C.J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
If you are in need of gift ideas for a special person in your life, especially for whoever you consider your mother to be (they come in all forms!), let us provide you with some options. We have fallen in love with many cruelty free beauty options over the years that you could give as a gift to a special someone. You can take any priced product and make it look expensive by gifting it in a beautiful way too. I like using wire baskets, pink gift envelopes and more as gift packaging.
Good luck gift baskets I created for my neighbors to celebrate New Year’s Day
To give you a quick backstory on my cruelty free beauty journey, it started about 4 years ago, when my Miniature American Eskimo dog, Minnie Pearl, came into my life. I received a sample from a makeup brand to test, and I started thinking about whether or not it was tested on animals. Looking at my sweet puppy’s face made me wonder about many brands. The brand I received the sample from did, in fact, test on animals. I research using Cruelty Free Kitty’s website or by doing a search on Google for the brand name + cruelty free.
See my foundation free makeup look tutorial using my favorite cruelty free products via a short video below or via my YouTube channel:
Minnie Pearl allows me to dress her up sometimes, lol!
I took an oath with myself at that moment that I would do my best to start selecting beauty products in a smarter way. I am not perfect, as no one is, but do my best to choose products from smarter, future-minded brands. Her brother Johnny Cash, continued me to push myself to do better too. Read on to learn more about our splurge and steals unique gift ideas.
My sweet American Eskimo male, Johnny Cash
Body Lotions
High-End Splurge
My mom loves LUSH lotions but they are really pricy. They are an extremely sustainable brand, cruelty free and really do try to be very inclusive as a brand. If you can afford to gift LUSH, I would, as it’s an extra special gift.
Cruelty free body lotions
Mid-Level Splurge
If you cannot afford LUSH, try Mario Badescu Coconut Body Butter. I have been using this for about a year now and love it. It’s at a mid-price point, thick, rich and makes my dry and sensitive leg skin happy. I have experienced some containers coming to my home in SWFL a bit separated, which is probably a temperature and shipping issue, but mixing it up with a spoon does the trick to bring it back to a normal consistency. I plan to contact Mario Badescu and let them know about this. Honestly, it’s worth the stir to me, especially when it goes on sale.
Steal
I adore Palmer’s Coconut Hydrate Daily Body Lotion. I keep it on hand always and keep it in our guest bath for guests and for when I use the shower in that bathroom too. It’s in the lower price point, but I like it as it is not irritating and it has a beautiful, summery and tropical coconut scent.
Live Tinted Beauty Products
Live Tinted
The Live Tinted brand is amazing and I cannot give a splurge vs. steal for it because there is no comparison, in my opinion. In researching the brand, I learned they are a skincare and makeup brand dedicated to celebrating all hues. They are clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and fragrance-free, and want everyone to feel seen (oh how I love inclusivity in a brand, especially when I don’t fit “the age mold” when it comes to many beauty creators age groups!).
Live Tinted HUESTICK in Rise
After wanting to try it for a while, I requested samples to test. Their team graciously sent me HUEGUARD, SUPERHUE, and HUESTICK complimentary. They believe in their cruelty free brand in a big way, and I do too. The packaging alone, which was recyclable, was simple but beautiful. It said “Beautiful on the inside. We think that’s enough.”, which instantly made me know I’d love what was inside.
Live Tinted HUESTICK is a multipurpose makeup product
I tested all three on the same day, several days in a row. SUPERHUE is a hyperpigmentation serum stick that targets discoloration and clogged pores. Because of the vitamin C, I instantly noticed a brightening of my skin. My skin even appeared more even toned. I will continue to use it to see if it helps with some of my hyperpigmentation too, but I’m sure it will.
Loving Live Tinted products
HUEGUARD, a 3-in-1 Mineral Sunscreen and Moisturizer, left zero white residue on my skin and blended beautifully. My combination skin loved it and it even seemed to keep oil at bay all day long. It is reef safe, meaning it will not cause harm to our oceans, so I would throw it in my beach bag.
I decided to go outside my normal makeup color choices and chose HUESTICK in Rise, which is a beautiful shade of orange. I usually don’t care for orange makeup due to being a redhead, but I LOVE it. It can correct dark circles under your eyes and dark areas on your skin, but I simply loved using it as an eye, lip and cheek tint.
If you can only afford one new beauty product this year, I would recommend HUESTICK as it lasted all day, comes in a variety of colors and none of their products irritated my sensitive skin nor caused breakouts. It’s a perfect pool or beach day easy to use and fun makeup product.
Check out my quick and easy beach day and poolside makeup tutorial via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden or below:
Body Washes
Splurge
SOL Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play is a shower cream-gel that I bought when I first moved to a tropical island, Sanibel Island. Our island got hit by Hurricane Ian in September 2022, and we were EXTREMELY fortunate to be one of the lucky ones to have a livable house still standing. Read our story by clicking here. When I returned home post evacuation, I started using this body wash again to remind me of the happy moments we had when we first moved to Sanibel. It has a tropical, coconutty scent and seriously leaves my skin moisturized.
Steal
Dove Restoring Body Wash Coconut & Cocoa Butters is a product that I grabbed at a grocery store while evacuated to Indiana for 4 months post Hurricane Ian. I was happy to see Dove listing their cruelty free status on their packaging. It comes in a giant bottle, so it kept my skin soft and hydrated during our entire evacuation period.
Cruelty Free Face Scrubs
Face Scrubs
Splurge
Skin Better Science is a brand I was introduced to in a beauty box from my doctor’s office. I love the microdermabrasion effects of their Face Detoxifying Scrub Mask, as it gave me extremely smooth skin. This has a fairly high price point, but you only need a tiny bit and a little goes a long way.
Steal
Eraorganics Revive+ Microdermabrasion Manuka Honey Walnut Scrub and Mask is a scrub product that I use every few days. Many scrubs can be harsh and should only be used once a week, but this is one that you can use more often. It’s very hydrating, gentle, yet is an effective exfoliator. The company is very kind too, as they sent me a tub complimentary to test. It did not irritate my combination skin and is safe for all skin types.
All Eraorganics products are made without harsh chemicals, toxins & fillers. Their skin care products are made with powerful ingredients to provide nourishing & moisturizing qualities for skin. Check out their brand on Amazon, as they have products for every skin type including babies, pregnancy, acne, eczema & aging skin.
Cruelty Free Self Tanners
Self-Tanners
Splurge
TAN-LUXE The Face Illuminating Self Tan Drops is a product I use bi-weekly mixed in with my night-time moisturizer. I only use about a drop, as it’s extremely concentrated. While the product is a little pricy, it is worth it as it’s effective and one bottle will last forever.
Steal
Jergen’s Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer is yet another product I grabbed while evacuated from Hurricane Ian. I wanted to keep my faux glow going throughout our time in Indiana during the winter months, and this did the trick. It was another brand I was happy to see finally add itself to the cruelty free beauty world.
COVERGIRL Lash Blast Cleantopia Mascara
Mascaras
Splurge
Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes has been my go-to splurge mascara for many years. I like to be outdoors a lot, so the waterproof factor is very important for me when I am exploring. The formula is a little on the wet side, but when it dries, it lasts all day. I easily take mine off with an oil based makeup cleanser.
Does anyone else make this face when putting on mascara :)
Steal
COVERGIRL Lash Blast Cleantopia Mascara is an amazing steal because it’s actually a great mascara. I received 2 tubes via Influenster and tested them for 2 weeks. In the super hot and humid, Southwest Florida temperatures, it did not smear, flake or smudge. Now, it’s not cry proof, so you may not want to wear it on particularly emotional days, but it’s still worth trying.
See how I created my plant inspired crown in my video below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
COVERGIRL Cleantopia mascara is plant powered
It’s plant-powered, meaning it is created using cellulose plant fibers, aloe leaf extract and other sustainable ingredients. It did not dry out my lashes. One coat is great for day to day use, but you can layer it to give yourself incredibly voluminous lashes. Covergirl is Leaping Bunny Certified, meaning it’s a cruelty free brand! Look for the bunny logo on other beauty brands too!
Overall, I don’t think you can go wrong with giving any of these products as a gift to anyone. Mother’s Day is a great day to give a gift, but in my opinion, I think every day is a great day to give a gift. As Lizzo says in her song “Birthday Girl”, every day is your birthday, and I think if we live our lives thinking that, every day will be a good day for you and all those around you.
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C.J. (Carolyn) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.