Milani Shadow Eyez vs Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil

A simple outfit I wore over the weekend. I'm actually surprised we've been having some weather cool enough for pants! Not complaining though. 

I've been wanting to try the Milani Shadow Eyez (despite the lame name) for a while after seeing so many great reviews and swatches. So, when I spotted this one on clearance at Target last week (all Milani was on clearance! Wonder why they are clearing it all out), I grabbed it. Far as I can tell, they are vegan. They are very similar to other jumbo eye pencils, especially the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On ones so that is what I'm comparing it to. The shade I purchased is "Aqua Style".

One complaint I have with the Milani one is that the lid doesn't like to stay on that well. I'd be afraid to travel with it loose in my purse.

Here the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in "Clash" appears to be a lighter blue. In reality, they are pretty even.  The difference is that "Clash" contains glitter while "Aqua Style" does not.

Left: Aqua Style. Right: Clash.  

Top: Shade Bottom: Sun

After rubbing you can see that "Clash" has much better staying power. You can swim wearing it and it won't budge. Still, the Milani version stays put on my eyes all day so I have no complaints.

Overall, I really like the Milani and since the Urban Decay one isn't vegan (parent company tests on animals), it's a better option for me. I don't really like glitter so I do like that it doesn't have any of that. I'd really like to get my hands on "Green Safari"!

Here are two ways I wore "Aqua Style". A more subtle daytime look and a bolder night time look (Sorry for the crap iPhone pic).

Animal Testing

As a part of this new vegan life style, I have been taking a closer look at my beauty products. I did a post on it yesterday over at Nikki Designs (a blog I write for; Nikki Designs is my mom's business) and included some awesome vegan products but I want to go into it a bit more here.

A lot of mainstream companies still test on animals which is completely unnecessary. There is no reason those animals (not just bunnies and rats but dogs too!) should be suffering so that someone can wear Rimmel lipstick or Sally Hansen nail polish because there are other ways for these companies to test their products. Thankfully, there are also a ton of companies that do not test on animals! They are considered "cruelty-free". Usually this means that their product was no tested on animals at all, including the ingredients, but some companies do not stick to that. PETA has a great list of companies that do and do not test (companies have to sign documents to be on the list).  Here are some of the most recognizable brands...

Some brands don't test on animals but the company they are owned by does. OPI did not test but Coty bought them last year and they do test. The Body Shop is now owned by L'Oreal who does test but The Body Shop has promised that they do not and never will. Essie is also owned by L'Oreal.  Kleancolor is not on the PETA list (not everyone is though) but says on their website that they do not test on animals. It's up to you if you want to buy from those brands or not.

Vegan means the product isn't only cruelty-free but contains no animal products.

Obviously I didn't realize some of the brands I was still buying weren't cruelty-free (OPI, Rimmel, Sally Hansen...). I will keep what I have for now but I will NOT be purchasing from those brands again so long as they test on animals.  I signed up for PETA's Cruelty-free shopping list to help me!

Most of my makeup is from cruelty-free brands. I only want to buy vegan products now though. I will use cruelty-free if I have it or receive it but for my own purchases, I will go for vegan products. :)  I tend to buy makeup/polish when I find a great deal but I'm not going to let that be the main factor anymore! I don't mind spending a bit more and shopping less... I've been meaning to get stricter about  my shopping for a while now. Well, I had to a point but this is a bit different. I'll do a post on taking a closer look at the products I use to see what is vegan, what isn't and some better alternatives! This goes for skincare, haircare...all of it!

I recently ordered the Urban Decay Vegan Palette! It's on sale for $13. If you sign up for their mailing list, they'll give you a coupon for 15% off. Shipping is $5 on purchases under $50. The palette is normally $38! It has great reviews so I'm excited. I'll review it when it arrives. The primer is not vegan so I will most likely gift that to someone at Christmas.

I also spent my $20 credit at Birchbox on the BeFine Lip Excoliator and Lip Serum.  It's $25 for the set so I paid $5 and shipping was free.  I received the Lip Serum in my October Birchbox and looove it. I'll be happy to own a back up!  BeFine is vegan. Again, I will review these soon!

To learn more check out these links...
PETA list of companies that do and do not test. It also labels which ones are vegan.
Leaping Bunny also has great lists
altweb explains why animal testing isn't necessary, what it is etc.