World Vegetarian Day: The Growing Appeal of Vegan Beauty Products

Photo by Rhonda J. Wilson

The artful and edible goodness of Romanesco broccoli, also known as Roman cauliflower.

Leeks, turnips and broccoli—oh my! 

Remember when your mom told you to eat your veggies? The time has come to make her proud, as today marks World Vegetarian Day. Established by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977, the celebration brings awareness to the benefits of a meat-free way of life.

While vegetarians eat no meat but may still incorporate cheese, milk, butter or eggs in their meals, vegans abstain entirely from animal products. With the help of the Meatless Monday campaign and a growing number of Hollywood A-listers adopting a plant-based diet, such as Portia de Rossi, Olivia Wilde, Lea Michele and Emily Deschanel, both groups no longer identify as a fringe movement. The lifestyles have gone mainstream with an abundance of reliable research behind them that reveals consumption of more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and nuts promotes better overall well-being by reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer.

The popularity of vegetarianism and veganism has prompted many beauty manufacturers to remove animal proteins from their formulations. Products marked as "vegan" or "vegan-friendly" not only appeal to people who eat a plant-based diet and those looking for healthier alternatives, they also attract compassionate consumers who have environmental, humanitarian or ethical concerns. Keep in mind that while a "cruelty-free" label indicates that the manufacturer hasn't conducted testing on our furry friends, the product may still contain animal proteins.  

In honor of World Vegetarian Day and Vegetarian Awareness Month (which also begins today), we're spotlighting some of our favorite vegan skincare, nail, cosmetics and hair products. Enjoy, and don't forget to eat your veggies! 

FAMOUS PLANT-BASED FOODIES

Photo by Angela George

Vegans Portia de Rossi and wife Ellen DeGeneres. [UPDATE: After eight years on a plant-based diet, DeGeneres announced she eats fish and eggs in 2018.]

Photo by Thomas Atilla Lewis

Olivia Wilde alternates between a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle.

Photo by David Shankbone

Vegan Lea Michele.

Photo by David Shankbone

Emily Deschanel fluctuates between a vegetarian and vegan diet.

COSMETICS

SHINE: Beauty Without Cruelty Soft Natural Lipgloss (Nude). BEAUTY: Castor and jojoba seed oils, and vitamin E lock in luscious lips with a non-sticky formula. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of parabens, SLS/SLES and synthetic fragrances.

SHINE: Pacifica Enlighten Eye Brightening Shadow Palette (iridescent purple, gold shimmer, satin coral and matte nude) and Radiant Shimmer Coconut Multiples (golden shimmer, dewy pink and iridescent pale shimmer). BEAUTY: Add a glamorous glow to your cheeks, eyes and lips with these high pigment mineral blends. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of parabens, petroleum, sulfates, talc, carmine and FD&C colors. Supports Clean Water. 

SHINE: Tarte Cosmetics BB Tinted Treatment 12-hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (Medium and Tan). BEAUTY: These tints multitask to serve as a powerful five-in-one primer, moisturizer, light foundation, anti-aging treatment and sunscreen. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan. Formulated without parabens, mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfates and synthetic fragrance. Supports the Sustainable Amazon Partnership.

HAIR

SHINE: Alba Botanica Replenishing Conditioner. BEAUTY: Boost bounce, softness and shine for dry, damaged and color-treated hair with aloe vera leaf juice, and jojoba and sunflower seed oils. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of sodium lauryl sulfates, parabens, artificial colors and silicones. Supports Furry Friends Rescue and Farm Sanctuary.

SHINE: SkinnySkinny Lavender & Rosemary Organic Dry Shampoo. BEAUTY: When you don't have time to wash your hair, this dry shampoo refreshes and restores your strands with brown rice powder, kaolin clay and essential oils. BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Contains no artificial preservatives, sulfates, parabens or perfumes.

SKIN

SHINE: 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil. BEAUTY: Deeply moisturize and mend key areas of the body--face, decollete, hands and hair--with vitamin E, phenols, carotenes, squalene and essential fatty acids. BEACON: Vegan, and gluten and cruelty free. Also contains no detergents, synthetic chemicals, or artificial fragrances or colors.

SHINE: Skyn Iceland Arctic Hydrating Balm. BEAUTY: Strawberry, cranberry and jojoba seed oils help rebalance, restore and revitalize super sensitive and dry skin. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan. Contains no parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, sulfates or dye. Supports Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. 

NAILS

SHINE: Zoya Nail Polish Zenith Collection (winter/holiday 2013). BEAUTY: Give your tips a galactic glow with Seraphina (silver metallic), Cassedy (pewter metallic), Belinda (purple metallic), Payton (cranberry halo), Dream (deep blue halo) and Mosheen (ice blue topper). BEACON: Vegan, and no animal testing. Free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate.