Recommendations?

[Cookie101]

G'day Folks, I've been vegan for about 2and a half years now. It's been slow progress as I've had what I call the sh#@y trinity. I have a gluten allergy, hypersensitive skin and depression and anxiety disorder. Yep, mind body and tummy all covered. On top of this, I have chronic tendonitis in my wrists and ankles which resulted in foot surgery so I really struggle with supportive shoes as all the nice shoes that I wish I had money for on places like beyond skin are just not possible for me. I was absolutely stoked by the Doc Martens Vegan range and I've got two pairs although due to a flair up, I'm currently stuck wearing an old skin pair simply because everything else is just so excruciatingly painful. Make-up is also a problem as the only one I was able to wear has been bare minerals. As I'm a receptionist the make-up is necessary but outside of work, I don't wear makeup at all. Sorry, I'm really waffling, let me get to the point. I really would like to get rid of these non vegan options. I can't afford to do it all at once but for the first time in many years, I've managed to get into a good place with my depression and I really want to ride the good vibes for as far as they'll take me. If anyone has had to deal with similar issues and has found suitable products, could you give me some ideas? Make up is particularly difficult as it is so expensive and I'm afraid to change to something that might simply affect my skin. I can't afford to constantly spend money trying to find out what works. I can't even wear the Boots stuff. I only wear some foundation, powder and lipstick, nothing around my eyes. I'd also like to get rid of the plastic but I have a bundle of lush shampoo and conditioner bars which, again, don't seem to work for my hair. I'm sick of buying things that hurt animals. I know that many say that as vegans we aim to cause the least amount of suffering that we are able too. personally, I know I can do more to cause less. That is my goal for this year and I'd really like some help with that.

[Agoodenough]

This is a tricky one as what works for one person wouldn’t work for another. I wear very little make up and don’t have sensitive skin so not sure that I am the best person to recommend anything. I use dr hauschka day cream which is expensive but as I rarely use make up and I think it is ridiculously over priced, I feel justified in buying the dr hauschka day cream as it’s pretty much all I buy but I recommended it to a friend and she hated it so it’s hard to recommend products. I too can’t wear make up around my eyes except eye liner and I too used to be a receptionist so I understand your dilemma as you’re front of house and need to look a bit made up. After looking into this a bit it would seem that bare minerals is your best option, which seems to be the conclusion you have come to. Again very expensive! Sorry I can’t be of more help. Ali 🌱🙂

[Cookie101 in reply to Agoodenough]

Thank you for the tip Ali, admittedly I do sometimes get really envious of people who can just pick up any product and not have an issue. I sometimes feel like the worst vegan representative because I'm still having to compromise. Last year I even had to deal with an Iron deficiency. Nothing at all due to my diet, it was simply due to being a girl and my body not absorbing iron the way it was supposed to. But that still gives people the wrong impression that you can't eat a balanced diet as a vegan and I hate that. I'm going to try and get to more vegan fairs this year as it will give me more of an opportunity to see (and try) some new products and hopefully replace the bad stuff. Fortunately I have the chocolate sorted. We have a Montezuma's where I live. If I need the occasional chocolate fix, they have a very large vegan selection!

[Agoodenough in reply to Cookie101]

I just looked up Montezuma’s as hadn’t heard of them and it looks great. Next time I want to treat myself I will order some of their truffles. Yes I know what you mean about the iron, I was deficient long before I became vegan.

Have you looked at making your own make up on you tube. There are a few videos if you liked doing that sort of thing and experimenting. I saw a video that is basically glycerine stained with beetroot and it’s a lip stain. Quite an interesting concept as long as you don’t end up looking like coco the clown lol. It’s quite fun to watch.

Ali 🌱🙂

[Cookie101 in reply to Agoodenough]

I've actually never thought about doing that but I might have a look.

[Jens58]

I use quite a lot of Body shop make up now. They don't test on animals, some products are vegan and they aren't particularly expensive. Have you tried any?

[Agoodenough in reply to Jens58]

That’s a good suggestion. They seem to have a sale on too so I’ve added a link.

thebodyshop.com/en-gb/trend...

Ali 🌱🙂

[Cookie101 in reply to Jens58]

I tried it years ago but found my skin would react to it. I may try it again and see if the formula has changed at all. Even if I can replace a few products it will be better than nothing.