Opinions Wanted: Vegan Beauty

[KatieBT]

You may have noticed that vegan products are showing up more and more in the beauty space. By Sephora standards, which may differ from others, vegan beauty products are beauty products formulated without any animal products or by-products (no beeswax, carmine, silk, honey, animal-derived squalane, etc.). 

We also see other labels like clean, sustainable, cruelty-free, organic, and more but today we are solely seeking your thoughts on vegan beauty. If you have a few minutes, please leave a reply below by Wednesday,  8/21, answering the following questions or feel free to send me your answer via private message*. Note: you can copy and paste the questions to answer them more easily but must do so from desktop or mobile web. 

Please answer the following: 

1. Do you seek out vegan beauty products? If yes, why?
2. What are your go-to resources for vegan-specific beauty news and product information? Any vegan-focused websites, Instagram accounts or YouTube channels? 
3. If hypothetically choosing between two products with identical quality and value and one is vegan. Are you more likely to purchase one over the other? If so, which one and why? 
4. Please share up to three adjectives you associate with vegan beauty.
5. Please share up to three adjectives you associate with brands offering vegan products. 
6. Extra credit: What does "vegan" mean to you? 

Looking forward to hearing your responses!

*Everyone is entitled to their beliefs and opinions so please be kind and open-minded if responding to others. 

[KomediAnne]

1. do you seek out vegan beauty products? If yes, why?  ABSOLUTELY, BECAUSE ANIMALS DON'T BELONG IN COSMETICS, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN LIFE TO LIVE, NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, JUST SO WE CAN WASH IT OFF IN A FEW HOURS. 
2. What are your go-to resources for vegan-specific beauty news and product information? Any vegan-focused websites, Instagram accounts or YouTube channels?
3. SO MANY,  PETA.ORG, LIVEKINDLY.CO, PETITVOUR.COM, VEGAN BEAUTY BLOGGERS AND CLEAN BEAUTY YOUTUBERS, VEGNEWS, MERCYFORANIMALS, ALL OF THEM, I FOLLOW ALL THE VEGAN BRANDS LIKE TATIb, LUNARb, ELF.  ETHICAL ELHEPHANT, CRUELTY FREE KITTY, VEGAN ACTORS, MOBY, KVD, ELLEN, CRUELTY FREE INTERNATIONAL, VEGAN SOCIETY, ABOUT 1000 ACCOUNTS. 
4. If hypothetically choosing between two products with identical quality and value and one is vegan. Are you more likely to purchase one over the other? If so, which one and why? DEFINATELY I WILL CHOSE VEGAN BECAUSE I CAN'T BLOG, VLOG, SHARE OR RECCOMEND ANYTHING ELSE, VEGAN PRODUCTS ARE THEIR OWN CATEGORY, THEY ARE NOT COMPARABLE, HOWEVER I REFUSE TO PAY MORE.
5. Please share up to three adjectives you associate with vegan beauty. COMPASSION, ETHICS, ENLIGHTENMENT, EMPOWERMENT, FEMINISM, SOCIAL JUSTICE 
6. Please share up to three adjectives you associate with brands offering vegan products. THANKFUL, EPIC, REVOLUTIONARY, INDUSTRY LEADERS
7. Extra credit: What does "vegan" mean to you? IT MEANS DOING THE LEAST AMOUNT OF HARM, IT IS ANTI-CONSUMERISM, A RELATIONSHIP WITH NATURE, WORLD PEACE, SUSTAINABLE FASHION, SPIRUTUAL ENLIGHTENMENT 🙂  
8. MY GOAL IN LIFE, PURPOSE AND MEANING IS TO END THE USE OF CARMINE IN COSMETICS IN MY LIFETIME, BY ENCOURAGING CORPORATIONS TO ADAPT BEST PRACTICES, I AM WORKING AS AN ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST FOR 5 YEARS, WAS VEGETARIAN 10+ YEARS, NOW PRACTICE PLANT BASED, VEGANISH, FLEXATARIAN, REDUCEATARIAN, CHEEGAN, VEEGAN, FREEGAN, VEGAN SYMAPTHETIC LOL. 🙂 I Try everyday to live more authentically. I was pre-vegan at age 7. Vegan beauty is my passion. Animals and insects suffer needlessly. 

[KomediAnne]

squaline is vegan, if it comes from a plant, some are from sharks, none are distinguished. 

[unfungirl]

Hey everyone! I just started a new thread on Vegan and Cruelty-Free beauty, so please stop by if you want to discuss further 🙂

https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/The-Vegan-and-Cruelty-Free-Beauty-Thread-lt-3/t...

[bonjourcupcake]

Hello! Do you by chance know how to go to this link on the app? I'm interested in joining the thread!

[SportyGirly125]

@bonjourcupcake there are 3 dots to your post when you click it subscribe to the feed or you can bookmark it. 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@KatieBT 

1. Do you seek out vegan beauty products? If yes, why? No.
2. What are your go-to resources for vegan-specific beauty news and product information? Any vegan-focused websites, Instagram accounts or YouTube channels? I don't seek out vegan information, but I do read up on it from time to time via Allure and BIC.
3. If hypothetically choosing between two products with identical quality and value and one is vegan. Are you more likely to purchase one over the other? If so, which one and why? It would probably have to do with what brand is selling the item.  A concern I have about vegan products is that some brands seem to pop up and I don't feel like they are established; thus I don't have a relationship with them.  I also feel like some brands are just jumping on the bandwagon.  To be honest, I'm a little fearful of some vegan (and organic) products b/c some I've looked into have irritants in them (like fragrant essential oils).  I think my fear about vegan products is related to the fact that many "natural" hair products haven't worked for me, and I'm afraid something similar will happen with vegan beauty.  (I understand that these terms aren't interchangeable but that it how my mind is working.)  I think once vegan beauty is more mainstream and I become more educated, my views will evolve.  I do look forward to trying vegan beauty.
4. Please share up to three adjectives you associate with vegan beauty.  IDK if these words are correct, but I think natural, cruelty-free and organic.
5. Please share up to three adjectives you associate with brands offering vegan products. Free spirit, meeting consumer demands (I know, this isn't an adjective), growing
6. Extra credit: What does "vegan" mean to you? I'm still learning about veganism, but I interpret it to be a lifestyle.  However, I also think that it's a movement that is open, so newcomers can explore and dabble.

[Titian06]

Do you seek out vegan beauty products? If yes, why?

Yes; I'm a 30-year vegetarian (borderline vegan).

What are your go-to resources for vegan-specific beauty news and product information? Any vegan-focused websites, Instagram accounts or YouTube channels?

I read labels and conduct research on the Internet. 

If hypothetically choosing between two products with identical quality and value and one is vegan. Are you more likely to purchase one over the other? If so, which one and why? 

No choice--vegan.

Please share up to three adjectives you associate with vegan beauty.

Animal friendly, sustainably produced, environmentally friendly

Please share up to three adjectives you associate with brands offering vegan products. 

Animal friendly, sustainably produced, environmentally friendly. 

Extra credit: What does "vegan" mean to you? 

Sustainably produced and environmentally friendly with no animal- or insect-derived ingredients or by-products.

[Anonymous]

I personally with my past purchases was not very concerned on wether a product was vegan or not, but after using some of the fabulous products for skincare by drunken elephant, such as there exfoliating soap bar, my mind was completely changed. My skin has never felt as soft and clean as it does now. It’s changed my perspective on beauty products entirely, and I find myself seeking out vegan makeup products.

[christyrc]

1. I do seek out vegan beauty products because generally their sourcing standards are higher than non-vegan companies. While it’s not the ONLY thing I look for (meaning I will look at non-vegan products if they are cruelty free and unscented or very low fragrance) usually the vegan companies have exactly what I’m looking for so it’s easier to simplify my search. It is something I filter for when doing the initial search, then I look more broadly. 2. I do not seek out any vegan news. I get new product info from Sephora only. 3. No other tie breakers, huh? I would probably go with whichever brand I had success with before. Vegan or not is not a tiebreaker for me. 4. Clean, kind, true 5. Kind, friendly, caring.

[geewhiz]

1. Do you seek out vegan beauty products? If yes, why? I do not look specifically for vegan products. I think it's a marketing label used to make consumers think a product is more "virtuous" than something else. I choose products based on ingredients that I want to avoid due to sensitivity or allergy. For example, lanolin, which I am highly sensitive to. I use lip products that don't contain it due to my allergy, not due them being vegan.
2. What are your go-to resources for vegan-specific beauty news and product information? Any vegan-focused websites, Instagram accounts or YouTube channels? I follow specific brand social media and websites, and occasional instagram accounts like @greenproductjunkie or @thehermeshippie to get insight on new, effective products and/or ingredients.
3. If hypothetically choosing between two products with identical quality and value and one is vegan. Are you more likely to purchase one over the other? If so, which one and why? I would choose the product with the proven efficacy. If they are equally as effective, then I would choose the brand I trust.
   
4. Please share up to three adjectives you associate with vegan beauty. Marketing, confusing
5. Please share up to three adjectives you associate with brands offering vegan products. Niche
6. Extra credit: What does "vegan" mean to you? I'd rather see brands avoid ingredients that are highly sensitizing to consumers (fragrance, some oils and waxes, etc) than focus on being "vegan". Being conscientious about irritants and safe/ethical manufacturing practices are more important to me personally than being vegan.

[BlondePrincess]

1. Do you seek out vegan beauty products? Yes, I seek out vegan beautyproducts. I like them because I’m allergic to carmine and have sensitiveskin. When buying vegan products, I don’t have to worry about my carmine allergy and have allergic reactions to them less often. Likewise, I’m vegan in my everyday life, so I prefer purchasing products that complement my lifestyle. 2. What are your go-to resources for vegan-specific beauty news and product information? I typically follow cruelty free you tubers, but I’m not aware of any ones that are fully vegan. Phyrra Nyx And Jkissa are some of my favorites. 3. If hypothetically choosing between two products with identical quality and value and one is vegan. Are you more likely to purchase one over theother? I’d prefer the vegan one. I like being able to buy products that are animal-friendly/cruelty free/vegan. It makes me feel like mypurchase isn’t going to something I stand against. 4. Please share up to three adjectives you associate with vegan beauty. Progressive, natural, kind 5. Please share up to three adjectives you associate with brands offering vegan products. Progressive 6. Extra credit: What does \\\"vegan\\\" mean to you? It means kindness towards everyone.

[JessG1919]

I strongly support the sale of vegan products for the sake of animal welfare! Personally I think there’s nothing better than finding great makeup, skincare products, etc. that are vegan and cruelty-free. 🙂

[unfungirl]

This is such a great thread idea @KatieBT!!

1. Do you seek out vegan beauty products? If yes, why?i resolved to only buy cruelty free products a few years ago, and lately i have focused on vegan and clean products too. As a lifelong vegetarian, it just felt wrong to me to support animal cruelty outside the kitchen if i wasn't eating animal products!
2. What are your go-to resources for vegan-specific beauty news and product information? Any vegan-focused websites, Instagram accounts or YouTube channels?There are so many! I love logical harmony, jkissa makeup, cruelty free kitty, ethical elephant, and the leaping bunny website has excellent resources for brands that are certified CF. Some youtubers I love are Jessica Haze, Vegan Beauty Addict, Jasmine Rose, Jkissa, and It'slikelymakeup.
3. If hypothetically choosing between two products with identical quality and value and one is vegan. Are you more likely to purchase one over the other? If so, which one and why? Absolutely! Especially if it's easily recognized as vegan. If they are identical in quality and value, why not go vegan?
4. Please share up to three adjectives you associate with vegan beauty.Ethical, Natural and Buzzy.
5. Please share up to three adjectives you associate with brands offering vegan products. Clean, Innovative and Kind.
6. Extra credit: What does "vegan" mean to you? I am not completely vegan, but i have been at several points in my life. I think veganism entails living as cruelty free as possible in all aspects of your life. From the foods we eat, the products we purchase, and the efforts involved in doing as little harm as possible to animals, it can be as simple or complex as you choose depending on what suits your lifestyle best.

[Margirl7]

Please answer the following: 

1. Not necessarily.  Though I am looking for cleaner products.
2. I don't follow anyone or any website.  
3. If both are identical with I would most likely chose the vegan, as long as the other product does not have any toxic ingredients. 
4. natural, clean, healthier
5. health conscious, environmentally conscious, cruelty-free
6. plant based 

[Ispend2much6]

1. My main reason for seeking out vegan beauty products a result from my experience with them; they usually feel the best on my skin and give me the least amount of irritation, or none at all.  That is not always the case, and I personally have to be more consistent in reading the ingredient lists for possible allergans because plant components are heavily featured in vegan formulas (echinacea happens to be one for me.)

2. No media channels per se; I just happen to run across some brands online at different websites.

3. Identical quality is difficult to quantify; I would consider the ingredients, and probably prefer the vegan formula.

4. Gentle, safe, healthy

5. Trendsetting, intelligent

6. No animal components in the product or in the processing of the product

I recently tried a Korean vegan brand, Dear Dahlia, for the first time.  In this case, the aesthetics of the packaging is alluring.  Very feminine. Their matte shadow looks good on my wrinkled eyelid, and the lip balm and sheer gloss filled in my lips and made them look fuller.  If this is what vegan represents, I'm all for it!

[angel7594]

1. No, I have not purposefully set out to purchase vegan products, but I do have a few vegan skincare items I enjoy.

2. I don’t have any sources for information regarding vegan products currently, however I am open to reading and learning more.

3. It all depends on the quality for me. If the vegan item performs well, than I might choose that one instead.

4. Clean, safe, healthy

5. Trendy, popular, competitive

6. To me, vegan means cruelty free.

[IttyxBittyxMe]

Do you seek out vegan beauty products? If yes, why?

• Personally, no - I don't.

What are your go-to resources for vegan-specific beauty news and product information? Any vegan-focused websites, Instagram accounts or YouTube channels? 

• Nothing in particular? I do a lot of brand research on brand sites or if something pops up on Trendmood1 I'm interested in I'll take a look at it.

If hypothetically choosing between two products with identical quality and value and one is vegan. Are you more likely to purchase one over the other? If so, which one and why? 

• For myself, no. I do freelance and have noticed an uptick in clients asking for vegan or cruelty free beauty, so if I'm kit shopping as long as the quality is the same or better I will buy the vegan one. 

Please share up to three adjectives you associate with vegan beauty.

• New, popular, clean 

Please share up to three adjectives you associate with brands offering vegan products. 

• Considerate, money hungry (some brands are in it for trend reasons), trendy

Extra credit: What does "vegan" mean to you? 

• Vegan to me is anything that has no animal/insect derived byproduct. It's not my lifestyle choice, but I don't knock anyone who's it is. I'm glad that there are certain brands that have started to create (or have been creating) products that cater to people of this lifestyle so they can still wear their favorite beauty items without feeling guilty (or giving it up all together). 

[Faithful8]

Yes, I personally seek out vegan make up and skin care. I do check the ingredients of every product I purchase. I am also very concerned with Clean beauty products but vegan and cruelty free are top priority. I follow vegan beauty bloggers and Vegan Beauty IG accounts for new products. If I had a choice between two products I would choose Vegan and cruelty free every time. Usually Clean as well. I do not use products that are not V & CF. I do not judge others. This is my personal choice. Hope my reply helps. Thank you.

[KatieBT]

Thanks for responding @Faithful8 ! What are your favorite vegan beauty accounts you follow?

[lokicoyote]

Vegan is less important to me than the CLEAN products that Sephora is carrying.