Vegan and vegetarian lifestyles have become increasingly popular in recent years and, as we enter the new decade, many of us are embracing Veganuary – a resolution to not eat or use any animal-derived products throughout the first month of the year and perhaps beyond.
Unfortunately, while there are plenty of vegan beauty buys to choose from, it can be harder than you think to find a vegan fragrance. Before you even decide whether you like how the perfume smells on your skin, you also need to check whether your chosen scent contains animal-derivatives – including musk, honey, milk, ambergris or civet. Plus, you may want to confirm the brand’s animal-testing policy, including whether or not it sells in China.
To save you some of the hassle, we’ve rounded up our favourite vegan scents that you can spritz on with critter-loving confidence…
1. Le Labo Santal 33 eau de parfum
“We believe it is more humane to test cosmetics on New Yorkers than on animals”: so reads the Le Labo website as a statement to the brand’s animal-friendly ethos. That, alongside the luxurious, long-lasting and addictive scents, has the fashion set hooked.
2. Laboratory Perfumes Amber Eau de Toilette
Lovers of unisex fragrances will be drawn in by Laboratory Perfumes’ gender-neutral packaging, stay intrigued because of its animal-friendly values, but ultimately fall in love with the perfect simplicity of the scents.
3. Floral Street Iris Goddess Eau de Parfum
Providing a twist on traditional floral notes, Floral Street offers a chance to discover your variety of fragrance ‘moods’, while proudly using no ADIs (animal derived ingredients). Iris Goddess is the Bazaar beauty team’s current favourite.
4. Clean Reserve Skin
Clean by name, clean by nature. Clean Reserve are passionate about creating sustainable, eco-conscious fragrances, which includes making even its musky scents vegan. Organised into families, the brand also helps you discover unusual scents, based on the type of fragrance you tend to enjoy.
5. Chantecaille Darby Rose Fragrance
As a vegan-friendly company, Chantecaille’s traditional rose perfume is proudly cruelty-free and by purchasing the sophisticated scent you’ll be supporting the luxury French brand’s wide-ranging philanthropic work with endangered animals too.
6. Prosody London Organic Eau de Parfum Set
Small, independent perfume brands often do cruelty-free best as Prosody London proves. All its formulas use vegan, natural and organic ingredients, with the rose and oud scents particular standouts.
7. Eden Perfumes No.007 Floral Aldehyde
If the only thing stopping you from choosing a vegan fragrance is your commitment to your current signature, Eden Perfumes has options that are designed to smell just like popular perfumes but without the use of any animal byproducts.
8. Lush Lord of Misrule
Lush have a wide array of statement fragrances that are all cruelty-free, ranging from citrus and woody notes to spicy and sweet accords. One thing is for sure though, the potent formulas are made to help you stand out from the fragrance crowd.
9. Kat Von D ‘Saint’ or ‘Sinner’ eau de parfum
Whether you’re a ‘Saint’ or ‘Sinner’ (or agree with the beauty mogul’s anti-vaccine stance), Kat Von D’s vegan perfumes share a floral heart with either a spicy or gourmand twist. Layer them for a playful, individual scent.
Other posts :
How to Pick the Right Cologne/Perfume For You
What’s the Difference Between Cologne/Perfume, Eau de Toilette, and Eau de Parfum?
I know, it’s seems super complicated and, to be honest, it doesn’t really need to be. Here’s a top-level breakdown so you know the real difference and can now choose the right fragrance option for you.
What are Top Notes, Base Notes, and Medium Notes?
Top Notes: These are typically lighter scents and what you’ll smell first.
Base Notes: These are typically bolder and stronger scents that you’re left with after applying the cologne.
Medium Notes: These are typically your more fruity notes that combine with your top and bottom notes. It pretty much ties everything together.
Overall, the notes are the notes (if that makes sense), but the overall smell is going to differ person to person and how they truly interact with your own body’s chemistry. The notes are a good overall guide so you know what you’re getting out of the cologne, but don’t be afraid if you see a note that you may not love, it doesn’t mean the entire cologne will smell like that. It’s just how they all work together.
Base Notes: These are typically bolder and stronger scents that you’re left with after applying the cologne.
Medium Notes: These are typically your more fruity notes that combine with your top and bottom notes. It pretty much ties everything together.
Overall, the notes are the notes (if that makes sense), but the overall smell is going to differ person to person and how they truly interact with your own body’s chemistry. The notes are a good overall guide so you know what you’re getting out of the cologne, but don’t be afraid if you see a note that you may not love, it doesn’t mean the entire cologne will smell like that. It’s just how they all work together.
