Zuzu Luxe Makeup Review

Confession: eyeshadow has always intimidated me. At some point I stopped wearing it because the effort to get it symmetrical on both sides was just too much! So when Zuzu Luxe contacted me about reviewing their “Techno Warrior” Collection, I thought it was a good opportunity to try it out again.

Zuzu Luxe is all about cruelty-free makeup and skincare that preforms just as well as its traditional competitors. For Earth Day, they created this “Techno Warrior” Collection that donates 10% of profits to Green Acres Farm Sanctuary. So sweet! zuzu8

At first I was thrown off by the packaging, because I’m really not a camo kind of girl. But because the collection is all about earth tones and a graphic look, I guess it makes sense. zuzu7

The cheek cream in “Weapon” was my absolute favorite part of the collection. It’s buildable, creamy, and long-lasting! zuzu4The Ammunition Palette has beautiful desert-inspired hues. I will say, these colors are EXTREMELY pigmented. My first attempt at applying didn’t go so well, so the second time around I used a super fluffy brush and only used a tiny amount. The colors “Missile” and “Grenade” (right two colors) were stunning! zuzu5zuzu3The Combat Palette has some really versatile colors, perfect for a smokey eye. I was a little scared to use the color “Blackout” as an eyeshadow, so I ended up using it as an eyeliner! The brush included in the palette was perfect for this. zuzu6Even though I only applied a tiny amount of product, it still felt like way more makeup than I usually wear. Zach said I looked “gothy,”😂 but I think the look could have worked for a night out! All I forgot to add was a lip color (oops!), which I think would have completed the look more.

zuzu1If you’re someone who loves highly pigmented eyeshadows, I think you’ll LOVE this collection. I’m really excited to play around with it more and get over my fear of eyeshadow. For more cruelty-free makeup and skincare, check out Zuzu Luxe!

Orenda Skin Care Review

Hi loves! Orenda Skin Care sent me this amazing package a few months ago, and I’m so excited to finally review it! Everything is 100% natural, toxin-free, and filled with botanicals and antioxidants. orenda skincare review

The first step in the process is the Illuminating Face Wash with Vitamin C. It’s very gentle, but still leaves my skin feeling clean. At first I felt the scent was a little too strong, but after a while I got used to it. I love that it contains seaweed extract, because it’s great for detoxifying the skin, but won’t mess with your PH levels!

My absolute favorite product in the bunch is the Illuminating Eye Concentrate. It smells incredible and is jam-packed with amazing ingredients like organic coffee bean oil and organic borage CO2.  I’ve been using it morning and night religiously the last few weeks and I LOVE it. My skin is so soft and my makeup applies better than ever. It’s also really refreshing because the application tip is a stainless steel roller ball — my favorite!

The last step in the process is the Illuminating Face Serum. Again, this one smells like a lovely day at the spa! My first time using this, it didn’t absorb very well. My skin felt a little oily at the end of the day and I was worried I might get a breakout! I went to their website and read that it’s actually really safe for acne-prone skin. I think I just applied too much! So now, instead of using a few pumps on it’s own, I’ve been adding just a drop or two to my favorite moisturizer. I love getting a boost of antioxidants and vitamins for my skin with every application!  This serum has a ton of benefits, which you can read about here.

Overall this is a wonderful skincare line! If you love essential oils and glowy skin, I would highly recommend it. While the line is expensive, they offer free shipping and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. So if for some reason it doesn’t work for your skin, you can ship it back at no cost to you. I definitely plan to splurge on the Illuminating Eye Concentrate again — it’s worth it!

xoxo
allegra

*These products were sent to me for review. All opinions are my own.

Axiology Lipstick Review | Plantae

My everyday makeup look doesn’t usually involve a lip color, but I’ve been wanting to branch out! I was so excited to try these colors from Axiology.

I found these on Plantae, which is a site that curates an amazing selection of vegan and cruelty-free products. Axiology Lipstick is made with natural ingredients like avocado butter and coconut oil. It’s super moisturizing, but the color doesn’t slide off your lips like some other natural brands. And of course, brilliant packaging is always a plus.

axiology1The gold tube is so pretty! Somehow they designed it to pop up when you click the bottom (sort of like a pen), which makes it really fun to use.axiology2

From top to bottom, the colors here are Instinct, The Goodness, and Devotion. All of them have a shimmery metallic finish.axiology3Instinct is sort of a golden brown color. I always think of nineties makeup with brown lipstick, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was really beautiful and the perfect neutral tone! I was surprised at how well this color complimented me.

The Goodness is a blushy pink with lots of highlight to it. Their website site describes it as having a “sea shell shimmer.” This color was a little more in my comfort zone, and could be perfect for an everyday look.

Devotion is a coppery pink tone. At first I thought it would be too bright for me, but it seems a bit more neutral on the lips. It has fun peachy punch to it, so I’m excited to use this one in the spring!

Here’s an example of how it looks on the lips. The color here is “Instinct.”IMG_4023

Axiology has 19 different colors to pick from, so definitely check them out! If you love shimmery lips with lasting color, I think you’ll be really happy with these. I’m definitely excited to be branching out with some new colors. For more natural and cruelty-free beauty products, head over to Plantae.

xoxo
allegra

*These products were sent to me for review. All opinions are my own.

Felix Gray Glasses

I’ve been lucky enough to never need glasses in my life. Or so I thought. Even with 20/20 vision, I often find myself with tired eyes and headaches. And it’s no wonder, with how many hours I spend in front of a screen! When I’m working, I’m on my computer or phone: answering emails, editing photos, blogging. When I’m not working, I’m probably still on my computer or phone: cruising on Instagram, reading blogs and news articles, getting inspired on Pinterest, etc. And then when I need a break from all that, you’ll probably find me catching up on Netflix.

I live in a digital world, and I’m not ashamed of it. Don’t worry, I still find time to interact with people occasionally ;). While I know it’s really important to cut down on my screen time, there are some days when my work and social obligations keep me at my screen for a LOT of hours.

Here’s where Felix Gray glasses come in. These are computer glasses specifically designed to help with screen time. The most important thing these glasses do is filter blue light. When our eyes are exposed to blue light, it suppresses melatonin production, which can lead to poor sleep and loads of other health concerns. Felix Gray glasses also reduce glare, which seriously cuts down on eye strain.
felix gray glassesI’ve had my Felix Grays for about two weeks and I’m completely obsessed. My eyes don’t hurt at the end of the day and my headaches have decreased significantly. Also, they are super cute! I love them so much, I might be guilty of wearing them just to jazz up an outfit.

They currently come in 5 unisex frames (each named after a famous scientist or mathematician), and a few classic color choices. I went with the Roebling Frame in Black. You can also choose if you want any magnification, depending on your uses/needs. If you’re lost on what to pick, their website has a ton of useful info and their customer service is amazing!

InstaFelixI would highly recommend Felix Gray to anyone who spends a lot of time on their computer or phone. Keep your eyes happy and safe, and your face stylish!

xoxo
allegra

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Valentine’s Day is coming up! The most loved and most hated holiday of all. Whether you’re spending the day with your significant other, your galetine’s girls, or just by yourself, I hope you find some happiness in this silly holiday. I put together a few gifts ideas for all my natural beauties out there! You can pass the ideas along to your s.o. or just treat yourself.

I think one of the best gifts to give/get is something that pampers. Something a little luxurious that you wouldn’t usually buy, because you don’t *need* it. 100% Pure has a ton of great options like masks, body butters, and this lovely Body Scrub Set. Everything is made with natural ingredients, and smells so heavenly!

organic_boxed_fruit_product_img_1024x1024

Speaking of yummy scents, I do love a good perfume! I know it’s kind of a cliche gift, but it’s another one of those indulgences that make you feel spoiled. Currently loving the collection from Love & Toast, especially the Honey Coconut Perfume!perfume

Any gift that cozies up your home is a winner in my book. A client of mine had a Himalayan Salt Lamp and I was so in love with how glowy and pretty it was! At the end of our photoshoot, she wrapped it up and gave it to me…it was SO nice of her, and one of my favorite gifts I ever received. I still love it today, and it creates the most beautiful ambiance. I think these Himalayan Salt Candle Hodlers would be another beautiful option to add coziness and light to any home.

himalayan salt

Tea is another way to my heart. If you know (or are) a tea lover, I think this Matcha Tea Set would be the perfect gift! If you’re more of a coffee lover, then maybe a pour over kit or some other coffee gadget would do the trick.81My6Ql5DkL._SL1500_

Lately I’ve been loving delicate, minimalist jewelry. FASHIONABLE has a great selection. You can even add engraved initials or words to some of their jewelry for a personal touch. LOVE!delicate personalized jewelry

Pro tip: If you’re a little bit rushed for time, check out Amazon Prime! The Prime 2-day shipping has saved my butt multiple times. Here’s a link to Try Amazon Prime Free for 30 Days. Happy shopping!

…
6
…
6
…

About Allegra

I am an Italian-American dual citizen sharing all about my recent move from Portland, Oregon to Southern Italy. I hope to highlight the journey of finding a home in a new country, and inspire others to embark on their own adventures.

Ora Organic