Cruelty-Free Drugstore Makeup Stocking Stuffer Picks

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There is currently a spotlight on cruelty-free drugstore makeup, particularly since Covergirl recently became cruelty-free, and therefore I thought that I would feature a few brands worth purchasing as stocking stuffers, or for yourself as budget friendly makeup picks for the holidays.

Catrice Cosmetics ($1.99-$14.99 from Catrice and Ulta): Catrice Cosmetics is unquestionably one of my very favorite drugstore makeup brands because they have make luxurious makeup at an affordable price point. Their powder products boast remarkably finely-milled textures, beautiful pigmentation and lovely colors. From their eyeshadow palettes to their face palettes, you are guaranteed high quality products that are such a pleasure to use. The quality is indistinguishable from department store luxury makeup– save for their more modest packaging.

About Catrice Cosmetics,

Like all great stories, ours begin with a group of fearless females on a mission: to prove it’s possible to create an innovative brand of luxury-inspired makeup at excellent prices. Founded by Christina Oster-Daum, we first opened our doors in Germany in 2004 and since then, our ever-expanding global presence in over 50 countries proved what we always knew – makeup wearers everywhere crave high quality makeup at prices that make sense.

Catrice also has a nice range of primers and setting sprays.

Catrice's HD Liquid Coverage Foundation rivals luxury foundations, and their serum highlighters are utterly amazing.

Catrice makes wonderful brow products, mascaras and gel eye liners.

Catrice Lipsticks, Lip Glosses & Lip Liners come in wonderful range of formulas and textures, and while they have a wide selection of colors that will suit everyone, they also have wonderfully whimsical trendy shades that will appeal to everyone who wants to wear fun colors. This cruelty-free German beauty brand has wonderful products that appeal to all age ranges, and they make perfect stocking stuffers.

Hard Candy ($5.00-$10.00 from Hard Candy and Walmart): Hard Candy is a wonderfully whimsical, youthful and at times edgy cruelty-free beauty brand that really makes playing with makeup fun. From their glittery eyeshadows, to their bold matte liquid lipsticks, they perfectly embody what's trending without taking themselves too seriously. Hard Candy has a cult following for a reason, and even if you don't wear bold makeup, they have products that you will love and use repeatedly. Their lip glosses, blushes and eye crayons are staples in my collection, and they are subtle and perfectly suited for daily wear.

About Hard Candy,

Two ground-breaking sisters in Southern California set out to create the perfect shade of sky blue nail polish to slide their toes into the perfect sky blue sandals and flare for the dramatic, keeps our drive alive. Our name evokes all things girly and sweet, while keeping an edge and attitude.

Essence Cosmetics ($2.49-$20.00 from Essence Makeup, Ulta and CVS): Essence makes fun, very affordable cruelty-free makeup without sacrificing quality. From their metallic eyeshadows to their beautifully pigmented lipsticks, you can find a wide range of daily staples, or whimsical glitters that are perfect for New Year's Eve festivities. So affordable are their products, that you can stuff those stockings without breaking the budget.

About Essence Cosmetics,

We’re a small team dedicated to bringing affordable, fun, and high quality products into the serious world of cosmetics. So why choose just one lipstick, eyeliner, nail polish, eye shadow, lip gloss, (you get the point!) when you can try them all? We do!

essence cosmetics is owned by Cosnova Beauty from Germany where animal testing for cosmetic products has not been permitted since 1998. All of essence products comply with the European and American ingredient, manufacturing, and testing standards. Our suppliers are also held to these same standards and we only partner with the ones that do not test on animals.

Overall Assessment: If you are seeking affordable cruelty-free makeup for yourself, or as stocking stuffers, then definitely consider Catrice Cosmetics, Hard Candy and Essence.

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Copyright © 2018 www.lolassecretbreautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Hard Candy Fox in a Box Highlighters and Blushes for Summer

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Hard Candy is such a fun, and affordable brand, and their Fox in a Box Highlighters and Blushes are infinitely wearable, totally affordable and undeniably gorgeous! They are stunning marbleized baked powders that each have a distinct fragrance. They are housed in very cute cardboard boxes, and they include their own brushes.

According to Hard Candy, their marbleized baked blushes and highlighters are,"inspired by different moods and personalities" and the custom blended shades feature signature fragrances. They suggest sweeping them across you cheeks, forehead, or chin.

Hard Candy Fox in a Box Blush in Girl Next Door ($7.00 from Hard Candy and Walmart): This luminous pink blush is finely milled, beautiful on the skin and has a strawberry scent. While the fragrance is detectable, it does fade upon application.

According to Hard Candy,

Which fox are you? This marbleized baked blush is inspired by different moods and personalities with a custom blended shade and signature strawberry fragrance. Fox in A Box Girl Next Door is a baked illuminating blush in the perfect pink shade swirled with gold flecks that brings a healthy glow to your face. The baked formula has a soft and velvety texture and applies effortlessly so that it looks natural. Fox In A Box Girl Next Door is formulated with finely milled mica pigments that blend seamlessly into the skin, imparting a natural glow that lasts for hours. This blush can also be used to add a subtle highlight to the high points of the face, including your cheek bones, the bride of your the nose, your brow bone, and your dcollet. Includes a face powder brush for easy application. To apply, sweep a powder brush into the pan of the blush, and blend into skin.

Hard Candy Fox in a Box Highlighter in Girl Boss ($7.00 from Hard Candy and Walmart): This gorgeous pale, slightly cool-tones, gold highlighter is finely-milled, it boasts a luminous finish and it smells like vanilla frosting. I like the scent of this one the best, and I should note that the scent fades quickly.

According to Hard Candy,

Which fox are you? This marbleized baked highlighter is inspired by different moods and personalities with a custom blended shade and signature vanilla frosting fragrance. The Fox In A Box Girl Boss is a smooth, baked formula that delivers multi-dimensional yet sheer, buildable color that gives you a healthy and natural glow. Fox in A Box Girl Boss is formulated with finely milled mica pigments that blend seamlessly into the skin, imparting a natural glow that lasts for hours. Apply the highlight shade to the bridge of your nose, brow bone, cheek bone, under eyes, and top of your chin, and blend in. Includes a face powder brush for easy application. To apply, sweep a powder brush into the pan and blend into skin.

Hard Candy Fox in a Box Highlighter in Glamour Girl ($7.00 from Hard Candy and Walmart): This golden peachy highlighter offers the skin a warm sunny glow that is very flattering on the skin. It is finely milled and it smells like a piña colada– and if that doesn't scream summer, I don't know what does! Of the three scents, piña colada is definitely the most assertive.

According to Hard Candy,

Which fox are you? This marbleized baked highlighter is inspired by different moods and personalities with a custom blended shade and signature pina colada fragrance. The Fox In A Box Glamour Girl is a baked illuminating highlighter that brings a sunny glow to your face. The baked formula has a soft and velvety texture and applies effortlessly so that it looks natural. Fox in A Box Glamour Girl is formulated with finely milled mica pigments that blend seamlessly into the skin, imparting a natural glow that lasts for hours. Apply to the high points of the face, including your cheek bones, the bridge of your the nose, your brow bone, and your dcollet. Includes a face powder brush for easy application. To apply, sweep a powder brush into the pan and blend into skin.

If you are sensitive to fragrant makeup, then these definitely aren't for you.

Swatches:

Left to Right: Glamour Girl, Girl Boss and Girl Next Door

Overall Assessment: These are pretty, fun, affordable and perfect for the summer. If you buy them for yourself, and you have teenagers, be prepared to never see them again!

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Copyright © 2018 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.