Vegan Items - February 2016

Very excited to see that Ikea's Vegetable Balls are now available in the frozen section near the checkout! I love them so much!!!! I wish I could buy online!

I saw this Two Faced: Better Than Sex vegan mascara being recommended online. I do really like it although it is slightly clumpy and even though it's not a waterproof mascara I have the same problem with getting it off as I did with Tarte Amazonian Clay Mascara. You do get good volume though! I bought mine at Sephora.

I am in love with Image Skincare! A totally vegan spa range. I love their Vital C which is amazing for facial products, smells like oranges and is fine for pregnancy woman. I particularly love this Prevention+ 32 SPF Moisturizer, it's so silky and not at all greasy...plus it smells amazing! I'm hooked! 

I know Butter London vegan nail polish isn't anything new but since I got my incredible bargain I thought I'd mention them again!

Saw this Vegan Egg Nog over Christmas by Califia Farms and it was delicious!

Bought these Hail Merry raw vegan chocolate mint tarts over Xmas but honestly didn't really enjoy them. Too bitter and raw for me!

My amazing brother and sister-in-law got me this amazing gift from Healthy Surprise. It's a vegan box of snacks that comes not just once but for THREE months in a row! So awesome!! My second delivery didn't come and I emailed their customer service and although they were quick to respond they still haven't sent the second one - it's two weeks late now :(

 I found some Amy's meals at Wholefoods that I hadn't seen before and although they didn't say all they were gluten or dairy free when I checked the ingredients list they definitely were vegan and gluten free! They were all pretty good, I mean they are frozen meals so that's the standard you have to expect but pretty good considering they are gluten free and vegan!

 

This may not be new but I got a we bit nostalgic when I saw vegan Neapolitan ice-cream by So Delicious - reminded of my childhood. Did anyone else's household end up with just the strip of vanilla in the tub? LOL

I have had Follow Your Heart vegan ranch but never tried the Honey Mustard. OMG so good!! t reminded me of a thicker version of Agave Mustard Salad Dressing.

I had never heard of this brand but I saw these Engine 2 vegetable based patties at Wholefoods. They were pretty delicious, they taste like vegetables, not meat but were very hearty.

I saw this Jackfruit Company at Wholefoods and got really excited but I was a little disappointed. The jack fruit was still in chunks and the sauce wasn't very tasty. Think I'll stick to making it myself! Recipe here!

What's in My Cosmetic Bag - Nov 2015

I haven't posted much about vegan cosmetics in a while and realised that the products I use have changed quite a bit since I did my Vegan Make Up Tutorial back in February 2014.
Saw this article too on vegan cosmetic brands with a great range for every budget!
Just if you're interested, here are some of the vegan items I'm using and enjoying now...

BASE

Primer - I love Adorn Primer and honestly I haven't found one I like better yet so it's still my fave. A bit pricey but worth it!
Concealer - I haven't found a concealer I like more than the Paula's Choice Concealer in Soft Neutral. I also have e.l.f. Maximum Coverage Concealer  in Porcelain if I want to cover a larger space
Liquid Foundation - I have Tarte Amazonian Clay Maracuja Miracle Foundation in Medium but I think I mixed it with a lighter one because it was too dark. For everyday use/lighter coverage or a cheaper option I have e.l.f. Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain.
Powder/Foundation - I have two powders depending on how thick I want my make up, I love Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation powder in Fair Honey for heavier coverage and the Smooth Operator Finishing Powder for if I want a light coverage.


EYES

Eyeshadow - Paula's Choice carries a lot of vegan items, I especially love the "Nude Mattes Eyeshadow Palette" which has the perfect colours for this brown eyed girl! The little Tarte Amazonian Clay palette was a gift and it is "Brewed Awakening" - I use a couple of the browns sometimes as they are shimmery rather than matte. I also love Inika mineral eyeshadow in Coco Motion. I also love Etherealle Handmade Mineral Makeup on Etsy, a great selection of eyeshadow colours - some of my favourites are Silhouette, Mink and Ashelia.
Eyeliner - For liquid Eyeliner I use Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner, it's a tub so you need a brush and for pencil I use Tarte Amazonian Clay or e.l.f. Manic Panic has a great range of liquid eyeliner colours also.
Mascara - I used to use Manic Panic mascara until they changes to "Spider Eyes" which I don't like as much. My favourite vegan mascara is Tarte Amazonian Clay Gifted Mascara in black. The only issue I have with this mascara is that it is semi-waterproof so can be difficult to get off. Post about it here.
Brow - Most of the time I use a darker brown eyeshadow for my brows from the Paula's Choice "Nude Mattes Eyeshadow Palette".

CHEEKS

Contour - For contouring, mainly along the cheekbones I love Inika Mineral Bronzer - Sunloving 03
Blush - I have the Paula's Choice "Blush It On Contour Palette" which has some great blush colours.
Finishing - I love a shimmer or lightening powder for the upper part of my cheekbones, brow ridge just below the brow and along the nose bridge. A light eyeshadow from one of the palettes or e.l.f. High Definition Undereye Setting Powder or their shimmering cream.

LIPS

Lipstick - My favourite vegan lipsticks have to be Manic Panic Collection** - out of the ones that are vegan Tainted Love is my favourite! Their lipstick is just so creamy and long lasting! I also like Etherealle Handmade Mineral Makeup on Etsy. I especially love the lipsticks Hibiscus and Empress which can be seen in my post about vegan lipstick here.


**Manic Panic used to be a vegan brand and the Tainted Love Lipstick definitely is but the other products I'm not sure about anymore as their "Lethal Lipstick" range now says "not vegan", I'm waiting to hear back from the company on this!

DIY Foaming Facial Cleanser

This recipe comes from Keeper of the Home blog. They used essential oils of grapefruit, bergamot, basil and lemon, I just used basil and rosemary. This worked so well on my waterproof mascara... I was really surprised!

DIY Foaming Facial Cleanser

Ingredients

1/4 cup Dr. Bronner�s liquid castile soap (mine was tea tree, but any is fine)
1/4 cup water
2 tsp. almond oil (jojoba oil would also work well)
2 tsp. aloe vera gel
2 tsp. glycerin
8-12 drops essential oils

Method

Whisk together lightly and transfer to foaming pump bottle.