The third step I took to transition into the slow fashion world was assessing the beauty brands currently in my bathroom. I rounded up all the products in my bathroom and wrote down all the brand names. I then did some research to check if the brands were cruelty free and vegan. I’m not sure how important it is to buy Vegan (more research to come), but I’m definitely dropping any brands that are NOT cruelty free.
If I found out a brand was NOT cruelty free, I found cruelty free beauty brands to replace it with! 🐰 💕
Here are my results, starting with the beauty brands I use the most.
Philosophy
Is NOT cruelty free. I had been using the Miracle moisturizer daily but have since changed to a cruelty free brand. My cruelty free assessment was off to a bad start… Fortunately I was able to find a cruelty free replacement immediately!
For the past few weeks I’ve been using the cruelty free Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer by Drunk Elephant instead. So far I love it! My skin is combination dry/oily and I look for “age resisting” moisturizers. The Protini Moisturizer is everything my skin needs in one (just like the Miracle moisturizer… but cruelty free). You can purchase the Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer by Drunk Elephant at Sephora (click here to shop!).
Kat von D
Kat von D IS vegan and cruelty free!! I was so nervous to look up this brand because I wear the Lock-it Tattoo foundation and the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner daily.
The only issue is that Kat von D is owned by LVMH, a company that does test on animals. But sadly, I’m sure if I did more research I’d find most of the brands that are cruelty free are owned by brands that do test on animals.
Shop the Tattoo Eye Liner by clicking here and the Lock-it Tattoo foundation by clicking here!
Benefit
Is NOT cruelty free. I’ve been using Benefits’ They’re Real! mascara daily for years now, but need to switch it up now. I might switch over to the Kat Von D Go Big or Go Home mascara because I already use several Kat Von D products and I know the brand is cruelty free and vegan. That or the Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara.
Urban Decay
Is Cruelty free and vegan! I already knew this but am still extremely happy about it. I’ve been using Urban Decay eyeshadow almost daily for at least a decade now (crazy!). There’s a good reason why the Naked Pallets have a huge cult following, and their All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup setting spray works wonders as well.
I used the Naked II pallet for awhile, but switched to the Naked III pallet two years ago. I also have purchased the Honey Pallet but have yet to open it and use it (I’m waiting until my current pallet runs out).
Burts Bee’s
IS Cruelty free, but definitely is not Vegan since everything is made of bee byproducts. I gotta do more research to see if I can keep this brand.
Lush
This might be painfully obvious, but Lush is cruelty free and vegan! If you’ve ever been to their stores or website, you know this is extremely obvious. In fact… being cruelty free and vegan is kind of their thing.
I use Lush’s No Drought dry shampoo, their BOOM! teeth whitening chews, and of course, their bath bombs. I’m also going to start looking into their face masks for the first time after learning that my current face mask (Glamglow) tests on animals.
Winky Lux
Is Cruelty free and Vegan! This brand became popular for its visually stunning lipglosses with real flowers inside. Personally, I love them for their matcha lipbalm!
Lime Crime
There used to be some debate over Lime Crime actually being Vegan, but today Lime Crime is certified cruelty free and vegan by both The Leaping Bunny program and PETA. Lime Crime is also made in Los Angeles!
I’m a fan of their Unicorn Hair Dye (I wear the shade “bunny”) and the Venus eye pallet.
Marc Jacobs Beauty
Is Cruelty free but is not vegan. I only had a mini version of their lipstick but it’s still good to know they’re cruelty free! Marc Jacobs beauty isn’t considered vegan because they have small traces of animal by product (like bee’s wax) in them.
Becca
Becca IS cruelty free and they have some vegan products! This is another one I was worried about because the only highlighter I’ve ever loved is from Becca! Shop the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecting Highlighter by clicking here!
GlamGlow
YOU GUYS. My heart… is broken. 😭
Glam Glow is neither cruelty free OR vegan. But it is the only face mask that can calm my skin after a long runs and during camping trips. I started using it two or three years ago and my skin hasn’t been the same since. I’m going to start seeking out some new charcoal based face masks but again… my heart is broken.
Too Faced
Is cruelty free but is also owned by Estée Lauder, a company that does test on animals when required by law. Some Too Faced products are also vegan, but not all of them.
I personally use the Peach Perfect Mattifying Powder and am thinking of trying their Better Than Sex Mascara to replace my current mascara from Benefit, a brand that does test on animals.
Tom Ford
Whew buddy, the reports on Tom Ford beauty are all over the place. The brand itself claims to be cruelty free and says they do not ask others to test their products on animals for their behalf. BUT Tom Ford products are sold in China, where animal testing is mandated by law. So they HAVE to test on animals…
I’ve been using a Tom Ford blush that I will now need to replace! Please let me know if you have any cruelty free/vegan blush recommendations!
Tarte
Is Cruelty free and vegan! I only have a few mini samples from Tarte but it’s good to know they’re cruelty free and vegan!
Soap and Glory
Claim’s it’s cruelty free but it hasn’t been certified by any organizations yet…
I only had a few mini samples from Soap and Glory, so this was an easy “buh-bye” for me.
Beauty Brand Assessment Reflection
There’s really no need for me to have any products that test on animals. My vanity isn’t more important or above another creature’s life. I also found out that cruelty free brands are better for YOU too! Why?? Well the cruelty free brands normally use safer products. Which makes sense if you think about it. Beauty Brands that use risky ingredients need to test the product before customers use it. If brands are using ingredients they know are safe… there’s no need to test them.
I’m still on the fence about switching to all vegan beauty brands because I found conflicting reports about products using bee byproducts. If you have more information or want to share your opinion on the matter, please share in the comments below!
This post is step three of the 5 baby steps to Make the switch to Slow Fashion