Many of us are making an effort to live more conscious lifestyles, but what of our make-up bags? Gone are the days of dodgy vegan beauty—instead, there’s a plethora of premium, high-performing make-up and skincare brands that have ditched animal-derived ingredients all together. So, if you’re thinking of making the switch, here are the brands we recommend starting with.

Beauty aficionados have long been hyping Hourglass's extensive beauty offering, which has always been cruelty-free. And now, the brand has committed to be 100% vegan this year. In the meantime, while not every product from the brand is currently free from animal-derived ingredients, it does have an extensive list of make-up that is on its website—the Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara, Harvey Nichols being a Hood office favourite.

Cult NYC beauty brand, which was founded by British former model and beauty journalist turned fashion TV presenter Zanna Roberts Rassi, Milk Makeup, finally made it to our shores back in 2019, and its arrival has gone down a storm with both vegans and non-vegans alike. The products might be simple, but are high-performing, and boast an inclusive colour palette. Our picks include Milk Makeup Watermelon Brightening Serum, Cultbeauty.co.uk and the Milk Makeup Kush Lip Balm in Green Dragon, Cultbeauty.co.uk, which, once applied to your lips, will give them a gorgeous pink flush.

You've likely seen ELF cropping up on your Instagram feed, but don't be fooled by its frugal price point. We find the makeup to be pigment-rich, long-lasting, non-cakey, and 100% vegan. Proof you can get quality make-up that won't break the bank and is kinder to the environment. Try Superdrug for an extensive range, in-store and online.

Set up by The Apprentice finalist, Susie Ma, Tropic Skincare's entire ethos is built upon sustainability, accountability, and a desire to do good. Whether it's cutting back on packaging, offsetting its carbon emissions with conservation work, or donating considerable proceeds to United World Schools, which helps underprivileged children from hard-to-reach areas with the education they desperately need. While the brand emphasis is on skincare there is a, very high quality, range of cosmetics too which are definitely worth giving a try. We love the Tropic Blush Crush Cream Colour in Coffee Cherry as it seems to suit every skin tone.

Be Moral With Your Makeup - Vegan Cosmetic Brands