Have A Cruelty-Free Summer

In my recent search for the perfect cruelty free mineral make up to try for the summer, I found several companies that offer some great and affordable products…all with their own unique qualities. The first company is Jenulence. This New York based cosmetics company offers a wide variety of mineral make up for all skin tones ranging from foundations, finishing powders, to blushes, bronzers, eye shadows, body shimmer, finishing and setting facial powders, and even bath and body products.



(I didn't blend in the foundation so you could actually see it.)

Jenya, the company’s founder was kind enough to send me a few products to review. Here is what she sent: Eye Shadow in Rosy Brown, Loose Mineral Shimmer in Smokey Blue, Loose Mineral Foundation Concealer in Neutral Tan, Loose Mineral Foundation Powder in Milk Chocolate, and Loose Mineral Blush in Wine. Unfortunately, the foundation was slightly too dark, but I was able to use it as a contour, which turned out nicely. After using the products for more than a week I am sold on these products.

Pros
What’s lovely about Jenulence is that the products are pure, hypo-allergenic, not tested on animals, contain no synthetics, harmful dyes, talc or preservatives. Also the range of shades is amazing. The products came with a handy information sheet that explains how to apply the mineral foundations either dry for a more natural appearance or wet for a more full coverage look. Additionally, the pricing is very reasonable.
Foundation/Concealer Pricing:
• Full size, Net Wt. 10gm : $20
• Economy size, Net Wt. 7gm: $14
• Trial size no-sifter jar (1/2 teaspoon): $5
• Sample no-sifter jar (1/4 teaspoon): $2.50
• Sample (1/6 teaspoon): $1
Blush/Bronzer Pricing:
• Full size: $10
• Trial size no-sifter jar (1/2 teaspoon): $5
• Sample no-sifter jar (1/4 teaspoon): $2.50
• Sample zip-lock bag (1/6 teaspoon): $1
Eye Shadow Pricing:
• Full size (Net Volume: 5 gm | Net Wt: 1.5 gm): $6
• Sample no-sifter jar (1/4 teaspoon): $2.50
• Sample zip-lock bag (1/6 teaspoon): $1
Cons
I honestly found none.

Would I buy these again? Recommend them?
Yes and yes.

My next review is on Georgia based Make Up Junky Cosmetics. Similar to Jenulence, this cruelty free company prides itself on being natural and free from talc, bismuth oxychloride, dyes, parabens, mineral oil, lakes, carmine, synthetic fragrance, methylparaben, propylparaben and other chemicals. Aside from the basic make up items, such as foundations and blushes, they also make eye and lip liners, cruelty free brushes and vegan products. You can even add some of their minerals to your nail polishes. Here’s what Mattie, owner and make up artist, sent: Foundation in Kaitlan, Mineral Powder in Spicy, Mineral Blush in Latin Beauty, Lipgloss in Power Pink, and Mineral Bronzer in Fake It. Thanks again Mattie!








(I didn't blend in the foundation so you could actually see it.)
Pros
These mineral products are extremely soft and gorgeous on the skin. The color selection that I was sent goes perfectly with my skin tone. You even get to select your packaging option for the lipgloss…either a sponge tip wand tube or a round tip squeeze tube. The pricing is great as well.

Pricing:
Loose Mineral Foundation available in a 30 Gram Jar (9 Gram Net. Wt.) $18.00 and a 12 Gram Shaker Jar (7 Gram Net Wt.) $8.00

Eye Shadows in a 5 Gram Jar (1-3 Gram Net Wt.) $8.00

Blush available in 10 gram Jar (5 Gram Net Wt.) $10.00

Lipgloss $13.50 Each

Cons
Again, I found none!

Would I buy these again? Recommend them?
Yes and yes.

One last cruelty free mineral make up company worthy of mention is Branded J Collections. www.brandedjcollections.com If you get a chance, please view the videos on their website to find out what really happens to animals when a make up brush is made. Warning: They are graphic, so please view at your own discretion. This is a subject that not many of us, even make up artist may think of but one highly in need of attention. As a make up lover, and make up artist, I am going to make a personal pledge to make sure I purchase more cruelty free products, including brushes, and urge you to do the same. Branded J Collections brushes are made from Taklon, a soft, synthetic material, with anti bacterial properties. And for those of you looking for a brush cleaning alternative like myself, they carry one that contains Aloe, Chamomile and a very gentle soap base for $16.00

Lastly, I picked up some items I really didn’t need, but wanted at MAC, another cruelty free cosmetics company as seen on PETA’s list at http://www.caringconsumer.com/pdfs/companiesDontTest.pdf. I was surprised to find that the Hello Kitty Collection (what was left of it) was actually 40% off. I picked up a few sponges to replace my old one in my Studio Tech and Studio Fix. From the Style Warriors Collection, I got Soft Force Eye Shadow and On a Mission Beauty Powder Blush. I also got a Lipglass, Oh Baby, and Sweet Strawberry (HK Collection). I am loving the blush!



To find out which of your favorite cosmetics companies are cruelty free, go to http://www.leapingbunny.org The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics provides you with your own cruelty free shopping guide.