Around September last year, I made the decision to stop eating meat. It was a simple decision that led to a sort of ripple effect across my life as I reassessed my values and started to act according to them.
One of the first things I did was take a look at my make-up bag to see how many of the products I already bought were vegan or cruelty free, and how many I would have to change.
After a little research, I was completely shocked to discover that not a single one of the beauty products that I bought and used regularly were cruelty-free. Not one!
I was horrified, and actually really upset to realise that I had been supporting animal testing for years through my buying habits, while all the time claiming to be against the practice. Something had to change.
The problem was that I really have no interest in make-up. I had been buying the same products since I started wearing the stuff as a teenager and had never thought to change it up or spend a little more on these products. While most of my friends had graduated to slightly more sophisticated, pricier brands, I was still very much a Rimmel London kinda gal.
There were 2 issues here:
- I had no idea where to begin looking for new brands or products, or where to find reliable user reviews for them
- A lot of the cruelty free brands I came across were above my budget and I did NOT want to start spending more on products I grudged buying in the first place
It has taken me months of trial, error and research to find the brands and products that I now love and use, so I thought I would share some of my newfound knowledge. Here is my far from definitive list of the best affordable and cruelty-free make up products in the UK, and where to buy them.
Makeup
KIKO
This is my go to affordable cruelty-free make up brand. They have high street stores across the UK and are available online at kikocosmetics.com. Almost all their products cost less than £20.
My personal favourites are the Unlimited Liquid Foundation (£14.99) and the Luxurious Lashes Maxi Brush Mascara (£7.20)
NYX
This is another great go to budget cruelty-free brand. Stocked in Boots or online at cultbeauty.co.uk. I will be honest, I don’t love their mascaras. Having tried a few, I find them dry and clumpy and they require like a million layers. I do love their lipsticks, however, I use their Matte Lipstick in red (£7).
B. Beauty
Exclusive to Superdrug stores. Almost all products are under £10.
Elf Cosmetics
Stocked in Boots and Superdrug UK. Almost all products under £15. (This brand was also given the seal of approval by beauty blogger, Jeffree Star, in a video earlier this year if that means anything to you!)
Ecotools
My favourite make-up brushes. Stocked in Boots, Superdrug and online. They are cruelty-free, sustainable and vegan with kits starting at £8.99 and individual brushes from £5.
Skincare
Moisturiser
Superdrug
When it comes to affordable cruelty-free skincare, Superdrug is your new best friend. I had overlooked the brand for years, assuming (as many of us do) that low cost meant low quality. Then I found out that all of their own brand products are cruelty free, and they’re actually pretty good!
Of all the products I had to replace when I started buying cruelty-free, good moisturiser was by far the hardest to find. I was recommended Superdrug’s Vitamin E range by a friend and I now use their Vitamin E SPF 15 Moisturising Day Cream for face (£3.49) and their All Over Body Cream (£3.49) daily.
Bodyshop
Another great option is the Bodyshop’s slightly pricier Vitamine E Moisture Cream (£13).
Serums
The Ordinary
The Ordinary are an absolute gem of a cruelty-free skincare brand. They are stocked online at cultbeauty.co.uk.
My favourites are: Hyaluronic Acid (£5.90) for a little moisture boost, Niacinamide (£5) for minimising pores and battling blemishes and AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution for a weekly exfoliation routine.
Cleanser
Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser (from £15.50)
Stocked at Boots, John Lewis or online. While this cleanser is not the most budget option in the world, it is far from the most expensive. I have been using this product since I started wearing make up and I am yet to find one I prefer!
Deodorant
This was another really difficult switch to make and after a couple of failed experiments with natural deodorants, I settled on Superdrug’s own brand Sensitive deodorant (£0.99) or Soft & Gentle (£2.00) for an aluminium-free option
Hair
Shampoo
Bodyshop
I love the Bodyshop’s Fuji Tea Tree Shampoo (£6.50). A small bottle lasts for months so while it might be a little pricy for shampoo, it is well worth the investment!
Lush
If you want to be an even more responsible consumer and ditch the plastic, Lush stock a great range of shampoo and body wash bars from £8.00. I haven’t used them myself but friends have vouched for the fact that they last really well!
Oil
I was gutted to find out that my old faithful Aussie hair oil was not in fact cruelty free. Superdrug saves the day yet again and I have recently switched to their own brand Hair Therapy Oil with Argan (£3.99). This is a little heavier than the Aussie version but if used sparingly leaves your hair silky smooth and frizz free.
These are a just few of my favourite cruelty-free products, let me know below if you have any other recommendations or think I have missed anything out!
If you are interested in reading more about my decision to give up meat, check out this book review I wrote recently on Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer.