Empties 1 to 5 + A Move To Cruelty Free

So over on the @aimeeandsugar Instagram account I've been keeping track of all the empty products that I use up. It's not only therapeutic but it means I can give a better description of the product after it is all used up because sometimes first impressions aren't that reliable. So I thought I would make a proper blog post with all the empties I’ve featured on my Instagram so far along with a new set to freshen it all up. After reading through reddit.com/r/MakeupRehab and #projectpan on Instagram, I decided to put myself on a beauty related spending ban until August 1 to help use up all the goodies I already have and to #shopmystash. I'm only going to allow myself to repurchase absolute essentials that I have run out of like cleansers and moisturisers. 

Trying to move through all the products stacked in my bathroom cupboards is like weird makeup Jenga but it is also helping me to clear the path for something much bigger that I have wanted to commit to for a very long time. Switching to completely cruelty free products. Since being subscribed to lots of different beauty boxes, it has allowed me to see how many great cruelty free brands are actually out there and that there is absolutely no need to use products that harm or kill innocent animals in the name of pretty makeup or clear skin. Animal testing is completely out-dated and no longer needed and the World Wide Web has also opened up a new avenue to find independently created cruelty free brands as well. But one of the most confusing things about finding cruelty free products is the whole China situation.

 The Chinese government requires tests on animals to be conducted for cosmetics products before they can be marketed and sold in China. It's pretty disgusting, especially since a lot of great cruelty free brands (Revlon and Estee Lauder to name a few) ditched their cruelty free PETA logo to start selling in China and cash in on the big dollars. Some brands still keep the cruelty free stamp on their packaging (Yes I'm talking about you Jurlique) because technically they don't test on animals themselves but allow China to test out some of their products before entering the country. Loopholes people. Loopholes. So here I present to you my empties. A compiled list of products I tried until the last drops, which ones I’ll keep using forever and which ones I’ll ditch. 

Empties #1

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in ECRU

I was really obsessed with the formula of this foundation and its wonderful long wear and coverage abilities. I owned the two different lightest shades because I couldn't find my true match so I would go back and forth between the two depending on the day. ECRU is very cool toned but about a shade too dark for my skin though it is workable. Estee Lauder used to be cruelty free and PETA approved until the new regulations in China started, then they started independently paying for animal testing to allow their products to be sold in China. Disappointing. I'll no longer be buying this foundation. 

Benefit Dandelion Blush

This blush is the most beautiful and natural light pink shade with a slight shimmer that is fool proof to apply. It is incredibly light which means you can't over do it but it is buildable. I have worn this blush constantly since 2010 so I'm devastated to not be able to buy it a buy more since Benefit Cosmetics do test on animals. 

Go To Skincare Exception-Oil 

I used this oil on my legs after shaving and holey moely did they feel amazing. Smells like wonderful gardenias and is packed full of oils and butters to create a massive hit of hydration. The only downside for me was that I used it up way too quickly. Go To needs to make this in big jugs to swim in. The scent may be over powering for some but I found it beautifully luxurious. Best-applied straight after showering. Go To is cruelty free so I will continue to repurchase from this wonderful Australian brand.

The Body Shop Mango Body Butter

The Body Shop have remained cruelty free since being brought by L'Oreal which is absolutely wonderful because I don't know what I’d do without their body butters. They are so nourishing and hydrating to the skin and I love applying them before bed and waking up smelling amazing and feeling as soft as a silky dolphin. This is a definite repurchase. 

Empties #2

Dr Brommers Magic Soap in Peppermint

Dr Brommers is a wonderful vegan and cruelty free brand that makes multitasking soaps. Buy a bottle of this and its list of uses are amazing and so highly raved about. I brought the peppermint scent to use as a brush cleaner.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Cool Bone

Another Estee Lauder foundation that I absolutely whizzed through. This one I found was really touch and go to apply. Some days it would go on beautifully and stay that way. Other days it would oxidise to a terrible orange colour that looked like my face and neck where 20 shades different. Despite the name this is definitely warmer toned. So disappointing.

Mary Kay Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover

I received this product with two others when I resubscribed to Cleo magazine as a free gift. I didn't use it for removing eye makeup but instead to clean my brushes. It made an excellent brush cleaner that got rid of the long wear formulas stuck between the bristles. Mary Kay is not cruelty free so I will not repurchase. 

Go To Skincare Properly Clean Cleanser

I LOVED this cleanser. It was so soothing to the skin and is great for all skin types. It isn't harsh on the skin and removes every last bit of leftover makeup. Even though it is a foaming cleanser it is not drying at all and smells like a wonderful fruit basket.

Empties #3

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

This oil is the most perfect thing for pre cleansing for any skin type and works great as a gentle makeup remover. Once water is added it also turns into a milky cleanser to help wash away the oil. Highly recommend. I don't know why it is so satisfying to rub this oil onto a dry makeup filled face and just see all the mascara and foundation dissolve before your eyes. But it is and it's wonderful.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

This product is one I’ve had a love/hate relationship with. It delivers the most intense black beautiful cat eye but the felt tip wears out way too quickly and becomes misshapen. I have also just found out that Stila is not cruelty free so I won’t be repurchasing from the brand again.

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer in 01

This is such an amazing concealer that covers absolutely everything from redness to dark circles to hyperpigmentation. The little tub lasts forever but now I’ve finished it up I will no longer repurchase, as it is not cruelty free. My heart belongs to the NARS concealer now.

Model Co Fat Lash Mascara

I’m just going to say it. I’ve found my Holy Grail mascara. It’s cruelty free, from an Australian brand and makes your lashes legit look like falsies. It lasts all day, gives an amazing finish and is a dupe for ‘They’re Real!’ by Benefit Cosmetics.

The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter

Loved this scent. It is probably my favourite from the body butter line since they discontinued the Brazil nut one. #neverforget.

Empties #4

Go To Skincare Very Useful Face Cream

This cream was a bit to heavy to use on my face during the warmer days but now it’s been ‘nipples falling off chilly’ my skin had been drinking it up. Will definitely repurchase another tube for the frosty days ahead.

Inika Truly Organic Pure Primer

Inika is the vegan, organic and cruelty free brand that makes this glorious primer. It kept my makeup fresh for hours, my pores filled in and my skin feeling nice and hydrated without breaking it out. This little bottle is technically the sample size from a beauty box, even though it is the size of regular primers. It lasts for months so I will definitely repurchase the full size, which will keep me stocked up for a while.

Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm

This lip balm is so thick when applied and is amazing for dry and chapped lips. Its main ingredient is honey, so it can crystalize quick if you don’t look after it. I personally think it smells like citrus but oh well. It leaves lips feeling extremely plumped and is best applied before bed. I’m completely torn on this lip balm. Nuxe themselves don’t test on animals but they do stock in China, which is really disappointing. So I won’t be repurchasing. My lips are throwing a massive tantrum at this, but my brain is calming them down with brutal honesty. 

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

This is about my third tube of this amazing goodness. It conceals anything or can even be worn by itself as a light coverage. The shade selection is fantastic but the only issue I have with it is the packaging that makes it a bit difficult to get the last bits out when you’re running on empty. I had been scraping the sides for the past two weeks before I finally gave up and declared it an empty. NARS and their suppliers are also completely cruelty free, so I’m extremely happy to be able to continue to repurchase from this brand.

Empties #5

Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover

I brought this as an in-between when I had run out of the Dr Brommers soap I had been using to wash my brushes and the new cleaner I ordered hadn’t arrived in the mail yet. It did a really great job at removing all the liquid formulas but I went through it way too quickly. Neutrogena also is not cruelty free, so I wont be buying this again.

Maybelline Coverstick Corrector Concealer in Green

I use this Coverstick all over my face after primer and before foundation to help tone down the redness on my face. It does an amazing job at it, so I’m desperate to find a cruelty free version of this as Maybelline do test on animals and I won’t be buying it again.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation in 110 Ivory for Combination/Oily Skin

Seriously Revlon! Why did you have to go from a great cruelty free brand to a money hungry one that sells their products in China? Why?! This foundation is THE PERFECT shade for me. I’ve long been on the search for a perfect colour match foundation and this is one I always keep coming back to. But no more. I think my next foundation purchase will be from Urban Decay as I’ve heard really amazing things about their foundations and they also stock a lot lighter shades. Au revoir Revlon.

I will keep track of all my empties and document trying to use up the non-cruelty free products in my bathroom. Once I'm all rid of them I will share with you my perfectly curated cruelty free cosmetics bag. 

If you aren't sure which of your favourite cosmetics brands tests on animals and which ones don’t, just type their names into the PETA database and you'll find out with ease:

http://features.peta.org/cruelty-free-company-search/index.aspx

Or you can just download the ‘Bunny Free’ app to your phone for instant access to PETA’s cruelty free database on the go.