Thursday, December 07, 2017

Cruelty-free Makeup Brands available in India online

Crueltyfree brands available in India online


I had a phase while transitioning into using cruelty-free products, where I wanted to quit. Because there were not many certified cruelty-free brands available in India. There were a lot of cruelty-free and vegan skincare and haircare options available but makeup wasn't easy. But now they can be accessed on various ecommerce websites. Though the prices are not exactly "drugstore",  you can always get them on discount.

I have compiled few certified cruelty-free brands that are available online in India. Sephora NNNow holds high-end brands such as Smashbox and Becca, while all drugstore brands are available on Amazon, Nykaa, Jabong and Purplle. I will be also listing down the availability of these brands on various websites. I have narrowed down all the cruelty-free, vegan makeup brands that are available online. I will be compiling different brand lists categorising  them into skincare, haircare, makeup and skincare tools and offline brands available in India.

Ardell

Ardell is well known for their lashes. Though they've led off with their makeup line recently. The brand offers various styles of lashes for every ocassion. Demi Wispies are cult favourite!
Ardell is certified cruelty-free by PETA.
Available on Amazon, Nykaa, Jabong, Snapdeal, Flipkart.

Australis

When Australis was launched online in India, the first thing I wanted to do was purchase face and body tint. But upon reading, I concluded that it is nowhere near being similar to MAC Face and Body Foundation.
Australis is certified by Choose Crueltyfree.
Available on Amazon, Nykaa, Jabong, Flipkart, Snapdeal and HOKMakeup.

Beauty Blender

I cannot imagine my makeup life without an orginal beauty blender! Set aside all those dupes and similar sponges, nothing compares this little squishy tool. Shopmissa's Wonder blender is by far the closest dupe. Beauty Blender is sold in China and is categorised as makeup tool and hence does not require animal testing.
Beauty Blender is 100% vegan.
Available online in India though there is no authenticity guarantee (unless stated). You can get it on Camera Ready Cosmetics, Beauty Bay and Cultbeauty; these websites offer worldwide shipping.

Becca

Becca is available online on sephora.nnnow.com exclusively in India. Becca is acquired by Estee Lauder, but the brand remains cruelty-free.

Ciate London

I heaved a sigh of relief when Ciate London was launched in India. I was distraught with unavailability of cruelty-free nail polishes in India. But then I already have the Ciate Advent Calender 2016. Their makeup line looks amazing and fun. Some of their products are 100% vegan.
Ciate London is PETA certified.
Available online on Amazon and Nykaa.

Catrice

I am fancying some good drugstore makeup and Catrice is on the list. Few select products are available online in India, but I believe it was launched in India? I don't know.
The brand belongs to Cosnova and most of their products are vegan.
Available online on Amazon.


Essence

I vividly remember concluding Essence cosmetics as non-cruelty-free. But upon in-depth reading, the parent company, Cosnova, although not certified by any organisation, is considered cruelty-free.
Some products are 100% vegan.
Available online on Amazon, Nykaa, Purplle.

IsaDora

A Swedish makeup brand that is affordable, but it is not quite cheap and cheerful in India.
IsaDora is certified cruelty-free by PETA.
Available on Amazon, Nykaa and Shoppersstop.

Lottie London

The packaging is bomb.com! I am in love with their packaging, and I am hoping to see their makeup line launching soon. Their duo chrome lip glosses and nail polishes are minimalistic and chic.
Lottie London is PETA certified.
Lottie London brushes are available online on Amazon, Nykaa, Habbana.


LA Colors and LA Girl

Both these brands belong to Beauty 21 Cosmetics Inc. Take my word, LA girl Pro HD Foundation is incredible and so are their concealers. Both these brands are certified cruelty-free by PETA.
Almost all the products are available online on Amazon, Nykaa, HOK Makeup, Habbana and Purplle.

LA Splash

LA Splash belongs to Jon Davler Inc. or IONI Cosmetics. The products are glutenfree and some of them are 100% vegan.
LA Splash holds PETA certification.


Iba Halal

Iba Care is certified cruelty-free by PETA. The brand offers halal lipsticks and other makeup products. The lipsticks are inexpensive for 195 INR!
Not all vegan products are halal, there is a difference between both. Halal products donot contain any animal by-product and forbidden ingredients such as alcohol.

Milani

Milani is PETA and Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free! The matte lipsticks, the blushes and amore matte lipsticks are hit. Some of their products are vegan.
Available on Amazon and Nykaa.

Natio

Natio is certified cruelty-free by Choose Crueltyfree. Natio is sold in China exclusively online which does not require animal testing. You can read an indepth post on the brands statement here.
Natio offers both skincare and colour cosmetics.
Available on Amazon, Nykaa and Sephora NNNow.

Inglot

Inglot is the brand that goes unnoticed in competition to MAC. But I believe the quality is quite similar to MAC. If only their foundations and shades weren't so confusing. Inglot is available in select cities, but it can be purchased on Nykaa and Majorbrands.

The Body Shop

I am a fan of neither their skincare nor makeup, but I am just glad they are cruelty-free. The Body Shop holds cruelty-free certification by PETA.
Available on all leading websites, Nykaa and thebodyshop.in

Smashbox

Smashbox is PETA certified cruelty-free. Estee Lauder is the parent company and conducts animal testings. Smashbox entered the Chinese market but pulled out immediately.  As of now, the brand is not sold in Mainland China, which requires animal testing.
Smashbox is available on Nykaa and Sephora NNNow.

the Balm

I always thought the Balm is certified cruelty-free but I was wrong. It is not sold in Mainland China, and most of their products are vegan. phew!
Available on Nykaa.

Zuii Organics

An Australian brand I came across when I was looking at organic brands. What caught my attention was that their products are made from flower extracts and plants. Imagine a lipstick made from flowers extracts! Though I am yet to try their line, the pricing is holding me back. The products are certified vegan by The Vegan Society, and the cruelty-free certification  is provided by Choose Crueltyfree.
Available on Nykaa and Amazon.

Wet n Wild

The brand was launched on Nykaa on 1 December 2017. I jumped at the chance and placed two orders. Currently,  I am testing them and am so glad the brand is now available in India.
Wet n Wild is certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny (read their status update here).

NYX

NYX has been a cult favourite with their soft matte lip creams. NYX is owned by L'oreal, but the brands is cruelty-free and certified by PETA.
NYX is available on Amazon and Nykaa.



Most of these brands are certified cruelty-free by PETA. Other brands that claim to be cruelty-free, such as MUA, Freedom London, Makeup Obsession and I  Makeup, and are owned by Tam Beauty are not certified.
Indian brands such as Lotus Herbals, Sugar Cosmetics, Seasoul and LYN are not certified cruelty-free, but they claim that their products are not tested on animals. I am awaiting replies from Lotus Herbals and Seasoul.
I am drafting an in-depth post on cruelty-free standards by the organisations such as PETA, CCF and Leaping Bunny. 

Saturday, December 02, 2017

Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in Classic Beige and Amber Beige Review, Swatches, Shades and FOTD



Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation Review, Swatches,Shades and FOTD

I was looking for a photo-friendly foundation, and my search ended with Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in the shade Amber Beige. But when I received it, the shade was a tad darker than I anticipated. My skin tone if described would appropriately be Medium Tan Neutral. I have Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation in the same colour, and it is a good match in summer and is completely undetectable on my skin. Though Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in Classic Beige is described as Medium Tan Neutral on the website. I thought probably going a shade darker would be a good choice; I was wrong!


Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation

Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in India

Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in classic beige is a decent match for me when I am not tanned (update: this did not oxidise on me for a few uses, but now after being exposed to light and air, it does oxidise on unprimed skin). Amber Beige has a bit of red undertone to it which brings out my redness and looks darker than my neck and chest. I prefer mixing classic beige and amber beige in 2:1 when I acquire a bit of tan. I am not sure of my shade in MAC studio fix, but MAC Master Match Foundation in 5.0 is almost a good match. I have looked up and have watched videos for all the medium/tan shades to make the guesswork for the shade that would be my closest match. I will be mentioning MAC equivalents of Wet n Wild Photo Focus shades for Indian skin tones.

Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation is now available in India exclusively on Nykaa. I purchased classic beige and amber beige on Beautdor for 850 and 600 INR, respectively. And I am glad the price point on Nykaa is decent and retails for 599 INR.

Why I picked Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation?

A drugstore foundation which is vegan, gluten-free and fragrance free  Also sulphate, paraben and oil free. Wet N Wild is cruelty-free and is certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny.

Shades

Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation Classic Beige, Amber Beige Shades and Demo

The fact that I would find my perfect match for $5.99 or 599 INR left me exhilarated. Although I am unsure of my match in MAC, I had got shade matched in Lancome. I am in shade 03 for Lancome Miracle Air De Teint (leans more warm on me).
I have neutral undertone which was evident only after brainstorming research. I used warm under-toned foundations and always wondered why my skin tone looked muddy.
The shade classic beige oxidises on me and looks better than amber beige which shows up a bit too red on my skin. The picture below is quite evident; it is stark in person.

Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation MAC NC40

Wet n wild Photo Focus Foundation Swatches forNC 35 NC 37 NC 40 NC42  NC 44 NC 45 skin tone

For tan/olive/Indian skin tones the shade referencing as per my finding:

For neutral/warm undertones ~

Cream Beige/Golden Beige would be equivalent to MAC NC35NC37
Classic Beige/Bronze Beige would be equivalent to MAC NC37NC40
Amber Beige/Dessert Beige would be equivalent to MAC NC40NC42
Caramel/Toffee would be equivalent to NC44NC45

Wet n wild photo focus foundation for Neutral undertones
Left to Right: Classic Beige, Amber Beige

Wet n wild photo focus foundation swatches for Tan medium olive Indian skin tones
Left to Right: Classic Beige, Amber Beige

Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation Review

First of all, I am in love with the light-weight texture. If blended well with a beauty blender or makeup sponge, it is does look and feel weightless. Though Wet N Wild claims that the foundation is fragrance-free, it does have a slight paint smell to it. 
The consistency is medium, and it blends effortlessly on primed skin. I did test this foundation with and without primer, and it works best with a primer underneath. Without primer, it does cling to dry patches and accentuates them. The coverage is light to medium and is buildable upto full coverage as per the claims but honestly I prefer just one layer for photography. I did apply three layers and it accentuated my non-existent pores and clung onto my peach fuzz. I am guessing it would accentuate texture? probably!
A single layer evens out the skin tone and conceals the fading blemishes and scars but fails to cover fresh acne scars.
I dislike setting this foundation with setting powders that I own. But finishing with the Hourglass Ambient Light Powder in Diffused adds such an ethereal glow. I am waiting to receive the Photo Focus Powder and Concealer I ordered from Nykaa.
The finish of the foundation is a cross between satin and matte. It makes the skin appear flawless in daylight and soft flash photography.
It does oxidise on me, and the only way I know to fix it is to use a brightening powder. It did not break me out. I prefer this foundation for quick makeup because it blends in effortlessly. Lately, my skin has been drier than usual. In the pictures below, I am wearing the foundation without primer and setting powder.

Tested Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in Natural Light and Iphone 7 Flash

Wet n wild Photo focus foundation natural light flash test
Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in Classic Beige: Left~ Natural Light <-> Right~ Flash

wet n wild photo focus foundation in Amber Beige natural light flash test iphone7
Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in Amber Beige: Left~ Natural Light <-> Right~ Flash

I love how it looks in natural light, but it looks more flawless in person than in pictures. Silica is the reason why it blurs out all the imperfections. I have both warm white and cool white lights installed in my room, and I find that it does flash back under cool daylight. 
Amber beige flashes back slightly pink due to its red undertone.

Tested Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation with Canon 70D Flash

Tested Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation with Canon 70D Flash
Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in Amber Beige tested with Canon 70D flash

The camera flash is quite harsh and it did accentuated the dry patches on my nose. Also all my flaws  including facial hair/peach fuzz. But then I had been sitting quite close to the camera.

Overall, I am quite impressed with the texture, finish and how flawless it does make my skin look!
It did not oxidise (one at first, but now when the bottle has been exposed to light and air, it does oxidise on me). The finger marks on those shiny, black caps make me uneasy, but  I am in love with everything else it has to offer.