10 small changes to help the environment

This is very close to my heart.  I wasn’t always this eco conscious, it's a newish concept for me but now that I’m in, let’s say I’m definitely in.  It happened most likely out of boredom and curiosity fueled by unemployment and living in Southern California, which at the time in 2015, according to articles written in the Guardian, Livescience and the Huffington Post was experiencing the worst drought seen in 1,200 years. A very long time.  2015 was in fact the warmest year on record since global recording began in 1880.

My latest find on no animal testing products. Palmer's Face Soap

I am a content consumer with the latest additions to my cruelty free arsenal. This new face soap deserves a mention.  I have struggled to find a face wash that is kind to the purse strings, environment and animals.  

Cruelty Free Derma e. A review of a vegan option.

Derma e is a Southern California brand and was first brought to my attention upon that life changing visit (profound yet very true statement) to The Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita, CA.  Derma e products are vegan and cruelty free.  The ingredients used are all plant based, natural and organic. I have seen Derma e for sale in Bed Bath & Beyond, Whole Foods, Target, online and in other retailers in the US.  Unfortunately I could not find distributors when I did a little research and checked if they were sold in stores in Ireland, however you can order from Amazon.co.uk and they are sold in stores in the UK and Canada. The products themselves can seem a little pricey at first glance but from my experience are worth it and you only need a very small amount of any of the products reviewed below.  Therefore each jar will go a long way.

Cruelty Free e.l.f Makeup Review

elf cosmetics are a little god send. They have the PETA cruelty free seal of approval and as I am replenishing my beauty products one by one with alternatives that are not tested on animals, I need to have everyday items to reach for when beauty sleep escapes me.  E.l.f stands for eyes, lips and face and can be purchased online, at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, CVS and other retailers.  They are exceptionally cheap and affordable.  All 5 products listed cost me less than $20. My cheap side was dancing. 

Paul Mitchell- Cruelty Free Shampoo. A Review

I bought the color care shampoo and the strengthening conditioner. Paul Mitchell is an animal friendly brand and currently has the PETA and The Leaping Bunny cruelty free, does not test on our cuddly companions stamp of approval.

First the shampoo: I bought it on sale for $9 in Bed Bath & Beyond.   Participating in a normal shower routine, I reached for the Paul Mitchell Color Care Shampoo.  My first impression is that the smell isn't strong at all, it's pleasant but faint.  I pour a decent to average amount in my hand and go to work only to find my tools appear to be broken and my tools are not my hands.  

My Brain and Unemployment

This week has been a busy life week. A welcome change from the recent day to day norm. My limbo-land is finally drawing to a close. 

When you have ten to twelve hours alone with only your head and reruns of Grey's Anatomy for company you can discover a lot about yourself.  Meredith and Co. became my best friends.  I enjoyed my fantasies about Hunt and Sloan and which character I am most like on the show, but when the hour turns into three and four episodes this can quickly become old and unappealing.  I unearthed how both resilient and weak I can be at the same time.  A conflicting duality.  

This Business of Aging and My Quest for a Cruelty Free Hair Salon

This search made me a little apprehensive.  It was the very first time in my life I had considered going to a cruelty free salon.  It never dawned on me before.  

After salon visit

I sort of welcome the transition from the Spring years of life into my Summer season.  By sort of I mean, I had a meltdown turning thirty, but now a ripe old turrteetree I'm excited to embrace societal norms and settle into married life, put roots down, get a mortgage and have children.. alright steady on.. not that excited... yet.  Lets just pause at mortgage for the time being.    

The inevitability of aging, lets get physical.   

After salon visit

I am horrified and I mean aghast at the physical changes I have to contend with on a daily basis.  I saw a picture of my 23 year old self last week and as Cher so melodically put it "if I could turn back Tii - imme".  Youth is wasted on the young for sure, staring at that photograph I appreciate now what I really didn't then.  Don't get me wrong I am absolutely grateful every day for my health but I'd like this vessel that I travel around in daily to be just a Teeny. Bit. Shinier.  

You know how it is when you stand in front of the looking glass and you don't recognise everything reflected back at you.  You can't resist leaning in bit closer to further inspect every line, wrinkle and lumpy dimple.  Poems and tomes have been written about the age old discussion on aging.   

A Meatless Six Weeks..... My Vegetarian Voyage

Pescetarianism.  

I eat fish and so it is said I'm not a vegetarian.  Some serious googling was conducted to find out what the definitions are and what the etiquette and political correctness is around all of these labels.  I think vegetarians may take up arms with my self professed vegetarian-ness, so pescetarian it is. 
I am a peaceful person see but not ready to give up fish as well. A "green-eater" I have read is a person who avoids meat for environmental reasons.  That's me. 

If asked I say "I'm not eating meat, just trying it out, it's supposed to be good for the environment" to soften the side glances, roly eyes to heaven and the audible whispers "ah jaaayysus here we go, have ya seen yer one, gone all LA she has" followed by something else profoundly articulate referencing a meat injection, "Wha'?" says I, rolling me eyes to heaven.

As of this week I haven’t eaten beef, chicken or pork in 6 weeks and eating out has been fine in-spite of the vegetarian options in most restaurants being pretty poor. With that said I have had some delicious veggie burgers and fish dishes.  Used to it by now I can pick out the veggie alternatives straight away without having to scrutinize the menu. 

In the Beginning: A New Mission... lighter footprints... softer footsteps

I am a clueless consumer, I have a new mission.  I wish to leave a lighter footprint. 

The objective: to replace my makeup, bathroom cleaner and kitchen detergents one by one with cruelty free, not tested on animals products. If someone else is considering the same and finding it difficult to find info I hope this is somewhat helpful... Here goes...  

*(I have also not eaten meat in four weeks but I can't with conviction swear to honour that forever, I am trying though)

In the beginning

This is a story and idea born out of a mixture of both concern and boredom. Paradoxical, yes.  
I am a Gemini, an unemployed day-dreamer and as I live in thirsty California the environment is on my mind.

Frizz off - OGX Kukui oil A Cruelty Free Hair Oil

This was the first ever purchase on my quest for cruelty free products.

OGX Kukai Oil $9.99 CVS / $5.99 Bed, Bath & Beyond 
Tesco also sell OGX beauty pure and simple hair care products.The range includes shampoos, conditioners, hair masks and serums. 

Standing in CVS in San Diego killing time, I began my search for not tested on

animals products.  On first impression, I am completely overwhelmed with this brand.  They have what appears at this glance to be a million products with different oils all claiming to do the same or very similar thing.  I simply want a de-frizz and something nice for the dry ends of my hair.   I really don't know which product to go with so in the end I pick the promising "Anti Frizz, Hydrating Oil"

"I'm washing my hair". Review of L'Oreal Ever Pure Cruelty Free Shampoo

I was both delighted and shocked to see the name L'Oreal on a cruelty free list. However, it is only their Ever Pure line that is cruelty free, the rest of their products test on animals.  

Standing in Ralph's I was skeptical. I chose the option for coloured hair. I

opened the cap to do the obligatory sniff test and I was really pleasantly surprised and even more surprised with the price.  There it was smelling gorgeous for $7.99 (€8.99 Tesco / $5.99 Bed, Bath & Beyond) with the sought after claim of not testing on animals.  I practically ran up to the register so proud with my new found animal friendly choices.  

To home with me, to test I shall. 

Cruelty Free - Kinda Easy ( A Beginners Look at Brands and Products)

Updated on September 18th, 2015
The Shopping Guide

http://softerfootsteps.blogspot.com/p/the-list-animal-friendly-brands-products.html 

So far this is the list I have.  These brands are listed on the Peta and Leaping Bunny website certified cruelty free /do not test on animals.  They can be purchased in local retailers, large pharmacy chains or supermarkets, aka easy to find products.  The pics will of course be award winning and all my own.

Paint your face... cruelty free cosmetics using Ecotools and The Body Shop

The Body Shop
Eco Tools
Josie Maran Cosmetics
Physicians Formula   

The Body Shop brushes which I'm certain if you have used these before namely the Face and Body brush, the Kabuki and the Blusher brush know that they are excellent. I love them and have been using since a friend bought me a large bronzer brush for my 19th birthday. Thanks Nicola! They provide great coverage and are extremely soft.  They are easy to clean and dry as soft as when first purchased.  Prices are approximate at $28.00 / €26.00 respectively. A staple in my list and as they are cruelty free I think a must try if you haven't already. 

Ecotools Brushes, blusher, eye shadow etc. These are great and cheaper than The Body Shop.  They are 100% cruelty free and natural.  They are soft and absolutely worth buying. I love these brushes. Both the face and eyeshadow brushes are brilliant providing a good finish.  They are available almost everywhere, Boots Ireland, Tesco, CVS, Target and Ralph's.  Example: The blusher brush is €10.99 in Boots and prices start at $4.79 in Target. 

The Body Shop Shimmer Waves Highligher/Bronzer $22.00 / €23.00 approx. A

go to, I've bought this palette three times. I love the colour and I think it's similar to the Bobbi Brown block only half the price. The packaging is however useless. The plastic box even on my third one is as bad as the first. It's not durable for an on the move makeup bag within your handbag. I swore on the second one that that was it, I'm not buying this again because it breaks every time in the same place (the lid) but I'm known to be a little mouthy that way and I like the colour and the price and I may just be a cheapo!

Josie Maran Cosmetics is a cruelty free company and available from

Sephora. This was first given to me as a gift and I loved it.

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil- $48.00. This is the BEST product to hydrate my skin.  I have dry skin in places and am prone to acne break outs on my chin. The argan oil helps moisturise my face and deal with any acne.  Contrary to what you would think, I know putting oil on acne feels wrong, this works wonders and is another staple in my bag.  I put it on before bed and sometimes under moisturiser.  It can be a little too oily if you use too much so a tiny few drops is enough to cover your face and neck. I have also used it on the dry ends of my hair.  A warning though, it can make your eyelashes oily if used under a day moisturiser and your mascara will make for a getaway.  Found out the hard way! I made the mistake of buying the light oil to try instead of the regular and hated it, but light is available for those who'd prefer.

Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturiser SPF 47 .  This has a lovely scent.  I use it every day. It provides good coverage and protection but it is hard-ish to rub in and I think it's a little expensive at $32.00 for a 2oz bottle. I haven't found another that I like enough to re-place this one yet and I'm on my second bottle. I will be on the look out for a cruelty free replacement but I may just be a loyal argan f-oillower. 

Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation in fair /light.  I LOVE this! It goes on white and matches to your skin colour and tone.  It again is a little pricey at $42.00 but it gives a flawless finish and you don't need that much to cover your face, therefore the bottle lasts ages.  Be sure to try and match your skin tone to the right colour choice before purchase.  It comes in 3 different shades, fair/light, light/medium and medium/dark. One downside to this is it can get grainy near the end of the bottle. 

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free

Mineral Airbrushing Pressed Powder SPF 30 in Creamy Natural.  $12.79 in Target.  This provides a flawless finish and good coverage without having to use a cream foundation. Especially good for the days you don't want to wear makeup but have somewhere to go or also used over a foundation for an airbrushed feel. I put it on with The Body Shop kabuki brush.  It's perfect if you are in a hurry. Nearing this end of it's life however the pressed powder breaks up (like most I think) and this can be extremely annoying. Definitely worth a try for its price point, SPF and cruelty free stamp from Peta.


All content (writing and photographs) is my own and original unless otherwise stated. Copyright © 2015. Ruth S