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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Benedict Cumberbatch and Why the Absence?

Hey guys.

I don't know if you've noticed but I have not been posting...like at all. I had been doing pretty good this summer (minus the whole not finishing the 30 Day Challenge) but before I tell you the reason (nothing serious) let's talk about Benedict Cumberbatch.

I promise I'm not using this picture to lure you into reading this post, which I'm sure will lure many either way, this (these) pictures are just for your benefit. (Yeah and mine).

I first saw his perfect face when I decided to start watching Sherlock on Netflix! May I just add that Sherlock is a GREAT show but Benedict makes it about 150% times better. I just hate that you have to wait 900000 years between seasons. Come on really??? If you haven't watched it I suggest you give it a chance.

He is my #mcm! all day evrrryyday!

I'm not the type of girl that has many celebrity crushes. I can count the ones I've had in my life on one hand. So trust me this random seemingly obsession is weird for me.

Now to why I haven't been posting.

It's nothing sad or dramatic.

1. I haven't been shopping lately. I have experienced some tough economic times this summer. Makeup is expensive as it is and Cruelty-Free makeup is even more EXPENSIVE. I just had to make the decision to put my money (or lack thereof) towards other things.

2. I don't want to write a post if my heart isn't in it or just to have something to post. Not all of my articles will be Shakespeare worthy but hopefully I will have had fun writing them. Like this post, it's not very exciting but I have enjoyed writing it.

I don't plan to be inconsistent with my blog posts, but if I feel like I need to take time off to redirect my mind I will.

I'm not sharing this for sympathy or anything like that. I just feel like I'd rather give an explanation to my absence rather than just post any old random thing.

Finally, thank you all for your wonderful support and lovely emails and/or Facebook messages. I can't believe I have 308 likes on FB and 130 Bloglovin'! It's amazing and humbling to me! Hopefully, I will post some YouTube videos! That's something I've been wanting to tackle.

Lots of Love,

Camila

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The British Tag || How British Am I?

Hey guys! So I was tagged by Kelly from TheVeganTaff! Just in case this is the first you're visiting my blog, here's a disclaimer: I am not British. Kelly, thinks it will be fun for me to do the tag and I think it's also a good idea! Hehe. :)

1.  How many cups of tea do you have a day and how many sugars?
I recently got into tea! I actually have a DIY on Tea-Can made from an empty coffee can. 

I have at least one cup of tea each day. I don't put sugar in my tea. Which now that I think about it, I don't know why. Especially, considering that I use at least two tablespoons for my coffee. 

2.  Favourite part of your roast?
Ohh, a roast! lol. Well, I don't eat meat so this one I can't really answer. For Thanksgiving and Christmas I'll eat everything else, like rice, potatoes, salads, etc. I would probably eat the stuffing but the turkey my family prepares usually doesn't have it. I'm not sure why. Our holidays are a little bit different than the traditional American Thanksgiving and/or Christmas you probably see in movies, because my family incorporates Colombian cuisine. 

3.  Favourite dunking biscuit?
I will dunk almost ANYTHING. Meanwhile, there's nothing like dunking an oreo to chilly almond milk :) In fact, I'm not a big fan of oreos unless I have a glass of (almond) milk to go with them. Have you tried the raspberry covered chocolate ones? SOOOO good!

Pic: From my instagram :) 

4.  Favourite quintessentially British pastime?

I can't say as I've never been. Meanwhile, it would be traveling. I'm going to have to copy Kelly and say driving. I would love to drive around Britain and visit near by countries like Ireland. It must be awesome to live in a country where the nest country is a few hours away. Granted, I do live in California veryyy close to Mexico. Meanwhile, if I lived in say.... Wyoming that would be a different story. 

5.  Favourite word?
Mmmmm... I think of Sprinkle of Glitter (Louise) and Zoey as I try to answer this question. I have noticed that British people say "quite", quite a lot. (hehe). It's not so much a British word as just a word in the English language but I like using it. 

6.  Cockney rhyme slang?
Whah? I had to google this! I still don't think I understand it but I found this site and here's the one I thought was the funniest. "Arms - Chalk Farms". ! LOL.

7.  Favourite sweet?
Yum! Let's see where can I start. As for cakes, I LOVE Red Velvet Cupcakes. I made some this past Friday for my Birthday :) As for chocolate, I love M & Ms. I like the peanut, the peanut butter, the original, and the pretzel. I love them all!

8.  What would your pub be called?
I don't like alcohol (yes, I know) so I would much rather have a coffee shop. But for the sake of the tag and because I want to use a punk-esk name I have to go with "The Rotten Cupcakes". Kind of, REALLY lame.

9.  No. 1 British person?
HELLO! Of course I have to say Keira Knightly. I LOVE LOVE her. 

10. Favourite shop / restaurant?
I really want to visit a TK Max and a Primark. From what I can tell from various YouTubers those shops are awesome. 

11. What British song pops into your head?
Scouting for Girl's - Summer Time in the City

12. Marmite?
Whah?

I tag:
Anyone and everyone who would like to. Consider yourself tagged!

This was SUPPER fun! If there are other tags you recommend I look into, let me know. 

Lots of Love,

Camila

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My Favorite SUMMER Nail Polishes || Under $2 Bucks

Hey guys. I really love summer for a variety of things: the beach, the pool, vacations, shorts, sandals, bikinis, and nail polish. I really prefer bright colors and so summer polishes are my absolute favorite!

Here are some of my favorite. You will notice a Wet N' Wild theme here. It was not intentionally nor was I sent these. I just really love Wet N' Wild polishes, especially the Mega-Last line! I wish they had a bigger color selection. 

The Mega-Last line retails for $1.99. Often you can find them for 50% off or buy one get one free. They do last a good while. The top coat does affect the amount of time they last. 

I really love this clear polish as a base coat. You can't really tell in the picture but it's tinted blue. Which I think helps keep yellow nails at bay, as blue cancels yellow tones. I have never had a nail polish stain my nails using this. It's only $99! I really recommend it!

"Telescope Vision" is a clear polish with a variety of blue toned glitters. I like it best as a top coat! It makes me want to go swimming like a mermaid! 

This is "Telescope Vision" on top of "I Need A Refreshment". I honestly don't think this picture does it justice. Take a peek at it next time you're in a drugstore. 

"Club Havana"

The picture makes it look like a red-orange color. In real life it's much more of a true orange. It's not super neon but it's definitely not dull. It's a good middle toned orange. I think every girl needs this color in her collection. 

I do have to say that I find the formula to be a bit on the streaky side but I still like the color. It's super shiny even without a top coat. 

" Tropicalia"

It's a beautiful true pink color! Again, like "Club Havana" it's not a neon pink color! 

"Dreamy Poppy"

This pink is a little bit brighter than "Tropicalia". The formula of these $99 polishes is win or lose. 

Sometimes they apply evenly and completely opaquely and other times it's more streaky. This one is definitely on the more streaky side, but I really like it for drawing flowers and stuff like that so I don't mind. 

"I Need A Refresh-Mint"

I LOVE this one. Blue is my favorite color and so I can't help it. I have gone through at least three of these polishes! The formula is awesome, not streaky (in my experience) and super opaque. 

Lots of Love,

Camila

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 P.S. I hope you enjoyed this post. I saw some new Mega-Last Polishes out for summer and I will have to pick up two or three!

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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What's in my Bag? || 30 Day Challenge :)

Hey guys! I'm back with the 30 Day Challenge. I'm excited to be back. I have very much failed this challenge but I really want to continue with it. I like all the questions!

I'm sorry for the lack of content lately. I've had some life things pop-up recently. Nothing bad I'm lucky that it's all good news but it's also very stressful. 

So here's "Day 9", What's in Your Bag/Wallet.  

***I do have some non-CF things. They are all things I got before I went CF or gifts.  I thought of not sharing said things but I have nothing to hide. I just want to be real with you guys. 

I got this bag in a store called dd's discount. It's a store very much like a Ross or a Marshalls. 

I think it was under $15.00 bucks. 

I think it's very much perfect for summer! 

As you can tell I use this bag A LOT. 

It's SUCH a sunny day today! I really wanted to take the pictures outside! 

These are the main things inside my bag.

1. I have a makeup bag from Victoria Secret. Yes, VS is not cruelty-free. I got it as a gift from my grandma. 

2. The little purple bag with flowers was a gift from my dad's cousin who lives in Colombia.

It's from a brand called "Raquira".

3. The sunnies are Ray-Ban styled from Hello Kitty.

3. I don't usually carry a book, I have it because I was in LA yesterday. I took the train and I thought I'd be fun to start a new book on the journey. 

The book is Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin. 

As it turns out I didn't start it. LOL 

4. The wallet is actually my mom's. I "borrowed" it. LOL. I can't find a specific brand on it.

In the VS bag. I have:

1. My NYX Face Powder :( It makes me so sad looking at it. 

2. A Milani & Jordana lipstick. 

3. The Real Techniques Contour Brush. I love it for powder application. 

4. A Gospel Track!

5. A Nail File

6. My Key. That's right not Keys. KEY!

7. Eye phones

8. a random non-CF lipgloss.

9. Flash Cards 

10. A flower pin 

Inside this little bag I try to keep all my lipsticks. It's definitely too small for the job, but I don't mind.

I have a lot of elf lippies. I do have one from Revlon. I got it before I went CF. 

Here are swatches of all the lippies I found in my bag. At least the ones that are Cruelty-Free.

I really like this wallet. It's very simple. I think it's elegant. 

Here are the mountain of cards I have. I have my credit cards, my member cards, etc. Also, my ID. lol. My Face. 

Here is where I store my imaginary money. JK. I had some coins in here but they all went flying inside my purse. UGH!!!! 

Here's the book I was telling you about.

Here are things I found flying inside my bag. 

I have a few packets of honey.

A band aid from Despicable Me which my sister gave me.

A pen and a pencil.

Some eyedrops. 

A Yogurtland gift card.

Some swabs.

Some bobby-pins.

& a Flash Drive. 

A lotion from Bath ad Body Works which again I got as a gift. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. It's nothing very glamorous but it's what I carry around in there! lol I also later found a Taco Bell green sauce! It's actually really good!

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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Day 8 - 5 of my Current Goals || 30 Day Challenge

You will have to excuse me today. I am soooo tired. I haven't been this tired in a LONG time. Please excuse that this post will be cut short. 

Lots of Love,

Camila

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Day 7 - 5 of My Favorite Songs || 30 Day Challenge

I took the liberty of changing the title of Day 7.  I'm supposed to share my five favorite songs. However, I refuse to even acknowledge the possibility that anyone can only choose 5 songs to call their favorites. It is like asking a parent to choose their favorite child. Am I exaggerating? I don't think so!

1. You Really Got A Hold On Me- Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

The first time I heard this song was in a Roseanne episode. Random, but true. Her friend Bonni sings it at a BBQ and I fell in love with it. I recommend you check out her cover!

2. Say it Ain't So - Weezer

I can't exactly pin-point what I love about this one. It's a combination of everything. The lyrics, the sound, and a personal relationship I find in it.

3. Rosas - La Oreja De Van Gogh

This song is perfect for the hopeless romantic in me. It's just another love song. 

4. It's Time - Imagine Dragons

Whenever I listen to this song it brings back memories too lovely and sad to think about. 

5. In the Morning - The Coral

I have absolutely no idea why I love this song so much. I just do. 

Lots of Love,

Camila

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Day 6 - What I Fear || 30 Day Challenge

Fear. Fear is a noun, a living thing. It hangs in the air like a mist, it has a shadow, a presence, a being. It will make you it's servant. I fear many things (like many).

Age since I can remember to middle school:

This is quit embarrassing but I've always been scared of the dark. I mean what's there not to fear. Monsters....

Age 15:
I was scared of being alone. I had just moved to a new city. Literally a week before school began. It was so terrifying. I spend most of my high school career hating everything.

Age 17:
I finally made a good friend, though we are no longer close, whom I still love and who made my last year a blast.

Now:
I fear worrying about money. I hate, hate having to worry about that. I also fear not going to school. And losing my family members and losing my friends.

Though there are many things I worry about and I fear I also have a lot of faith. That if i put my life in God's hands He will work things out for the best and for His will for my life.

Lots of Love,

Camila

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P.S. I've been keeping these short. I don't want to babble on unless I have something significant to add. :)