I love trying and finding great vegan beauty products. It’s such a thrill when you find something that really works — whether it’s a drugstore product, or something from a smaller brand. Here’s a list of my favourite vegan products. I’ll continue to update it as I discover new HG (“Holy Grail”) products.
Last Updated: 15-Feb-2020Vegan Skincare
Facial Sunscreen
After reading countless reviews and trying many different facial sunscreens, I have finally settled on a favourite. Australian Gold Botanical SPF 50 Tinted Face Mineral Lotion ticks all the boxes for me: it’s a mineral sunscreen (as opposed to chemical — which I think is better for my pigmentation-prone skin), has high SPF, isn’t greasy, and works really well under makeup. I live in Australia and it manages to keep my makeup fresh all day, which is amazing in this heat! Despite the name, it’s actually an American product, so I order it from Amazon.
Where to buy
Amazon
Australian Gold
Vitamin C Serum
I use Garden of Wisdom Vitamin C Serum 23% + Ferulic Acid Serum under my sunscreen every day to help fade existing pigmentation and prevent new pigmentation from forming. This is the best Vitamin C serum I’ve used. It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly, isn’t greasy, and doesn’t break me out. It also gets high praise from beauty editors and gurus (such as Wayne Goss). Victoria Health (who worked with Garden of Wisdom to formulate this serum) ships internationally, and that’s how I get it here in Australia.
Where to buy
Victoria Health
Oil Cleanser
Most days, I start with Fourth Ray Beauty BFD Oil Cleanser to fully remove sunscreen and makeup from my skin, before following with the gel cleanser below. Fourth Ray is Colourpop’s sister line, so you can get this from either website.
Where to buy
Fourth Ray Beauty / Colourpop
Gel Cleanser
I love this Glow Lab Gel Cleanser from New Zealand. I use it alone when I’m not wearing sunscreen or makeup, or as a second cleanse after my oil cleanser when I am. I like that it’s gentle and doesn’t strip my skin or sting my eyes.
Where to buy
Priceline
Face Scrubber
I was into physical exfoliation for years (St-Ives Apricot Scrub anyone?), so when I stopped using it I never felt like my face was really clean. But this little scrubber gently micro-massages and cleans my face, and because it’s silicone, it isn’t prone to harbouring bacteria. There are more expensive electric versions available, but honestly I think these are fantastic for the price. You should be able to find these at most drugstores or dollar stores for a few bucks, but you can easily find them on eBay and Amazon as well. Oh, and I also use a second one to clean my makeup brushes!
Where to buy
Amazon
Facial Wipes
WotNot Facial Wipes are my favourite. They’re strong enough to remove stubborn makeup, yet gentle enough to not sting my sensitive eye area. I use the sensitive and regular ones interchangeably and find they’re equally good. I leave a pack by my bed, so if I’m too lazy to wash off my makeup in the bathroom, I can quickly swipe it off in bed.
Where to buy
WotNot
AHA Chemical Peel
Eating right, drinking lots of water, working out, getting enough sleep, and using sunscreen can go a long way in making you feel and look younger than you actually are. But sometimes you need a little help, and that’s where Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) come in. If you’ve never used an AHA, you should do your research before starting (and ensure you always wear sunscreen when you do). The Ordinary Glycolic Acid is my favourite AHA because it goes on like a toner and it’s so cheap that I even use it on my feet to help slough away dead skin. Gross but true!
Where to buy
The Ordinary
Blemish Stickers
These Spot Medic blemish stickers are incredible. Pop them on a zit, and they suck up all the gunk overnight. They’re truly the best thing ever. I wish I had these during my teenage years, but even at my age, they’re an absolute life saver! I get these from Priceline in Australia, but there are various brands available. Just make sure they’re Hydrocolloid, as that’s what sucks all the zit juice out.
Where to buy
Priceline
Coconut Oil
I’ve replaced margarine with coconut oil in most of my baking, and I’ve also been using it in my beauty regime for some time now. My favorite uses for it are as a deep conditioner for my hair (put it on, wrap a warm towel around your head for 20 minutes, wash it out), and as a gentle eye makeup remover (it does wonders on waterproof makeup). Try to buy cold-pressed extra virgin organic coconut oil if you can. For more info and tips on using coconut oil, read my “What is Coconut Oil?” post.
Where to buy
Amazon
iHerb — Get 10% OFF your first order with code FWK570
Vegan Body Products
Perfume — Summer
The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Eau de Toilette is my favourite summer scent. It’s so crisp and refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day. This also comes in a Body Mist which is a bit lighter, and which I use to refresh with during the day. I really wish their Pink Grapefruit Body Wash was vegan too (unfortunately it contains honey)!
Where to buy
The Body Shop
Perfume — Winter
Aesop Marrakech is my favourite winter scent. Warm and spicy, it makes me smile every time I spray it on.
Where to buy
Aesop
Perfume — Evening / Special Occassion
Eden Perfumes out of the UK produce excellent vegan dupes of popular perfumes. If you’ve been bummed out that you can no longer wear your all-time favourite perfume because it’s not vegan, then I highly recommend checking these guys out. My favourite is No. 470 — a total dupe of Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, but even better because it’s vegan 🙂
Where to buy
Eden Perfumes
Body Lotion
I’ve been giving Alba Botanica Replenishing Cocoa Butter Hawaiian Hand & Body Lotion to friends for years and now so many people I know are hooked on this awesome vegan body cream! It’s rich and creamy and smells kind of like chocolate. I use it year-long, but it’s especially essential if I’m going somewhere tropical and my skin needs some after-sun pampering.
Where to buy
Alba Botanica
Amazon
Body Scrub
This Giovanni Cool Mint Lemonade Salt Scrub smells incredible and is so wonderfully refreshing — it’s like a frosty margarita for your body. Makes a great gift too!
Where to buy
Amazon
iHerb — Get 10% OFF your first order with code FWK570
Razors
When Dollar Shave Club sold out to Unilever, I searched far and wide for a good vegan razor. Thankfully Preserve Shave 5 came to the rescue. I have it in lime green, of course 😉
Where to buy
Amazon
Shaving Cream
I normally just use shower gel for quick shaves but I like using Giovanni Moisturizing Shave Cream – Invigorating Tea Tree & Mint Scented as a special treat. It has a light lotion consistency and smells incredible.
Where to buy
Amazon
Vegan Hair Products
Hair Mask
I’m not too fussed about which shampoo I use. As long as it’s sulfate-free, I’m happy. But conditioner is a different story. My dry, coloured, and frizzy-prone hair craves moisture. That’s why I love The Body Shop Banana Truly Nourishing Hair Mask. It moisturizes my hair without weighing it down. I pretty much use it as a conditioner at least once a week, and I recently brought it on a 3-week beach holiday as my only conditioner. And the banana smell is out of this world!
Where to buy
The Body Shop
Shower Cap
I’ve used various shower caps over the years but the Kitsch Luxury Shower Cap is by far my favorite. First off, it’s super cute. But more importantly, it has a tight fit so it prevents my hair from falling out and moisture from getting in. As of writing, it has a 4.3/5 rating on Amazon from over 400 reviews.
Where to buy
Amazon
Hair Turban
I recently switched from using a regular towel to the Aquis Rapid Dry Waffle Hair Turban. What a difference it makes! First off, my hair dries a lot faster. It also stays on my head so much better than a regular towel (and is way less heavy). I love it so much that I recently brought it on a 3 week beach holiday because I didn’t want to have to use the hotel towels! It’s not cheap, but I see it as an investment that will last me for years. (Note that they also sell a towel, but this is an actual turban.)
Where to buy
Amazon
Serum / Heat Protectant
I’m in love with R+Co High Dive Moisture and Shine Crème. I use it to protect my hair from heat damage, and it seals my hair and prevents humidity from getting to it (which is a serious issue here in Australia). It’s expensive but I only use quarter-sized dollop on my whole head, so a tube lasts a long time (I’ve had the same one for over a year). The reviews speak for themselves. Where has this been my entire life?!
Where to buy
Adore Beauty
Amazon
Beauty Bay
R+Co
Vegan Makeup
Concealer
I upgraded to Cover FX Power Play Concealer after using their Cream Concealer for years. This has the same incredible coverage, but it lasts all day and doesn’t set into fine lines. Cover FX has always had a great shade range, and this is no different, with over 30 versatile shades. I think it’s the best concealer money can buy, and while it’s on the pricey side, a little goes a long way so it’ll last you a long time.
Bronzer
Most days, I just wear sunscreen and this Natio Mineral Pressed Powder Bronzer on my face (with the eyebrow pencil and mascara mentioned here). I’ve tried many bronzers over the years and they either look too orange or muddy on me. This one looks super natural and the big mirror makes it great for travel. It also works as an eyeshadow in a pinch.
Where to buy
Australia: Priceline
Australia: Natio
Bronzing Brush
I have a bunch of brushes from different brands and they’re all great, but this EcoTools Blending & Bronzing Brush is my Holy Grail brush. I use it with my bronzer (shared above) and it ensures I don’t pick up too much product, and it blends the product so beautifully into my skin.
Where to buy
Amazon
EcoTools
iHerb — Get 10% OFF your first order with code FWK570
Brow Pencil
A concealer and eyebrow pencil are essential for me to feel put-together. Everything else (at least for me), is a bonus. The Colourpop Brow Boss Pencil is my current favourite eyebrow pencil. It’s cheap and does the job. I’m probably on my 10th one and I really don’t see myself switching unless a better option becomes available in Australia (so I don’t have to order it from overseas).
Where to buy
Colourpop
Mascara
The Mascara Revolution is the best vegan mascara I’ve used (and I feel like I’ve tried all of them). It lengthens and volumizes but doesn’t fall out and give me panda eyes like so many other mascaras. It’s also affordable, at under $20. I’m on my 4th tube and I don’t see myself switching anytime soon. There’s also a great waterproof version.
Where to buy
ASOS
Beauty Bay
Priceline
Revolution Beauty
Eyeliner
Most days, I just smudge a bit of eyeliner on my upper lash line and add some mascara and call it a day (without adding eyeshadow). I’ve been using this Revolution Pro Supreme Pigment Gel Eyeliner lately and I really like it as it goes on easily and as it seems to last all day.
Where to buy
Beauty Bay
Revolution Beauty
Eyeshadow
I don’t wear eyeshadow every day but when I’m looking to refill an old shade, or buy something new, I generally look to Colourpop or Makeup Geek. You can buy complete palettes or individual shades and fill you own palettes, which is what I like to do. Not all the shades are vegan, but most of them are, so just check before buying.
Where to buy
Colourpop
Makeup Geek
Lipstick
I basically live in Colourpop lipsticks these days. My favourite formulations/shades are:
- Lux Liquid Lip — in shades Casual Dress, Get Money, Room Service
- Ultra Blotted Lip — in shades Halo Effect, Vitamin Sea, Zuma
- Blur Lux Lipstick — in shades 21 Questions, CA Love, Y2K
Where to buy
Colourpop
Foundation
I no longer wear foundation every day but when I do, it’s Australis Stayput Foundation. I’ve tried cheap stuff and I’ve tried expensive stuff, but I keep coming back to this. It goes on silky, has SPF 15, and has a light citrus smell. Not all Australis products are vegan, but they clearly indicate those that are on their website.
Where to buy
Australis
Vegan Nail Products
Nail Lacquer
I have zero patience with waiting for nail polish to dry so Butter London Patent Shine 10x nail lacquers are a game changer for me, as they go on incredibly smooth, and dry very quickly. I wear Tea with the Queen (as shown above) pretty much all the time, but I also love Ta-Ta! (a light grey). Note that their old formulation isn’t vegan (just look for the chrome tops on the new vegan ones).
Where to buy
Amazon
Butter London
