It’s a no-brainer to me that all skincare and make up products should be natural and cruelty free. Harsh chemicals? Why on earth put them on your skin, when we really know that it’s genetics, diet and exercise that play the most crucial part? We’ve all got our insecurities and we all worry about the efficacy of what we’re using and whether it has genuine effect, but the more I’ve researched and tried and tested, it’s become obvious that pure and natural, time-honoured ingredients have the head start. I’ve been using plant oils on my face EVERY night for years and, without sounding braggy, I’ve had a fair few comments that I don’t look my age. The Stylish Stuff is passionate about ethical, cruelty free and a genuinely kinder approach to living.
Today’s post is one I’m super-excited about. Teaming up with one of my favourite brands, Free People, we bring you a selection of products from its latest venture, FP Beauty & Wellness. It’s an exciting online boutique of carefully curated brands, REALLY GOOD brands, that are not tested on animals, natural, mostly organic and vegan. The site has a massive bohemian following so this is a clever move by them to tune into the health and wellbeing of its core customer. Consumers can also post reviews and photographs, and start conversations about the products, effectively becoming involved in future orders. For my part, it means that when I (virtually) step into their online store, I can one-stop-shop beauty and fashion, all in one delightful basket. What’s not to love? We’ve created a series of images to reflect the quality of the make up and skincare on offer. There are tips and there are beautiful pictures, photographed in nature. Something to inspire you, I hope…
Free People Everlasting Love Blouse
NATURE GIRL: For a fresh, natural make up look, it’s important to prep the skin properly, something our make up artist for this story, Frances Prescott firmly believes in. Normally one to treat her models to a facial massage and re-jeuvenating face masque, Frances was time poor and instead spritzed model Natasha’s face with the super refreshing BioAffinity Skin Tonic, and then applied 2 drops of the organic Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil, (super thirst-quenching for dehydrated skin) to the face and neck before leaving it all to soak in.
*Tip: People can be nervous of using oils on the face, but it’s really the best way to rehydrate dry skin, especially when it’s this pure. It’s also a great travel companion for frequent flyers, plus, if you add a few drops to your moisturiser (1 drop in the morning, 3 at night) it gives your skin a nutritious extra boost. Just let it soak in for a few minute before you put your make up on.
For a flushed cheek, Rituel de Fille Lovesick Cream Blush was applied to the apple of the cheekbone, then blended with the Desire Cream Blush just under the cheekbones for a little light shading & contouring. For the eyes, Frances used the Vapour Moonlight Illuminator for an all over glow, this was followed by a dab of Lovesick Cream Blush on the lips.
First, Frances applied Pai Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream to the face. She then highlighted the skin with Vapour’s Halo Moonlight Highlighter Stick using her fingers, applying to the cheekbones, brow bones, temples and cupids bow (above the lip). It’s really light, so can be used under foundation for a beautiful all over glow. Because Natasha’s skin was so gorgeous, she then mixed more of the day cream with the Vapour soft Focus Foundation to give a lighter covering. This is a great way to lighten your normal foundation in the summer.
*Tip: Wear your highlighter under your foundation, rather than on top, as it gives a softer daytime glow. It also prevents any heavy lines or smudges.
Pai Skincare was founded in 2007 when founder, Sarah Brown sought a way to create the cleanest plant-based skin care on the market. It’s especially formulated and proven effective for people with very sensitive skin. 100% certified vegan.
Vapour’s approach to crafting high-performance cosmetics means only the purest, active ingredients are used and nothing else. With an unwavering commitment to both sustainability and luxury, they are reinventing the concept of ‘organic’ beauty.
THE FIRST FLUSH: For an on-trend, more heavily flushed cheek, Frances added stronger colour with Rituel de Fille Lovesick Cream Blush blended using her fingertips.
Free People Forever Lace Babydoll
Soft Focus
Rituel de Fille was founded by three sisters; Michelle, Caroline and Katherine Ramos and inspired by the magical side of natural ingredients and the ritualistic, ceremonial power of colour. Every hue is formulated in-house with carefully selected pigments, oils and waxes and made in the USA. 
JUST PEACHY: One product can multi-task and yes you can use your lipstick as a blusher too. For this look Frances used Rituel De Fille Enchanted Lip Sheer in Love-Ache to create a punchy hit of colour on the lips, then added the lipstick lightly on to the apple of the cheeks and blended.
*Tip: Just make sure your skin is moisturized and free from any powders in order to use your lipsticks as a crème blush on cheeks.
GLOW GIRL: There’s nothing quite so alluring as the golden glow you get when you’ve been hanging out on the beach, the tan, the shimmering residue of sun lotion still on your skin. Thing is, you can find a bottled version and Frances used Kopari Coconut Body Glow to create just that look on our model Natasha. After giving the bottle a good shake it was applied directly to the face and then to the shoulders, spread over the décolleté and finally, the arms. It smells of warm summer skin and is incredibly nourishing and conditioning.
*Tip: Use it lightly for a soft, sun kissed sheen, or more generously for a gloriously strong glow. 
Free People Sassy in Sequin Cami (Rose Gold coming soon)
Kopari aims to enhance beauty through the use of all-natural, organic ingredients that have the added bonus of making you look gorgeous and feel great. The coconuts are sourced from the Philippine Islands, the products are ethically manufactured in California and are 100% vegan. Win Win.
MAKING WAVES: Frances first tonged and tousled the hair, then sprinkled some of the Yarok Dry Shampoo into her hands and proceeded to work it through the hair from the scalp outwards. This has a freshening effect boosting volume and body. Not just for dirty hair it’s an amazing styling tool for clean hair too, to give added body and texture.
*Tip. Being able to shake this product into the hands is much better way to work it into the hair than a spray. You can’t over apply, meaning it will last longer, and it also stops any white colour lingering at the scalp ends, PLUS, no nasty fumes or smells.
BRIGHT EYES: For our rock ‘n’ roll boho evening look, Frances used Rituel de Fille Ash & Amber Eye Soot in Lovespell applying it first with a cotton bud onto the upper rim and under the eye and them blending across the top lid with her fingers. For the lips, she used Vapour Elixir Plumping Lip-gloss in Pout, blotting it with her fingertip to give a matte finish
Vintage slip, Shelly’s own. 
HEALTHY SHINE: for beautiful, beachy tousled locks, Frances added Yarok Feed Your Shine Hair Serum to Natasha’s hair. Simply spray it into your hands and scrunch or rub on to sections, starting from the ends then lightly upwards. This product smells delicious, conditions the hair AND enhances your natural shine.
YAROK’s focus is to make the greatest positive impact on hair and scalp health with the least negative impact on the natural environment. 100% vegan. Yarok Dry Shampoo and Yarok Feed Your Shine Hair Serum. 
Oh, and just because our shoot timings didn’t allow the luxury of a masque, it doesn’t mean we haven’t selected one for you. Test drive this, the Artifact Bali Papaya Rice Masque. It brightens, it exfoliates and yes, it’s very very good.
Just add one floaty Free People Bridal Magnolia Gown and a Fedora. Job done.
If you want more information or listings of cruelty free products, check out one of my favourite sites www.crueltyfreekitty.com. She really does her homework.
Click here for more information on the FP Beauty and Wellness collection:
Fashion & Style Director / Still Life Photography Shelly Vella
Photographer Emma Sweeney
Make up & Hair Frances Prescott @ S Management
Model Natasha K at Models 1
A big thank you to Lisa Goody at Free People