What exactly does ‘Vegan’ beauty mean?
Veganism is on the rise: so, with this in mind, we have found the best in beauty that maintains your principles without sacrificing on packaging or performance
Photo by Roberta Zanlucchion Unsplash
Veganism may not be new phenomena – but it’s gaining momentum faster than any other movement. In fact, according to the Vegan Society, the demand for meat-free food increased by 987% in 2017 and the number of vegans in Great Britain has quadrupled in the last four years. Its image has also had an overhaul; gone are the hippy-dippy tree-hugger connotations of wearing hemp and burning joss-sticks – the new vegans (think: Natalie Portman) and Insta-worthy ranges have not only cleaned up, but glammed up their act. So if you’re already eating vegan, thinking about going plant-based for National Vegan Day on 1st November, or aiming for Veganuary to kick off 2019, we have all the brilliant beauty buys you need.
How to invest ethically in your beauty regime by Dominika Piasecka, spokeswoman for The Vegan Society
Culture Whisper: What does vegan beauty mean?
Dominika Piasecka: 'Veganism avoids all use of animals as far as possible and practicable. A vegan beauty product is one that does not contain animal ingredients and has not been tested on animals'
CW: What credentials can you look for on packaging?
DP: 'The term ‘vegan’ isn't legally protected when it comes to labelling cosmetics and body-care products, which is why we created the Vegan Trademark. It guarantees that all products carrying the symbol comply with these requirements. Our dedicated staff check ingredient lists of each of the products and make sure that they do not contain any animal ingredients and that the company has not tested the product or its ingredients on animals. Furthermore, we run one-year and two-year licences, which means each product registered with our Vegan Trademark will be re-checked at least every couple of years to ensure it still meets our standards.'
CW: Are there any sneaky ingredients consumers might not realise are non-vegan friendly?
DP: 'Yes, plenty of those, unfortunately – here is a list of some common ones: Beeswax/Cera Alba/E901, collagen, gelatin, lanolin, guanine, tallow, cetyl alcohol, carmine, cochineal, crimson lake, carmine lake, natural red 4/C.I. 75470/E120.'
The luxury lip range
Axiology Beauty is a refined luxury vegan lip care range with ingredients like mango butter and coconut oil means they soften and tint at the same time. Plus they are highly pigmented – so are long-lasting too.
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The dermatologist-developed line
Previse is a dermatologist-based range with a holistic approach to skincare, employing the power of plant-based products to protect, hydrate and care for the dermis.
Click here
The Ayurvedic range
Inspired by the principles of Indian Ayurveda, the Urban Veda range consists of 35-plus products to cleanse tone and hone every type of dosha, and are all ethically focused and vegan-friendly.
Click here
The ethical online store
PHB is home to the world's most substantial 100% natural, vegan certified beauty range – with options for hair, face, cosmetics, and nail care and a range dedicated to men too.
Click here
The lust-worthy make-up brand
Memi is a luxury make-up range that offers hardworking pigment-rich formulas, but it is also championing the transparency between brand and customer. Not to mention the packaging is very Insta-worthy.
Click here
LE FIX
45 Newman Street, Fitzrovia London
Le Fix is an innovative natural beauty bar & concept store that specialises in premium quality, toxic free, organic certified, vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics and treatments. From toxic-free manicures, pedicures, make-up, brow and lash services and soon to launch facials and vegan wax services too, there’s everything you need in one ethical emporium. Plus, there's also a coffee shop, modern art gallery, and bookstore – meaning it’s a nice space to just hangout.
Click here
How to invest ethically in your beauty regime by Dominika Piasecka, spokeswoman for The Vegan Society
Culture Whisper: What does vegan beauty mean?
Dominika Piasecka: 'Veganism avoids all use of animals as far as possible and practicable. A vegan beauty product is one that does not contain animal ingredients and has not been tested on animals'
CW: What credentials can you look for on packaging?
DP: 'The term ‘vegan’ isn't legally protected when it comes to labelling cosmetics and body-care products, which is why we created the Vegan Trademark. It guarantees that all products carrying the symbol comply with these requirements. Our dedicated staff check ingredient lists of each of the products and make sure that they do not contain any animal ingredients and that the company has not tested the product or its ingredients on animals. Furthermore, we run one-year and two-year licences, which means each product registered with our Vegan Trademark will be re-checked at least every couple of years to ensure it still meets our standards.'
CW: Are there any sneaky ingredients consumers might not realise are non-vegan friendly?
DP: 'Yes, plenty of those, unfortunately – here is a list of some common ones: Beeswax/Cera Alba/E901, collagen, gelatin, lanolin, guanine, tallow, cetyl alcohol, carmine, cochineal, crimson lake, carmine lake, natural red 4/C.I. 75470/E120.'
The vegan beauty edit
The luxury lip range Axiology Beauty is a refined luxury vegan lip care range with ingredients like mango butter and coconut oil means they soften and tint at the same time. Plus they are highly pigmented – so are long-lasting too.
Click here
The dermatologist-developed linePrevise is a dermatologist-based range with a holistic approach to skincare, employing the power of plant-based products to protect, hydrate and care for the dermis.
Click here
The Ayurvedic rangeInspired by the principles of Indian Ayurveda, the Urban Veda range consists of 35-plus products to cleanse tone and hone every type of dosha, and are all ethically focused and vegan-friendly.
Click here
The ethical online store PHB is home to the world's most substantial 100% natural, vegan certified beauty range – with options for hair, face, cosmetics, and nail care and a range dedicated to men too.
Click here
The lust-worthy make-up brandMemi is a luxury make-up range that offers hardworking pigment-rich formulas, but it is also championing the transparency between brand and customer. Not to mention the packaging is very Insta-worthy.
Click here
The luxury vegan beauty salon in London
LE FIX45 Newman Street, Fitzrovia London
Le Fix is an innovative natural beauty bar & concept store that specialises in premium quality, toxic free, organic certified, vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics and treatments. From toxic-free manicures, pedicures, make-up, brow and lash services and soon to launch facials and vegan wax services too, there’s everything you need in one ethical emporium. Plus, there's also a coffee shop, modern art gallery, and bookstore – meaning it’s a nice space to just hangout.
Click here
