A lot of women who want to avoid animal products and/or animal testing still struggle with giving up some of their tried and true cosmetics. For me, the last two things I remember clinging to were my CoverGirl self-sharpening eyeliner and my Lucky Brand perfume. These were items I’d been buying and rebuying for at least a decade, and I was nervous to start experimenting again! Alas, I got over myself and decided animals shouldn’t be exploited and tested on just because I liked my signature scent. Signing up for the Petit Vour Beauty Box was a HUGE help, because they send me samples of the different skincare products and makeup to try out every month! I highly recommend giving them a try; you’ll receive $45-60 (sometimes higher!) worth of products for as low as $15/month.
In the last nine years, I’ve experimented with a LOT of products, and here are my favorites:
Olivine Atelier
I can’t begin to describe how happy I was when I discovered Olivine Atelier. I had experimented with various vegan, cruelty-free perfumes or body sprays, but they were always a bit too… earthy (which is a nice way of saying they made me smell like a cliché unbathed hippie). Olivine Atelier is nothing like that. I originally ordered one of their scent sample collections, which allows you to try each of their scenes without committing to the full bottle. They were all lovely, but for me “Amongst The Waves” was the clear winner; I’ve reordered it numerous times since then.
I don’t use it as often, but when I’m in the mood for beachy waves (this was more applicable when I had long hair extensions!), I adore their Love + Salt Hair and Body Spray. The blend of ocean salts and coconut oil somehow perfectly hydrate skin and texturize hair, making you feel like you stepped out of the ocean and into the sun (even if you’re in your bathroom and it’s snowing outside.
And of course you’re wondering about the glitter dipped feathers that come along with each order; don’t worry, they’re collected in the wild after they’ve naturally fallen from birds.
Antonym Natural Waterproof Eye Pencil
Like I said in the intro, I was at a loss when I had to toss my CoverGirl eyeliner back in the day. I experimented with many cruelty-free brands over the years, but I found a lot of them to be too dry (basically I had to stab my eyelid to get the color to stick) or too short-lived (I’d check the mirror an hour later and my make-up would be half faded). I eventually decided to check the Petit Vour marketplace, knowing they have the most expertly curated items, and that’s where I found the Antonym Eye Pencil. According to my email records, I’ve ordered it four times since first discovering it in May 2015, which tells you a) I love it and b) One pencil lasts me about 6 months, and that’s using it pretty much every day.
Osea Malibu
I’m pretty lazy with skincare, but something about Osea Malibu’s luxurious products always force me to establish new rituals. Osea Malibu has been creating vegan non-toxic skincare products for over 20 years, so they know what they’re doing. They’re also run by a truly sweet, compassionate family, which makes me extra happy to support them. Of their many incredible products, my go-to’s are the Ocean Cleansing Milk, the Advanced Protection Cream, the Brightening Serum, and the Essential Hydrating Oil. Honestly, when I’m really dedicated to my Osea skincare routine, my face feels so good I don’t even want to put make-up on!
Lavanila Deodorant
I’ve tried a LOT of vegan deodorants. After using toxic, chemical-filled, animal-tested brands throughout my teen years, I was nervous about venturing into natural alternatives. I made my way through all the Whole Foods’ brands without much luck. It wasn’t until about five years ago, when I discovered Lavanila
Andalou Naturals
Andalou Naturals is a true gift to busy animal lovers on a budget. Their products are pretty easy to find at places like Ulta and Target (as well as natural grocery chains like Whole Foods), and they’re quite competitively priced. I use a lot of their products depending on my needs at the time, but the staples I absolutely always have are the Deep Wrinkle Dermal Filler
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