Company: Tofurky 
Product: Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon 
Verdict: 2/5

For the longest time I’ve been craving a BLT. I’m talking, pile on the mayo, add a bunch of crunchy lettuce, and topped off with a thousand pieces of crispy soy bacon, BLT! The problem is, I haven’t been able to find any vegetarian bacon products near me. That is until the hopeful day (or so I thought at the time) my local health food store brought in Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon! 

For $4.00 you get a decent amount of bacon strips, I’d say around 12 pieces altogether (however, they are quite small, approximately the length of your pointer finger). The directions say to fry the bacon strips in 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. So I did. I followed the directions to a T, cooking them until crispy. One thing that was bugging me while cooking them was that some of the strips were falling apart- they were quite thin, so flipping them became a chore. 

But, because my stomach was grumbling and my craving for soy bacon was getting stronger, I carried on. I placed 3 pieces of the bacon on my sandwich.

The first bite wasn’t any more than decent. Just OK- nothing special, but it slightly curbed my craving. However, bite number two definitely gave me the true taste. I can honestly say, that these bacon strips were not meant for me. They were gritty, and un-like real bacon, dry. To me, they actually tasted like the grit at the bottom of the real, extra greasy, bacon pan. NOT what I was going for. And to top it all off, after eating my sandwich out of pure hunger anyways, I began to feel nauseous. I literally could not stand the smell, which by the way did NOT smell like delicious smoky maple, but more like 4-day old grease and grit. 

All in all, not impressed at all. The reason it did receive a 2/5 was the fact it was at least vegetarian. However, I think it needs to take an extra step or two to receive the “delicious” label! 

The Verdict 

Pros

• Vegetarian/Vegan

Cons

• Tasted like grit
• Super dry
• Crumbly 
• It did not taste like bacon- thus leaving me feeling nauseated and with an ever-growing craving for a BLT

Company: Madison Street Beauty 
Products: Mineral Eyeshadows, Foundations, and Blushes
Verdict: 5/5

Makeup that looks utterly flawless is a goal all women strive to achieve. However, if you don’t have good quality makeup to work with, well, you’re pretty much just going nowhere fast with an increasingly lighter wallet! However, thankfully for my skin and my wallet, Madison Street Beauty designs affordable mineral makeup that I will forever vouch for. It’s gentle, with coverage and pigment that is extremely build-able, leaving you in complete control of the look you want to achieve, without the greasy, slippery look most liquid makeups leave you with.  

  I can happily say that I’m completely confident in using Madison Street Beauty products on a daily basis without the stress of wondering if it has creased, or worse, completely disappeared! Their long-lasting, highly-pigmented mineral eyeshadows are designed to make your eyes pop with an array of colours from delicate pastels to unique vibrant brights. And it gets better- adding a small amount of water to a pinch of eyeshadow creates a one-of-a-kind liquid eyeliner!

A small amount of the Mineral Foundation helps create a soft and natural look while giving you a long lasting, build-able coverage formulated just for you-  ideal for the makeup savvy (or un-savvy!) lady. I also found that using a shade lighter than your foundation doubles as a highlighter-applying a small amount to your cheek and brow bones helps accentuate your facial features.. for cheap! 

Add their perfectly pigmented blushes to your routine for a pinch of peach or a swipe of pink to add a bit of life to your now flawlessly-canvased skin! Now you’re set for a night on the town! ;) 

You can find Madison Street Beauty’s products on their beautiful Etsy Shop at, www.etsy.com/MadisonStreetBeauty.com 

AND, thanks to the wonderful creator of Madison Street Beauty products, Bridget, she has provided us lucky ducks with a coupon code for 50% OFF YOUR ORDER in regards to the celebration of her parents 30th wedding anniversary!! Just type in OCT25 at the check out! Happy shopping! :) 

The Lowdown; 

Pros

• Highly Pigmented, long lasting formulas
• Extremely gentle and light
• A huge variety of products and best of all.. colours!
• Natural 
• Hypo-allergenic 
• Not tested on animals

Cons 

• I can honestly say there aren’t any cons with these products, they are definitely something I would recommend investing in! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MadisonStreetBeauty

Company: Boo Bamboo
Products: Hair Strengthening Shampoo, Strengthen and Shine Conditoner, Revitalizing Conditioning Treatment 
Verdict: 5/5

Coming from someone who is constantly battling with tangled and dull tresses I can assure you I’m always on the lookout for any sort of ‘holy grail’ hair products that will give my lack-luster locks a bit more.. oomph! Fortunately for my hair (and my sanity) Boo Bamboo creates the ultimate hair products with revitalizing and restoring formulas to give your hair that perfect makeover you’ve been lusting over. 

The Hair Strengthening Shampoo should be first on your list of ‘must try’ items. It claims to help strengthen the hair follicle and retain moisture to help promote shine and vitality- I can definitely say I stand by that statement! Being a thin-haired gal, I’m constantly battling with shampoos that weigh down my hair and add product build up rather than actually cleansing it. (Never mind adding strength and moisture as well!) After lathering this baby up I definitely noticed a difference in the strength of my hair, it didn’t feel as brittle and, well, wimpy as before! Not to mention the scent of it was perfect, it didn’t smell like chemicals, but it also wasn’t over-powering-ly scented with florals or fruits either; just a simple, natural fresh scent to help relax my troubles away. 

In conjunction with the Strengthening Shampoo, The Strengthen and Shine Conditoner is wonderfully formulated with rich minerals, organic proteins, and extracts of bamboo to sooth your sexy tresses into a luscious sheet of satin. With this miracle moisturizer tangles are non-existent, and your worries of dry hair are washed away with your tub full of bubbles! 

Last, but certainly not least, is the Revitalizing Conditioning Treatment. If you are a lady with colored or chemically treated locks, you’ll want to invest in this bad boy! It helps to add the needed moisture to restore, and is formulated to help revitalize and strengthen over-processed chemically treated hair. You can use this knight in shining (literally) armor in replacement of the daily conditoner, or with it for the ultimate moisture treatment! 

Boo Bamboo is perfect for all hair types, and could definitely be the key to help your dull hair become your dream hair! Check out their website and cruise through their other products to get a feel for the opportunity of a simple hair-makeover! 

The Lowown;

Pros

• They help strengthen and add moisture to dull hair
• Adds shine to keep your frizzes away
• Made with all natural and organic ingredients
• Paraben and DEA free
• Cruelty Free and Vegan!!

Cons

• I haven’t experienced a single con! These products are definitely going on my ‘holy grail’ list. 

www.BooBamboo.com

Company: Simplers Botanical Company
Product: Rose Therapeutic Hydrosol, and Perfume/Essential Oils 
Verdict: 5/5

If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m a girly-girl at heart. Makeup, hair, frilly drinks, you name it, I love it if it has a touch of femininity. Now when it comes to girly scents- oh baby. Perfumes, candles, room sprays- I get all giddy just thinking about it. Fortunately for me, dreams do come true. Simplers Botanical Company is like a fairy-tale land for me. They source genuine organic ingredients from artisan distillers all over the world to offer 100% pure products for earthy-girlies (and boy-ies..) just like you and me!

They offer a range of sensual therapeutic hydrosols, to help help sooth emotional stress away with a variety of scents to fit your skin (and nose!) Rose, one of my favorite scents, is a perfect match for irritated, itchy red skin. Its natural healing properties helps calm and relax angry skin with its natural moisturizing properties. I apply the Rose Therapeutic Hydrosol whenever my skin is feeling extra dry, and after it soaks in the skin on my face feels instantly renewed and refreshed! This will definitely come in handy during the cold and winter months for those who have already dry skin! 

Simplers also offers beautifully scented perfume oils in four different flavors- Jasmine, Neroli, Rose, and Vanilla. You can apply these delicate perfumes directly to your skin, and bask in the soothing, relaxing, and calming properties each individual one has to give you. The Jasmine scent has definitely become my favorite go-to perfume. It has such a light, elegant floral scent that is enough to make me swoon! 

They also carry a huge variety of essential oils- which is something that completely tickles my fancy. Essential oils are so versatile and are great add-on for a luxurious at home spa night. Add a few drops of calming lavender into your bubbly-bath, light a few candles, lay back and relax, and let your troubles soak away while the relaxing aroma of lavender takes over your mind. 

Lavender isn’t your forte’? How about Chamomile? Peppermint? Orange? Simplers is sure to have something for everyone, check out their website here and get lost in the possibilities of scents you can experiences and the organic and natural therapeutic promises you can expose your skin and your body too! 

The Lowdown;

Pros

• Natural, Organic, therapeutic alternatives for a healthier mind and body! 
• A wide variety of beautiful scents, whether you want a bit of relaxation or a pick me up! 
• The hydrosols are perfect for all skin-types, and are a perfect alternative to thick lotions 
• Cruelty free!

Cons

• I truly don’t have a single complaint. Simplers is a wonderful way to help your mind and body relax, or wake-up!
  
  www.simplers.com 

Company: Lip-Ink
Products: Semi-permanent Lip Color
Verdict: 4/5

Don’t let it come as too much of a surprise when I tell you sometimes I like to get a little dolled-up. Hair, makeup, the whole she-bang! One thing that I’ve never been able to get into the groove of is lipstick. All I can ever picture is me, attempting to drink oh-so femininely, and there goes my all of my lipstick, rubbing all over my lips and my glass like a sticky mess. It does not seem to paint the picture of elegancy to me! 

I have, in fact, also been clever enough to check out some lip-stains in stores, but as I’m sure a lot of you cruelty free shoppers know, picking are few and far between. Thats where Lip-Ink comes in- a vegan and organic innovative lip-stain company made to keep women confident in their lip-color. 

Proudly represented as the worlds first multi-patented 3-step process to waterproof, smearless and ultra-durable lip wear! They offer a wide range of beautifully pigmented colors, from Red to Maplewood,  picking the color you want to try first is going to be a tough feat. I tried out Blush (#16) a beautiful beigey-pink color. Once you’ve ooh’d and ahh’d over each and every color, and you’re sure that you’re set on your decision, check out the directions on the back of the box. The first step tells you to wipe the tip of your brush on a paper towel before first application. THIS IS IMPORTANT. If you’re stubborn like me, and you don’t follow the directions properly you will be in for a fun (or not so fun) surprise. 

Next, use the OFF towelette that comes with your Lip-Ink color and gently wipe it across your lips to clean the surface for an even application. Then, hydrate and protect your lips from sun-damage using the Shine Moisturizer that is also included in the box. Now last, but not least, shake the Lip-Ink bottle and apply evenly upon your lips. One of my favorite parts of Lip-Ink is the tingling! It gives off such a cool, refreshing feel, which is a fun bonus opposed to boring old regular lipstick. I found that the color applied super well and really even over-top of the Shine Moisturizer, which is such a change from attempting to even out a color of a regular, dry lip-stain!

Now, feel free to marvel over the beautiful color that your lips, and delight over the refreshing tingling that is probably making you giggle a little bit. The color looks natural and clean, and it wasn’t to ‘in your face’ like some cream-based lipsticks can be. Well that is of course IF you listen to the directions like a good little girl. Because I enjoy trial and error (which is a nice way to say I’m stubborn and I know it) I did not wipe the tip of the applicator before applying it for my first use. Thus, my lips turned a beautiful dark purple. 

Moral of the story? Listen to the directions and go check out Lip-Ink’s website! There’s a color for everyone! 

The Lowdown; 

Pros

• Simple and easy to use
• A huge variety of beautifully pigmented colors- which is great for those lip-savvy ladies!
• Long-lasting, smear/waterproof 
• Organic, VEGAN

Cons

• My only con would be the fact that you have to store it standing up-right. I’m a grab-and-go type of gal who likes to throw everything in my purse and leave. However, because the formula is so long-lasting I don’t really see it arising any serious conflict in the near future! 

www.LipInk.com

Company: Solay Wellness
Products: Gentle Face Scrub, Detoxifying Mud Mask, and Organic Face Lotion 
Verdict: 5/5!

Do you ever look longingly at those commercials made for those beautiful, expensive spas (what an understatement..) where a beautiful lady is getting a facial, with creams that look as smooth as butter and exfoliators that seem like they were made fresh just for her? Yeah, me too. However, lucky for us beautiful ladies who just can’t afford their own signature exfoliator, there is a luxurious solution waiting to be discovered. 

Solay Wellness. A beautiful company made for beautiful women just like you! Their affordable spa-experience products are vegan, natural and handcrafted in small batches to help give you the healthy, happy skin you deserve. Because of their wide range of products, you’re able to come up with the perfect formula of a relaxing, at-home spa day.

One of my favorite ways to relax in a tub full of bubbles starts off with the Gentle Face Scrub. Mixed with the most luxurious ingredients of small organic jojoba beads, calcium bentonite clay, and a moisture enriched organic base, gives this luxury a beautifully rich, earthy scent. I massage this gentle blend in a small circular motion to already cleansed, warm skin (to help open up your pores). After about 3 or so minutes of gentle scrubbing I wash it off with a few splashes of warm water. My skin instantly feels refreshed and revitalized, like I have a whole new set of skin on!

Next, I grab my Detoxifying Mud Mask- a product that is enough to make me swoon. It has a deep, natural scent that instantly puts me into relaxation mode. I gently rub this creamy mask all over my face and mask, not missing a single spot. The texture is so creamy and smooth, I  swear I could just keep applying, re-applying, applying, re-applying… you get the picture. I like to leave this on for about 10-15 minutes- if I could I would live with it on, but that would just be silly (and a little unsanitary). 

After rinsing thoroughly I’m quick to grab the Organic Face Lotion. You thought those lotions on the commercials looked creamy? This is utterly divine. It smells fresh and feels even fresher. I gently massage this buttery delight (theoretical vegan butter of course) all over my face. I specifically love this lotion because of its light feel- it doesn’t make your skin appear or feel like grease (and I don’t mean the good John Travolta variety)

All in all, Solay Wellness is a company of virtue. Their products are high quality, and their values of natural, vegan organic, and handmade assets are a huge bonus! I really recommend checking out their website, and taking a snoop through their other luxurious products! 

The Lowdown; 

Pros

• Luxurious, spa-like products, without the sky-high price 
• Organic and natural 
• Handmade
• Vegan
• Not tested on animals 

Cons

• If you were to experience these products, I think you could agree that cons are nearly impossible! 

www.SolayWellness.com 

With old man winter sneaking up on us (perhaps he’s really not so sneaky) it’s best to prepare for the worst. Colds- the word itself makes me cringe. Sneezing, coughing, sniffling, wheezing- it happens to all of us, and if you’re not prepared it could easily get you while you’re turned the other way. Ergo, I’ve put together an easy-peasy cruelty free list to help you get ready for the winter woes! 

• Hand Sanitizer- Check out EO’s travel sized hand sanitizer in lavender, or my personal favorite, The Body Shop’s Satsuma Sanitizer 
• Eucalyptus Essential Oil- Pour a bit of this baby in your bubbly bath and listen to your sinus’s thank you! You can find this at most local health-food stores! 
• Vitamin C- Be sure to drink plenty of orange juice to help up your vitamin C intake.
• Tea- This is one of my favorite things to do regardless of a cold or not. Drinking warm tea always makes me feel better!  
• Homemade Soup- There’s something about the comfort of hot soup that instantly makes you feel better. Bring on the veggie soup! 
• Dress warmly- I know this sounds so silly, but I am the queen of wearing clothes in the winter that should be best kept for warmer days! So layer up the socks, mittens, and jackets, and bring on those extra fuzzy boots! 

There isn’t a lot you can do to get rid of a cold, however there are things we can do to help prevent those unwanted symptoms and feel at least a little better while we kick old man winter in the behind!