You may be surprised by how many of your favourite beauty brands offer vegan alternatives. But what exactly is vegan beauty?
In a nutshell, vegan beauty products are entirely free from animal-derived ingredients, which includes beeswax, honey, gelatine, carmine, collagen and cholesterol. Not only that, but they steer clear of animal testing and are often made using natural ingredients too.
From foundations to make up brushes, vegan options are now plentiful and if the vegan way of life is your way of life, it's now easier than ever before to adapt your beauty routine to accommodate.
Find out how, below...
Kat Von D
Launched in 2008, Kat Von D is one of the beauty industry's leading vegan make up brands. The PETA award-winning label is 100% vegan and specialises in high pigment, long-lasting products.
Bestsellers include the Tattoo Liner for a perfect cat-eye and the Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks (where 5% of profits go to non-profit organisation Project Chimps). We particularly love the new Studded Kiss Lipstick which boasts no less than 40 shades, from matte, glimmer and metallic to nudes and bright pops of colour.
Milk Makeup
Made using chemical-free beauty alternatives, you'll find no parabens, sulphates, SLS, SLES, formaldehyde, mineral oil or talc in any Milk make up. Instead, the US 100% vegan brand uses nourishing alternatives like watermelon extract and mango butter, all of which leave you with a dreamy, glowing complexion.
Bestsellers include the Blur Stick - a silicone-free matte primer, with jasmine oil, that preps your skin and leaves a smooth finish without clogging pores - and Cooling Water; an instant face de-puffer which uses marine minerals from seawater to soothe puffy eyes.
Urban Decay
Whilst not all Urban Decay items are entirely animal free, they do offer a dedicated vegan only makeup range that includes bold colour palettes any makeup junkie would love to own. We particularly love the Naked Heat Palette for its versatility - its ability to create a range of different looks depending on mood.
The Trouble Maker Mascara too makes for dramatic, glam lashes - your Friday night go-to - whilst the Naked Skin Foundation is available in 26 shades and can be used on sensitive skin.
Emani
Californian-based brand Emani has been a red carpet favourite for over 20 years and the brand has just launched in the UK. Clinically proven for sensitive skin, the entire range is vegan and composed for 99% natural ingredients without sacrificing on finish or coverage. The range is composed of a variety of hero products, both skincare and makeup but the foundation is truly where the brand excels with a 12 hour product that works to fill fine lines and hydrate skin at the same time.
PÜR Cosmetics
All the products at PÜR cosmetics are cruelty-free with an extensive amount of the label’s products vegan friendly. The brand offers "makeup with a purpose" and so, multi-tasking makeup with mineral-based products that helps to improve your skin as well as cover imperfections without damaging the environment. The label’s 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation is the award-winning product that works to give you flawless coverage with a foundation, concealer, powder and SP15 all rolled into one.
Arbonne
Using exclusively botanically-based ingredients, Arbonne was created to combine nature with science and create premium products that never sacrifice on quality. The brand offer an ever-growing selection of haircare, skincare and makeup with age defying ingredients and moisturising botanicals. We are particularly a fan of the label’s extensive range of lipstick as well as the Prepwork Gel Eye Masks.
Pacifica
It was word-of-mouth that put Pacifica on the map and now it has a solid fan base. Most popular is the Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream (with a moisturising tint and sheer finish) and the Dream Big Mascara that amplifies your lashes. The Strobe Stick is also an excellent highlighter and gives your skin a subtle iridescent glow.
Best of all, environmentally, Pacifica products come with a pre-paid return label so you can send back empty utensils to be recycled.
Inika
Ideal for anyone with sensitive skin or severe allergies, Inika is not only vegan but organic as well. Non-comedogenic, all Inika products are free from harsh chemicals - parabens, fragrance and genetically modified ingredients - meaning they're unlikely to aggravate your skin.
Most popular include the Loose Mineral Foundation (for a natural look) and the Certified Organic Eyeliner, with a rich and creamy consistency.
PHB Ethical Beauty
Made right here in the UK, PHB has the largest range of certified organic, natural and non-animal derived beauty pieces. Family owned and run, their collection contains natural remedies for sensitive skin made only from ethically-sourced ingredients.
Bestsellers include the Cream Concealer Stick, which hides dark circles and blemishes and repairs and improves the appearance of skin, and the Anti-Blemish Treatment Gel which contains seaweed and cistus to reduce redness, swelling and scar visibility.
20% of profits going to charity too, so it's a feel-good purchase you're making.
