Wait, my beauty products might not be vegan?

Unfortunately, it’s true. There are a couple of reasons why you need to be aware of what is in your beauty products. They may have been tested on animals, or they may even contain animal products themselves. But besides that, they can often be full of nasty chemicals too. How often have you read the back of your shampoo bottle and wondered at the long list of ingredients? Some of them you can’t even pronounce!

How can I make sure my beauty products are cruelty-free?

Luckily, there is an easy way to avoid all the downsides of shop bought beauty products. If you’ve never considered making your own, here’s a list of our favourite DIY beauty hacks from around the web. The number of things you can make will amaze you. So next time someone compliments your perfume you can say, “Oh this? I made it myself!” Cue praise

Dry Shampoo

Ah, dry shampoo – saviour of many a bad-hair day or festival weekend. It lets us spend an extra 20 minutes in bed, or saves us from queuing for that grotty cold shower in a field. But it turns out that those little pressurised cans aren’t all that good for you. Sorry.
The good news is that dry shampoo is really easy to make yourself. You need to choose something that is good at absorbing oils. For example, cornflour, bicarb of soda or arrowroot. You can also mix different things with it depending on your hair colour, or to add perfume. We love this guide here. Simply mix together and apply at the roots with a clean makeup brush. Comb through and style as usual.

Shampoo & Conditioner

If dry shampoo isn’t your thing, you can make your own version of everyday shampoo too. This blogger swears by a secret ingredient –coconut milk. You can also delve into the wonderful world of essential oils to create a shampoo tailored to your hair.
You can make a basic conditioner rinse by mixing apple cider vinegar and water. This makes your hair super shiny. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, you could give this luxurious recipe a go to pamper your hair.

Moisturiser

Moisturiser is one beauty product we can’t do without. You probably already know that coconut oil is a wonder product. It makes an amazing moisturiser, emergency conditioner, even lip balm. But some days you feel a bit fancier than just smearing some coconut oil on your knees and elbows. You can make some lovely cruelty-free moisturisers at home with everyday ingredients. Why not try this decadent body butter? Or if you’re looking for a face moisturizer, facial oils are having a moment –this guide is a good place to start.

Face Mask

Nothing says pampering session like a face mask. Putting one on means you get to chill and do nothing while it gets to work (even better if you’re in a hot bath, with a glass of wine!) Face masks are one of the easiest cruelty-free beauty hacks. Us vegans already know that flaxseeds are a great part of your diet. But did you know they can also shrink pores too? Other great face mask ingredients include cucumber, coffee and avocado.

Make-up

You can even make your own cruelty-free make-up! Who knew? Make-up is often tested on animals and can be made from dodgy stuff, so taking a DIY approach is a great idea. Take mascara for example – it can be full of chemicals. You put it so close to your eyes, wouldn’t you rather you knew exactly what went into it? This recipe is easier than you’d think. You can also make your own vegan lipstick or lip balm.

Perfume

Perfume is such a personal thing. Scents can mean different things to different people. A waft of a familiar perfume can transport you back to another place. Because it’s personal, making your own is great. It gives you complete control over what you put into your own trademark scent. It also makes a unique gift. You’ll usually need a carrier oil such as sweet almond or jojoba. Some recipes call for an alcohol base too. Create fragrances by adding essential oils, flowers, spices or herbs. This is a useful guide to get you started.

As with all DIY beauty methods, use a patch test before applying any of these cruelty-free recipes to your skin.

How else can I make sure my beauty routine is cruelty-free?

If DIY isn’t your thing, don’t worry. There are loads of beauty brands out there catering to vegans and people who want a cruelty-free lifestyle. Some of the most popular in the UK include The Body Shop, ESPA, Balance Me, Neal’s Yard and of course, Lush. Many supermarkets and stores ensure their own brand products are cruelty-free. We’ve even produced a list of the best cruelty-free and vegan make-up brands to help you out.

Don’t forget to look for the leaping bunny too!

• Read: CoverGirl debuts its first 100% vegan beauty line

What do you think about these awesome hacks? Let us in the comments below!