Affordability, THE cult product, cruelty-free, pretty packaging, pigment pay-off, long-wearing, value for money, expert recommended.
These are just some of the things we consider when purchasing new beauty products but now more than ever, 'vegan beauty' is becoming a popular concept.
What exactly is the definition of 'vegan beauty'?
Simply put, a product that is vegan does not contain any animal ingredients or animal derived ingredients.
With that in mind, we've done a little research to collate some of the vegan beauty brands that are breaking the mould right now (three of them are Irish too because we're all about the homegrown talent).
Skinful Affairs has a stand-alone store in Dublin, Bellamianta, Pestle & Mortar and Spectrum Brushes are all stocked on
Cloud 10 Beauty and Kat Von D is now stocked in
Debenhams.
Skinful Affairs
Located smack bang in the middle of Dublin's city centre (Exchequer Street FYI), Skinful Affairs fulfils your health and beauty needs, but with a mindful twist.
There's a major focus on wellbeing here and having reached out to them, we found that nearly all of their product range is vegan and if not, product ranges are organic or natural-certified.
Aside from grabbing yourself a beauty buy, you can also avail of a treatment while you're there including massages, Yon-ka Facials, manicures, pedicures or even a vegan eyelash tint.
A highlight of their vegan brand offering is Ella+Mila, a range of luxurious nail varnishes.
Pestle & Mortar
An Irish family-owned company set up by Sonia Deasy, who works closely with her sister, a biochemist, to formulate these conscientous cosmetics.
Vegan, paraben free, fragrance-free, cruelty-free - this skincare line is becoming increasingly popular, even getting rave reviews stateside.
One of the stand-out products is the Superstar Retinol Night Oil which somehow manages to deliver the anti-aging benefits of retinol without irritating the skin, as many retinol-based products are prone to doing.
It also claims to reduce pore size, tighten the skin, improve elasticity AND that monochrome packaging is just begging to be housed on your bathroom shelf.
Bellamianta
Another Irish-owned company, Linda McNamee and Lisa McDermott are the brains behind Bellamianta tan.
They're all about ethical beauty and their products are completely vegan with both Linda and Lisa dedicated to giving "customers the best, healthiest and cleanest formulas we can without compromising on performance".
Paraben and chemical free, we can testify that this tan goes on streak free and dries in seconds. Mango, shea butter and goji berry mean that there is a fresh, pleasant scent which is a welcome change when it comes to fake tan.
Kat Von D
If you're a makeup fanatic, you'll recognise this gal.
Noted for hero buys like the Shade + Light Face Contour Palette and Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks, we were very excited to hear that the range was finally getting an Irish home at Debenhams.
Vegan is of particular importance to this entrepreneur who last year announced that she was making Kat Von D 100% vegan.
Many of the products in the line have been reformulated to ensure they adhere to standards and you can get more info on that
here.
Spectrum Collections
A major shout out to these beautiful, unicorn-inspired makeup brushes which are so pretty it will pain you to use them. Foundation and rainbow hairs just don't mix.
However, there's another reason to get involved as this brand is "proud to be a PETA registered and Vegan trademarked cruelty-free brand".
A guilt-free beauty buy is music to our ears added to the fact that they will just look absolutely stunning on our dressing tables.
We feel a pay-day purchase coming on.
Main image via Instagram: Kat Von D Beauty
