It’s that time again: meeting new teachers, spending way too much money on books, and putting your swimsuit away in your dresser. Going from lazy, hazy summer days to cracking open the books can be a tough transition. I’m here to help make it a bit easier by giving you some ideas for a vegan beauty survival kit. I’m going to keep this pared down to basic items because we all know most of your backpack storage should be devoted to books and projects for your various classes.
First off, you’ll need a cosmetic bag to put all your goodies. Nothing sucks more than having your favorite powder spill all over that paper that is due in about 5 minutes. My sister bought me a bag from an organization called “Buy Her Bag, Not Her Body.” The bags are handmade in Cambodia by weaving recycled rice paper together in intricate patterns. 100% of the profits go to help stop sexual trafficking and to developing career development programs for women. And they are pretty darn cute as well!
I’m a huge fan of mineral makeup when I don’t have time to touch up throughout the day. It absorbs oil while looking natural. The only bad thing about loose mineral powder is that it can be hard to fit the necessary brushes into your bag. That’s why I love the Everyday Mineral Flat Top Brush. The handle is very short which makes it quite portable. Its also super soft, and made with vegan Taklon bristles. Its great for buffing mineral foundation or touching up with a finishing powder.
I may be a bit biased, but I’ve really been loving my full coverage foundation from my line of 100% vegan mineral makeup, Pumpkin and Poppy Cosmetics. I honestly use all the products I make and formulate them to be top quality. My foundation shade is Creamy Peach, a fair foundation leaning a bit towards those with yellow undertones. Its good to have a foundation in your bag for touch ups and its really easy to blend out and use mineral foundation instead of a liquid based product.
There are 7 shades total, so you’re bound to find a color match! This formula provides full coverage without looking cakey. This achieved by using magnesium stearate (vegetable derived). It provides such a creamy, cushiony feel to the product. My foundations don’t include any talc, lake dyes, bismuth oxychloride, or parabens so they are great for sensitive and acne prone skin.
Pumpkin & Poppy Oil Absorbing Mineral Veil is another great alternative for those who have great skin, but want to avoid looking like an oil slick between classes. It contains rice powder which is soothing to skin and helps absorb oil. Silica microspheres (you know, the particles that make glass) blur imperfections and give a nice finish to the skin. There is a translucent glow to the finish of the product, so you will look great even if this is the only product you have time to put on before dashing out the door to your 8 A.M. class. It also comes with a rotating sifter, so you won’t have a large mess to deal with.
Shiro Cosmetics Intertubes are amazing color vegan lip tints that are super affordable. My favorite color is in Three Wolf Moon. Its a gives a gorgeous cherry stain to the lips, a perfect and easy daytime red shade. Full size tubes are 5.5 grams and only $6.50! If you want to save room in your bag, you can also purchase sample sizes for only $1.80! I also love how she gives all of her products geeky referenced names (this color is named after that infamous t-shirt with the 3 wolves howling at the moon). Perfect for your inner nerd!
Admit it, sometimes you skip your morning shower, roll out of bed and head to class. To avoid any B.O. issues, I recommend throwing in some deodorant into your bag. My favorite healthy, non-aluminum brand would have to be the Crystal Essence Mineral Deodorant Spray in the Lavender & White Tea scent. This stuff is amazing and truly stops odor causing bacteria. You also will find that you sweat less after to switching to mineral salt based deodorants because your body isn’t overcompensating for the presence of aluminum.
Most of the Wet n’ Wild trios are not vegan friendly, but Walking on Eggshells (ironically) is! Its a perfect neutral trio to carry with you. The lid shade is also a great dupe of the popular non-vegan color, Stila Kitten. Extremely pigmented, creamy, and easy to blend this trio is a great buy at only $2.99!
Bronzer is also a great pick me-up item to throw in your school bag. Since most bronzers have a more sheer base formula, its hard to over apply unlike blush which most be applied with a light hand and blended out thoroughly. It really wakes up your complexion after those dreaded all-nighters we’ve all been through.
Pumpkin & Poppy carries a NARS Laguna dupe, only its completely matte, so those of you who like the tawny tan color, but not the shimmer, give the Tawny Beach bronzer a try. $8.50 for 20 grams of product without any of the yucky animal byproducts or parabens. Stila’s Sun Bronzer in Shade one is also another good vegan bronzer, but its a bit on the pricey side at $28 retail.
Now you have your vegan beauty back to school survival kit, you can focus on more pressing issues on hand like making sure your alarm actually goes off in time on the big test day!
Main photo from MaCaEs