If you're one of the many people embracing Veganuary this year, you've probably already become well acquainted with the free-from section of your local supermarket. But just how much thought have you given to the contents of your makeup bag?
Giving your beauty routine a vegan makeover isn't as tricky - or expensive - as you might think. To help you get started, we've spoken to those in the know for their trips and tricks on how to give your makeup bag a vegan refresh.
1. Check the ingredients
Firstly, what is a vegan beauty product? It all comes down to the ingredients in an item, and whether or not these were derived from animals. Honey, beeswax and milk are obvious examples, but the list is extensive; peruse Ethical Elephant's 'ingredients to avoid' list for more.
Once you get to know them, they’ll be easy to spot and avoid, but there are a few repeat offenders it's worth committing to memory:
- Beeswax: this non-vegan addition is usually used as an emollient in products like moisturiser
- Carmine: a red pigment used in colour cosmetics, carmine is created by crushing beetles
- Keratin: an animal protein often found in hair products, keratin is usually derived from animal hooves, horns, feathers, quills, hair and fur
- Shellac: a resin secreted by the lac insect, shellac is most commonly (and unsurprisingly) found in nail lacquers
The vast majority of vegans will also require a brand to be cruelty-free to consider them vegan, too. That means no ingredients or products should be tested on animals, and the brand shouldn't sell in countries where animal testing is required by law.
2. Research, research, research
Making the leap into vegan beauty can feel daunting, but the more you know, the better equipped you'll be to start the transition.
Check out reliable and informative resources like The Vegan Society to get to grips with the basics, and try following some vegan bloggers, like Teri Miyahira, makeup artists or companies to get some vegan education dropped right into your feed.
3. Start slow
With conversations on the environment and animal welfare becoming increasingly prevalent, you might feel pressure to get it completely right, right now.
But just like embracing meat-free Mondays or going 'flexitarian', a little of something is better than nothing. As make-up artist Alison Ward from Bombshell Makeup UK explains, any improvement you can make is a positive step.
"You can't expect to change all your habits and products overnight," she says,"so there's no need to bin all your favourite products and waste good makeup. Even if initially you only swap one to two steps in your routine for vegan alternatives, you're still making an impact."
Start by replacing the everyday staples in your routine. Up your base-game with Boutique's Serum Foundation, packed with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. Trust us, your skin will thank you.
Boutique Serum Foundation
Available in 8 shades, with skin-loving vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.
Boutique Nourishing Primer Oil
Banish dryness with jojoba, sweet almond, sunflower and rosehip oil.
Boutique Moisturising Lipstick
A moisturising formula packed with vitamin E, shea butter and jojoba oil.
4 . Get to know your new favourite brands
Traditionally, good quality, cruelty-free and vegan beauty products were hard to find - and left a serious dent in your bank balance. Now, thanks to brands like the Boutique cosmetics range exclusive to Sainsbury's, stocking up is as easy as nipping down to your local supermarket and won't cost the earth.
Affordable, good quality, and with over 100 products on offer, Boutique's range is full of can't-live-without staples and on-trend items to add to your makeup collection. Each product is 100% cruelty-free and proudly carries the Leaping Bunny logo - an internationally recognised symbol that no new animal tests were conducted in the development of the product.
To start, try the Illuminating Drops which are basically a Rihanna-esque glow in a bottle. Or, for quick and easy glam, dab a little of the Metallic Eye Cream - available in four colours - onto eyelids with your fingers. That's some serious sparkle without the meteoric price tag.
Boutique Illuminating Drops
Ultra-fine light reflecting pearls give a natural radiance.
Boutique Metallic Eye Cream
Long-lasting colour with vitamin E and aloe vera to hydrate skin.
Boutique HD Eyebrow Pencil
Sculpt and define brows with this cruelty-free pencil.
With these top tips, you'll be a vegan beauty in no time.
Shop the Boutique cosmetics range now, exclusive to Sainsbury's, and get vegan for 2020
