p.s. That’s a bindi on my forehead (in case you were [...]]]> Pure & Basic Vitamin E Oil (30,000 I.U.) sells for about $11. This potent yet simple beauty product diminishes the appearance of wrinkles, scars and pregnancy stretch marks. It also helps improve skin tone and texture. It’s cruelty-free, vegan and works amazingly well. 

p.s. That’s a bindi on my forehead (in case you were wondering).

Citra Solv has a full line of household cleaning products that are naturally derived, biodegradable, environmentally friendly and contain real plant extracts and essential oils. Their complete line includes:  Concentrate Natural Cleaner & Degreaser, Natural Multi Purpose Cleaner, Dish Soap Liquid, Dishwashing Detergent, Laundry Detergent, Window & Glass Cleaner, Wood & Furniture Polish, Drain Build-Up Remover, Stain & Odor Remover, Natural Air Fresheners (Orange, Lime, Lavender, Vanilla) and Castile Soap (Peppermint Leaf, Vanilla Almond, Fresh Ginger and Eucalyptus Spearmint).

Aside from their Castile Soap and Air Fresheners, most of the products are available in these scents: Valencia Orange, Lavender Bergamot, Mango Tangerine, Lemon Verbena, and Fresh Grapefruit. Keep in mind that Citra Solv uses essential oils so what you’re smelling is the real dealio. I used their Valencia Orange Natural Cleaner on my wood laminate floors the other day and my house smelled beautiful. Seriously my living room smelled like an orange grove. Their Lavender Bergamot Laundry Detergent (which is concentrated) not only de-stankifird my smelly clothes but made them smell like heaven. This might be the impetus for doing laundry more often. While I’m still gloating about all these happy smells, I have to mention their Natural Air Fresheners – they are my fav, especially the Vanilla one! I like spraying it around the house just because (although, I do like to keep some of these sprays in the bathroom too). I don’t know how anyone still uses chemical laden, conventional air fresheners anymore. It boggles my mind how people can voluntarily spray poison in the air and not care about it. Since I have furry children of the feline nature, using all natural household products is the only way to go. I encourage you all to ditch your chemical cleansers and go natural.

Download $10 in money saving coupons for Citra Solv here.

For more info: Citra Solv

Original Sprout is a family-owned company that manufactures vegan, cruelty-free, organic hair care and skin care products for the entire family.  All of their products are free of phytoestrogens, soy, parabens, gluten, dioxanes [...]]]> Did you know baby products (i.e. shampoos, lotions) often times contain carcinogens and toxic ingredients that can cause infections and various health problems?

Original Sprout is a family-owned company that manufactures vegan, cruelty-free, organic hair care and skin care products for the entire family.  All of their products are free of phytoestrogens, soy, parabens, gluten, dioxanes from sulfates, phthalates and formaldehyde. You and your family will sleep more peacefully knowing that your skin and hair care products are worry-free and natural.

Original Sprout products average from $10-20

Products I highly recommend:

Moisturizing & Detangling Children’s Natural Shampoo ($19.50): This sulfate-free formulate is easy on the eyes, moisturizing and contains botanicals and nourishing emollients that help keep your hair healthy and strong. It contains organic rosemary which naturally helps repel lice and insects. I sure wish I used this shampoo when I was a wee lass. I loved the outdoors and the mosquitos loved my “sweet” blood in the summertime. When I have little sprouts of my own, I plan on using these kinds of products. I’m really happy Original Sprout is on the market.

Ultra-Hydrating Children’s Deep Conditioner ($21): This conditioner perfectly complements their shampoo. It calms and soothes dry hair, prevents dandruff and helps prevent tangles. It also has a natural sun protection which can help protect your hair color.

Children & Baby Miracle Detangler ($10.95): This product has saved many a hair on my delicate head. My hair is wavy and fine and thus mega susceptible to frizzies and tangles. Luckily products like these are here to save the day. I love this detangler! This particular detangler is light, moisturizing and frickin’ kicks ass. It does an amazing job at leaving my hair soft, clean and manageable. It works immediately and allows me to comb my hair effortlessly. This is by far the best detangler I have ever used to date. I have become a fan for life.

Get 10% off your first order when you enter the promo code FIRST_ORDER_10_U when checking out. Also, if you spend $35 or more, you get their Miracle Detangler for free! Oh, and there’s free shipping on orders of $25 or more.

For more info: Original Sprout

You scream, I scream, let’s all scream for Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss ice cream!

The kind folks of Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss have teamed up with Vegan Beauty Review for another fabulous giveaway! If you haven’t tried their ice cream yet, this is the perfect opportunity to try it for free. It’s vegan, soy, [...]]]>

You scream, I scream, let’s all scream for Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss ice cream!

The kind folks of Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss have teamed up with Vegan Beauty Review for another fabulous giveaway! If you haven’t tried their ice cream yet, this is the perfect opportunity to try it for free. It’s vegan, soy, dairy and gluten-free, agave sweetened and it’s made with certified Fair Trade ingredients. But most importantly, it’s frickin’ delicioso. You could  easily finish a whole pint in one sitting if you’re not careful – it’s that scrumptious.

3 lucky VBR readers are going to win a pint of Coconut Bliss (any flavor)! All you have to do is leave a comment to be entered to win. Feel free to comment about your favorite flavor of ice cream. Winners will be randomly selected and announced on December 13th.  Good luck!

Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss flavors include: Pineapple Coconut, Naked Almond Fudge, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate, Vanilla Island, Mint Galactica, Cappuccino, Cherry Amaretto, Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge and Strawberry Lemon Love.

*UPDATE* Winners of the Coconut Bliss Giveaway are Muffin, Carrie and Foodeater!  Congrats!

Winners were selected using random.org

For more info: Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss

Vegan or not, you’re gonna fall in love with their vintage inspired guitar straps. They have various styles of straps [...]]]> As the wife of a talented, vegan musician (Benny Strange), I know how hard it is to find vegan guitar straps. It’s damn near impossible. Luckily, the cool peeps of Couch have come to the rescue.

Vegan or not, you’re gonna fall in love with their vintage inspired guitar straps. They have various styles of straps such as the artist series, deadstock, luggage straps, racer X straps, seat belt straps and guitar hero straps. And if you’re like, “Hey, I don’t play guitar, I just play the kazoo,” well fear not my musical prodigy, they also sell belts. Everyone needs something to hold up their breeches!

Guitar straps are in the $20-40 range and the belts run $10-20.

For more info: Couch

I’m happy to say there are a lot of vegan, faux and non-leather shoes on this beautiful planet. Whether you’re seeking to buy a $20 pair of hot vegan shoes or a $300 pair, we eco gals definitely have options. Today I want to focus on the latter. If you’re in the market for high [...]]]>

I’m happy to say there are a lot of vegan, faux and non-leather shoes on this beautiful planet. Whether you’re seeking to buy a $20 pair of hot vegan shoes or a $300 pair, we eco gals definitely have options. Today I want to focus on the latter. If you’re in the market for high quality, upscale, vegan shoes, then I suggest you check out Mink Shoes. They are 100% vegan and they come in the coolest, most unique styles. Each shoe is adorably named after a different animal. You can have your very own shoe farm!
While perusing the Mink Shoes website you might notice the Monkey, Hog, Armadillo or Coyote shoes beckoning you for your next purchase. Being a Texas gal and all I’d buy the Armadillo and the Coyote shoes just for their namesake. (*note* – That’s if I had gobs of money to spend, of course… which I don’t!)

Each pair of shoes is hand made in Italy and upholds the highest standard of quality.

Mink shoes fit every personal style whether you love glitz & glitter (Bull, Cow), platform action (Beaver, Chick) or elegant satin T-strap shoes (Cock, Hen).

My personal favorite is the Coyote (pictured in this post). They are Spanish influenced, black and orange with polka dots and matching flowers. They have a slight platform which I adore and they are completely girlie and fun. These shoes go great with a black mini skirt or dressy jeans.

Each pair of shoes is ~$355

For more info: Mink Shoes

Fortunately, there are companies like DermaQuest that manufacture naturally antimicrobial, vegan, environmentally friendly makeup brushes [...]]]> Compassionate beauty consumers everywhere should rejoice! If you think wearing fur is archaic and gross, you should definitely extend that sentiment to your beauty regimen. Not only are fur makeup brushes unethical but they also harbor bacteria which can cause breakouts.

Fortunately, there are companies like DermaQuest that manufacture naturally antimicrobial, vegan, environmentally friendly makeup brushes that aren’t made out of some poor animal’s bushy tail.

DermaQuest’s DermaBrush collection was created by a panel of top makeup artists and it’s quite obvious because these brushes are high quality, super soft, and non-shedding. They’re perfect!

The DermaBrush collection: Kabuki Brush, Foundation Brush, Concealer Brush, Pro Multi-Task Face Brush, Pro Multi-Task Eye Brush, Tapered Contour Eye Brush, Dual Define Eye Brush, Precision Angle Eye Brush and Precision Lip Brush

I am in love with their Kabuki Brush ($42). It works perfectly with my mineral foundation and makes for a flawless application –  and it really is magically soft.

I’m also totally digging their Dual Define Eye Brush ($24) which is double sided so you can apply your eyeshadow and liner with a single brush. The fewer brushes I have to tote means less chaos in my makeup bag. Who isn’t down with that?

These brushes actually accompany DermaMinerals Makeup so play around with their mineral makeup line and have fun. All of their makeup isn’t vegan so please check out their ingredients on their website.  I know their lip treatments contain beeswax but their powders look like they’re good to go.

I especially like their On-the-go Finishing Powder with SPF 30 and built-in brush ($62).  As much as I love sporting a healthy glow, I’m pretty much anti-shine, especially in the notorious T-zone. I keep this in my purse at all times to help keep my shine at bay. This finishing powder contains honeysuckle extract, natural mineral sunscreen and it’s free of parabens, talc, synthetic dye, bismuth oxychloride and oil.

For more info: DermaBrushes