Vegan cosmetics reviewed
I'll be adding to this article, as-and-when, I buy and review new products - last updated on December 10th 2019
Why I want to use cruelty-free AND vegan cosmetics
Our skin is the largest organ we have and what we put on it should matter! This thinking didn't sink in with me straight away!
After I began feeling uncomfortable about, putting something that caused others to suffer, on my skin; I started looking into alternatives.
I started buying a range of vegan products from different companies to figure out which ones I preferred.
I also explored what to do with the non-vegan makeup that I owned already. You can read about that here.
Why isn't cruelty-free enough?
Cruelty-free products have not been manufactured or developed by methods involving cruelty to animals.
Vegan products, however, do not contain animal products.
So cosmetics can be:-
cruelty-free and not vegan
vegan and not-cruelty-free
vegan and cruelty-free
I have tried the natural version of Fit Pit Deodorant and I can tell you that it’s one of the best deodorants I’ve used!
It’s easy to apply, you only need little and it does what it’s supposed to!
If you like variety, it is also available in Peppermint or Tea Tree and Orange. There is another option for those with senstive skin too.
All the products are vegan and cruelty free
I got a couple of these Powder Puff Lippies from Superdrug and I’m really glad that I took a punt to try them out.
The colour (in the link above) is neutral yet noticeable. It goes on smooth and moist but, as it says on the box, it dries producing a powdery-soft finish.
At first, it was a bit strange to squeeze the tube and apply it across my lips, but after the first attempt, it was effortless.
They have some vegan products.
If you’ve been following this article, you’ll see that I like trying out new lipsticks and have tried a few different brands and styles of lippy.
I got this matt lipstick by GOSH, which is described as having a creamy texture. However, I am disappointed to say that it is far from it. It’s dry and I had to press down quite hard in order for the colour to show on my lips. This isn’t because the shade is wrong, it’s due to the fact that it doesn’t apply well. It left my lips looking dry and the colour didn’t ‘fill’ the lips evenly, like other lipsticks do.
They have some vegan products
I got a couple of the Pacifica XOX range from Holland and Barrett recently and I’m sorry to say that it hasn’t worked well for me.
The colour is lovely, it’s easy to apply, feels smooth on the skin and feels moisturising. However, it bleeds. I tried it with and without lip liner but it didn’t make a difference.
All their products are vegan and cruelty free
Noughty
As you'll see below, I've tried a few different haircare products. Noughty products can be found in a few places. Some of these are Superdrug, Feel Unique and Ocado.
This product feels positively different to the shampoo and conditioner that's tailor-made for hair that's dyed. It foams more quickly, feels silky smooth, it smells good and leaves your hair feeling thoroughly clean after one wash.
I'd definitely use it again.
All their products are vegan
Herban Cowboy
I've used a number of roll on and spray deodorants in the past. Some have felt very wet (for a few minutes) after application, others felt soft and light, like talcum powder and others have felt rock hard.
This deodorant is seriously like no other! I have never thought of how soothing or smooth a deodorant feels when it's applied, but with Blossom, I feels both and it's gorgeous!
Upon close inspection, there may be a musky smell after a physically strenuous day, but there's no bromhidrosis i.e. BO.
All their products are vegan
artnaturals
This Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner smells gorgeous.
You don't need much shampoo before your hair begins to feel silky, smooth and nourished.
As for the conditioner...you don't need much, and it will leave your hair smelling divine!
All their shampoos and conditioners are vegan
This Argan Oil Thermal Shield is another favourite simply because of how delicious my hair smells afterwards.
I don't straighten my hair often. Therefore, some would argue that I don't need to worry about protecting it from the heat of the straighteners. However, it smells so good as soon as I've sprayed it, for me, it's more of a treat, than a necessity.
They have some vegan products
Pureology
The Strength Cure Shampoo and Conditioner Duo is absolutely delicious!
It's great that a little bit of shampoo goes a long way; but the gem, in my eyes, in the conditioner!
After using the conditioner, my hair feels silky smooth and it smells super gorgeous!
All their products are vegan
e.l.f. eyes lips face in Superdrug
The Beautifully Bare Lipstick is so lovely to wear.
It's smooth, nourishing, soft, smells good and gives your lips colour without exposing any cracks, or drying them out.
I purchased the colour shown on the left - Touch Of Blush and am going to be getting some more!
All their products are vegan
These Matte Lip Colour 'pencils' create a lovely look, but feel good too. Similar to the lipstick above, it's smooth and feels nourishing. It also leaves your lips looking vibrant and healthy.
The pencil twists up from the bottom, and that's where you'll find a sharpener! Simply tug on the base, holding the part that shows the colour of the pencil, and you'll see it. It's easy to pull out and put back.
All their products are vegan
I remember buying this because I felt like it would help me when I felt tired or needed a bit of encouragement to 'wake up' and I'm glad I got it.
The Eye Refresh Light/Glow Clear is unisex.
It provides a refreshing, cooling sensation without leaving the eyes feeling wet.
It's small enough for it to be mobile, which is great when you're having a busy day.
All their products are vegan
Superdrug don’t sell this item any more but you can order it from e.l.f.
e.l.f. eyes lips face before their products were sold in Superdrug
The Essential Waterproof Eyeliner Pen is easy to apply and it lasted the whole afternoon and evening.
Saying that; it wasn't tough to remove, so that was great too!
All their products are vegan
The Expert Liquid Liner was lovely.
I'm used to applying eyeliner with a brush of some sort, so using this felt better.
I could also make the line thicker more quickly, than when I used the pen.
All their products are vegan
The Essential Soothing Lip Balm really was just how e.l.f. describe it!
It's SO soothing! I've tried a few lip balms, and it feels weird to say, but I'm actually excited about this one! It's nourishing, smells good, feels great and has a slick look too.
Definitely one to keep in the handbag!
All their products are vegan
The Essential Lip Balm Tint is great, because it's small, so it can fit in your pocket or bag. It also has a lid, which screws on, so there won't be any mess and it's available in a range of colours.
It produces a nice colour and feels good on the lips, but I wouldn't buy it again, because I didn't like applying it with my finger, nor do I want to carry a brush to avoid doing that.
All their products are vegan
It feels strange to be so keen on lipliner as I haven't bothered to use lipliner before. I got it because I was told that the Lip Tar need a lipliner to stop it from bleeding/feathering. Although I later found out that it was because I used too much!
Anyway, I got the Essential Long-Wear Lip Lipliner Pencil and absolutely love the subtle yet noticeable definition that I get with it! It's easy to apply, it doesn't crumble, it feels smooth and you don't need very much.
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
I used the 3 in 1 mascara today and liked what I discovered. Both parts of the brush are great for defining different parts of the eyelashes.
My eyes felt so light afterwards, that I forgot I had any mascara on, and I rubbed my eyes. However, that worked out just fine, because as a result, I realised that the mascara doesn't smudge or leave marks if you rub your eyes by mistake!
All their products are vegan
I have used this lip stain without using the glossy coat on top and the colour is stunning.
Unlike other types of lip stain, you can go over the colour that you've already applied and layer it up, without the colour becoming uneven.
It's light, smooth and dries quickly. If only e.l.f. had more colours in this range.
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics OCC
I got a few colours of lip tar and I really can't imagine when they'll need replacing. Why? One little tube will last forever because you really do, only need a tiny bit.
A small amount of lip tar produces a strong, vibrant colour which lasts for ages!
Make sure you don't use too much because it will feather/bleed. I must admit that I haven't got the hang of doing this right yet!
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
If you have dry lips, it's worth getting the clear lip tar.
Applying it to your lips before using the actual colour will help.
It makes all the difference to application and makes the effect much better too.
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
If you buy a Lip Tar and the colour appears much lighter than it should be, it's no biggie. There's a high concentration of oils and pigments in them, and they separate sometimes. OCC told me to rub the tube back and forth between the palm of my hands. The friction and heat will cause them to mix again, so that the oils aren't at the tip; preventing an oily transparent colour. I did this for about 20 seconds or less, and it was fixed!
B. is for Beautiful
I love the colours in the Complete Long-lasting Nail Polish range.
The bottles are short, wide and the shape makes them easy to organise.
The colours are gorgeous and they last for days, even when subjected to tasks like chopping, washing-up etc. They also don't stain the nails and the colour is easily removed.
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, they have stopped making nail polish
I like that the Rich Intense Colour Lipstick opens with a gentle push on the base of the lipstick.
The lipsticks are soft and creamy so it feels nourishing.
The colours I got were quite 'natural,' so it’s hard to see how long the colour lasts. I'll add more to this review after I've purchased a couple of bolder colours.
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
This Mascara is lovely to use.
The brush makes it easy to apply.
My lashes don't feel heavy afterwards and it doesn't get clumpy either.
All their products are vegan
Marks and Spencer
The Ultimate Wear Long Lasting Lip Lacquer is gorgeous.
The brush makes the application smooth and it retains its shape. Also, it's a great size and won't use much space in a handbag. Lastly, there's a range of colours. The colour I got was bold and long-lasting.
They have some vegan products
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
The Ultimate Shine Twist Up Lip Colour is something I'd wear if I was going partying. This is because I don't usually wear lipsticks that create a glittery effect.
It is soft and feels nice on the lips.
It's easy to apply and will easily fit into a pocket or bag.
They have some vegan products
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
I found that I had to repeatedly apply the more natural colours of the Matte Velvet Lipstick to get any colour on my lips.
However, this is not so with the darker colour I purchased. That was quick and easy to apply and feel smooth on the lips.
They have some vegan products
Alba Botanica
The Hawaiian Plumeria Shampoo and Conditioner are absolutely lovely to use.
I still don't seem to have accepted how gorgeous my hair smells after I've used it. The next day, I'll move in a certain way and get a whiff of my hair, and I'll react as if I've forgotten how good this hair care range smells!
All their hair care is vegan
The range of creams by MuLondon is versatile in that they can be used anywhere!
This one in particular is soft, creamy and has a delicious scent.
What's even better, is that, a little bit goes a long way. Thus it may seem like it comes in a small jar, but it lasts, and the fact that it's small makes it mobile and discrete.
All their products are vegan
Marigold, Frankincense & Myrrh Moisturiser
The entire range of creams by MuLondon is versatile in that they can be used on any part of the body!
Like others, a little bit of this cream goes a long way! This White Chocolate Truffle Moisturiser smells delicious and confuses the senses a little, if you're used to eating chocolate, rather than wearing it! Applying it is a lovely experience, and doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy.
Like me, don't be fooled into thinking that the jar is small and it will disappear quickly. It lasts, and the small jar makes it easy to store and carry around too.
All their products are vegan
I absolutely love using this Orange, Rose Geranium and Patchouli hand and body lotion. It smells warm and sweet and you only need a little amount to soothe and nourish the skin.
Depending on the temperature, you might need to spend a couple of seconds warming it up in your hands, apply and smile.
All their products are vegan
This Lemongrass Body Butter is fabulous for dry skin.
It smells refreshing and again, a little bit goes a long way.
All their products are vegan
This solid hand lotion is amazing!
It's light, doesn't take up much room, and the bar keeps its shape. When I need it, I swipe the bar across my hands, rub my hands together, and before I know it, my hands are moisturised.
For me, the best part is seeing how others react when they see me use it. They look positively intrigued.
All their products are vegan
This dual eyeshadow by Arbonne is lovely to use. It’s light, which means the eyes don’t feel heavy.
I found that it didn’t crumble and wasn’t messy, which was great.
Lastly, I didn’t need a lot of it to create a subtle impact.
All their products are vegan
Unfortunately, this item is no longer available
I blended two of the shades to find one that suited my complexion best. Mixing and applying was effortless.
It felt natural. The cream feels smooth, provides even coverage and feels light.
'The look' lasted the entire evening.
All their products are vegan
Applying this mascara was simple and easy, but the effect was stunning. My eyelashes were defined, clump-free, and they felt light.
I like the fact that it is waterproof, yet easily removed with a little cleanser.
All their products are vegan
This triple rose facial oil is lovely to use. A few drops is all you need to feel nourished, and smell good. It's light, and doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy. I've read that others use it on their face before applying foundation. I love using after I've cleansed my face, before I go to bed.
All their products are vegan
You’ve probably noticed that I've tried a few different haircare products. The Fruity range is by Superdrug.
I used this product when I was in India. I was in a place where it was hot and dusty so my hair wasn’t feeling great.
Surprisingly, washing and conditioning my hair with this range left my hair feeling nourished, soft, smooth and revamped!
I'd definitely use it again.
Many of the items in Superdrug’s own brand are vegan
I used this conditioner when I was in India. I was in a place where it was hot and dusty so my hair wasn’t feeling the way it usually does.
I believe that the star of the show was this conditioner. After using it, my hair felt nourished, softer and smoother.
I'd definitely use it again.
Many of the items in Superdrug’s own brand are vegan
Do you want to use any of these on your skin or hair?
Carmine - from powdered insect bodies
Collagen - protein from the collagen of dead animals
Guanine - fish scales that are scraped off dead fish
Keratin - protein from the hair, nails and horns of mammals
Lanolin - fat that's derived from the grease in a sheep’s hair
Squalane - sourced by squeezing oil from the liver of a shark
If not, you know what to do.