Category: Beauty

Shopping Small & Independent This Black Friday

I generally dislike Black Friday since it’s so overhyped by every retailer out there. I also think it’s tragically ironic that the holiday where you’re supposed to be thankful for what you have is directly followed by the most consumer-focused day of the year.

But if you are going to get your holiday shopping done on Black Friday this year, I definitely suggest opting to shop from small and local business instead of big retailers. COVID has wreaked havoc amongst small businesses so your patronage is more important than ever.

I’ve listed a few of my favorite small and local businesses to shop from this year:

Clothing + Lingerie

Strange Ray Vintage: a boutique ran by Rachel Valentine that features highly curated top shelf vintage. It’s the perfect place to find vintage tees, 70’s dresses, and tons of leather.

Pretty Attitude: an online boutique ran by Christine and Maria, it carries brands you already know (like YRU, Matisse, and Daydreamer LA) as well as its own private label. Its Black Label is perfect for girls who celebrate Halloween all year round, and its White Label is full of 70s rock n roll vibes.

Hallow Collective: a brand featuring music-inspired graphic tees as well as a premium label. They love working with other independent designers, artists, photographers, and bloggers (like me!).

Backbite: a female-owned brand that features ethically made slow fashion as well as some great vintage finds. Everything they make is totally badass and I’m a huge fan.

Solstice Intimates: handmade lingerie made by Nat Maddon and friends. They carry sizes XS-3X and have all the amazing velvet pieces you could ever dream of.

Rebel Soul Collective: a Latina-owned and operated graphic tee brand that is ethically manufactured and screen printed right in Los Angeles. They donate to various organizations including the ACLU, Color Of Change, Planned Parenthood, and Reclaim The Block.

Jewelry

Maiden Voyage Jewelry: independent jewelry designer Megan Rugani creates beautiful works of art through her hand-engraved fine jewelry. Her use of gold and fine stones turn biker-inspired pieces into future heirlooms.

The Great Frog: a family owned brand established in 1972, it has a long history of providing a rock n’ roll alternative to mainstream jewelry. They’ve done collabs with iconic musicians such as Motorhead, Iron Maiden, and Slayer and also recently branched out into fine gold jewelry.

Beauty

Strawberry Hedgehog: owned and operated by Tracy Perkins, the brand features vegan eco-conscious soaps. The boutique location in Phoenix, AZ also features other 50 small makers and artists alongside the brand.

Rituel De Fille: founded by three sisters, the brand features cosmetics that are free of parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes or synthetic fragrances. They are Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free and are perfect for anyone looking for cosmetics with some edge. The recently did a collaboration with Chelsea Wolfe.

Witch Baby Soap: founded by Chelsea Selby in 2013, this brand is a fun and spooky take on vegan and cruelty-free bath products. You’ll find everything from black coffin bath bombs to astrology soaps to crystal-infused body butters.

Home Decor + Art

Real Fun, Wow!: freelance illustrator Daren Thomas Magee creates beautiful art inspired by nature and the supernatural. A lot of his work definitely gives me midcentury desert vibes.

Pueblo: two adorable queer-owned and inclusive plant shops located in Phoenix, AZ and Venice, CA. They have a bunch of beautiful plants and their staff is always there to answer all your plant parent-related questions. They only work with reputable growers who ensure fair labor practices and always occupy historic buildings to reduce their environmental footprint. I refuse to buy live plants from anywhere else.

Gold Bug Gallery: a family-owned gallery and shop located in Pasadena, CA, they also have some inventory available online. They value community and aim to nurture artists. It’s the perfect destination for unique finds for your home.

Desert Collective Co.: the best source for dried palm leaves, flora, and cacti that I’ve found online. All dried goods are hand selected and harvested only after they have naturally started to naturally wither and brown, so no plants are harmed. Their packaging is also biodegradable.

White Hot Fire Mirrors: super rad hand-etched mirrors. They all have a rock n’ roll biker feel and some even features bands like Motorhead, Black Sabbath, and Thin Lizzy.

Still can’t decide? Check out Wolf & Badger. The store was founded by two brothers in 2010 looking to disrupt typical high street shopping. The store has physical retail shops as well as a large online boutique. It features independent designers and brands, ethical sourcing, and slow fashion. It has tons of vegan leather and fur options as well.

I’ve picked some of my favorite items from their online boutique:

Review: Herbivore Blue Tansy Mask

With the stress of everything going on in the world right now, more alcohol than usual, and a comfort food diet, my skin is not doing its best. I’ve been eyeing the Blue Tansy Invisible Pores Resurfacing Clarity Mask from Herbivore for a while now, so I thought it would be the perfect time to test it out.

Highlights

vegan

cruelty free

no synthetics

The Review

Usually when you have oily skin, you’re stuck with clay-based masks. While clay masks work wonders for my skin, it would definitely be nice to use a different type of mask every once in a while. The Blue Tansy Invisible Pores Resurfacing Clarity Mask is the first mask I’ve seen that’s specifically made for oily and acne-prone skin that isn’t a clay mask or a super intense acid.

According to the instructions that came in the box, you’re supposed to use the mask by applying a thin layer, waiting 15-20 minutes, and rinsing off. For best results, they suggest using it for 3-4 days in a row and then 1-2 times a week after that.

First off, let me warn you that this mask has a strong herbal smell. It’s not a bad smell, just a strong one. Even after washing it off I could still smell it on my hands for a while. If you’re super sensitive to smells, I might suggest skipping this mask.

The color of the mask is a gorgeous blue-green. Apparently the color can vary from batch to batch and can even change over time. Herbivore’s website states that a color change is normal and doesn’t reflect the product’s effectiveness. It’s also a very watery gel-like consistency.

When I put the mask on, there was an instant cooling sensation. As it dried, the sensation died down. I never felt any tingling or burning. My skin also never felt tight or dry, unlike with clay masks.

I was able to use the mask for 4 days in a row without any irritation. This is a gentle resurfacing mask, so you’re not going to see your skin peeling off or anything. Overall, my skin does feel way smoother. My pores do look a little smaller, but that also may be due to the fact that the mask is helping to unclog them.

Overall, I gave this mask a 4/5 because I loved the color and texture. It was fairly effecting in shrinking my pores by unclogging them and it left my skin silky smooth. It’s also a very gentle resurfacing mask, so I didn’t end up with any irritation or redness. I would definitely add this mask to my regular skincare routine.

Obsessed With Cruelty Free Skincare

I used to have super bad skin as a teenager. It got to the point where I was going to a dermatologist once a month and getting painful deep peels that caused blisters all over my face. And they didn’t even help with my acne at all.

I currently have the best skin of my life. Honestly, skipping the harsh acne treatments and switching to a gentle plant-based cruelty free skincare routine has made a huge difference.

After removing my makeup, I use the Superfood Cleanser by Youth To The People and a facial brush to cleanse, exfoliate, and unclog my pores. Then I use the Jasmine Green Tea Toner by Herbivore Botanicals, which tones and balances my skin without drying me out and causing my oily skin to overproduce oils. Then, I use the Bakuchiol Serum by Herbivore Botanicals, which is basically a vegan retinol alternative. Lastly, I use the Superfood Air Whipped Moisture Cream by Youth To The People. I love it as a moisturizer because it’s light and doesn’t clog my pores or leave me greasy.

My favorite part of my cruelty free skincare routine is my jade facial roller. After using all my serums and moisturizers, I give myself a super relaxing facial massage. The massage helps push all of my products deep into the skin while also de-puffing, toning, and encouraging lymphatic drainage. After my facial massage, I apply my GradeBrow and GradeLash serums by Grande Cosmetics to try and help my brows and lashes recover from my high school years. Finally, I put on some Agave+ lip balm by Bite Beauty to keep my lips nice and moisturized.