Cruelty-Free Christmas Eve FOTN and OOTN

I'm proud to announce this is the first make-up look I'm posting which includes exclusively cruelty-free products. Since it's winter (a term which I use extremely loosely) or whatever, I decided to incorporate a navy smoky crease. Because my eye make-up turned out a bit dramatic for a well lit family function, I kept my lips quite neutral. (I also completely forgot to apply blush.) My parents and I always spend Christmas Eve across town at my Aunt Vicki's house, and it was lovely to see my little cousins Kaley and Shana home from UF and FSU, respectively.

What I'm wearing:

1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation applied with my fingertips

2. e.l.f. Essential Eyelid Primer in Sheer from my lash line to my eyebrow blended with my fingertips

3. Revlon Luxurious Color Perle Eyeshadow in Glistening Snow over my entire eyelid and tear duct

4. Wet n Wild Color Icon eyeshadow trio in I Got Good Jeans (the darkest shade, in my crease)

5. e.l.f. Studio Cream Eyeliner in Gunmetal (a very thin line, as close to my lashes as possible)

6. Two coats of Almay One Coat Get Up & Grow Mascara in Black

7. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Just Enough Buff

8. NYC Liquid Lipshine in Nude York City (from my VoxBox)

As far as my outfit goes, I'm wearing an Express long sleeve tee, an Old Navy faux fur vest, Guess jeans, and a Banana Republic bag. (I'm sorry this picture is so creepy and doesn't even really show my outfit.)

Why I've Decided to Go Cruelty-Free and My Favorite Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Brands

I should disclose that I'm a complete animal lover. During my twenty-two and a half years on this planet, I've had close to a dozen pets (probably double that if you count fish), including 3 cats, 4 rabbits, one leopard gecko, and a genius Border Collie-Blue Heeler. My Tuffi (below) has the sweetest soul in the world. When I look in her big, brown eyes, I can't imagine how anyone could commit such horrors to an innocent animal.

A few days ago, I saw Beagle Freedom Project - Second Rescue - June 8, 2011, which broke my heart since Beagles are typically such an adventurous, high energy breed. Although the video has a happy ending for these nine puppies, I can't help but think about all the other animals who aren't as lucky.

But the severity of the issue finally hit home for me when I read a Shimmer Kisser article, detailing just what all happens to animals in test labs. I'd always assumed that all that happened in these places was painting bunnies' fingernails or putting mascara on dogs, but learning otherwise made me cry.

I was happy to find that a few of my favorite make-up brands are indeed cruelty-free, including Almay, e.l.f., Estee Lauder, NYX, NYC (New York Color), Physicians Formula, Revlon, Sally Hansen, Sonia Kashuk, Urban Decay, and Wet n' Wild. (In addition to being cruelty-free most e.l.f. products are also vegan, with the exception of a few lip treatment items.)

I also found a pretty extensive list of cruelty-free nail polish brands. (Zoya is vegan, too.)

"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person." - Andy Rooney

XOXO, T