When it comes to Cosmetics, oh how we love our makeup. Did you know that the Cosmetic Industry is currently worth around $579.20 Billion worldwide? Within that industry, Makeup is currently worth around $50 Billion, also worldwide. You might be thinking that is an obscene amount of money, but cosmetics are used all over the globe. It is not like fashion where it differs depending on the country you are in. Makeup is the universal language of enhanced beauty and maturity. It is strange to look back at the early 1900's when makeup was mainly used for actresses. But looking further back, the ancient Egyptians and Chinese emperors used makeup because they believed it to be godly. And then moving forward to now, makeup is used by people of every class and every profession. So, what is the future of makeup if we've seen and done it all by now?
Ethical makeup!
Luckily, we are already walking the path towards a Cruelty Free and Vegan Cosmetic world. More and more brands are making the conscious decision of removing animal testing and animal biproducts. This is not a trend; it is a movement. I joined this movement about 7 years ago when I began to educate myself on this global issue. It was confusing because I did not know what brands where part of this movement. I was just the type of girl that shopped at my local convenience store for makeup, but none of the brands they carried were Cruelty Free or Vegan (at the time). Neither were the high luxury brands (Chanel, Estée Lauder, Clinique, etc.). I had to do a lot of research to discover new brands to shop and support. Skipping forward 7 years to the present, I can honestly say I am very proud of my cosmetic collection for being both Cruelty Free, Vegan, and clean. Of the several brands that I have tried, there are 5 brands that I love and believe you would love, too.
1. Ilia Beauty
Ilia Beauty is certified Cruelty Free by Leaping Bunny (certifier). This brand is not Vegan since they use beeswax in their mascara, which is the only animal biproduct I am flexible about. But that is the only animal byproduct used in their brand. They are known for being one of the cleanest brands available and have won many awards and recognitions. My social media accounts have featured this makeup brand more than any thus far. The product I recommend the most is my favorite 3-in-1 Multi Stick that can be used for your lips, cheeks, and eyelids.
2. Kylie Cosmetics
Kylie Cosmetics started off with just liquid lipstick with a lightweight formula that lasted hours with a spot-on pigment. Now, the brand has an entire makeup line, skincare line, and baby line. This brand is both Cruelty Free and Vegan. Their products are free of parabens, sulfates, and soy. Admittedly, the majority of my lip products are from Kylie Cosmetics because I love their matt liquid lipsticks.
3. Glossier
The famous brand with the debatable name pronunciation. Let me know in the comments if you pronounce the brand in English or in French. This adorable brand has a little bit of everything. Makeup, skincare, deodorant, bath products, fragrance, and some apparel. For being both cruelty free and vegan, I am surprised I did not discover them sooner than I did in 2019. Most of the makeup is very lightweight, but very buildable. Now in my mid-thirties, I find myself avoiding heavy makeup and aiming for a "less is more" look. Glossier's Boy Brow is great for enhancing color, filling in gaps and defining the shape of your brows for a full laminated look.
4. KVD Vegan Beauty
Kat Von D is a fun and colorful brand with a punk like vibe to it. This is where you can find uncommon lip colors such as black, blue and green along with beautiful traditional hues like neutrals, pinks and reds. Their eye shadows and liners have incredible pigment that brightens up your eyes with a magical shimmer. Being both cruelty free and vegan, this brand definitely has a space in my makeup drawer. See how I use KVD Beauty to apply a simple Halloween look here.
5. Monat Skincare Makeup
Imagine makeup that also has skincare ingredients. BB cream with SPF for protection, liquid lip stick with sodium hyaluronate for hydration, concealer with caffeine to help dark circles, and mascara with capixyl to help with growth. Read more about the launch here. Monat is certified Cruelty Free by Leaping Bunny and is Vegan. Let us review their newest makeup line that launched in September 2023 and has already made its way into millions of makeup bags across the globe.
The lineup includes:
1. MONAT Perfecting Translucent Loose Powder™:
You have never used a finishing powder like this. This talc-free formula helps hydrate the skin with vitamin E and antioxidants. It blurs the appearance of pores and fine lines while also helping to keep your makeup in place for a longer period of time. This lightweight powder comes in two shades.
2. MONAT Brighten + Correct Concealer™:
Here is a concealer that does not just cover, it treats. It effortlessly covers dark circles with a buildable coverage that blends easily for a fresh look. This concealer has skincare ingredients such as niacinamide (reduces dark spots), peptides (improves youthful appearance), vitamin E (conditioning agent), Rejuveniqe S (super activated oil), and Caffeine (reduce puffiness).
3. MONAT Liquid Lipstick™:
Available in 6 beautiful shades, this liquid lipstick is not sticky like some lip products. It is creamy, non-drying, and weightless with a formula that soothes and softens lips for up to 12 hours of hydration. This buildable liquid lipstick has a satin finish and helps reduce the appearance of lip lines and is enriched with botanical oils and sodium hyaluronate (helps with water retention). After applying, press your lips together for a refreshing after-effect.
4. MONAT IR Clinical™ Mascara:
Believe me when I tell you that you will want to use this mascara on a daily basis for the look and the benefits within it. A black mascara that is flake free and smudge resistant, it also has beneficial ingredients that will help your lashes with ingredients such as REJUVENIQE®, Vitamin E, DL-Panthenol (conditions lashes), CAPIXYL® (helps to strengthen and thicken hair), IR Clinical™ Technology (caffeine and melatonin to help protect and strengthen). The wand is an hourglass comb for volume and separation.
5. MONAT IR Clinical™ Clear Brow Gel:
For anyone who is looking for that laminated brow look, you will want to try this. This long-lasting clear brow gel has ingredients such as IR Clinical™ technology that treats the hair follicle while also setting your brows for an all-day polished look.
6. MONAT Hydrating Liquid-Gel Cream Blush™:
If you have not tried a cream blush and are still using pressed powder blush, you do not know what you are missing. I have been hooked on cream blush for over 5 years now. The magic of a cream blush is that it looks more natural, blends easily, and lasts hours. This cream blush in particular is also hydrating, moisturizing, and nourishing with jojoba esters and vitamin E. The blush is buildable and gives your cheeks a dewy glow that looks and feels seamless.
7. MONAT Radiant Bronzer:
Have you ever used a Bronzer? Personally, I have never been into bronzers or self-tanners because I love the natural color of my skin. But a facial bronzer is not meant to change the color of your skin as I believed. It is meant to enhance your facial features and gently contour. Now, I cannot stop using this product. This pressed powder bronzer gives your face a warm glow and is infused with skin loving ingredients such as REJUVENIQE S and plant based Squalane. It is of course talc-free and is lightweight and buildable to your preferred look.
Now that you have read all these incredible ingredients, I am sure you are wanting to try this skincare make for yourself. You can shop the makeup line here or comment skincare makeup for a free consultation and a 15% - 30% discount.
Additionally, you can shop Ilia Beauty, Kylie Cosmetics, KVD Beauty, and Glossier on my LTK.IT storefront. Let me know which brand you have used, and which product is your favorite. And remember, you are already beautiful without makeup and any makeup you apply is just enhancing what is already there - your beauty.
XoXo,
Mrs. Ladybug
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