Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

I have to be honest with you…until I became vegan, I didn’t really give much thought to the ingredients in many of the products (especially cosmetic) I used on a regular basis.  I just lived, purchased, painted and puckered despite hearing  many of the same terrifying things I am sure you have heard…lipstick contains harmful cancer causing chemicals…the chemicals in lipstick may permanently damage your  nervous system…nail polish can kill you…it seeps into your body and causes cancer, brain tumors and liver failure.  Despite these claims, I have recklessly purchased lipstick, nail polish and everything in between cloaked in the bliss of my ignorance of their ingredients. However, since becoming vegan, much of that has changed and my shopping habits have become more focused on actively seeking out the safest products for myself and the environment. It is an ongoing transition and I continue to make changes as I become more knowledgeable and aware.

I  had no idea what was in ordinary nail polish that would disqualify it from being vegan until I Googled it.  The interesting thing is that a few weeks ago I received vegan nail polish as a gift which made me question the ingredients of all of my nail polish for the very first time.

In a way, that summarizes this vegan journey and collection of experiences. I have become more aware, every step of the way and that has been exciting, refreshing and sometimes daunting. Daunting because once I know something (nail polish has dead fish in it) I can’t un-know it. Then, I want to populate my medicine cabinet, closet and pantry with only vegany, safe and wholesome things. Why wouldn’t I? I have to remind myself that it is a process, a journey…there is not a single destination (vegan perfection) to arrive at but, a series of daily choices, effectively changing my world one day, meal and cosmetic purchase at a time.

I was gifted SpaRitual vegan  nail polish and a few of their nail enhancing products. They are luxurious. They are applied easily, dry quickly and come in a variety of sexy, professional and celebratory colors. Best of all, they are vegan, free of  formaldehyde, DBP and Toluene….and fairly priced. If you would like to check out some of the beauty secrets in your closet, here is a link to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website. There you can type in the name of a product and it will show  you the  ingredients as well as a safety rating based on its ingredients. Sounds both terrifying and useful.

Are you actively veganizing a beauty ritual in your life? I would love to hear about it.

Have a delicious day.

Lipstick image courtesy of  TheDailyGreen.com

Tags: compassionate products, compassonate beauty products, Spa Ritual, sparitual, trying vegan, vegan challenge, vegan cosmetics, vegan experience, vegan nail polish, vegan products, vegan transition, vegan wannabe, vegetarian transition