Makeup Dupes and Cruelty Free Replacements

This post contains both products purchased by me, and products sent for consideration

Makeup Dupes and Cruelty Free Replacements

Last summer Urban Decay denounced their cruelty-free status in order to sell their products in China. They then reversed their decision and decided to remain cruelty-free. However, the brand has since been sold to L'Oreal, a company known for animal testing. While Urban Decay has remained on the cruelty-free list, many people do not want to support the brand due to the fact that their parent company is one that tests on animals.

I used many of the brand's products prior to this news. Everyone has different thoughts on what makes a brand cruelty-free, and it is up to each individual to decide what they want to purchase. I am not wasteful, and will continue to use the products I have. As I use products up, I have looked at other brands for replacement products.  I found some great replacements, and in some cases lower cost alternatives to products I was previously using.  I challenged myself to search my stash as well as test out new products to find things I truly love.

This is not exclusively a dupe post, as not all of the products I mention are close enough to be considered a duplicate. Not all of the replacements I've chosen are cheaper, though many are. It is always nice to know you have options.  In this post, I will share with you similar product types, that can help achieve a similar look.

Here is a look at some of the products I've found to be similar to Urban Decay:


Finishing Brushes: Finishing brushes are pretty easy to find. I used the Urban Decay once pictured in the middle for personal use. The first brush pictured is the Bdellium Tools 955 brush. It is a professional grade brush.  The brush to the far right is the Alima Pure Kitten brush, and is great choice for personal use.

Eye Primer: A pretty obvious replacement option is Too Faced Shadow Insurance. I actually prefer it to the Urban Decay Primer Potion.  Many brands make eye primers now, making it easier to find a cruelty-free replacement.

Black Eye Liner: I'm very excited about this one, because I thought it would be very hard to replace Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Perversion (below middle). I love how black it is, plus it's waterproof. The replacement I found is something I like even better! As you can see from the below swatches Tarte smolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Onyx is even darker! 

 Above (left to right): Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Zero, Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Perversion, Tarte smolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Onyx

White Eye Liner:  I loved Urban Decay's 24/7 liner in Yeyo for the waterline. It can help brighten up the eye. While Yeyo leans a bit more silver, I prefer the stark white of these replacements. Plus, the two white liners I found from NYX are completely water proof and much more affordable.

 From left to right: Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Yeyo, Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Pearl, NYX Slide On, Glide On, Stay On & Definitely A Turn On Water Proof, Extreme Shine Eye Liner in Pure White, NYX Retractable Eye Liner in White (water proof)

Shadow Pencils: This is another replacement product that I am really excited about. I was able to find good replacements in brands like Tarte Cosmetics, Stila and the affordable Milani. I swear the formula of the Milani Shadow EYEZ pencil feels identical to Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil for a fraction of the price. The only thing you may struggle with is finding an exact color replacement. However, I found many that were quite similar, or at least gave a similar effect. For example, Milani Shadow EYEZ in Champagne Toast is a great dupe (lower cost duplicate) for Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Sin. 

 Pictured above (left to right): Milani Shadow EYEZ in Almond Cream (matte, water resistant), Milani Shadow EYEZ in Champagne Toast (metallic finish, water resistant), Tarte smolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Champagne, Stila Smudge Crayon in Kitten

 Pictured above (from left to right): Milani Shadow EYEZ in Cafe Au Lait, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Wasteland, Tarte smolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Gold, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in JUJU, Tarte smolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Gunmetal, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Mercury, Stila Cosmetics Smudge Crayon in Dazzle

Mascaras: These are not dupes at all, but products that I found I prefer to the ones I was previously using. Everyone needs a good mascara, and a good waterproof mascara.  For me, those were Urban Decay's Big Fatty & Cannonball.  I've replaced Big Fatty with IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes*! I prefer the brush shape, and find it easier to get the inner and lower lashes.  For professional use, I always go waterproof. I love the lengthening power of Tarte's Lights, Camera, Splashes!

 Above: Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara, IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes!

Left: Urban Decay, Right: IT Cosmetics:  The thinner wand, with ball-shaped end makes it easier to reach the inner lashes.

Above left: Urban Decay Cannonball, Right: Tarte's Lights, Camera, Splashes! 

Brow Gel: For personal use, I used Urbanbrow setting gel. I now keep a tube of Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel in Clear in my personal and professional kit

Eyeshadow: Eyeshadow colors are pretty easy to duplicate. Without going through the entire Naked Palette, I decided to just select a few of my favorite shades.

 Pictured Above: Urban Decay ABC Gum, Tarte Foam (from Brewed Awakening Quad)

 I find ABC Gum & Foam to be nearly identical when applied to the eye.

 Above: Urban Decay ABC Gum (left swatch), Tarte Foam (right swatch)

 In some cases, I didn't need an exact dupe, just a similar shade. NYX eyeshadow in Aloha when applied with a damp brush, gives a very similar result to Urban Decay's Sin.  Tarte's Raw Sugar leans more coppery.  Layering Aloha over Raw Sugar, leaves the swatch on the far right.

 Shimmery browns (above, left to right): Urban Decay Smog, Tarte Espresso, Stila Golightly, Milani Caramel Brown

 Below (left to right): Milani Pearl, Stila Starlight, Urban Decay Virgin

 Above:
(left to right): Milani Pearl, Stila Starlight, Urban Decay Virgin 

Blush:  I loved how effortless Urban Decay's Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint in Score looked on my skin. It's peachy-pink hue looks good on many skin tones.  Luckily, NYX Stick Blush in Hibiscus gives a very similar effect. For something a little brighter, try Stila's Custom Color Blush in Self-Adjusting Coral

Bronzer: This Urban Decay Baked Bronzer in Toasted is the perfect shade for a natural looking tan. Luckily IT Cosmetics Vitality Glow Anti-Aging Matte Bronzer is nearly identical in color. 

Above: Urban Decay Baked Bronzer in Toasted (left), IT Cosmetics Vitality Glow Anti-Aging Matte Bronzer

Lip Liner: Nude lip liner is important to have. I was able to find low cost alternatives (Milani), and higher end brands that met the criteria I was looking for. What I liked about Urban Decay's lip liners, is that they are creamy and long lasting. If you were a fan of Urban Decay's lip liner in Ozone (clear), Too Faced Borderline Lip Pencil, which is a nearly identical dupe. 

 Left to Right: Urban Decay Naked, Milani Nude, Urban Decay Illegal, Too Faced Perfect Nude, Urban Decay Heavy, Milani Easy Liner For Lips in Most Natural (retractable)

Setting Powder & Loose Mineral Powder: I really enjoyed the color match I had with Urban Decay's Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup, as well as the finely milled texture of their Razor Shap Ultra Definition Finishing Powder.  I replaced the loose mineral powder with Lavera's version. For finishing powder, I use Too Faced Primed & Poreless or CoverFX Matte Setting Powder. 

 Above (left to right): Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder, Cover FX Matte Setting Powder in Light, Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Priming Powder & Finishing Veil

Lip Pencils (Jumbo): Urban Decay's Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color combines the ease of a lip gloss with the precision of a pencil.  Last year, my cousin introduced me to Milani Lip Flash Full Coverage Shimmer Gloss Pencil.  These two products feel exactly the same to me in terms of texture. They both last the same amount of time on my lips. The only difference I see is in color selection. 

As mentioned above, the items mentioned in this post are not necessarily meant to be identical color duplicates for Urban Decay. However, the transition to these other products was seamless for me. It was important to me that I not only match color, but also quality. It is important to note, that while Milani is significantly cheaper than Urban Decay, I personally have not found any difference in the quality of product.  

If you've found any great cruelty-free dupes, I'd love to know! Tell me in the comments below or on Twitter @MakeupMatters1

*This post contains both products purchased by me, and products sent by the company for consideration. This in no way alters my review. I do not get paid to write reviews. I do not get any commissions if you purchase any of these products. I simply write reviews, and make product suggestions in hopes of helping my readers make good purchasing decisions.

Spotlight: NYR Organic Make-Up

Sample Sent For Consideration

NYR Organic Make-Up

 

In a previous post, I reviewed an organic skincare line by Neal's Yard Remedies (NYR Organic).  I really enjoyed the line, and after thumbing through the catalog became interested in the color cosmetics and brushes offered by this cruelty-free brand. The woman who sent me the skincare samples, was kind enough to send some make-up and a brush my way so that I could share my thoughts with you.  I selected the Damask Rose Organic Lip Gloss, Moss Mineral Eyeshadow and Eye Shadow Blender Brush. She also sent me one of their new Organic Lipsticks in the color Date.

I've been testing these products over the past few days, and I am really impressed with the quality of the line. I wore all of the products today to an outing and everything lasted through the hot weather without the eyeshadow creasing or lipstick fading. 

Here is an overview of the items I tested:

Mineral Eye Shadow in the color Moss: This is a pressed powder eyeshadow made of natural minerals, containing light reflecting mica.  The product claims to give smooth even, lasting coverage. You get 2 grams (0.07 oz.) of product housed in a clear dome shaped clam shell compact. The compact is embossed with the NYR logo on the cover. The product is indeed smooth, and upon touching it with my finger for swatching, I noticed it had an almost creamy texture although it is a powder product. I applied it with the NYR Eye Shadow Blender Brush to my lid and found that it did apply evenly.  I found the shadow lasted all day on my lids without creasing and very minimal fading at the very end of the day. I did wear this over a primer simply because I always use primer as part of my normal makeup routine. The color is, as the name suggests, a mossy green. It has a shimmery finish, and when it catches the light, reflects specks of gold. This is a really beautiful shade, and it works great solo as a wash of color on the lid, or in conjunction with other shades as I used it here (see below picture).

 Mineral Eye Shadow in Moss

For the eye look above, I used Moss as my lid color, as well as on the lower lash line.

Eye Shadow Blender Brush: If you've read some of my older posts, you may know that I think the synthetic brush world is lacking in good quality blending brushes. I think this is especially true in brushes of this shape. It's not as difficult to find a soft round domed shape brush, but a stiffer domed brush shaped like this one is not so easy to find.  Looking through the catalog, this is one product that really stood out to me, and I knew I had to try it. Luckily, it did not disappoint. The brush has a smooth navy colored matte handle and nice long silver colored ferrule.  The bristles are soft, yet they are the perfect stiffness for blending. The shape of the brush is ideal, and the look and feel of it is sophisticated and professional looking. The brush is surprisingly light weight, making it very comfortable to hold in the hand. This is a multitasker and can be used with both powder and cream shadows as well as blending out concealer. These animal-free brushes come complete with an environmentally-friendly bamboo handle. If you are interested in other brushes, the line also offers a Face & Body Brush, Blusher Brush, Eye Shadow Brush, Lip/Concealer Brush and their new Kabuki Brush. 

 Note the domed shape of the brush head

 Side View (above)

The handle is a nice length, and looks sleek and sophisticated

 Organic Lipstick in the color Date: Upon first application of this lipstick, I was very surprised at the creaminess of it. It glides on so smoothly, and my lips felt so moisturized that it almost felt like I had applied a lip balm. I went back to the catalog to see what was in it that made it so moisturizing. Sure enough, my hunch was right, it contains argan oil.  I'm a big fan of argan oil, and use it in many formats for many different things. However this is my first time using a lipstick containing argan oil in it. I tend to have chapped lips, so this immediately felt soothing. The color is a raisin red-brown with a cream finish. This lipstick can be sheered out and worn as a stain, or applied full-on for a bolder look. I tried it both ways. First I applied it using my finger to create a light stain, then topped it with the Damask Rose Gloss for a pretty Spring look.  For evening, I applied the lipstick full-on straight from the tube, and was left with rich creamy color on my lips.

 You get 0.14 oz. of product per tube

 This long lasting lip color has a nice shine to it, even before I applied the gloss

 Lip Gloss in the color Damask Rose: This is a moisturizing topper gloss that doesn't have that sticky feel that so many loathe. It feels soft and glides on easily.  This lippie contains 93% organic ingredients and has a slight taste of citrus due to the added organic orange oil. Antioxidants such as white tea also help this gloss sooth and protect the lips.  The color is a sheer dusty rose with very fine iridescent shimmers running through it. It can be worn solo, but I love it best worn over the lipstick. Each squeeze tube comes with 0.5 fl oz. of product and a slanted tip for easy application on the go. I wore mine applied with a lip brush over the lipstick for added shine. 

 The gloss has tiny iridescent shimmers running through it (pictured above)

 Pictured Above: The gloss over the Date lipstick for added shine and sparkle

Pictured Above: This is how I wore the combo today. I applied the lipstick very lightly as a stain with my finger, then used just a tiny bit of gloss applied with a lip brush for a neutral lip look

Here are swatches of all the products I tested:

 Pictured Above (from left to right): Damask Rose Gloss, Date Lipstick, Moss Mineral Eye Shadow

To further illustrate the versatility of the lipstick, I also used it along my cheekbones as a cream blush.  It created a beautiful dewy finish, giving me that lit-from-within youthful glow.

Below is the completed look. I used the Moss Eye Shadow on the eyelid and along the lower lash line. The Date Lipstick was used on cheeks and lightly on the lips. I then topped the lipstick with the Damask Rose Gloss.

 

I hope you enjoyed this look at NYR Organic. If you've tried any of their products, I would love to hear about it! If you are interested in purchasing any of the products in this post just click the link below. 

NYR Organic

I would like to give a very big THANK YOU to Jane for being so kind and sending me these products to review for my readers. 

As always, if you enjoyed this post, please don't forget to subscribe. It's free and helps support the site.

Here are some previous posts you might enjoy:

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2013/05/spotlight-nyr-organic.html

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2013/05/getting-most-out-of-your-makeup-brushes.html

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2013/05/splurge-worthy-your-guide-to-shopping.html

 

*This post contains products that were sent for consideration by the company. I do not get paid to write reviews. All opinions are my own. I only write reviews in hopes of helping my readers make informed purchasing decisions. All products in this post are cruelty-free.

Getting The Most Out Of Your Makeup Brushes

All Items In This Post Purchased By Me

Getting The Most Out Of Your Brushes

Makeup brushes are an important investment for every makeup artist.  With  a few simple tips, you can get the most out of your brushes. Here are a few that I swear by:

• Cleaning your brushes regularly
• Drying your brushes upside down
• Protecting the shape of your brushes with Brush Guards
• Being aware of leftover product on the brush
• Using brushes for different purposes 
• Using the right size brush for the area you are working on 

While all of these tips may seem like common sense, they are often overlooked. If you have spent your hard earned money on brushes, it is always helpful to know the proper way to use and care for them. For any of the points mentioned above, there are different techniques that people use. This post shares some of the things that I personally find helpful. 

#1. Clean Your Brushes - This is not only important for makeup artists, it's important for everyone that uses makeup brushes. So many people I know who only use their brushes for personal use, neglect cleaning them as often as they should. As a general rule, I spot clean each brush after use and deep clean once a week. Cleanliness is important. Especially if I am using a brush on someone else. However, even if your brushes are only for personal use, not cleaning them regularly can lead to bacteria getting trapped in the bristles, or product getting caked in the brush. In some cases, such as gel liner, a brush not cleaned pretty quickly can get ruined. Cleaning your brushes also helps prevent your colors from getting muddy. For example, if I used a black eyeshadow on a brush, didn't clean it, then went into a light color eyeshadow, the colors would not stay true and simply get muddy. Don't forget to give your handles a good wipe down as well.

There are a whole host of brush cleaners on the market. My personal favorite is this one from Cozzette:  https://www.roquecozzette.com/shop/accessories/aromatherapy-makeup-brush-cleaner-16-oz/ 

#2. Dry Your Brushes Upside Down - I recently purchased the Benjabelle Brush Tree, and it is honestly one of the best purchases I've made. This is absolutely the best way I've found to dry your brushes.  After washing your brushes, and squeezing out any excess water/cleanser, insert the brush into the slot, bristles facing down. If you don't have one of these handy contraptions, be sure to dry your brushes flat or on an angle with bristles angled down. You do not want your brush standing upright, with bristles facing the ceiling or else water or cleanser will get trapped in the ferrule loosening the glue, which can lead to a broken brush.

Here is a picture of my brushes drying in this genius invention:

http://pinterest.com/pin/388435536581077634/

You can purchase the Benjabelle Brush Trees here: http://www.benjabelle.com/products/original-brush-tree  

#3. Use Brush Guards - Another good option for drying your brushes is using The Brush Guard by Coastal Scents. I don't use them when drying my brushes.  However I do use them to help protect the shape of the bristles. I have certain brushes that are pointed and I want them to keep that nice tapered tip. These mesh guards really help my brushes keep their shape.  Brush Guards can be purchased here: 

http://amzn.com/B004ZD2LIW

 

 Pictured Above: To apply the brush guard, slip on from the bottom of the handle to up over the bristles.

 Pictued Above: Cozzette S120 Diamond Blender Brush - one of my favorite pro brushes

#4. Be Aware Of Product On Your Brush - Pick up a brush that you used this morning to apply your makeup. Now rub the bristles on a clean white paper towel. What do you see? There is a good chance some product came off onto the paper towel. We often dip back into more product when we don't need to. Instead, work with the extra product on your brush. For example, I will often use an eyeshadow brush on the lid, then without dipping back into product, just take what is left on the brush and sweep it along the lower lash line for a lighter more subtle effect. Similarly, when bronzing the face I'll take whatever is left on the brush and buff the product down onto the neck or chest. Sometimes you don't want full-on product application. This is a good way to get the most out of your product and use your brush to it's full potential.

 These are a few of the brushes I used today. Note the product that is left on the brushes.

#5. Think Outside The Box - Some people like makeup brushes that are labeled with its intended use. For example, a large face brush might be labeled "powder brush" or "blush brush."  There is nothing wrong with this, and it can be helpful for beginners. However, we must be careful not to use the brush only for that purpose. Labels are only suggested use, and often what the brush was created for. However, throughout the years, I have found that some of my favorite brushes are ones that I use in  a way other than its intended purpose. An example of this is the Bdellium Tools #953B Duet Fiber Foundation Brush works great for foundation as intended. However my favorite way to use it is with cream blush. Specifically, I love it for cream blushes such as the Flower Beauty Win Some, Rouge Some or OCC Creme Colour Concentrate. These are great products, but the container is so small, that a traditional blush brush would never fit inside of it. For professional use I would simply scoop some out of the jar and onto a palette. For my own personal products, it is often nice to just dip right into the container and this handy little brush makes it easy to do so.

My friend Catherine from Buying Cruelty-Free also thinks outside the box. Find out which brush she likes to use to apply this product by clicking here: Buying Cruelty Free

#6. Size Matters - That's what she said. Just kidding. Seriously though, I often see people using brushes that are far to big for the area they are working with. As a general rule, the size of your brush head should match the area you are working with. For example, the Bdellium Tools #787P Duet Fiber Large Tapered Blending Brush is a great brush. However, it is far to large to use in the crease of most eyes. Therefore, I go back to rule number 5. Although it is too large to blend color on the eye, I find it works perfectly for blending concealer or applying powder beneath the eye.

I hope you found this post helpful. Please don't forget to subscribe! If you have any tips for getting the most out of your makeup brushes, please leave a comment below! 


Here are some other links you might enjoy:

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2013/03/pointed-crease-brushes.html

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2012/09/spotlight-bdellium-tools-green-bambu.html

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2013/05/splurge-worthy-your-guide-to-shopping.html