Up until the past year or so, I had a very different view on cruelty-free beauty products. I, much like many others, believed that these products are hard to find, expensive, and just not as good as your regular products. The few cruelty-free products I'd known about before this were ones I'd stumbled upon, liked enough to finish, but never went back to buy more and support the cause.
After a lot of research and testing out the actual products myself, I've come to realize shopping for cruelty-free products isn't as difficult or expensive as you may think, and the products are really amazing. I feel like I have to make a disclaimer that I'm not an expert. I'm just a 20 something year old who found some really great cruelty-free products that work for herself and her budget and I encourage you to do some research for yourself. Not only will you be able to find what works best for your lifestyle and your budget (coupon queens unite), but you'll learn about the importance and impact of every purchase you make, whether you're buying cruelty-free lipstick (which I think is kind of better than Kylie's Lip Kit) or looking for a place to buy locally grown veggies.
I was extra happy to find out that a lot of these products are ones I've already used and have been using for years!
1. Lush: Bath Bomb Heaven
Lush has gotten pretty popular recently largely due to its awesome bath bombs. I think literally everyone has used, or at least seen, these crazy beautiful messes. Lush doesn't just stop here. It's been creating products like shampoos, body scrubs, moisturizers, toothpaste tabs, face cleansers, makeup, shaving cream and even hair dye with fresh ingredients from companies that do not test on animals. Instead, Lush opts for testing its products on humans and fights animal testing, while advocating for products made with ethically grown and vegetarian ingredients. This brand has definitely been a staple in my shower routine for the past four years--I suggest the Sexy Peel soap bar!
2. Lime Crime: The Vegan Kylie Lip Kit
Since the company's beginning, Lime Crime has been cruelty-free and vegan. Lime Crime was started by a girl who needed makeup bright enough to match her homemade clothing...and these colors are BRIGHT. This well-kept secret of a beauty brand is low-key better than Kylie Jenner's Lip Kit. The Velvetines is a line of matte lipsticks that range from "traditional" colors in red and pink hues to crazy colors like Cement and Zenon. This brand is definitely worth at least two minutes of looking through The Velvetines and its other uniquely named lines like Superfoils (water-activated eyeshadow) and Unicorn Lipstick.
3. Paul Mitchell: Cruelty-Free Hair Products Since 1980
This hair brand has been committed to the environment and the animals since 1980. Its mission to care for the planet protects it by advocating for Reforest'Action, water protection, animal testing and sustainability. It's comforting to know that these hair products I've seen countless times at the salon and in beauty supply stores not only keep my hair from frizzing up in the humidity, but that they're good for the environment.
4. Tarte: The Sephora Staple
No matter what Sephora you shop at, you're likely to find several shelves of this beauty brand committed to making eco-chic, cruelty-free cosmetics. Products like the Tartelette palettes (can you get any cuter?), clay pot eyeliners (the waterproof eyeliner of dreams) and foundations (they're made with Amazonian clay!) are likely to become the newest addition to your makeup arsenal. The best thing about these products is the 12 hour power that's actually pretty true. My skin is generally oily and whenever I wear foundation, I feel like it's gone before I leave the house. The foundation with Amazonian Clay lasted all day for me; definitely worth a try!
5. Kat Von D Beauty: #VeganAlert
So, I saved the best for last. This beauty line has become my all time favorite and is slowly taking over my beauty collection. Not even joking about this one. I cannot say enough how much I LOVE these products. Kat Von D originally created her beauty line with one goal in mind--to create the four most perfect shades of red lipstick. I can personally say she went above and beyond this goal and turned her name into a global beauty brand. 11 of these collections are completely vegan (yay!) and cater to a wide range of beauty users, from beginners, to pros and even makeup junkies. Her tattooing background shines through with products like her Ink Liner, Lock-It Foundations, and my personal favorite, Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks (I have 3 in my bag at all times). I highly recommend checking out Kat Von D online or the next time you're at your local Sephora.
I love discovering new beauty products that are cruelty-free and get so happy when I can replace my original products with new ones. What cruelty-free beauty products do you use?
