everyday allegra » Allegra - Portland lifestyle blogger with a love for travel, vegan food, houseplants and the perfect cup of tea.

Faraday Face | Zero Waste Makeup Review

Hi loves! It’s been a beautiful and busy summer, and I can’t believe we’re halfway through September already! As much as I love fall, I’m not quite ready to give up on bright lip colors and wearing my Teva’s every day.

This month I’ve been testing out a new makeup line called Faraday Face. When I’m looking for makeup, I first make sure it’s vegan and cruelty-free. Faraday Face checks both those boxes, and goes beyond. The entire line is made from sustainably sourced, non-toxic, non-GMO ingredients, AND packaged with zero waste. That means there’s no plastic, and everything you receive can be recycled or composted. There are very few makeup brands tackling all these sustainable practices at once – I’m so impressed!

Faraday face sustainable eco vegan makeup review02 Not only is the packaging eco-friendly, it’s also super cute! I couldn’t wait to open these beauties. I got the “Wilder” Blush, “Head Rush” Eyeshadow, “Toasted Pecan” Brow Wax, “Slay” Cream Lip Color, and the Translucent Setting Powder.
Faraday face sustainable eco vegan makeup review06 The powder products all felt silky smooth, and had buildable color coverage. I used a super fluffy blush to apply everything, just to keep things light. However, you could definitely get a lot more pigment depending on how you apply it. The blush is such a gorgeous year-round color, and I love the soft matte finish of the setting powder. Faraday face sustainable eco vegan makeup review04 The brow wax was a little lighter than my brows, so I ended up adding another product on top. But I will say that the texture is really soft and easy to apply. The lip color is what really surprised me. Again, very buildable color and the finish is so pretty! Is there a word for the finish between glossy and matte? Because this is that perfect in-between sheen that I love. Here’s me wearing a full face of Faraday, and wishing summer would last a little longer:What do you think? Would you give a this zero-waste makeup a try?
xo
Allegra

Natural Deodorants with Activated Charcoal

We’ve had some HOT days lately in Portland, so I thought it would be a good time to talk deodorant.

Summer is my busy season for photography, so I’ve spent a lot of time outside lately. Having a deodorant that holds up on these 95+ degree days is key.

Traditional deodorants use aluminum and other chemicals to block sweat glands. They often contain hormone disruptors, carcinogens, and pesticides, which are absorbed into the bloodstream. Our underarms have lymph nodes, which help keep our immune system in check, so keeping this area free of toxins is especially important.

PiperWai was the first natural deodorant that really worked for me. The main ingredients are activated charcoal, coconut oil and essential oils. The formula is made to keep your skin free of bacteria, which is what causes that B.O. stank in the first place. So the key to this deodorant is to put it on right in the morning after a shower.

Applying it does take a bit of extra time, but it’s worth it. I add a little bit of water on my skin to help it spread easier, and wait a few minutes before getting dressed. It was weird at first to apply it with my fingers, but I got used to it.

The subtle fragrance reminds me of ginger chai, and it’s marketed as a gender-neutral scent. It’s the only deodorant that Zachary will use, and he swears it’s “life-changing.” It seriously lasts all day! Even if you sweat buckets there’s no odor — amazing!

I wanted to find a stick formula that I could keep in my purse or the car, or both, because I’m often a bit scattered. I can’t tell you how often I forget to put deodorant on in the morning! Unfortunately Piperwai’s stick formula didn’t work for me — it just crumbled into bits when applied. So I recently picked up this Schmidt’s Deodorant. It’s formulated with activated charcoal and baking soda, making it great for absorbing moisture and neutralizing odor.

I instantly fell in love with the scent, described as “reminiscent of freshly fallen rain: vaporous, mild, and wispy.” A little goes a long way, and I find it keeps me feeling dry and fresh even on the hottest days. Applying it is super easy, and although the color is a bit grey from the charcoal, it doesn’t stain my clothing.

I’m looking forward to testing more of Schmidt’s deodorant line, especially the formulas that come in a glass jar. I’m trying to get better about using less plastic, and they have a great program where you can send back your used glass jars for a credit.

If you’re considering switching to a natural deodorant, PiperWai and Schmidt’s are great options. Both are cruelty-free and vegan, made with natural ingredients, and most importantly, they actually work.

Stay cool!
xo
Allegra

Au Naturale Makeup Review

Hi loves! I’m back with another makeup review. I love mixing up my makeup routine as the seasons change, and this recent sunshine definitely inspired me. This week I’ve been playing with some products from Au Naturale Cosmetics.

They have a full range of vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and organic makeup. Everything is handmade in Wisconsin, and known for being highly pigmented and long-lasting. All the products on their website look amazing, but I decided to try the Luminous Bronzing Stick in Caramel, and the su/Stain Matte Lip Stain in On Pointe. I’ve never tried a bronzer with a stick application, and it really got me pumped. The color Caramel is a beautiful warm brown that could work for a variety of skin tones. Just a tiny swipe did the trick for me. It’s not shimmery, but definitely gives a warm glow. I’m used to wearing powder bronzers, so this was a game changer! Such an easy application, and I love the way it seemed a part of my complexion, rather than something sitting on top of my skin. This would work great as a contour color too!The On Pointe lip stain was so beautiful! This is one of Au Naturale’s most popular products, and I can see why! The formula is surprisingly hydrating for a stain, and leaves a semi-matte finish. It’s not transfer proof, but the color lasted several hours even after snacking. I liked it best after blotting. There are so many colors to pick from! I think I’ll try something a little more daring next time, like Terracotta or Salsa. Here’s the look I created using these products. I am so happy with them! I tend to go for more natural-looking makeup like below, but some of the colors on their website make me want to go full glam! Next on my wishlist from Au Naturale is their highlighter in Rose Gold, and Creme Eyeshadow in Shiraz. I’m sad they aren’t available in any Portland stores, but they do have samples available on their website, free shipping on purchases over $50, and tons of promos running all the time. Definitely check it out if you love high quality natural makeup!

*These products were sent to me in exchange for my review, but all opinions are my own. I earn a portion of sales made through these links, which keeps my blog up and running.

Zuzu Luxe Coastal Collection Review

Happy weekend, loves! Zuzu Luxe just released the most beautiful makeup set for spring/summer, and I was so excited to try it out! The new Coastal Collection is all about soft beachy vibes.

The collection comes with two eyeshadow palettes and a lip/cheek cream. The Beach Boho Palette, The Sunsation Palette, and Daybreak Lip & Cheek Cream. As always, the packaging is super cute and fits the theme perfectly. The natural tones are so so gorgeous! They have a good amount of pigment, but aren’t intimidating for an eyeshadow newb like myself. While I’m not a huge fan of the brushes (I prefer something fluffier), it’s nice to have the option. The mirror on the palette is awesome for on-the-go, which is how I usually do my makeup. I played around with different combos the last week or so, and I love the versatility. The color “driftwood” works great as a crease color, and could also work to fill in eyebrows. The shades “Dream Maker” or “Dawn” made a perfect highlighter. And I loved “Free Spirit” or “Morn” as an all-over lid color.

I was not expecting to fall so madly in love with the blush. It is the perfect color for spring, and lays so beautifully on skin since the base is shea butter and jojoba oil. It lasts all day, and looks even better as it settles. Definitely my new go-to blush! I loved the color on my lips as well, but it ended up looking dry/powdery after about an hour. I’m going to try it with some clear gloss or lip balm next time. Overall, I really love this collection! If you’re looking for some natural, vegan & cruelty-free makeup, definitely check out Zuzu Luxe! You can find them online or at your local health food store.

xo
allegra

Vegan Cheese Guide | My Top Picks

“I could never go vegan, I love cheese too much!” — me before going vegan. So what’s a cheese-loving vegan to do? Well, I tried every weird vegan cheese so you don’t have to. It’s been 5 years of strange textures, weird smells, and wasting money on things that only slightly resemble food. But here are my top picks – my holy grail vegan cheeses (and yes, they really are good!)

Kite Hill. When you hear “vegan cheese,” you might think of some highly processed brick of plastic. But vegan cheese has come a long way in the last few years, and Kite Hill is changing the game. The base of their cheese is just almonds, cultures, enzymes & salt. I am a huge fan of their ricotta! It tastes spot on and I can finally recreate my great grandma’s lasagna recipe. Kite Hill also carries a delicious cream cheese, which has more of a whipped texture. It’s an excellent choice for a soy-free cream cheese, although it’s more expensive than Tofutti. Besides the price point, you really can’t go wrong with any of the Kite Hill products!

Chao. These are truly the best vegan cheese slices you can find! The Creamy Original is my favorite, mild and definitely creamy, perfect for a grilled cheese. It melts beautifully, but tastes great right out of the package too. I really can’t recommend this brand enough — even my omnivore friends like these!

Miyokos. Miyoko’s was the first vegan cheese I tried that gave me hope. My favorite product is the Fresh Loire Valley cheese wheel. I think it’s the fancy-factor that brings me so much delight. It’s a cashew and miso based cheese, wrapped in a wine-soaked fig leaf. It’s sooo creamy and a must-have for any fancy snack board. Their Mozz is a completely different base, but a great option for pizza. It melts, bubbles and browns like a dream! It’s milder than I prefer, but it doesn’t have a funky plastic taste like some other brands do.

Follow Your Heart. This is another brand that is really growing! They have a huge selection of vegan cheese, dressing, sauces, and even a vegan egg alternative. Although I’d recommend the Chao slices over these, I like the flavor options by Follow Your Heart. The Pepper Jack and Smoked Gouda are the best! They do take a while to melt, and I wouldn’t eat these raw. They work well melted as one of many toppings on a burger or sandwich.

VioLife. I first tired Violife in Paris and searched everywhere to find it in Portland. I finally found it at Food Fight Grocery, and I’m completely hooked! Other brands have tried to make parmesan using nutritional yeast and spices, which is really more of a seasoning/topping. But Violife made something that tastes as close to real parmesan as any vegan could dream of. It grates like the real thing, has that strong parmesan smell, and gets even better over time. Definitely a must-try! I am really looking forward to trying more flavors from Violife.

My local favorite is Vtopian Cheese. This cheese is so flavorful and nutty, and I probably spend half of my income at their local deli each week. If you aren’t local, you can find their cheese here. I’d recommend the brie and sharp cheddar! If you’re in Portland, you haven’t lived until you experience their Grilled Mac & Cheese Panini. Trust me.

A few things to keep in mind:

When you first try vegan cheese, consider it a “topping” or a “spread.” That way you can enjoy the flavor and creaminess without being disappointed that it doesn’t taste exactly like cow cheese.
Just because one vegan cheese is disgusting and haunts your dreams doesn’t mean they all are. There are a ton of different brands with completely different ingredients. Keep trying!
Find the right use for your cheese. For example, some are a bit plain on crackers but taste great melted on a pizza. Others get weird when melted, but are delicious raw. You just have to experiment!
The longer you go without cow cheese, the easier it is to enjoy vegan cheese.
Check ingredients! If you’re going vegan for health reasons, stick to simpler ingredients like those in nut-based cheeses. There are some great ones with less than 5 ingredients. Weirdly enough, you might need to check for milk. For example, the brand Go Veggie markets a “lactose-free cheese” that has casein (milk protein) added to it. WHY?
Vegan cheese is not always in one spot at the grocery store. You’ll find most of it near the vegan specialty stuff (look for the tofu), but sometimes it’s randomly throughout the store near the hummus/spreads, yogurt, produce, or dairy cheese.
Vegan cheese is expensive AF, but the right brands are worth it. You can also make your own vegan cheese for a fraction of the cost.
You don’t need vegan cheese to eat delicious vegan food. There are lots of dishes and snacks that don’t involve cheese! So if you can’t find any locally or it’s too expensive, everything will be A-OK.

Have you ever tried vegan cheese? What are your favs?