Cruelty Free Faves So Far- Lips Edition

   It's been a while since I've posted an installment into my "Cruelty Free Faves So Far".  So far I have done face makeup and eyes.  Today's post focuses on lips!  I found lips one of the easiest beauty categories to find cruelty free favorites in.

Chapstick

*The Honest Co. Organic Lip Balm in Lavender Mint*

I don't even remember when I received this balm, but it was quite a while ago.  It stayed in my collection unused until a few months ago and it's been LOVE ever since.  It's very emollient without being too greasy or sticky.  The scent is nice, yet not overwhelming.  If you are to try any Honest Co product, I would recommend this as the first one.

Lip Gloss

*Silk Naturals Kisser Slicker*

I have only one of these in the color Rare Berry.  It's not your typical lip gloss packaging, but when applied on the lips it does appear quite glossy and lightly pigmented.  I really want to try more of these lip colors from Silk Naturals

*ELF Essential Super Glossy Lip Shine*

I have quite a few of these $1 glosses, but this shade in Goddess is my absolute favorite.  These are a bit on the sticky side and not really pigmented, but they add a beautiful sheen and shimmer to the lips and act as a nice topper to nude or pinky lip looks.  For only $1 how can you resist?

*Younique Lucrative Lip Gloss*

This is the most opaque of my favorite glosses and acts more as an actual lip color than just a lip gloss.  However, this does provide a very glossy finish and is a bit on the sticky side.  This color in Loveable is the perfect milky pink and a great compliment to smokey eyes.

Lip Liner

*Younique Moodstruck Precision Pencil Lip Liner in Pouty*

I must disclose that this is the only lip liner I own, as I am not the biggest fan of liners.  However, with the massive popularity of the Kylie Jenner lip, I had to get my hand on a liner and THIS is the perfect Kylie lip liner.  It's a great 90's inspired color yet is still flattering.  I really love this color and actually want to experiment with more of their lip liners.

Traditional Lipsticks

*Milani Color Statement Lipstick*

I'm not a huge lipstick fan as I usually find them very drying, but this is a great exception.  Milani lipsticks are insanely affordable and also insanely pigmented.  This one in High Voltage is an amazing Marilyn Monroe inspired red.

*Too Faced Le Creme Lipstick in Naughty Nude*

This lipstick I bought after the makeup artist used it on me for my birthday party.  This is a beautiful nude lipstick that is a bit more brown than a typical nude.  It's very creamy, yet long lasting.  Plus, how beautiful is this packaging? 

 * Lipstick Balm/Pencils*

*Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil*

During the Sephora Friends and Family sale I purchased the little tin of Bite Beauty High Pigment Lip Pencils and I am ever glad I did!  This berry color, Rhubarb, is my favorite of the group.  These are super high pigmented and because it applies like a pencil you can get very precise application.

*ELF Matte Lip Color*

I got this when I saw a Youtube video where this was used to slightly overdraw the lips for a fuller look.  I haven't yet worked up the guts to exaggerate my lip size, but I do really like this is a base layer for a creamy nude gloss or lipstick.

*Liquid Lipstick*

*Mally Beauty High Shine Liquid Lipstick*

I have a few of these and they are such an interesting texture.  They apply like a gloss and have the sheen of a gloss, but have the pigmentation and lasting power of a lipstick.  I heard these are available at Ulta now so I would go play with these ASAP!

Have you tried any of these lip products?  If so, which one is your favorite?? 

Book Review: Love, Lashes and Lipstick by Mally Roncal

    I don't know about you, but when I can't find anything on tv I automatically turn on QVC or HSN.  I've purchased quite a few things from both networks, but I must say I prefer QVC.  One of the biggest reasons why I prefer QVC is because of Mally and Mally Beauty.  If you have never watched Mally, I urge you to find out when she is on QVC next and sit back and enjoy.

    Mally is adorably happy and confident and gorgeous.  Her makeup line is fantastic and she is the makeup artist to some big stars, including Beyonce.  When I found out that she wrote a book I automatically snatched it up from my library.

   Mally's book, Love, Lashes and Lipstick: My Secrets for a Gorgeous, Happy Life, is part self-help book, part autobiography and part makeup book.  It's a very quick read and a book that I must say actually made me happy reading it.

  Mally, whose real name is Melissa (more of a reason for me to love her), tells her life story including the death of her mother from breast cancer.  She tells how her mother knew she was going to die so squeezed a lifetime full of memories into a few short years.  I must admit, I cried while reading some of this chapter.  Some people can be very bitter about suffering such a loss in their life, but Mally used it to create something beautiful in her life, which is very admirable.

   Mally also shares stories about her start in the makeup industry.  She stresses the fact that no job is too small and to say yes to everything.  You never know when a small opportunity can lead to a big one, or if you can meet someone life changing (she met her husband on a list minute shoot) by just saying yes.

   Dispersed throughout the book are pages with makeup tips and tricks.  There were a few that I really liked.

The first makeup tip I liked (and already started using) is the "starburst" mascara tip.  When I normally put mascara on I bring the wand towards the outer edge of my eye, giving a cat eye like effect to my lashes.  Mally says to bring the lashes towards the bridge of your nose which gives your eyes a more open eyed effect.  I've been doing this and I really like the result!  Especially under my glasses and with tired eyes, this does help my eyes look a bit more awake.

The second tip I really liked is her natural eyeliner tip, which it turns out is a tip I've been using for quite a while.  Mally says to use a darker liner on your top lash line and a lighter shade on your lower lash line.  This gives a more natural look and also helps cut down on such a stark contrast on your under eye.  For my daily use I prefer using an espresso brown on top and a bronze on bottom.

All in all, I must say I really enjoyed this book and I think next time I see Mally on QVC I will enjoy watching her even more.  

Have you ever used any of Mally's products or watched her on QVC?