. And, dare I say it, I might just begin limiting myself to like products when I restock at TJMaxx to see what happens! Let’s talk a bit more about the skin care that I am currently using because I think you will love them if you are looking for an extra dose of brightness:

Clinical Works Cleanser: This cleanser is divine! It smells very citrusy and is so invigorating to use every morning. A nickle sized dollop goes a long way and it lathers well, turning into lush bubbles instantly. Not only does this cleanser brighten, but it really does cleanse too. My skin feels squeaky clean after each use and I can feel the grime and yuck scrubbing away, leaving nothing but soft, radiant skin in its wake.

Spa Cosmetics Serum: I have been enjoying this serum a lot. It has a fairly light citrus scent and is thicker in texture. Normally, I don’t like products with a thicker consistency, but I never mind if it’s a serum. Once again, a nickle sized dollop of this product is all you need for full neck and face coverage and the bottle I’m working on is lasting me a long time. It is the perfect serum to activate the work the cleanser put in even more as well as the moisturizer during the next step in my routine.

Bellyssima Moisturizer: This moisturizer is one of the best ones that I have tried in months. I was instantly enamored with the whipped orange scent and the texture is rich and creamy, but absorbs quickly. It also sits so well underneath makeup. The Bellyssima moisturizer locks in all of the good stuff from the cleanser and serum and my skin is left looking like peaches and cream. I can’t get enough of this moisturizer and am keeping my fingers crossed to find it again at TJMaxx!

It has been grey and rainy in my neck of the woods, but my skin feels like sunshine and rainbows with my new Vitamin C routine. I highly recommend each of these products and they are all cruelty free. Check them out if you get the chance!

What is your skin care routine like? Do you stack like products or use a bunch of different things? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov9

SpaScriptions Hyaluronic Acid + Sugar Scrub Review

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SpaScriptions Hyaluronic Acid + Sugar Scrub Review

Hello! I have been sitting on some new skin care from TJMaxx and have finally had the chance to use a Hyaluronic Acid + Sugar scrub by SpaScriptions that I bought in September. I have been using it every morning for about a month now and it is, easily, one of the best scrubs that I have ever used. My only regret is that there was only one of them at TJs because I would have happily bought ten of them! If you are looking for a gentle scrub to help ease dry skin this winter, then this is the one for you. Let’s discuss:

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^^^ This product is Leaping Bunny certified.

I had two first impressions when it came to the SpaScriptions scrub (Try saying that five times fast!): 1) The color was so pretty – like lavender pixie dust and 2) It smelled just like candy. These are small things but it enhances the experience every time I use it and the sugary scent is a nice perk me up in the morning! A little of this product also goes such a long way because it lathers up like crazy into a foam, making it so easy to work into your skin. The amount that you can see squeezed onto my hand is all you need for your face and neck, making for a great value. After one month of daily use, I have barely finished half of the bottle.

What I like the most about this scrub, other than out well it works, is the texture of it. It’s more like a cream cleanser with a bit of extra grit from the sugar rather than a full on scrub. With cold winter days drawing ever closer, it is the perfect option for removing dead or dry skin without drying your face out even more. Every time I use this scrub, my skin feels so soft and looks simply radiant. Saying these past few months have been tiring for me is a severe understatement but my skin never looks it!

The SpaScriptions Hyaluronic Acid + Sugar scrub is one that I would most definitely use again. It checks all of my boxes of being cruelty free, an excellent value at just five bucks, and fully effective. I think that you will like it, too, if you give it a shot!

How often do you restock your skin care? Where is your favorite place to shop skin care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr5

Furless Eyeshadow Swatch In Sinister

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Furless Eyeshadow Swatch In Sinister

Howdy! My sister, Kristen, has been getting the Ipsy Glam Bag for at least two years now. I have to admit, that even I’m excited when the signature metallic pink envelope arrives in the mail. It’s always fun to test out new products and sometimes, if I’m lucky, Kristen will give me some of her loot that she doesn’t like – like this new Furless eyeshadow. Take a look:

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^^^ The first heart is the eyeshadow dry and the second heart is the product when it’s wet. As you can see, they both pretty much look exactly alike – which is cool.

Of course, the best thing about the Furless brand is that it is cruelty free and vegan, which is so important to me. The second best thing about this eyeshadow is that the color is fabulous, which we will discuss in more detail shortly. And, finally, the third best thing about this eyeshadow is its name, because Sinister is a great word AND it is one of my favorite horror movies. This product was obviously meant to be in my possession.

My sister really does know me all too well, because I love literally any gold toned eyeshadow. Gold is a color that just works well with all of my features – my hazel eyes, pale skin, and red hair always manage to become enhanced when gold is featured in my makeup look and I love that. Sinister is an especially gorgeous color for us gals with hazel eyes that change from brown to yellow or green because it’s gold, but there are green undertones to the pigment that really will make your peepers pop. My eyes are constantly changing to green or yellow so it will be fun to play with Sinister to see what effect it has on them.

Sisterhood is great. It’s a built in best friend and the hand me downs are nothing to sneeze at, either! Thanks, Kristen!! ❤

How do you play up your eye color with makeup? What is your favorite cruelty free brand? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep14

Faux Fur Fabulous

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Faux Fur Fabulous

Hello everyone and happy Thursday! Once upon a time, I bought a faux fur vest from TJMaxx three years ago. I actually think that it was right before I started college in 2014. It was deep purple, black, and freaking amazing…And I returned it. I had high hopes of strutting around campus with my new statement making vest, but I didn’t have the confidence to pull it off. I was too nervous in my decision to begin school and leave a world of working retail behind, and didn’t want to stand out more than I already thought I did in my head.

Bad. Decision. Horrible decision. See, this is why I don’t return anything anymore, lol. I still think about that vest, the outfits that could have been, and the confidence that I have now to be able to wear it and feel fierce in it. SMH. Ever since remembering my fallen faux fur vest, I have been on the hunt to find a replacement for a wardrobe staple that my clothing collection lacks.

Unfortunately, I have never been able to find a worthy replica to replace my grave mistake of a returned vest. The midnight sky colored fabulousness has never been seen of again and, of course, it’s difficult to find faux fur vests in any other time but the fall. During a recent trip to TJMaxx, I found a gorgeous, unique blue ombre vest that I really like. BUT, rest assured, that it will never come close to my “one that got away”. Take a look:

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This Thread & Supply brand vest was the only one of its kind that I saw at TJMaxx and, lucky for me, it was in my size (Obviously!)! Blue is a color that I don’t wear very often, although I do have a bit of navy in my wardrobe color palette. However, I loved the cream to midnight blue hues in this vest and it was like nothing that I have ever seen before, which is a major selling point for me, as you all know!

I’m really eager to put this piece to use in my wardrobe because I’ve never owned a faux fur vest before (Aside from the one that I owned for one day, lol.). Of course, you can go the classic route of wearing a faux fur vest with a great pair of skinnies and ankle booties. But, I’m more looking forward to styling this vest with maxi dresses and skirts, as well as mini and midi dresses with thick tights for the fall season.

Despite being forever in mourning for my vest that could have been but never was, I’m happy with this Thread & Supply purchase. The unexpected color palette puts a fun twist on a classic piece, and it will be exciting to experiment with styling something that I’ve never worn before. BUT, I already know that if I find the right black faux fur vest or one in a different, funky color, that it will more than likely be coming home with me, as well!

Vests are a great item to invest in for wearing year round. This one will surely be making an appearance in my looks next summer for a sassy, glam OOTD with short shorts and platform heels. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to adding a chic, rocker vibe to any outfit with a faux fur vest and I’m so happy to finally be able to have one to play with! 😀

So there you have it, a little touch of Faux Fur Fabulous! Do you have a similar story to a piece of clothing like my “one that got away” vest? How do you incorporate a faux fur vest into your outfits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah