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.

Hard Candy Just Glow Baked Highlighter Trios | Review and Swatches

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Hard Candy is such a fun, and affordable brand, and their Just Glow! Trio Baked Highlighting Trios are so much fun to use. They are whimsical highlighters that embody the spirit of hot summer days and warm summer evenings, and there is a color story for a wide range of complexions. Each set features three baked highlighters, but some of the shades are akin to blushes and bronzers, and each compact comes with its own brush. While they are baked, they are finely milled and easy to use. Each shade has beautiful shimmer, but none of them are overdone.

Hard Candy Just Glow! Trio Baked Highlighting Trios:

3 baked highlighters that illuminate skin with a distinct glow
Meet Me in Tahiti: inspired by the exotic beaches of the South Pacific islands
Cruisin’ the Coast: inspired by the gorgeous sunsets seen on the winding roads of California
A Touch of Moonlight: inspired by the aura of the moon
Rooftop Rendezvous: inspired by the twilight of a city night
Set includes a brush for easy application.

A Touch of Moonlight: inspired by the aura of the moon. This cool toned palette features silvers and icy whites.

Cruisin’ the Coast: inspired by the gorgeous sunsets seen on the winding roads of California. 

This is a very versatile palette featuring a pink, icy yellow and apricot.

Meet Me in Tahiti: inspired by the exotic beaches of the South Pacific islands.

This palette features a sun-kissed golden peach, a light golden shade and a beautiful warm bronze.

Rooftop Rendezvous: inspired by the twilight of a city night. This features a rosy shade, and stunning champagne and a cool icy pink with a little iridescent shift.

Overall Assessment: These are so much fun, and they are infinitely affordable.

$9.00 each from Hard Candy and Walmart (Affiliated Links).
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Copyright © 2018 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Hard Candy Makeup Picks for Halloween Fun

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If you are seeking some fun and affordable makeup finds for Halloween, then I have a few Hard Candy Makeup picks for your day to evening festivities– that are very budget friendly. Whether you are taking the kids trick-or-treating, or having a night out-on-the-town, there is enough fun glitter to make you sparkle all day and night long.

Hard Candy Glitteratzi Glitter Gel Palette in Rock My World ($6.00 from Walmart): This eye shadow palette, that features six ultra-glittery shades will transform any costume into the ultimate Halloween look!

According to Hard Candy,

Add some dazzle to your look! Hard Candy Glitteratzi Compact Pressed Glitter is a pressed body glitter compact that comes complete with a mirror and sponge applicator. These glitters are suspended in a clear gel base that helps them adhere to skin. The clear gel base is not sticky and glides easily onto your skin. After application, the gel base sets to resist smudging and fading throughout the day. These glitters can be worn alone or you can mix, match, and layer them on top of each other to create your own unique colors. These glitters can be used to add sparkle to face, body, and hair. Use the glitter gels on their own or as a top coat to add a glitter finish to other makeup. This glitter palette is also great for on the go, it includes a mirror and a dual ended sponge applicator for easy travel.

Hard Candy Glitteratzi Gel Palette in Rock My World

Multi-use shimmering glitter

Non sticky clear base that glides on and sets 

Ideal use for face and body 

Wear alone or mix and match

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Pore-Defense Primer Potion ($8.00 from Walmart): If you are going to take the time to create a Halloween makeup look that needs to have some longevity, then this gentle primer will definitely add considerable wear-time. This is a lightweight formula that absorbs excess oil, blurs fine lines and enlarged pores and color corrects. Furthermore, it is oil, silicone and alcohol-free,

According to Hard Candy,

A lightweight primer serum that instantly tightens pores and smooths skins. This gentle, yet effective formula contains pore tightening actives and astringents that absorb excess oil for all day flawless wear. Micro-fine powders blur fine lines and color corrects skin tone. Your skin will look and feel smoother, more uniform, and perfectly shine-free.

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Bake, Brighten and Set Loose Finishing Powder ($6.00 for 0.63 oz. from Walmart): This finishing powder sets your concealer, to protect it from creasing. It also works as an all-over setting powder that absorbs excess oil and pairs well with the primer to increase the longevity of your makeup.

According to Hard Candy,

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Bake, Brighten & Set Loose Finishing Powder instantly perfects your concealer application. This banana-colored powder sets into your Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer to increase wear, protect against creasing, and brighten your under eye area. The finely milled powder absorbs excess oil and creates a flawless, bright finish. Effective as a finishing powder, this banana shade shows off a natural looking finish that is never cakey. "Bake" your makeup by applying your shade of Glamoflauge Concealer under your eyes. Press an excess of banana powder on top of still-wet concealer to set the concealer. After allowing the powder to "bake" into concealer with your body heat for 5-10 minutes, brush off the excess powder with a fluffy brush. Left behind is a bright, crease-proof under eye area that lasts all day.

Hard Candy Fast & Fabulous Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($6.00 for 0.63 oz. from Walmart): This translucent setting powder increases the longevity of your makeup, blurs the appearance of fine lines and enlarged pores and makes skin appear very smooth. Furthermore, it absorbs excess oil without drying the skin.

According to Hard Candy,

Hard Candy Fast & Fabulous Loose Translucent Powder is a loose version of the cult favorite Fast & Fabulous Pressed Translucent Powder. Loose, weightless translucent powder is suitable for all skin tones and textures. Achieve a soft, matte finish easily for a flawless look that lasts all day. This translucent powder formula extends the longevity of your makeup look and blends effortlessly into your skin. Fine lines, wrinkles, and pores optically fade as your skin is visibly smoothed out and makeup is set into skin. Infused with glycerin and antioxidants, the powder helps to guard against dryness and keeps skin comfortable all day. Use this finely milled powder to set your look without makeup becoming cakey or heavy. The powder can also be used throughout the day to absorb excess oil.

If you are going to be out playing on Halloween, you might want a low-key fragrance to spritz, and Hard Candy has a couple from which to choose:

Hard Candy Black Eau de Parfum Fragrance Spray ($12.97 for 1.7 fl oz. from Walmart): is described as a "romantic, floral musk" with top notes of California tangerine and pink passion fruit, middle notes of pink peony and sheer jasmine and base notes of vanilla sugar and musk.

Hard Candy Black Fragrance Body Mist ($6.98 for 8.0 fl oz. from Walmart): is a sweet fruity floral with top notes of kiwi and mango, middle notes of quince blossom and vanilla absolute and base noted go sugared iris and warm amber.

Overall Assessment: These affordable finds are perfect picks for Halloween!

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Copyright © 2017 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.