If you hadn't caught on yet, I've been vegan for a while. Checking ingredient lists when I buy anything, from cosmetics to veggie burgers, has become a simple habit of life for me. Living in California it's pretty easy to be vegan; practically any grocery store sells tofu and whatever vegan cheese your heart desires.
Unfortunately, many people don't realize that most cosmetic brands are not vegan. Teenager me used to stand in my local target lipstick aisle, struggling to find things with the coveted label. Back in the day I spend the time to make an entire binder of research for my personal use. I had every confusing ingredient listed so I could easily double check to see if it was plant based or not, along with all of the vegan brands.
Photo by Tarte Cosmetics
Nowadays, it's much easier. PETA has put out many lists detailing popular brands that are vegan, and the increase in online shopping has made accessing really good brands really easy. The great news is that it doesn't take much to support these incredible companies that are genuinely making a difference in the world! It takes just a few minutes to research new products that would be a good fit for you, and are vegan and cruelty-free.
In case you don't have time for extensive research, I've made a short list of my favorite brands!
1. Tarte
In addition to having vegan products (their matte foundation is one of my favs!), Tarte also has super cute mermaid brushes. We all know I'm a sucker for mermaid gear, so of course I have all of them.
In terms of their cosmetics, they go on strong and stay on longer than any other makeup I've tried. And they don't make me break out!
2. e.l.f.
photo by e.l.f.
When I'm trying to look like a sea goddess blessed by the ocean, glowing with the rays of the sun, I turn to e.l.f. Weirdly specific, I know, but that's genuinely what using their all-natural products feel like. Even after a late night out, I can put on their products (any of their "glow" products are my go-to) and look like I just got the most refreshing 18 hours of beauty sleep of my life.
3. Pacifica
Everything that goes on must come off, and that's what I use Pacifica for! They have amazing makeup remover that's super gentle on your skin, and even leaves it feeling rehydrated after. They also have incredible face wash, for if that makeup remover still isn't working.
4. Yes to Carrots
Photo by Yes to
In the spring, I get super, super dry skin. Yes to uses different organic products to treat different things, and Yes to carrots is for dry skin! My favorite product is the overnight mask because it's super easy to use. Just make it a part of your bedtime routine, right after brushing your teeth, and it doesn't even require lots of work.
What are your favorite Vegan brands/products? Comment below!
