Not just Lush: 13 brands selling ethical cosmetics
Recently we told how to begin to understand ethical cosmetics that are not animal tested and suitable for vegans. To continue the topic, we have collected cruelty-free-brands of decorative and caring cosmetics that are available and not very well known in Russia, and show where to look for them, after checking the PETA list.
Makeup
By 2018, Lime Crime became, perhaps, the most recognizable (and at the same time one of the most controversial) indie brand in the world. And it did her only good: over the past couple of years, the range has expanded considerably - now Lime Crime can find not only super-resistant liquid lipsticks and palettes with the image of Venus, but also several types of highlighters, shimmering shadows, good brushes and even hair dye.
The perky Italian brand Kiko Milano produces both decorative and caring cosmetics (the first is still better than the second). The company is not listed in PETA: Kiko does not certify its products in animal protection organizations, explaining that EU laws already guarantee that cosmetics are not tested on animals. In Kiko you should go for basic things like good black mascara or light BB-cream. The brand appeared in Moscow in 2016, now corners can be found not only in every third shopping center of the capital, but also in Krasnodar and Rostov-on-Don. Orders from the online store are sent to all Russian regions.
Funds for a German budget brand that adheres to a cruelty-free policy can be found in almost every Girlfriend store. Essence's bestsellers include clear eyebrow gel and matting powder (cheaper than a cup of coffee!). We also advise you to take a closer look at the highlighter in the stick and brushes of synthetic pile, surprisingly tenacious.
NYX became famous all over the world for their eyeliners, pencils and lipsticks of various colors and shades. In addition to neon eye shadows and black lipstick, NYX makes excellent basic tools - for example, eyebrow lipstick and a strong tonal base with a convenient applicator-pipette. It is impossible not to emphasize that the company is certified PETA, although it belongs to the unethical L'Oréal. Some NYX corners are available only in Moscow; in other cities, the brand’s products can be found in “Girlfriend”, “Golden Apple” and “Rive Gaucher”.
Urban Decay has the same story as the NYX: the once independent and ethical brand was swallowed up by the giant unethical company L'Oréal. Urban Decay is certified by PETA, there are a lot of products with vegan ingredients in the lines (but before buying it is still better to carefully read the composition). Instead of the Naked palettes popular with beauty bloggers, pay attention to the wonderful eyeliner with Heavy Metal glitter and matte lipstick, one of the most comfortable and durable on the market. You can touch the cosmetics in nine stores in Moscow.
On iHerb you can find a lot of pleasant ethical cosmetics, but we recommend paying particular attention to e.l.f. Cosmetics. One of the few companies that produces inexpensive and completely ethical decorative cosmetics. The brand is friendly with PETA and does not use beeswax and lanolin. For funny money from e.l.f. You can find some good matting powders, brushes and optional, but nice things like mint lip scrub or translucent universal tinth. However, not all products from e.l.f. equally successful: the shadows love to crumble and roll, and lipstick - to spread on the face at the most inopportune moment.
Illamasqua is a British brand respected by professional makeup artists who have been involved in cruelty-free cosmetics since 2008. Illamasqua has never tested animals; PETA has been on the white list for a long time and has over a hundred vegan products in its product lines. In L'Etoile, where the brand was officially brought last year, not all shades and products can be found - look more, for example, on Lookfantastic.
Popular beauty blogger Jeffrey Star, who gradually turned into one of the most scandalous makeup artists, launched his own line of cosmetics in 2015. Jeffree Star Cosmetics positions itself as a fully cruelty-free and vegan brand - and PETA confirms this. In 2016, Kat von Dee, a famous tattoo artist and founder of the ethical brand of cosmetics, accused Star of hypocrisy and a thirst for profit. According to von Di, the make-up artist released the cruelty-free-line not for his own views, but for the sake of commercial success. In Russia, the line is imported in limited quantities, so you can only find the most popular products - for example, a palette of shadows of incredible shades and liquid lipstick.
Care
Estonian brand Dr. Konopka's produces good everyday care products: shampoos, shower gels and hand creams. All products Dr. Konopka's is suitable for vegans, but we must bear in mind that the brand belongs to the Russian unethical company “First Solution” (owner Natura Siberica and Grandmother Agafi’s Recipes): she has a dubious reputation and, despite vegan certificates, activists put her on the gray list.
Dr. Hauschka is often called the ethical analogue of premium brands, although in reality the brand concept is closer to pharmaceutical cosmetics. The brand has a lot of lines for different skin types - from oils and creams for oily skin to skin products with dermatitis. Also Dr. Hauschka has decorative cosmetics, ethical toothpastes, deodorants and shampoos.
Aesop is COS in the world of cosmetics. The legendary Australian brand reached Russia only this year, thirty years after its foundation. Fans of beautiful brown jars Aesop especially praise shampoos and face products with parsley. Behind the beautiful design are hiding really effective products with a good composition and pleasant unobtrusive aromas.
Logona was founded in 1975 by the German doctor Hans Hansel as a brand of “healthy” cosmetics. The brand is certified: the products have a natural composition, the products do not use ingredients made from dead vertebrates, and strict environmental standards apply to the production. In addition to the main line of care, Logona has children's and men's cosmetics, as well as hair dyes, styling products and toothpastes.
The young brand from Belarus produces natural and ethical cosmetics for sensitive skin. Sativa hits include facial moisturizers and cleansers. It is quite difficult to find cosmetics of the brand, as long as it is sold only in small eco-shops in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but it also comes across in the regions.
Photo: Pudra, L'Etoile, iHerb, Urban Decay, NYX, KIKO, Revolve, I Love Makeup, 4fresh, Rive Gauche, Makeup Store, TSUM