Vegan Cuts Beauty and Snack Box Unboxing - September 2014

  I'm back on video! In this video, I go through the September versions of the Vegan Cuts Beauty Box and Snack Box! I'm still subscribing because I still love these boxes. The hardest part about going cruelty-free, when it comes to beauty, is simply doing the research. Some companies make it really difficult to tell if they test on animals or if certain ingredients are animal-derived. I love that Vegan Cuts does the hard part for me for me! I've learned about so many great brands and products through the monthly beauty box and snack box. (You might also notice my hair is different! I finally got the haircut I've been wanting for years!) Try your own beauty or snack box...

Have you tried a monthly subscription box?

Disclaimer: I am an affiliate for Vegan Cuts. All opinions and purchases are my own.

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Rabbit Heart

Last week, I got my first-ever tattoo. A lot of people I've talked to thought I already had one (my mom even said she figured I had a secret tattoo I was hiding from her...!).

In truth, I have wanted tattoos for most of my life, but I knew I wanted them to be very, very significant to me. That's why its taken me so long to get one - I wanted it to be thought-out, something that would age well and age with me, something that would always be important to me.

One of the biggest aspects of my day-to-day life is being vegan. While my other hobbies have changed, I've had an interest in animal rights for the almost 10 years. Being vegetarian, then vegan, has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. I knew tattooing something to signify my identity as a vegan would be  important to me, but I also wanted to be careful. 

The last thing I want is a regrettable tattoo, and while I think I'll avoid animal products forever, there may be a day where I don't identify with the vegan label. I've also had a few friends with somewhat political tattoos that end up resenting the daily barrage of questions that come with wearing their beliefs on their sleeve (literally). I wanted my vegan tattoo to be more symbolic, artistic, and personal than tattooing the word on my body somewhere.

I decided on a bunny because they are the symbol for animal testing and also super cute. I've always felt a connection with rabbits. If I don't feel like discussing veganism with the inevitable stranger who might ask, though, I can always just say I really like rabbits. I also picked a placement that's easy to show off or hide, depending on the situation. (And, yes, I totally thought about cosplay when I chose where I wanted my tattoo!)

I went to Annie at Golden Age Tattoos with an idea for the design I wanted (bunny in a frame, lots of feminine elements). I was totally shocked when I saw the sketch - it was like she took the image directly from my brain. Absolutely perfect! She got to work right away. It hurt, but only about as much as I expected. A few parts were more painful than others (those flowers took so many layers of color - ouch!) but the whole piece was done in about 4 hours. And, by the way - Annie uses vegan ink! 

So now I'm officially tattooed with a large piece, and I love it. I think it reflects my style perfectly, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. 

Do you have any tattoos? Do they have a special meaning to you?

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June Vegan Cuts Beauty Box - Unboxing Video + Review

I've been wanting to work with video content for a while! I've made a few videos before, but none on my new channel (I had to switch around my G+ accounts when I changed emails... it's kind of a nightmare, I don't recommend it!). When I got my Vegan Cuts Beauty Box in the mail, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to try out video again.

A few things I learned from this video:

• Everything takes longer than you expect it to when you're learning a new skill. I'm pretty much a total newbie at video editing, finding audio tracks I can use, making YouTube outros, you name it!
• Nobody likes the sound of their own voice.
• Looking into the camera is hard!

Video are some of the hardest things to make since there are so many factors to try to get right in one take. Am I looking at the camera? Did I say something that makes sense? Was my face weird? At least when I take photos, I can take a billion until I know I got a good one. Video is a little bit different, but I know I'll get better with practice.

Anyway, on to the video! Here's my initial thoughts on all the items in the box.

Vegan Cuts Beauty Box Unboxing

June Vegan Cuts Beauty Box Review

Like I said in the video, I was very satisfied with my purchase. I've done a Vegan Cuts Beauty Box before, and this one was even better! This box was the perfect mix of items I know I'll love and items that will be fun to try. I also thought it was a fantastic value - $20 for 7 products, several of which are full-size. Rad!

(Not pictured: nyl Velvet Transformative Serum)

This box included...

• Parissa Warm Wax kit
• Superchic Lacquer in Figment of my Reality
• Pacifica eye pencil
• nyl Velvet Transformative Serum
• La Fresh nail polish remover pads
• Lip Glosserie Light Asian Pear Lip Balm
• Grasse Roots Perfumery in Geisha

One thing I didn't notice until I looked up these products is how many of these companies are indie or based on Etsy. Super cool! I'm always happy to support small businesses.

I'm most excited about the nail polish because I'm a huge fan of mint polish, but there's not a single product in this mix that I'm unhappy with. I can't wait to see what's in next month's box - and of course, I'll update you all!

Try your own beauty or snack box...

Have you ever tried a subscription box?

Disclaimer: I am an affiliate for Vegan Cuts. All opinions and purchases are my own.

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