Veganuary: the 5 best beauty products that actually work
The new year marks a time in your beauty regime to reset habits and commit to a new-year-new-you approach. Whether its adopting the latest trends or new treatments on offer, there is something quite rewarding about introducing a new product or technique into your everyday regime.
This January, the newest beauty trend taking the industry and Instagram by storm seems to be vegan skincare with the hashtag displaying over half a million posts and growing. If your new years resolution is to be more eco-conscious in your lifestyle choices then maybe a vegan-friendly skincare regime could be for you. Here's how to start as you mean to go on in 2019 with a conscious regime that doesn't compromise on efficacy.
Shopping for skincare is quite the task. Whether you want to banish wrinkles, plump up tired skin or find a cleanser that will just take the day off, there are so many products to choose from. But when it comes to finding a product that will do all of the above whilst also being cruelty-free and vegan, the choice becomes much more refined.
Thankfully, like green beauty, veganism is no longer a niche beauty trend that involves mixing avocados at home. Thanks to brands cottoning on to their consumer's desire to be less indulgent and think more ethically about their choices, stalwart beauty brands are now considered to offer vegan cosmetics and have super effective formulas that don't compromise on efficacy. The hashtag #Vegan has over 65.8 million posts on Instagram, proving it to be a favoured lifestyle choice of many.
Testing on animals has been banned in the EU for almost 15 years and earlier this year a new law was reinforced stating that it is illegal to sell cosmetic beauty products in the EU that have been tested on animals. "Beauty brands have become more conscious of their ethical well-being and know that a product's sustainability is considered before purchasing from the brand," says Nude by Nature General Manager, Stephanie Sherman.
What is vegan skincare?
To count as vegan, a product most be free from any animal-derived ingredients such as honey, collagen and keratin. "All our products have to be approved by the Vegan Society before they can be considered vegan. They look at every ingredient we use, and speak to our manufacturers about practices and internal policy," advises Susie Willis, founder of Romilly Wilde.
Vegan is a lifestyle choice that is becoming more of a priority to beauty consumers who want to make more ethical and sustainable lifestyle decisions, like where their beauty products are sourced. Before now, you could say that choosing a vegan regime or a ethically made lipstick meant you were compromising on efficacy and colour pay-off. Now? Vegan beauty brands are more luxurious and long-lasting than ever before. "There's no reason why vegan products should feel less luxurious than others. We prove that there is no compromise from using synthetic brands," says Sherman. "We have spent years creating formulas that smooth, blend, stretch and behave like those with silicone and other synthetics," advises Sherman.
Do the products last as long?
"If a product is made well, without the use of chemical preservatives, and is packaged in airless containers that cannot get contaminated or damage from oxygen or light, then they have a respectable shelf-life," says Wilde. Having vegan conscious formulas is not about longevity of shelf-life but more of ethical status. Here we sum up the best vegan beauty brands and products that will not disappoint.
Best vegan haircare
Infused with rahua nut oil, this organic shampoo will nourish and strengthen weak, lack-lustre lengths.
Best vegan eye serum
Romilly Wilde Eye Believe Serum, ￡75
This highly-rated, sculpting eye serum is rich with a spectrum of natural plant stem cells that boost skin turnover around the precious eye area.
Best vegan skin serum
Dr Roebucks PERKY Collagen Boosting Serum, ￡46
This natural, collagen-boosting serum tightens, brightens, and hydrates with zero nasties.
Best vegan foundation
Bare Minerals complexion rescue, ￡28
Touted as a tinted moisturiser this mineral make-up tube provides wonderfully hydrating benefits of both a BB and CC cream.
Best vegan lipstick
Nude by Nature Moisture Shine Lipstick in Dusty Rose, ￡20
These gorgeous lipstick shades are long-lasting and deliver bright pigment like any other lipstick.
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