January is best known as the month of change. Whether that be due to New Year, New Me promises, New Years resolutions or trying new things like dry January or Veganery. Whatever your reasons for making changes it is likely that January looks a little different to December and one hot area for change at the moment is making the move to cruelty free products. If you are looking to make that change too then here are a list of some of the best cruelty free beauty products that I have been testing out recently.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Hair
Shampoo and conditioner
Lets start with the hair. Having a good hair day can make all the difference to how your day goes! So, if you are in the market for a new cruelty free shampoo and conditioner duo then you need to try the Bondi Boost range.
I’ve been using the BondiBoost rapid repair shampoo and conditioner set for a couple of weeks now and although it is at the higher end of the price range at £22.50 per bottle I have loved it and think it really works. It is designed to repair, strengthen and hydrate dry, damaged and brittle hair, which after regular straightener use mine definitely was. Having used the BondiBoost my hair looks and feels a lot healthier and I love the pump mechanism as it stops me from using too much as I have found that a little goes a long way with this set.
Hair Masque
For an extra indulgent treat then the ffs hair masque is what you need. Following your usual shampoo process slather on a generous helping of this nourishing mask, comb through and leave for 10-15 minutes before washing off. It will leave your hair feeling silky smooth and looking nourished with a lovely shine.
For best results use with the ffs all wrapped up protective super soft microfibre hair towel. This will help to absorb the excess water quickly whilst also preventing breakages.
Hair Oil
If you are partial to a hair oil then TAOH have a cruelty free one for you to try. It is created using only the most premium naturel ingredients. The inclusion of Argan, Macadamia & Kukui oil restores the life and shine of hair; promoting scalp health to restore hair growth and vitality. It prevents split ends and calms the hair of frizz, tangles, and dullness. It is also suitable for all hair types, so why not give it a try today.
Face
When it comes to our faces we have lots of products that we use on a regular basis, some of which will be easier to change than others. Here are a couple of products that yo may have thought would be difficult to find in cruelty free ranges and might be preventing you from making the switch.
Face Scrub
If you’re looking for a cruelty free face scrub then UpCircle is where it’s at. They have a wonderful face scrub that is made with repurposed coffee grounds that will leave your skin looking bright making you feel ready to tackle the day ahead. Due to its chamomile, rosehip, jojoba and coconut ingredients it is also suitable for sensitive skin, so why not try it today.
Eye gels
Who doesn’t love an eye patch pick me up? And the restoring night eye gels from Patchology are not only cruelty free but they are amazing too. They may seem a little expensive at £54 a box but you actually get 30 pairs of eye gels making them a lot more affordable then they first appear. They contain Retinol and Peptides that help reduce fine lines as well as Cedrus atlantica bark which brightens and reduces dark circles. They are easy to use and work in as little as five minutes, although you can leave them on longer for a little bit of self care relaxation if you wish.
Eye Serum
The eyes are the window to the soul, or so some say, either way they are definitely indicative of age, health and wellness so it is imperative that we take good care of that area if we want to look bright, healthy and maybe a tad younger too. One way to do this is to use an eye serum and I have been testing the perfect cruelty free one this week.
The Hero Status Roll Model, also by Patchology, is, as the name suggests, a roll on eye serum. It is very easy to apply and completely mess free and can be used in conjunction with other eye care products including the above eye gel patches. The roll model contains Bakuchiol which is the plant based alternative for retinol which will tone the area as well as peptides and niacinamide that will smooth the skin, making this a brilliant anti aging cruelty free addition to your skin care routine.
Facial Hair
Let’s not be shy, most women struggle with facial hair in one way or another and if you are thinking of changing to a cruelty free lifestyle you may be concerned about facial hair products. Worry not though as jOLEN have cruelty free creme bleach that can be used to lighten those dark and unwanted hairs. This easy to mix creme is fast acting and contains aloe vera to ensure it is gentle on your skin.
Lips
For those that have dry and cracked lips finding a cruelty free alternative will be a priority and that’s where Pure Paw Paw comes in. These vibrant, handy, easy to apply, wonder ointments will offer instant relief from sore dry lips. They are made in Australia from Carica Papaya and have recently launched in the UK. Although I am including them here under lips they are actually a multi functional product and due to their healing properties can be used all over the body for a variety of reasons including to soften skin and cuticles, smooth brows or even as a highlighter. This is the perfect addition to every cruelty free make up bag.
Teeth
Sometimes when we try and make changes it can mean giving up products or routines that we really like which can then hinder our success as we revert back to our previous ways, but with so many new cruelty free products being introduced month on month this should soon be a thing of the past. Teeth whitening is one of those things that once started people don’t want to give up and now you don’t have too as GL032 have created a cruelty free advanced whitening toothpaste that is formulated with Coconut Oil giving you a healthier way to achieve a whiter, brighter smile.
Body
Soap
One of the first changes you might think of making to your beauty and hygiene routine when switching to cruelty free is your soap as, hopefully, this is something that you use on a daily basis, so you need to make sure the switch is the right one for you.
One brand that I can recommend is The Goat Skincare, they have lots of different products available that are made from goats milk and packed full of vitamins including a really nice soap bar made with Manuka honey. This soap is cruelty free and has been formulated specifically for dry, itchy and sensitive skin leaving it feeling soft and healthy.
Body Cream
UpCircle have a lovely vegan friendly, cruelty free sustainable body cream that is made with the extracts of leftover date seeds. It feels luxurious and smells incredible and leaves your skin feeling soft. If you have dry skin then this one comes highly recommended for nourishing it back to health it’s shea butter, aloe vera and olive oil components.
Body Scrub
If you are looking for a little self care treat than UpCircle are here to help once again with their Lemongrass body scrub. Made with upcycled coffee grounds from artisan cafes this body scrub will leave your skin looking brights and feeling soft.
Deodorant
Another product that we use daily and that we need to get right when making the change to cruelty free products is deodorant and Salt of the Earth have some wonderful ones for you to try. They have roll ons, stick, spray and crystal deodorants, all of which are cruelty free. The ones I have been testing out are the spray ones. However, these spray deodorants are different to anything I have tried before, they are not your typical aerosol spray, instead they are a liquid spray. I have found that these takes a little bit of getting used to as you need to let it dry for a minute before you get dressed and giving yourself wet armpits to avoid that wet feeling does seem strange at first but you do get used to it quickly and the results are worth it.
The Salt of the Earth cruelty free spray deodorants are 100% natural and available in a 10 different scents, from the ones I tried my personal favourite is the Peony blossom. These deodorants offer long lasting protection, they dry quickly and leave no white marks on your clothes, they are also vegan friendly and can be used from as young as 6 months so suitable for the whole family.
Make up
If you are looking for some cruelty free make up then 3INA is where you need to go. They have everything from foundations to eye liners, lipsticks to mascaras and everything in between. 3INA have something for everyone and event with their eclectic pallet of colours that ranges from your nudes through to your neon’s.
Perfume
When it comes to finding a new cruelty free perfume Dolma are a great choice, not only are they cruelty free they are also 100% vegan too. Plus, you don’t need to take a gamble on one fragrance ad hope you like it as they offer a service where you can purchase 5 vials instead, allowing you to try different scents or stock up on your favourites in travel sizes. They currently have 12 different fragrances so you are sure to find one you love to replace your non cruelty free perfume.
Periods
Okay so sanitary products might not be what you think of when you picture beauty products but chances are if you’re making the change to cruelty free products and you menstruate then cruelty free sanitary products will be something you are looking for too.
FLO creates organic, sustainable, cruelty free period products that give back. Not only do they have a range of products including tampons and period prof undies but they also donate 5% of all their profits to charities such as Bloody Good Period who provide period care to those that can’t afford it.
If you haven’t tried period-proof underwear before, or are looking to change brands, then I recommend you give the FLO Period-Proof Undies a try. They are available in pink or black and cost £19.99 from Boots. They are made from sustainably and ethically sourced cotton and can hold up to five tampons’ worth of blood and also feature a triple protection layer for optimal absorption. They have been designed with cheeky Netflix Sex Education branding to bring a bit of fun to your period.
I hope that if you are looking to introduce more cruelty free beauty products in to your regime that these suggestions have been useful. Every product mentioned above has been tried by me however most of the brands have full ranges that are cruelty free so although I can not personally recommend every product in every range for each brand I am confident that these brands are the best in the business and between them you should be able to replace every beauty product you need to.
When it comes to having a cruelty free Christmas then these are the cruelty free advent calendars you need to check out.