But is it ethical?
If you find yourself asking this question more and more when you fall in love with a beauty product, then we’re pleased to tell you that you are not alone. In fact, we are seeing more and more ethical, cruelty-free, organic and vegan make up and beauty products on the market right now, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. And we’ve barely scratched the surface.
Sustainable, environmentally friendly, eco-friendly, compassionate – we could go on, but we think you get where we are coming from. These are the hottest buzzwords to familiarise yourselves with right now, as buying with purpose has never been more important. Ethical – we’ll use this term as the umbrella for all of the buzzwords we mentioned above –fashion and beauty used to be quite a niche field a few years ago, but things couldn’t be more different today. As we grow more and more aware of the dangers to the environment, as well as the unethical treatment of employees, it’s imperative that we make a more conscious effort to know where our products are coming from. After all, knowing that our favorite beauty products are responsibly sourced and harmless to the environment, animals and other humans just makes us love them even more. Are we right?
Not every brand that claims to be ethical ticks every single box though – for example, being purely organic – but it’s pretty easy to find out what requirements each brand meets, so you can shop accordingly.
We’ve rounded up some of the hottest ethical beauty brands that have turned our heads this year. Phenomenal beauty products that we can wear all year round without feeling an ounce of guilt? Sign us up!
KL Polish
Cruelty free and made right here in the USA – check and check! You can thank Kathleen Fuentes (aka Kathleen Lights if you’re wondering what the initials stand for) for that!
If a guilt-free manicure and pedicure is what you’re after, then you’ll sleep well at night knowing that the entire KL Polish range contains absolutely zero animal derived ingredients. And you can bet your bottom dollar that the products aren’t tested on animals either. A big bonus to the KL Polish nail polishes – as if you needed another reason to love them – is that they are also free from parabens and toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, which also makes the products perfectly safe for children too. (Are you thinking what we’re thinking? Princess pamper party!)
AMP3 favorite: We can’t quite believe the intense, vibrant colors that have been created without harsh chemicals and unethical standards – just goes to show what you can achieve if you put your mind to it; and of course, put your heart in it! Because we want to be one step closer to achieving our lifetime goal of becoming a mermaid, our KL Polish highlight was a no brainer. The Ocean Drive nail polish has our name all over it!
W3LL PEOPLE
Saving that earth doesn’t have to cost the earth, and W3LL PEOPLE is proof! If you’re after a natural and green brand, then this is the one for you. W3LL PEOPLE was founded by a make up artist slash cosmetic dermatologist on a mission to deliver high quality products while using the most natural ingredients possible – and it’s safe to say that they succeeded! Say goodbye to the harsh chemicals found in some of the leading make up and beauty lines, and say hello to some of the lightest and most natural plant based products ever created. Who knew nature could help us look and feel so good?!
AMP3 favorite: The Altruist Mineral Foundation is a particular fave, thanks to its weightless formula that leaves your face looking radiant as well as looking and feeling flawless. The zinc and titanium, which work together to protect the skin from environmental damage, is a nice bonus!
Makeup Geek
No Instagram stalking session is complete without seeing those Makeup Geek hashtags pop up – especially when it comes to crediting their vegan make up and make up brushes. The Makeup Geek brushes could easily compete with the best in the business, and get our seal of approval for being completely and utterly cruelty free.
AMP3 favorite: Although we’ve raved about the cruelty free make up brushes, we couldn’t possibly pass up the chance to obsess over the cruelty free and paraben free sparklers. Aka the most pigmented cruelty free eye glitters we’ve ever laid eyes on! Loose, reflective particles are to thank for enhancing your beauty look and turning you into a shimmery, glittering goddess. Perfect for special occasions, the holiday season and any day you want to go the extra mile. Glitter eyes on a Monday morning? Why not!
Derma-E
Taking care of your skin with a little help from nature. Ok, a lot of help from nature… and not much else! Derma-E prides itself on creating some of the finest natural products that not only leave our skin looking and feeling good, but also do good too. Derma-E harnesses nature’s best ingredients for its cruelty free, paraben-free and even gluten-free products. They’re also free from sodium lauryl sulfates, petrolatum, mineral oil, artificial colors, soy and GMOs. In other words, if you can’t pronounce it, it’s probably not in there! Additionally, the packaging is recyclable, and the brand offsets 100% of conventional electricity use with wind energy certificates. How many leading beauty brands have that to boast about?
Not only does Derma-E help us, the consumer, but it also does its bit for both local and worldwide communities too. It proudly supports humanitarian causes and philanthropic organizations such as Vitamin Angels (a non-profit organization that provides vitamins and minerals to at-risk mothers and children in need), Special Olympics: Ventura County (which helps to empower children and adults with intellectual disabilities) and Keep America Beautiful (the largest community improvement organization in the entire USA!)
AMP3 favorite: Now that we are in the height of summer, when UVA and UVB rays are at their most potent (read: dangerous) sun protection has never been more important. This Natural Mineral Sunscreen is the perfect sunscreen for the face, thanks to its lightweight, oil free formula that protects the face from wrinkles and other forms of sun damage without leaving a greasy residue. And of course it goes without saying, the vegan product is also paraben free and gluten free. Happy shopping!
Glossier
Another social media favorite, and for good reason. Make up artists and beauty aficionados alike are obsessed with Glossier thanks to its ability to effortlessly deliver those photo-ready looks that guarantee Insta-likes. If you’re after a natural and dewy complexion (silly question, we know) then Glossier’s products will truly amaze you. It’s also a big hit with brides – see above re natural and dewy complexion – as the products look just as good in pictures as they do in person. Oh, and did we mention that they last ALL. DAY. LONG?!
AMP3 favorite: Skin prep is just as, if not more, important than make up, which is why we are completely and utterly obsessed with the Milky Jelly cleanser. You’ll see what we mean when you try it. Use it as a cleanser as part of your morning or night-time routine, as well as to remove your make up. We love a hard-working product! Cleansers sometimes come attached with harsh chemicals – not what you need when you’re using it every day – so we were over the moon when we found this product. The pH balanced gel formula contains some of the same cleaning agents found in contact lens solution, which means it’s even perfectly safe to use around the eyes. How many cleansers come with that promise?
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