Did you know I’m vegan? No? Well, now you do.
And while you might not think it matters much to your wedding makeup, it actually plays a big role in how I work and the products I choose.
Animal testing in cosmetics is unnecessary and, quite frankly, cruel. Yet, some of the biggest beauty brands in the world still test on animals – meaning they are neither cruelty-free nor vegan.
I’ve been vegan for over five years, and during that time, I’ve gradually switched my entire professional makeup kit to cruelty-free and vegan products. Over the next year, I’m taking things further by focusing on clean beauty – products that are kind to animals, free from harmful chemicals, and gentle on our skin and bodies.
Many everyday cosmetics still contain ingredients such as parabens, sulphates, and synthetic fragrances. These can disrupt the endocrine system and cause long-term harm. So it’s worth being mindful about what we’re putting on our skin each day.
Some major brands that still test on animals or pay third parties to do so include:
Estée Lauder, MAC, Armani, Benefit, Bobbi Brown, By Terry, Clarins, Clinique, Dior, Chanel, Lancôme, Laura Mercier, Maybelline, Nars, Tom Ford, and YSL.
Sadly, the term cruelty-free isn’t regulated, which means some companies use it even when they’re not. It’s up to consumers – and professionals like me – to research and make conscious choices.
If you’re curious, you can check out my post on my favourite vegan and cruelty-free eyeshadow palettes. Stay tuned for my next blog, where I’ll share a list of my go-to vegan makeup brands that I use on my brides.
My favourite resource for checking cruelty-free brands is Cruelty Free Kitty.