Vegan Products to Buy on a Budget

Vegan products are notoriously known for being expensive.  But it doesn't have to be that way!  There are actually many that are cost-effective and vegan AND work really well!  I have a few of my favorites and suggestions!

1. E.L.F products.  By far the best, cheapest, make-up company I know, And it's vegan! I just purchased an eye shadow set full of colors I could use for $8.  And there were 32 different shades! If you're a new customer, get 50% off a $20 or more studio line by using this code: ECS50F at checkout.  Sign up for emails and get even more great deals!
2. Aeropostale.  This clothing store has pretty great prices.  You know what else? They almost never use real fur, leather, or animal products.  Check them out! (But always check the labels just in case!)
3. Converse.  Not the cheapest shoe out there, but they can have good sales and are 100% vegan. Get free shipping or 60% off clearance by going to the site now!
4. Bath & Body Works.  They don't test on animals, and give millions of coupons and sales! Get $10 off $30 by entering F139274 at checkout
5. Seventh Generation.  They are eco-friendly AND vegan, and have everything from cleaning products, to personal care, to tampons!
6. Wet n Wild.  This cute make-up company is mostly vegan, just beware of Carmine, which they state is, "relatively harmless and is considered an all-natural ingredient" but is an animal ingredient nevertheless.
7. PETA.  They are all about vegans, and offer tips, advice, clothing, prizes, school supplies, free e-cards, things to do in your free time (instead of spending money), and all sorts of rewards for helping animals if you join their street team! To get $10 off $50 at PETA, enter the code EWEB10 at checkout.
8. The All Natural Face. OMG. This is my favorite face makeup company ever.  They have the best foundation and concealers, and AMAZING prices.  Go there, now!  I recently stocked up on school makeup with a 50% off groupon (now expired). But sign up for emails to get free stuff with purchases and always look for coupons!

I know from experience that these are great companies and products.  Give them a try!  Do you have any products you like using?

Natural Eye Makeup Remover

Olive Oil Make-up Remover

We girls love to wear our makeup sometimes & we try to wear natural with the best ingredients in them. Taking off the makeup is another story! I don't want to go through all of the trouble(not really trouble) of putting on beautiful high-quality makeup, then ruin my face with a chemical-laden product of a makeup remover. Mandi & I have found a great solution!! OLIVE OIL!!! :) It glides on smoothly, will not irritate your face(seriously, ladies) & takes that makeup right off!! Yay!! You can keep the oil as is, a dab or two on a cotton ball or find a recyclable tin or what-not & pour in & freeze overnight, then glide off with a tissue or a clean finger(don't double -dip with same finger for bacterial reasons) & wipe carefully on eyes. Voila!!

How to Clean Makeup Brushes

Makeup brushes carry all the dirt and germs from your face and the air, and make it easy to get sick and break out!  It's important to clean your makeup brushes 1-2 times a week!

This is how we clean our makeup brushes:

First, gather all your brushes, a gentle face wash (I use Simple), and a towel or tissue to dry them on.

Then, take your brush and rinse it in warm water.

Put a dollop of the face wash into your cupped hand and swirl the brush around until it's sudsy.

Rinse out the suds and makeup until the water is clear.  Do this for all your brushes, and let dry.

If you do this often, your brushes will stay clean, and so will your face!  Make sure to use makeup brushes that don't have real animal hair.  My favorites are EcoTools, Bare Escentuals, and E.L.F. 

How do you keep your makeup brushes clean?