Beessential: A Three Product Review! Hand & Body Cream, Lavender & Honey, Lemon & Lavender Lip Balm (Cruelty-Free NOT Vegan (obvs.))

Hello guys!

I'm really excited to share these products with you all. However, I want to be honest and let you know that they were sent to me. Meaning, I did not pay for them, but I am not being paid to write this review. Also, they are not vegan.

Anyways, now that we got that out of the way...

**disclaimer: Links are NOT affiliates, they are there to help you find the product quickly. 

1) Beessential: Original Honey Hand & Body Cream: Relaxing Lavender

When I first applied this lotion I REALLY liked it. However, seeing I had just received it in the mail and I was really excited, I didn't want to rush my opinion. In order to test this lotion properly I put it in my backpack (I'm usually at school 7-12ish a day) and have been carrying it with me for almost three weeks and its always by my side on my computer desk. I can tell you that I really LOVE this lotion. I think the honey especially agrees with my skin. It's not oily and will help you so much if you have chronically dry hands like me. I also use it on my legs, I have REALLY dry skin on my legs and sensitive skin (when I shave), this does not irritate my skin, rather calms it down. 

I have the 100% Pure French Lavander Hand Buttercream, which I LOVE (great alternative) but not as much as I like this one. 

It's formaldehyde free. paragon free, and PEG free. 

6 fl. oz - $ 12.99

2) Beessential with Natural Vitamin E: LEMON & LAVENDER: Beeswax Lip Balm

I have a few favorite lip balms and so I'm pretty picky about the ones I try. The girl who emailed me about doing this review, mentioned this lip balm in particular, as it has been voted by TopBeauty.com as the best lip balm. I have to be honest, when I think of beeswax lip balms, I'm NEVER a fan. I always find them hard to apply and not moisturizing at all. I have to say I really, really like this one. It's super moisturizing and goes on smoothly. It's not oily at all and will not give you a "clear-lipgloss" effect. If you like lip balms that aren't "wet" I'm sure you'll like this one. 

0.15 oz - $2.99

3. Beessential: Lavender & Honey: Bee Calm & Carry On:

I'm such a sucker for soaps! I was super excited to try this one. I have to say from the stuff I received this is third on my list. I don't hate it but it didn't impress me as much as the products I already mentioned. Not that it's not good. It's definitely not drying, as in my opinion most bar soaps tend to be. As you use it you can see the honey in it. If you like honey (honey is GREAT for the skin) you will really like it. I say, give it a try. It might just be for you. It is good for acne prone skin. Did I see a huge difference? No. Nothing miraculous, it did make my skin feel nice though. I want to try the other soaps they make.

I hope you enjoyed this. I hope more than anything that you will give this brand a try. (If you're not vegan). They have SO many products! Search their site and see if you like anything! (Again, links are to help you find the products more quickly not affiliate links). Try the lotions! They have other scents!

Lots of Love,

Camila

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Boots and Companies || Animal Testing Inquiry

Hey guys. So I started spotting a lot of interesting Boots products at Target and so I decide to shoot them an email and inquire about their animal testing policy. Boots actually manufactures brands like: No7, No7 Men, Botanics, Indeed Laboratories, Boots Expert, Champneys, Poppy King, Boots Extracts, and Mark Hill.

Before I emailed them I did some research but I couldn’t find clear answers. I did see them on NotTested under the ‘ambiguous’ categorization. I did find some forums that mentioned No7 specifically as not cruelty-free. Just a disclaimer, you can’t trust forums to be 100% accurate. Anyways, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I emailed using the template I always use. Click here to check it out.

I received a reply, here it is:

Dear Camila

Thanks for contacting us about animal testing and I apologise for the delay in responding to you.

Boots and its subsidiary businesses do not test any products or ingredients on animals, and do not commission others to do so on our behalf. In fact in March 2013 it became illegal for any company to test cosmetic products or ingredients on animals in Europe. 

The issue of animal testing on products and raw materials is one we take very seriously at Boots UK. For over 20 years our policy for cosmetics and toiletries has been that we do not carry out, or ask our suppliers to carry out on our behalf, animal testing on either ingredients or finished products and you can rest assured that we apply our policy rigorously.

Boots would like to see an end to all animal testing, and we fully supported the development of the ban on animal testing on ingredients that came into force in the European Union in 2013. The ban applies to all cosmetics products purchased from any store across the EU and completes the ban that started with  finished products in 2004 and was extended to cover most types of ingredient testing in 2009.  The 2013 law has completed the ban for all forms of animal testing for both products and ingredients and now ensures that all companies in our industry in Europe are now aligned with the same policy that Boots has had in place for over 20 years.

We would definitely like to see an end to all animal tests. We fully support the intentions of the BUAV and take a keen interest in the development and introduction of alternative forms of safety testing.

I hope you find this helpful and reassuring.

If you need to know if any of our products contain a certain ingredient like Carnuba wax please send the product identity code to me and I can request a list of ingredients from our Product Team. Unfortunately, I am unable to provide this information on a whole range and do need to seach on products individually.

Kind regards

I liked the reply. I'm always for companies that support banning animal testing.  It makes me want to support them. I had no idea Boots helped with the 2013 European animal testing ban.

As you can tell they didn't address whether or not they sell in the Chinese market, so I emailed them again!

I said:

Thank you so much for emailing me back, I truly appreciate it. I am very happy with everything that was mentioned. However, one very important question wasn't addressed. I was wondering if Boots sells any of it's products of any of its' company's in the Chinese market? 
Thank you again! 

This was their reply:

Dear Ms Alvarez

Thank you for contacting us. I am sorry that we did not answer you enquiry completely and I hope I can help you further.

I can confirm that Boots do not sell our products to the Chinese Market as this would contradict our Animal Testing Policy.

Thank you again for contacting us. If we can help in any further way, please let us know
Kind regards 

What do you guys think? I really think everything they mentioned is very strong and specific; they didn't seem ambiguous to me at all. Also, like I mentioned before NotTested has them under the ambiguous category; however this list hasn't been updated in a long while. So keep that mind. I really feel comfortable support Boots!

Leave me your feedback.

Lots of Love,

Camila

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LA Girl Animal Testing Inquiry || Are They CF?

***UPDATE: I pasted the wrong part of the email where they answered whether or not they sell in the Chinese market. Sorry about that!!! Ahhh! So frustrating!! 

Hey guys! So as promised --finally-- here is my correspondence with LA Girl.

I have a correspondence with LA Colors and they are cruelty-free and accredited by PETA. I did not realize that LA Girl and LA Colors are essentially the same company. They are both under Beauty 21. Anyways I still wanted to share my correspondence with them! 

I emailed them using the template I always use. 

This was their reply:

Thank you for contacting L.A. Girl Cosmetics.
In regards to Animal Testing, please be certain that our products are NOT tested on animals. None of the raw materials or manufacturing process through finished goods are tested on animals. Our parent company, Beauty 21 Cosmetics Inc. is also part of the cruelty-free PETA program. Hope this helps! Thank you for writing to us.
Sincerely,

As you can tell they did not address whether they sell in the Chinese market. So I emailed them back:

Thank you very much! I really appreciate you writing back to me. I have another Question you didn't address. Does LA girl and or Beauty 21 sell in the Chinese market? 

-Camila 

They replied very promptly I think the next day; which was so awesome of them. I truly appreciated it.

Thank you for your response.

Our products are not sold in China and we want to assure you that none of the raw materials or manufacturing process through finished goods are tested on animals. Our parent company, Beauty 21 Cosmetics Inc. is also part of the cruelty-free PETA program. 

Hope this helps. Thank you for writing to us!

Sincerely,

 As you can see they meet the three criteria I look at for determining cruelty-free status. I was also really happy with their customer service!


I hope you found this helpful in your cruelty-free journey.

Lots of Love,

Camila

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ǝrǒmǝ || CandleBay :: Cruelty-Free Status

Hey guys!

So I have a candle from ǝrǒmǝ, it's the Pecan Pie! 

I saw they have a Peta bunny and so I felt pretty safe buying it and I couldn't find a parent company online so that also gave me comfort. 

Now ǝrǒmǝ is a manufactured by CandleBay and so I contacted CandleBay and asked about their cruelty-free status.

I wanted to learn more about their policy!

I used the template I always use. You can find it here!

Hello, My name is Camila Alvarez. I am the writer for HumanelyChic (humanelychic.blogspot.com), a cruelty-free beauty blog. I am interested in buying from your company but would like to be assured that your products are cruelty-free. I have some questions I would appreciate you address. Please be sure to answer all of them as the answers you provide are very important to both my readers and myself.  

1. Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals?

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? 

3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals?

4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?

5. Do you have a parent company? If so who are they? 

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? 

7. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source? 

8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?

Thank you in advance for you cooperation!

I received a reply the following day! Here is what they said. 

Dear Camila,

All of the lines that we manufacture are cruelty-free, NO animal testing of any kind is ever done concerning our products.
Questions 1 thru 6 are answered NO
Question 7 -  We only use plant based, essential oils in our candles and diffusers and
Question 8 - THEREPE, THEREPE LUXE and EROME

Let me know if you want our wholesale information e-mail and what we require to open a wholesale account.

Thank you for your interest,

So yeah guys I would definitely feel safe buying from them! Again, they are PETA certified and so that adds to my ease. I am not being paid to say this but I really like the one candle I have and think you should check out their site! I will have a review showing you the candle I have!

Lots of Love,

Camila

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July Favorites || 2014

Hello guys! 

Ok, so I'm finally keeping my word and posting my July Favorites! I didn't realize how many things I've been loving until I started taking pictures. There are other things I've been loving but I decided to review them separately! This is my first favorites posts, so maybe thats why I felt a need to include so many things! A couple of the things I've mentioned before so I'm sure it won't be a total surprise. 

Eye Shadows: 

While I really love the two palettes I'm featuring here, I must say the eyeshadows I'm about to mention are my most used and loved.

1. Wet N' Wild :: Comfort Zone Palette 

2. Too Faced :: Chocolate Bar Palette

And finally an individual shadow. 

3. Emani :: Champagne 

  As you can tell these shadows are very similar in color. What can I say I've really been loving pinkie-rose-golden shades this summer! They look lovely just by themselves all over the lid. As the days get hotter I really like being able to choose just one eyeshadow that makes me look put together.

They are all great in longevity, pigment, and not creasing.  

Blush & bronzer: 

This past month I'd either wear blush or bronzer. For some reason, possibly the heat, I don't want to wear too many powders on my face. These have been my favorites!

1. Wet N' Wild :: Ticket to Brazil 

It's not a shimmery bronzer, nor is it completely matt. It's more of a satin. The texture is so smooth and it lasts a good while on my face even while I'm sweating. It seems to be the perfect shade for my tan and I've really enjoyed using it. It smells exactly like sunscreen! Which I love. <3

2. e.l.f. Studio:: Mellow Mauve

I've had this blush for a long time. It seems I reach for it when I want a very natural look. It's a lovely mauve shade (as you can tell by the name). It's a pretty pink without being too cool, as I have a warm skin tone and often blueish pinks can be tricky to work. I don't have to worry about blending perfectly when I use this blush. I really love it.

3. e.l.f. Mineral Blush :: Peachy

This shade is perfect if you are going for a bronzed look. This peach shade is very pigmented and more on the red side of he spectrum than. I think this will be gorgeous on tan skin or dark skin tones especially! Which does not mean that fair skin girls can't use it, just be sure to use it sparingly! It does have shimmery bits to it, which is okay in my book. 

 In Natural Lighting 

1. e.l.f. Studio: : Mellow Mauve,  2. e.l.f. Mineral Blush : : Peachy,  3. Wet N' Wild : : Ticket to Brazil

Flash

1. e.l.f. Studio: : Mellow Mauve,  2. e.l.f. Mineral Blush : : Peachy,  3. Wet N' Wild : : Ticket to Brazil

 Lippies :

1. eos : Sweet Mint

I got this guy because blue is my favorite color. I have loved all the eos lip balms I've had in the past and knew I couldn't go wrong. I've had the yellow and pink one and this one is my favorite. It smells great and makes my lips feel fresh! I love applying it on these summery days because it cools me down. 

2. Milani : NaturallyChic

I love this lipstick. It's a mauve pink-berry color. (Sooo many adjectives). It smooth to apply and opaque. On days I want a stain rather than an opaque application I simply sheer it out to get a "my lips but better look". 

Top: e.l.f. Small Stipple Brush

Bottom: Real Techniques :: Pointed Foundation Brush

 I've been using this stipple brush primarily to blend out my concealer. Again, this summer I've been using less products on my face. So on days that my skin looks particularly clear I will use concealer rather than foundation. It's small enough to fit right under my eyes so it's perfect for blending! 

 To blend out my concealer I also use this foundation brush. I use it to get tricky areas like right close to my lower lash line. It's great! In combination with e.l.f.'s stipple brush these two are a dynamic duo!

 Finally! I got these sunnies a few days ago. Technically not during July, but I just had to include them. I really love them! I wish I found them earlier this summer! I have no idea who makes them but I found them at a random fashion store! 

I hope you enjoyed this post!!!! I love you guys & thank you for being so lovely to me always!

Lots of Love,

Camila

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Besame Cosmetics || Animal Testing Policy

Hey friends!
A couple of days ago on my Facebook page I promised to post my correspondence with Besame Cosmetics. Sorry, it has taken me a while. I've had a long week. 

I emailed Besame Cosmetics using the template I always use. 

Hello, My name is Camila Alvarez. I am the writer for HumanelyChic (humanelychic.blogspot.com), a cruelty-free beauty blog. I am interested in buying from your company but would like to be assured that your products are cruelty-free. I have some questions I would appreciate you address. Please be sure to answer all of them as the answers you provide are very important to both my readers and myself.  

1. Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals? 

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? 

3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals?

4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?

5. Do you have a parent company? If so who are they? 

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? 

7. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source? 

8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?
Thank you in advance for you cooperation!

If you email companies feel free to use the format above as a guide or exactly as is! Just make sure you use your name! 

Here is Besame's Reply. 

Greetings, Camila!

Thank you for your interest in Besame Cosmetics!

1.Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals?
We never test on animals for anything we produce.

 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?

No ingredients or products tested on animals. We are an independent local manufacture, so we are the ones to decide how the products are tested.

 3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals? 

No.

 4.  Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?

No

 .5.Do you have a parent company? If so who are they?

N/A

 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?

No.

 7.  Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source?

We use Carnuaba wax in our lipstick. None of our ingredients are organic because a lot of ingredients we use do not come in an organic form.

 8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?

Our Cream Rouge, Crimson and Apricot are Vegan.
Please let us know should you have any other questions, we are here to help!
Warmest Regards,

I'm glad that they addressed and answered all the questions.  I would feel safe purchasing from them! They were very nice and open throughout our correspondence, which has nothing to do with their cruelty-free status but it's much appreciated. 

What do you think? Do you think their reply is thorough enough? If you have any questions you would like me to ask Besame? Let me know !!

Lots of Love,

Camila

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NYX Bought by L'Oreal || My Advice of How To Deal with This News ||

Hey guys. I've been absolutely DREADING having to write this post. 

On June 18, 2014 BusinessOffFashion announced L'Oreal's acquisition of NYX. 

I'm tempted to run from the very comfortable couch I'm sitting on, I really don't want to talk or write about this situation.

If you want to read the full story click on the links. I won't be going into too much details on this post. 

L'Oreal is very much infamous for their continued use of animal testing on cosmetics. They also sell in China. I do not support any company L'Oreal owns. When Urban Decay was acquired by L'Oreal in November 2012 I was absolutely disgusted and today I feel the same way. 

My Advice:

I have many NYX eyeliners, foundations, lipsticks, and other stuff that I really love. While I will not be supporting NYX anymore I will not be throwing all my stuff away. I will use them up and I will be looking for other products (which I know are out there) that will work just as well or even better. Before I went CF I had a handful of Revlon lipsticks which I loved. I was not about to throw them away and I'm glad I didn't. First, I can still wear them and I do not want waste my well earned money. Second, I have them to compare to other brands. I have found just as good and in many cases even better products made by companies that are ethical (i.e. elf, Milani, Wet n' Wild, etc). Of course, the way to proceed is up to you. 

This is a very upsetting time in the cruelty-free-beauty community but we will get through this. I always like to think of the awesome indie and smaller companies that now have an opportunity to shine. Let's look at this as a time to find another company to shower with love. 

I hope you found something to take away from this post. 

Lots of Love,

Camila

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Hourglass || Cruelty-Free Correspondence

Hey guys. I wanted to share the correspondence I had with Hourglass. It’s a good one.

I emailed them saying:

Hello, My name is Camila Alvarez. I am the writer for HumanelyChic (humanelychic.blogspot.com), a cruelty-free beauty blog. I am interested in buying from your company but would like to be assured that your products are cruelty-free. I have some questions I would appreciate you address. Please be sure to answer all of them as the answers you provide are very important to both my readers and myself.

1. Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals?

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?

3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals?

4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?

5. Do you have a parent company? If so who are they?

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?

7. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source?

8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?

Thank you in advance for you cooperation!

By the way, feel free to use this format when you contact companies. Obviously, use your name.

This was their reply:

Hi Camilla, thank you for your email. Please find answers to your questions below.  

Best,

{names omitted}

1. Does your company test ingredients or/and finished products on animals?

Hourglass does not test products on animals.


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? 

Hourglass does not test ingredients or products on animals through 3^rd parties.  Written confirmation is provided by all contract manufacturers.


3. Do your manufacturers test ingredients or products on animals?

Hourglass contract manufacturers do not test ingredients or products on animals.


4. Are you owned or affiliated with any companies that test products or ingredients on animals?

No


5. Do you have a parent company? If so who are they? 

No, 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? 

No


7. Do you use palm oil/carnuaba wax in any of your products? If so, is it from an organic and sustainable source? 

Hidden Corrective Concealer & Femme Rouge Velvet Crème Lipstick – both contain carnauba wax from organic source.

Film Noir Kohl Pencil, Film Noir Mascara, Superficial Lash Mascara and Trace Lip Liner do contain this ingredient but not from an organic source. We are currently discontinuing Film Noir Kohl Pencil, Superficial Lash Mascara and Trace Lip Liner.


8. Could you provide a list of all of your current vegan items available for purchase?

Ambient Lighting Powder – Diffused Light

Ambient Lighting Powder – Dim Light

Ambient Lighting Powder – Ethereal Light

Ambient Lighting Powder – Luminous Light

Ambient Lighting Powder – Radiant Light

Ambient Lighting Blush – Diffused Heat

Ambient Lighting Blush - Luminous Flush

Ambient Lighting Palette

Brushes

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Ballet

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Child

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Ignite

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Imagine

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Lush

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Nectar

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Origami

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Primal

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Reflect

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Siren

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Truth

Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss – Verse

Illume Bronzer Duo

Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation

Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick

Panoramic Long Wear Lip Liner

Veil Fluid Makeup

Veil Mineral Primer

 I’m really excited and happy with their correspondence. They answered all the questions and even listed their vegan products. I will be supporting Hourglass and hopefully you also feel safe supporting them.

Lots of Love,

Camila

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