Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Mascara Review

It's time for my second vegan and cruelty free mascara review!  As you may remember, I'm doing research into animal and animal-testing free makeup for my upcoming nuptials, and finding the perfect mascara is definitely at the top of my list!  If you missed the last one, for Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, click here!  I also reviewed e.l.f.'s mad for matte palette, which you can read here.

Let's get to the review of Pacifica's Aquarian Gaze Mascara!

What Pacifica has to say about its Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Long Lash Mineral Mascara...

'Amazing lengthening brush makes your lashes insanely long and gorgeous as it separates to build volume. Our nourishing formula is infused with coconut oil, kelp extract and vitamin B to hydrate each lash as it lengthens and strengthens.'

Cost: $14 US

Vegan?  Yes!

Cruelty-Free?  Yes!

Formulated Without: Animal Ingredients (including carmine, beeswax, and lanolin). Animal Testing, FD&C Colors, Mineral Oil, Parabens, Phthalates, Petroleum, Propylene Glycol, SLS, Gluten, Peanut Oil, and other ingredients you don't want on your skin. 

Ingredients: Water (aqua), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax (Thickener), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax (Thickener), Acrylates Crosspolymer,  Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose Sodium Hydroxide,  Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Steareth-21, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Panthenol (Vitamin B), Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp) Extract, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium Edta, Hexylene Glycol, Iron Oxides CI 77491, 77492, CI 77499

What I have to say about it...

The Good

• Gives beautiful length; 
• Contains wholesome ingredients;
• Doesn't smudge;
• Very natural-looking (especially with one coat!);
• Doesn't tend to clumping;
• Separates the lashes;
• Leaves the lashes soft;
• Lightweight and flexible brush;
• Does not come off in water;
• Applies easily and the formula is not too wet;
• Is easily removed with almond oil and aloe vera gel.

The Bad

• Doesn't volumize;
• Doesn't hold curl exceptionally well over the course of the day and won't give your lashes a nice curl if you don't use an eyelash curler before and/or after application.

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RATING: 4.5/5

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Final Thoughts:  This mascara is absolutely wonderful!  I love using it day to day for a natural look, and love not having to worry about smudging or flaking.  The length it gives is beautiful, but I do wish it volumized just a tiny bit more.  It gives a slightly more dramatic look with further coats, but I'm not sure it gives enough punch to be worn alone on my wedding day.  Perhaps combined with individual false lashes it would do the trick!

Would I recommend?  100%!  The only drawback for me is the lack of volume, so if that isn't a concern for you I'd say go for it!

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Have you tried Pacifica's Aquarian Gaze Mascara?  What did you think?  Is there a vegan and cruelty-free product you'd like me to review?  Let me know in the comments below!  

Also, be sure to check out my list of cruelty-free beauty brands before you head on your next shopping trip!

Until next time,

March Vegan Cuts Beauty Box Unboxing and Sephora Haul

It's that time again!  I received my March VeganCuts Beauty box and thought I'd do another unboxing for you (along with some Sephora goodies I recently picked up)!

Check out the video below!

Watch it on YouTube HERE!

PRODUCTS MENTIONED…

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara… https://www.toofaced.com/p/mascaras/better-than-sex-mascara/

Too Faced Primed & Powerless Pressed Powder… https://www.toofaced.com/p/face-powders/primed-poreless-pressed-powder/

Cover FX Blotting Powder… http://www.coverfx.com/blotting-powder.html

Too Faced Love Flush Blush in Your Love Is King (not all shades are vegan)… https://www.toofaced.com/p/blushes/love-flush-long-lasting-blush/your-love-is-king/

Kat Von D Lock It Foundation... http://www.katvondbeauty.com/complexion/foundation/lock-it-foundation/1398791.html

Cover FX BB Gel… http://www.coverfx.com/bb-gel.html

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation… https://www.toofaced.com/p/foundations/born-this-way-foundation/ivory-fair-with-neutral-to-golden-undertones/

Kat Von D Lock It Foundation… http://www.katvondbeauty.com/complexion/foundation/lock-it-foundation/20005.html?dwvar_20005_color=2068#start=2

Kat Von D Lock It Concealer… http://www.katvondbeauty.com/complexion/concealer/lock-it-concealer/20007.html

OCC Concealer… http://occmakeup.com/collections/skin/products/occ-skin-conceal

Studded Kiss Lipstick in Lolita… http://www.katvondbeauty.com/lip/lipstick/studded-kiss-lipstick/40003.html?dwvar_40003_color=4040#start=2

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Mad Max Brown… http://www.katvondbeauty.com/eye/eyeliner/tattoo-liner/10016.html?dwvar_10016_color=1025#start=1

Elf Mad for Matte Palette… http://www.elfcosmetics.com/p/mad-for-matte-eyeshadow-palette

Vegan Cuts Beauty Box… http://caurl.co/r/kr2rv/g2r8

EarthLab Cosmetics Mineral Pencil… http://www.earthlab.ca/products/natural_eye_lip_liners.html

Shea Radiance Black Soap Body Cleanser… http://www.shearadiance.com/black-soap-antioxidant-body-wash-classic/

DermOrganic 8-Way Thermal Spray… http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod12871039

Pacifica Tunisian Jasmine Lime Perfume… http://www.pacificabeauty.com/perfume/you/spray-perfume/tunisian-jasmine-lime-spray-perfume?id=562

October Fields Chamomile and Clover Tea-lite Candle… http://www.octoberfields.com/store/soy-candles-wax-melts/container-candles/soy-tealight-candles-vegan-made-maine-usa/

Everclen Eye Cream… http://www.everclen.com/eye-cream-for-sensitive-skin/

LINKS TO THINGS I TALKED ABOUT...

The Realities of Animal Testing… http://plantbasedbride.com/blog/lets-help-canada-becrueltyfree

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara Review… http://plantbasedbride.com/blog/review-too-faced-better-than-sex-mascara

List of Vegan Products from Too Faced… https://www.toofaced.com/faq/

Elf Mad for Matte Palette Review… http://plantbasedbride.com/blog/elf-mad-for-matte-review

February Vegan Cuts Unboxing + Giveaway [CLOSED]… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJpPu89TT64

Vegan Cuts Beauty Box… http://caurl.co/r/kr2rv/g2r8

Vegan Cuts Snack Box… http://caurl.co/r/kr2rv/gd1g

Vegan Cuts Marketplace… http://caurl.co/r/kr2rv/g6lg

Plant Based Bride… http://plantbasedbride.com/blog/

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Thank you for watching my video!  

Why don't you take a look at my new Patreon account and consider supporting me?  

And don't forget to leave any and all requests below for future videos! 

Until next time,

Linked Up!

February Vegan Cuts Beauty Box Unboxing + Giveaway! [CLOSED]

Welcome back to the blog, I'm so glad to have you!  Today's going to be fun... I have a Vegan Cuts Beauty Box unboxing video for you AND you have the opportunity to enter for the chance to win your very own Beauty Box! 

Without further ado, it's unboxing time!

Watch the video on YouTube HERE!

If you'd rather just subscribe to the box, click here.  For the rest of you, I know you're excited to enter... so good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget you can come back and get more entries every day, so bookmark this page and set a reminder on your phone!

Until next time,

This post contains affiliate links - this means if you click through a link and purchase something, I receive a commission at no extra cost to you!  It's a win-win - you can support me while getting something you already wanted for the regular price!  If you don't want to use my affiliate link (that's totally fine!) just go through a google search.

Review: e.l.f. Mad For Matte Palette (Vegan & Cruelty-Free)

Hello, friends!  It's time for another beauty review... and this time we're taking a look at the e.l.f. mad for matte eyeshadow palette!  A compact palette of ten neutral matte shades at a very affordable price... but is it any good?  Let's get into it!

​What e.l.f. has to say about it...

'Achieve both beautifully bold or subtle everyday eye looks with these perfectly curated 10 matte eyeshadow shades. This collection of hues is ideal for shading, highlighting, and defining the eyes. The satin matte shadows can be used as a liner, on the lid, and in the crease of the eye for an expertly contoured and blended look.'  (from elfcosmetics.com)

Cost: $10 US

Vegan?  Of course!

Cruelty-Free?  100%.

Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Nylon-12, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol. May Contain:Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarines (CI 77007) 

This palette comes with a 10 neutral matte shades, ranging from light to dark and cool to warm.  From left to right there is light nude, baby pink, light warm brown, medium pink beige, medium red brown, medium cool brown, medium taupe, dark warm brown, medium gray, and soft black.

The Good

• This palette has a nice range of everyday shades, making this a great starter kit for anyone transitioning to vegan and cruelty-free makeup;
• The matte shades are very wearable and versatile;
• Most of the shades are quite pigmented;
• Very affordable, and;
• Decent longevity of about 5 hours when applied dry with a brush.

The Bad

• The shades are smooth, but slightly chalky which means they can cause fallout, so be sure to tap off the excess before applying and be prepared for a bit of cleanup;
• The two lightest colours don't show up on my skin at all (but would perhaps be pretty on someone with a darker skin tone);
• The darker colours are difficult to blend, and;
• There is no highlight shade for lighter skin tones.

Shade by shade...

light nude... good for setting my primer or concealer on the lid, but not light enough to work as a highlight (basically invisible on my skin).

baby pink... almost invisible and not a good shade for my skin tone.

light warm brown... my go-to eyebrow colour since I picked up this palette!  I used to use omega from MAC, and while this one has a warmer undertone than the cooler taupe of omega, that's actually a better match for my slightly reddish brown hair.

medium pink beige... a very pretty 'no makeup makeup' shade for the crease on days you want your eye look to be subtle, or a lid colour for a more dramatic look.  Blends well.

medium red brown... a pretty everyday crease colour, blends relatively well.

medium cool brown... the cool version of your everyday crease shade, also blends pretty well.

medium taupe... for me this is the cool version of the medium pink beige, aka a great crease shade for subtle eye makeup or a nice lid colour for something dark and dramatic.  Blends well.

dark warm brown... my favourite 'natural' eyeliner shade applied with an angled brush and a nice dramatic crease shade, but is a bit difficult to blend.

medium gray... a pretty late gray shade that is a nice subtle eyeliner or a pretty crease shade.  Blends relatively well.

soft black... my favourite for everyday liner, applied with an angled brush.  Another one that is more difficult to blend.  Wetting the brush can deepen this shade and give it more of a dramatic feel, but it is definitely a SOFT black, not a deep or true black.

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RATING: 4/5

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Final Thoughts:  This is a very good quality palette considering the price point and is a great starter kit for any vegan beauty lover!  I wish it contained a true highlight shade as that would land it squarely in the land of all-in-one everyday eyeshadow palette, but I do think the shades are well varied.  I find the fallout slightly irritating but it doesn't prevent me from using this palette daily.   I dislike shimmery eyeshadow and wear almost exclusively neutral shades, so this palette a big hit - convenient and affordable!

Would I recommend?  I would definitely recommend this palette if you are just starting your makeup collection (or restarting it, as I have been!) or want an all-in-one neutrals palette.  It is also great for those of us without extra cash to spend on expensive single shadows or high-end palettes.  Plus, it's 100% vegan and cruelty-free!

Do you have the e.l.f mad for matte palette?  What did you think?  Is there a vegan and cruelty-free product you'd like me to review or another e.l.f. product that you love?  Let me know in the comments below!  

Also, be sure to check out my list of cruelty-free beauty brands before you head on your next shopping trip!

Until next time,

Linked Up!