B. Spotlight

Today I wanted to spotlight B., a brand that I’ve been enjoying recently.  This brand is only available in Superdrug and is a Leaping Bunny/BUAV brand company.  B. states all their products are suitable for vegans, but I haven’t emailed the company asking about the particulars of this.  I wanted to get this post out soon because, as of writing this, everything is 50% off so if you’re interested you should head to Superdrug! 

Overall, I’m really enjoying this collection.  However like most other brands, they don’t have any BB creams or concealers light enough for my skin tone.  This is disappointing but not surprising.  Most of their products are also very shimmery so if this isn’t your style perhaps check them out in store before purchasing.  Superdrug has samples out for almost all of these products.

B. Pure Micellar Water
            I’d never heard of Micellar water before, but this product is amazing.  Since moving to London, I’ve been breaking out much more often, and I’m still not sure why.  I got a sample of this with my first B. purchase and had to buy the full size bottle after trying it.  I use this as a toner after I’ve cleansed my face.  It has helped heal my existing blemishes and stopped any new ones popping up in a matter of days.  It is brilliant!  Read about Micellar water here and here. [Link]

B. Stunning Vibrant Eye Shimmer in 192 Lizzie
            This is the first cream eye shadow I have ever owned, and I’m enjoying it.  Like all other cream eye shadows you need to use a thin layer, but even when this does crease on me, it isn’t bad at all.  It is very shimmery without the chunky glitter vibe, and I love how it adds some light to my eyes.  The Superdrug I was in offered a decent selection of colours as well. [Link]

B. Cheeky Blusher in 096 Rosy Brown
            I’m not much of a blush person as my cheeks can get embarrassingly red on their own.    However, that means when they aren’t red I’m lacking any colour there.  I just picked this up as it is an easy to wear colour for me.  Plus is it buildable so I can alter how much I apply depending on how my cheeks are. [Link]

B. Smokey Soft, blendable Kohl Eyeliner in 100 Black
            For the past few years, I’ve used eye shadow to line my eyes rather than eyeliner.  However, I picked this up as I’ve been thinking of getting back into the eyeliner game.  This is a seriously soft kohl so I need to be careful to use only a small amount.  Even then, I need to clean up afterwards as there is a lot of transfer and smudging.  That being said, this would be wonderful for a smokey eye, but for everyday, it’s a bit too all over the place and hard to use for tight lining without a lot of transfer.  I’ve been using this lightly under my eye shadow liner for some added definition. [Link]

Samples

        I also got a little box of samples for a penny with my first purchase.  I don’t think Superdrug is giving these out anymore, but it was a nice surprise.  Inside was the Micellar Water discussed above, B. Active Day Cream (which I have not tried yet), B. Radiant Rejuvenating Serum, B. Stunning Vibrant Eye Shimmer in 057 Copper, and a lipstick in 054 Eton Mess.  Oh and an expired coupon.  Everything is very shimmery including the serum.  The serum felt nice on, but there was only enough for one application so I can’t speak to its effectiveness.  The lipstick was nice and moisturizing as well although the colour and levels of shimmer aren’t my personal preference.

Vegan London Favourites!

Since moving to London, I’ve been acquiring new favourites from products to food to places that I would love to share. 

Moo Free Chocolates
            The vegan chocolate in London is perfection.  There are a few brands with vegan milk chocolates that are available in stores.  My favourite so far have been has been Moo Free chocolates because the chocolate is creamy and they have so many varieties.  In my opinion, the best is the Caramelised Hazelnut Nibs Bar.  They also have a Cranberry and Hazelnuts bar that is amazing.

Superdrug Brand
           Superdrug is a common drugstore that has its own extensive line of products.  All their store brand products are Leaping Bunny/BUAV approved, and items are clearly labelled vegetarian and/or vegan.  All their brand products are marked with a reflective star on the product.  I love their hand creams and lotions.  I also bought a BB cream from Superdrug that I recently reviewed.  This store made it easy for me to stock up on toiletries on arrival!

Nutty Grain and Vegetable Salad
            I pick this salad up from M&S Simply Food on a regular basis.  It has a quinoa base with a bunch of vegetables and assorted nuts.  A sweet, oily dressing is included that gives it a nice kick.  I love to eat it with hummus as well.  Highly recommended!

Vx
            This little shop by King’s Cross is great for picking up treats.  Everything they sell is vegan!  On top of stocking almost every kind of indulgent food item you thought you would never taste again, they sell shoes, clothes, and bags.  It’s a tiny shop but they pack a lot in.  website

The Rabbit Hole Vegan Hair Parlour
            I have never been one to really enjoy getting a haircut, but even so I was still excited to see London have a vegan salon.  Dori, the owner/stylist, is kind and really listened to what I wanted.  She gave me a great haircut plus tea and a cookie- yum!  This is just an all-around nice place to go!  They offer a wide range of services so check out their facebook page here.

Choral Concerts
            Random choice!  Every major church that I have visited or heard of has a choral evensong service.  They are other worldly.  I have yet to attend a service where I wasn’t blown away by the singing.  You simply must attend a choral service if you haven’t before!  It’s free to attend services, and the staff is always welcoming.

Superdrug BB Cream 5-in-1 Day Cream Review

             

My only makeup purchase since arriving in London has been Superdrug’s BB Cream 5-in-1 Day Cream.  It retails for £6.99 although I think I may have gotten in for less when a sale was on.  This product is suitable for vegans.  All of Superdrug’s own brand products are Leaping Bunny/BUAV approved although, it appears, not all are vegan. 

Overall, I have liked this product.  This BB Cream has the same feel and application of other BB Creams I have used and loved in the past.  As far as the colour is concerned, it isn’t a perfect match.  I purchased the shade ‘light,’ but it is a bit too dark and slightly orange although I can blend it in well.  For reference, I was NW15 in MAC foundations.  I usually add a tiny bit of a lighter BB cream I own (but reserve for special occasions) to perfect the shade.

I have been considering trying another BB cream by ‘B.’ which I have seen in Superdrug.  I know this brand is only sold in Superdrug stores, but I’m not sure it is their brand.  However, it is Leaping Bunny/BUAV approved so I will be checking whether it is vegan or not on my next trip in.

I also purchased the Dead Sea Purifying Clay Mask from Superdrug.  I was extremely disappointed.  It took forever to dry, and I noticed absolutely no change in my skin after using this mask as well as another Berry something or another facial mask.  I will not be repurchasing these or any of their masks again.

I hope to have my next posts about some miscellaneous London favourites and my new everyday products up soon!

Update

Hi all!

        Sorry for my long and unannounced absence.  Adapting to a new country and starting an MA programme at once was a bit more than I anticipated!  I have a few planned posts about hair and some new British favourites that will hopefully start appearing within the month.  Stay tuned!

         I would like add that since my earlier posts are going on three years now, I would encourage everyone to double check this information.  Most of the brands I discuss are Leaping Bunny approved, so the easiest course of action would simply be to compare my information against Leaping Bunny's current list.

         I would like to welcome any newcomers (Hi!)  and guide you towards my Guide for Sending and Interpreting Animal Testing Emails which can help you with your own research and discusses my cruelty free standards which have no changed.  Also check out my post What Does Cruelty Free Mean? which is a handy guide to all the terminology people throw around.

My Cruelty Free Standards:
1)  A company can not test ingredients and finished products on animals.
2) A company can not hire a third party to animal test ingredients or finished products.
3) A subsidiary can not be owned by a company that tests ingredients or finished products or contracts a third party to do so.
4) A company can not sell in China or any other country that reserves the right to animal test products sold there (I know there is some talk of things changing in China but nothing definite yet)