Photographed by Adam Browning Hill for Vogue Arabia
Now more than ever we need to look after our health and pay close attention to the ingredients we are using. While it is fairly obvious we feel better if we eat foods in their raw state without added preservatives, chemicals and toxins – the same logic applies to the skin.
For years we challenged the concept; too expensive, not as effective, a shorter lifespan? It simply didn’t seem worth it.
Yet with a consistently growing vegan community in the Middle East, switching to vegan skincare and makeup products not only makes sense for health benefits, but the development in quality and cost can no longer be disputed. So where do we start?
Differentiating between cruelty-free and vegan can be confusing at the best of times. To break it down, cruelty-free implies that a product and its ingredients have not been tested on animals. Whereas vegan implies that the product contains no animal or animal-derived ingredients (for example Carmine, a crushed red beetle used in many red lipsticks and blush). Also make sure to look out for byproducts such as honey, lanolin, and gelatin that can be hidden in the ingredient list.
Once confined to specialist stores, vegan products are now readily available both in department stores and online and brands are making a conscious effort to market them more clearly – whether through official certification or signage, so make sure to do your research depending on the products country of origin.
While it’s not as difficult as it seems to switch to ethically sourced chemical-free products and commencing a vegan skincare and makeup routine, it can still be a minefield to those of us new to the movement.
To guide us, celebrity and editorial make up artist Toni Malt recommends her top ten vegan products to edge your way in.
1. Collosol Eau de Lait
One of France’s best-kept secrets, this must-have cleansing milk is a cult classic and a favorite of the late Karl Largerfeld. It’s a half-milk and half-micellar water formula that cleanses, plumps and refreshes the skin. Best of all it doesn’t require rinsing!
2. Cosrx Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream
As the world’s No1 Korean skincare brand, this long-lasting highly nourishing moisturizer is perfect for dehydrated skin without feeling oily or heavy, with the added bonus of being paraben-free.
3. Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Concealer
Use this as a concealer or as a full coverage foundation is a firm favorite in my kit. Keep it dewy (in its natural state) or matte it down with translucent powder for your desired finish.
4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade
Dip Brow Pomade is what brow dreams are made of. From a natural-looking texture to bold outlining this product can do it all. Its waterproof formula is sure to withstand the summer heat.
5. Haus Labs Le Monster Matte Lip Crayon – Mastered
Lady Gaga’s newly launched makeup brand Haus Labs proudly adds itself to the list of 100% Vegan brands. This red matte lip crayon is a must-have if you are after a fiercely modern red.
6. KVD Vegan Beauty Tattoo Liner – Trooper
KVD Vegan Beauty’s award-winning bestseller Tattoo Liner in the color Trooper dries faster than you can blink. With a high pigment, long wear and smudge-resistant formula our eyeliner dreams have come true.
7. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Quad – Ghost
Known as a cruelty-free brand their range now includes a selection of excellent Vegan products. This blusher leaves a beautifull natural finish.
8. Farsali Unicorn Essence Antioxidant Primer Serum
Farsali’s products are both vegan and cruelty-free and contain no sulfates, phthalates or parabens – all preservatives that can be very harmful to the skin. Here, is a primer that doesn’t just prolong the wear of your makeup but is full of superfruit extracts loaded with anti-aging antioxidants as well as Vitamin C to even out the skin tone.
9. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand
When it comes to highlighting this product trumps all. It comes in four colors to suit all skin tones. It glides on as a creamy liquid highlighter and dries to a long-lasting finish evening out the pores through its pearlized formula.
10. Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask
This 100% vegan and cruelty-free face mask is made from botanical ingredients. Pink Clay absorbs impurities and reduces the appearance of pores and pigmentation.
Detoxify and refine the vegan way.
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