beauty – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: beauty

SALE ALERT | Tarte Cosmetics Custom Kit: 7 Full Size Products for $63.00 + FREE Shipping

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today Tarte Cosmetics is offering an amazing deal, and I wanted to share it with you. I made a purchase for myself, and am really excited to receive my order. This sale happens about twice per year, and it is the Tarte Cosmetics Custom Kit where you choose 7 full size items for just $63.00 with free shipping included. This post will share with you the sale information, and how to score added savings. This is a limited time deal for today only, June 15, 2021, so make sure to shop now if you’re interested in scoring some cruelty free beauty products at a huge discount!

This post includes affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

Before you head over to the Tarte Cosmetics website, make sure to shop though Rakuten to earn cash back on your purchase! Today Rakuten is offering 5% cash back on Tarte’s website. That means you will get $3.15 back if you purchase a Custom Kit at $63.00 today. If you have not signed up for Rakuten yet, use my referral link HERE and we will both get a $30.00 cash back bonus with your first qualifying purchase.

Next, visit Tarte’s website HERE to build your Custom Kit. Tarte allows you to pick 7 full size items from a selection of products on their website. Tarte is a cruelty free company, and many of their products are vegan. I built a vegan kit for myself containing products from Tarte that I’ve wanted to try for quite some time. Here’s what I added to my kit:

babassu foundcealer™ skincare foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20 – Retail: $39.00 [BUY]
hydrocealer™ concealer – Retail: $25.00 [BUY]
busy gal BROWS tinted brow gel – Retail: $18.00 [BUY]
big ego™ vegan mascara – Retail: $23.00 [BUY]
maracuja juicy lip in Orchid – Retail: $19.00 [BUY]
shape tape™ quickie blending sponge – Retail: $16.00 [BUY]
back to basics bag – Retail: $22.00 [BUY]

As you can see, the retail value of my Custom Kit is $162.00, so at the $63.00 price point I saved over 60%! I’ve had the Babassu Foundcealer and Busy Gal Brows Brow Gel on my wish list for over a year now, so I’m really excited to try them out at a discounted price. I can’t wait to get my kit in the mail and refresh my makeup collection!

Interested in buildng a Tarte Cosmetics Custom Kit? Shop today only, June 15, 2021 for just $63.00 HERE!

Zoya Nail Polish Thrive Collection | Swatches and Review

Posted on May 23, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

Spring may be coming to a close, but I’m excited to share with you swatches and a review of the complete Zoya Nail Polish Thrive Collection. This collection was originally released in Spring 2018, and I finally tried all six polishes. Spoiler alert: I’m really impressed with this collection! It comes with two metallics, three creams, and one sparkly topper. Plus, all of the shades work really well together. The Thrive Collection is the perfect option if you’re looking for nail polishes that can take you from the office to a night out! I think there is something for everyone in the Thrive Collection!

Zoya Nail Polish Thrive Collection | Swatches and Review

The products in this post were provided for my review. This post includes affiliate links.

Zoya Nail Polish is a Logical Harmony Approved cruelty free brand, and all of the brand’s nail polishes are vegan. In the swatches below I am wearing a base coat, two coats of nail polish (unless otherwise noted), and a glossy top coat from Pacifica.

Darby

The first polish in the Thrive Collection is Darby, what Zoya describes as a dusty gray metallic. In the bottle Darby appears to be a light blue polish with royal blue shimmer. Once applied to the nails, Darby’s gray tone was much more visible. I wish the shimmer effect was a bit stronger, but I was pleasantly surprised with this polish! The formula is opaque in two coats, and it’s a unique take on a gray nail polish. Darby is one of my favorites in the collection!

Trudith

Next up is Trudith, described as a muted, wisteria purple cream polish. Trudith reminds me of the Natural Collections that Zoya released in the past. This polish reads very mauve on me, and I’m loving it! The formula applies well and is opaque in two coats. Trudith is the perfect polish to wear to work, as it can pass as a muted neutral, but has that nice pop of purple.

Brandi

Brandi is the first pink polish in the Thrive Collection. Zoya describes this shade simply as a blush pink cream. Brandi is the only polish in this collection that had a bit of a troublesome formula for me. It is on the thick side, but it was also runny at the same time. I had to do a bit of clean-up with this polish, which is unusual for me. I also had an air bubble on my manicure. Nonetheless, Brandi is a beautiful pink color, but I recommend thin coats with this formula.

Monroe

The other pink in this collection is Monroe, described as a glamour pink cream. I am obsessed with this nail polish! Monroe has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. I love how pigmented and bright this polish is. It is so much fun for the summer months, and great if you like a flawless pink nail that is nearly red.

Leisel

Next up is Leisel, a sheer, sparkling topper. I applied three coats of Leisel in the photos above, and you can see this polish is still not opaque. However, I think it’s great that you can wear this polish alone or layered on top of other polishes. I didn’t think I would like Leisel, but is surprised me! I love how it shifts from pink to purple to gold to blue depending on the light and the base color. I wouldn’t wear Leisel on its own, but I cannot wait to wear it layered!

Haruko

Last but not least is Haruko, a soft violet metallic polish. Haruko is a very pretty lilac shade with purple shimmer. The formula is a bit streaky, but that is common with metallic nail polishes. I am wearing two coats in the above swatches, and while the coverage is good, I would need a third coat for opacity. If you like subtle shimmers, Haruko is a nice option!

What Leisel Looks Like as a Topper

I wanted to show you how stunning Leisel is when used as a topper! I am wearing one coat of Leisel over all the other polishes in this collection and a glossy top coat in the above photo. From left to right, the shades are: Darby, Trudith, Brandi, Monroe, and Haruko. I am blown away at how stunning Leisel is! My favorite manicure is the one with Darby, but I also love Leisel with Brandi and Monroe. I also need to try Leisel over black and white. Let me know if you would like to see that test in a blog post!

Overall, I am loving the Zoya Thrive Collection! Not only do all six nail polishes compliment each other extremely well, but there is a little something for everyone. Plus, I love that I can dress up any polish in this collection by topping it with Leisel! Individually, not all of these polishes are unique. However, if you are looking to grow your nail polish collection with some go-to shades, I think the Thrive Collection is a great option. This would also make an amazing gift!

You can purchase the Thrive Collection on Zoya’s website or on Amazon for $60.00. Individual shades retail for $10.00 each.

What’s your favorite polish in the Thrive Collection?

2020 Makeup Inventory | My Minimalist and Vegan Makeup Collection

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

Since discovering the online makeup world in 2012, my makeup collection has grown and changed a great deal over the last few years. While it can be a lot of fun to have a large makeup collection, I personally find that a small, curated collection of the products I actually use is best for me. As someone who typically wears the same face of makeup every day, there is no reason for me to have a lot of options. Instead, I focus on owning products I will use up to completion. This helps me eliminate waste, it saves me a great deal of money, and it allows me to choose my makeup collection with great care. I wanted to start off 2020 by sharing with you my current makeup inventory in its entirety.

2020 Makeup Inventory | My Minimalist and Vegan Makeup Collection

All of the products I share with you today are cruelty free and vegan. I will also be using affiliate links to share these products with you. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link in this blog post, I will earn a small commission. Thank you!

Face Products

I currently own one face primer, one foundation, and two concealers. I am very happy with this category in my stash! I am currently using a facial moisturizer from Derma E that works really well under makeup, so there is no need for me to have more face primers at the moment. I also haven’t been wearing a full face of makeup lately, so I rarely reach for foundation. Instead, I use concealer to cover redness in my T-zone, and having two concealers makes sense for me.

Setting Powders | Vegan and Cruelty Free

I currently have three face powders in my collection. That being said, two of these are basically empty right now! I need to repress those two so I can use them up completely. I only need one setting powder in my collection, and this one from Pacifica is a favorite of mine.

Eye Products

Eye Makeup Collection | Brows, Shadow, and Mascara

My eye makeup collection is one category where I’ve greatly reduced the amount of products I own. I fill in my eyebrows every day, so I have my one tried-and-true brow powder and one open eyebrow gel. I do have one eyebrow gel in my backup drawer as well. Since I do not wear eyeshadow regularly, there is no need for me to have more than a few basic items. I am currently using a concealer as an eyeshadow base, and I have one primer in my backup drawer. For eyeshadow, I have one duo and one holographic liquid shadow for the few times a year I want something more. Lastly, I own one mascara that I replace every three to four months.

Cheek Products

I think cheek products are my favorite part of makeup! I love blush and highlighter, and I am happy with the amount of products I own in this category. I have one blush palette, which is more than enough. But, I also love the matte Tarte blush I got from a kit, and The Body Shop Shimmer Waves palette is great for blush, highlighter, or eyeshadow. I also use my contour palette from The Body Shop for eyeshadow as well. The only product I probably don’t need is the liquid highlighter from NYX – I don’t use it often.

Lip Products

Just like eye products, I used to own a lot of lip products. However, I learned in the past few years that I really do not like wearing lip products! I am always drinking water, and I don’t like it when lip products transfer or wear off throughout the day. I currently have three lip products in my collection, and I could probably declutter all of them! I have an invisible lip liner, a lip oil, and a tinted lip balm. If I don’t grab for these throughout the year, I will declutter them and not buy anymore lip products unless it is for a specific reason or occasion!

Setting Sprays

Last but not least, I have three setting sprays in my collection. I am currently using one from elf, and I got two of my holy grail sprays from The Body Shop for Christmas this year. I love setting spray, but I know some people feel like it doesn’t do anything. For me, it is a must!

Total Inventory

As 2020 begins, I currently own a total of 27 makeup products! Overall, I am really happy with my collection. There are only a few products in my stash that I do not use regularly (mainly the lip products), but everything else is part of my regular routine and rotation. I like having my go-to products that work for me, with a few fun options in my favorite categories – blush and highlighter. The last time I did a full makeup inventory was in 2018, and at that time I owned 55 makeup products. I am amazed that my collection has shrunk in half! It shows I truly don’t need a large quantity of products.

Please share with me in the comments if you prefer to have a small or large makeup collection. If you are looking to be more minimalistic and mindful with the things you own, I find your makeup is a great place to start. If you would like to see a full review of a product I mentioned today, please let me know in a comment as well!

Why I Returned the Lush Cosmetics No Drought Dry Shampoo | Lush Dry Shampoo Review

Posted on May 27, 2018January 10, 2024 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! Today I am excited to share my thoughts on the Lush Cosmetics No Drought Dry Shampoo. One of my goals this year is to go as zero waste as possible, and that includes my beauty products. When it came time for me to buy a new dry shampoo, I decided to purchase the one from Lush. I wanted a dry shampoo that was not in aerosol form (learn why that is bad for the environment HERE), and also one with ethical packaging. I love that the Lush plastic bottles are made with 100% post-consumer plastic, so I decided to try No Drought. Unfortunately, I made the decision to return this product to the store when it did not work for me.

This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

The No Drought Dry Shampoo claims to be a formula that absorbs excess oils and adds volume to the hair. I spoke with a sales associate at my local store before purchasing, because I was concerned the white powder wouldn’t blend in well with my light brown hair, and she assured me that wouldn’t be a problem. She also mentioned that this product does a great job at absorbing oils. While I was able to get the dry shampoo to blend in just fine with my hair color, this product was, unfortunately, quite ineffective in my hair. In fact, my hair looked and felt even dirtier and greasier whenever I used this product!

The issue, for me, lies in the fact that this is a texturizing dry shampoo. Over the years I’ve found that dry shampoos fall into one of two camps: dry shampoos that absorb oil and dry shampoos that texturize. I steer clear of texturizing dry shampoos because I have very fine hair. When texture is added, it weighs my hair down, and makes it cling together. I tried a few different techniques with No Drought in an attempt to get it to work for me, but my hair always came out feeling very heavy and greasy. After about a month of use, I made the decision to return this product to the store. I try to never return used beauty products, as I know they cannot be resold to other customers, but I was very let down that I spent $15.95 on a product that was not living up to its claims. I certainly did not achieve the promised matte finish!

In the end, I would only recommend the Lush Cosmetics No Drought Dry Shampoo if you enjoy using texturizing hair products. For instance, if you have thick hair, this may work better for you than it did for me. That being said, I will still continue to purchase other products from Lush, especially those that come packaging free. As for dry shampoo, I am now testing the one from Verb sold at Ulta (shop HERE).

Have you tried a non-aerosol dry shampoo? Let me know in the comments!

I Tried 8 Vegan Mascaras So You Don’t Have To | Vegan Mascara Mini Reviews

Posted on April 18, 2018May 24, 2018 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Since going vegan in the summer of 2016, I’ve been on the hunt for my new Holy Grail mascara. While it’s been quite easy to find a vegan substitute for the majority of my makeup products, finding a vegan mascara has been a bit more challenging. Today I am going to share mini reviews of the eight different mascaras I’ve tried in the past couple of years. These mascaras range widely in both price and quality, and I will share my thoughts on them in the chronological order in which I tested them. Let’s go on a journey through all of the vegan mascaras I’ve tried!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume Mascara – $2.99 [BUY]

The first vegan mascara I tried is the Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume. I decided to start out with a very affordable option, as I always hope to find a product that is extremely budget friendly. I posted a full review of this mascara on my blog HERE. Overall, I thought this mascara was okay, but it didn’t provide me with too much volume or length. If you are looking for a natural-looking mascara that will give you just a little definition, the MegaVolume is a good option.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Volumizing & Defining Mascara – $2.90 [BUY]

I then decided to try another drugstore brand to see how that mascara would compare. I bought the e.l.f. Cosmetics Volumizing & Defining Mascara because I really enjoy this type of plastic wand as opposed to natural bristle wands. Unfortunately, this mascara was a huge disappointment! As I outlined in THIS blog post, the formula was extremely thick and heavy. Worst of all, it gave me the dreaded uni-lash, meaning all of my lashes stuck together in one clump. This was strike one for e.l.f., a brand I usually love!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara – $23.00 [BUY]

After two frustrating rounds with drugstore mascaras, I tried my hand at a high end option from Tarte. I am happy to report that I really enjoyed the Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara. It provided me with longer and fuller lashes, and was definitely the best option I tried thus far. However, I prefer a drier mascara formula, and this one is a bit on the wet side. That being said, I do recommend this mascara, and I can see myself going back to it at some point in the future. I don’t like spending a lot on high end mascaras, but this one is worth it if you like a wetter formula.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – $23.00 [BUY]

I next decided to try a cult favorite mascara in the beauty community – the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. Unfortunately, this mascara did not work out for me at all! I found the formula to be extremely heavy, and it made a huge mess every time I tried to apply it. I think the natural bristle brush combined with the wet formula was just a big no for my lashes. Despite so many people loving this mascara, I would not recommend it! It was back to drugstore formulas (and prices!) at this point.

e.l.f. Cosmetics 3-in-1 Mascara – $3.00 [BUY]

I decided to give e.l.f. a second chance, and purchased the 3-in-1 Mascara. Again, I went with a plastic mascara wand, and chose a formula advertised to define, lengthen, and volumize. This time, it wasn’t the mascara formula that went wrong – it was the packaging! The opening of the mascara was so narrow that the brush could barely fit through it. That meant that almost zero product made it onto the wand and onto my lashes. I consistently felt like I was putting absolutely nothing on my lashes with this mascara. I do want to mention that this product has since been reformulated, but I have no desire to try it again. We’ll call this strike two for e.l.f.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Volume Plumping Mascara – $3.00 [BUY]

I gave e.l.f. its third and final chance with the Volume Pluming Mascara. I grabbed this at Target, hoping that the promised “New Formula” would be good. Well, this was strike three for e.l.f. mascaras for me. Once again, the formula did almost nothing for my lashes. Remember how I said the Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume looked very natural? This Volume Plumping Mascara did even less than that. I’ve now come to the conclusion that e.l.f. mascaras are not for me. I absolutely love e.l.f. Cosmetics as a brand, but I do not plan on ever trying another mascara from the company.

Wet ‘n Wild MegaLength Mascara – $2.99 [BUY]

At this point in the game, I did some thinking. I wanted to stick with a drugstore mascara to save money, but I also needed to stay away from e.l.f. I decided to go back to Wet ‘n Wild and try a different mascara formula. This time I got the MegaLength, and I was pleasantly surprised! This is by far the best vegan mascara I’ve tested, and it’s only $2.99 regular price! I like this mascara because it does a great job at lengthening my lashes. It doesn’t provide much volume, but I would rather have long lashes than clumpy ones. While still not a Holy Grail product for me, this is a mascara I’ve repurchased a few times already.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Gifted Mascara – $23.00 [BUY]

Last but not least, I got a mini size of the Tarte Gifted Mascara as a point perk from Sephora. I really liked this mascara, too. It can be a bit messy, but I like how my lashes looked really full and long after application. That being said, I wouldn’t buy this mascara at the full price. If it went on sale, I would consider getting this again, and I do recommend it if you’re looking for a weightless yet effective mascara.

Final Thoughts: I’ve learned a few important things during these past 18 months of testing vegan mascaras. First, e.l.f. Cosmetics mascaras are to be avoided (at least, for me). Second, spending a lot of money on a mascara isn’t worth it for me. I like to change out my mascaras every three to four months, so keeping the cost down is important. In the same way, more money doesn’t necessarily mean a better formula. In the end, I’m going to continue testing out vegan drugstore mascaras to see if I can find my new Holy Grail. Until then, I highly recommend the Wet ‘n Wild MegaLength!

What’s your favorite vegan mascara? Let me know in the comments!

All the Vegan Options During the Ulta Beauty Spring Haul Event | April 2018 Sale Event

Posted on April 10, 2018May 14, 2018 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I am excited to share with you all of the vegan options during the Ulta Beauty Spring Haul Event. This event is taking place now through April 21, 2018. The event is split up into two weeks, with different promotions occurring each week. I apologize for not having this post up sooner, but there is still time to take advantage of all the current deals. As always, I hope this post is helpful in making your shopping experience at Ulta easier. Finding fabulous and affordable vegan beauty products is not as complicated as one may think!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

You can find complete information about the Ulta Spring Haul event on the retailer’s website HERE.

Week 1 Deals – April 8 – 14, 2018:

Ulta Beauty Collection Implements – $1.25-$8.00 [BUY]
Eyelure and Ardell False Lashes – $3.59-$8.39 [BUY]
Makeup Revolution Select Eyeshadow Palettes (Vegan Option: Fortune Favors the Brave Ultra 30 Eyeshadow Palette) – $9.00 [BUY]
Bh Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition 21 Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette – $16.88 [BUY]
Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Line – $2.99 [BUY]
Pacifica Skincare Mists – $5.00-$6.00 [BUY]
Hempz Haircare (Vegan Options: Vanilla Plum Herbal Moisturizing & Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner, Original Herbal Shampoo for Damaged & Color Treated Hair, Herbal Dry Shampoo & Style Extender, Triple Moisture Rich Daily Herbal Replenishing Shampoo and Conditioner & Hair Mask, Pomegranate Daily Herbal Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner, Herbal Workable Hairspray, and Pure Hemp Ultra-Hydrating Healthy Herbal Hair Mask & Deep Conditioner) – $5.00-$13.50 [BUY]

Week 2 – April 15 – 21, 2018:

Yes To Towelettes – $1.50-$4.25 [BUY]
Real Techniques Sponges and Kits – $3.59-$11.99 [BUY]
EcoTools Sponges and Kits – $2.99-$8.99 [BUY]
Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer, Highlighter, and Blush (Vegan Options: All Butter Bronzer shades are vegan. All Butter Highlighter shades are vegan except for Pink. I cannot confirm if any Butter Blush shades are vegan) – $6.59-$8.99 [BUY]
Models Own Eyeshadow Palettes (Vegan Options: Barely There, Rockstar, Vintage Rose, Wonderland, Supernatural, and Colour Chrome) – $7.50 [BUY]
Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Foundation – $3.59 [BUY]
Winky Lux Glimmer Balms – $7.00-$8.00 [BUY]

*Please Note: I have done my best to provide an accurate and complete list of all the vegan products available during the sale. If I could not confirm that a product is vegan, I did not put it on this list. If you have any questions or further information, kindly leave me a comment.

Will you be purchasing any products from the Spring Haul Sale? Let me know in the comments!

Follow me on Instagram HERE for daily vegan content!

What’s on My Sephora Loves List?! | My Current Beauty Wish List (Vegan and Cruelty Free)

Posted on March 19, 2018May 24, 2018 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! I recently saw a YouTube video from JAMBeauty89 in which she discussed the products on her Sephora Loves List. I thought this was a really fun idea, and wanted to share what is currently on my own Beauty Wish List with all of you! I love perusing the Sephora website, but it is rare that I actually make a purchase. Instead, I add products I’m interested in to my Loves List on the website so that I can easily find them again at a later date. I have ten products on my Loves List right now, some I may purchase in the future, and others that I may take off the list at some point. Let me show you the vegan and cruelty free beauty products on my wish list right now!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

You can use the widget below to view all of the products I’m mentioning today. Simply click on a product to purchase it online!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio in Berry Adore | $30.00 [BUY]

I’ve been on the hunt for a purple, berry-toned blush for a while now. I think this trio from Anastasia contains the perfect shade, but I’m hesitant to buy it because of the price, and because I only want one of the blushes in the trio. I might pick this up once the fall months roll around, but I’m currently still looking for a more affordable option of this purple shade.

Cover FX Power Play Foundation | $44.00 [BUY]

Cover FX just released this new line of vegan foundations, and I’m definitely curious to try it. In addition to buying vegan cosmetics, I’m also trying to be aware of supporting brands that cater to a wide variety of skin tones. I love that this line offers 40 different shades, including a variety of shades for those with deep skin tones. Of course, I love that this foundation is formulated to be matte and long-wearing, too.

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick | $46.00 [BUY]

I was really disappointed when e.l.f. discontinued its foundation stick, and I’ve been looking for another option these past few months. This one from Hourglass has amazing reviews, but I cannot get over the price tag! I don’t think I could ever spend so much on a stick foundation, but I keep it on my list just in case it ever goes on sale.

IGK Low Key Cleansing Walnut Scalp Scrub | $36.00 [BUY]

I recently used up a deluxe sample of this scalp scrub from IGK, and I really enjoyed it. Because I have a flaky scalp, using a scrub helps to remove dry skin and excess product while providing a soothing cooling sensation. I use the IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm every time I wash my hair, so I’m a huge believer in this brand’s effectiveness. I am looking for a more affordable scalp scrub, but I do see myself grabbing this one in the future.

Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer | $49.00 [BUY]

Sephora now has a section on its website for Value Size products (shop HERE), and I saw one of my all-time favorite primers listed there from Smashbox. While $49.00 is a lot to spend at once, this jumbo size is a great value, and it’s also better for the environment to buy larger sizes and use less plastic. I currently have a few primers in my beauty stash, but I will probably purchase this one during a Sephora coupon event to get even more savings.

Smashbox Super Fan Mascara | $19.00 [BUY]

I typically do not buy high end mascaras, but Smashbox just released the Super Fan Mascara, and it looks amazing! I really like rubber mascara wands, and this mascara is designed to give long lashes without any clumps. I’m hoping Sephora will offer a mini size as a Point Perk sometime soon, because I would really like to try this mascara without spending nearly $20.00!

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask | $48.00 [BUY]

This face mask is taking over Instagram, and it has definitely piqued my interest. The Jet Lag Mask is a hydrating mask, inspired by how airplane travel dries out the skin. What’s really cool about this mask is that it can be worn in a variety of ways. I’m definitely hesitant to buy this mask because of the price tag, but the hype surrounding this product is so strong that I want to keep it on my wish list!

The Ordinary High -Adherence Silicone Primer | $4.90 [BUY]

I’m very curious to try out some products from the ultra-affordable brand The Ordinary. I’m not sure where to start with a lot of the skincare products, but this primer sounds amazing to me. Whenever Sephora restocks The Ordinary, the products seem to sell out instantly. That leads me to believe it is worth the hype! Plus, who can resist trying a mattifying and blurring primer that is under $5.00?

Too Faced Peach Perfect Comfort Matte Foundation | $36.00 [BUY]

I had no intention of picking up anything from the Too Faced Peaches and Cream Collection, but I keep hearing glowing reviews of this foundation from YouTubers I trust (namely Kelly Gooch and Love Heatherette). This foundation is supposed to provide medium coverage that stays matte all day. While it is on the expensive side, you do get 1.6 fl. oz. of product, as opposed to the standard 1 fl. oz. that comes with most foundations. I hope to pick this up once I’ve used the other foundations in my collection!

Verb Hydrating Mask | $16.00 [BUY]

My hair is very dry, and I want to start using more hydrating products on it. This mask sounds great, as it is formulated to be weightless and suitable for all hair types. I haven’t heard anyone talk about this product yet, but the price seems very fair, so I might pick it up soon.

That wraps up all of the current products on my Sephora Loves List! I would love to hear from you in the comments – have you tried these products? Do you recommend them? Please let me know! I think sharing our wish lists is not only a lot of fun, but it can be very helpful as well. If you would like to know what is on my Ulta Favorites list, let me know in a comment! I would be happy to share those products as well.

What is on your Sephora Loves List? Let me know in the comments!

Shop this blog post with ShopStyle! Click the photo below to see all of the products.

All the Vegan Options During the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Sale | Spring 2018

Posted on March 14, 2018May 24, 2018 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! This year I’ve been doing a lot more of my makeup and beauty shopping at Ulta. I love that I can shop from drugstore, high end, and indie beauty brands all in one place. Plus, Ulta has amazing sales going on all the time. One of the store’s biggest events is the 21 Days of Beauty Sale, which is taking place this spring from March 18, 2018 through April 7, 2018. I thought it would be helpful to put together a list of all the vegan options available during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty so you can easily plan ahead and fill those shopping carts!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Please note that I referenced THIS blog post from BeautyBudgetCollection while creating this list. Thank you to Ashley for the helpful information!

New to the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Sale? Here’s how it works! Each day during the sale there are a few products on a big discount. These sales only last for one day, so make sure to plan your shopping accordingly! At the end of this post will be the Hot Buys, which are available for the entire duration of the sale while supplies last.

March 18 | Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara – $10.00 [BUY]

March 19 | No Vegan Options

March 20 | Pür Cosmetics 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 15 – $14.75 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer – $35.00 [BUY]

March 21 | Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water – $16.00 [BUY]

March 22 | No Vegan Options

March 23 | Urban Decay Eyeshadow Singles (Vegan Shades: Bender, Blackout, Buck, Bust, Chase, Darkhorse, Deep End, Desperation, Easy Baked, Faint, Foxy, Haight, Half Baked, Hijack, Kush, Laced, Loaded, Lost, Maui Wowie, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Mildew, Mushroom, Naked, Peace, Roach, Smog, Tease, Twice Baked, Uncut, Virgin, Zephyr) – $10.00 [BUY]

March 24 | No Vegan Options

March 25 | It Brushes for Ulta Airbrush Smoothing Foundation Brush #102 – $11.00 [BUY]

March 26 | BECCA Backlight Priming Filter – $19.00 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: First Aid Beauty Love Your FAB Skin – $22.00 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: DERMAdoctor Kakadu C Peel Pad – $39.00 [BUY]

March 27 | Online Only Deal: St. Tropez In-Shower Gradual Tanning Lotion – $12.50 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: Kopari Coconut Melt – $14.00 [BUY]

March 28 | Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner – $12.00 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: Skin Laundry Select Cleansers – $10.00 [BUY]

March 29 | No Vegan Options

March 30 | Online Only Deal: Lime Crime Hi-Lite Palettes – $19.00 [BUY]

March 31 | Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz – $10.50 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: OFRA Banana Powder – $6.00-$9.50 [BUY]

April 1 | No Vegan Options

April 2 | Butter London Glazen Eye Gloss – $12.00 [BUY]

April 3 | No Vegan Options

April 4 | No Vegan Options

April 5 | Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (Vegan Varieties: Anti-Aging, Fix) – $10.00-$12.00 [BUY]

Juice Beauty STEM CELLULAR Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum – $40.00 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: Skyn Iceland Icelandic Relief Eye Cream – $22.50 [BUY]

April 6 | Tarte Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint (Vegan Shades: Adorbs, Bae, FOMO, Frenemy, Hangry, Lovespell, Manbun, Namaste, Selfish, So Fetch, TBT, Twerk, Yaassss) – $10.00 [BUY]

Tarte Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint – $10.00 [BUY]

Tarte Tarteist Lip Crayon – $10.00 [BUY]

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant – $28.50 [BUY]

April 7 | Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – $11.50 [BUY]

HOT BUYS (As mentioned, these deals last for the duration of the event, or while supplies last)

DERMAdoctor Kakadu C High Potency Evening Oil – $44.40 [BUY]

Tarte Ready, Set, Radiant Skin Mist – $15.00 [BUY]

Pür Cosmetics Miracle Mist Hydrating Spray – $10.00 [BUY]

Cover FX Anti-Aging Primer – $22.00 [BUY]

The Better Skin Co. Better Skin Lava Magik – $19.20 [BUY]

Organic to Green Great Barrier Chap Guard – $10.80 [BUY]

Special Sale from Tarte: Buy any Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Foundation at $39.00 [BUY], and Get the Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer for $15.00 [BUY]. Only the Matte foundation (not the Hydrating foundation) is vegan. The concealer line is all vegan.

Special Sale on Minis: Buy 3, Get 1 Free [MORE INFO].

Vegan Mini Products are:

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Pore Minimizing [BUY]
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer [BUY]
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water [BUY]
Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 [BUY]
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray [BUY]
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara [BUY]
Tarte Brazilliance PLUS+ Self-Tanner [BUY]

Will you be picking up any products from the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty?

Let me know in the comments!

5 Beauty Brands I Wish Would Go Vegan!

Posted on March 12, 2018May 24, 2018 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I thought it would be fun to share with you my top five beauty brands that I wish would go vegan. Of course, in a perfect world, all brands would stop testing on animals and using animal ingredients and byproducts. That being said, there are a handful of brands that I really miss using now that I’m vegan. While I can almost always find vegan replacements for products I used to enjoy, there are a few things that I would love to be able to repurchase with a vegan formula. Here are the five beauty brands that I wish would go vegan!

1. Sally Hansen

Adventures in Polishland began purely as a nail polish blog, and my favorite brand was always Sally Hansen. Not only does Sally Hansen have extremely budget friendly options, but the quality of the polishes is excellent as well. From the ultra-affordable Xtreme Wear line, to the stunning Miracle Gel formulas, I could always find a polish I loved from this drugstore brand. I would love to see Sally Hansen go vegan, as it can be difficult to find affordable vegan nail polishes at the drugstore.

2. CoverGirl

Another drugstore brand I miss using is CoverGirl. My favorite product was the TruBlend Liquid Makeup foundation. I went through several bottles of this product, and it was my go to foundation. I also really liked the Clump Crusher mascara. While I have been able to find a drugstore foundation from Wet ‘n Wild that I like, it still doesn’t compare to my old faithful TruBlend. Plus, it would be great if this classic makeup brand would take a stance against animal cruelty, and provide customers with affordable and vegan products.

3. Benefit

The one high end brand on this list is Benefit. I liked testing and trying a lot of Benefit’s products, but the ones I miss the most are the blushes. My go to shade for years was Hervana, and I even had a Benefit blush palette that I used all the time. I currently love the blushes I use from Tarte, but the vegan shades I own are all limited edition. I would love for Benefit to stop testing on animals and begin creating product formulas that do not contain any animal derived ingredients.

4. L’Oreal

When it comes to hair care, I really miss the L’Oreal shampoos, conditioners, and styling products I used to use. Not only are L’Oreal hair products really affordable, but they were also very effective in caring for my hair. Since going vegan, I’ve struggled to find products that work as well at the same price point. I don’t mind spending more if it means getting a vegan product, but it would be awesome if L’Oreal would commit to going vegan. I also need to mention that the L’Oreal mascaras were some of my absolute favorites. Wouldn’t it be awesome if I could buy the Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara again?!

5. Rimmel

Last but not least is Rimmel, another budget friendly brand from the drugstore. The main reason I miss Rimmel is because the brand makes my Holy Grail setting powder in the Stay Matte Pressed Powder. I went through several of these powders, and am having a hard time finding a vegan dupe. Of course, I also loved the Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation and the Keep Calm Lip Balms. I hope that Rimmel will take a stance against animal cruelty, and go vegan very soon!

Some Final Thoughts

It’s important to note that many of the brands I mentioned today either claim to be cruelty free, or write misleading animal testing policies on their websites. I highly recommend checking out sources like Ethical Elephant, Logical Harmony, and Cruelty Free Kitty if you are ever unsure about a brand’s cruelty free or vegan status. Please click HERE to learn more about why Benefit, L’Oreal, and Rimmel are not cruelty free.

Moreover, while I do miss using some non-vegan products, particularly the ones mentioned today, going cruelty free and vegan is overall quite easy and always worth the extra effort. There are so many brands that are either 100% vegan, or offer a lot of vegan products. I can still go to the drugstore or Target and pick up many of the products I need, or I can place an online order with Ulta, Vitacost, or Sephora if I have trouble finding things in the store. I highly encourage you to transition to a cruelty free and vegan lifestyle, and I think you will find it is much easier than you expect!

Follow me on Instagram HERE for daily vegan beauty and lifestyle tips!

If All My Makeup Disappeared | Rebuilding a Vegan and Cruelty Free Makeup Collection for $100

Posted on March 10, 2018May 24, 2018 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! I recently saw a YouTube video from Jacks Lorraine where she built a makeup collection from scratch for $100. I really liked this idea, and wanted to share which products I would pick if all of my makeup disappeared, too. Some of the products I’m mentioning today are ones I’ve already tried and loved, and others are brand new to me. The idea is that if I only had $100 to spend, I could go out and purchase everything I needed to create the makeup looks I like. Of course, all of the products I am choosing are vegan. I hope this goes to show that being vegan can actually be extremely affordable!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

You can use the widget below to view all of the products I’m mentioning today. Simply click on a product to purchase it online!

Primer | Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Matte Face Primer | $4.99 [BUY]

While I haven’t yet tried this primer, I have a feeling it is very similar to the one I am currently enjoying from Milani, but at a smaller price point. I have large pores in my T-zone, and my skin gets oily throughout the day. I think this matte primer will tackle both of those concerns well!

Foundation | Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Foundation | $5.99 [BUY]

I currently use this foundation from Wet ‘n Wild, and really enjoy it. I find this is a medium and buildable coverage, and I believe it will work well any time of year. I do find that it can enhance dry skin, but it should work well when paired with the primer I chose.

Concealer | Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Concealer | $3.99 [BUY]

I decided to complete my face base routine with the Wet ‘n Wild Concealer. I currently use this concealer, and I really enjoy the formula. The lightest shade matches my skin tone exactly, so while I can’t use this for highlighting, I want this in my makeup collection for covering blemishes. I also use this alone on days where I don’t want to use foundation, but have some redness to cover.

Brows | Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo | $23.00 [BUY]

My one high end product in this list is my Holy Grail eyebrow product – the Brow Powder Duo from Anastasia. This is the only product I’ve used for my brows since I purchased it over a year ago. I find it is very natural looking, and does a great job at filling in my sparse but wide brows. While expensive, this product lasts forever! I’ve used the same one for nearly a year and a half now, and it still works beautifully with a lot of product remaining.

Brow Gel | e.l.f. Cosmetics Clear Brow and Lash Mascara | $2.00 [BUY]

The other half of my beloved eyebrow routine is the ultra-affordable brow gel from e.l.f. I use this clear mascara to set my powder in place, and it does a great job. I use each side of this product for about three months, which means this $2.00 eyebrow gel lasts me half a year!

Eyeshadow | ColourPop Double Entendre Pressed Powder Shadow Palette | $16.00 [BUY]

Believe it or not, but I have not tried any products from the cult favorite brand ColourPop! Now that it is available at Ulta, that will probably change very soon. That being said, I would be very excited to add the Double Entendre Palette to my stash. This neutral eyeshadow palette contains twelve shades – cool tones, warm tones, mattes, metallics, and a satin, too! While I don’t wear eyeshadow all that often, this will be perfect for the days I wish to do so. Plus, I can easily use my concealer as an eyeshadow primer and save myself a few dollars.

Mascara | Wet ‘n Wild MegaLength Mascara | $2.99 [BUY]

I’ve tried seven different mascaras since I’ve gone vegan, and the best by far is the MegaLength from Wet ‘n Wild. This mascara lives up to its name, and makes my lashes very long. I find that I get fuller-looking lashes without any clumps. Even though this doesn’t add too much volume, it is my go-to mascara and I would absolutely buy it again (and again!).

Blush | e.l.f. Powder Blush Palette in Light | $6.00 [BUY]

I owned this blush palette a few years ago, and absolutely loved it. I ended up decluttering it because it was very old, but I would definitely recommend this product. The blushes from e.l.f. are extremely pigmented, and they blend really well. Plus, having a blush palette means I can wear a variety of shades, and also get a custom shade by mixing them.

Highlighter | bh Cosmetics Nude Rose Highlighter Palette | $11.99 [BUY]

I decided to go the same route with highlighters, and chose this palette from bh Cosmetics. I’ve never tried highlighters from this brand before, but the shades look absolutely gorgeous! The palette also has good reviews online, so I think this would make a great addition to my makeup stash. I’m especially loving the rosy pink shade!

Setting Powder | Pacifica Neutralizing Mattifer Soft Focus Translucent Powder | $12.00 [BUY]

To set my face I am grabbing a new favorite product from Pacifica. This powder applies easily and looks beautiful on the skin. I use a fluffy blush to set my face, and so far I think it does a great job at keeping my oil in check. I also love that this comes in a cardboard compact that can be recycled better than plastic.

Lips | Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint in Guava Berry | $5.00 [BUY]

When it comes to lip color, I typically wear a tinted lip balm or some other subtle product. I used to own a Color Quench Lip Tint from Pacifica, and used it until it expired. I would love to try another shade from this line and have it be my daily color. It’s an added bonus that this lip tint moisturizes the lips, too!

Setting Spray | The Body Shop Make-Up Setting Spray | $7.00 [BUY]

Last but not least, I will lock everything in place with this setting spray from The Body Shop. I recently started testing this, and I’m really loving it! Not only does it help keep my makeup in place, but it helps to soothe the skin with aloe vera. The mister also works very well when applying the product.

What’s not included? You may notice I don’t have an eyeliner, bronzer, or contour on this list. That’s because those are products I don’t use regularly, and could easily leave out of my daily makeup routine. I’ve made sure to pick out everything I need with my budget!

THE GRAND TOTAL: $100.95

If you’ve done the math with me, you’ll know I’m technically over my budget by $0.95. I am totally fine with that, though, because some of these products can almost always be purchased on sale or with a coupon.

Here is an example of how my prices would fall today, March 10, 2018:

Purchase Wet ‘n Wild Mascara in-store at Target – $2.99
Purchase bh Cosmetics Palette in-store at Urban Outfitters – $12.00
Purchase The Body Shop Setting Spray in-store – $7.00
Purchase everything else at Ulta online – $75.47 (using $3.50 off $15.00 coupon; free shipping at $50.00)

TOTAL: $97.46

Ta da! I’m now under budget! Today’s sales are not even that great either! Nonetheless, if all my makeup disappeared, I would be happy purchasing everything on this list for under $100.

I would love to know how you would rebuild your makeup collection!

Leave me a comment sharing your picks!

Support other Vegan and Cruelty Free YouTubers/Bloggers Who Have Done This Tag:

Jacks Lorraine: LINK
Unnatural Vegan: LINK
Too Much Tash: LINK

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