Monday, May 14, 2012

My Vegan Beauty Routine - Morning


Hiya fiends! I've gotten several requests to share my beauty routine and what vegan products I use for skin, hair and body so I thought I would devote a few posts to the subject. For this first post I'll be sharing my morning routine with you. I'm a get-up-and-go kinda gal, so it usually only takes me about 20 minutes to get ready in the AM...I think my routine is pretty simple. Below you'll find my daily morning routine and all the vegan beauty products I generally use.

A word of caution: Though all the products listed below are vegan (to the best of my knowledge), you should always double-check that a product is vegan before buying. Companies change their ingredients frequently and products in other countries may contain different ingredients, so don't just take my word for it that something is vegan - always verify it yourself prior to purchasing! 

And now, onto my favorite vegan beauty products that I use on a daily basis! Links will lead you where you can purchase each product. 

My day starts with a thorough brushing with Trader Joe's Peppermint Toothpaste. I've also tried Lush's Toothy Tabs and use them from time to time. They are little tablets that you break apart in your mouth to turn into sudsy toothpaste. They have some really cool flavors (rose-flavored, anyone?), but I prefer the traditional Dirty Toothy Tabs that taste like spearmint.

Next, my face gets a good scrubbing from Lush's Coalface, which absorbs excess oil and exfoliates, while rosewood and sandalwood oils reduce redness. For toner, I use Humphreys Witch Hazel Astringent, which gets rid of any extra grime on my face (and is great for waking me up)!

For a day-time moisturizer, I use Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 (SEE UPDATE ON THIS PRODUCT BELOW). This stuff is absolutely amazing and it is the only product I've found that helps control my oily skin all day long! Not only does it do an excellent job of controlling oil, but it also helps clear impurities, reduce breakouts and protects skin with SPF 15. The price is a bit much (I usually pay around $30 for it), but it lasts me about 4 months and the positive impact it makes on my skin makes it sooooo worth the price tag! (UPDATE: Ack! I just found out that this stuff IS NOT vegan...it contains chitosan, which is made from the exoskeleton of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp.)

As for makeup, it's pretty simple and not over the top most days. For my eyes I use Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion and Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion (SEE UPDATE ON URBAN DECAY BELOW) and Ecco Bella Black Mascara. UD's Perversion is the blackest carbon black that I've ever had the pleasure of wearing and its thick, inky black is perfect for goths and goths-at-heart! I also love Ecco Bella's mascara...it goes on so smoothly and thickly. I am also obsessed with Urban Decay's colorful palette of vegan eyeshadows (not all their shadows are vegan, but look for the "Marley Approved" paw print that signifies that a product is vegan on their site!) and own a ton of them. For work, I like to wear a shimmery nude, like Half Baked, but for weekends or going out I love more dramatic shades like the vibrant Graffiti! (UPDATE: Urban Decay has been acquired by L'Oreal, one of the biggest animal testing companies. Though UD claims they will stay cruelty-free, they will still be owned by a parent company that commits atrocious animal testing. Therefore, I will no longer purchase or condone the use of Urban Decay Cosmetics.)

For foundation I use Ecco Bella Liquid Foundation in Ivory Porcelain. In the past I've used Lush's Color Supplement in Light Pink as well. I like both and they both provide ample coverage, but I give Ecco Bella the edge as their squeeze bottle is easier to use than the glass pot Lush's foundation comes in. To finish everything off I set my makeup with Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder (SEE UPDATE ON THIS PRODUCT BELOW). This powder gives my skin a soft, velvety feel and works wonders with the Murad moisturizer to control oil. Again, it is a bit pricey (around $30), but it really gives my skin a flawless finish that lasts me 12+ hours. Plus, a pot of it generally lasts me several months, so for me it is definitely worth the price! (UPDATE: MakeUpForever now sells in China, which requires animal testing and therefore means they are no longer a cruelty-free company in my eyes. I will no longer be purchasing their products.)

I don't use much on my lips, just a bit of lip balm for shine. I love Crazy Rumors' (especially their "Perk" line, but pretty much all of their flavors are dynamite!) and Booda Butter's lip balms. My lips definitely couldn't live without them!

For deodorant I generally use Nature de France's Le Stick Deodorant in Green Gardenia. It leaves me feeling fresh all day long! Whenever I need an extra boost of protection I use Herban Cowboy Deodorant in Dusk. I know this is geared toward dudes, but I just love the smell of it! Both of these deodorants are natural, free of aluminum and contain little or no harsh chemicals.

Before heading out the door I spritz myself with some vegan perfume or essential oils. I use Lush's Tuca Tuca (violet and vanilla), Lust (jasmine) or Auric Blends Essential Oils in Moonlight (soft oriental) or Aphrodesia (rose and sandlewood). I also love Pacifica's perfumes (which I reviewed here!).

Stay tuned for next time, when I talk about my evening beauty routine!

What is your morning routine like? What kind of vegan beauty products do you use?

3 comments:

  1. I'm so happy you did a post like this. I've been searching nonstop for some decent vegan products lately. You've definitely given me some to check out.

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  2. Thanks for doing a post on this! I was wondering, when you went vegan did you throw out your old make-up and beauty products? I am of the mind to finish up what I have since I already did the damage of purchasing it but I was curious about what you did. My husband and I both read your blog and we were vegetarian for almost five years before we decided to go vegan a month ago.

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  3. @MissRivett - Happy to oblige!

    @Marasy - Congrats on going vegan! So excited for you! When I went vegan I gradually transitioned most of my makeup/beauty products to vegan versions. I didn't want to just toss everything due to the cost, so I used up most of the stuff I already owned before replacing it with vegan products. Of course, it sure was fun to discover awesome vegan products, so I had to restrain myself a bit in the beginning! Best of luck on your transition! :D

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