by John Benson

Created on: December 07, 2009

As a man I have limited personal experience of using makeup. However, as a man I do have extensive experience of buying vegan friendly makeup for my wife. In fact, I suspect I am a better judge of vegan friendly makeup brands than most women. If I get it wrong I have to answer to someone else: my wife!

The ethical imperative for using vegan friendly makeup is a fairly straightforward one: Vegan friendly makeup means that the makeup does not use any animal products, of any kind, in its creation and is not tested or exploits animals in its production. Also, makeup that claims to be vegan friendly should also be certified by the vegan society of whichever country it originates.

There is also a less understood or recognised reason, but one that can be just as important, a health reason. Vegan friendly makeup doesn't usually contain all the harmful, and potentially skin damaging ingredients of common makeup. These include Parabens and synthetic fragrances. Most vegan friendly makeup will contain organic and natural ingredients.

So, it is very easy to look good and maintain your ethical standards and/or your health and well being. It is worth noting that there are very few totally vegan makeup brands, instead, many ethical companies include vegan friendly products in their ranges.

Below are some of the top vegan friendly cosmetic and makeup brands currently available, and all heartily endorsed by my wife!

Sevi: Meaning love in Turkish, Sevi is a vegan skincare and cosmetics company in Baltimore that creates handmade vegan makeup. A truly vegan friendly brand, Sevi have a wonderful range of vegan makeup as well as wider cosmetics such as face washes and moisturisers. They also have some wonderfulnatural fragrances and perfumes. Unparalleled in their commitment to ethical, vegan friendly products, Sevi should be the favorite makeup brand for anyone who is attempting to be animal friendly and cares about their health and wellbeing..

ELF (Eyes, Lips, Face): This is an incredibly affordable and popular vegan friendly makeup brand, but still manages to not include any animal products in its ranges. ELF are even partners with PETA with some of the profits of their products going to PETA. It is often hard to find affordable and accessible vegan friendly cosmetics, but ELF seems to have managed to do this incredibly successfully. I particularly like their 'fur free tweezer set'!

BWC (Beauty Without Cruelty): BWC began as an ethical statement, and soon became a global cosmetics

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>