Oct 31, 2012

October Hits and Misses! (2012)

My monthly favorites seem to be getting shorter and shorter. I blame this on the fact that I am really working to finish as many products as I can. I still want to have an interesting collection, but I don't want to have piles of things I'll never use

  • Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream: I've talked about this a lot and I even finished it this month. I would buy it again eventually, but I have a lot of foundations and BB creams to finish, so for now I will not be repurchasing.
  • Revlon Photoready Concealer: I bought this on a whim a little while before I banned myself from buying makeup this past summer. It's great for under-eye circles. I don't use it on blemishes because I usually don't bother to cover those.
  • Rimmel Extra Wow Lash: This mascara is inexpensive ($5 or less) and it works quite well. The formula is a little dry, but it never makes my lashes feel dry or brittle (which I can't say for other mascaras I've tried recently). This is a definite keeper.
  • Stila Smudge Crayons: I've talked about these a lot, so I'll keep it to the basics. They last on my eyelids and have convenient packaging.
  • Too Faced Glamour to Go Palette: I bought this a while ago and I keep switching between this palette and another palette. The color in particular that I love is in the top right corner. I didn't really use the blush or bronzer in this palette, so I didn't take a picture of those. Plus I think I already have taken pictures of both.
  • Lush Seanik Solid Shampoo Bar: I've used this almost every time I wash my hair and it is very clarifying and volumizing. 

And for the misses? No beauty products, but... I have officially decided that Starbucks coffee beans and I do not get along well. I love their lattes, but their beans have honestly never impressed me. I prefer going to places like Fresh Market with a variety of coffee (if you've been there, you know just what I'm talking about).

Tag! 10 Makeup Items I Would Repurchase

The purpose of this tag is to list the first ten items I would repurchase if all of my makeup somehow disappeared (destroyed in a fire, stolen, and so on). I believe it was actually called the "If All My Makeup Disappeared" tag around this time last year. Either way, it's the same general idea and it's fun, so I decided to do it.
  1. MAC Studio Finish Concealer (NC 15): Although I hardly ever wear concealer to cover my blemishes, I opted for concealer rather than foundation. If all of my makeup disappeared, I would let my skin breathe (more than it does now) and only attempt to cover dark circles and large blemishes. However, I would also consider trying the Hard Candy Glamouflage since they recently released a lighter shade (the one that used to be the lightest was slightly too dark for me). Then I could just mix the concealer with moisturizer and have a tinted moisturizer.
  2. Maybelline Dream Matte Powder: This powder has been one of my favorites for a long time. Although there are several different shades for the powder, it is pretty sheer, but that doesn't bother me. 
  3. Covergirl Cheekers Blush in Natural Rose: I'm really hesitant to put this here. This is because ever since CoverGirl decided to re-release their tinted moisturizer and market it as a BB cream, I've been boycotting the brand (because to my knowledge, they still haven't even mentioned their shady behavior... poor PR move in my opinion). So to be more precise, I would buy a color exactly like Natural Rose because it looks nice on my skin.
  4. Maybelline Color Tattoos: This really isn't going to be a surprise to anybody who reads my blog regularly, but I love these. Barely Beige is my favorite, but it's limited edition. From the permanent collection, I love Bad to the Bronze and Tough as Taupe.
  5. Stila Smudge Crayon: Now, I know I already mentioned a cream eye shadow, but the thing about the Stila Smudge Crayon is that it can be used as an eye shadow and an eyeliner and it actually stays put all day (except on my waterline, but I have yet to find something that does and since I don't wear eyeliner on my waterline on a daily basis, it's not a deal-breaker). 
  6. Wet 'N Wild Eye Shadow Trios: I have three of these and love all of them. I'd probably buy Walking on Eggshells first because it gives a subtle look.
  7. Rimmel Extra Wow Lash Mascara: This mascara is inexpensive, but it gives me the same effect as most mascaras that cost more.
  8. C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shines: these lip glosses aren't sticky and they taste nice. I'm not a big fan of going overboard with the lip products, so usually I opt for some form of lip balm.
  9. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater: Technically a skin care product, but since my skin is becoming quite dry, I've been spraying this on after applying foundation. I will be trying plain rosewater from a different brand after I finish this, but this is actually more accessible, so I'd be willing to buy it again. Plus it's only $7.
  10. Mario Badescu Special Healing Powder: again, this is technically a skin care product, but when I have a really bad breakout on my face and I'm not going anywhere, I do apply this to my blemishes and it calms them. I feel like it was a good buy because it will probably last me a year (which is probably past its intended expiration, so that is impressive).
So those are the 10 things I would repurchase first. There are some items I've never owned that I would seize the opportunity to try if my collection disappeared. For example: Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. I don't own it, but I want it. It's probably one of the best palettes to start out with anyway.

What would you repurchase if your makeup disappeared?

Oct 29, 2012

Tag: A-Z of Beauty

This tag was created by FleurDeForce (and Sprinkleofglitter) and when I first saw the video I thought it was a really fun idea! The point of this tag is to list one brand for every letter of the alphabet and a recommendation from that brand. I wasn't tagged to do this, but I thought it would be fun!
  • Aveeno: I really like thier Ultra Calming Foaming Cleanser. It doesn't have an offensive scent to it and it is great to use in the morning. It doesn't do much in terms of makeup removal, but it is great if you have sensitive skin.
  • Burt's Bees: this was an example in Fleur and Louise's video, but I like Burt's Bees. Their lip balms are good and I should probably buy some more soon because I'm at a loss with my lips. They're really dry at the moment and nothing is helping.
  • Cetaphil: Cetaphil's products are popular among dermatologists. Mine has never suggested the brand to me (he always says to just use a cleanser I like), but Cetaphil is known for being safe for sensitive skin or people undergoing acne treatments. I like their Gentle Skin Cleanser if I'm not wearing any makeup and I actually like that it doesn't foam.
  • Desert Essence: their jojoba oil removes makeup well and it lasts a while. I've been using it daily for over a month (maybe even two months) to remove eye makeup and I've got more than half of the bottle left
  • E.L.F.: although this brand is very hit and miss, I love their flat top powder brush from their Studio Line. It costs $3 and was worth every penny.
  • Fekkai: This won't really count because I've never tried anything from the brand, but I couldn't think of another brand that starts with the letter "F"
  • Grandpa's: this brand has soaps. I bought the Thylox Acne soap with sulfur, but I can't technically recommend it because I haven't quite finished my other cleanser yet.
  • Hard Candy: Not my favorite brand ever, but their Glamouflage concealer now has five shades instead of three and I plan to try the lightest shade soon so I can get the full effects of the concealer.
  • Illamasqua: another one I've never tried anything from, but it came to mind.
  • Japonesque: I bought a cute travel eyelash curler from them once and I know they have a purse-friendly brush set I might buy in the future.
  • Kiss My Face: I recently started using the Olive & Green Tea soap that I featured in my iHerb haul post. Basically any of their olive oil soaps are supposed to be amazing, and I'll have to agree that at the very least, the Olive & Green Tea version is great. It makes my skin soft and clean. The great part is that it's a great bargain (depending on where you buy it, it can run from $3-4 for an 8 ounce bar) and the one I have only has 5 ingredients (the Pure Olive Oil bar has 3 ingredients). I'll be doing a full review on this shortly.
  • L'Oreal: I just started using the Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream again and I really like it. The only problem is that I think I'll run out of it quickly.
  • Maybelline: their Dream Matte Powder has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. It is smooth, inexpensive, and it works.
  • Neutrogena: I really like their Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation (pressed). It doesn't have heavy coverage, but it is a nice powder for lazy days.
  • Olay: I have used their Complete All Day UV Moisturizer for Combination/Oily Skin (SPF 15) in the past and I liked it. The ingredients are probably not the best of the best, but I liked it as a product and I would buy it again.
  • Physicians Formula: I really like the Shimmer Strips by PF (specifically the bronzers) because they can also be used as a highlighter and eye shadows.
  • Queen Helene: the Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask has been a cult favorite for a while and I went through at least two or three tubes of it before I started really trying out other masks. 
  • Rimmel: Rimmel Extra Wow Lash Mascara is inexpensive and a great value. It doesn't irritate my eyes (which is important) and it gives my lashes lots of volume.
  • Stila: If you frequently read my blog, you will already know that I adore the Stila Smudge Crayons. They last on my eyes all day and if I use one color alone, I don't have to set it with another eye shadow. 
  • Tarte: I haven't tried it on my face, but their Smooth Operator tinted moisturizer has been on my wishlist for a while because the lightest shade (Agent 00) is great for my pale skin.
  • Urban Decay: I don't own it currently, but my favorite Urban Decay product of all time is their 24/7 Concealer Pencil in CIA. The color worked well for my skin and it covered well.
  • Vaseline: I don't like Vaseline, to be honest. It's not necessarily their products, it's just the ingredients I have a problem with. I have a post coming up that is more in depth.
  • Willa Naturals: this brand is targeted to younger girls, but they have a nice basic foam cleanser that would work for any age. I've got the travel kit right now (the cleanser and moisturizer) that I bought because I loved the size and shape of the bag it came in and I was curious about the products. I don't dislike anything from the brand so far, and that's a good sign.
  • X Out: I haven't tried this, but it's supposed to be an all in one benzoyl peroxide acne treatment. Some people really seem to love it, though. I'm not crazy about benzoyl peroxide because its long term effects are unknown, but it does work on my skin.
  • Yes To...brands: I like the Yes to Tomatoes shower gel, but as I mentioned in my empties post, it smells powdery and I'm trying to make the switch to natural bar soaps.
  • Zapzyt: I think I used this brand's spot treatment in high school, but I can't remember how I felt about it. I stopped using benzoyl peroxide a long time ago, but I'm actually using a prescription with benzoyl peroxide in it (which will be featured in my skin care routine post if I like it... and if I don't like it, then I'll move on to a new product).
I tag... everyone reading this! If you have a blog and you decide to post this on your blog, just comment below with a link to your post and I'll read it!

Oct 28, 2012

October 2012 Empties!

As I was writing my September empties post, I had convinced myself that I wouldn't finish much in the month of October. I didn't finish a shocking number of products, but I finished enough to feel accomplished.


Neutrogena All-in-1 Acne Control Facial Treatment: This was one of my favorite products in the spring, but over time it lost its effectiveness. Since I had two tubes that were half full, I decided to bring them with me to school so I could actually finish both tubes. I can proudly say I finally have! I prefer Mario Badescu treatments now, but I still highly recommend this if you get occasional blemishes that leave red marks behind. I will probably repurchase this in the winter because it hydrates my skin (therefore it was too greasy for summer) and it did help fade some of my hyperpigmentation faster than it would have faded if I hadn't been using a treatment.

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Stray Dog: This is a mini eyeliner, so it's no surprise that I finished it so quickly. I think I used this almost every day after I posted my review on the Urban Decay liners. I have to set my Urban Decay eyeliners with my eye shadows and I went through this pretty quickly once I really used it. I am rather excited to finish the other four just because I don't love them. I know other people do, but these eyeliners aren't right for me. I forgot to keep this after I finished it, so it's not in the picture.

ELF Mineral Blemish Powder: I bought this early in September and used it as an all over setting powder whenever I wasn't using my Neutrogena Mineral Sheers powder foundation. It didn't last very long (maybe I used too much?) and it didn't control oil or improve skin, so I won't be repurchasing. Plus it costs $3 more on the ELF website than it did at Target (I paid $5).

LUSH American Cream Conditioner: As I stated in my review last month, I wasn't crazy about this conditioner. It had a scent I didn't love and most importantly, I felt like it didn't moisturize my hair enough. I am glad I tried it, though. Another thing to add is that for some reason it's not sulfate free. Before using this, I don't think I had ever seen a sulfate in a conditioner (or perhaps I never paid any attention before). I won't repurchase this and I actually ended up replacing it with the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle because it was way cheaper (I found an 8 fluid ounce bottle at Target for under $3 - the LUSH conditioner was almost $10 for 3.3 fluid ounces).

E.L.F. Clarifying Blotting Sheets: I was close to finishing these last month, but I still had a fair few left. I'm now working on finishing my Clean & Clear blotting sheets I bought before I even started college.

Yes to Tomatoes Purifying Shower Gel: I've always been eager to try products that are on the more natural side. This shower gel did the job, but the scent wasn't my favorite so I won't be repurchasing. Plus I'm becoming a big fan of bar soaps since they're so travel-friendly and as far as I know, most (if not all) bar soaps are preservative-free.

Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum (Ultra Black) and Clear Lash Boosting Serum: I got these in a set a few months back and although there is a little left in both, I like to throw out eyeliners once the consistency changes (the liner became thin and less pigmented and the serum never really did much of anything). I would consider buying the eyeliner again, but I've got a lot of products to finish before I give it serious thought.

Bath & Body Works Secret Wonderland Fragrance Mist: This was a small bottle, so finishing this wasn't technically much of an accomplishment, but since I have about four other small fragrance mists from Bath & Body Works (and 2 large ones) on top of some Victoria's Secret body sprays, I honestly have more than I need. This fragrance was nice, but I won't repurchase it because I've pretty much found my holy grail perfume and the only reason I've been using other scents is so I can actually use them up.

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream: I bought this between January and March (I can't recall when, so I'm giving a guess) and after using it daily since finishing another foundation, I've finally finished this! I do love this BB cream, but I didn't love the price and the fact that it just didn't last long (2 months at the most, meaning if this became my HG, I'd be spending $234 per year on this, plus tax). I think I might repurchase it in the future, but I have other products I am planning on trying out before that happens. I am finally down to owning only 3 BB creams, 2 liquid foundations, and one powder foundation. I'm trying not to buy any base products until I finish what I have (although... I do have my eye on the Tarte tinted moisturizer). This also isn't pictured because I managed to leave the tube at home this weekend after I finished it.

Aveeno Clear Complexion Cleansing Bar: I tried this because it was inexpensive, medicated, and the ingredients were pretty good (I won't say they were great, but the soap itself is paraben free and I'm still working toward the goal of using paraben free items once I finish what I have). I like the convenience of a bar soap. If you travel with it, there is no chance of it spilling all over everything. There is also less packaging involved (which also means less space is being taken up and less plastic is going to waste). However, I eventually realized that this bar was breaking my skin out. I won't be buying this bar again, but I did replace some products with what you saw in the iHerb haul post (Aveeno's products contain more natural ingredients than the average drugstore brand, but they are by no means completely natural). I can't exactly prove I finished this product since I no longer have the box and the bar has completely dissolved, so my apologies for that.

I've also finished the usual things like toothpaste, mouthwash, contact lens solution, etc. However, since I don't have an excessive amount of any of those things, I generally don't include them in my posts. Since my no-buy has also been over for quite some time and I've used up most sample sized products, I also don't usually include samples. If you guys want me to include those things, just let me know and I will from now on.

I think one of my first (and biggest) resolutions for 2013 will be to really weed out my makeup collection and utilize my space more efficiently. This is just because I still have quite a few products that I need to finish before I buy anything (mainly foundations and powders and such). I'm not sure how I will approach this goal, but I'm definitely working on a plan.

What did you finish this month?

Oct 22, 2012

Haul: iHerb

Although I am not too terribly close to finishing my Lush soaps, I did want to place an order with iHerb because I stumbled upon the site (probably a month ago now) and they have this great deal where new customers get $10 off orders $40 or more and $5 off orders less than $40. Needless to say, I was intrigued.

iHerb has a variety of products: from vitamins and supplements to foods and yes, to beauty products. As I finish the products I have now, I want to replace them with more natural alternatives. This has been and will continue to be a long process.

When I placed my order I didn't have much of a strategy. I just picked things I thought I would need soon. Here's what I picked out:


Soaps:
  • Kirk's Original Coco Castile Soap: This is the version with fragrance. I picked this over the fragrance free version just because it came in a pack of three. My dad's family used this when he was young, so I thought it would be interesting to try.
  • J.R. Liggett's Shampoo (Herbal Formula and Original Formula): I've been using solid shampoos a lot more lately and it's been a great experience. These are a little cheaper than Lush solid shampoo bars and in theory these can be used without conditioner (but we will see if that is true once I've finished my Lush solid shampoo's).
  • One With Nature Honey Almond Soap: I figured this would smell nice and it does. I'm hoping to use this around December because I just like to use nutty/almond scents around the holidays.
  • Grandpa's Thylox Acne Treatment Soap with Sulfur: I tweeted a few days ago that I was almost out of my cleanser. Apparently I had forgotten I'd ordered this! I'm excited to try this because it has 3% sulfur and I've really experimented with sulfur less than other ingredients.
  • Kiss My Face Olive & Green Tea Soap: This bar of soap is a whopping 8 ounces. I think I am probably the most excited to try this.


Miscellaneous:
  • Earth Therapeutics Bath Sponge: I always use one of these when I shower so I can get extra exfoliation.
  • Stash Fusion Green & White Tea
  • Stash Chai Black & Green Tea
  • Swisspers Organic Cotton Balls: There isn't much to say about these. I just needed them.
  • JASON Sea Fresh Toothpaste: I'm not sure if I will like this or not, but it is worth a shot because it is SLS free!
What is so great about this order? It cost me less than $35! As I begin to use these products I will post reviews. I had a great experience with iHerb, but I do want to try out Vitacost since it is also a popular site for natural health and beauty products.

What have you bought recently?

Oct 21, 2012

Packaging: It Matters

This is a bit different than any post I have written before. It is inspired by the fact that my little sample sized container of Benefit Ooh La Lift almost made it into my October Empties post. Almost. Then I decided it wouldn't be fair to toss it without at least removing the stopper. And you know what? I'm glad I did it. Even though I received it as a gift, I still feel better when I finish things up properly and the only time I tend to throw something away or give it away is if it breaks me out or the color doesn't suit me.


For me, quality packaging is important. By that I am not talking about how something looks (although that certainly helps to sell the product because most consumers are attracted to pretty packaging). The important factor for me is how the packaging functions. The old packaging for the Urban Decay Primer Potion was infamous for being wasteful... people had to cut the tube open to get every bit of product out (which was also pretty dangerous). About a year or two ago, Urban Decay changed their original Primer Potion packaging (left in the photo below) to be in a tube like Too Faced Shadow Insurance (right in the photo below).


As for thick cream products, they generally come in a pencil/stick form or (better yet) a pot, so the Maybelline Color Tattoos and MAC Paint Pots fit the latter description. With these types of packaging, I expect the product to be sealed tight so it doesn't dry out easily. The same goes for pencils (such as the Stila Smudge Crayon).


As for foundations, I don't understand why any liquid foundation would come in a glass container without a pump. It wastes product and is just overall messy.

I hope this post wasn't too rambly. I just wanted to share my opinion on packaging for various products. Doesn't everybody want to get the most out of the products they pay for?

What is your basic packaging criteria?

Oct 17, 2012

Updated Travel Makeup Bag: Weekends Home

This year, I brought the majority of my makeup collection to school with me. I technically have enough to get by on the weekends I go home, but I still like to take some of my every day products with me just so I can work toward using them up. I also prefer the makeup I brought to school with me.


The Bag:
This is just the bag from September's MyGlam Bag (now it's called Ipsy?) - this bag is just plain and black... perfect for throwing in most of the purses I own. It also fits quite a lot of products in it (at least in my opinion - I've become quite low maintenance).

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream:
I've talked about this a lot, so I'll keep it short. I bring this with me so I can finish it sooner. I love it, but I'm ready to move on to the next product.

Covergirl Clean Oil Control Pressed Powder (510 Classic Ivory): 
I've had this powder a while. It's average, but I probably wouldn't repurchase.

Ecotools Retractable Kabuki Brush:
This brush is amazing. It's soft and it is perfect for powder application.

Too Faced Glamour to Go Palette:
I've also talked about this a lot. It has 8 eye shadows, 1 blush, 1 bronzer, and 1 lip color (although I scraped this out because it was beginning to look nasty and the color didn't suit me).

Rimmel Extra Wow Lash Mascara:
Ah, something I haven't talked about! I saw this in a couple of different $20 makeup challenge videos and people seemed to like it. I also just bought it on a whim because I forgot to pack my mascara the last time I went home, so I decided to just give this a whirl. It's cheaper than Maybelline Great Lash (everywhere I've seen it, at least) and it's much better. I can't believe I didn't know about this mascara before.

Stila Smudge Crayons in Smoke, Umber, and Black:
I love these because they're tiny, but another issue is that they're... well, tiny. They aren't worth the money, but they are great to carry in a purse. That being said, I'd buy the full sized ones and be able to store them in my travel makeup bag just as easily. Or I could bring my beloved Maybelline Color Tattoos along.

Lip Smackers (Coca Cola):
Just a random lip balm. This one smells nice, so I have this one with me at the moment.

Oct 16, 2012

Personal: One Year!

This is a more personal post, but the subject matter is something I am always interested in. My boyfriend and I became "official" one year ago today. It's just something exciting I thought I'd share!

Now for some random facts about us (I will keep him unnamed and I will be keeping his picture off my blog/YouTube channel until he wants to be on there):

  • I am 5'4" and he is a little over 6'5". Some people think the height difference is awkward and others think it's adorable. Obviously my opinion falls in the latter category.
  • We both drank coffee for the first time under the age of one.
  • We met each other through mutual friends (they met purely by chance)
  • I am one year, one month, and two days older than him.
  • We bonded through several interests: Star Wars, coffee, the movie Airplane, and too many other things to count. We think similarly, but our academic interests are very different (that is probably the only significant difference between the two of us)
  • Our entire relationship has been long distance (although not too long). Last year (he was a senior in high school) his house was over 2 hours from my school. His house is about 40 minutes from mine (not too long at all), and his college is a little over an hour from mine. Props to couples living more than two hours away from each other.
  • We both prefer cats over dogs
  • We both love Whole Foods (quite a lot of people our age think it's an odd store)
Do you have someone special in your life?

Oct 9, 2012

Review & Swatches: Wet N Wild Eye Shadow Trios

I don't know anybody who openly detests a good bargain. That being said, I do know people who doubt the quality of things that appear to be too "cheap" - I think in terms of makeup, these views stem from bad experiences with first makeup products. However, if you started wearing makeup more than a couple of years ago, you might be shocked to learn that Wet N Wild has amazing eye shadows. If you frequent beauty blogs, then you may not be so surprised.

I've only tried three Wet N Wild eye shadow trios and they are: Sweet as Candy, Walking on Eggshells, and Silent Treatment. These cost $2.99 at drugstores, so even if you happen to dislike these, buying one won't break the bank.


Pros:
  • These shadows are soft and pigmented. 
  • Inexpensive - $3 a piece
  • I want to say there are at least 8 different trios (EDIT: Drugstore.com is selling 12, so that's even better than my estimate), so you should be able to find one you like. I'm not very dangerous with colors, so these are my favorites. There is also a great one for a smoky eye.
Cons:
  • Although these shadows are soft, they can be too soft. I always spot one or two of these completely shattered when I am at the drugstore.
  • The packaging isn't the sturdiest
Overall I definitely recommend giving these a shot. I wouldn't hesitate to repurchase or buy more.


What are your favorite bargain buys?

Oct 3, 2012

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As many of you may already know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As you may not know, breast cancer has had a significant role in my family. My great aunt survived it once and my grandmother survived it twice (30 years ago and again about 13-15 years ago). The more I blog, the more I learn about not only the quality of products, but I also learn about the quality of the ingredients in the products I am using. Some ingredients have been linked to various types of cancer, infertility, hair loss, and the list goes on. Pretty scary, isn't it?

In my time following the beauty community, I've also learned about some laws and regulations in the United States. Now, I'm far from an expert, so I'm really trying to highlight what I've learned through research in my own free time (and that will be happening over the course of a few posts). If I happen to leave any facts out (and I'm sure I will omit something important or even misunderstand something), please feel free to comment below or even tell me if there is something you want me to focus on in a future post.

As far as I know, all cosmetics in the United States (and when I say cosmetics I am including skin care and hair care items) are required to have a list of the ingredients in each product being sold. Here is a link to the FDA site on labeling and label claims: FDA. So what are some controversial ingredients?
  • Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate
  • Parabens
  • Petrolatum/mineral oil
  • Phthalates
So, this might bring you to the question: "Wait, don't YOU use products with questionable ingredients?" and the answer is yes. Perhaps it is silly, but I feel that since I spent money on the products I have, I really should at least make the effort to use them. But that doesn't mean I'm not looking for more natural alternatives to things once I finish them up. Just thinking about how many ingredients are in every product I use is honestly scary

I realize I've gone a bit off topic of breast cancer, but breast cancer research is something I support to the best of my ability. If I am looking for a product (for example, Clarisonic Mia) and they have an option for a pink one with a percentage that goes toward breast cancer research, I tend to buy that over a different color. Ulta has a great list of ways you can donate: Ulta: Donate With a Kiss. Once I'm out of college and working full time I want to make legitimate contributions. How do you support different causes that are important to you?