I recently had the chance to try out some new cosmetics from a company called Stowaway, and honestly, I don’t even know where to begin with the praise. There is SO much to love about Stowaway Cosmetics, and their travel sized makeup is perfect for ladies with wanderlusting hearts.
You see, I’ve been on the lookout lately for brands–and makeup specifically–whose ethics I can stand behind. Because as has recently come to my attention, the majority of major makeup brands available to me in drugstores participate, either directly or indirectly, in animal testing.
And that ain’t cool with me.
If you’re as shocked to learn this as I was, do yourself a favor and check out this mighty list of cosmetics brands with questionable ethics and think twice before supporting them with your purchases.
As an empath with a particularly soft spot for animals, it hurt me to discover that I’d been unwittingly supporting this practice with my makeup choices for so many years.
But, rather than sulk about it, I made a quiet promise to myself and all my furry friends that I’d make better choices moving forward; furthermore, that I would do my best to use this platform to sing the praises of ethical brands the moment I stumbled upon them so others could make better choices, too.
Related post: Pack Lighter and Do More With Multiway Clothing From Encircled
Disappointing as it is to learn that so many corporations choose profits over compassion, I want this information to be a source of empowerment. And although it may mean loosening my purse strings to support the brands that are out there doing the right thing, to me, it’s a cause that’s more than worthy.
And of course, becoming a more conscious consumer is a journey, and I don’t expect to be perfect–the goal is simply to always be learning and improving.
Anywho, back to the real purpose of this blog post: to sing the praises of Stowaway Cosmetics, my new favorite makeup brand for travel and everyday life.
What I Love About Stowaway
- Ethics: Let’s start with the most obvious–Stowaway is cruelty-free. No animal testing here, folks. They passed my first test. Their products are also gluten-free and contain mostly vegan ingredients.
- Sizing: Stowaway Cosmetics are made in smaller sizes, and this serves a number of purposes:
- You’re able to finish the products before they expire
- It creates less waste
- You get high-quality products at smaller prices
- They’re a convenient (dare I say perfect?) size for travel
- Safety: Stowaway Cosmetics are free from chemicals like parabens and phthalates that are banned in the EU but still legal in the US
- Sustainability: When you’re done with Stowaway Cosmetics (and you will finish them for once, because they’re small enough!), don’t throw out that packaging. Instead, return them to Stowaway to be recycled–you’ll get a $5 credit toward your next purchase with every three products you send in!
- Quality: Speaking as someone who tries out new makeup a lot, I can assure you these products perform among the best of them. The BB cream is light and nongreasy, the lip rouge adds just enough color with a lasting matte finish, and the eyeshadow won’t settle into your eyelid creases. But don’t just take my word for it, check out my before and after photos below to see what Stowaway can do!
- Convenience: When (not if) you fall in love with Stowaway Cosmetics, create an account and sign up for their subscription service to have your favorite products renewed at intervals of your choosing.
The Lineup
I was fortunate enough to get to sample a variety of Stowaway’s products. Their categories include Lips, Eyes, and Face and you can choose individual products or purchase a set package which includes a mix depending on what you plan to use it for or what color palette you’re after.
The products I sampled included:
- Radiant Complexion BB Cream
- Creaseless Concealer
- Creme Lipstick
- Cheek & Lip Rouge
- Effortless Eyeliner
- Essential Eye Palette
I’m a rather fair-skinned gal with undertones of pink and yellow, so I chose the Fair shade of BB cream and concealer. My lipstick and rouge came in flirty pink Peony, the eyeliner came in a brown shade called Spice, and my eye palette included neutrals ranging from shimmery nude to matte brown and black.
The only product I regret not trying is the Defined Volume Mascara! So in the photos below, everything I’m wearing is from Stowaway except for the mascara.
But before we get to the finished look, I thought you should see what I look like with a fresh no-makeup face. Not too shabby if I do say so myself (transitioning to a plant-based diet has done wonders for my skin!).
Makeup-Free Me
In the next photo, you’ll see what my makeup might look like on a standard day of working and running errands. I prefer makeup to look as natural as possible, and I definitely felt like I achieved that with Stowaway.
The BB cream evened out my skin tone and covered up red spots brilliantly. The concealer was applied at the corners of my eyes where my skin is darkest and I would use it to cover any major pimples since the BB cream is a little too thin for that. I’m also wearing the Cheek & Lip rouge for a bright lip and a subtle blush effect. The only thing on my eyes is a quick swipe of mascara on the top lashes.
BB Cream + Concealer + Cheek & Lip Rouge
The next photo shows a look I might wear for a special occasion or a night out. I put the Essential Eye Palette and the Effortless Eyeliner to work to create a more dramatic eye, which is very rare for me these days but fun every once in awhile.
The neutral colors were just right to avoid being overpowering and the Effortless Eyeliner really is effortless to apply. It twists up so it’s always sharp, and at the age of 30, I finally know how to get gel eyeliner right the first time.
Same as Above + Eyeshadow & Eyeliner
My one and only wish is that Stowaway’s BB cream contained sun protection. I never leave the house without sunscreen on my face! These days, I use the Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 by Murad (another cruelty-free brand).
Travel Sized Makeup for Frequent Fliers
I wanted to touch one more time on the practicality of Stowaway Cosmetics for travel. These products were made with the frequent flier in mind, and I know my fellow travelers will appreciate this aspect the most!
As you may have noticed, nothing in Stowaway’s product lineup is too big to travel in your carry-on. The BB cream is just 0.85 fluid ounces (25 ml) so you can speed through those security gates with no issue.
The eyeshadow palette is the largest of the products I sampled, and it’s no bigger than a credit card. It even fits snugly in the palm of my hand, and at just 5′ tall, I’m willing to bet I’ve got the smallest hands of anybody you know.
These diminutive sizes also mean Stowaway products won’t weigh down your purse. If you want to store them all in one place, consider purchasing their lightweight cloth carrying pouch.
I think so far, my favorite product is the two-in-one Cheek & Lip Rouge. This little guy comes with me everywhere I go these days. Whenever I need a little boost of color, I add it to my lips first and dab the remaining bit on the apples of my cheeks for a rosy glow.
It will definitely come in handy on long travel days–you know, the ones that have a tendency to leave you looking washed out and sickly? Never again arrive at your destination looking like the walking dead!
A Final Word on Corporate Social Responsibility
While some amazing companies like Stowaway accept responsibility for their impact on the environment and other living beings and make efforts to minimize that impact (beyond what’s required of them by regulatory agencies), they are still in the minority.
This means that it’s our responsibility as consumers to do some research and discern which ones deserve our hard-earned dollars and which ones do not. If money is the only language that certain corporations understand, we can send a clear message by sending our money elsewhere.
I implore you not to fall into the trap of thinking our actions and our choices don’t matter. After all, a bucket of water is filled one drop at a time; a movement starts with just one person.
You don’t have to make radical changes to your lifestyle–you can begin by simply paying closer attention. Research, learn, adapt. You’re bound to make mistakes along the way just as I have, but mistakes merely mean you’re trying.
A Gift for You
As a small token of appreciation from myself and Stowaway Cosmetics, readers of The Sweetest Way can receive 20% off any order by using the discount code OCTBESTKIT17 during checkout.
I’m certain you’ll love Stowaway products as much as I have.
Do you make an effort to support ethical and socially responsible brands? Share some of your favorites in the comments!
I received a sampling of Stowaway Cosmetics to try out at no cost. They didn’t ask me to write this review, but I fell in love with their products and their principles and thought you guys deserved to know about them, too. Naturally, the opinions expressed here are my own.
