Cruelty Free

    With my love of animals, (okay, so maybe not toads; they're a little scary to me.) I try my best to research each hygiene and self-care product I come across. Sometimes, it's difficult to find products that are truly cruelty free. But with the help of the internet, here are the cruelty free brands that I personally use for my self-care and hygiene. Remember that I live in a small town where the only retail store is Walmart. Most of these products come from Walmart, but are/can be ordered online.

    Ever since I was young, I've pictured myself as having black hair, however, my natural hair is brunette, if that's still what it's being called, I don't know about the up to date terms in the hair industry world. Anyways, for a while I tired blonde then went back to natural, and then decided to dye the tips and I had different colored tips for a while. Finally, when I decided to dye my black, I decided to keep it. I had always used Revlon. The cheapest, not cruelty free, burning, hair dye. In search of a new dye to touch up my hair, I found Garnier Olia. The dye doesn't burn like others I have tried and the scent isn't strong at all. Plus the aftercare conditioner had some left over for one or two more uses. Garnier is Cruelty Free International (Leaping Bunny) certified. 

With my thick, curly, dyed hair, I have tried so many different shampoos and conditioners. Some of them didn't last long and I was having to buy new bottles every week. Some didn't clean my hair as well and some didn't condition my hair as I liked. I was scouring the shelves and doing my research when I found Suave Keratin Infusion Color Care. Not only does it work well and helps my color last a little longer, it also doesn't take a lot at all. I went from opening a new bottle of conditioner every week to every two weeks to two and a half weeks. The shampoo has lasted three to four weeks. That's with me washing my hair every other day to every two days. Suave is Global Beauty without Bunnies (PETA) certified.

I also use the Suave body wash, lotion, spray deodorant, and stick deodorant. as well. I've found that a lot of body washes end up breaking me out and drying out my skin. Suave is one of very few that does not do this. Suave is Global Beauty without Bunnies (PETA) certified.

When it comes to keeping my face clean I use E.L.F cleanser, serum, and moisturizer. I use Dr. Teals with lavender for kids at night because the lavender helps me relax and fall asleep. For pimples I use Starface hydro-star stickers. They're cute, fun, and do the trick. E.L.F  and Dr.Teal's are PETA certified. Starface is Cruelty Free International (Leaping Bunny) certified. 

To shave, I recommend using the Billie shaving cream and the razors are great too. Before shaving, I usually use the Dr. Teal's scrub. It helps prevent ingrown hairs and it helps with keeping your legs moisturized. Billie and Dr. Teal's are PETA certified. 

I lastly would like to talk about bath bombs. They can be fun, relaxing, and some even have little surprises inside. I enjoy using the Onyx Bathhouse bath bombs and I also really enjoy New Moon Beginnings bombs (you can also find crystals, candles, and other things on New Moon Beginnings). I have messaged New Moon Beginnings and they say that they are made with natural ingredients and are cruelty free. Onyx Bathhouse is PETA certified. 

Here are the links: 

New Moon Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NewMoonBeginnings

New Moon Site: https://newmoonbeginnings.com/

Conditioner: https://www.walmart.com/ip/20461377

Shampoo:https://www.walmart.com/ip/20469705

Hair dye: https://www.walmart.com/ip/22150930

Stick Deo.: https://www.walmart.com/ip/10804522

Spray Deo.: https://www.walmart.com/ip/749099133

Bounce serum: https://www.walmart.com/ip/1494866869

Oat milk cleanser: 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/343790207

Starface refills:https://www.walmart.com/ip/666044188

Starface mirror: https://a.co/d/dUbPJDu

Lotion: https://www.walmart.com/ip/12167093

Sugar Scrub: https://www.walmart.com/ip/452542788

Shave cream: https://www.walmart.com/ip/785494865

Razor:https://www.walmart.com/ip/629628568

After a Long Day...

 With everything going on in the world it's important to take time out and focus on yourself. Your mind, body, and soul depend on it. 

Things to do after a long-hard day:

• Go for a walk
• Cuddle a pet
• Listen to Disney music (or your favorite artist)
• Watch your favorite movie or tv show 
• Paint something 
• Write 10 things your grateful for
• Do some yoga 
• Meditate
• Eat your favorite food 
• Wash your hair/shower/take a bath
• Put on some comfy PJ's
• Do a face mask
• Read a book 
• Dance 
• Drink some hot/warm tea
• Drink hot chocolate 
• Go to bed early 
• Play a video game 

REMEMBER YOU ARE SO IMPORTANT.

Fun Questions From A Random Generator

I decided to try a random question generator and answer the questions. It will tell a little bit about me and I'll get to answer some fun questions. 

What's something you used to like but don't anymore?

Food wise- oatmeal pies and grits other than food, I'm sure there's movies and stuff that I don't really enjoy anymore, but I can't think of them.

What's something that you seem to never get tired of doing?

Watching YouTube videos of paranormal things and watching SVU, Madea movies, and NCIS. And of course I never get tired of watching The Lion King.

Do you have a dream job in mind? 

Counselor, therapist, something around those lines.

What single word would you use to describe this year?

Confusing

What's one thing you think you should be doing more often?

Yoga or meditation

What's your favorite room in your house?

My bedroom. It's just my safe zone. When I do meditate I do in there and I have a fan for when it gets too hot. Several blankets. I keep water near my bed and that's also where I read my books.

What memory have you been thinking about a lot lately?

Almost every memory I have with Pawpaw. Mostly when we went to Dixie Stampede, now Stampede, in Pigeon Forge, TN

Favorite flavor of ice cream and what toppings?

Superman ice cream flavor. However, if I can't have that I like plain vanilla with caramel or hot fudge.

What's the best part of rain?

When it's been hot and the rain cools it off. Or when the rain is just beginning or it's just stopped and you can watch the steam rise off the hot pavement in the summer.

What types of things do you doodle?

Hearts, butterflies, pentagrams (not inverted ones), learn the difference

Journal Prompts

I've  learned that my prayer journaling isn't always enough when it comes to calming my anxiety during certain times. So now, I've begun another journal. This one is just to reflect on specific things.⁣

⁣But what things was I supposed to reflect on? I had no idea. So I done some googling and combined a few gratitude prompts with things that are more specific and reflective. ⁣
⁣
I hope these help those who are having a block on what to write about:

• Reflect on your favorite place

• List you favorite Instagram accounts or write about a specific one

• 3 songs you love (why)

• things you love about nature

• 3-5 things you are grateful for today

• Quotes that you love or have helped you in some way

• things you love about your body

• Talk about your day 

• What do your fear (why)

• Write a letter to your past self

• What skills are you thankful for

• What have you taken for granted

• Talk about your favorite YouTube channels or write about a specific one

• Write a letter to your mental illness or to a fear

• Favorite childhood memory

• Write a letter to your future self 

• Things you should forgive yourself for (do you forgive yourself?)

• List or write about the family and friends you are thankful for

• When was a time someone made you smile (stranger or otherwise)

• 3 books you have recently finished reading (did you enjoy them?)

• How, when, where, do you feel safe

• Write about how you are feeling right now

• Things you love about your personality

• Most recent thing you have learned about yourself

• What accomplishments are you most proud of

• Your proudest moment

• Write a letter to an old friend