Looking through the past week’s new launches and beauty news, there has been a lot of activity on the cruelty-free and vegan front. So, I thought I would focus on these for this week’s column as cruelty-free and vegan releases can often get buried under the weekly beauty news onslaught…
CARGO Cosmetics, available at Debenhams, have just launched a new mascara to give you curled and lifted lashes without having to use eyelash curlers. Their Boundless Lashes Mascara (£14) will give you full, fanned out lashes via its innovative wand that combines three different textures – soft bristles, hard bristles and a spikey tip – to give you everything from a natural look to added volume. They are a cruelty-free brand too!
Another popular cruelty-free US beauty brand, Beauty Bakerie, is now available in the UK at Love Makeup. This bright and colourful brand themes everything around delightful edible treats – you need to check out their GELato Gel Eyeliners (£11.95) and their 100% vegan Lip Whip (£14.95) liquid lipsticks.
Beauty shopping site Feel Unique have launched an amazing Pick ‘n’ Mix service – customers can choose 5 miniature samples from over 140 skincare, haircare and makeup product options per month and pay just a £3.95 shipping and handling fee. Feel Unique will also send you a £3.95 voucher to redeem against a purchase – so you get your money back if you buy something full-size. This is a great way to try more expensive beauty products out before making an investment.
100% vegan skincare brand skyn ICELAND have announced the launch of their latest product, available from September at M&S. The Skyn ICELAND Plumping Lip Gels (£36 for 5) are aimed at lips that have lost their plumpness from aging and that have visible lines and wrinkles. You pop the patches on for 10 minutes and get a serious moisture boost from natural plant and marine-based ingredients.
Superdrug is a real cruelty-free beauty champion and they have just hired presenter June Sarpong to be the face of their new Shades of Beauty initiative – adding more colour choices for black and Asian shoppers to their own ranges. There’s now a new section on the Superdrug website that features over 80 hair and makeup products that cater for black and Asian customers.