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2 years ago
Plant-based beauty is thriving
Looking to get ahead this Veganuary? The vegan lifestyle isn’t just limited to what you eat, it can also positively change your fashion, beauty and makeup habits, too. Get into the swing of things with our guide to the best vegan makeup brands, loved by the C&TH team.
The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide
Just as you’d expect from a vegan diet, vegan makeup is comprised of beauty items that have been made without using any animal products (like gelatine, cholesterin or collagen) or by-products (such as honey, beeswax or milk).
While some people consider the term ‘vegan’ in the beauty industry also refers to products and ingredients that have not been tested on animals, the labels ‘vegan’ and ‘cruelty free’ do not denote the same thing and they have their own sets of criteria when it comes to certification. This means we can’t always assume that vegan makeup products are cruelty free – instead it’s worth checking individual products for the Vegan Society, PETA or Cruelty Free International (Leaping Bunny) logos.
For more information on animal testing in the beauty sphere, see our guide here.
You’ll more than likely know Glow Hub for its coveted vegan skincare lines formulates around targeted solutions and simple routines, but did you know its expertise spans into the world of makeup? Its fast-growing makeup offering is vegan and cruelty free, blending skincare tenets and active ingredients with rich pigments and long-lasting formulas.
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If you’re not familiar with American makeup label Rare Beauty, you’ll probably know its founder: Selena Gomez. The actress and musician launched the brand back in 2020, with the goal of breaking down unrealistic beauty standards. ‘Being rare is about being comfortable with yourself. I’ve stopped trying to be perfect,’ says Gomez on the Rare Beauty website. ‘I just want to be me.’ All ranges from the brand are 100 percent vegan and cruelty free (certified by PETA’s Global Beauty Without Bunnies).
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Having grown from a small Australian business into a multi-national makeup empire, INIKA is one of the few brands that has maintained its environmental commitments on a large scale. One of the most certified beauty brands in the world, INIKA boasts certifications for organic (Organic Food Chain), cruelty free (PETA), halal (Halal Accreditation Authority Australia) and vegan (Vegan Society) products.
While home to the world’s first three-in-one plastic-free hydrating colour stick (for lips, cheeks and eyes), Axiology also scores points for creating products that are certified vegan and cruelty free by PETA. As part of its commitment to cut down on waste, all of the brand’s boxes are made from island trash and are completely recyclable.’ Running a plastic-free, vegan beauty company was never really in my plans,’ says Erika Rodriguez, Axiology founder. ‘But in 2013 when I learned that all of my makeup had been tested on animals, I decided to start making my own vegan lipsticks in my tiny kitchen by watching YouTube videos and checking out DIY books at the library.’
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This family-run business based in Brighton specialises in handmade makeup products that help to supercharge skin with botanical extracts and science-backed actives. Many of PHB Ethical Beauty’s products are zero-waste and feature reduced plastic, and the brand as a whole received a gold standard certification from The Vegan Society.
So you have the makeup, but what about the tools that go with it? EcoTools creates synthetic makeup brushes, sponges, applicators and bath accessories that are vegan, cruelty free and PETA certified.
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This high street favourite is on top of its game for many reasons: it’s well-priced, good quality and Fair Trade approved. e.l.f. Cosmetics also promises that all of its products are vegan, having been certified ‘Global Animal Test-Free and Vegan’ by PETA, and cruelty free, with a double certification from PETA and Leaping Bunny.
Making its way onto the international beauty scene from downtown NYC, Milk Makeup is a no-nonsense retailer that works from one ultimate product philosophy: start with good ingredients. The result is makeup that is vegan, cruelty free (Leaping Bunny certified), paraben free and ready to take you wherever you need to go.
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Ultra-fun makeup label Lime Crime is known for its playful products, vibrant pigments and dreamy collection concepts – but did you know that all of its products are vegan? Certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny as vegan and cruelty free, Lime Crime doubles down on the fun while prioritising the health and safety of animals.
Working to remove the stigma that vegan beauty doesn’t perform, KVD creates quality vegan makeup products that boast bold pigments and a high quality feel on skin. The brand’s formulas don’t contain any animal-derived ingredients (including insects) and KVD says it never tests on animals, choosing to only sell in countries that don’t require animal testing (and opting out of those where animal testing is still a legal requirement).
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Irish makeup brand Sculpted by Aimee was founded by MUA Aimee Connolly in 2016, and strives to make makeup easier for people to find and use on a daily basis. While not all products from Sculpted by Aimee are vegan, the brand is working towards becoming completely vegan in the near future – and is already proudly cruelty free (certified by Cruelty Free International) and paraben free.
Featured image: Oleg Ivanov, Unsplash
