Frugal Fridays: Affordable Cruelty Free Beauty

Hello Dolls,

First of all- I would sincerely like to thank those who left such kind words of support in my comments the other day. For the record, I'm feeling a lot better. Obviously the issue of the move hasn't gone away and all of the costs that we're going to face in coming weeks, but I'm just taking every day as it comes right now and I have faith that all will work out for us. 

Anyway, on to my frugal advice of the week! 

Buying products that are not tested on animals is a big deal to me. With that said though, I know that I have products throughout my home which sadly, are (detergent, laundry soap, clorox bleach, etc) but when I can afford it or when I have the option, I definitely prefer to opt for cruelty free items. 

When it comes to makeup however, I only shop cruelty free which in itself has some challenges. Most of the run of the mill drug store / big box store brands are tested on animals. It's a very infrequent occasion that I will splurge on cruelty free brands such as Too Faced, Urban Decay, etc at Ulta or Sephora (usually only when there's a major sale or I have coupons). 

So what's a girl to do!?

Here are my favorite drugstore / big box store brands that are cruelty free and affordable!

1) E.L.F. Cosmetics

E.L.F. Cosmetics (Eyes Lips Face) is so ridiculously cheap that makeup junkies will think they're in heaven! The majority of their products are $5.00 or under and they offer a huge range of beauty tools- everything from brushes, nail polishes, makeup sets to false eyelashes. 

I have a few of their items (lip gloss, eye palettes, nail polish, mascara, eyeliner) and one of the downsides is that some of their products are sub par, in my opinion. You really have to do your research and read the reviews before opting to buy E.L.F. products as even though you'll only be a few dollars out of pocket if you don't like something, it's better off not spending it in the first place!

I've found their Lipglosses and Nail Polish to be decent. Their eye palettes are okay- but for vivid color you really need a good primer (their primer isn't very good in my opinion) and they may not last as long as you are accustomed to with higher end brands. The Mascara is awful and to be stayed away from!

However their Cream Eyeliner is amazing! Their gift sets too, are fun and affordable. Overall, I do think E.L.F. is worth checking out for the price + cruelty free aspect but definitely read the item reviews first!

E.L.F. is available at Target in the U.S.

2) Hard Candy

I first started using Hard Candy years ago when it was still a premium product sold at Sephora. They disappeared for a while and then re-emerged as a discount brand. Their packaging is admittedly juvenile and obviously aimed at the teen market, but don't let that put you off!

Most items are around $6.00 (therefore a little more expensive than E.L.F.) but I swear by their Eye Shadows! Everything from their regular Duos to their special palettes. They offer vivid, vibrant and long lasting color (more so than E.L.F). I'm yet to try their Mascara as they always seem to be out of stock. I remember their Mascara being decent though when they were a premium brand in Sephora.

The Lipgloss I keep in my purse daily is Hard Candy's Sheer Lip Shine in Heartbreaker (light pink). It's lasted me ages and I continue to be happy with it. I'd buy it again! 

So, if you can look past the tacky packages, Hard Candy is all in all good value for money (and has always been Cruelty Free).

Hard Candy is available at Walmart in the U.S. and Canada.

3) Bonne Bell

I realize this is another brand geared towards teens (hey, I loved Bonne Bell in my teens!) and when you think Bonne Bell, you think Lipsmackers!

However, Bonne Bell is far more than just fruity flavored lipgloss. Bonne Bell actually offers a wide variety of beauty products ranging from $3.00-$10.00 and they often have online printable coupons and often have sales! 

I've always found the quality of Bonne Bell very passable- the makeup applies smoothly and the color is always rich. Plus, Bonne Bell makeup always smells good! I keep Bonne Bell Lip Lites in Strawberry Parfait in my glove compartment of my car and it's a treat. A few years back I actually had a similar color in a Chanel lipgloss and the quality is actually comparable, believe it or not! Don't discount it as a 'kids' product so quick!

Bonne Bell is available at various locations throughout the U.S. and world

4) Physicians Formula

This is by far the most expensive brand on this list- but it's such a well known drugstore / big box brand (that does not test on animals!) that I couldn't leave it out!

Physicians Formula cosmetics are great- but range between $7.00-$15.00 which is on the expensive side for non-beauty store brands. Their products are lovely though, and often multi tasking!

I have the Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips (technically a bronzer) but use it as Eye Shadow and it's on par with MAC Cosmetics in the result it produces! I honestly have never owned many Physicians Formula products (aside from foundations and the before mentioned bronzer) so I can't give an all encompassing review, but from the products I have used I can assure you that this is a very nice brand and if you feel like splurging, it's worth it! It's still half the price of a lot of Beauty Store brands!

Physicians Formula is available at various locations throughout the U.S. and world

Anyway, I hope that gives you a tiny bit of insight into some very affordable and easily obtainable brands that are not tested on animals! I would like to add a quick bit of advice though:

IMPORTANT: A lot of companies state on their website that they do not test on animals except when required by law. Unfortunately, nine times out of ten this means they do test on animals! 

A lot of major makeup brands that were formerly cruelty free (including MAC, Avon and Mary Kay) have shifted their production to China due to cost cutting. Chinese law currently requires animal testing on all cosmetic and pharmecutical products developed and produced there. Therefore, any beauty product made or sourced from China is tested on animals! Read more about it here.

Don't you feel just a little more glamorous when putting cruelty free items on your face? 

Until next time!

Sunday Supper: Gourmet Veg*n Sausage Rolls

Hello Glamour Dolls!

If you're from the British Commonwealth you'll more than likely know what a Sausage Roll is- however, they're not nearly as common here in the U.S.! They're a delightful treat for either a Potluck, Party or just for a comforting dinner at home (perfect with Salad!). 

The ingredient combination sounds strange- but I can assure you they are delicious! Even if your family isn't Vegetarian / Vegan- these are less than half the calories and fat of regular meat-based Sausage Rolls! 

As this recipe makes a lot (32 sausage rolls) I often divide it in half. However, you can also wrap them up individually after cooking and freeze them and reheat them in the oven as necessary! 

Serve them with lashings of Ketchup (aka 'Tomato Sauce') and enjoy!

Gourmet Veg*n Sausage Rolls:

Ingredients:
1 Onion, roughly chopped
2 Carrots, peeled & grated
2 Green Onions, chopped
2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
1/2 cup Italian Breadcrumbs + extra for garnish
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
1 cup Pecans
1 cup Quick Cooking Oats
2 cups Cottage Cheese (Vegan Subsitute Recipe Here)
3 Eggs or equivalent Egg Replacer
Salt & Pepper to taste
5 Sheets Puff Pastry (Pepperidge Farm brand is Vegan)
Milk or Almond Milk for Brushing
Sesame Seeds for Garnish

Method:
1) Combine Onion, Green Onion, Garlic and Pecans in Food Processor until nuts are lightly ground
2) Add Eggs, Soy Sauce, Breadcrumbs, Cottage Cheese, Salt, Pepper and Carrot and process until well combined
3) By hand, stir in Oats
4) Place mix in the fridge and defrost 5 sheets of Puff Pastry
5) Once Puff Pastry is defrosted, cut each sheet in half
6) Place a 'sausage' of the mixture about an inch wide and 1/2 inch high all along the long length of a piece of the pastry, about an inch from the edge (if you're used to regular sausage rolls, the mixture will seem more watery but don't worry, it will become more firm when cooked)
7) Fold up both sides of the pastry and seal to create a long 'log' with the filling in the middle. Cut into 4 sausage rolls. 
8) Repeat with the rest of the pastry
9) Place sausage rolls carefully on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper
10) Lightly brush each sausage roll with Milk or Almond Milk (this will help the pastry become more golden)
11) Sprinkle with Breadcrumbs and Sesame Seeds
12) Bake at 425 F for 20-25 minutes or until pastry is puffed and golden brown
13) Serve with Ketchup and Salad or piled high on a large platter for company!

Veg*n Cream Cheese Frosting

Perfect for Vegans and Non-Vegans alike! This recipe goes well with anything that calls for Cream Cheese Frosting (Carrot Cake, Spice Cake, Cookies, etc). 

Note: you can purchase Tofutti 'Better than Cream Cheese' at Whole Foods Markets and some grocery stores. Also, if you are Vegan ensure that the margarine you purchase is Vegan-friendly. I opt for Earth Balance.


INGREDIENTS:
1 container Tofutti 'Better than Cream Cheese'
1/2 cup Margarine
2 cups Powdered (Icing) Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 tsp Lemon Juice

METHOD:
1) In electric mixer, combine Tofutti Cheese and Margarine. 
2) Gradually add the Sugar
3) Finally, add the Vanilla and Lemon Juice and combine
4) Refrigerate, covered or use immediately.

Veg*n Cottage Cheese Substitute

If you are Vegan or Lactose Intolerant you can easily make this 'Cottage Cheese' substitute for any recipe that calls for Cottage Cheese, including the Retro Veg*n Not-Meat-Loaf below!

VEGAN COTTAGE CHEESE:

Ingredients:

16 oz (450grams) Firm Tofu Block, plain flavor, drained

2/3 cup Vegan Mayonnaise (I used Vegannaise but any available to you will do)

2 tsp Onion Powder

2 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Salt (just a tiny pinch) 

Method:
1) Cut tofu into large chunks

2) Place in saucepan and cover with water

3) Bring to boil on stove. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes

4) Drain well

5) Chill, uncovered in the refrigerator until cool enough to handle

6) Once cool, crumble and place in bowl with remaining ingredients

7) Mash until mixture has a fine, grainy texture like Cottage Cheese

8) Put back in refrigerator and chill overnight before serving or using, to allow flavors to blend

Veg*n Not-Meat-Loaf!

Hello Again Glamour Girls (and Guys!),

I intend to make a step-by-step YouTube video detailing how to do this, but you'll just have to deal with the bare minimum in the meantime! As a regular segment on this website, I wish to bring you Vegan/ Vegetarian versions of popular Retro Recipes. 

Ask anybody in the United States what food they think of when they think '1950s' and almost always the answer will be Meatloaf! Our favorite TV mothers in the 1950s (through the 1970s) served their children the affordable American staple, undoubtedly with sides of Mashed Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts. 

I'm not here to preach to you about the benefits of a Vegetarian or Vegan diet (although- I do strongly  believe in the benefits for the welfare of our dear animal friends, our planet earth, and our bodies). Partaking in a Veg*n diet is something you have to decide for yourself. What I wish to show you however, is how easy it can be to go meat-free yet still have delicious comfort food with little effort. So, if you're already a Veg*n, planning to become one, or just wish to have some meat free days, read on!

Additional PLUS is that this is less calories than your regular Meat-based Meatloaf!

Retro Veg*n Not-Meat-Loaf:

8 servings approx @ 280 calories/ serving

Ingredients:

1 cup Walnuts, finely chopped

16 oz Cottage Cheese (see Vegan Cottage Cheese recipe above! Use all of it!)

4 Cage Free/ Free Range Eggs, well beaten

1/4 cup Vegetable Oil

1oz packet Dry Onion Soup mix (I used Lipton) 

2 cups Cornflakes or Weetabix, lightly crushed

1/4 cup Onion, chopped

1/4 cup Green Onion, chopped

1 cup Carrot, finely grated

1 tbsp Garlic, crushed
BBQ Sauce for topping (I used Kansas City Masterpiece)

Method:

1) Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C)

2) Grease a loaf pan (I used cooking spray and a 9" x 5" loaf pan)

3) In a large bowl, beat eggs

4) Add Cottage Cheese, Vegetable Oil, Onion Soup Mix, Walnuts, Cornflakes, Onion, Garlic, Green Onion and Carrot

5) Combine all ingredients well

6) Spoon into prepared loaf pan

7) Bake for 60-70 minutes

8) After 30 minutes, remove from oven and liberally spread BBQ sauce all over the top (this will be the bottom when serving)- return to oven for another 30-40 minutes.

9) Remove from oven and allow the loaf to 'rest' for 10 minutes- this will help firm it up

10) Run a knife around the edges and then turn out onto a serving platter. Cut into slices to serve.

Sorry mine looks a little messy on the platter! It was YUMMY though! I served mine with a side of Mashed Potatoes, Corn on the Cob and Green Beans. I also slathered my slices with extra BBQ sauce for flavor. DH put Ketchup and Tabasco on his! 

Please stay tuned as when I get a Digital Camcorder I will be showing you exactly how to make this on YouTube! If you try this out in the meantime, post a comment and let me know what you think!

Stay Glamorous!