Why The Next Makeup You Buy Should Be Vegan

It’s good for our animal friends and your conscience.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

It’s good for our animal friends and your conscience. And the textures and colour payoff are just as good as non-vegan makeup. These products are as chic as they are mindful of their environmental impact.

THESE ARE 100 PER CENT VEGAN

That means no part of the product comes from animals + it contains zero preservatives or chemicals.

Wander Beauty Wanderess Seascape Eyeshadow Palette, $38

Pick between warm and cool shades in matte and shimmery finishes. Its hydrating finish leaves skin looking luminous. From Sephora and Sephora.sg

Many mistake cruelty-free for being vegan, but that’s incorrect. Before any beauty product can be vegan, it has to fulfil two criteria: It cannot contain any animal-derived ingredients or by products, and can’t have been tested on animals.

You’d be surprised at how much of your makeup comes from animals, such as gelatin (from animal collagen), moisturising agents like beeswax and lanolin (from bees and sheep respectively, and used in lipstick and mascara), and a red pigment called carmine (from beetles).

Even if you have no interest in living the vegan life, using vegan makeup doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality such as colour payoff and pigment intensity.

Yes, it does cost more, but since the formula omits preservatives, chemicals and artificial fragrance, there’s a reduced likelihood of you getting a skin reaction, like a breakout or skin inflammation. Although, you should be aware that even vegan ingredients can trigger allergies or sensitivity.

Buying vegan makeup also makes you a more conscientious shopper, forcing you to think about how your makeup is produced, where ingredients come from, and their impact on the planet. And that can only be good for both your mental well-being and the earth.

Here’s what you can buy, from both fully vegan brands and others that have rolled out vegan-friendly makeup collections but are not fully vegan. Yet. - SINEAD LEE 
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KVD Vegan Beauty Everlasting Blush, $38

Its pigment-packed, buttery-smooth pressed powder formula seals cheeks off with a generous helping of rose-hued blush. From Sephora and Sephora.sg
 
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Milani Ludicrous Lip Gloss, $19.50

Hydrates lips and makes them look glistening and shiny. Comes in 10 shades, from a dreamy champagne gold to bright fuchsia. From Watsons and watsons.com.sg
 
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Chantecaille Hummingbird Eye Quartet, $123

This eyeshadow palette of plum, taupe, pink and gold shades delivers multi-dimensional shimmer with just a few swipes. From Takashimaya D.S.
 

NON-VEGAN BRANDS WITH VEGAN OPTIONS

They offer a selection of makeup that fulfils the vegan criteria.

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Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation, $55

Perfect for that second-skin feel, it leaves a matte finish that lasts up to 24 hours. Expect no cakiness and easy blending. From Sephora and Sephora.sg 
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Hourglass No 28 Lip Treatment Oil, $82

Lips get a gleaming finish with this luxurious botanical oil blend, boosting moisture levels and soothing chapped lips. From Sephora and Sephora.sg 
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Charlotte Tilbury Cheek To Chic, $70

Two-toned pinks take centre stage with this blusher, which comprises creamy, colour-rich textures coming together to deliver a day-to-night rosy glow. From charlottetilbury.com/sg and Sephora.sg
 
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Clarins Instant Concealer, $42

The hydrating formula is enriched with aloe vera and leaves the undereye area with a smooth, refreshed look. The fluid texture blends and sets quickly too. From Clarins boutiques and Clarins.com.sg 
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Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer, $32

The high-shine lip gloss with shea butter makes lips appear fuller. From Sephora and Sephora.sg 
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Essence Eyeshadow, $4

Create a striking chrome look with a high-colour payoff and pearlescent finish. From Guardian stores.