What does being Vegan Mean?
Simply put a Vegan is a strict vegetarian who consumes no food (such as meat, eggs, or dairy products) that come from animals and/or one who abstains from using any animal products (such as leather, fur & feathers). This is why many people assume Vegan items are automatically cruelty free but that is not necessarily true. The source of many ingredients can surprise you. Examples of the kinds of ingredients that are not vegan include beeswax, honey, lanolin, and different types of milk. To be truly vegan products or foods should also consider the processing of ingredients, which should not involve animal-derived elements. Sugar, for example, is sometimes processed using charred bone, which would make the ingredient non-vegan. Michelle Connolly, director of merchandising and planning at Credo Beauty, shares that carmine and keratin are other animal-derived ingredients to watch out for.
When people commit to a true vegan lifestyle, they decide not to consume, wear, or use animal products in any way. “This means they don’t eat honey, wear leather or wool, or use beeswax. As people gain greater access to information about food production and animal cruelty, they are becoming less and less inclined to consume animal products. The decision to become vegan is gaining popularity in the United States and Globally.
Veganism is more than a Fad
Based on a recent study in the US it was found that approximately 0.5 percent, or 1 million people are vegans, who consume no animal products at all. A recent poll conducted by Gallup has found 3 percent of people surveyed said they were vegan. This difference likely reflects a vegan diet vs a vegan lifestyle. That being said veganism is a rapidly growing movement- from just a few million in the early 90’s to around 550–950 million* world wide as of last year (stats via wikipedia).
The Global Vegan picture is constantly evolving but the countries below reflect the largest populations globally.
- India 29% – 40% 360,576,000
- China 4% – 5% 54,428,000 – 68,035,000
- Brazil 7.6% 15,200,000
- United States 3.3% 8,000,000
Consumers are seeking more information on the topic. Invariably, one line of research leads to another, and many of those interested in chemical-free foods eventually start researching personal-care products, and the chemicals in the beauty potions we put on our skin. This trend is fueling a rising interest and demand among consumers for vegan cosmetic and beauty products. The search term for veganism has gone up by 550% according to google and the trend quadrupled in the 5 years between 2012 and 2017. It now gets almost 3 times more interest than vegetarian and gluten free searches.
Famous advocates for an animal product-free life include Miley Cyrus, Kate and Rooney Mara, Jared Leto, Jennifer Lopez, Anne Hathaway, Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman and even Bill Clinton. It’s important to note that almost a third of the vegans are estimated to be female.
Why use vegan products?
The choice to protect animals and live a vegan lifestyle is one of ethics. Consumers today are more informed and empowered, and they’re demanding transparency with their products. This includes information about the ingredients and ingredient sourcing. Even if your not officially vegan, the vegan requirements lead consumers to assume that vegan products are safer and of higher quality. Vegan, plant based products not only protect animals from cruelty but tend to be healthier.
How to know if a product is vegan
As is the case with skin-care and makeup products that claim to be clean or natural, vegan products are not verified by any governing body. There is currently no governmental certification process so it is up to the consumer to read packaging and study up. Typically the product’s packaging will claim vegan as one of its stand-out factors. Remember that if even one ingredient is animal-derived, it’s not considered vegan. The recent consumer demand to make beauty ingredients transparent will likely change the legal labeling requirements thus making it easier for consumers to know what is truly vegan.
Vegan Makeup brands
Kat Von D has numerous vegan products (including all shades of the Everlasting Liquid Lipstick, and the Unlock It make-up removal wipes), and her most popular Vegan Love Eyeshadow Palette. She is currently working towards making the rest of her line fully vegan. More Here
Urban Decay lists all its vegan products on one page online for shopping convenience, top items include their brushes and waterproof eyebrow gel but they have all makeup categories covered. You can find more on this link:and her Mascara. More
Celebrity make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury offers a completely cruelty-free make-up line with an impressive 40 vegan options, including the bestsellers Magic Foundation, WonderGlow Primer, and Kissing lipstick in Nude Kate – the colour created for Kate Moss. More Here
The Body Shop – Moved to a cruelty-free stance in 1976. Offer vegan products in every category and they are clearly marked, they even offer vegan brushes.
If you want to shop more Vegan brands the attached may help. Best Vegan Makeup
At the risk of self promoting – a reminder that all the Amalie items are cruelty free and Vegan. We always have been and always will be. Read more here: Amalie Beauty
Are you Vegan? Share your story.
