Limegreen vegan home and body products

I was wandering around Chelsea Market the other day, and found a great new brand in the Artists and Fleas space over on the 10th ave side of the Market!

Limegreen offers "completely natural vegan products" that smell amazing and are made in Brooklyn! You know I'm not into perfumey stuff, but I do enjoy natural fragrances from essential oils and the like, and these are made from "unrefined, certified organic, raw, wild harvested and steam distilled ingredients, such as Coconut, Olive, Castor, Sweet Almond oils, Soy Wax and Alcohol Free Witch Hazel Distillate. We seek the ‘Best’ ingredients and look to support local business."

I also like that a lot of their products are double or triple duty- for example the BAR you can use for washing face and body and hair, which makes traveling so much simpler, as well as the shower ledge. The OIL moisturizes hair and skin, and also removes makeup! The MASSAGE CANDLE smells amazing and as they melt they turn into massage oil! I've really been into candles lately, I think because it's winter and dark and candles make the space seem cozy and also smell nice.  I was thinking this is a great gift on so many levels, don't be surprised if you know me and you get one!

Some Links

Some links of things I've been reading on the web:

Laika Magazine, http://www.laikamagazine.com/

"... You could say it’s a quarterly vegan lifestyle magazine. Or you could say it is simply a clear assertion that a full, vibrant, exciting, interesting and satisfying life can be had — without ever having to inflict harm on another. This is not a hypothetical notion. This is the reality. And LAIKA MAGAZINE is a reflection of this undeniable reality. It is the place where compassion and innovation intersect. Ground-breaking thinkers and doers, visionary fashion and beauty, inventive food, transformative travel experiences, stories of courageous activists and the animals they defend — are all told with uncompromising dedication and presented in a visually dynamic way. It is new and yet also familiar… familiar, because it shows what we’ve known about ourselves all along: our capacity for kindness is infinite. Thank you for being a part of this journey."

Vegan Chau, http://www.veganchao.com/
So cute, Asian, and lives here in NY!  I feel like she's my cooler-than-me kid sister. She not only talks food, but also beauty, fashion, and overall lifestyle!  I have her new posts emailed to me automatically.

"I started my vegan adventure on November 8, 2006, when I was about to turn 18 and my mother couldn’t force me to eat injustice any longer. That night was one of the most memorable of my life… since there was almost nothing to eat in my fridge! Since then, I have vowed not to go hungry and stock my fridge with plenty of veg-friendly options. Mom helps out now too!"

Vegan Fast Food Restaurant Options, http://urbantastebuds.com/43-vegan-chain-restaurant-menus-every-vegan-needs-know/ 
I'm not a huge fan of fast food, but sometimes when you're hongray you just feel desperate and that's where this list could come in handy.

The Love Affair Continues

I really love shopping at Trader Joe's, and I shop there despite the closest one being pretty far from my apartment and I have to haul all that stuff back home in multiple backpacks and tote bags (they do have delivery, I've just never used it).

ANYWAY!  I wrote to them the other day:

"I LOVE your unscented cruelty free skincare products (Nourish oil free antioxidant facial moisturizer and Nourish All-in-one facial cleanser)! Thank you so much for making those and clearly labeling them with the no-bunnies logo, it so easy to check if it can go in my basket or not! I often buy Tom's unscented deodorant when I am at your store, but am curious about your Trader Joe's Unscented Deodorant with Cotton - is that tested on animals? There is no indication. 
Thanks and keep up the great work! Please introduce more unscented, cruelty free products!"

And they responded super fast with the following exciting information!

"Our HABA (health and beauty aid) products are ALL cruelty free - no animal testing. This includes our deodorants."

YES!  So my husband switched from the Tom's deodorant to Trader Joe's Unscented Deodorant with Cotton and he likes it a lot better!  He uses it on a daily basis and it has even held up through his martial arts classes (he comes home literally DRIPPING with sweat and his clothes are soaked with sweat, but he does not smell!)

So I also discovered that they also list all their vegan products online which makes it super easy to pick what you want to buy ahead of time!

Gifts for your Wannabegan Part 1

I'm not really a believer in Valentine's day.  It seems really contrived, it's hard on single folks, and it's a lot of pressure and expectation for people who are in a relationship.  My husband and I choose to celebrate "not-Valentine's day" which is all the other 364 days of the year, because people should celebrate their loved ones EVERY DAY!  Also, I assure you, it's easier to get a table at a nice restaurant without a reservation on not-Valentine's day.

Anyway, I do love giving (and getting!) gifts, so here's a round up of vegan friendly gifts that I have given recently and you might find great for giving to the people you love!

Urban Decay Vintage Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner - Recently my husband and I stayed at my mother-in-law's home for over two weeks, and she showered us with loving kindness the whole time we were there.  She loves makeup, so as a gift I bought her some of her favorite glitter eyeliners (her favorite colors are being retired, so they are on sale so you can stock up!!)

I bought a little something for myself too, the Urban Decay Shattered Face Case, partially because I am a sucker for anything that is on sale, I have a compulsive need to meet the free-shipping minimums whenever they are available, and also because all my eye makeup is really old and I worry about it irritating my eyes.  I thought these colors looked really nice and neutral plus there is a lip color and eye liner all packed together in there.  All you need is a little foundation and mascara, and you're DONE! PS the order came with a free sample size of face setting spray, I haven't used it yet but generally they offer a little sample of something when you order.  GUESS WHAT!? NOW THERE IS EVEN A PROMO CODE!  FFSPRING14 = 20% off (except on Naked3).  I didn't have the promo code when I bought all this stuff, but at least it was on sale. But now you can get it on sale AND get 20% off!

Harry and David Succulent Wreath - I was obsessed with this wreath ever since the moment I saw it, but the price was straight up crazy, and that's before the taxes and shipping and handling. When it finally went on sale (50% off!) I thought it was still a bit pricy (don't forget about that S&H!) but I was so obsessed that I caved and gave it to my friend who loves plants for her birthday. She was quite pleased! Exact quote: "I GOT THE SUCCULENT WREATH!!!! I LOVE IT!!! It was such a nice surprise this morning!!!!" (That's eleven exclamation marks, for the record.) I was concerned that it wouldn't look quite as nice as in the photo because that often happens with mail-order, but she sent a photo (on the right) and in my opinion it looks even cooler with those tall succulents!  She loved it so much, I ended up ordering one for myself, it just looks so cool I'm still obsessed.

Kusmi "One Moment, One Tea" Gift Set - Last night was the last night of our 8 week meditation course that I totally LOVED, so I got a little gift for our teacher.  I knew I wanted to get her something tea-related, because she mentioned that she loves tea (and the weather has been so cold lately, wouldn't it be nice to give something warming?), so I went to a couple of places looking for something tea-related.  I went to a shop near my office and they had all kind of gorgeous gift boxed teas.  This one was called, "One Moment, One Tea" and meditation is all about being IN THE MOMENT so when I saw this one I immediately knew that this is what I should get for her!  It's loose tea plus a tea infuser spoon.  "Thé du Matin is a strong, black tea morning blend. Thé Vert au Jasmin green tea perks up the afternoon. Spicy Kashmir Tchai is ideal after dinner. Both Traditional and decaffeinated Earl Grey are perfect anytime." Yum!

Actually now that I think about it, the 8 week meditation course would be a really great gift.  My husband found out about it and convinced me to to give it a try, and it really has been one of the best gifts I've ever received, because it really improved my life!  If you give this as a gift, the recipient would really need to be open and ready and willing to give it a chance, and if that's the case there is such an opportunity a better quality of life right there.  I saw an ad for a cellphone that said "Upgrade your life" and before I realized they were trying to sell me a phone, I thought, "Is this an ad for a mediation class?" because that's what I felt like I did, I upgraded my life.  If you're not in NY, then you can start with a mediation book!   

MORE WANNABEGAN GIFTS TO COME!

Nathalie K is "Really Impressed!" with cruelty free CC Cream

I've been a long time fan of Physician's Formula products.  I started off YEARS ago using their loose powder, then moved to their pressed powders and bronzers, and lately I've been using their foundations, blush, and BB cream as well.  They state, "Physicians Formula Inc. does not conduct tests, or commission any outside facility to conduct tests that involve the use of animals." and they're one of the few drugstore brands that can still make this claim!  

I am currently using the Physicians Formula Super BB Cream (also using their blush, powder, and foundation), and I got both my mom and my mother-in-law using it too (my mother in law just told me this morning she bought three tubes so she has one everywhere she goes)! Like the CC cream there are only two shades (I bought both) but BOTH really blend in well and look natural on my skin.  I use the lighter one all over, and the darker one on my cheeks to subtly contour them).  I was impressed how well the light/medium shade matches both me and my mother-in-law, it is amazing!

Also, a lot of the time there will be coupon stickers on the packaging in the store - usually $3 off or buy-one-get one.

FYI my mother-in-law loves Physicians Formula's cleanser and she's been using it for years (and her face looks amazing!) because it's one of the few products that doesn't irritate her sensitive skin.

Face to Face: YesTo vs First Aid Beauty face moisturizers +PROMO CODES!

   VS

This is a comparison of two cruelty-free moisturizers for the face: Yes to Blueberries Deep Wrinkle Night Cream and First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer.

Yes to Blueberries Pros: I've been using this for a while, and it is indeed deeply moisturizing which is exactly why I got it (my Trader Joe's oil-free moisturizer wasn't enough once winter set in with the super dry air).  First of all, "Yes To does not test on animals and is against animal testing," and "Most of our products are great for vegans!" (They're wannabegan, some of their products contain bee products.)  In terms of ingredients, they are petroleum, SLS, & paraben free. 

First Aid Beauty Pros: I bought this as part of a set (I'll review the whole thing at some point!) because I really like the things that First Aid Beauty doesn't include in their products: "FAB products are free of harsh chemicals and known allergens, including parabens, phthalates, alcohol, fragrances and artificial dyes."  And of course, "FAB has never tested on animals and never will, period," and "The majority of FAB products contain no animal ingredients" (duh, or else I wouldn't be featuring their products on this blog anyway). They have one product that contains beeswax, so they're also wannabegan!

Yes to Blueberries Deep Wrinkle Night Cream Pros: This is indeed deeply hydrating - after applying I feel like there is a protective layer on my skin that I can still feel in the morning.  I do think that did help reduce my wrinkles a little bit- I don't have deep creases on my face, just little crinkles due to dryness, and this helped plump those up a bit.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer Pros: For this product in particular, I really liked how easily it applies on my face - this spreads on super smooth without pulling at the delicate skin around my eyes. I also love that it's fragrance-free because fragrance makes me uncomfortable from a potential health hazard standpoint, and also because when my face smells, I can smell it all the time!

Yes to Blueberries Cons: There is fragrance in this product, which is actually pleasant (and doesn't give me a headache like some other fragrances do) but still, I'd prefer if it was fragrance free. They just started a separate fragrance free line, they must have heard me!   Also, I'm left with a ever-so-slightly sticky feel to my face after application, which is good when I'm using it as intended (at night) but want something I can use all the time.  At night it was fine because it felt like a really moisturizing protective barrier, but for day I'd prefer something lighter.  Also, I occasionally felt like the texture was a bit tacky, so when I applied it it would pull my face around a little bit.

First Aid Beauty Cons:  I haven't found any cons to this, the closest I can get to a con is comparing it the the Blueberries moisturizer, I would say I wish it were a little heavier for night time, but then I would't like it as much for the day.

Winner: Originally I thought this post would declare on product superior over the other, but I'm now realizing as I am reading the manufacturers description of these two moisturizers that even though both are for face and are packaged in almost identical pump bottles, they are for two totally different skin types and needs!  The FAB moisturizer is meant to be light where the YtB moisturizer is thick and heavy.

My Conclusion: use the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer in the morning so you look fresh throughout the day and have a nice surface to layer makeup on (if you're wearing makeup), and then use the Yes to Blueberries Deep Wrinkle Night Cream at night (duh) to lock in moisture and undo wrinkles while you sleep.

I found TWO promo codes for you! "YESTO35" = 35% off at yestocarrots.com and "FABULOUS" = 30% off at firstaidbeauty.com, plus free full size Lip Repair Therapy with $75+ purchase.  Git it!  That fragrance free line from Y2 I mentioned earlier is also on sale, I think I'm going to try Yes to Carrots Fragrance Free Intense Hydration Night Cream as my replacement for the blueberry one.  From FAB, I want to try another kit: their FAB Daily Dose kit. PS I've been using that Lip Repair Therapy (and putting it on my husband too), my lips are in great shape now!