The 5 best vegan beauty products

The rise of vegan and cruelty-free products is cheering, as is the fact that consumers are increasingly aware of the power their purchasing habits can have

Eye perfecting brush, £6.99, ecotools, boots.com

While most cosmetic brands are more than happy extolling the way their products can make you look or feel, smoke and mirrors are often deployed when it comes to what's actually in the bottle and how it got there. So the rise of vegan and cruelty-free products is cheering, as is the fact that consumers are increasingly aware of the power their purchasing habits can have. While the sale of cosmetics tested on animals is illegal in the EU, the opposite is true in China, where animal testing is still mandatory on many products, including all imported cosmetics.

Many companies have quietly changed their habits in order to break into the growing Chinese market. It's also worth being aware that many smaller companies with commendable ethical stances are owned by larger conglomerates that may be less animal-friendly. As with all things, the more we question the status quo the bigger the chance of changing it.

Amazonian clay 12-hour full coverage foundation

£32.50, Tarte cosmetics, qvcuk.com

This US brand is best known for its impressive formulas packed with Amazonian clay, minerals and plant extracts.

Veil mineral primer

£52, hourglass, liberty.co.uk

This skin-perfecting primer is much loved for the way it magically boosts the staying power of foundation.

Eye perfecting brush

£6.99, ecotools, boots.com

Professional make-up brushes usually cost a fortune, but this range is affordable and just brilliant for everyday use.

Deodorant

£8.95, Lavera, Holland & Barrett

It's not just what's in your make-up that needs to be considered but body products too, and the Lavera range is a great place to start.

Re9 advanced lifting and contouring eye cream

£48, arbonne.com

This Swiss brand proves you don't have to sacrifice efficacy for ethics. This cream plumps fine lines and gives the eye area a subtle lift.