When it comes to skincare, there’s a few things that come to mind when picking out products. For one, they need to suit my skin type. I need products that not only compliment my combination skin, but don’t irritate it as well because of its sensitivity. And two, they need to be cruelty free and have ingredients I can trust or are all natural.

One of the brands that I’ve been obsessing over recently are VTMN Organics – a small, Hispanic-owned skincare line that caters to all of my needs. The items are all made by hand, feature all-natural ingredients, and they’re cruelty free!

The first product I tried from them was their Facial Glaze moisturizer that I previously featured in my monthly favorites. This lightweight, facial oil is specifically for oily skin and it makes my skin look so glowy.

I recently ordered a few other items during their restock that I’ve added to my skincare routine and I can’t get enough of them.

Cinnamon Bun face mask – This mask is an acne treatment that disinfects your skin from bacterial infection. Now, other than the occasional hormonal breakout, I don’t suffer from acne. However, those occasional breakouts are a menace and often leave behind a dark spot and can be painful. This mask works to heal open scars, wounds, and popped irritated pimples and soothes your skin. It comes with a spoon to help you mix the products and apply it to your skin. I was apprehensive due to the cinnamon and my skin being so sensitive, but it hasn’t irritated my skin at all. It makes my skin feel so soft and it smells amazing.

Apple Crisp Toner – This toner smells exactly like apple cider vinegar, but don’t be put off because the product is great, and the scent doesn’t linger. It works to regulate the pigmentation in your skin to help get rid of dark and white spots and other discoloration. It also balances the PH of your skin, minimizes pores, and its vegan.

Gold Elixir – This serum is similar to the Facial Glaze. It’s a lightweight blend of oils, with ylang ylang and sage with golden flakes that moisturizes and soothes the skin. Once I saw the gold flakes, I knew I had to have this. It feels so velvety on the skin and it sinks into the skin, leaving your skin looking radiant. I’m absolutely in love with this product, I feel like a goddess when I use this.

I use these products, along with my Niacinamide serum from The Ordinary, as my skincare routine. So far, it’s helped reduce the appearance of breakouts and my dark spots. It’s even helped reduce the appearance of my large pores. I went through many different products before landing on something that actually helped even my skin tone and texture and I’ve finally found a routine that fits my skin. Skincare is definitely trial and error so it’s important to find a routine that caters to your skin. Definitely give VTMN Organics a try and see if there’s anything that fits your skin needs.

My favorite month has come to an end. While many are officially breaking out the peppermint mocha and decorating Christmas trees, it’s still Halloween in my soul.

I’ve gathered quite a few favorites over the past few weeks so grab a pumpkin spice latte, cause we’re about to get started.

Hair Care:

Maple Holistic “Tea Tree Oil Shampoo”: I recently collaborated with Maple Holistic and they sent me their Tea Tree Oil shampoo to try out and I’ve been using it frequently ever since.  The brand has all-natural products and they’re cruelty free so know I was all over that. The shampoo contains natural tea tree oil to help improve the health of your hair and scalp, promote growth and help with itchiness and dandruff. Now, I don’t really suffer from dandruff but because we wear hats at work, my scalp sometimes itches like crazy. I use this shampoo whenever I do my mid-week wash to help relieve the itchiness and it's been a lifesaver.  At first, I was hesitant because many products tend to dry my hair out so I was concerned about the tea tree oil but thankfully it worked out! They also have other special formulas to target specific hair needs so definitely check them out. If you’re curious about which product is right for you, they also have a free product program where they’ll send you a free full-size product for you to try.

Bella Curls “Coconut Whipped Crème Leave-in Conditioner”: I had been searching for a good leave-in conditioner and I randomly picked this up while I was at Target and I’m obsessed. First off, it smells amazing so that’s always a plus. Second, it helps keep my hair hydrated and smooth. After I’m done washing my hair, I apply a generous amount while my hair is still slightly damp and then I tie it up. My hair is so soft the next day and it’ll still smell like heaven so if you enjoy the smell of coconut, you’ll love this. It’s helped keep my hair moisturized and has definitely improve the overall texture so I highly recommend it.

Skincare:

The Ordinary “Niacinamide”: So, I was hesitant to try this brand for long because of how potent their ingredients are and how sensitive my skin is. Naturally, I’m kicking myself now for depriving myself for so long because now I can’t live without this serum. I was on the hunt for a serum that would help improve my skin texture and complexion and this has dramatically improved my skin.  The Niacinamide is essentially Vitamin B3 and helps improve skin blemishes and congestion. It also contains 10% zinc, which helps control sebum so if you have oily or combination skin (like I do) then you’ll love this. I use this twice a day, after I apply toner and before I apply moisturizer. My skin has been glowing ever since.

VTMN Organics “Facial Glaze”: Speaking of “glowing”, my skin has been loving this moisturizer! I’ve been dying to try VTMN Organics for a while now because I’ve heard so many good things about their products. I ran out of my other moisturizer so I ordered the Facial Glaze and I’m so shook. I have combination skin so I was a bit worried about using an oil based moisturizer because I didn’t want to make my skin any oiler but y’all, this stuff is amazing. It’s formulated for oily, combo, and sensitive skin types so basically it was made for me. It doesn’t clog pores, helps soothe redness and irritation, it’s gentle and its vegan and cruelty free. I feel like a glowing goddess when I wear this. It’s currently out of stock so make sure to stalk their social media to find out when it will be restocked because everything is handmade.

Beauty:

Violet Voss x Nicol Concilio EyeshadowPalette: I’m obsessed with warm eye looks, this is nothing new. I first saw this palette when Jackie Aina used it in a tutorial and I pretty much had to have it. I’ve used this palette almost every day since I got it, I can’t put it down. I take it everywhere with me. The shadows are infused with jojoba oil so the blend like a dream and the pigmentation… Let us just take a moment to appreciate how blessed we truly are for the pigmentation in the palette.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in “NahzFur Atoo”: I finally found the perfect blood red liquid lipstick. I’ve used this all month and I can’t get enough. I love the formula of the KVD Everlasting Lipsticks so I’m not surprised that this ended up being a favorite of mine. My signature shade is “Hawkwind” and now I have this baby to obsess over.

Clothing:

Wicked Clothes “Pryokinesis for Beginners”Tee: I’ve been lusting after this tee for a while now because it’s constantly on my Instagram feed. I caved a finally bought it and It’s so nice. It’s soft and it fits perfectly. Plus, as someone who loves the film Firestarter, I just couldn’t pass this up.

Vera Eye Candy “Chucky and Tiffany” Top: For those that know me, they know I love Bride of Chucky so naturally, I had to have this shirt. Vera Eye Candy is one of my favorite brands, they have so many items for those that love horror and music, like myself. I was Chucky for Halloween so obviously, I had to throw this top on to complete my look.

Boots (Target): I spotted these boots at Target and almost passed them up but then my mother looked me in the eye and said “treat yo self.” So, I did and I’ve been wearing them ever since. They’re the most comfortable pair of boots I have. The heel is chunky so they’re easy to walk in and they complement so many looks. I wore this all weekend at Homecoming and if I can survive dancing to “Gasolina” walking all over campus in these, that’s a win in my book.

Entertainment:

All Time Low “Good Times”: I already loved this song, but then All Time Low released the music video and I feel deeper in love. The music video touches on a lot of the issues that we face in society that some don’t want to talk about. It’s so important and I think everyone needs to see it.

Waterparks “Dizzy”: Since their debut album Double Dare just turned one, it felt appropriate to include this in my favorites. I’ve been listening to this song on repeat since I saw them during All Time Low’s Young Renegade tour. I felt this song in my soul, I can’t wait to hear it live when I see them again in December.

Grayscale “Love Yourself” (Justin Bieber cover): I’ve been bopping to Punk Goes Pop 7 since it’s release and this song has been at the top of my list of favorite tracks. If you’ve been sleeping on Grayscale, wake yourself up and check them out. Their album Adornment is absolute fire and deserves to be appreciated.

Stranger Things: So…I’ve watched the new season of Stranger Things twice since its release so clearly – it was a favorite in October. The gang is back and facing new evils from The Upside Down including a shadow monster and “demodogs”? We were also introduced to a few new characters including Max and Billy Hargrove (Billy is a human garbage disposal. Max, you’re doing amazing sweetie), and Bob Newby – the superhero we truly deserved. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll fall in love with Hawkin’s #1 babysitter, Steve Harrington. Watch it.

Okay, I’m going to stop there because we’ll be here all day. Tell me what you’ve been loving in the comments below!

Being cruelty free is something I feel very passionately about. Animal testing is gross and I don’t want to support brands that participate in this act. So, I’ve been trying to revamp my life to fade out products from brands that test on animals and make room for more cruelty free options. I’ve swapped out hair care products, makeup and skincare items, to make room for better alternatives. My collection is now about 98% cruelty free, apart from a few items here or there that I’m trying to use up.

I try to do as much research as I can when it comes to buying new products, especially skincare. A few of the websites that I frequently use to discover cruelty free brands are: Logical Harmony, Leaping Bunny, and Cruelty Free Kitty. These are all great resources to help you find what brands to avoid when trying to make the switch to cruelty free.

When it comes to makeup, making the switch wasn’t too difficult. Most the brands I enjoyed and bought frequently were already cruelty free, which was a plus when it came to decluttering and getting rid of non-cruelty free items. This was also the case when it came to hair care products. Skincare was a bit trickier because my skin has always been delicate so it required extra TLC. Having crazy-sensitive skin is never fun. It’s also no fun to take care of as well when the tiniest thing can irritate your skin. I also have combination skin so combating an oily T-zone while fighting dry cheeks can be a pain too.

In my skincare routine, I’ve discovered that less is more when it comes to sensitive skin. The less products I slap on my face, the less I worry about irritating my skin. Using products that are all natural is also something I aim for. With all natural products, I don’t have to worry about unnecessary chemicals in my skincare that can serve as irritants – thus not having to deal with angry skin later. Thankfully, a lot of the brands that feature all natural products are cruelty free.

Cleanser:

Lush’s Aqua Marina: I’ve mentioned this before but I’m going to mention it again because it’s that good. I’m already on my third container and I’m going to continue to repurchase this. This cleanser is perfect for those with sensitive skin because it’s formulated to calm and soothe sensitive skin. It has calamine powder and seaweed to help nourish and soothe irritated skin. It also has a small amount of very-fine sea salt for exfoliation. It’s so fine that you don’t even feel it. This is a plus for us sensitive skin babes because exfoliants that are too gritty can tear your skin, leading to more issues.

Alba Bontanica Acnedote Face Wash: This is great for those that want to deep clean their pores and deal with blemishes. This cleanser is formulated with salicylic acid and willow bark extract to unclog pores and leave your skin feeling refreshed. While I don’t deal with acne (other than the occasional hormonal breakout) I love using this for a deep cleanser at night to clear away the daily grime. (The Acnedote astringent is fantastic too!) I apply this with my Eco Tools facial brush. It's soft and perfect to provide a little extra exfoliation. It's also cruelty free and vegan.

Toner:

Thayer’s Rose Petal Witch Hazel: This stuff is amazing. If you’ve heard someone rave about this before – it’s well worth the hype. This toner is filled with natural ingredients to help cleanse, tone and soothe the skin. Some toners tend to irritate my face and this is one of the first toners I’ve used that didn’t sting my face. If you like the smell of roses, you’ll love this. If roses aren’t your thing, fear not because they have toners in cucumber, lavender, original, and unscented.

Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic: Now, this is what I use when I need some extra TLC for my skin. The Glow Tonic is an exfoliating toner designed to purify and tone the skin, leaving behind an even tone and texture. It has a low percentage of glycolic acid, which is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid used to slough off dead skin and stimulate cell resurfacing to help even the skin tone. It also has aloe vera to help soothe and hydrate your skin. Now, while it’s a low dosage of glycolic acid you could still experience a bit of stinging if you’re sensitive like myself. It only lasts for a couple of seconds and then it’s gone but just be weary. Using products with AHA’s or BHA’s can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sun so make sure to use a sunscreen or a moisturizer with SPF. Hint- using SPF’s helps with hyperpigmentation and evening the skin tone and texture.

Moisturizer:

Lush Imperialis Moisturizer: This moisturizer is formulated to work with most skin types, but it’s great for sensitive skin! It’s formulated to help soothe and ease irritations. It featured lavender to help balance the skin and orange blossom water to brighten dull complexions.

Alba Bontanica Hawaiian Oil-Free Moisturizer: This is a lightweight moisturizer that’s perfect for those with oily or combination skin because it’s oil-free. It doesn’t go on greasy or too thick so it provides the right amount of hydration without causing your face to be too oily. It’s infused with aloe, green tea, gotu, kola, and cucumber extracts so it’s filled with antioxidants to help balance and even the skin tone and texture. A great affordable alternative to Imperialis.

Serum:

Insta Natural Hyaluronic Acid Serum: This serum helps to prove deep hydration and nourish dull and dry complexions. While I don’t have dry skin, this serum has helped minimize texture on my skin and has helped keep it looking bright. It has Vitamin C which paired with Hyaluronic Acid, helps reduce fine lines, texture, and discoloration. The texture of this serum is a lightweight gel and it quickly sinks into the skin. Because of how hydrating this is, I only apply this at night and after letting it sink in, I go in with my moisturizer. If you have dry skin, you can apply this both morning and at night.

Masks:

Lush's Ayesha: This is my all-time favorite mask from Lush. It's a clay mask that helps tighten, tone and brighten dull, tired complexions. It's a blend of vitamin-rich kiwi to brighten dull spots, asparagus to exfoliate, and honey to hydrate and soothe redness. It also has witch hazel which helps tighten and tone the skin. You store it in the fridge so it feels nice and cool when you apply it to the skin. It's a great physical exfoliant for sensitive skin because it's not grainy or overly abrasive so it helps soften the skin without over-exfoliating and causing micro-tears. It's one of Lush's fresh face masks so it's only available in stores. 

Making the switch to cruelty free can be difficult but it’s well worth it. Especially when you find those holy grail products that become staples in your routine. Research is your best friend and there are a ton of sources online that help provide great resources on what brands to buy – and which to avoid. If you have any brand recommendations let me know!