ciatè || AWESOME FIND!

Hey guys.

I found these awesome ciatè nail polishes at Burlington yesterday and could not wait to share them with you all.

They are (mostly)  Fall colors, so if you're still trying to hold on to your Summer, LOOK AWAY!

This post is just going to be pictures. I've yet to wear them so I can't tell you how they apply or the wear time.

SIDE-NOTE: I know I've been gone for a while (looonnnng while), so forgive me for the lack of content. Let's just say this year has been a weird/crazy one. I've missed posting more than you can imagine! 

That 'Big Beauty Bus' packaging though! How could I pass it up! Also, it was only $7.99! I can't promise you will find them at your Burlington, but if you like the colors take a look it can't hurt.

The tri-o was $5.99. 

The 'Big Beauty Bus' set has mini-polishes. You can see the difference in size. 

"HopScotch" looks more red on camera. It's very much a true orange. 

"Party Shoes" makes me want to dance! AHH so gorgeous! 

Let me know which one was your favorite? Also, what is your favorite ciatè nail-polish?

Lots of Love,

Camila

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**disclaimer: Not sponsored. 

Julep | Animal Testing Policy

Hey guys!
I contacted Julep a week or so ago. I'm happy with the speed of their reply. As promised I will be sharing that correspondence.

I emailed them using the format I always use. Since that time, I have changed it up a bit. I made it more personal.

This was what I received the first time I emailed them:

Hi Camila,
Thank you for your inquiry about Julep products. We absolutely DO NOT test on animals! Never have, never will! We only “test” on humans. One of the great things about Julep is we have 4 Nail Parlors and amazing customers that let us test and try products on them all the time!
Some of our products do contain animal-derived ingredients (milk, beeswax, etc). Here are some products that are completely VEGAN: Facial for Hands Glycolic Hand Scrub, Julep Essential Cuticle Oil, and any non-red nail polish.
Another great thing about our products is that they are “4 Free”. We use NO paraben, NO sulphate phthalate, NO DBP, and they are tolene and formaldehyde FREE. We like to say, we took out all of the nasty carcinogens that are found in so many other products.
If you are interested in the Ingredients of each item we invite you to check out our site. We are proud to say we list ingredients for each and every item in the item details section.
I hope this convinces you even more how Julep can be a brand you can be proud to wear. We are always interested in how new Julep customers hear about us, since we use many different outlets. If you have time just drop us a line. Also, please let us know if you have any more questions. Until next time, have a wonderful weekend!

As you can see the representative is a sweetheart! However, all the questions I originally asked weren't addressed so I emailed them back seeking details.

This is the second email I received:
*I added questions so you don't have to open 1000x tabs.

Hi Camilia,
Thank you for following up with us. I sincerely apologize for the delay. Of course, we we are happy to answer any questions you may have
[1. Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals?]
  1. No we do not test on animals at all. We preview or test new items in our Salons.
[2. Do you test ingredients or products on animals through a 3rd party? If your answer is no, how do you ensure that your manufacturers do not test? ]
  2. We do not have a third party that tests on animals
[3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals?]
  3.No we have products that are not tested on animals by us or 3rd parties. We check up on the sites regularly.
[4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?]
  4. We are a privately owned. Julep does not test on animals.
[5. Do you have a parent company? If so who are they? ]
  5. We do not have a parent company we are privately owned
[6. Do you/your parent company currently or have plans to market and sell your products in the Chinese market, which requires animal testing by law to sell in that country? ]
  6. We are currently in US and Canada and are unable to ship and market outside of the US. We have no plans to expand in the near future.
[7. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source? ]
  7.We invite you to view all of our ingredients for each item on our site.
[8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?] 
  8 Our Vegan friendly items include Facial for Hands Glycolic Hand Scrub, Julep Essential Cuticle Oil, and any non-red nail polish. 

If you have any other questions we are always happy to help.
Until then, have a wonderful weekend!

 They meet my three criteria & I would feel safe purchasing from them!!! I also quite enjoyed contacting them. Sometimes, companies seem hostile in their emails.

Lots of Love,
Camila

If you have questions please feel free to ask me.

Zoya, Qtica, Smart Spa (Art of Beauty)

Hello guys! I'm going to be honest. I had contacted Zoya almost exactly a month ago, everything went smoothly they emailed me back, I didn't feel the need to email them further--as I felt their email answered all my questions--but for some reason I had yet to share my correspondence. I'm going to blame it on lack of sleep! 
Anyways, I emailed them using the format I always use. (To see that format click on "How I Contact Companies"). 
I received this email a couple of days later:

Good morning! 

No problem! We actually are known as Art of Beauty, and are the parent company and manufacturers of Zoya, Qtica, and Smart Spa and aren’t affiliated or owned further with any other companies. We are a cruelty free company and none of our products or ingredients are tested on animals nor do we use any 3^rd party testing for our products. We don’t currently have any official distributors in China or sell there direct. Regarding the ingredients I will have to double check with the science department about those specific ones. I don’t have a specific product list of our vegan friendly products but the Zoya Nail Polish and Treatment line is entirely vegan friendly, and then the Zoya Hot Lips and the Qtica lines are not vegan friendly as some of the items use carmine, lanolin, or other animal based products. Hopefully this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and have a great day!

            thank you,

I appreciate the clarity of this email and that Zoya (Art of Beauty) addressed all my questions directly. Zoya's parent company is Art of Beauty where both Qtica and Smart Spa fall under. They affirm to the cruelty-free status of their raw ingredient providers, etc. Lastly, they do not retail in the Chinese market! 

I'm excited to hear this news. If you shop cruelty-free only, I'm sure you are aware that finding high quality nail polish companies is difficult. However, I have emailed Art of Beauty back urging them to become affiliated with either Leaping Bunny or PETA. If Art of Beauty did this, first it reasures us that what the company claims is true and secondly, it makes it easier when shopping. I will update you guys once they email me back. 

Personally, for now I would feel safe purchasing from Zoya, Otica, or Smart Spa. I will be adding them to my list. 

Please let me know what YOU think about this correspondence. Leave me any feedback you'd like! I love hearing--reading?-- your opinions and addressing your concerns. 

Until Next Time,
Camila