Vegan, Cruelty-Free Beauty Products

One might think that if something is vegan it is cruelty-free, or that if it is cruelty-free it is vegan, right? One might also think that if a product is “not tested on animals” it is cruelty-free, right? I thought those things too at one point, but it is important for us to know that it is not necessarily true.

Let’s first define what each of these labels mean.

Vegan

Vegan cosmetics do not contain anything that was obtained or produced from animals. These include some products that people don’t always think about like honey, beeswax, egg whites, milk substance or derivatives, lanolin, collagen, albumen, carmine, cholesterol, gelatin, etc.

Look for the symbols below from Vegan Action or The Vegan Society which certify that the product is vegan. There are other trustworthy programs that certify products as vegan – look your favorite brands up. If they don’t brag about being vegan it is probably safest to stay away from them.

Not Tested on Animals

Not tested on animals is a good start but it doesn’t capture the full picture. All this label means is that the final product was not tested on animals. It doesn’t mean the product is vegan and it doesn’t mean that the ingredients that go into the final products aren’t tested on animals.

So the whole list of ingredients could have each gone through animal testing (think about the poor foxes and bunnies being tortured alive, it is awful) but as long as the final product isn’t tested on animals they can still use this label. YIKES! This is not a powerful enough label.

Cruelty-Free

Cruelty-free is the next step when it comes to animal testing. Cruelty-free means that no ingredient used in the product was tested on animals, by the company or by a third party. Some products are tested on animals because there are whole countries (cough* China *cough) where products are required to be tested on animals before human use. So companies elsewhere in the world have to test on animals in order to get their products on the shelves. We can help companies that have cruelty-free products by telling everyone we know to spend the extra dollars to purchase vegan, cruelty-free products! There are certification programs that verify that products are cruelty free. One that you can look for is the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny, or PETAs cruelty-free bunny:

Some cruelty-free products aren’t vegan, though. So, in summary we need to look for vegan AND cruelty-free products.

I know that sounds like a lot of work. But there are people like me who are on a mission to get the word out so we can all take part in this lifestyle together. I have a dream that one day we won’t have to check our products to make sure that they are vegan and cruelty-free. Isn’t a world without cruelty one we can all get behind?

So here are some awesome lists that you can use to check your products and change the brands you use if they aren’t in line with your values 😊 Be sure that you are checking updated lists and rechecking your brands often so that you do not continue buying a product if they lose their values. (For example I used to use Moroccanoil brand but they started selling to mainland China and therefore became a cruelty brand. No more Moroccanoil for me.)

Logical Harmony has created a list of vegan, cruelty -free brands.

Cruelty Free Kitty has a list of cruelty-free makeup brands (these will still need to be verified vegan).

What I Use

Hair Products

So I used to use Morroccanoil and Pureology. However Morroccanoil is now a cruelty-brand. And it was recently brought to my attention that Pureology, while being cruelty-free and vegan, is owned by a company that is not cruelty-free and vegan.

I’m a little torn here. If I keep voting with my dollars for Pureology can I send a message to the parent company that these products are important? Or am I contributing to a company that doesn’t have the same values as I do?

The Pureology products I currently use and love are the cruelty-free, vegan Perfect for Platinum duo of shampoo and conditioner. I also use their Miracle Filler Treatment which is so lovely.

I have used and loved their other vegan, cruelty-free hair product options as well.

Hair Dye:

I recently made the jump from blonde to brunette! I used this awesome cruelty free, vegan at-home product called Herbatint. It was phenomenal. I used Chestnut 4N, but they have many beautiful colors. Check them out!

However since they are owned by a company that is a cruelty brand, I am on the search for the most amazing cruelty-free and vegan hair products that I can recommend to you guys. Once I’ve sampled many, I’ll come back to update.

Makeup Products

Face

I love this liquid concealer Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation and I have VERY sensitive skin.

I also use the Amazonian Clay by Tarte. They have SPF so you can use them to protect your skin, and they are the only products that don’t make me breakout.

This powder by Virginic is a great setting powder.

I love my highlighter, also by Tarte, I know, big surprise.

Lashes

People ask me about my lashes all the time. I use LashBoost by Rodan and Fields. It’s easy to use and has incredible results.

Mascara is my favorite item in my makeup bag. I use Tartiest by Tarte and it makes my lashes ahhhhh-mazing.

Brows

Tinted gel that holds your brows in place has made my life so much easier. This one by Anastasia is so amazing.

Do you have any that I should try?

Lips

In the past I loved Stilla lip stain but it makes my lips peel. (I’m not kidding with you when I tell you I have sensitive skin). I now use Lip Sense every day and I’m obsessed with how great it treats me. It lasts ALL DAY long and has rich vibrant colors. Here are some possible colors to start you off:

Caramel Apple Diamond

Razzberry

You need to have a gloss with any of the colors so don’t forget to get a gloss!

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