Top 15 Vegan Products In My Collection

For me, 2020 has been the year that I’ve dedicated my efforts to making sure my beauty, hair, and skincare routine is both, cruelty-free (CF) and vegan. I don’t believe animals should be anywhere near my face (except for kisses, of course) and purchasing CF and vegan has now become a must have for me.

1) Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray – $20

Let’s start with the vegan product that I’ve loved and have used the longest: the Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray.

Not only is this product down right amazing, but so is the Briogeo brand. Briogeo is CF, vegan, and doesn’t contain any harsh sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, artificial dyes, or any DEA.

I use this product when my hair is inbetween wet and dry. I wrap my hair in a microfiber towel then after 15-ish minutes I section my hair and slightly spray this product within each section.

**TIP: section your hair based off its thickness**

My hair is thin, but I have a TON of it so I try to section my hair into more pieces so I can make sure I get all parts of my hair. Then after blow drying, I am left with very soft hair that has minimal frizz (I live in Florida so I think frizzy hair will always be the case with this year-round humidity). Also, less is more with this product, which is a great plus because you will make that $20 bill last!

2) Youth to the People Yerba Mate Resurfacing Energy Facial – $54

My face is really oily, my pores are huge, and I have a ton of blackheads around my nose and cheeks, but the one product that is helping me with all of these skincare concerns is the Youth to the People (YTTP) Yerba Mate Resurfacing Energy Facial. The YTTP Yerba Mate Facial has been a recent exfoliating discovery and I now need this in my collection at all times, but I can totally see this facial not working for anyone with sensitive skin.

Before we get into specifics about the product, let’s dive into the YTTP brand. I am completly obsessed with this brand because ALL of their products are CF, vegan, and are packaged in recyclable packaging (made of glass). Another great plus is that the YTTP brand is made and distributed in California.

Now about the product. I use the Yerba Mate Facial while I’m in the shower and I follow the instructions that are listed on the bottle. I apply roughly a pea-sized amount onto my damp face and I let it sit and work its magic for roughly 1-3 minutes. Once the enzymes have worked their magic, I cup water into my hands and rub that into my face in a circular motion; specifically focusing on my oily t-zone.

I personally love this product so much because it is so powerful (the granulates feel like sand), but because it is so powerful, it has been breaking up the sebum that has created my very stubborn blackheads.

3) Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara – $29

When it comes to vegan and CF, the mascara falls short on options. For anyone curious, I’ve only been able to find 3 mascaras that are both, CF and vegan and they are…:

• Milk Makeup KUSH Mascara
• Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
• Ilia Limitless Mascara

And the one mascara that is my personal favorite is the Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara. When this mascara first reached the stores, people either liked it or they didn’t. Well, I guess I’m someone who likes it because it makes my lashes look AMAZING!! I think the neh sayers weren’t loving it because they don’t like clumpy eyelashes because this definitely has a clumpy formula.

For 2020, Hourglass has made it their goal to make sure every single product they sell is vegan, which is such an amazing goal and makes me very excited to see their continuous growth in the upcoming years! Cuddos to Hourglass!

4) Supergoop! Shimmershade Illuminating Cream Eyeshadow SPF 30 – $24

After my skincare routine I always wear sunscreen. ALWAYS! So when I saw a single eyeshadow from supergoop! that also had SPF 30, I was intrigued. Then after using it, the color payoff is so stunning, it didn’t crease, and the shade, Daydream would look amazing on most (if not all) skin tones.

Top to Bottom: First Light, Golden Hour, Sunset, & Daydream.

Supergoop! is a brand that is revolved around sunscreen that can be paired well with your makeup or by itself. I really like that their products are REEF SAFE, CF, vegan, gluten-free, and they protect you from IRA, blue light, and pollution.

This product is truly a no brainer for me personally. I dip my finger into the product until I get the color payoff that I’m looking for and then I slide the product onto my eyelids. This is a beautiful shade and it protects my eyelids? Seriosly the best single eyeshadow!!

5) Nautrally Serious Illumi-Nation Anti-Fatigue Power Serum – $58

I have really bad forehead fine lines. I mean they can literally be seen from miles away, so I am always on the search for skincare products that focus on that particular skincare concern. So when I stumbled on the Naturally Serious Illumi-Nation Anti-Fatigue Power Serum, I was excited to try it out.

I’m really glad I bought this serum because not only does it perform well, the Naturally Serious brand is also amazing. The brand is CF and vegan, but their products also come in recyclable packaging, their gluten-free, and they’re created with no bad ingredients, 100% vegetarian, and packaging is made in a carbon neutral facility.

How do I use this product though?

After cleansing my face in the mornings, I use one pump and that provides enough product for my entire face and neck area. It has a tackiness feeling when it fully dries down, but goes away after applying my moisturizer. This serum has a soft scent of rose and while I don’t usually graviate towards rose scented anything, it’s not overpowering and the results are pretty awesome. I’ve used this for roughly two months now and my fine lines have gone down slightly, which feels like a freaking miricle because my fine lines are basically trenches.

6) Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer – $48

The vegan moisturizer that I looove is the YTTP Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream. This moisturizer contains kale, spinach + hyaluronic acid and it also has a slight scent of leafy greens. Yum!!

Follow this brand on Instagram, they’re amazing and is seriously paving the way for clean beauty.

I specifically love the Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream because it’s a very light textture, but it packs a good amount of moisture for your face. I use a small pea-sized amount and it applies all over my face and neck with ease; this bottle will last me forever because a little bit goes a long ways.

7) Milk Makeup KUSH Clear Brow Gel – $20

I used to NEVER do my eyebrows until I discovered the brow gel from Glossier, but unfortunately, it’s not vegan. But, when it comes to vegan brow gels, my favorite is the Milk Makeup KUSH Clear Brow Gel.

The Milk Makeup brand is truly amazing and another leading brand when it comes to clean beauty. They’re CF, vegan, gluten-free, and certified by The Leaping Bunny!!

This brow gel is very easy to use, but I caution you to have a lighter hand because the colored shades have a good amount of color payoff. However, once I’m done, my eyebrows do not budge and they look so nice and fluffy!

8) Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint – $26

I’m not a fan of foundation. I don’t even like using a CC/BB cream because they ALWAYS appear cakey on my face. But, the one foundation I don’t hate using from time to time is the Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint.

Glossier is a very popular brand that can only be purchased online with periodic in-store, pop-up shops. I was going to visit the Glossier Pop-Up Shop in Atlanta until COVID-19 happened and was very fortunate to attend the pop-up shop in Miami.

Glossier is CF with about half of their products being vegan-friendly and their motto is all about enhancing the natural beauty that you already have, which is how I like to view/use makeup.

The Perfecting Skin TInt is extremely light weight, leaning towards the liquidy-side so I apply this product directely onto my face and rub it in with my fingers. If I need more coverage, I just add more, but no matter how much I apply it always looks so natural.

9) amika un.done Volume and Matte Texture Spray – $25

When my hair is in need of some extra volume, which is like all the time, I reach for my amika un.done volume and matte texture spray. I also recently ran out of dry shampoo and this has been passing as that too!

If you haven’t tried the amika brand then you’re missing out on their intoxicating signature scent. Not only does each product smell like haircare heaven, but amika is CF, going green-er by reducing waste and is safe for color, Brazilian, and keratin-treated hair.

I use this product the day or two after washing my hair and will spray at elbows length away focusing mainly on my roots, which allows my ponytail to have more oomph!!

10) ROEN Beauty 11:11 Eyeshadow Palette – $42

Like the Hourglass Caution Mascara, this next vegan product is very divided, but another personal win for me. The ROEN Beauty 11:11 Eyeshadow Palette is my first experience with this brand and I’m totally falling for it.

The ROEN brand is CF, gluten-free, vegan, and comes in recyclable packaging. Not only does ROEN continue to better their sustainability practices, but they are also partnering with labs who are apart of the Responsible Mica Initiative. Mica is a raw material that is often gathered through child labor and we all know that child labor is bad so it’s truly amazing to see a company who is being mindful on where and who is collecting the ingredients for their products.

With a brand that makes you feel like a fierce human being, it is truly no shocker that their eyeshadows make you look just as fierce. Think of the smudgey-one-shadow-look that’s so effortlessly glam and that is what the ROEN eyeshadow formula creates.

I’m obsessed and it’s totally worth trying out yourselves. Will you hate it like the other reviewers or will you love it like me??

**TIP: Press this eyeshadow. Do not swirl. Do not swipe. PRESS. Each time you put your finger in the pan, press, press, press. Each press gives you more color payoff**

ROEN eyeshadows are truly different from any other eyeshadow formulas I’ve tried. At first glance they look like straight up glitter, but once you begin to press your finger into the pan and glide the product onto your lids, it goes on with ease. I think a lot of the negetive reviews are from people who were expecting the traditional eyeshadow formula/experience and that is not this. ROEN is different and I like that.

11) Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss – $14

An impulsive purchase that turned into a must have is the Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss in Chill (clear). It was impulsive because I didn’t think I needed a clear lip gloss, but now I can’t live without one because I’ve learned that a clear gloss is extremely flattering and makes my lips look so plump and healthy.

Tower 28 Beauty is a brand that sells vegan, CF, and gluten-free products that is designed for sensitive skin and makes you dream of summer. Tower 28 Beauty is a brand new indie brand that has been around since 2019 and I am so excited to see their growth in the upcoming years.

12) Flora + Bast Age Adapting CBD Serum – $77

I am such a skincare junkie and the skincare products I’m most obsessed with are serums. I love serums with a burning passion because they target specific skincare concerns and they’re extremely easy to incorporate into any beauty routine. The one serum that I love the most is the Flora + Bast Age Adapting CBD Serum.

Before I tackle the Flora + Bast serum let’s start off with the brand itself. Flora + Bast sells products with cannabis (CBD) that is sourced, extracted, compounded, and bottled in Vermont, USA; while the brand itself is located in Beverly Hills, CA. On top of being an USA-based company that ethically collects their ingredients, they’re also CF, gluten-free, and of course, vegan.

I use this serum because CBD oil is great for eneven/red skintones, but this serum also helps with pores and oily skin types. During my nightly routine, I use 5 – 7 drops of this serum right after cleansing my face, I warm the serum a bit by rubbing my hands together, then I apply it to my face in an upwards direction; kind of giving myself a spa-at-home experience.

I LOVE this serum so much because it sinks beautifully into my skin and doesn’t feel greasy at all. It’s an extremely lightweight oil that has a wonderful Earthy scent (aka cannabis), but it’s not overpowering at all. I mostly use this serum at night, but because it is so lightweight, I will also use it in the mornings when my face needs a little extra moisture.

13) Kosas Color & Light: Creme Cream Blush & Highlighter Duo – $34

This brands motto is makeup for skincare lovers. Now that is a brand that I can totally get behind because it sounds right up my alley. The Kosas Color & Light Creme Cream Blush & Highlighter Duo in Velvet Melon got me into this brand and if their other products are anything like their Duo’s, then I will be a very happy camper.

The blush in the Velvet Melon Duo is a stunning peachy shade that gives great color payoff while the highlighter is a soft gold that looks so natural on the skin. The shades are amazing, but this product is also very simple to use and a complete no-brainer.

**TIP: Duo’s are great for travel. Has a mirror, and the blush shade can be used on your lips, cheeks, and eyes. Leaving you more room for souvenirs**

All I do is move my finger around in the pan and dab it onto my face. I blend the blush/highlighter with that same finger and BOOM, you have a perfectly fresh looking face. However, please be aware that the powder blush/highlighter duo is NOT vegan.

14) Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask – $48

The vegan sleeping mask that I’ve been enjoying is the YTTP Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask. It is a pretty pale yellow color, that is medium in thickness, and smells AMAZING! I can’t place the scent exactly, but it’s a sweet-ish berry smell that has a hint of candy/tartiness. It isn’t overpowering, but the scent is something I really enjoy and think is the highlight of this product.

I use this sleeping mask as the very last step of my nightly routine. I only use a pea-sized amount of product and that thinly covers my entire face and neck. Beware, I read reviews that this sleeping mask can cause breakouts and while I’ve gotten a few, I’m still figuring out if it’s hormonal or this product. I say this because I use this product every night and I don’t break out every single time, only randomly; which makes me think it’s hormonal. I really hope so too because this mask gives me nice results (I wake up with a brighter complextion) and the brand is the Chef’s kiss.

15) Glossier Generation G – $18

Let’s end this list of vegan beauty products with a gorgeous lipstick. The Glossier Generation G is a sheer, matte lipstick that has a slight balmy feeling that I have been personally loving for years. I currently own shades Crush, Cake, and Zip, but my personal favorite is hands down Crush; which is a hot raspberry pink that gives my lips a great pop of natural color.!

Generation G is very matte so if you despise a matte look then you may not be a fan, but I sometimes add a gloss on top and my lips end up looking so plump and juicy. When I don’t add a lip gloss the Generation G lipstick dries down so naturally and ends up looking like your own lips. I seriously don’t know how they created such a great and natural formula, but I am here for it all day everyday.

I was worried when I made the consious decision to solely purchase vegan and cruelty-free beauty products, In that moment, I saw my list of options shrink by 1000%. BUT…the amazing silverlinging is that there are some AMAZING brands that are

Being mindful of the ingredients they’re using in their products, how they’re sourced, and that no living being is harmed in the process. Hello Youth to the People! You’re an amazing company that everyone needs to check out because you will definitely find your staple skincare product here. And who are…

Being mindful of how they manufactor their packaging. Hello, Naturally Seriuos who make their cartons in carbon neutral facilities. I see you and I love you for that!!

I love seeing this momentum from the brands I mentioned above and I hope more and more brands become 100% vgan and cruelty-free in the future.

With Love,

A Simple Wildflower

Welcome New Wildflowers

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

A little bit about myself: I am a 26-year-old woman residing in North Florida with my boyfriend of four and a half years and two fur babies! After a continuing struggle with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and anger issues, I needed to exhaust my energy through something more positive and productive. It took a while to figure out which path I wanted to go down and which path would allow me to have the greatest impact. The longer I thought about my options, the more I thought about creating a blog. A blog can reach the masses and I want to “make the world a better place” so to say.

In my blog, I am sticking to the themes of beauty, mental health, minimalism, travel, and zero waste. I am going to write about anything that falls into these categories and it will be glorious! Obviously, I’m no expert, but I believe we all have something we can learn from each other!

‘A Simple Wildflower’ was chosen as my blog name because I have always loved wildflowers. I love that each wildflower is different, unique, and beautiful. A wildflower does not compete with other wildflowers because, just like my fellow women, wildflowers work better together than alone! (The original quote said ‘look’ but I thought my edit was better) 😉

With love,

A Simple Wildflower

 

 

 

Monthly Favorites: June Edition

This months favorites is brought to you by the letter F. The two brands that I mention below both start with the letter F and are unbelievably fan-freaking-tastic!!

1) Flora + bast Age adapting cbd serum – $77

Let’s begin with a past favorite that I’m still completly obsessed with and that’s the Flora + Bast Age Adapting CBD Serum. I discovered this oil back in April and it has quickly become a daily staple in my routine.

The Flora + Bast brand sources, extracts, compounds, and bottles the hemp in Vermont, USA. I love that this brand is made in the United States, but can we also talk about their stunning packaging?!! The bottle looks simple, elegant, and made of glass so it can also be recycled or resued as decor once finished. Seriously obsessed!

Not only is the packaging something to hoot and hollar at, but the results I’m seeing are something to shout from the rooftops. It’s lightweight (I use roughly 5 – 7 drops), helps with uneven skintones (at least it’s helping with mine), and it also helps with pores (hello my oily skintype friends, this serum is for you)!

The only down fall to this product is the price tag. A 1 oz bottle is $77 and that is definitely on the pricier side so I try to make this bad boy last. Ugh! If only this amazing serum was like $10 – $15 cheaper this would be totally unbeatable!

2) Fable & Mane HoliRoots Pre-Wash Hair Treatment Oil – $34

The Fable & Mane brand is completely new to me, but I am in love with this recent discovery. I’m also 1000% behind them and their mission to give back to charities that are working with endangered felines. As a cat lover myself, this mission to give back makes me so happy and totally makes sense because their brands mascot is a tiger.

On top of their wonderful charity work, this brand is cruelty-free, vegan, contains no silicones, and is good for all hair types.

The Fable & Mane HoliRoots Pre-Wash Hair Treatment Oil is the reason I stumbled on this brand and I’m so glad I did too. This hair oil is seriously wonderful with the highlighted ingredients being:

• Dashmool: the ultimate remedy for thick hair.
• Ashwagandha: helps support natural scalp circulation for stress-free hair.
• Castor Oil: nourishes hair

Those ingredients are really stellar and the scent, which is this really yummy Earthy smell that is made of madurai; a nectar from the red champaca flower.

There are two ways of using this hair oil.

1. Work through your hair so you can leave it in 10 – 15 minutes before showering and rinsing it out with your favorite shampoo.
2. Work through hair/roots so you can leave it as a nightly, sleep-in mask and wash it out with shampoo the next morning.

I specifically use this product by parting my hair into 4 -6 different sections and applying the oil to those small sections. After each section is fully coated (I use a heavier hand for a nighttime mask), I drop more into my roots and start massaging the oil so it sinks into my roots and scalp. My hair is on the drier side (aka frizzy as heck) and I use more product than most people, but use what you think is right for you.

After washing my hair the next morning, I’m left with amazingly soft hair that actually has a lot of volume and after styling, I seriously cannot stop touching the finished product. I’m using the hair oil again tonight and I’m genuinelly excited to use it before bed.

**The scent does linger (especially if you use it as a nighttime hair mask), but I personally am in love with the scent and doesn’t bother me**

Those are the two products I was loving for the month of June and I will love till the end of time. I will always want the full-sized or sample of both of these products and will always need them in my collection. What are some products that you cannot live without? Were you using them during June?

With Love,

A Simple Wildflower

Monthly Favorites: April Edition

April is usually a month that is filled with rain showers, but of course, since we all began to self-quaratine ourselves the weather has been sunny with a chance of beautiful! And I personally think that my list of April favorites shows the theme of being cooped-up indoors for the whole month. My favorites mostly consist of skincare items that I now cannot live without with very minimum makeup.

Anyone else getting cabin fever? At least we’re all staying safe, am I right?!

1) Tata Harper Regenerating Exfoliating Cleanser

First on my list of favorites is the Tata Harper Regenerating Exfoliating Cleanser ($42/$84). I purchased the Glow Getter Set that comes with their cheaper, travel-sized bottle and a 0.5 oz bottle of their Resurfacing Mask. If you want to try their two best sellers, then I HIGHLY recommend this set because the travel-sized bottle is $42 and for an extra $5, you can also try the mask. The cherry on top of it all is you can use the cleasnser and mask separately or use them together for the ultimate glow.

Let’s talk about the Tata Harper brand! I’m seriously having a skincare crush on this brand and a woman crush on the amazing Tata Harper herself!! Just some of the brands amazingness is listed below:

• Tata Harper doesn’t focus on one ingredient and then fill the rest of the bottle with fillers. Tata Harper packs the most ingredients at the highest levels of concentration to deliver the maximum results – with no artificaial chemicals.
• Tata Harper is certified by PETA Beauty without Bunnies, Ecocert Certification, and the American Vegetarian Association.
• Every product is thought of and created on her Vermont farm!

How I Use the Regenerating Cleanser:

Unlike other cleansers, you apply this one on a dry face. I put a quarter amount onto my hands (2-3 pumps), apply the cleanser to my dry face, and then rub it in so I can feel the apricot powder while focusing mostly on my t-zone.

To use the cleanser and mask together, first apply the cleanser onto dry skin, apply the mask directly on top, leave it on for roughly 10-20 minutes, and then rinse. I rinse my cleanser with the Makeup Eraser Makeup Remover Cloth ($20). I like this cloth because it holds a ton of water and it is really soft and delicate on the face.

2) Kora Organics: Noni Radiant Eye Oil

Next on my list of favorites is the Kora Organics Noni Radiant Eye Oil. After finishing my previous eye cream from Farmacy, I needed a new eye product and chose this one because of it’s clean status on Sephora.

This is my first product I’m trying from the Kora Organics brand, but it’s seriously making me excited to try their other products. A few reasons why I gravitated towards Kora Organics was because of their clean status at Sephora, they’re a cruelty-free brand, and this product with many of their other products is also vegan! Total win, win, win in my book!

How I Use Kora Organics Noni Radiant Eye Oil: 

First off, this bottle has a rose quartz rollerball that is super cute (I love crystals)! I roll this product under my eyes while focusing on my pesky crows feet, roll it on my eyelids, and right above my eyebrows. The Radiant Eye Oil is formulated with organic noni, tomato fruit, and marine bamboo extracts with kahai and coffee oils that help awaken and brighten the undereye area.

So once I’ve applied this eye oil to those three spots around my eye area, I use both of my ring fingers to gently press the oil into my skin; almost as if it was a serum. I don’t notice a smell while using this product, which is actually something I prefer.

3) Playa Shampoo & Conditioner

A shampoo and conditioner duo that I’ve recently been loving is the Playa Every Day Shampoo and the Playa Supernatural Conditioner. The Playa brand is all about creating “beach hair, but better!” and I’m totally here for it. I’m obsessed with the beach and the way the beach makes my hair feel after a full-day of soaking in the sun and I personally believe this brand delivers just that!

I personally love the way this shampoo and conditioner gives my hair the beachy volume I crave and it also effectively cleans my scalp. The Every Day Shampoo is a coconut-derived hydrating shampoo that had a rich honey texture (comes out of the bottle thick) and the Supernatural Conditioner contains active botanicals such as balsam, copaiba, and baobab protien that is extremely moisturizing for my dry strands.

This brand also loves our oceans and have created a program to help you recycle you old/used-up bottles so we can all lessen our trash/carbon footprint. Totally obsessed!

4) Flora + Bast Age Adapting CBD Serum

A face oil that has become an instant favorite of mine this month is the Flora + Bast Age Adapting CBD Serum. Full disclosure, if you don’t like the CBD/”weed” smell, then you will not be a fan of this serum. I personally enjoy this Earthy scent and it doesn’t last long after applying it to your face.

Flora + Bast is a new brand to me and this face serum is the only product from the brand that is sold on the Sephora website. I received three samples (my Sephora rewards) and I have already purchased the full-sized bottle because I’m head over heels for it after finishing the first sample.

This oil is lightweight (even though some reviews online mentioned otherwise, I personally find it very lightweight) contains 300 mg of CBD, and is perfect for skincare concerns such as pores (my biggest concern), acne/blemishes, and uneven skin tones. I truly believe my pores are smaller because I’ve included this serum into my daily/nightly routine. I will need this serum in my collection always!

How I Use the Flora + Bast Serum:

After cleansing my face with the Tata Harper Regenerating Exfoliating Cleanser, I apply 3-5 drops of this serum onto my face and then rub it in an upwards motion. And because this is a lightweight serum, I apply this serum both during my daily and nightly routine.

 

What were loving for the month of April? Even though we’re stuck inside, that doesn’t mean our beauty and skincare routine need to be in a rut. This is the perfect time to discover new products or re-discover old products that you forgot you owned.

With Love,

A Simple Wildflower

 

27 Small Shops That Need Our Business

While staying indoors I have been doing more online shopping than I’d like to admit, and now more than ever, we need to support our local shops!! The shops I have listed below are either local stores in Tallahassee or small shops I follow on Instagram that have an etsy shop. Regardless of the location, their products are amazing and so are the people that sell them!

Even during this time, all of these shops will be able to deliver their goods through the postal service so why not take a look at their accounts and find something that totally screams: you! I have purchased items from some of the stores I mention below and I will mention what items I purchased from them and items that I currently have my eye on!

Tallahassee Small Shops: 

1) Sparkle Tallahassee (sparkletallahassee.com) (Instagram: sparkletallahassee): 

Sparkle Tallahassee is such an adorable store that sells clothing, shoes, and accessories that fall into a preppy style. Everything is super cute, affordable, and I just recently purchased 3 items with 2 of them being on sale!! (win!)

If you’re in the Tallahassee area, use the code FREESHIP and they will be able to ship your order locally for free! (another win!!)

Items I purchased: 

Leopard Clutch: Orig. $20 on sale for $10

Longe Sleeve Ombre Sly Blue Top: Orig. $44 on sale for $28

Tallahassee Tee Yellow – $26

Also comes in colors, Light Blue, Dark Blue, and Lavender.

2) Hearth & Soul TLH (hearthandsoul.com) (Instagram: hearthsouthtlh):

This Tallahassee store sells apparel, accessories, and home decor that totally screams southern charm & I’m totally here for it! I haven’t purchased anything from this particular store, but look at how cute all these items are that I found on their website. & if you use the code SPRINGSTYLE you can receive 20% off your total purchase, which is wonderful because this store isn’t exactly budget-friendly.

Free People Oversized V-Neck Buffy Tee – $58

Chloe Jewlery Portfolio: White or Black – $118

CZ Arrow Stud Earrings: Gold or Silver – $36

3) Olde Fields Clothing Co. (oldefieldsclothing.com) (Instagram: oldefieldsclothing):

Let’s switch things up with a store that is completely edgey with a vintage twist! This store has quickly become an obsession of mine and I will continue to support this local boutique.

Items I Purchased: 

Tallahassee Sun Tee – $20 

This t-shirt design is from a local Tallahassee artist and that made me fall in love with this item even more! It also comes in mauve, yellow, natural, and lavender.

Custom Stay Rad Tee – $28 

This shirt is a total vibe!!

4) Works of Harte (Instagram/Facebook: worksofharte):

This local Tallahassee woman sells custom made artwork that perfectly illustrates the story of a couple. You can chose any locations that are important to your relationship and she will paint them in a collage setting. One day I will surprise my boyfriend with artwork by Works of Harte illustarting our love.

Small Shops/Etsy Profiles I Follow on Instagram:

1) Land and She (landandshe.com) (Instagram: landandshestudio)

All I can say is I’m completely obsessed with this women’s artwork! This woman artist is local to Philidelphia, Pennsylvannia and everything she makes gives off a stunning Native American, Earthy-vibe that I’m totally here for!

My Wishlist Items: 

Nature Goddess 8×10 Print – $40

Sunflower Goddess 8.5×11 Print – $40

Goddess Pillow – $55

Sun and Moon Sticket Set – $5

2) aptoART (www.etsy.com/shop/aptoArt) (Instagram: aptoart):

This women sells dainty jewlery on etsy that I just recently started following on Instagram. She has a giveaway every other week and is a great small shop to support!

Raw Birthstone Necklace: Gold or Silver Chain – $26

Gold UFO Necklace – $22

Sun and Moon Adjustable Brass Ring – $30

3) Savannah Bee Company (savannahbee.com) (Instagram: savannahbeeco):

With Earth Day recently passing us by, we need to remember to purchase items that also benefit the Earth, and I believe the Savannah Bee Company does just that. This small company is located in Savannah, Georgia, but you can purchase items online to be delivered or visit one of their other locations in Thomasville, Georgia if that’s closer to you. I particularly love this company because they have, hands down, the best honeycomb I’ve ever tasted and they help save the bees!

Their The Bee Cause Project eductates the importance of bees and the role they play in the environment. Bees are pollinators for our food and they are so unbelievably important to our livelyhood. I love their organization and I will visit their Thomasville location whenever our stay-at-home orders are fully lifted.

Raw Honeycomb – 12.3 oz – $25

4) Pie Bar (orderpiebar.com (Instagram: pie_bar):

Let’s keep the local food small shops going with a store I am dying to visit! I had original plans to visit the Pie Bar on Pie Day (03/14/2020), but it had to be canceled because of the COVID-19 virus. I was sad, but ultimately understood why we couldn’t visit. BUT, if you live around the Woodstock, Georgia area then you can order online for curbside pick-up or local delivery (I believe, call to double check). Oh…and they also offer cooking classes! How cool does that sound!?

Pies that I wanted to try are below:

• Chocolate Chess: Rich chocolate filling with a buttery crust almost tasting like a brownie.
• Peanut Butter Cream: Creamy peanut butter filling with a chocolate cookie crust.
• Rosemary Chicken Pot Pie: Rosemary seasoned chicken, carrots, celery, potatoes, onions, and peas in a buttery crust.

5) Local Eclectic (localeclectic.com) (Instagram: localeclectic):

This is another jewelry store that I’ve been obsessing over since forever and is located in Chicago, Illinois. I love that this small shop is available online and the woman who owns this store recently had a small pop-up shop in NYC. I can’t to see where her next pop-up will be because I would love to shop and see everything in person.

Baguette Inlay Ring: Purple, Green, or Blue – $85

Morena Sacred Heart Ring – $45

Marthilde Pearl Earrings in Gold – $175

6) Awe Inspired (aweinspired.com) (Instagram: aweinspired_):

Let’s keep the jewerly small shops going with one that I recently discovered. I personally love this company because each coin necklace is inspired by a strong female from history and I am totally here for all the women power!! & if you don’t know which one to purchase they have a fun online quiz that helps determine which female you most connect with. My personal favorites are Aphrodite, Cleopatra, and Medusa (I guess I like Greek mythology lol)!!

All the women they currently sell are:

• Artemis: Independent, Firey, Huntress
• Aphrodite: Enchanting, Romantic, Divine
• Athena: Wise, Altruistic, Goddess
• Cleopatra: Beautiful, Powerful, Femme Fatale
• Frida Kahlo: Artistic, Brilliant, Visionary
• Harriet Tubman: Liberated, Relentless, Hero
• Joan of Arc: Fierce, Strong, Determined
• Marie Curie: Curious, Indomitable, Scientist
• Medusa: Feared, Revered, Badass Bitch
• Mulan: Loyal, Rebellious, Warrior
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Enlightened, Feminist, Notorious

Oh, and the best part is 10% of you purchase goes to a charity of your choise.

7) Sun House Craft: (sunhousecraft.com) (Instagram: sunhousecraft):

I recently stumbled across this Instagram page because I am on a full-blown eco-friendly kick and this page is perfect inspiration. This woman sells home goods locally in Berea, Kentucky and quite frankly could be used as artwork too. Everything is handmade so beautifully.

Cabin Fever Broom Weaver – $25

Peg Rack – $45

Wood Camping Spork – $12

8) Beam Paints (beampaints.myshopify.com) (Instagram: beampaints):

I have a pretty artistic side to me and I’m really glad I stumbled upon this Instagram page because this woman sells handmade watercolour paints that are plastic-free (eco-friendly lovers rejoice!) and made with wildflower honey. I’m also obsessed that this local seller is a 100% indigenous female basically ruling the world of colour! This seller is local to Manitoulin Island, which is located in/near Ontario, Canada.

Beam Paints Lettermail Travel Card – $20

Individual Paintstones – $12 each

9) Bear and Clay (bearandclayco.com) (Instagram: bearandclay):

This is a small shop that is located in Columbia, North Carolina and they create logos, illustrations, stamps, prints, and embroidery. What I particularly love about this small shop is they create custom portraits of you or someone you love and they are so freaking adorable I wanna cry!!

Cuddles 5×7 Print – Orig. $15 on sale for $10

Hold Your Head High Embroidery – $30

10) For the Love of Crafts by RBT (rbtcrafts.com) (Instagram: fortheloveofcraftsbyrbt):

Let’s bring some Disney magic into this list because during this time we especially need some of that magic pixie dust that only Disney can deliver! & the first Disney small shop on this list is by the amazing woman named Sabrina! She creates original, hand-cut, 3-D signs that are perfect for any home. I have been following this Instagram account for a little while now and I’m always amazed with the signs that she creates for her customers. Some of my favorites are below and please keep in mind that you will need to inquire about pricing because it will all depend on your customed design:

11) The Enchanted Brush (theenchantedbrush.com) (Instagram: theenchantedbrush):

Let’s keep the Disney magic going with the absolutely stunning small shop that is The Enchanted Brush. This small shop creates magically-inspired, hand painted, wearable art. Items that could be painted on are shoes, magic bands, passholders, bags, ornaments, and graduation caps!

Some of my absolute favorites are below:

12) Galactic Garden Arts (galacticgardenarts.com) (Instagram: galactic_garden_arts):

Another Disney small shop is one that I find really creative and fun! The Galactic Garden Arts creates garden art inspired by the happiest place on Earth AND a galaxy far far away that is locally made in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I really enjoy this small shops creativity because I haven’t seen anything like this before and honestly may never again because it’s seriously one-of-a-kind!!

Grand and Miraculous Planter – $30

Seriously though, how cute is this!?!?

Found on Facebook

Found on Facebook

13) Dandelion Glass Art: (etsy.com/shop/DandelionGlassArt) (Instagram: dandelionglassart):

This one woman small shop owner creates glass art that is created locally in Houston, Texas. She mostly creates jewelry items and glass art that can be used as decorations around the house.

Half Circle Glass Suncatcher – $55

Moon Phase Linear – $295

I know this is on the pricier side, but this is so absolutely stunning and handmade!

14) The Weekly Bloom: (etsy.com/shop/TheWeeklyBloom) (Instagram: theweeklybloom):

This is a very recent Instagram discovery and I have quickly fallen in love with this woman’s (Ashley Bentley) artwork. Everything she does screams Earthy because her pyrography/botanical illustrations are carved onto a piece of wood. I’m so down for this eco-friendly artwork and seeing it in photos is so captivating. I can’t even imagine viewing her artwork in person. I guess I will need to purchase something to witness her artistic splendour!! These are made locally in Atlanta, Georgia.

15) Calhoun & Co.: (calhounandconyc.com) (Instagram: calhounandco):

This small shop is located in Brooklyn, New York and specializes in gifts and home accessories that are designed with a little bit of humor, a lot of positivity, and weekend vibes (straight from their Insta bio). I’m seriously obsessed with just about everything they create, which include blankets, games, pillows, tote bags, wall hangings, and etc.

GOOD AT NAPS Original Throw Blanket – $108

Be A Friendly Face Fine Art 8×10 Print – $22

Hot People Like Hot Sauce Printed Tea Towel – $18

16) Mother Plants Co.: (motherplantsco.com) (Instagram: motherplantsco):

If you’re in the Wilmington, North Carolina area, then you seriously need to check out this local first-of-its-kind plant pop-up shop!! This small shop has the inspiration of creating a community of houseplant lovers and I totally think they deliver on all levels!

Botanical Women 5×7 Print – $18

I recently purchased this botanical women print from Mother Plants Co. that is absolutely stunning in person and was designed by the recently listed Bear and Clay.

ZZ Plant – Zamioculcas Zamiifolia – $15

Mini Macrame Plant Hangers – $20

17) Avonnie Studio: (etsy.com/shop/AvonnieStudio) (Instagram: avonniestudio):

This is such a fun etsy seller that makes everything locally in Irvine, California. The illustrator creates pieces that put a smile on your face and I believe she delivers this whole heartingly. There are also a few pieces that can be custom made like her cute little portrait mug below.

Custom Portrait Mug – $58

Dead Plant Lady Sticker $4.75 each

Worthy and Loved Sticker – $4.75

18) Beard Bangs: (beardbangs.ca) (etsy.com/shop/Beardbangs) (Instagram: beardbangs):

This is such a fun small shop that is located in Toronta, Canada that specializes in whimsical ceramics for everday life and I’m totally obsessed with this womans stlye. Anything you could create from ceramics she does and one day I’ll buy myself the yellow cat plant holder that I’ve mentioned below.

Limited Series Small Three-Legged Planter w/ Grey Bunny Rabbit & Pink Flower Head Garland – $43.44

Small Three-Legged Cat Planter in Mustard Yellow – $36.07

Black Cat Soap Dish/Sponge Holder – $40.49

19) Cooper Calligraphy: (linktr.ee/Cooper_calligraphy) (Instagram: cooper_calligraphy):

Everything Jessica posts is absolutely mesmerizing. I could seriously watch her do her thang for hours and hours! Her content on Instagram is seriously perfect and if anything, go follow her so you can be equally mesmerized! With most of her products, you’re able to pick the color foil and the paper color, which I think is super fun and makes it very personalized.

Avocado Foil 8×11 Print – $20

World Map Foil 8×11 Print – $20

Stipple Moon Foil 8×11 Print – $20

20) Wishes & Co.: (wishesandco.com) (Instagram: wishesandco_):

Let’s finish our list with more Disney magic! This small shop that I recently found on Instagram and one I have fallen head over heels for is Wishes & Co. I definitely lean towards dainty jewelry and this small shop definitely delivers that! Wishes & Co. creates handmade dainty jewelry and magical apparel.

Castle Necklace – $26

Best Day Ever Bar Necklace – $26

Baby Yoda ALL THE WAY!!

The Child Necklace – $26

21) Creations by Hailey: (etsy.com/shop/HaileyMarieHaddox) (Instagram: creationsbyhailey): 

Hailey Haddox is an amazingly self-taught sculptor and painter who is located in Orlando, Florida. I’ve been following this Instagram page for a while now and I’m seriously in awe of every single piece that she creates. I haven’t reached out with an inquiry because I would want her to make something from Disney that is different and also means a lot to me. I think one year I will treat myself with one of her stunning pieces for my birthday. She also has made pieces from one of my favorite movies, Coraline! Okay, I could go on forever about this amazing women so let me show you some of my favorite pieces that she’s created.

King Triton’s Soul & Crown – $100

Frozen Salamander Ice Sculptor – $185

Glow-in-the-Dark Heart of Te Fiti Necklace Prop Replica – $35

Button Key to the Other World Inspired by Coraline – $35

22) Walter and Rosie Candle Co.: (walterandrosiecandleco.com) (Instagram: walterandrosiecandleco): 

This is such a fun and really creative Disney-themed small shop that I believe anyone can get behind. This small shop sells candles that are inspired by the smells of Disney. On their Instagram account they sell hand poured scents that are inspired by the Happiest place on Earth and their store opens every Friday at 9 AM CST.

23) Lillian & Co.: (lillianandco.com) (Instagram: lillianandco): 

Last but certaintly not least is the all-time amazing Disney jewelry small shop is the Lilliam & Co. This is the Disney-inspired small shop that I’ve been following the longest and seeing them grow has been so fun to watch. Their success is totally well-deserved and as they’ve grown, they’ve continued to grow what products they offer. Lillian & Co sells really dainty bracelets, necklaces, and rings that have Disney quotes on them or you could custom make one with your own quote. Their custom made quotes is something new that they’re offering and I’m totally here for it! Some of my favorite quotes are below:

Have Courage and Be Kind Bracelet (Gold, Silver, & Rose Gold) – $32

Best Day Ever Bracelet (Gold, Silver, & Rose Gold) – $32

Adventure is Out There Bracelet (Gold, Silver, & Rose Gold) – $32

Best Day Ever Ring (Gold, Silver, & Rose Gold) – $18

 

YOU MADE IT! I am so proud of you if you read all of these amazing small shops that needs our business during this crazy and uncertain time. I cannot wait to continue giving these shops my business because each one is so unbelievably creative and deserves a serious round of applause for showing the world their creative side. It amazes me what people can come up with and when they put their dreams into action. We ourselves have a duty to help support their dreams! Which one was your favorite? Or what are some local small shops that you love supporting because I love following new talent.

With Love,

A Simple Wildflower

 

 

 

13 Product Empties: Would I Repurchase?

I believe the biggest question when finishing a beauty and/or skincare product is “would I repurchase this item again?” Especially, since most products are on the pricier side. Every time I restock my favorite skincare items, I always cry a little bit on the inside.

I went back a full calendar year to see what products I’ve purchased at Sephora (my go-to store) and pondered if I would ever repurchase those items again or was one time enough?

Let’s dig in because I have 13 past purchases!

1) Tata Harper: Glow Getter Set $48

What’s Included?: The Glow Getter Set comes with a 1.7 oz bottle of their Regenerating Exfoliating Cleanser and an 0.5 oz bottle of the Resurfacing Mask.

What I Like: If you want to try this brand, I highly recommend buying this set because the travel-sized cleanser is normally $43 and for an extra $5 you can try the mask as well!

Would I Repurchase?: Already did! I love this cleanser so much that I’ve already repurchased the full-sized bottle from the Tata Harper website. I personally love that this is a cleanser, but also an exfoliator. I love that one product can have two purposes! Win, win in my book!!

2) Bumble and Bumble: Sunday Clarifying Shampoo $28

What I Like: This shampoo is lightweight that never weighed down my hair and creates a ton of suds while using it. After every use, my hair definitely felt cleaner.

Would I Repurchase?: No, for the simple reason that bumble and bumble’s parent company, Estee Lauder, tests on animals and because of that reason I do not believe bumble and bumble is a truly cruelty-free company.

3) Moroccanoil: Dry Shampoo: Dark and Light Tone $26

What I Like: This dry shampoo is extremely lightweight that is perfect to use a day or two immediately after washing your hair. After day two, I personally need to use a dry shampoo that is a bit stronger at soaking up my greasy roots. Also, both shades did not give off a white cast to my hair, which is always nice for a dry shampoo. I hate when dry shampoos make me look like a grandma at first.

 

 

Would I Repurchase?: Maybe. I like that it’s lightweight and has a wonderful smell (the whole brand smells amazing), but I’m still on my search for my perfect dry shampoo.

4) Caudalie: Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimizing Serum $49

What I Like: I like that this is a lightweight serum that glides onto your whole face with just one pump. Once it dries down there is a slight-tacky feeling, but it goes down in a few seconds.

Would I Repurchase?: No, for the simple reason that Caudalie is NOT cruelty-free. I really like this serum, but I cannot continue to support a company that tests on animals.

5) Lancome: Monsieur Big Mascara $25

What I Like: I love the wand and the big, clumpy lashes this gives my eyelashes. It seriously looks like you put on some falsies! This mascara gives you lashes for days!

Would I Repurchase?: No, for the simple reason that Lancome is NOT cruelty-free. I’ve already purchased 4 things of this mascara before learning their non-CF status. No more!

6) Youth to the People: Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser $36

What I Like: This cleanser is lightweight (can you tell I only tend towards lightweight everything? lol) that has a slight leafy green scent that I personally love! After using this cleanser, my pores appeared to be slightly smaller and it made my face feel clean.

Would I Repurchase?: Yes! A very hard yes! YTTP recently launched a jumbo-size of this cleanser that I will definitely be purchasing in the near future. I really enjoyed using this cleanser in the shower.

7) Tatcha: Luminous Dewy Skin Mist & The Water Cream $48/$68

What I Like: The Dewy Face Mist is really stunning and gives your face a really natural glow. While The Water Cream is a freaking godsend of a moisturizer! The smallest amount glides all over your face giving it the hydration you need.

Would I Repurchase?: No, for the same reason as bumble and bumble. Even though The Water Cream is seriously hands down the best moisturizer I’ve ever used, Tatcha’s parent company, Unilever U.N. tests on animals. If Tatcha claims to be a cruelty-free brand, they shouldn’t be owned by a company that tests on animals. So, therefore both items I will no longer repurchase and it kills me to say that about The Water Cream.

8) Fresh: Soy Makeup Remover Face Wash $38

What I Like: This cleanser is lightweight and has a soft soy scent. I personally like the scent, but didn’t find this cleanser to be anything revolutionary. But…this is my boyfriend’s go-to cleanser becuase it keeps him completely blemish free and he won’t use anything else because when he does, he wants to go back to the Fresh Soy Makeup Remover Face Wash. 

Would I Repurchse?: ONLY for my boyfriend. The brand Fresh is NOT cruelty-free and I will not purchase this brand for myself.

9) Milk Makeup: KUSH Brow Gel $20

What I Like: I used to do nothing with my eyebrows, but that all changed when I used a brow gel! The KUSH Brow Gel gives your eyebrows some volume and some color payoff. It’s seriously a lazy girls (AKA: me!) dream! With minimum effort you have fluffy eyebrows that makes you look more put together.

Would I Repurchase?: Yes, yes, and yes! Milk Makeup is an amazing brand! They’re cruelty-free, vegan, and they’re made in the U.S. While the shade, Haze was not my exact color match (too warm) the formula was amazing and kept my eyebrow hairs lifted for my full work-day! Personally, eyebrow gels make me look really put together and I can’t be without one in my collection.

10) amika: Soulfood Nourishing Mask $28

What I Like: This hair mask is extremely moisturizing for my hair. It’s on the thicker side and with one small scoop, I was able to cover my whole head and medium-length hair. Also, this smell is so freaking intoxicating!! The amika brand has such a heavenly scent that I can’t seriously get enough of!!

Would I Repurchase?: Yes, a very hard yes! The smell is the highlight for me and the mask made my hair feel soft and smooth. It really helps lock in the moisture and I love this product so much! LOVE!!!

11) Briogeo: Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo $42

What I Like: A little goes a long ways! The peppermint scent is also really nice and definitely awakens my senses when using it. & the micro-exfoliants really deep cleaned my hair.

Would I Repurchase?: Another strong yes! The Briogeo brand is cruelty-free, vegan, and after each use my hair felt so clean. This could be used as your only shampoo or it can be used as a once-a-week deep clean. Overall obsessed!!

12) Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare: Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel $88

What I Like: I really enjoyed how easy this two-step product was to use. But…HOLY MOLY did it smell like straight up alcohol.

Would I Repurchase?: No. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare is NOT cruelty-free and this smelled so much like alcohol, I honestly can’t believe this product is good for your face. Like isn’t alcohol a drying ingredient?? Why put it on your face?

13) Verb: Ghost Dry Conditioner Oil $18

What I Like: I love how silky smooth this product made my hair feel. I used this spray after blow drying my hair so I could tame all those pesky fly-a-ways. The girls I went to a Bachelorette party with absolutely loved my hair so I let them try it out and they were instantly hooked! It looks like a professional blow out and it smells really nice too!

Would I Repurchase?: Yes, I would! Verb is a cruelty-free brand, it comes in recyclable packaging, and it added such amazing shine to my dull locks!

 

What are some products that you finished that you either love or maybe don’t? I would love to hear them in the comments! 🙂

With Love,

A Simple Wildflower

 

 

Monthly Favorites: March Edition

March was the month of self-quarantining, but instead of going overboard with online shopping. I ended up taking a deeper look into my current beauty collection and figuring out what types of products I use and the brands I usually lean towards. It has been extremely refreshing to finish up multiple products and see my collection turn into a more manageable collection of products that I truly use.

I’ve also felt that this self-quarantining experience has been very enlightening and I’ve learned a lot about my spending habits and about my lack of self-control.

And on a short note, with how the Earth is healing while the world’s population is at home, I would like to continue my eco-friendly lifestyle and only buy from brands that are cruelty-free, don’t use animal byproducts (beeswax is my only exception), and who makes an effort to leave behind a small carbon footprint. I’ve found a few amazing brands who do all of this and if you would like to see a blog post about those brands, just let me know in the comments below!

Now onto my March’s self-quarantined favorites!!

1. First on my list of favorites is the Kosas: Color & Light: Creme Cream Blush & Highlighter Duo in Velvet Melon for $34. I included this item as a discounted add-on for my FabFitFun spring 2020 box. This product was on my Sephora wishlist and once I saw it on the FFF website for half off, I knew I needed to buy it and try it for myself. I’m really glad I bit the bullet because it performed really well on first use.

(photo from Sephora.com)

On the Sephora website, this is described as a luminous peach duo for youthful vitality and juicy dewiness and that’s why I’ve fallen for this product. Cream products usually give off the most youthful look because cream sinks into the skin while powder products make my fine lines and peach fuzz stand out A LOT more! & the highlighter gives off a very soft gold that would suit most (if not all) skin tones giving off a very healthy (juicy) glow!

They also have this blush/highlighter duo in 8th Muse (a timeless soft pink duo for a youthful rosy glow) and Tropic Equinox (warm neutral prismatic bronze). 8th Muse is their best seller as the pink blush is very soft and natural-looking, while the Tropic Equinox is perfect for my deeper skin-toned friends or anyone looking to give themselves a natural-looking bronze. I have plenty of pink in my collection and hate bronzers so I went with Velvet Melon. I’ve been currently obsessing over all things peach because it gives my cheeks a flush of color as if I was out in the sun for a little bit.

Kosas is a cruelty-free brand as of 2019, which is also Leaping Bunny certified and they do not sell any of their products in mainland China where animal testing is required by law. All of their products are free of parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, propylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, synthetic fragrance and they claim to also be gluten, egg, nut, and soy-free. Not all Kosas products are vegan though because they contain beeswax and/or lanolin: AKA wool wax or wool grease. Their vegan products are:

• 10 Second Eyeshadow
• Color & Light: Creme Cream Blush & Highlighter Duo
• Tinted Face Oil

The Kosas products that are NOT vegan:

• Color & Light: Pressed Powder Blush & Highlighter Duo in Contrachroma, Papaya 1972, and Longitude Zero, which all contain carmine.
• LipFuel Hyaluronic Lip Balm, which contains beeswax and lanolin.
• Weightless Lip Color Lipstick, which contains beeswax, lanolin, and carmine.

 

2. Another product I’ve been loving this month is the Tatcha: The Water Cream for $68. I’ve noticed my skin this month had needed an extra boost of hydration and that’s when I immediately began using the water cream again. This is a clean product that can be found at Sephora and while Tatcha is cruelty-free, their parent company: Unilever N.V. is NOT!

But holy moly this moisturizer is beyond moisturizing and I’ve found nothing that remotely comes close to a dupe. It’s a lightweight gel that effortlessly glides all over your face and neck area by just using a small pea-sized amount. Even though the smallest amount goes a long way, I don’t believe a company is cruelty-free if they’re owned by a company that does test on animals. I can’t bring myself to buy this moisturizer anymore even if it is the most wonderful moisturizer on this planet. This is our 4th bottle and it’ll be a sad day when we run out, because no more!

3. The last item I’ve been enjoying is actually two products that I use together and is packaged in a cute little sample set that I did actually purchase online. The  Tata Harper: Glow Getter Set for $48. Let’s start with the amazing-ness that is Tata Harper.

• It’s 100% free of GMOs, toxins, fillers, artificial colors, artificial fragrances, and synthetic chemicals.
• 43+ high-performance ingredients (some companies focus on a single ingredient and add fillers)
• Certified by: PETA Beauty without Bunnies, Leaping Bunny Association, Ecocert Certification, and American Vegetarian Association. Talk about some amazing certs!!

***Ecocert Certification evaluates the raw materials used in formulas to ensure ingredients are derived from renewable resources, manufactured by environmentally friendly processed, and are free from GMO and synthetics. Ecocert also evaluates the packaging to ensure it meets the biodegradable or recyclable criteria***

The kit I’ve been loving includes a 1.7 oz bottle of the Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser and an 0.5 oz bottle of their Resurfacing Mask. I’ve used both products on their own or you can also layer the mask on top of the cleanser and leave on for 15 – 20 minutes for an intense treatment and intense glow.

It took a little adjustment using the regenerating cleanser because you first apply this cleanser on dry skin. Yes, you read that right. Dry skin! But, I’m kind of digging my new cleansing routine. In the morning, I apply the cleanser on my dry skin, rub with my hands until white foam starts to form, and I wash it off while I hope in the shower; on lower heat, of course! Then at night, I take the cleanser off from the sink cause two showers in one day would be kind of excessive.

Then on days when my skin is looking dull or when I have some downtime for some needed self-care, I use the Resurfacing BHA Glow Mask. After a few uses, I’m already seeing a definite glow to my complexion!

Then…to get an intense glow, use the mak on top of the cleanser. I did this once and it was actually a tingly experience and this may not be recommended for those of you who have sensitive skin. I looked into it and the tingly sensation I was feeling was the apricot enzymes that were working away the top layer of dead skin cells. There are so many reasons I love this kit and whenever I can’t afford both full-sized bottles, I will repurchase.

And those were the products I was really enjoying during the month of March and my overall theme is to take a deeper look at the companies. After doing cruelty-free research on the beauty brands I highly use, I was floored with how many actually weren’t cruelty-free and I want to truly love the product I’m usually and feel good morally using it too! You know!? What have you been loving?

With Love,

A Simple Wildflower

 

 

Top 4 Empties: March Edition

March was the month of self-quarantine, which meant I was stuck at home using up all of my beauty/skincare products that kept me feeling fresh while I was stuck inside for days at a time.

And nothing kept me feeling fresher than the following 4 items below.

     1. Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara:

I really enjoy this mascara because it gives you full, volumized lashes for days, but if you don’t like your eyelashes clumpy you will not like this mascara.

As much as I enjoy this mascara, I recently learned that the Lancome brand is NOT cruelty-free and I can’t keep supporting a brand when I now know this information.

     2. Glossier Boy Brow:

I’m so sad that I fully ran out of the Boy Brow in Blond because the color perfectly matches my brows and it makes me look more put together. They also have shades in clear, medium, and dark, but I always go back to blond.

All I can say is I need this product in my collection ASAP or I’ll go crazy!! I was planning on visiting the Glossier Pop-Up Shop in Atlanta in April, but with the Coronavirus I have my fingers crossed that we’ll be able to travel again next month.

     3. Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo:

I really enjoy Moroccanoil products because the smell is so luxurious and it reminds me of the salon. This dry shampoo is perfect for the first day you go without washing your hair and then the day after. Once you start getting really greasy like me, I switch to something I little more powerful because I hate the process of washing my hair.

I’ve tried both the light and dark shades and both seem to work the same honestly. The spray nozzle were different colors so I knew that one was the lighter shade and the other was for brunettes, but they both felt light and had the same wonderful, luxurious smell.

     4. Prada Candy Hair Mist: 

And to keep my hair smelling extra clean was the Prada Hair Mist in the scent Candy. On the Sephora website, it describes the keynotes as White Musks, Benzoin, and Caramel Accord. AKA: this is super sweet and not for everyone. I would spritz this throughout my hair making me smell really nice when the reality was I hadn’t washed my hair in days.

Prada is another brand that is NOT cruelty-free and will not repurchase based off that reason only. It smells amazing, just like candy, but it’s not CF.

 

What were you able to finish up during this period of self-quarantine??

With Love,

A Simple Wildflower

 

 

 

Brunch & Shopping: March Edition

March has been the month of self-quarantine and I got cabin fever real, real quick!

But, before the height of the coronavirus, Alec and I were able to have an amazing meal, though not technically brunch, at this restaurant called Rutabaga. Then, while practicing social distancing, I went to two local boutiques for the cutest shirts/sweatshirts on the entire planet!!

The best place and meal Alec and I had during the month of March was hands down from Rutabaga. Rutabaga is a cute, quaint little restaurant that is disguised as a white cottage. Not only was the venue super adorable, but the food itself was also absolutely jaw-droppingly delicious!! AND we had the whole place to ourselves because people were already self-quarantining themselves.

Let’s start with the venue. It’s located in Chattahoochee, Florida, which is a small town here in Florida, and as I mentioned above, the restaurant itself is the cutest thing ever! You first walk through the cutest porch into a beautiful, rustic home. I seriously need to hire the person who decorated Rutabaga because it was gorgeously rustic.

Now onto the food. The cornbread was seriously out of this world and I want our curfew to end because I’ve been dreaming about the food we ate that day. While stuffing my face with their heaven-sent cornbread, I was trying to figure out what their secret sauce was and after talking with my co-workers they mentioned that Rutabaga covers their cornbread in honey butter! That was their secret sauce! & oh boy, did it make a huge difference; seriously the best thing I have ever tasted!!

When the main entrees came out, they looked absolutely amazing and guess what?? It tasted amazing as well! Alec ordered the steak surf n’ turf, which came with a ribeye steak paired with some fried shrimp and oysters. Most meals come with two sides and he picked the fried mashed potato ball and a vegetable medley. I ordered the Ahi Tuna special with my two sides being the carrots soaked in duck fat and the mashed potatoes. Everything was absolutely amazing and I would completely recommend everything that was on our plate.

& the cherry on top of our dinner experience was the chef/owner coming to our table thanking us for our visit. He is a wonderful human and an even more amazing host and we will be returning, hopefully, very soon.

Now onto the shopping portion!

The first boutique I visited in March was Sparkle Tallahassee. Their store is absolutely adorable and in one word I would describe it as Preppy-basics. Check out their Instagram: @sparkletallahassee for more shirts like this!

**photo from Sparkle Tallahassee’s website**

I follow them myself and went in for one very specific item that they posted on their Instragam. The Tallahassee Sweatshirt ($38)!! It comes in four different colors and I was strongly considering three of them. But, I went ahead and purchased my all-time favorite color: yellow!! They also have this sweatshirt in lilac, sky blue, and a denim navy.

Sparkle Tallahassee also has a really cute “social distancing” shirt and sweatshirt that I’m totally going to buy when my next paycheck hits.

The next local boutique I went to was the Olde Fields Clothing Company. This boutique was a completely different vibe that would be described as edgy and I’m totally obsessed with it! It’s seriously a whole mood.

At Olde Fields Clothing Co. I purchased not one, but two shirts! The first one I locked eyes with was their Tallahassee Sun Tee in Soft Mauve ($20). Though sold at this boutique, this shirt was made by a local artist: Amanda Boekhout (IG: @divinefem). I’m completely obsessed that Olde Fields Clothing Co. sells local talent and I will continue to show my support by shopping there. Plus, their apparel is super cute so it’s a win, win!

**photo from Olde Fields Clothing Company’s website**

The second shirt I purchased was their Custom Stay Rad Tee ($28). This tee is described as already pre-shrunk and unisex-sized and as soon as I saw this bleached crop top, I knew I needed it in my collection.

**photo from Olde Fields Clothing Company’s website**

(Update: ever since purchasing this shirt, I’ve been living in it nonstop because it is sooo soft!)

What adventures were you able to do before having to self-quarantine?? & even during this difficult time of having to self-quarantine, how are you still helping out your favorite local stores? They need our help during this time more than ever!!

With Love,

A Simple Wildflower

Disney Park Hopping: Holiday Season + Rainy Day Tips

Walt Disney World during the holiday season is such a magical time to visit and that’s even with not so great weather. So when my cousin found a way to get her hands on two park hoppers this past December, I couldn’t hold back my excitement when she asked me if I wanted to go.

We decided to go the Sunday before Christmas, 12/22/2019, and the forecast for that day was cloudy with a 90% – 100% chance of rain. This was the only day we could visit so we decided to brave the bad weather and make the most of this trip. Rain or shine!

Some tips I learned from this trip was:

1. Bring a raincoat/poncho because the one I purchased at the Magic Kingdom was $12. While not terribly priced, I already own a raincoat and really wished I had packed it in my suitcase.
2. With that being said, the less you pack and/or bring to the parks, the day you go, the better. There was such a looong wait for the bag line and the wait felt even longer because it started to drizzle. But, if you’re going to pack make sure it’s travel-friendly. We packed a bunch of Lunchables/energy bars because they hardly take up space in the backpack and it’ll save you a little money. We also brought a reusable bottle so we could fill it up with all the water fountains that are around the parks. Gotta stay hydrated!
3. Rain + Disney Parks = All the Character Photo-ops!! I mean just look at how many characters we were able to see in one day; while it was raining!! It always seems like most people leave when it rains at Disney and that means the lines to see the face characters are shorter! Be careful though because if they don’t have shelter or the weather is particularly bad, then you most likely won’t see any face characters and/or fur characters. It can be a double-edged sword in a sense.

Heck yes, little one! Strike that Princess pose!!

Don’t laugh! I’ve always thought of myself as an Ariel!! Can I please be a mermaid!!??

BONUS BOYFRIEND TIP: Get the Werther’s Popcorn, which can be found at the Epcot’s Germany Pavilion and also arrive at the parks early because it’s busiest in the afternoons. Thanks, babe, those were great tips!!

Also, please don’t mind my crocs. I needed something waterproof and originally had on tennis shoes, but now that I’m thinking back on it I should have worn my boots. Oh well, you live and you learn.

We spent the majority of the day at the Magic Kingdom, but we accidentally parked at Epcot and needed to take the monorail over to MK. Talk about magic because we stepped into a completely empty monorail! When the driver, AKA our Fairy God Mother, told us we could “drive” the monorail if we wanted to. She was the absolute sweetest as she took our photo “driving” the monorail. We both grew up in Orlando and have been to Disney countless times, but this was a first time experience for the both of us. I still get excited thinking back on this experience, so cool!

When we finally arrived at MK, the magical experiences continued because as soon as we’re making our way to Liberty Square, we see Mary Poppins in her perfect in every way glory! I was obsessed with her outfit when I saw it online, but it was seriously more stunning in person. Like can I please wear it, Disney??

(Don’t mind my awkward stance. I never know what to do with my hands/body)

Next on our itinerary was the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This gloomy day got even more magical when we got placed in the front row!! This was my second time on this ride and it is super adorable, surprisingly speedy, but still really smooth (aka, a good ride to ease kids into riding rollercoasters).

The ride we went on next was much less smooth: Space Mountain. My eyes are closed in the photo because even in the dark I notice how much metal is in that room. I’ve never been on the ride when it’s broken down and they turn the lights on, but I can only imagine it would give me nightmares.

Walking out of Tomorrow Land there was a short line to visit…drum roll please…

MERIDA FROM BRAVE!!

This was my first time meeting Merida and I cannot believe I got to stand next to that gorgeous, curly red haired Princess. We talked about how boys can do things that girls can’t and how we love family regardless though.

P.S. I’ve always been obsessed with Merida’s deep teal dress! I’m obsessed with the deep teal color in general and I think it is the perfect color to represent Merida’s strong character.

We kept the blue aesthetic going by traveling under the sea to ride the Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid. This is an easy favorite (movie + ride-wise) for the two of us and we couldn’t wait to see all of our seafolk friends.

If you’ve been on the Haunted Mansion ride then The Little Mermaid ride is the same style; you sit down (Haunted Mansion is a coffin and The Little Mermaid is a seashell) while the ride takes you through the movie. After you exit the ride you can meet Ariel herself right next door, in her Grotto, of course!!

Meeting Ariel was such a wonderful treat because she is such a classic and I personally resonate with her story the most. & let’s be real, I’ve always wanted to be a mermaid. I guess we want what we don’t or can’t have. Am I right, ladies?!

(Ariel said the current made her drop something on the floor)

As we were exiting Fantasy Land, we stopped at Gaston’s Tavern to fill up our water bottle. There are water fountains located next to the Tavern and who do we run into?? But, Gaston himself!! Oh my gosh, we giggled like school girls when he winked at us. Once our water bottle were filled we realized we could wait in a short line to have a more face to face interaction and we immediately jumped in line.

***BONUS CHARACTER TIP: Out of all my years meeting Disney face characters, Gaston has always been the absolute best; hands down!! He’s always extremely funny, really witty, quick on his feet/responses, and he always goes above and beyond with each individual interaction. ***

I kid you not, Gaston remembered us from passing and we proceeded to laugh like maniacs. What is seriously wrong with us?! & lucky for me, Gaston liked the older ladies, but then made fun of my fanny pack so I was definitely getting some mixed signals there. Well…I guess that’s Gaston.

The last stop at the Magic Kingdom was to the Enchanted Tales with Belle. I love that this character interaction is indoors and you can sit through the last portion. AKA: shelter from the rain and/or hot sun. I always love seeing the kids get to dress up as various Beauty and the Beast characters, but I also laugh at seeing the adults that get picked because they either get really awkward or really into it and there is usually no in-between. & you get to see/interact with Belle who’s in her gorgeous gold ballgown, which is always jaw-dropping to witness in person.

(Heck yes, Elsa! Throw that Breakfast Club fist up in the air!!)

The next two parks we visited were: Animal Kingdom and Epcot. Sorry Hollywood Studios, but we didn’t have enough time and we also went to those parks for very specific reasons too. We wanted to see the Pandora World at AK because I hadn’t seen it since its opening and we wanted to visit Epcot for the Germany Pavilion treats. It was also getting colder and the rain was picking up and we really wanted a hot shower and to cover up in a blanket.

The Animal Kingdom was decorated so beautifully for the holiday season. It definitely gives you wilderness vibes and I seriously hate how underrated this park is.

As we looked at the holiday decorations in wonder, we went under some shelter so my cousin could grab something out of her backpack. As I sit down I notice the girl next to me has really long, beautiful black hair and as I glanced a second longer I realized that I’m sitting next to mother-effing Pocahontas!! This was such a rare character sighting for me and there was seriously no line to see her AT ALL!! Talking to Pocahontas about which one of our animals would be besties with Meeko was an absolute dream and if I had to think hard about that question, I think Meeko and my cat would get into some pretty crazy adventures.

The Animal Kingdom is amazing to see at night because it is covered in white lights and colorful lanterns. It is seriously so romantic and it gets even better when you see the Pandora World. I wish I took photos because the colors on the ground alone were amazing to witness, the highlighter yellow, purple, and green was stunning, but my photos didn’t turn out because it was dark and the rain made them look fuzzy.

Seeing Pandora World was the one thing I wanted to see while at Disney, but we had to ride my favorite AK ride: Expedition Everest! With my second favorite being Dinosaur!

My last stop of the day was at Epcot to grab the most delicious snacks at the Germany Pavilion to get as Christmas gifts for Alec and my brother. Alec didn’t realize I was going to Epcot, which made him opening up his Werther’s Popcorn and Chocolate Dipped Mickey-shaped Rice Krispy Treat even more special on Christmas day.

We did make a pit stop though to meet two famous Norwegian sisters, Anna and Elsa. You can meet the sister duo at the Norway Pavilion, which is before the Germany Pavilion so it was technically on the way. Just like the Belle meet and greet, you wait inside their home, which is decorated with their childhood memories. Most people had left the park by this time because it was cold, dark, and raining so our wait time was basically nothing and it felt like we were able to talk to them for a full 15 minutes; it felt like a true conversation.

Anna was first and she was standing there looking gorgeous in her new Queen of Arendale ball gown. Anna is my cousin’s favorite character and she was completely infatuated with her as we all talked about family game night. Anna learned that we were, in fact, family and brought Elsa into the conversation about favorite games during family game night. The winner: Charades!!

Elsa was also looking stunning in her new Into the Unknown outfit. After our wonderful interaction with the sisters of Arendale, we left the park for our hotel that was located on Disney Springs property. We ordered Pizza Hut and called it a night.

Have you ever park hopped before? Tell me about your experience in the comments below. My goal in life is to park hop to all four parks in one day because I’ve only ever done three max; just like this past time.

With Love,

A Simple Wildflower

 

Monthly Favorites – February Edition

Ah, February! The month of love. I know Valentine’s Day is a holiday many probably dread celebrating, but I make it a time to show my love and celebrate all the loved ones in my life. To me, it is a holiday about relationships and celebrating that relationship with the person I love.

Me messaging all my friends that I freaking love them and that they’re super important to me!

& while I was spreading the love to friends, family, coworkers, and of course, my S.O., I was also making sure to show more love to my half-used beauty products; you know, the ones that collect dust within your collection. My S.O. and I are moving in March and I would like to move as little as possible, which means using up as many beauty products as I can. I also bought everything with my own money and I need to get into the mindset of actually finishing one product before purchasing another one. I get way too caught up in the commercialism of it all and the advertisements on social media don’t help either, but I have to pay off debt first and foremost.

My debt collectors right now sending me bills in the mail!!

So with this saving mentality in mind, I didn’t buy anything new for the ENTIRE month of February and used favorites that were already in my collection. It was definitely difficult, but I came out the other end stronger than ever and slightly richer!!

The first item on my list of favorites is the Ilia Multi-Stick in the shade All of Me, which is described as a warm watermelon and I think that is a very fitting description. Ilia’s Multi-Stick is a beautiful cream blush that I cannot get enough of! When I saw this product at a Sephora in South Florida, my first thought was this is a blush that supermodels/celebrities would wear. It has a minimalistic design, stunning (!!) color payoff, and travel-friendly packaging.

I love that the brand, Ilia, is cruelty-free with most products being 100% vegan. Except for this bad boy because it does contain beeswax, which I don’t mind because that is a product that bees make naturally. Bees will continue to make beeswax and honey without humans taking it for their own consumption and that’s why I’m okay with the Multi-Stick not being 100% vegan.

The Multi-Stick has eight shades in total that can be used as a flush of color for your cheeks or it could also be used on your lips. I have worn this blush every single day for work since buying it and I cannot see myself using another blush anytime soon. It’s seriously SO amazing and it’s really easy to use! After applying sunscreen, I smile so I can clearly see my cheeks, then I swipe the cream blush with my fingers in an upwards direction and the results afterward is a natural flush of color that makes me look so effortlessly put together; like a natural goddess.

My only caveat is this particular cream blush takes a couple of uses to get to its perfect swiping consistency. After the first few uses, the top layer will come off and you will be left with a creamier blush that is easier to swipe on your cheeks and/or lips. That doesn’t bother me at all because the end result is just so stunning and I cannot wait to purchase the shades I Put A Spell On You, which is described as a hot tangerine, and Lady Bird, which is a neutral rose that I believe would be perfect for formal outings.

(Photo from Sephora.com) (All of Me shade)

The next item I was loving this month was the Tower 28 Beauty: ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss in Chill, which is a completely clear gloss that makes your lips shine like crazy and makes them look oh so plump. This lip gloss contains apricot kernel oil (nurtures and soothes lips), raspberry seed oil (protects lips against damage from environmental aggressors), and rosehip oil (contains vitamins A and E while promoting repair and regeneration). With all these good ingredients listed above, this lip gloss is also 100% vegan, cruelty-free, AND also gluten-free.

This lip gloss has a jelly consistency that’s on the thicker side, but it feels really moisturizing when on the lips. I personally like the lip applicator it comes with because it’s soft and it glides the product on my lips perfectly. I don’t honestly know why I picked up the shade Chill when Tower 28 Beauty offers five other stunning shades, but I didn’t have anything clear in my lip gloss collection and I’m really glad I aimlessly picked this shade out because my lips look sooo juicy now!

(Photo from Sephora.com)

The last item I have been using for the month of February (& quite frankly, all of January too) is the frank body Original Coffee Scrub. This lovely scrub can be found at your local Ulta for $9.99, but the best part about scrubs is they’re the easiest DIY’s ever. Once I’m done with this bag I received in my past FabFitFun box, I’m going to try my hand at making a coffee scrub that is equally moisturizing as the frank body one.

(Photo from Ulta.com)

I personally love that you receive a lot of product (3.53 oz) for only $10 because this one bag has already lasted me multiple months (I use it up to 3 times a week) and I still have some to use in March. Also, while this coffee scrub gives off a natural-looking tan, I personally believe a sugar scrub is better at exfoliating dead skin cells away. I really like the smell this scrub gives off and the amount of time I’ve had this in my collection, it’s definitely worth your hard-earned money. 

What were you loving during the month of February? I would love to hear about them in the comments below.

With Love,

A Simple Wildflower