Thankfully there has been a huge shift in the beauty world. A few years ago, the only place you could find vegan beauty products were at little local pop-ups. Now multinational retailers like Sephora include vegan selections for makeup, skincare, haircare, etc. Now that it is highly accessible, let's get together and treat ourselves and the earth better with these top picks.
Milk
Milk makeup prides itself on "good ingredients + epic payoff". All of Milk's makeup and skincare is cruelty-free, paraben-free, and 100% vegan. These products range from primer, mascara, eyeliner, moisturizer, cleanser, bronzer, concealer, lip balm, etc.
Milk is 100% free of parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates (DBP, DEHP, DEP), bisphenols (BPA), mercury, synthetic fragrances, toluene, BHA, etc.
Milk has an entire INGREDIENT BLACKLIST, all of which you can view here.
My current favorites include:
Kush High Volume Mascara | $24
This mascara is 100% for volume. I'm a huge two layer mascara girl - one for length, one for volume. This one is my top pick for a high volume second coat.
As far as I can remember, mascara has made my eyes sting and cause me to tear up. Fast forward a few years, I realize I'm not crazy but makeup brands are putting tons of chemicals and harmful ingredients in the products we are applying onto our eyelids, lips, etc.
S/O to the people who called them out on their BS and helped push for clean (non-stinging) & cruelty free products to be available to the masses.
This mascara is finally a mascara that I feel safe putting onto my eyes and doesn't cause stinging and tearing up. It also contains hemp-derived cannabis seed oil that makes your eyelashes feel hydrated rather than dry.
**There are many reviews saying that the Kush Waterproof is not so waterproof which I cannot vouch for as I'm really not a mascara at the pool type. To keep on the safe side, I've linked the non waterproof version not to mislead anyone.
Flex Foundation Stick | $36
Behold the first non coconut oil based vegan concealer. Okay, it may not be the first but it's my first and I'm beyond happy with it.
In the past, most vegan makeup products found were coconut oil based. Coconut oil may be natural and clean but it is also a comedogenic - meaning it can actually suffocate your skin by clogging your pores. Coconut oil is great for your hair, moisturizing your body, and even cooking but not so great as a concealer or foundation.
Also, yes - this is a foundation stick but I use it as under eye concealer. It contains elastic marshmallow extract which eliminates any caking or creasing that other under eye concealers can create. It also includes blue lotus and chamomile helping moisturize and soothe your skin (without the suffocating part).
*happy dance for non stinging eyes & non clogged pores*
Glossier
Glossier was founded on you. All of their products have been designed with "your real beauty routine in mind". The company got their start with Into the Gloss, a beauty website exploring the routines of inspiring women including the products they love and products you need to know about.
Glossier is committed to doing business in an ethically responsible manner. All of their products are cruelty-free and they offer a wide range of vegan makeup and skincare products. While not all of their products are vegan, they are all ethically sourced. The Glossier products that are not considered vegan contain natural moisturizers like beeswax, honey, castor oil, etc.
View Glossier's Our Commitment to Sustainability letter written by Founder & CEO, Emily Weiss, here.
My current favorites include:
Lash Slick | $16
Slick is the best way to describe this mascara. Behold the first layer mascara for length (my apologies for introducing them out of order, no apologies for introducing them though).
This mascara gives your lashes a perfect boost of natural looking length. Even if a heavy look is desired, don't worry - this stuff can be double to triple coated without any clumping. The brush allows the mascara to coat evenly from root to tip.
Length, even distribution, and no clump?
Thank you for listening to the people, Glossier.
Balm Dotcom | $12
This stuff is truly the balm dotcom. The formula truly moisturizes unlike some salves that cause temporary comfort but then cause scaly lips that you didn't have before.
This lip balm is super hydrating and is packed with antioxidants and natural emollients - nourishing your skin with nature's goods. The main ingredients are castor seed oil, beeswax, lanolin, cupuacu fruit extract, & rosemary leaf extracts.
If you end up joining the cult behind this product, it currently comes in 9 flavors! Try out the original, mint, and coconut for a clear shine or the rose, cherry, berry, or wild fig for a sheer tint!
Beauty doesn't always have to hurt.
Happy sustainable & cruelty-free (to you & our bunny friends) beautifying!