vegan Tagged

The Fast & The Savory

By
Hadrian Miguel
Published: February 1, 2013Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine CultureTags: , , , , , , , , , ,
The Fast & The Savory

by Hadrian, Life & Style Director

L.A. is a mecca for veganistos, but often when looking for a yummy vegan restaurant, the choices have occasionally been places where the unifying characteristic was a total lack of flavor or imagination, or a fave spot that has come & gone just as quickly as it caught on.

Learning how to find ample variety, nutrition and mouth-watering flavors in a vegan diet can often be complex and challenging, and my eye on L.A. is relishing two great choices that are here to stay, the best in tasty, vegan bites without sacrificing taste and selection.

The Veggie Grill

The Veggie Grill is a vegan resto with mass appeal that specializes in quick, quality meatless meals or mock meat dishes of popular and familiar American comfort foods at a great value (nothing on the menu is over $10).

The heart of the menu and the core of their nutritional philosophy is plant-based foods and vegetable proteins like tempeh (a soy- and rice culture-based food, seitan (aka wheat meat), and their exclusive Chillin’ Chickin’ and Veggie-Steak (a veggie protein blend of soy, wheat, and peas)…all of which resembles the flavor and texture of chicken and beef.

The Veggie Grill’s ultimate goal is to serve you delicious and wholesome food. By wholesome, they mean good calories and good fats that are 100% plant-based. Nutrient-rich, and free of cholesterol, animal fat and trans fat, their food fills you with goodness.

 

super stacked veggie-steak burger

Everything is marinated and seasoned well, and there’s absolutely no meat, dairy, eggs, seafood, high-fructose corn syrup, refined sugar, or animal products. Other Veggie Grill goodness includes Quinoa, Kale, Portobello Mushrooms, and Red Cabbage. Their menu also offers gluten-free, soy-free, and wheat-free options too if you have some food sensitivities.

The super-delish standouts here are the Thai Chickin Wrap, Santa Fe Crispy Chickin’ Burger, and the Carne Asada Sandwich served on a wheat bun/roll, and the All Hail Kale Salad…and don’t forget the side of Sweetheart Fries (their sweet potato fries lightly-fried in canola (an oil, free of trans fat and rich in polyunsaturated good fats).

The carrot cake is TDF  (to die for) with apple sauce, tofu, and evaporated cane juice as some of the natural sources used to create their indulgent desserts that you can really enjoy and feel way less guilty about eating!

Opened in 2006 in Orange County, The Veggie Grill now has several fast-casual Southern California eateries including Santa Monica, Hollywood, West Hollywood, the Farmer’s Market in LA, El Segundo, Torrance, and the original Orange County locations in Irvine. What we also dig is that all locations recycle whenever possible, use biodegradable plastic bags, recyclable and recycled materials which includes their Tectum walls and ceilings. The Veggie Grill locations also utilize highly sustainable timbers like reconstituted Bamboo for flooring and Kiri for the counters.

The Veggie Grill is open from 11 am – 10 pm with the exception of the WeHO location on Sunset Blvd. which is open until 11 pm.

BabyCakes LA

Erin McKenna, owner of Babycakes. Photo Source: Andrew Theodorakis /NY Daily News

It’s on like donkey kong for the perfect treats, which brings me to the local Los Angeles version of Manhattan’s illustrious Lower East Side bakery BabyCakes in Downtown L.A.

There’s absolutely no sugarcoating here at BabyCakes. While most sweet offerings in other wildly popular cupcakeries are ruled by desserts overflowing with sugar, chemical sweeteners, flour and butter cream, Babycakes comes to the rescue with its vegan, kosher, gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free, egg-free, dairy-free, casein-free, and refined sugar-free fare.

So, now you’re probably wondering WTH is left to bake with then? Well, Babycakes takes advantage of rice flour, a garbanzo/fava bean mix, canola and cold pressed virgin coconut oil, applesauce, flax, and as the sweetener- agave nectar (a natural syrup from a cactus which is low on the glycemia index and often a safe alternative to most non-insulin dependant diabetics) for all their glorious cupcakes, pies, doughnuts, muffins, sweet breads, brownies, scones, cookies, and cakes.

 

baked beauties of Babycakes

They also sometimes use spelt flour (derived from a grain in some of its non gluten-free items), and occasionally, unprocessed and unrefined sugar is used in certain goods, although very sparingly.

 

The breakout stars on their menu are the scrumptious baked chocolate covered doughnut, the jam-filled biscuits, chocolate chip cookie sandwich, and any one of their cupcakes, but especially the Red Velvet will all make you drool. All their baked beauties are rich, magicly buttery (without the butter!), dense, and brimming with sweet flavors.

Babycakes LA is located at 130 E. 6th Street (between S. Main & S. Los Angeles streets) and opens at 10am daily and closing times that vary. They also have another LA location on Larchmont.

Although, I’ve given up meat, dairy and refined sugar,  there are very few eateries or bakeries that define themselves as vegan that I would hunt out given a range of other delectable choices, but it’s always a joy to find those little treasures like The Veggie Grill and Babycakes that have been a very welcome surprise…and makes it so much easier to stop my my flexitarian / near-vegan ways completely.

Stay tuned for my future journeys into night and the transformations of a vegan life.

You can reach me at hadrian@tangerineliving.com

Under PRESSure

By
Hadrian Miguel
Published: April 30, 2012Posted in: Featured Articles, Health and WellnessTags: , , , , , , ,
Under PRESSure

by Hadrian Miguel, Life & Style Director

With all of life’s stresses and pressures, it’s necessary to be well and eat well. By being the best we can be from the inside out, we will be more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and beaming with resilience…to bounce back no matter what lemons are thrown in our paths.

That’s why we’re simply mad about, not just any ol’ juicer, but hydraulic juice presses that will keep that, keep that body strong, and that’s the way I like it!

A hydraulic juice press extracts juice containing higher levels of nutrients from freshly ground up fruit and vegetables by squeezing the pulp using 2-4 tons of pressure. This is unlike other (electric) juicers that create oxidation, friction, and heat from a motor, ultimately decreasing and destroying nutrients and enzymes.

The crushing exerted by this pressing method of a hydraulic press will help preserve and collect the most enzymes, minerals and nutrients that would otherwise be left behind in the pulp and in other juicing machines. The pulp that comes out of other electric juicing machines still contain lots of juice. Without a presser, you have no other way of extracting it and good juice is wasted.

A hydraulic juicer produces juice of the highest quality. There is no oxidation involved in the juice pressing process, so your juice can stay fresh up to 3 or 4 days. The juice makes for extremely easy digestion and assimilation of essential nutrients.

Welles (Hydraulic) Juice Press

The hydraulic press machine is simple and less complicated than other juicing machines, manually operated, with no electricity needed, less parts, less things to wear out, and very easy to clean up.

This is how it works: freshly ground up fruits & vegetable is wrapped in mesh or cheese cloth. The purpose of the cloth is to hold this semi-fluid paste or pulp in place. The cloth also acts as a filter allowing juice to be pressed through while containing the ground up pulp inside. Then, utilizing hydraulic pressure to squeeze all the liquid and moisture out of the ground up pulp. This will produce the best quality and quantity of juice.

There are many manual, hydraulic press juicers out there and the cost is well worth the investment of about $300-$400. The Welles/Peoples Juice Press is one of our favorites because of it’s simple, sturdy design and because cleaning the Welles Juice Press is super easy, just slide the tray out along with the press plate and rinse it in warm water. Rinse the pressing cloth and store it in the freezer to keep it sterile.

But if cost is an issue, then look to the web for some crafty DIY-ers that have assembled and constructed affordable homemade versions that make juicing easy on your wallet for about $119, and we think that is just super-cool! Check out My Juice Press for more details.


Living La Vida Vegan

By
Hadrian Miguel
Published: October 5, 2011Posted in: Featured Articles, Health and WellnessTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Living La Vida Vegan

by Hadrian, Life & Style Director

I love animals, just not for breakfast, lunch, or dinner anymore, nor for the snacks in between.

My journey to la vida veganista (& vegetarianism) has been a clear choice for me and almost seamless because of the exceptional choices and fabulicious flavors (minus just a few missteps when traveling and dining out). While it might not be an economic or unfathomable choice for most, it’s definitely one to consider.

So, open your mouth nice and wide and try some meatless meals this October to participate in Vegetarian Awareness Month. And—if you open your mind just a little bit, you just might find a great meal without meat in it a little more often.

Let’s suppose you’ve decided to eat less meat, or are contemplating it. Here is a list of some of the best, and highly-recommended veggie-friendly and vegan food havens from the left coast to the east and some spots in between:

Los Angeles

Flore 

This Silverlake jaunt is a vegan resto that uses organic ingredients, and has tasty gluten- and soy-free options for those with food sensitivities.

A favorite of mine for brunch (and now din din), it also has a delicious and much more extensive dinner menu. The “Chicken & Waffles” is my go-to Sunday morning must-have. It’s lightly-breaded and seared faux chicken served atop potatoes and smothered in mushroom gravy…hmm hmm good! Other brunch goodness includes the “Classic Tempeh Reuben”, grilled & marinated tempeh served on rye with layers of cashew & tofu cheese, sauerkraut, and 1000 Island.

For dinner I’ve had the “Eastsider Tacos”, seasoned seitan on stone ground tortillas and topped with cashew cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and with a side of cilantro cream, pico de gallo, and black beans and brown rice. You must try vegan carrot cake and chocolate strawberry cake, they’re delish too.

I’ll most definitely be back to discover even more vegan treasures there.

Flore is located at 3818 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026. Hours vary, Mon: 11am – 4pm, Tues – Fri: 11am – 10pm, Weekends: 10am – 10 pm. Breakfast served until 1 pm.

 

Native Foods Cafe

Native Foods Cafe is a vegan restaurant designed to meet the needs of today’s discriminating, health-conscious diners looking for great-tasting food… both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.  Native Foods was founded 17 years ago by acclaimed vegan chef Tanya Petrovna and its success can be measured by its 6 locations in Southern California (and a 7th in Encinitas opening soon), 3 in Chicago, and in Portland, Oregon opening in November.

This is where I go for their delectable “Ensalada Azteca Salad” (with fresh avocado, cucumber and jicama salsa atop quinoa, romaine and Chef Tanya’s award winning mango lime vinaigrette and finished off with currants, toasted pumpkin seeds and cilantro), the “Greek Gyro” (thinly sliced Native Peppered Seitan sautéed with shallots on quinoa, steamed vegetables, and kale with lemon garlic sauce and hummus, served with grilled flatbread), and the “Chicken Run Ranch Burger” (crispy-battered Native Chicken, ranch dressing, romaine, carrots, and onions). Native Chicken is made from free range soy, wheat and pea protein.

They create their cheese by creatively blending cashews, sunflower seeds and other nuts to create textures from creamy to crumbly, and all desserts are dairy-free, cholesterol-free and refined sugar-free.

And while you’re there, do not forget the “Crispy Sweet Potatoe Fries” (lightly fried in canola and seasoned with curry), the “Watermelon Agua Fresca” (fresh watermelon juice with a touch of mint and sweetened with organic agave), and the “Chocolate Love Pie” (thick and lustfully creamy chocolate filling in a delicious spiced almond crust).

I’ve had almost everything here, and nothing has ever disappointed. This is definitely one of the best vegan places in Los Angeles!

And check out some other L.A. vegan goodies previously reported The Fast & The Savory at Tangerine Living.

San Francisco

Gracias Madre

Gracias Madre is serving 100% Organic Mexican cuisine in the heart of La Mission in my beloved hometown of San Francisco. Gracias Madre is vegan, and the menu is seasonal and determined by what is currently available at their organic (Biodynamic method) Be Love Farm in Pleasants Valley, California. It was started by  Terces and Matthew Engelhart (of popular and renowned Café Gratitude).

Gracias Madre’s seasonal menu respects the Earth and her cycles and showcases local fruit and vegetables at their peak so that our food is fresh, vibrant and flavorful. They believe that eating local, organic food prepared simply and with love is medicine for both the body and spirit.

I love it here, it always feel warm, authentic, and well, home-y! I can never get enough of their Empanada (homemade pastry filled with grilled plantains, served on a bed of spicy mole sauce, topped with cashew cream), the Pozole (traditional hominy stew in an ancho-chile broth), the Tamal (stoneground heirloom masa steamed in the husk filled with sautéed zucchini and onions, served with beans and escabeche), Be Love Farm Peach Cobbler (served warm with Dulce de Leche Ice Cream) …and the cocteles (the sangria, mojito, and margaritas made with agave and soju are simply irresistable!)

They offer the non-GMO varieties of heirloom corn to make their handmade tortillas and tamales, and all of the cheeses, milks and ice creams are made using nuts.

Gracias Madre is located at 2211 Mission Street, San Francisco, California. Open 11am-11pm, 7 days a week.

Golden Era Vegetarian Restaurant

Golden Era was introduced to me by a good friend last year when I went home for a visit. A group of us ate there together and I was amazingly surprised how mouthwatering and lush the cuisine was…it’s one of the reasons I eventually became vegan! I never thought food could taste this good.

The freshly prepared vegan dishes feature the bold and delicious flavors of Aulacese (Vietnamese), Chinese, Indian, and Thai and everything is prepared from scratch daily and with only the freshest premium vegan ingredients…and no MSG, milk, or egg.

Golden Era is in the epicenter of the TL, the Tenderloin( or if you want to be bourgie, you’d say Tender Nob). So, by no means is it in a fancy locale, but let me tell you the food is downright ambrosial. What’s good is their specialty dishes “Happy Tamarind” with slices of soy “beef” cooked in sweet tamarind sauce and served w/ vegan chips, “The Queens Chicken” with soy “chicken” caramelized in sweet chili soy sauce and embedded on lettuce, tomato, and cucumber, and the “Pho” with Vietnamese rice noodle soup w/ organic tofu, soy protein, bean sprouts, and fresh basil.

Great taste and even better prices always wins… And, it’s so yummy too!

Golden Era Vegetarian Restaurant is located at 572 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco, California 94102. Open Wed-Mon 11am – 9pm, and closed Tuesdays.

New York

Blossom

Blossom serves organic vegan cuisine in a chic atmosphere, and encourages a vegan lifestyle with its principles and the 5 locations in New York which includes, their two restaurants Blossom and Cafe Blossom, two fast-food shops called Blossom Du Jour, and Cocoa V, their vegan chocolate boutique and wine cafe.

Blossom uses fresh organic ingredients from local farms and small distribution companies and all their dishes are animal free.

There’s many tasty eats here and the noteworthy standouts are: “Porcini Cigars” with hand-rolled phyllo filled with porcini mushrooms, almonds, and ground tempeh, served over a cashew pesto, finished with pomegranate seeds, “Seitan Skewers” with bbq’d seitan meat, onions and peppers, jicama carrot coleslaw, “Southern Seitan Sandwich” with spiced breaded seitan, caramelized onions, avocado, chipotle aioli on rosemary focaccia, “Soy Bacon Cheeseburger” with caramelized onions, tapioca cheddar, soy bacon, grilled mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, chipotle aioli on a sesame bun, and “Warm Spinach Salad” with tempeh bacon, crumbled soy filet, spincah, grilled Asian pear, and a citrus dressing.

If you’re ever in NYC, check out any one of their various spots…it’s well worth the trip!

Miami

Mac’n Food Truck

This is Miami’s first (and maybe only) 100% vegan eaterie on wheels that serves up a twist on soul food classics and where all cheeses and meats are plant-based alternatives.

Catch them if you can because the Soyrizo & Pepperjack Mac N’ Cheese is TDF, and the Pulled “Pork” Jackfruit Sandwich is my favorite, and the Sweet Potato Fries and the Portobello, Pea & Mozzarella Mac N’ Cheese are pretty darn good too.

All cheeses and meats are plant-based alternatives, and all of their sides are gluten-free, some soy-free & we have gluten-free noodles on hand at all times.  They have a dedicated GF (gluten-free) fryer, as well as pans & cooking utensils.

Small selection of eats, but it’s fresh and mostly made to order, and the great price is well worth any wait. Since it’s always on the move, locations vary, check Mac’n Food Truck website for more info.

Choices

Choices Cafe is an eaterie with all kinds of Organic, Mexican, Americana, and Thai goodness…something good for all tastes, and eating philosophies. It’s located in the heart of Miami’s Brickell neighborhood, and recently I discovered this cute cafe on my last visit to Miami.

Here you’ll find some creative and lovingly prepared foods, made from fresh and organic fruits and veggies.  The menu varies with daily specials and continues to grow and evolve, but they’ve created three menus to choose from “Soul-ution” with meatless alternatives to traditional foods like pizza, lasagne, burgers, and pancakes , “Raw-volution,” serves up wholesome raw foods like Pad Thai, a sprout salad, and “Evo-lution,” with healthier vegan meals like tacos, burrito, and salads.

Try the Tacos or Burrito with soy chorizo, so very yummy! I can’t wait to go back on my next visit to Florida, and see what other goodies they come up with.

What’s great here besides the great selections, but that everyone can individualize their salad, sandwich, burrito, juice or smoothie, or select from a wonderful range a ready-made plates of vegetarian sushi, rich salads and even vegan pizza if they want to.

Choices Cafe is located at 379 SW 15th Road, Miami, Florida. Open Tues – Fri 11:30am – 8:00pm, Weekend 9am – 9pm, and closed on Monday.

 

 

 

 

Last Exit to Brooklyn: Green Eats

By
Hadrian Miguel
Published: December 11, 2009Posted in: Featured Articles, Tangerine CultureTags: , , , , , , , ,
Last Exit to Brooklyn: Green Eats

by Hadrian Miguel, Lifestyle & Beauty Director

As an on-again and now currently off-again meat eater, I’m glad to have come across some real tasty food…and today, the 3rd stop on our Last Exit to Brooklyn tour takes us to two vegetarian and vegan eateries in Brooklyn.

VspotBKThe V-Spot in Park Slope specializes in Latin vegan food since its inception in 2006. It is 100% vegan, so no animal products of any kind. Created and owned by Colombian brothers Danny & Alex Carabaño, their menu offers plenty of healthy options with meals that are made with plenty of flavor and texture, and not of the bland variety of raw food and veggie-heavy fare often found in most stereotypical vegetarian places.

There are no meat products on the menu at all, and what you’ll find is a selection of terrific and yummy mock meat chow like their homemade crispy tortilla or plaintain Nachos with beans, guacamole, soy sour cream and salsa, and the golden brown Empanadas with carrots, potato, onion, and cilantro. Since I am always a sucker for a good cocktail, go try their juicy Mojito which is made with sake, organic champagne, mint, lime & sugar.

VspotPatio

back patio at V-Spot

There is literally something for everyone here: Italian, American, Mexican, and Colombian cuisine all serve to entice you to come back for more. And next time, I’m eager to try their Bandeja Paisa, a traditional Colombian dish of beans, rice, meat, and Hogao sauce that is served with arepas…hmmm, my mouth is watering with anticipation on the V-Spot’s meatless version. A friend favorite and high recommendation is for their take on the crunchy Buffalo Chicken Wings with Sesame Bleu Cheese, so I will have to give that a go on the next visit!

A great selection of organic wines and beer, as well as sake-based cocktails are available to complement the meals. I hear it’s also great for brunch on the weekends. Prices range as low as $4 for an appetizer, and as high as $16 for a specialty entrée.

Recommended goodies to try:

Poratbello Mushroom Spinach Tacos with spinach, mushroom, potato and avocado in corn tortillas and served with a spicy red sauce .

Tortilla Salad with a mix of mesclun greens, black beans, cherry tomatoes, corn, red peppers, avocado slices & crisp corn chips.

Sweet Potato Fries are handcut and unpeeled & sprinkled with salt & sugar, and the Maduros are sweet fried plantains.

All you can drink mimosas for $10 during Brunch on Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm, and 2-for-1 beer and wine all Friday night.

The V-Spot Cafe is located 156 Fifth Avenue (between Douglass and DeGraw streets in Park Slope). Nearby subway stops include the B, Q trains at Seventh Ave.; M, R trains at Union St.; and 2, 3 trains at Bergen St.

Their hours are Tuesday – Friday 1-10pm, Saturday 11 am- 10pm, and Sunday 11am-9pm. They are closed on Mondays. For more information go to their website or call (718) 622-2275.

RedBambooRed Bamboo also opened in 2006 and offers the very best in vegetarian and vegan soul food with a Caribbean kick. It is located in the Fort Greene / Clinton Hill neighborhood and describes itself as using only the finest soy, seitan, whole grain, fruits and vegetables to create dishes and drinks that gratify the discerning palate and comfort the soul.

Red Bamboo

street view of Red Bamboo

Red Bamboo not only offers Carribean and Soul food but Chinese, Indian, and Japanese-inspired dishes with choices like sizzling soy salmon, crispy vegetarian fish, sautéed soy catfish, and grilled soy beef. They have a full bar where you can enjoy cocktails in the cushy booths and a patio for outdoor seating when weather permits. Prices range as low as $4.50 for an appetizer, and as high as $12.95 for a specialty entrée.

Recommended goodies to try:

Collard Green Rolls are vegan rolls stuffed with sweet collard greens and vegetarian smoked faux-ham served with a sweet chili dipping sauce.

Cornmeal Crusted Calamari is ocean flavored soy protein crusted with yellow cornmeal with salt and pepper and served with a sweet vidalia onion dressing.

Citrus Beef with Asparagus is tangy orange flavored soy nuggets stir fried with red and yellow peppers, zucchini, tangerines and fresh asapargus. Served with brown or white rice.

Honey Lemon Catfish with sauteed soy catfish chunks marinated in sesame soy sauce and lemon topped with sesame seeds over a bed of kokuro rice with assorted steamed vegetables.

Red Bamboo is located at 271 Adelphi Street (between Willoughby Ave & Dekalb Ave in Fort Greene). Nearby subway stops include the G train at Clinton-Washington Aves; and the C train at either Lafayette Ave. or Fulton Street stations. Hours are: Monday – Wednesday 12pm – 12am, Thursday 12pm – 1am, Friday 12pm – 3am, Saturday 11am – 3 am, and Sunday 11am – 12am. For more information go to their website or call (718) 643-4352.

So, if you want to simply take a break from meat or are ready to eat vegetarian and vegan, then head on over to Park Slope and Fort Greene and you’ll find some excellent choices in there.

For me,  living a meatless lifestyle is much healthier, cheaper, and more green. In my ready, set, go world, I simply do not feel lethargic when my diet is rich in vegetables, fruits and antioxidants. In relation to global warming and climate change, here’s something to consider: direct emissions of methane from cows and pigs alone is a significant source of greenhouse gases. Methane is 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide as a global warming gas.

Join me here at Tangerine Living for our next destination and discovery of Brooklyn. Check out our other features in this series: Last Exit to Brooklyn: Colador Café and Last Exit to Brooklyn: Target Community Garden

You can contact me at hadrian@tangerineliving.com

The Evolution of Mascara

By
Chantal Moore
Published: August 18, 2009Posted in: Chantal Moore Makeup, Featured ArticlesTags: , , , ,
The Evolution of Mascara

by Chantal Moore, Beauty Editor

masc_12One of the questions I am asked most is “ what is your favorite mascara?” For me, not only does mascara have to perform, but it also needs to be cruelty free and I’d like it to be non toxic, too. Sadly, a lot of the best loved mascara brands on the market- still insist upon tesing on animals. Until these Companies “Wake Up”….I wouldn’t spend my money on them if I were you. Today, you have a choice. Luckily, there are more and more options for “evolved” mascaras out there. I am always talking to women about this and so I decided to present some mascaras that come up most frequently in conversations. I believe I have put together a pretty good sampling of some of the best non toxic, cruelty free mascaras that are on the market at every price point. I have pointed out the ones that are Vegan.

Dr Hauschka Volumizing ( Vegan)

Client’s report a notable difference in volume- thickens the lash naturally.

Tarte Lash Hugger Eco-Friendly Mascara

Good stuff, performs well, and the packaging is made of post consumer recycled aluminum.

Logona ( Vegan)

I’ve heard great things about this mascara. I haven’t tried it myself but have heard rave reviews from models I have worked with. One girl called it simply, “lash conditioner”.

Suncoat Natural Sugar Based( Vegan)

Reviews are very good. Wears well.Doesn’t smudge, lengthens

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara

Recyclable brush, doesn’t smudge or flake. Good stuff available at the local drugstore.

Beauty products are evolving and you have a lot of choices out there now. These mascaras mentioned above have revolutionized, while at the same time, simplified and purified their ingredients. Become an ingredient label reader. Educate yourself about what’s in the products you put into and onto your body. It takes less effort than you think. As always, reports differ from individual to individual. For some, a mascara may be smudge proof all day, but for those with oilier skin or hooded eyelids…..it might still smudge. Do your own research and find the mascara that best suits your needs.