Bold red lipstick has been a staple of many a woman's makeup bag for decades but if you've chosen to live a vegan lifestyle, beauty shopping can quickly become frustrating.
The majority of lipsticks, particularly those with ruby hues, are made from a red dye called carmine. For those who aren’t aware, some 70,000 cochineal insects are crushed and boiled to make just one pound of the stuff and, to make matters worse, it’s only the females that are killed. Sexism is rife everywhere, folks.
It’s not just carmine that vegans have to look out for, either. The cosmetics industry’s trusty pal beeswax is the base of most lipsticks, so make sure yours uses an alternative (plant-based candelilla and sunflower seed waxes are popular).
It can be tricky to find a lipstick that is totally free of these animal by-products, especially when some shades in a particular range are and others aren’t. If in doubt, stick to brands that have declared their full lip range vegan – as we have done here – so you can focus on choosing the right colour instead of fretting over the ingredients list.
Iconic London
If it’s bold, contemporary colour you’re after, try one of Iconic London’s highly pigmented lip paints. There are seven showstopping shades to choose from, all vegan and cruelty-free, but we recommend hot coral Guilty Pleasure for bringing a touch of the tropics to your next night out. Long-lasting and moisturising with a subtle but scrumptious vanilla scent, these super-shiny lippies make a strong statement when paired with your favourite LBD. Expect a thick consistency – hence the name ‘lip paint’ – and use sparingly for the most flawless finish.
Iconic London Lip Paint, £16.50, available at Iconic London
Milani
Matte may be on-trend, but sometimes you need a little sparkle in your life. Milani’s dazzling range of creamy, full-coverage metallic lippies is our go-to for glamour, because vegan certainly needn’t mean boring in the colour stakes. You can expect up to 16 hours of wear from these beauties, and they’re waterproof enough for a dip in the sea, so you can unleash your inner mermaid on holiday. There’s a variety of shades on offer, from the shimmery rose gold of Matterialistic to the beautiful burgundy of Pretty Problem.
Milani Amore Mattallics Lip Cream, £9.95, available at Justmylook
Axiology
Vegan lipsticks are the name of the game for brand Axiology; better still, they’re natural and organic. Choose from the rich mulberry of Infinite, the electric purple of Reflection or the gothic black of Existential, to name but a handful from this dreamy, mineral-based selection. Using nourishing ingredients (avocado is good for more than brunch!) and bursting with ethical brownie points, Axiology is firmly against animal testing at any phase of production, helps protect the rainforests by shunning palm oil, donates a percentage of its profits to wildlife charities – and its packaging is handmade by female artisans in Bali from recycled island waste. If it’s beauty inside and out that you’re after, these lippies win all the prizes.
Axiology Natural Organic Lipstick, £23, available at alyaka
Nars
Many liquid lipsticks claim to have the soothing feel of a gloss with the mattifying effect of a lipstick, yet often end up drying out our pout. Fortunately, Nars stays true to its promise – these lippies really do "glide like a gloss and cloak like a lipstick", delivering intense colour without leaving us craving our lip balm. The special, moisturising oil-infused formula gets full marks for its long-lasting power and stylish, semi-matte finish. The 13 shades range from subtle nudes to punchy pinks and berries, with the deep aubergine of Toy a particular favourite. The names are cool, too – all inspired by the iconic venues and counterculture of the sexually liberating 1970s. Francois Nars is vegan himself, so every single Nars product is ripe for the picking, blushers included.
Nars Velvet Lip Glide, £22, available at Nars
Kat Von D
If you’re after something punkier, Kat Von D is your woman. She’s in the process of reformulating her entire collection to be vegan friendly and has already worked her magic on the Studded Kiss lipstick range. There are a whopping 39 shades to swoon over, from gothic blacks and purples to rebellious reds, glittery pinks and daring greens and blues, and each comes packaged in a striking black studded bullet. The vitamin-rich formula helps keep lips luxuriously soft and supple without compromising on vibrancy, and there are no nasty parabens lurking in the ingredients list. Try the fully vegan Everlasting Liquid Lipstick collection, too.
Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick, £17, available at Debenhams
Inika
Recently rebranded, Inika now boasts a fabulously tempting, award-winning range of lipsticks that aren’t only vegan but certified organic, too! These creamy lippies glide on silkily while keeping your pout hydrated, thanks to moisturising avocado and jojoba seed oils. There are 12 shades available, with Nude Pink, Sheer Peach, Honeysuckle and Dark Cherry among the newest additions and every one is hand-poured into its bullet for a personal touch. Makeup addicts are seriously reconsidering what they’re putting on their skin as the ‘clean beauty’ trend grows in popularity, and lipstick doesn’t come much ‘cleaner’ than this. Tip: the colour intensifies as it warms to your lips, so press firmly when applying for the full effect.
Inika Certified Organic Vegan Lipstick, £18, available at Planet Organic
Lord & Berry
If you’re yet to try Milanese makeup brand Lord & Berry, prepare for a new obsession. This liquid lipstick really is kiss-proof (trust us, we tested it) with 12-hour staying power and, unlike every other lippy in our makeup bag, is so transfer-resistant that it doesn’t even leave marks on your wine glass. The paraben-free formula is gloriously weightless, drying instantly without cracking up on application or leaving your lips feeling parched, and is packed full of moisturising neem, sesame and Indian frankincense oils. There are seven new shades in the 12-strong all-vegan collection, from nudes and browns to peaches and reds, and you can expect a chic matte finish from each one. Our favourite so far is the pretty Pop Pink, but you can’t go wrong with the classic Brave Red.
Lord & Berry Timeless Kissproof Lipstick, £15, available at Lord & Berry
OCC
These vegan liquid lipsticks have been specially formulated for intense colour that doesn’t start fading moments after arriving at a party. You need only use a tiny amount for full opaque coverage with an opulent satin finish, so expect the tube to last (OCC advises that over-applying can lead to bleeding and feathering – be stingy!). There’ something for every skin tone in the extensive colour palette but try the regal reddish-purple of Lush or the champagne shimmer of Alchemy for a truly decadent lip. It’s also worth nothing that these lippies are gluten-free, silicone-free and totally devoid of any synthetic preservatives: hemp and peppermint oil are used as much more appealing alternatives.
OCC Lip Tar, £12.50, available at Love Makeup
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